GB2590787A

GB2590787A - Frame for chairs

Info

Publication number: GB2590787A
Application number: GB2017516.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Zuccolo Laurino
Original assignee: LINEA FABBRICA Srl
Current assignee: LINEA FABBRICA Srl
Priority date: 2019-11-05
Filing date: 2020-11-05
Publication date: 2021-07-07
Also published as: FR3102656B3; DE202020106347U1; GB202017516D0; IT201900020378A1; FR3102656A3

Abstract

A frame for chairs comprising two support members 16, opposite and substantially parallel or sub-parallel to each other, each comprising a front leg 18a and a rear leg 18b. Said legs are configured to make up a common armrest, generating with the support plane a front angle A and a rear angle C. The frame further comprises two bearing members 12 for attaching a seat and a backrest to the frame for chairs 10 to allow, during use, the seating of a person. Each bearing member comprises a first portion 13a and a second portion 13b which develop opposite each other with respect to a central point P of the bearing member, forming an angle E. Two crosspieces 14 are substantially parallel or sub-parallel to each other, each configured to be associated with the respective leg of the two support members and with bearing members. The front leg and the rear leg of the support member respectively form a front angle B) and a rear angle D with respect to the first portion. The value of front angle A is between 76.5° and 82° and the value of rear angle C is between 76.6° and 82°.

Description

"FRAME FOR CHAIRS" * * * * *

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments described here concern a frame for chairs, in particular a stackable frame for chairs for communities and collectives.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The existence is known of chairs for communities and collectives, provided with a frame for chairs on which a seat and a backrest are attached, in order to provide a seat for one person.

In particular, a frame for chairs comprises two continuous support members, to also define, when installed, an armrest, opposite each other and substantially parallel to each other, each comprising a front leg and a rear leg.

The frame for chairs also comprises two support members to attach a seat and a backrest to said frame, said seat and said backrest being designed so that a 15 person can sit down.

This type of seat is normally although not exclusively used for communities and collectives, and is made to be suitable to be stacked with or without the seat in order to take up little space when stored.

These chairs are used, in particular, in spaces with public access and/or when there is a large and often temporary influx of people, where it is necessary to provide a large number of chairs to allow users to sit down.

Such spaces can be, for example, closed spaces, such as conference rooms, auditoriums, canteens, theaters, recreation rooms, trade fairs, etc. or open spaces such as lawns or parking lots etc. where events can be organized that attract a large influx of people.

Often, these spaces are completely devoid or, at most, partly devoid of sufficient chairs to accommodate the expected influx of users, therefore, it is necessary to get the chairs there by transporting them.

Similarly, a company that manufactures such chairs needs to store and transport large numbers of chairs for storage reasons, including at the clients' premises.

Transport is usually carried out by truck and it is therefore evident that a large number of chairs to be moved can also require a large number of trips. -2 -

Consequently, by increasing the necessary trips, the direct and indirect costs of transport increase.

Furthermore, excess trips also contribute to other negative aspects, such as the increase in traffic and the worsening of air quality, aspects to be kept in particular consideration, since such spaces can often be found in densely populated areas.

It is also evident that the storage of the chairs causes an impact on management costs and on the warehouse space, both on the production side and on the user side.

There is therefore a need to perfect the specific frame for chairs that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to provide a frame for chairs that allows to facilitate their movement.

Another purpose of the present invention is to increase the number of chairs transported, given the same surface area of the means of transport, reducing 15 transport costs and pollution problems.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a frame for chairs that allows to optimize storage, at the same time as maintaining the desired stability and safety.

The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to 20 overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claim. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or 25 variants to the main inventive idea.

For moving operations with means of transport, frames for chairs, either on their own or associated with the seat and the backrest, are usually stacked into columns, or stacks. These stacks can preferably, but not necessarily, be associated into groups of two or more, in a formation that allows them to be placed vertically on a pallet and facilitate their movement and transport.

Advantageously, currently the sizes of the horizontal bulk of a pallet are substantially a multiple of the sizes of the horizontal bulk of a current frame for chairs. -3 -

Such bulk sizes have to fall within certain limits so that the pallet can be loaded inside the means of transport, and it is known that the inside of the means of transport has to be occupied to the maximum.

The vertical bulk allowed by the means of transport is particularly critical, 5 since it establishes the maximum number of stackthle chairs without exceeding the height limit imposed by the sizes of the means of transport.

In particular, known frames for chairs, either on their own or once associated with the seat and with the backrest and stacked, can form stacks of 25 chairs and with a height of up to 2610mm, occupying a surface of about 1200x1500mm 10 when disposed on a pallet in groups of four stacks.

The problem that the following invention seeks to solve is to create a frame for chairs which allows to form stacks of chairs that occupy a smaller space at the base, so that smaller pallets can be used and therefore more pallets can be loaded into a vehicle used for transport.

The saving in horizontal bulk surface according to the invention is obtained without sacrificing the vertical bulk, thus equally allowing to stack a maximum of 25 chairs for each stack constituting the pallet.

Maintaining the vertical bulk substantially unchanged therefore allows to still obtain pallets suitable to be loaded on a typical means of transport currently used.

On the other hand, the saving in horizontal bulk allows to dispose a greater number of chairs on the same loading bed of the transport vehicle or, in general, on the same available surface, compared to what is possible with the frames of the state of the art.

In this way, it is possible to make the most of the spaces of the means of 25 transport as well as of the areas used for storage.

It is therefore clear that the present invention tends to allow to considerably reduce the costs of transport, but also of storage, compared to known frames for chairs, since the horizontal space occupied by the stacks of chairs is smaller than that occupied to date.

In order to reduce the horizontal bulk, while maintaining a substantial vertical bulk, die frame for chairs described here is provided with sizes, proportions and angles derived from a new setting of the bearing structure, this structure being aimed at overcoming the limits of the state of the art and eliminating the defects -4 -described above.

The invention therefore allows to move the same number of chairs with fewer transfer journeys, or it allows to use smaller vehicles to move in zones characterized by traffic and/or roads that cannot be traveled by heavy vehicles.

Similarly, the invention allows to save space inside a warehouse by reducing the space required for storing such chairs, recovering space that can be destined for other uses or for the storage of other material.

In accordance with what has been mentioned above, the frame for chairs of the present invention is provided with a smaller horizontal bulk, substantially 10 respecting the vertical bulk of known frames for chairs This frame for chairs comprises two support elements, each comprising two parallel legs spread apart.

According to some embodiments, each support element can be continuous so as to also constitute an upper segment which can act as an armrest or a support 15 for an armrest.

The legs as above, normally held in position by two horizontal bands or crosspieces, are applied in cooperation with the upper part of the legs and the upper elements or support members which bear the seat and position the backrest. Known chairs of this type normally occupy a horizontal space comprised 20 between about 500/520 x 550mm, that is, they occupy about 0.28/0.30 m2, spaces greater than a quarter of a square meter.

According to the invention, keeping the front bulk fixed, it has been identified that by suitably acting on the angle of spread of the parallel legs and/or on the angle of inclination of the upper elements that bear the backrest, it is possible to obtain a horizontal space occupation comprised between 0.25 and 0.22 m2, spaces that vary from a quarter of a square meter to less than a square meter.

It is evident that this newly obtained horizontally occupied surface allows to obtain stacks with the same horizontal space, and that therefore, for the same number of stacks, there is obtained a reduction of the space necessary for their disposition, allowing to position more stacks in a transport vehicle or in a warehouse.

In this way, for example, using an embodiment of the present invention it is possible to dispose four stacks of chairs on a pallet suitable for transport, with a -5 -base in the region of 1200 x 1340mm In particular, a frame for chairs according to the invention comprises two support members, opposite and substantially parallel or sub-parallel to each other, each comprising a front leg and a rear leg. The front leg and the rear leg can be configured to make up a common armrest. The legs can generate with the support plane a front angle and a rear angle.

The frame for chairs also comprises two bearing members for attaching a seat and a backrest to the frame for chairs in order to allow, during use, the seating of a person. Each bearing member comprises a first portion and a second portion which develop opposite each other with respect to a central point of the bearing member, forming an angle.

The frame for chairs further comprises two crosspieces which are substantially parallel or sub-parallel to each other, each configured to be associated with the respective leg of the two support members. The two crosspieces are also 15 associated with bearing members advantageously at least in proximity to the respective support members. The front leg and the rear leg of the support member respectively form a front angle and a rear angle with respect to the first portion. According to some embodiments, the frame for chairs can have, with respect to the support plane, the value of the front angle comprised between 76.5° and 82°, and the value of the rear angle comprised between 76.6° and 82°.

Advantageously, the value of the front angle can be comprised between 77.3° and 80° and the value of the rear angle can be comprised between 77° and 80°. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present 25 invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein: -fig. 1 is a schematic lateral view of a frame for chairs according to some embodiments described here; -fig. 2 is a schematic front view of a frame for chairs according to some embodiments described here.

To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings It is -6 -understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can conveniently be incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

We will now refer in detail to the possible embodiments of the invention, of 5 which one or more examples are shown in the attached drawings. Each example is supplied by way of illustration of the invention and shall not be understood as a limitation thereof For example, one or more characteristics shown or described insomuch as they are part of one embodiment can be adopted on, or in association with, other embodiments to produce other embodiments. It is 10 understood that the present invention shall include all such modifications and variants.

Before describing these embodiments, we must also clarify that the present description is not limited in its application to details of the construction and disposition of the components as described in the following description using the attached drawings. The present description can provide other embodiments and can be obtained or executed in various other ways. We must also clarify that the phraseology and terminology used here is for the purposes of description only, and cannot be considered as limitative.

Some embodiments described here using for example fig. I and fig. 2 concern 20 a frame for chairs 10 which can be made of tubular steel, possibly chromed or painted.

The frame for chairs 10 comprises two support members 16, opposite and substantially parallel or sub-parallel to each other, each comprising a front leg 18a and a rear leg 18b. The front leg 18a and the rear leg 18b can be configured to make up a common armrest. The legs 18a, 18b can generate with the support plane a front angle A and a rear angle C. The frame for chairs also comprises two bearing members 12 for attaching a seat and a backrest to the frame for chairs 10 to allow, during use, the seating of a person. Each bearing member 12 comprises a first portion 13a and a second portion 13b which develop opposite each other with respect to a central point P of the beating member 12, forming an angle E. The frame for chairs further comprises two crosspieces 14 which are substantially parallel or sub-parallel to each other, each configured to be -7 -associated with the respective leg 18a, 18b of the two support members 16. The two crosspieces 14 are also associated with bearing members 12 advantageously at least in proximity to the respective support members 16. The front leg 18a and the rear leg 18b of the support member 16 respectively form a front angle B and a rear angle D with respect to the first portion I 3a.

According to some embodiments, the frame for chairs can have the front angle A of a value comprised between 76.5° and 82° and the rear angle C of a value comprised between 76.6° and 82°.

Advantageously, the value of the angle A can be compiised between 77.3° and 10 80° and the value of the angle C can be comprised between 77° and 80°.

In known frames, the angles A and C have a value of 74.6°.

In accordance with some embodiments, each support member 16 can be continuous, that is, made in a single piece and be configured to have an upper segment 18c that can perform the function of an armrest or support of an armrest.

Each upper segment 18c has two curvatures in the terminal part of which there is defined a joining zone 20 in which the respective front leg 18a and rear leg 18b can be associated, which develop in a substantially rectilinear manner until the point of contact with the support plane.

According to some embodiments, each upper segment 18c can laterally define 20 a compartment 22 for a seat, so that such seat is comprised between each upper segment 18c (fig. 2).

The frame for chairs also comprises two bearing members 12, which have a curvature with an angle E, for attaching a seat and a backrest to such frame for chairs 10 in order to allow, during use, the seating of a person.

In the frame known in the state of the art, the value of the angle E is 106.4°.

According to some embodiments, the frame has the angle E comprised between 94° and 103°.

Each bearing member 12 can have holes 24 suitable to attach the seat to the bearing member 12 with attachment means, for example screws or suchlike.

Each bearing member 12 comprises a first portion I3a and a second portion 13b which develop opposite each other with respect to a central point P that substantially defines the center of the curvature.

The frame for chairs further comprises two crosspieces 14, each having two -8 -ends configured to be associated with the respective support member 16. Each crosspiece 14 is also configured to be associated with each bearing member 12 in a position comprised between the support members 16, in which each front leg 18a and rear leg 18b respectively form an angle B and D with respect to the first portion I3a.

In the frame known in the state of the art, the angle B and the angle D both have a value of 105.4°.

According to some embodiments, in the frame provided by the invention, the value of the angle B is comprised between 97° and 104° and the value of the 10 angle D is comprised between 1000 and 107°.

Each bearing member 12 can be attached to each crosspiece 14 by means of the first portion 13a so that each bearing member 12 is substantially orthogonal with respect to the crosspiece 14.

Some embodiments of the present invention allow, by means of the new 15 configuration of the angles A, B, C, D and E shown above and their different combinations, to reduce the horizontal bulk of the frame for chairs 10.

The frame for chairs 10 has a maximum bulk, or length, Ll.

Typically, the length Li can be the distance measured from the resting point of the front leg I8a to the free end of the second segment 13b.

In other embodiments, the length L I can be the distance measured from the resting point of the front leg 18a to the resting point of the rear leg 18b.

The frame known in the state of the art has a length Li of about 520mm This length Li is the length that the invention provides to reduce in order to achieve the purposes described.

According to some embodiments, the length Li is comprised between 410 and 470 mm This length range allows to obtain a frame for chairs 10 which, similarly to the known frame, is suitable to be stacked and to provide, during use, a comfortable seat for a user, but increases its capacity to reduce the spaces used.

By modifying the configuration of the angles B and/or D, the angles A and/or C respectively are modified.

By modifying the angles B and/or D it is possible to modify a length L2 defined by the maximum bulk on the seating plane between the front leg 18a and -9 -the rear leg 18b in correspondence with the point of contact with the support plane.

The length L2 between each front leg 18 and rear leg 18b can be modified by adjusting the incidence of each leg 18a, 18b with respect to the joining zone 20 of each curvature of the upper segment 18c, within the limits of the angles B and D described above.

In this way, it is possible to modify the inclination of each leg 18a, 18b, while maintaining the curvatures of the upper segment 18c unchanged.

The frame known in the state of the art has a length L2 of about 470mm According to some embodiments, in accordance with the angle ranges provided by the present invention, the length L2 can be comprised between 380 and 470mm, preferably between 380 and 430mm.

In accordance with some embodiments, the amplitude of the angle D can be greater than the angle B by a value comprised between 0.1° and 3°, preferably 15 between 0.50 and 30, more preferably between 1° and 30, even more preferably between 1.50 and 2.5°.

Consequently, the sum of the angles C and D can be greater than 180°.

The frame has, in relation to the seating plane, a maximum bulk, length L3, between the front position of the bearing member 12 and the rear position 20 thereof According to the invention, the length L 1 can be further modified by intervening on the length L3.

In the frame known in the state of the art, the value of the length L3 is of about 410min According to some embodiments, the present invention can have a length L3 comprised between 335 and 370mm The length L3 can be advantageously modified by adjusting the amplitude of the angle E. Optionally, the length L3 can also be modified by intervening on a length L4 which can substantially correspond to the length of the first portion 13a.

In the frame known in the state of the art, the value of the length L4 is of about 310min According to some embodiments, the present invention can have a length L4 -10 -comprised between 280 and 290mm The reduction of the length L3 can be combined with the reduction of the length L2 in order to further reduce the space horizontally occupied by frame for chairs 10.

The length L3 can be further reduced by intervening on a length L5 which can substantially correspond to the length of the second portion 13b.

In the frame known in the state of the art, the length L5 is about 290mm.

According to some embodiments, the present invention can have a length L5 comprised between 265 and 275mm According to some embodiments, the crosspieces 14 are separated from each other, with respect to each central longitudinal axis R, by a length L6.

In the frame known in the state of the art, the value of the length L6 is of about 200min According to some embodiments, the present invention can have a length L6 15 comprised between 185 and 190mm According to some embodiments, the crosspiece 14 associated with the front leg 18a can be positioned on a plane with a different height with respect to the crosspiece 14 associated with the rear leg 18b.

In particular, the crosspiece associated with the front leg 18a is positioned on a plane with a greater height than the crosspiece 14 associated with the rear leg 18b.

According to some embodiments, each crosspiece 14 defines a compartment 22 at the lower part.

The crosspieces 14 can have, in correspondence with the center line of their 25 longitudinal development, a fold which is suitably conformed to receive a seat compatible with the sizes and shapes of the compartment 22.

The frame for chairs also has a length L7 defmed by the distance between two opposite support members 16. This length L7 can substantially remain constant along the development of the support members 16 (fig. 2).

The frame known in the state of the art has a length L7 of about 550mm.

According to some embodiments, the present invention can have a length L7 comprised between 530 and 540mm It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the frame for chairs as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of frame for chairs, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate reading: they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection claimed in the specific claims.

Claims

-12 -CLAIMS1. Frame for chairs commising: -two support members (16), opposite and substantially parallel or sub-parallel to each other, each comprising a front leg (I8a) and a rear leg (I8b), said front leg (18a) and said rear leg ( 18b) being configured to make up a common armrest, said legs (18a, 18b) generating with the support plane a front angle (A) and a rear angle (C); -two bearing members (12) for attaching a seat and a backrest to said frame for chairs (10) to allow, during use, the seating of a person, each bearing member (12) comprises a first portion (13a) and a second portion (13b) which develop opposite each other with respect to a central point (P) of said bearing member (12), forming an angle (E); -two crosspieces (14) which are substantially parallel or sub-parallel to each other, each configured to be associated with the respective leg (18a, 18b) of the two support members (16) and with bearing members (12) advantageously at least in proximity to the respective support members (16) wherein said front leg (18a) and said rear leg (18b) of said support member (16) respectively form a front angle (B) and a rear angle (D) with respect to the first portion (13a), said frame for chairs being characterized in that the value of the front angle (A) is comprised between 76.5° and 82° and the value of the rear angle (C) is comprised between 76.6° and 82°, advantageously the value of the angle (A) is comprised between 77.3° and 80° and the value of the angle (C) is comprised between 77° and 80°.
2. Frame for chairs as in claim 1, characterized in that the angle (E) has a value 25 comprised between 94° and 103°.
3. Frame for chairs as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that the angle (B) has a value comprised between 97° and 104° and the angle (D) has a value comprised between 100° and 107°.
4. Frame for chairs as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that the 30 maximum bulk (L I) is comprised between 410 and 470mm.
5. Frame for chairs as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it has a length (L2), defined by the maximum bulk on the seating plane, between front leg (18a) and rear leg (18b) comprised between 380 and 470mm, preferably -13 -between 380 and 430nun
6. Frame for chairs as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that in relation to the seating plane, the maximum bulk between the front position of the bearing member (12) and the rear position thereof has a length (L3) comprised 5 between 335 and 370mm.
7. Frame for chairs as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that the first portion (13a) has a length (L4) comprised between 280 and 290mm.
8. Frame for chairs as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that the second portion (13b) has a length (L5) comprised between 265 and 275min
9. Frame for chairs as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that the two crosspieces (14) are separated from each other, with respect to each central longitudinal axis (R), by a length (L6) comprised between 185 and 190mm.
10. Frame for chairs as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that the amplitude of the rear angle (D) is greater than the front angle (B) by a value 15 comprised between 0.10 and 3°, preferably between 0.5° and 3°, more preferably between 1° and 3°, even more preferably between 1.5° and 2.5°.
11. Frame for chairs as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that the crosspiece (14) associated with the front leg (18a) is positioned on a plane with a different height with respect to the crosspiece (14) associated with the rear leg (18b).