GB2219496A - Seat frame convertible into an armchair - Google Patents

Abstract

A pair of arms 10 can be readily attached to a seat frame without using screws or similar means by engaging elements 11 on each end of the arms with the upper ends of said front legs and with the upper ends of parts which extend from the rear legs. <IMAGE>

Description

SEAT FRAXE CONVERTIBLE FROX A CHAIR INTO AN ARXCHAIR AND VICE VERSA This invention relates to a seat frame convertible from a chair into an armchair and vice versa which by virtue of the combination and conformation of its parts possesses particularly useful characteristics.

In the present context the term "chair means a seat consisting of a load-bearing structure provided with legs, a substantially horizontal seat portion rigid with said load-bearing structure and a back-rest also rigid with said load-bearing structure, whereas the term "armchair" means a seat substantially structured as the chair but additionally provided with a pair of arms.

In modern furniture, and in particular in office furniture, the load-bearing structure is usually constructed of chromium-plated or painted metal tube, or of other materials such as wood, plastics, aluminium etc., on which said seating part is fixed to a horizontal framework rigid with the legs and on which said backrest is fixed to parts of said load-bearing structure extending from the rear legs beyond said horizontal framework.

In the specific case of an armchair, the horizontal framework carrying the seating part comprises in correspondence with the front legs appendices onto each of which there is fixed an end part of the arm, the opposing end part of which is fixed onto the upper end of the rear leg extensions.

In conventionally structured armchairs as heretofore described, the arms are fixed to the load-bearing structure by screws, rivet or like means which do not allow the arms to be quickly removed if required.

An object of the present invention is to provide a seat frame which is so structured as to be easily and quickly converted from a chair into an armchair and vice versa without the need to operate with tools of any kind.

This and further objects of the invention will be apparent to the expert of the art on reading the following description.

The seat frame according to the invention is of the type comprising a load-bearing structure, a horizontal framework rigid with said load-bearing structure and on which a seating part is fixed, a pair of front legs external to the perimeter of said seating part and rigid with said horizontal framework, and a back-rest fixed to parts of said load-bearing structure which extend beyond said horizontal framework from the rear legs, and is essentially characterised by comprising a pair of arms which can be associated with said load-bearing structure without using screws or similar means, by engaging elements provided on each end of the arms with the upper ends of said front legs and with the upper ends of said parts which extend from the rear legs.

The invention is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the figures of the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows the seat frame in the chair version; Figure 2 shows the seat frame in the armchair version; Figure 3 shows a stage in the removal/application of an arm associated with the frame according to the invention; and Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the preferred means for applying the arm.

In said figures the reference numeral 1 indicates overall a loadbearing structure of metal tube comprising a horizontal framework 2 on which a seating part 3 is fixed. The reference numeral 4 indicates the front legs which are external to the perimeter of said seating part 3, and5 indicates a back-rest fixed to parts 6 extending beyond said horizontal framework 2 from the rear legs 7.

According to the invention, the tops 8 of the front legs 4 and the tops 9 of the extension parts 6 are closable by a removable plug (not shown) which can be inserted into the cavity defined by the tube forming said legs and said extension parts.

As shown in detail in Figures 3 and 4, the arms 10 comprise at each end a pin 11 to be inserted into a sleeve 12 forcibly embedded in the cavity defined by said front legs 4 and said extension parts 6. Undercut means (not shown) can be provided on the pin 11 or in the sleeve 12, to ensure mutual engagement between said two elements.

In an equivalent modification, not shown, the pin ii can be replaced by a hole provided in the ends of the arms 10 to be mounted externally over the tops of the front legs 4 and extension parts 6 respectively.

From the aforegoing it is apparent that the frame can be converted from a chair into an armchair and vice versa quickly and simply, without the need to use special tools.

Claims (4)

1. A seat frame of the type comprising a loadbearing structure, a horizontal framework fixed to said load-bearing structure and on which a seating part is fixed, a pair of front legs external to the perimeter of said seating part and fixed to said horizontal framework, a backrest fixed to parts of said load-bearing structure which extend beyond said horizontal framework from the rear legs, and a pair of arms which can be associated with said loadbearing structure without using screws or similar means by engaging elements on each end of the arms with the upper ends of said front legs and with the upper ends of said parts which extend from the rear legs.

2. A seat frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elements provided on each end of the arms consist of a pin insertable into a cavity defined by the top of said front legs and by the top of said extension parts.

3. A seat frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elements provided on each end of the arms consist of a hole arranged to be mounted externally over the top of the front legs and extension parts respectively.

4. A seat frame substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.