US3516636A - Tilt mechanism for chairs and the like - Google Patents

Tilt mechanism for chairs and the like Download PDF

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Publication number
US3516636A
US3516636A US696959A US3516636DA US3516636A US 3516636 A US3516636 A US 3516636A US 696959 A US696959 A US 696959A US 3516636D A US3516636D A US 3516636DA US 3516636 A US3516636 A US 3516636A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
column
spring
surbase
seat
axis
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US696959A
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English (en)
Inventor
Maurice P Burke
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Steelcase Inc
Brunswick Corp
Original Assignee
Brunswick Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Brunswick Corp filed Critical Brunswick Corp
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Publication of US3516636A publication Critical patent/US3516636A/en
Assigned to STEELCASE, INC., A CORP. OF MI. reassignment STEELCASE, INC., A CORP. OF MI. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: VECTA CONTRACT INC.
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C3/00—Chairs characterised by structural features; Chairs or stools with rotatable or vertically-adjustable seats
    • A47C3/02—Rocking chairs
    • A47C3/025—Rocking chairs with seat, or seat and back-rest unit elastically or pivotally mounted in a rigid base frame
    • A47C3/026—Rocking chairs with seat, or seat and back-rest unit elastically or pivotally mounted in a rigid base frame with central column, e.g. rocking office chairs; Tilting chairs
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C3/00—Chairs characterised by structural features; Chairs or stools with rotatable or vertically-adjustable seats
    • A47C3/20—Chairs or stools with vertically-adjustable seats
    • A47C3/24—Chairs or stools with vertically-adjustable seats with vertical spindle
    • 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
    • A47C7/443—Support for the head or the back for the back with elastically-mounted back-rest or backrest-seat unit in the base frame with coil springs

Definitions

  • the chair seat is attached to a surbase which in turn is pivotally attached to a thrust member for tilting movement about a horizontal axis.
  • the thrust member is supported by a bearing at the top of a hollow column or pedestal for angular movement of the thrust member and surbase substantially about the vertical axis of the column which conceals a heavy compression spring which opposes the tilting movement of the surbase.
  • the springs axis is preferably coincident with the vertical axis of angular movement of the surbase.
  • the horizontal pivot axis about which the surbase tilts is offset or spaced from the axis of angular movement thereof.
  • a steel cable is coupled to the surbase at a point offset from the axis of the spring on the side of the column opposite the horizontal tilting axis of the chair and surbase.
  • the steel cable passes downwardly around a pulley and then axially upwardly through the spring such that the tilting movement of the chair compresses the spring.
  • the structure includes means for adjusting not only the spring tension, but also the height of the chair.
  • This invention provides a tilt mechanism in which the spring exerts its force not at the center of the column, but instead at the periphery of the column at a place opposite the tilting axis.
  • a spring only half as strong as with earlier devices need be used because the spring force is applied to a lever arm about twice as long as most presently available chairs of this type.
  • the principal object of this invention is to provide a ice rtilt swivel mechanism for chairs or the like which permits the use of a relatively small spring force opposing tilting movement of the chair, thus facilitating more comfort for the occupier of the chair.
  • a further object of this invention is to provide a tilt mechanism of the character described in which the spring exerts its force not at the center of the chair pedestal, but instead at the periphery of the pedestal at a place opposite the horizontal tilting axis of the chair seat or surbase.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide a tilt mechanism of this character that incorporates means for adjusting not only the spring tension, but also the height of the chair.
  • FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a chair incorporating the present invention
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 are enlarged axial sectional views of the tilt mechanism shown in upright and tilted positions respectively;
  • FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are sectional views taken along planes corresponding to lines 4-4, 5-5 and 66 of FIG. 2.
  • the chair (FIG. 1) includes a seat 12 and a support 14.
  • the support 14 includes a surbase or flange 16 attached to the seat 12, a column or pedestal 18 and a suitable footed base 20.
  • the flange 16 (FIG. 2) has a central plate 22 pivotally mounted on a thrust member 24 for tilting movement of the chair.
  • the thrust member 24 is in turn swivelly mounted on the column 18.
  • the column 18 includes an outer tubular part 26 fastened to and projecting upwardly of the base 20, and an inner tubular part 28 threadedly connected to the outer part as at 30 for adjustment of the effective height of the column 18.
  • the upper projecting end of the inner column part 28 carries a skirt 32 to hide the threads and to serve as a handle for adjustment of the column height.
  • the thrust member 24 includes a sleeve 34 and a top plate 36 that overhangs the sleeve.
  • the overhanging part of the plate 36 rests upon a thrust bearing 38 mounted in a recess in the upper end of the skirt 32.
  • the sleeve 34 is guided for angular movement within the inner column part 28 by spaced sleeve bearings 40 and 42.
  • the lower bearing 42 is carried by a pulley block 44 attached to the lower end of the sleeve 34, and to be described more fully hereinafter.
  • the plates 22 and 36 of the surbase and the thrust member have flat surfaces normally engageable with each other to determine an upright chair position. These plates are pivoted together for tilting movement about a horizontal axis a located at the side of the thrust member.
  • the surbase plate 22 has an access slot 46 (FIG. 4) that receives a hinge knuckle 48 formed on the thrust member plate 36.
  • a pin 50 passes through the hinge knuckle 48 and is secured to seats formed in the upper surface of the surbase plate 22 located on opposite sides of the slot 44.
  • a coil spring 52 is provided that is accommodated in the sleeve 34.
  • the spring 52 is coupled to the surbase by the aid of a steel cable 54.
  • a cap 56 fits the upper end of the spring 52.
  • the lower end of the spring 52 rests on a seat pad 58 that is adjustably mounted on top of the pulley block 44.
  • a post 60 is mounted on the block for rotation about a vertical axis offset from the center of tht sleeve 34 by the aid of bearings 62 and 64.
  • a flange 66 limits downward movement of the post 60.
  • the upper end of the post 60 threadedly engages the seat pad 58. By rotating the post 60 as by a suitable tool cooperable with its accessible 3 lower end, the vertical position of the seat pad 58 is adjusted.
  • the cable 54 has one end attached to the cap 56 as by a suitable end fitting 68.
  • the cable 54 then passes axially downwardly through the spring 52 and the seat pad 58 and about a pulley 70 mounted in a slot 72 in a corner of the pulley block 44.
  • the cable then passes through the side opening of the slot 72 and upwardly along a channel 74 (see also FIGS. 5 and 6) formed along the outside of the sleeve 34.
  • the cable 54 then passes upwardly through apertures 76 and 78 in the plates 36 and 22 where it attaches to an end fitting 80.
  • the end fitting 80 engages a gimbal 82 accommodated in a seat 84 in the upper surface of the surbase plate 22.
  • the length of the cable 54 determines the position of spring cap 56 when the surbase engages the plate 36 of the thrust member.
  • the seat pad 58 determines the degree of compression of the spring 52 and hence the force that it normally exerts in order to counterbalance, more or less, the weight of the occupant at the full tilted position.
  • the thrust member sleeve 34 is dropped into the inner column part 28 until the plate 36 seats on the bearing 50.
  • a nut 86 is then attached to the lower end of the pulley block and rotated until it locks against the lower edge of the inner column part.
  • a set screw 88 holds the parts in place. The seat is accordingly held against removal from the column 18.
  • the nut 86 has a flange 90 that opposes the lower edge of the outer column part 26 to limit the height adjustment of the column.
  • the spring 52 exerts its force at a place spaced from the tilting axis a near the periphery of the column and thus the lever arm is twice as long as most presently available chairs of this type, thus permitting the use of a spring only half as strong as earlier devices.
  • a tilt mechanism for a chair a hollow column; a thrust member supported on the column; a surbase for supporting a seat, and pivotally joined to the thrust member for movement about a horizontal axis located on one side of the column; a spring accommodated in the column; and a cable having one end connected to the surbase at a place located on the other side of the column when the surbase is in its rest position to provide a moment arm between said place and said horizontal axis at least equal to the width of said column, said cable having its other end connected to said spring whereby angular movement of said surbase about said horizontal axis away from its rest position causes the spring to store energy.
  • said spring is a coil spring with its axis substantially coinciding with that of said column, there being a pulley at the bottom of the column guiding the cable from the side of said column to the center thereof, said cable being attached to the upper end of said coil spring, the lower end of said coil spring being restrained from movement.
  • said screw threaded means includes a post mounted on the pulley block for angular movement about a vertical axis spaced laterally of said column axis, the lower end of said post being accessible for engagement with a tool, the upper end of said post being threaded, the said seat pad having a threaded aperture cooperating with said threaded upper end of said post.
  • said thrust member has a sleeve guided in the column for movement about the column axis, said thrust member having an overhanging plate engaging a thrust bearing mounted at the top of said column, there being a block carried at the inner end of said sleeve; said spring being a compression coil spring with its axis substantially coinciding with the axis of said column; said sleeve having a channel along its outer surface accommodating the outer run of said cable; said cable having an inner run extending from the upper end of said coil spring downwardly to the said block; a pulley mounted by said block and defining a course between the inner and outer runs of said cable.
  • the tilt mechanism of claim 6 together with a post mounted on said pulley block for angular movement about a vertical axis spaced from the axis of said column, the lower end of said post being accessible for imparting angular movement thereto, the upper end of said post being threaded, there being a seat pad for the lower end of said coil spring having a threaded aperture engaging the threaded end of said post for adjustment of the force of said coil spring.
  • a tilt mechanism for a chair means forming a hollow vertical support for said chair; a spring accommodated in said support; means mounting said chair on said hollow support for movement about a horizontal axis located on one side of said support; and a cable having one end connected to the base of said chair at a place located on the other side of the support when the surbase is in its rest position to provide a moment arm between said place and said horizontal axis at least equal to the width of said support, said cable having its other end connected to said spring whereby angular movement of said chair about said horizontal axis away from its rest position causes the spring to store energy.

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  • Chairs Characterized By Structure (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analyzing Materials By The Use Of Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)
US696959A 1966-09-06 1967-09-20 Tilt mechanism for chairs and the like Expired - Lifetime US3516636A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU10653/66A AU1065366A (en) 1966-09-06 1966-09-06 Tilt swivel mechanism
DEB88999A DE1288260B (de) 1966-09-06 1966-09-20 Kippvorrichtung fuer einen Drehstuhl
FR78744A FR1495849A (fr) 1966-09-06 1966-10-04 Siège tel que chaise ou fauteuil basculant
GB46227/66A GB1098809A (en) 1966-09-06 1966-10-17 Tilt swivel mechanism
US69695967A 1967-09-20 1967-09-20

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3516636A true US3516636A (en) 1970-06-23

Family

ID=49832214

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US696959A Expired - Lifetime US3516636A (en) 1966-09-06 1967-09-20 Tilt mechanism for chairs and the like

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US3516636A (de)
AU (1) AU1065366A (de)
DE (1) DE1288260B (de)
FR (1) FR1495849A (de)
GB (1) GB1098809A (de)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3603553A (en) * 1969-10-17 1971-09-07 Doerner Products Co Ltd Chair control
US4732357A (en) * 1986-04-01 1988-03-22 W. Vinten Limited Lightweight tilt mounting heads
US20050045430A1 (en) * 2003-08-12 2005-03-03 Nijs Wernas Safety closing system for shaft door panel of an elevator installation, and elevator installation with shaft door panel, which comprises such a safety closing system
US20060097558A1 (en) * 2004-11-09 2006-05-11 Girsberger Holding Ag Chair
US20060157990A1 (en) * 2005-01-17 2006-07-20 Effegi Brevetti S.R.L. Guide and support device for a furniture door
US20140209778A1 (en) * 2013-01-29 2014-07-31 Integrated Dynamics Engineering Gmbh Vibration isolator with coil spring
US20190083845A1 (en) * 2017-09-15 2019-03-21 Actervis Gmbh Exercise device
DE102018103322A1 (de) * 2018-02-14 2019-08-14 Kinema Gmbh Sitz- und Stützmöbel
US20200405056A1 (en) * 2018-02-14 2020-12-31 Kinema Gmbh Seating and Support Furniture

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US617000A (en) * 1899-01-03 William basil wilberforce
US805522A (en) * 1904-12-10 1905-11-28 Gilson Mfg Co Chair-iron.
US1834609A (en) * 1931-03-17 1931-12-01 Condor Company Door closer
US1880870A (en) * 1932-04-09 1932-10-04 Demo Gust Door closer
US2398211A (en) * 1944-06-26 1946-04-09 Indian Motocycle Company Spring suspension for saddles
US3185430A (en) * 1960-11-28 1965-05-25 Bernard Charles Henri Marius Height adjustable tilting device for rev olving chairs
US3206153A (en) * 1963-02-25 1965-09-14 Bjorgensen Designs Ltd Tilt swivel mechanism for chairs
US3220687A (en) * 1963-08-21 1965-11-30 Walter P Baermann Biased tilt mechanisms, especially useful in swivel chairs and the like
US3220688A (en) * 1963-08-21 1965-11-30 Walter P Baermann Tilt and swivel mechanism for chairs
US3352526A (en) * 1965-11-02 1967-11-14 Collier Keyworth Company Chair iron

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US617000A (en) * 1899-01-03 William basil wilberforce
US805522A (en) * 1904-12-10 1905-11-28 Gilson Mfg Co Chair-iron.
US1834609A (en) * 1931-03-17 1931-12-01 Condor Company Door closer
US1880870A (en) * 1932-04-09 1932-10-04 Demo Gust Door closer
US2398211A (en) * 1944-06-26 1946-04-09 Indian Motocycle Company Spring suspension for saddles
US3185430A (en) * 1960-11-28 1965-05-25 Bernard Charles Henri Marius Height adjustable tilting device for rev olving chairs
US3206153A (en) * 1963-02-25 1965-09-14 Bjorgensen Designs Ltd Tilt swivel mechanism for chairs
US3220687A (en) * 1963-08-21 1965-11-30 Walter P Baermann Biased tilt mechanisms, especially useful in swivel chairs and the like
US3220688A (en) * 1963-08-21 1965-11-30 Walter P Baermann Tilt and swivel mechanism for chairs
US3352526A (en) * 1965-11-02 1967-11-14 Collier Keyworth Company Chair iron

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3603553A (en) * 1969-10-17 1971-09-07 Doerner Products Co Ltd Chair control
US4732357A (en) * 1986-04-01 1988-03-22 W. Vinten Limited Lightweight tilt mounting heads
US20050045430A1 (en) * 2003-08-12 2005-03-03 Nijs Wernas Safety closing system for shaft door panel of an elevator installation, and elevator installation with shaft door panel, which comprises such a safety closing system
US7546904B2 (en) * 2003-08-12 2009-06-16 Inventio Ag Safety closing system for shaft door panel of an elevator installation, and elevator installation with shaft door panel, which comprises such a safety closing system
US7490902B2 (en) * 2004-11-09 2009-02-17 Girsberger Holding Ag Chair
US20060097558A1 (en) * 2004-11-09 2006-05-11 Girsberger Holding Ag Chair
US7472457B2 (en) * 2005-01-17 2009-01-06 Effegi Giovanetti Guide and support device for a furniture door
US20060157990A1 (en) * 2005-01-17 2006-07-20 Effegi Brevetti S.R.L. Guide and support device for a furniture door
US20140209778A1 (en) * 2013-01-29 2014-07-31 Integrated Dynamics Engineering Gmbh Vibration isolator with coil spring
US9500244B2 (en) * 2013-01-29 2016-11-22 Integrated Dynamics Engineering Gmbh Vibration isolator with coil spring
US20190083845A1 (en) * 2017-09-15 2019-03-21 Actervis Gmbh Exercise device
DE102018103322A1 (de) * 2018-02-14 2019-08-14 Kinema Gmbh Sitz- und Stützmöbel
US20200405056A1 (en) * 2018-02-14 2020-12-31 Kinema Gmbh Seating and Support Furniture
US11937708B2 (en) * 2018-02-14 2024-03-26 Mykinema Gmbh Seating and support furniture

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR1495849A (fr) 1967-09-22
DE1288260B (de) 1969-01-30
AU1065366A (en) 1968-03-07
GB1098809A (en) 1968-01-10

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: STEELCASE, INC., 1120- 36TH ST., S.E. GRAND RAPIDS

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:VECTA CONTRACT INC.;REEL/FRAME:003994/0580

Effective date: 19820315