NZ626734B - A chair comprising an automobile wheel for a base - Google Patents

Abstract

Specification relates to a chair (50) having an automobile wheel as (20) as its base. Chair includes an adapter (80) for attaching a seat (50) via prop (60) to wheel (20) on its side. The specification also discloses a kit of parts including adaptor (80) for attaching for adapting an automobile wheel to a seat. The adapter includes mounting features arranged to suit at least two different wheel patterns. l to a seat. The adapter includes mounting features arranged to suit at least two different wheel patterns.

Description

A CHAIR COMPRISING AN AUTOMOBILE WHEEL FOR A BASE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an adapter or a kit of parts for modifying an automobile wheel for use as a base for a chair, and a chair assembly comprising an automobile wheel forming a base of the chair and an adapter or kit of parts connecting the wheel to a support-strut of the chair assembly.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION A chair such as an office chair may comprise a seat supported by a vertical strut or prop mounted to a base. An example chair 1 is illustrated in Figure 1. A base 2 of the chair typically comprises a number of legs 3, often each with a coaster 4 to allow the chair to roll across a floor surface. A seat 5 of the chair is supported from the base by a vertical single prop or strut 6. The strut may be a gas or pneumatic strut that may be adjusted in length to alter the height of the seat from the base.

Typically the gas strut has a button on the top actuated by a lever 7 extending laterally from the strut below the seat. In use a user may lift the leaver to depress a button on the top of the strut while seated on the chair to lower the seat. To lift the seat the user may lift the lever and take weight off the seat so that the strut raises the seat.

In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construed as an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It may be desirable to provide a chair that has for a base a wheel or wheel rim arranged on its side. For example, modern automotive wheel rims such as alloy wheels are particularly attractive and providing such a chair comprising a wheel rim base may be particularly appealing. The wheel rim, while providing the functionality of a base for the chair is also displayed in a visually appealing manner for enjoyment beyond its normal use as a wheel of an automobile.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an adapter or kit of parts to adapt a wheel for use as a base of a chair, or to provide a novel chair comprising a wheel as a base of the chair, or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

In one aspect, the present invention consists in an adapter for adapting a wheel for use on its side as a base of a chair comprising: a socket for receiving a strut for supporting a seat of the chair, and a flange extending from the socket comprising a plurality of mounting features for mounting the adapter to the wheel, wherein the mounting features are arranged to suit at least two different wheel mounting patterns.

In some embodiments the mounting features are holes or slots through the flange for receiving a plurality of fasteners.

In some embodiments the mounting features are arranged in at least two groups of mounting features, each group of mounting features arranged to suit at least two different wheel mounting patterns.

In some embodiments the mounting features are threaded holes.

In some embodiments the mounting features are slots arranged to suit at least two different wheel mounting patterns comprising the same number of fasteners.

In some embodiments the socket is adapted to receive a length adjustable gas strut for a chair.

In some embodiments the socket is a tapered socket for receiving a tapered section of the strut.

In a second aspect, the present invention consists in a kit of parts for modifying an automobile wheel for use on its side as a base of a chair comprising: an adapter as described in any one or more of the above statements and further comprising one or more of: • fasteners for fixing the adapter to the wheel via the mounting features, • a shroud for covering at least a lower end of the strut and a centre part of the wheel in use, • a reducing sleeve or a range of sleeves adapted to be received in the socket for receiving a smaller diameter strut than the socket, • an extension part, a first end of the extension part adapted to be received in the adapter and a second opposite end of the extension part comprising a socket for receiving a strut for supporting a seat of the chair • a reducing sleeve adapted to be received in the socket for receiving the first end of the extension part.

In some embodiments the fasteners are studs of sufficient length to mount the adapter above the wheel in use.

In some embodiments the shroud is adapted to cover at least a lower end of the strut, the adapter and a centre part of the wheel in use.

In some embodiments an inner bore of the reducing sleeve is tapered for receiving a tapered section of the strut.

In some embodiments an inner bore of the reducing sleeve is tapered for receiving a tapered section of the extension part.

In some embodiments the kit of parts comprises the strut.

In some embodiments the strut is a length adjustable strut.

In some embodiments the kit of parts further comprises a bracket adapted to fit an upper end of the strut to the bottom of a seat of the chair.

In some embodiments the bracket is adapted to fit an upper end of the strut to the bottom of an automobile seat.

In some embodiments the kit of parts further comprises a bracket adapted to attach a generic chair seat bracket to an automobile seat, the generic chair seat bracket adapted for attachment to a strut of a chair.

In a third aspect, the present invention consists in a chair comprising: an automobile wheel arranged on its side forming a base of the chair, an adapter as described in any one or more of the above statements relating to an adapter, the adapter attached to the wheel, a strut, a bottom end of the strut supported by the adapter, and a seat mounted to an upper end of the strut.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention consists in a chair comprising: an automobile wheel arranged on its side forming a base of the chair, a kit of parts as described in any one or more of the above statements relating to a kit of parts comprising an adapter, the adapter attached to the wheel, a strut, a bottom end of the strut supported by the adapter, and a seat mounted to an upper end of the strut.

The term “comprising” as used in this specification and claims means “consisting at least in part of”. When interpreting each statement in this specification and claims that includes the term “comprising”, features other than that or those prefaced by the term may also be present. Related terms such as “comprise” and “comprises” are to be interpreted in the same manner.

As used herein the term “and/or” means “and” or “or”, or both.

As used herein “(s)” following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described by way of example only and with reference to the following drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a prior art chair.

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic side cross sectional view of a chair according to some embodiments of the present invention, the chair comprising an automotive wheel as a base.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic side cross sectional view of a wheel adapted for use as a base of a chair according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic side cross sectional view of a wheel adapted for use as a base of a chair according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view of an example adapter according to some embodiments of the present invention, with a wheel and strut partly shown.

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an adapter and a reducing sleeve according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a reducing sleeve similar to sleeve 90 illustrated in Figure 4.

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic exploded assembly perspective view illustrating a wheel and an adapter and extension part for adapting the wheel for use as a base of a chair.

Figure 9A is a diagrammatic top view a bracket for fitting a seat to the top of a strut of a chair assembly, and Figure 9B is a side view of the bracket of Figure 9A.

Figure 10A is a diagrammatic perspective view indicating a bracket for attachment to the base of an automotive a seat, and Figure 10B is a diagrammatic bottom view of the bracket in Figure 10A.

Figure 11 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a generic bracket for attaching a strut to the bottom of an office chair including a lever arm for operating a gas strut, and an example bracket for attaching the generic bracket to the bottom of an automotive seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Various embodiments are described with reference to the Figures. The same reference numerals are used throughout to designate the same or similar components in various embodiments described.

Figure 1 illustrates a chair assembly 10. The chair assembly comprises a seat 50 supported from a base 20 by a vertical single prop or strut 60. The strut may be a gas or pneumatic strut that may be adjusted in length to alter the height of the seat from the base. The length of the gas strut may be actuated by a lever 70 extending laterally from a top end of the strut below the seat 50. The base of the chair is a wheel 20 arranged on its side. To adapt the wheel for use as the base of the chair the chair comprises an adapter 80. In the embodiment of Figure 1 the adapted is fixed under a centre part of the wheel. The adapter has a socket 81 for receiving the strut 60 and a flange 82 extending from the socket. The flange has a number of mounting features for mounting the adapter to the wheel. In some embodiments the mounting features are holes in the flange. In the illustrated embodiment the holes are threaded and the adapter 80 is fixed to the wheel by fasteners 83 extending through corresponding holes in the wheel and threaded into the holes of the flange. In alternative embodiments the mounting features may be studs, for example as illustrated in Figure 5. In Figure 5 studs 87 extend through corresponding holes in the wheel and nuts (not shown) are provided to secure the adapter to the wheel. In another embodiment the mounting features may be slots through the flange. The slots are preferably arranged to cover a number of different pitch-circle-diameter fastening patterns. For example the slots may be radial slots relative to the centre of the adapter (and wheel).

In the illustrated embodiment the flange is an annular flange. However in some embodiments the flange may comprise separate projections spaced apart around the socket, each projection with one or more mounting features.

The socket 81 is shaped to receive an end or end portion of the strut 60. For example, struts adapted for use as a chair support typically have a tapered section 61 and/or a shoulder or stop 62. The socket may have a corresponding tapered section 84 to receive the tapered section of the strut to locate the strut vertically and laterally within the adapted. Additionally or alternatively the socket may have a shoulder 85 for bearing against a shoulder 62 on the strut to locate the strut vertically.

In the embodiment of Figure 2 the strut is received in the socket of the adapted and extends through a central bore of the wheel to extend above the wheel base of the chair. In some embodiments the chair assembly may comprise a shroud 86 to cover a centre part of the wheel through which the strut extends. The shroud may cover the centre part of the wheel leaving the fasteners exposed, or the shroud may cover the centre part of the wheel and the fasteners.

In some embodiments the seat 50 is an automobile seat, for example a seat that may be typically found in a vehicle such as a car or truck. In such an embodiment the chair may comprise rails 51 on which the seat can slide, for adjusting the seat laterally relative to the strut and base. A bracket 30 may be provided to fix the seat 50 to an upper end of the strut 60.

As described above, the socket 81 of adapter 80 is adapted to receive an end of the strut 60. The socket may be limited to receiving a particular strut geometry. In some embodiments an insert or reducing sleeve may be provided to fit in the socket 81. The outer surface of the sleeve is complementary to the inside of the socket, for example may comprise a tapered section and/or shoulder as described above with reference to a strut. The sleeve has an internal bore adapted receive a smaller diameter strut than the socket. A range of inserts could be provided to suit a range of different struts each with a different profile to be received in the adapter.

The inner bore of the sleeve may be tapered for receiving a tapered section of the strut and/or may have a shoulder to bearing against a corresponding shoulder on the strut. An example sleeve is illustrated in Figure 7.

In the embodiment of Figure 1 the centre bore of the wheel must be sufficiently large to receive the outer diameter of the strut. Some wheels may not have a centre bore or may have a centre bore that is too small to receive a suitable strut.

An alternative arrangement may be employed to position the adapter 80 above the wheel to adapt the wheel for use as a base of a chair. For example, in Figure 3 fasteners 83 are studs of sufficient length to mount the adapter above the wheel in use. The studs preferably are threaded at least at each end to receive a nut 83a, 83b. For example nut 83b provided to a bottom of the stud may be a lock nut (e.g. a Nylock® nut) and nut 83a provided to a top of the stud may be a dome nut. In some embodiments a shroud may be provided to cover studs and the adapter 80.

Alternatively one or both ends of studs 83 may comprise a threaded socket for receiving a bolt or screw.

To adapt a wheel that has an aperture too small to receive a desired strut, an extension part may be provided to extend through the central aperture of the wheel to engage the adapter. For example, with reference to Figure 4, the adapter 80 is mounted underneath the central part of the wheel 20, for example as described with reference to Figure 1. An extension part 95 has a shaft or first part 96 having a suitable diameter so that the first part may extend through the centre of the wheel 20 and be received in the adapter 80. In some embodiments an insert or reducing sleeve 90 may be provided to fit in the socket 81. An example sleeve is illustrated in Figure 7. The sleeve 90 has an internal bore adapted receive the first end 96 of the extension part, and may comprise a tapered section to match a tapered part of the extension part to locate the extension part laterally and vertically in the adapter. A second end or upper end of the extension part has a socket 97 for receiving an end or end portion of the strut 60, as described with reference to socket 81 of the adapter 80. In some embodiments the extension member 95 may have a lateral facing aperture 98 for receiving a wedge 99 to remove the strut 60 from the extension part.

An example adapter and optional sleeve is illustrated in Figure 6. In this illustrated embodiment the socket 81 is tapered to receive a strut or the reducing sleeve 90.

In some embodiments, the flange comprises mounting features 87 that are arranged in at least two groups of mounting features. In the illustrated embodiment there are three different groups 87a, 87b and 87c of mounting features; however there could be more than three groups. Each group of mounting features is arranged in a different mounting pattern to the other groups, for example on a different pitch-circle-diameter. Each group is arranged to suit a particular wheel mounting pattern. Therefore the adapter is suitable for attachment to a number of different wheels.

In some embodiments the chair may comprise an office type seat attached to the upper end of the strut 60 in a known way. Alternatively in some embodiments the seat may be an automobile type seat. A bracket 30 may be provided to fix the seat 50 to an upper end of the strut 60 as described with reference to Figure 2. An example bracket is illustrated in Figures 9A and 9B. The bracket 30 includes an attachment detail, for example a tapered socket 31, for receiving an upper end of a strut 60. The bracket 30 also has fastening features 78 for attaching the bracket to the bottom of a seat. For example, as shown the bracket 30 may comprise holes 78 for attaching the bracket to the bottom of the seat with screws. The bracket may have a number of fastening features arranged in a number of fastening patterns to suit a number of different seat fixing arrangements. For example, the bracket could be suited to match different fastening patterns for a number of different automotive seats. For example the bracket may be suited to be attached to a number of different automobile seats via a sliding mechanism attached to the bottom of the seat. The sliding mechanism allows the seat 50 to be laterally adjusted relative to the strut 60 and base 20 of the chair. Figure 10A illustrates another example bracket 30 and indicates fixing the bracket to the base of an automobile seat 50. Figure 10B illustrates the bottom of the bracket of Figure 10A and includes a lever arm 70 for operating a length adjustable strut.

With reference to Figure 11, in some embodiments a bracket 30 is adapted to attach a generic chair seat bracket 40 to an automobile seat. For example the generic bracket 40 may attach a strut to the bottom of a seat for an office chair.

The bracket 30 is attached to the generic bracket 40, for example via threaded fasteners extending through holes or slots 42 in the bracket and/or generic bracket.

The bracket 30 has fastening features 78 for attaching the bracket to the bottom of an automotive seat. In the illustrated embodiment the fastening features are slots 78. The slots preferably have a length to cover a number of different fastening hole positions to suit a number of different seats.

In the embodiments described the strut may fit to the sleeve or the adapter in any desired fit, for example a clearance fit, a transition fit or an interference fit. Where the adapter is provided individually or as part of a kit of parts to be assembled to a strut, a transitional fit may be preferred allowing a user to fit a strut to the adapter without requiring a force fit that might be required in an interference fit, yet the transition fit providing suitable accurate location between the strut and the adapter.

Preferably the adapter and/or sleeve(s) is/are adapted to mate with generic prior art struts (for example office chair struts), however in some embodiments the adapter and/or sleeve(s) may be adapted to engage a proprietary strut that may be of fixed length or adjustable length to be provided with the adapter. A range of strut lengths may be made available.

The adapter may be formed from any suitable material, for example a metal or plastic. The adapter may be cast and/or machined or otherwise formed from a metal such as aluminum, or may be moulded and/or machined or otherwise formed from a plastic material, for example Nylon or other suitable known engineering plastic material or composite material.

The present invention relates to a chair comprising an automobile wheel forming a base of the chair. In other aspects the present invention relates to an adapter or kit of parts to adapt a wheel for use as a base of a chair. For example an adapter 80 may be provided separately to a user to adapt a wheel for use as a base of a chair, or a kit of parts may be provided to adapt a wheel for use as a base of a chair. For example the kit of parts may comprise the adapter and any one or more of: a number of fasteners, a reducing sleeve or range of sleeves, a shroud for covering all or part of the strut and/or a central part of the wheel and/or fasteners and/or the adapter, an extension part as described, a strut, and a bracket for attaching the strut or a generic bracket to the seat. In some embodiments a kit of parts may include all items of a chair except the wheel to be adapted as a base of the chair. For example the kit of parts might also include a seat to be assembled to the upper end of the strut. Where the adapter or kit of parts is provide these may be provided together with a set of instructions for modifying a wheel for use as a base of a chair or for building a chair comprising a wheel as a base of the chair.

The foregoing description of the invention includes preferred forms thereof.

Modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

Claims (20)

1. An adapter for adapting a wheel for use on its side as a base of a chair comprising: a socket for receiving a strut for supporting a seat of the chair, and a flange extending from the socket comprising a plurality of mounting features for mounting the adapter to the wheel, wherein the mounting features are arranged to suit at least two different wheel mounting patterns.

2. An adapter as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mounting features are holes or slots through the flange for receiving a plurality of fasteners.

3. An adapter as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the mounting features are arranged in at least two groups of mounting features, each group of mounting features arranged to suit at least two different wheel mounting patterns.

4. An adapter as claimed in claim 2 wherein the mounting features are threaded holes.

5. An adapter as claimed in claim 2 wherein the mounting features are slots arranged to suit at least two different wheel mounting patterns comprising the same number of fasteners.

6. An adapter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the socket is adapted to receive a length adjustable gas strut for a chair.

7. An adapter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the socket is a tapered socket for receiving a tapered section of the strut.

8. A kit of parts for modifying an automobile wheel for use on its side as a base of a chair comprising: an adapter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, and one or more of: • fasteners for fixing the adapter to the wheel via the mounting features, • a shroud for covering at least a lower end of the strut and a centre part of the wheel in use, • a reducing sleeve or a range of sleeves adapted to be received in the socket for receiving a smaller diameter strut than the socket, • an extension part, a first end of the extension part adapted to be received in the adapter and a second opposite end of the extension part comprising a socket for receiving a strut for supporting a seat of the chair • a reducing sleeve adapted to be received in the socket for receiving the first end of the extension part.

9. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 8 wherein the fasteners are studs of sufficient length to mount the adapter above the wheel in use.

10. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 8 or 9 wherein the shroud is adapted to cover at least a lower end of the strut, the adapter and a centre part of the wheel in use.

11. A kit of parts as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein an inner bore of the reducing sleeve is tapered for receiving a tapered section of the strut.

12. A kit of parts as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 11 wherein an inner bore of the reducing sleeve is tapered for receiving a tapered section of the extension part.

13. A kit of parts as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 12 comprising the strut.

14. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 13 wherein the strut is a length adjustable strut.

15. A kit of parts as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 14 further comprising a bracket adapted to fit an upper end of the strut to the bottom of a seat of the chair.

16. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 15 wherein the bracket is adapted to fit an upper end of the strut to the bottom of an automobile seat.

17. A kit of parts as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 14 further comprising a bracket adapted to attach a generic chair seat bracket to an automobile seat, the generic chair seat bracket adapted for attachment to a strut of a chair.

18. A chair comprising: an automobile wheel arranged on its side forming a base of the chair, an adapter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 attached to the wheel, a strut, a bottom end of the strut supported by the adapter, and a seat mounted to an upper end of the strut.

19. A chair comprising: an automobile wheel arranged on its side forming a base of the chair, a kit of parts as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 17, the adapter attached to the wheel, a strut, a bottom end of the strut supported by the adapter, and a seat mounted to an upper end of the strut.

20. An adapter or kit of parts or chair substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by any one or more of accompanying