NZ763654B2 - A seat module and tilt mechanism - Google Patents
A seat module and tilt mechanismInfo
- Publication number
- NZ763654B2 NZ763654B2 NZ763654A NZ76365418A NZ763654B2 NZ 763654 B2 NZ763654 B2 NZ 763654B2 NZ 763654 A NZ763654 A NZ 763654A NZ 76365418 A NZ76365418 A NZ 76365418A NZ 763654 B2 NZ763654 B2 NZ 763654B2
- Authority
- NZ
- New Zealand
- Prior art keywords
- seat
- grooves
- coupling element
- backrest
- seat module
- Prior art date
Links
- 230000001808 coupling Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 49
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 49
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 49
- 230000000875 corresponding Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920002430 Fibre-reinforced plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 210000003491 Skin Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011151 fibre-reinforced plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C1/00—Chairs adapted for special purposes
- A47C1/02—Reclining or easy chairs
- A47C1/031—Reclining or easy chairs having coupled concurrently adjustable supporting parts
- A47C1/032—Reclining or easy chairs having coupled concurrently adjustable supporting parts the parts being movably-coupled seat and back-rest
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C1/00—Chairs adapted for special purposes
- A47C1/02—Reclining or easy chairs
- A47C1/031—Reclining or easy chairs having coupled concurrently adjustable supporting parts
- A47C1/032—Reclining or easy chairs having coupled concurrently adjustable supporting parts the parts being movably-coupled seat and back-rest
- A47C1/03261—Reclining or easy chairs having coupled concurrently adjustable supporting parts the parts being movably-coupled seat and back-rest characterised by elastic means
- A47C1/03288—Reclining or easy chairs having coupled concurrently adjustable supporting parts the parts being movably-coupled seat and back-rest characterised by elastic means with resilient blocks
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C1/00—Chairs adapted for special purposes
- A47C1/02—Reclining or easy chairs
- A47C1/031—Reclining or easy chairs having coupled concurrently adjustable supporting parts
- A47C1/032—Reclining or easy chairs having coupled concurrently adjustable supporting parts the parts being movably-coupled seat and back-rest
- A47C1/03294—Reclining or easy chairs having coupled concurrently adjustable supporting parts the parts being movably-coupled seat and back-rest slidingly movable in the base frame, e.g. by rollers
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C1/00—Chairs adapted for special purposes
- A47C1/12—Theatre, auditorium, or similar chairs
- A47C1/124—Separate chairs, connectible together into a row
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C7/00—Parts, details, or accessories of chairs or stools
- A47C7/36—Support for the head or the back
- A47C7/40—Support for the head or the back for the back
- A47C7/44—Support for the head or the back for the back with elastically-mounted back-rest or backrest-seat unit in the base frame
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C7/00—Parts, details, or accessories of chairs or stools
- A47C7/56—Parts or details of tipping-up chairs, e.g. of theatre chairs
- A47C7/566—Resiliently mounted seat or back-rest
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C7/00—Parts, details, or accessories of chairs or stools
- A47C7/56—Parts or details of tipping-up chairs, e.g. of theatre chairs
- A47C7/58—Hinges, e.g. for mounting chairs in a curved row
Abstract
There is described a seat module for use in furniture for sitting, the seat module comprising a backrest (1) and a seat (2) and a coupling element (3) which comprises 2 sidewalls held together by a transverse element, the backrest (1) being adapted to run along rear grooves (7) arranged in respective sides of the coupling element at its rear edge, a rear portion of the seat (2) is connected to the backrest (1) and a front portion of the seat (2) is adapted to run along front grooves (9) arranged in respective sides of the coupling element in its leading edge. Each sidewall includes one rear groove and one front groove. The seat module further comprises a tilting mechanism (15-19) connecting the coupling element with a support member or base (4).This provides a seat module where the user can immediately use the seat module and easily find an optimal seat position without having to figure out a system of levers etc e sides of the coupling element at its rear edge, a rear portion of the seat (2) is connected to the backrest (1) and a front portion of the seat (2) is adapted to run along front grooves (9) arranged in respective sides of the coupling element in its leading edge. Each sidewall includes one rear groove and one front groove. The seat module further comprises a tilting mechanism (15-19) connecting the coupling element with a support member or base (4).This provides a seat module where the user can immediately use the seat module and easily find an optimal seat position without having to figure out a system of levers etc
Description
A SEAT MODULE AND TILT MECHANISM
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to furniture for sitting, and more particularly to a seat
module that can be used in a chair or where several modules can be assembled to
form a seating row, as well as a tilting mechanism that is particularly suitable for
use in such a seat module.
Background
So-called recliners are usually fitted with a l mechanism so that the angle of
the backrest can be varied. The seat and backrest are usually hinged together while
the backrest is pivotally attached to the armrests on each side. The user can then
vary the angle of the backrest by pushing the body back and forth.
From Norwegian Patent 335401 it is known furniture for g where the position
of the backrest and seat can be set in the same manner as in the recliners
ned above. Here, however, the entire mechanism is hidden under the seat. A
virtual turning point is established for the backrest so that the backrest does not
have to be fixed to the armrests. The solution can therefore also be used in chairs
without armrests, such as dining chairs.
There are also known office chairs where the backrest angle can be varied by
turning a wheel or by operating a lever that unlock the backrest. With this solution,
however, the backrest cannot be ed continuously as in the previous
examples, as the backrest will return to the locked position when the user has
finished the regulation. Such chairs may also have a tilt on that allows the
backrest and seat to be tilted as a unit. This feature can also be locked.
Summary of the Invention
It is an object of at least one embodiment of the present invention to provide a seat
module for use in furniture for sitting that provides ed comfort for the user,
is ed for rational production and can be used in several different items of
furniture such as chairs and sofas or for interconnecting multiple seats in a row.
Another object is to provide a tilting ism that is particularly suitable for use
in the said seat module.
ing to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a seat module for use
in ure for sitting, the seat module comprising a backrest, seat and coupling
t, the coupling element comprising two side walls held together by at least
one transverse t and further comprising rear s arranged in a rear end
of the coupling element and front grooves disposed at a forward end of the coupling
element, each sidewall of the coupling element including one of the rear grooves
and one of the front grooves, the backrest being adapted to slide along said rear
grooves, n a rear portion of the seat is connected to the backrest and
wherein a front portion of the seat is adapted to slide along said front groove. The
seat module further comprises a tilting mechanism attached ly to or included
in the coupling t that connects the coupling element with a support member
or base. The tilting mechanism allows for the rotation of the group of elements
consisting of the st, the seat and the coupling element around the support
member independently from the sliding movement of the st.
The background of this invention is that it is possible to use a backrest and seat
adjustment mechanism where no locking mechanism is required, i.e., where the
user can sit relaxed in any position of the seat module and at the same time be
possible for the user to tilt the seat module, still without having to lock its position.
This provides a seat module where the user can immediately use the seat module
and easily find an optimal seat position without having to figure out a system of
levers etc. Another advantage of this construction is that both the setting function
and the tilt function are d by the coupling element underneath the seat,
without the need for attachment to armrests or similar.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the backrest ses brackets
adapted to engage and run in said rear groove, the front portion of the seat being
connected to a sliding unit running in said front groove, the rear grooves being
provided as arcuate or radial incisions, wherein said brackets comprise
corresponding arcuate or radial projections adapted to engage the grooves on the
coupling element and wherein the front grooves are provided as radial or arcuate or
linear through grooves with a pitch toward the front of the seat module.
This ment simplifies the mounting of the st on the ng element.
According to a preferred embodiment, the coupling element comprises through
openings located in the rear grooves and the seat module may comprise a locking
rod adapted to pass through holes in the brackets and through said openings so
that the backrest is locked to the coupling element.
Again, this is a solution that greatly simplifies the ng of the backrest.
According to a r embodiment, said sliding unit includes sliding sleeves or lugs
mounted at each end of a slide rod, the sliding sleeves or lugs being adapted to
engage in said front groove.
Further, there may be ed a spring between a transverse element in the
coupling t and said slide rod.
According to an embodiment, the seat comprises rear recesses adapted to engage
the locking rod and front recesses arranged to grip the slide bar.
This uction will greatly simplify the assembly of the seat module as the seat
merely snaps into place on the coupling element. The spring has two functions as it
ensures optimal balance in the sliding function and straightens the backrest when
the user leaves the seat module. In case the seat module is used in a number of
chairs that stand around a table or as elements in a sofa, the automatic
rearrangement of the st will ensure that the furniture always gives a clean
impression. This solution for mounting the seat may also be used in other seat
modules.
According to another aspect, the ion comprises a tilting mechanism
comprising a l beam, which is multilateral in cross-section, elastic means
surrounding the central beam and an outer housing surrounding the central beam
and elastic means.
This tilting mechanism has a very simple construction, is very durable and can be
easily maintained. The tilt mechanism may also be used in other seat modules,
recliners, etc.
According to one embodiment, the outer housing comprises a U-shaped e and
a cover plate.
This solution provides a profile that can be included as a supporting element in a
coupling element, and where the tilting mechanism is easy to mount.
According to an alternative embodiment, the central beam ses a conical hole
for fastening a support frame and wherein an opening is provided in the outer
housing for access to said conical hole.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The invention will now be bed in detail with reference to the accompanying
gs, in which:
Figures 1a and b are a side view of a chair orating a seat module according to
the invention,
Figure 2 shows the individual elements included in the chair, in side view,
Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the construction of the chair in more ,
Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing s of a g joint included in the
invention.
Detailed Description
In the following, directional indications such as "front", "rear", "upward",
"downward", "forward", "backward", "front", "downward projecting" etc., relate to a
seat module in its natural position of use shown in the drawings.
Figures 1a and 1b show a chair incorporating a seat module according to the
invention comprising a backrest 1, a seat 2 and a coupling element 3 that holds the
backrest and seat together, and r is attaching the backrest and the seat to a
support member 4. Multiple seat modules, including backrests, seats and coupling
elements, can be put together to form a sofa or a row of seat modules, instead of a
chair as shown in the figure. Multiple seat modules can also be ed to a corner
element so that they form a corner sofa and the like.
Fig. 1a shows the chair with its back in upright position, while Fig. 1b shows the
chair when the back is angled backwards. The seat is also pushed slightly forward
and the front of the seat is raised slightly in relation to the situation in Figure 1a.
Fig. 2 shows the seat from the side, as the backrest and seat are loosened from the
coupling element to show details of the structure. The coupling element comprises
on its two respective sides rear grooves 7 and front grooves 9, the rear grooves
being provided as arcuate or radial incisions. The backrest, in turn, comprises
brackets 5 with arcuate or radial protrusions 6 adapted to engage the grooves 7 of
the coupling element so that the protrusions can slide back and forth in the grooves
7. Thus, the grooves 7 define a turning point and an imaginary hinge point for the
st 1.
The front s 9 are provided as correspondingly directed radial or arcuate
through grooves, atively linear grooves with pitch toward the front of the seat
module. Sliding sleeves or lugs 23 d on a slide rod 21 (Fig. 3) run in the
grooves 9. The seat is secured to the slide rod by means of first notch 11 in the
front lower part of the seat. The sliding sleeves or lugs 23 are mounted on each end
of the slide rod 21, the sliding sleeves or lugs engaging respective front grooves 9
on either side of the ng element 3.
Fig. 3 shows how the backrest is attached to the coupling element. The brackets 5
at the bottom of the backrest 1 are provided with e projections 6, with the
projections of the two brackets facing inwards and towards each other. The
protrusions engage the rear grooves 7 and the backrest is locked to the coupling
element by means of a locking rod 12 which passes through holes 22 at the end of
each bracket and through longitudinal and through-openings 8 in the bottom of the
grooves 7. The length of the openings 8 defines the rotational range of the
backrest.
When assembling the seat, it is pressed down so that the front s 11 grip
around the slide rod 21. The slide rod 21 is secured with a spring 13 to a cross
beam 14 which passes between the side walls of the coupling element 3. Similarly,
at the rear end of the seat 2, rear s 10 are arranged to grip the g rod
12 (Fig. 2). By g the backrest 1 forward into the rear groove 7, the locking
rod 12 will be pressed into and locked in the rear notches 10.
The spring 13 serves to straighten the chair back when the user rises from the seat
module. If there are more modules in a row, this will ensure a tidy impression when
the modules are not in use. The spring has a strength adapted to balance the
sliding function of the seat module, and also to ensure proper straightening of the
backrest. When the seat is mounted, the spring will also have a bias.
The coupling element 3 is preferably d as a single piece of fibre-reinforced
plastic composite, although it can of course be manufactured in other suitable
polymeric materials or metal, or partly of polymer and partly of metal. Likewise,
both the backrest and seat can contain a core of composite or plastic covered with
foam, fibre and fabric or skin. Alternatively, the said brackets may consist of metal
cast in the backrest.
Figure 4 is an exploded view showing details of the tilt mechanism used in each
seat module. The tilt mechanism comprises a central beam 15 which is polygonal in
cross section. The central beam is terminated at each end by fixing plates 20. In
this case the fixing plates are bolted to legs which form a support member or base
4. Around the central beam 15, there are elastic means 16. In the illustrated case,
the beam with the elastic means is raised into a recess in the coupling t 3,
the recess forming an opening in the U-shaped cross beam 14 (shown in Figure 3).
The central beam is kept in place by closing the opening of the U-beam with a
cover plate 17. The U-shaped cross beam and the cover plate thus form a housing
around the l beam and the elastic means. The elastic means allow a
rotational movement of the outer housing relative to the l beam. The central
beam and cover plate preferably consist of metal, while the c means consists
of parts manufactured in a suitable resilient material such as rubber or other type
of polymer.
As mentioned above, the central beam is nal in cross section. From a
production int, it is red that the beam be square or rectangular in
cross section, but in principle it may have any polygonal shape. In the simplest
case, it may be triangular in cross section, but it is also possible to use other
shapes such as hexagonal, octagonal, etc.
In the case shown, the cover plate is attached with bolts (machine screws) 18 and
nuts 19. Alternatively, the nuts can be replaced by a fixing plate located on top of
the central beam, with threaded holes being provided in the fixing plate for the
bolts 18. In yet another alternative embodiment, instead of h bolts, screws
that engage holes in the coupling element are used.
In an alternative embodiment of the tilting mechanism (not shown) an g is
ed in the cover plate and a conical hole in the central beam. The opening is
aligned facing the conical hole so that the tilt mechanism can easily be mounted on
a chair base of the gas lift type.
The tilting mechanism can in principle also be arranged in the te way, i.e. the
central beam is attached or included in the coupling element and passes n
the longitudinal walls thereof while the housing is attached to the base.
The tilting mechanism shown in Figure 4 is preferred for use in the shown seat
module because it can easily be included as part of the coupling element. r,
other types of tilting mechanisms may be used, for example a torsion spring tilting
mechanism. Such tilting mechanisms are commonly used in office chairs. r,
such a solution will readily comprise several ents which must be bolted to
the coupling element and a corresponding base complicating the mechanism.
In use, the user can lean backwards and slide the seat forward. The backrest will
then slide forward in the grooves arranged in the coupling element so that the back
is angled backwards, Fig. 1b, while the seat (which is coupled to the backrest) will
be pushed forward along the front grooves of the coupling element. As the front
tracks are arranged, the seat will also be raised slightly at the leading edge. Once
the user has found his preferred position, the seat module setting is stable, even if
the user should choose to flip back and forth via the tilting link between seat
module and base.
Claims (7)
1. A seat module for use in furniture for g, the seat module comprising: a backrest, seat and coupling element, the coupling element comprising two side walls held together by at least one transverse t and further comprising rear 5 grooves arranged in a rear end of the coupling element and front grooves ed at a forward end of the coupling element, each sidewall of the coupling element including one of the rear grooves and one of the front grooves, the backrest being adapted to slide along said rear grooves, wherein a rear portion of the seat is connected to the backrest, and wherein a front portion of the seat is adapted to 10 slide along said front grooves, wherein the seat module further comprises a tilting mechanism attached ly to or included in the coupling element, connecting the coupling element with a support member, where said tilting mechanism allowing for the rotation of the group of elements consisting of the st, the seat and the coupling element around the support member is independent from the sliding 15 nt of the backrest.
2. The seat module of claim 1, wherein the backrest comprises brackets adapted to engage and run in said rear grooves, the front portion of the seat being connected to a sliding unit running in said front grooves, the rear grooves being provided as e or radial incisions, said brackets comprising corresponding arcuate or radial 20 protrusions adapted to engage the grooves of the coupling element, and wherein the front grooves are provided as radial or arcuate or linear through grooves with a pitch toward the front of the seat module.
3. The seat module of claim 2, wherein the coupling t ses throughopenings located in the rear grooves, the seat module further comprising a locking 25 rod adapted to pass through holes in the brackets and h said openings so that the backrest is locked to the coupling element.
4. The seat module of claim 2 or 3, wherein the g unit comprises a slide rod with g sleeves at each end, the sliding sleeves being adapted to engage said front grooves. 30
5. The seat module according to claim 4, wherein a spring is secured between a cross beam which passes between the side walls of the ng element and said slide rod.
6. The seat module of claim 4 or 5, wherein the seat comprises rear notches adapted to grip the locking rod and front notches adapted to grip the slide rod.
7. The seat module of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rear grooves, the front s, and the titling mechanism are substantially at the same level.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
NO20171689 | 2017-10-20 | ||
NO20171689A NO343925B1 (en) | 2017-10-20 | 2017-10-20 | Sit Module |
PCT/NO2018/050250 WO2019078730A1 (en) | 2017-10-20 | 2018-10-19 | A seat module and tilt mechanism |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
NZ763654A NZ763654A (en) | 2021-06-25 |
NZ763654B2 true NZ763654B2 (en) | 2021-09-28 |
Family
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