WO2002021975A1

WO2002021975A1 - Seating apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2002021975A1
Application number: PCT/GB2001/004151
Authority: WO
Inventors: Albi Serfaty
Original assignee: Serfaty, Ayala; Ablett & Stebbing
Priority date: 2000-09-15
Filing date: 2001-09-17
Publication date: 2002-03-21
Also published as: AU2001286122A1; GB0022744D0

Abstract

The present invention concerns seating apparatus comprising: a substantially rigid frame member (13) for supporting a seat, the frame member tapering at opposing ends to form upper and lower support elements. the upper support element (31) having a coupling for pivotable anchoring to a raised surface. The lower support element (12) having a contact end for contact with a lower surface.

Description

SEATING APPARATUS

The present invention relates to seating apparatus and in particular to seats such a hammocks which are traditionally supported between two raised points.

In this connection, hammocks are well known as a form of outdoor recreational seating. In general they include a length of fabric material suspended by ropes between two raised support points such as two neighbouring trees. The nature of the hammock's support, i.e. from opposing longitudinal ends thereof, allows for a degree of rocking or swaying. This rocking can be most relaxing and pleasurable to the occupant.

However, often two suitable neighbouring raised support points are not available such that the hammock cannot be erected.

Also, the use of two raised supports takes up substantial space. Such problems are particularly prevalent indoors where the nature of room design generally does not provide for conventional hammock use.

The present invention seeks to alleviate the problems associated with such known arrangements.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided seating apparatus comprising: - a substantially rigid frame member for supporting a seat, the frame member tapering towards opposing ends to form upper and lower support elements; the upper support element having a coupling for pivotable anchoring to a raised surface, and the lower support element having a contact end for contact with a lower surface.

Such seating apparatus affords many of the advantages of conventional hammocks, such as the availability of rocking and a comfortable reclined seating configuration, but also allows the apparatus to be supported from a single raised support surface.

In preferred embodiments, the contact end of the lower support takes the form of a ball. The use of a ball at the contact end of the lower support enables the seating apparatus to rock relatively freely.

Conveniently, the ball is made of rubber. Rubber affords non- slip and resilient contact properties. The downward force on the rubber ball causes it to deform slightly whilst maintaining sticking contact with the ground. This enhances the resistance of the lower support to slipping on, for example, polished floors and adds to the stability of the seating apparatus.

Preferably, the coupling of the upper support element takes the form of a universal bearing, thereby allowing low friction movement of the seating apparatus in all directions.

The universal bearing may be configured to have a restricted degree of movement,, for example limiting the maximum angle of rocking deflection to 45° from the vertical.

Conveniently, the seating apparatus is evenly balanced along it longitudinal axis. As such, the apparatus naturally adopts a mounting/dismounting position. The frame may be weighted at certain areas to enhance its stability, for example in the seat area.

In preferred embodiments, the frame is formed of a plurality of similarly shaped arcuate rods, extending longitudinally of the apparatus, the rods being close coupled towards the upper and lower support elements and being spaced from each other at their midpoints. Preferably, a plurality of transverse elements are formed between the arcuate rods.

Conveniently, the upper and lower support elements are curved in a sense opposite to that of the rods. The upper and lower support elements may be formed from extended sections of the rods .

In preferred embodiments the frame is formed of metal or metal alloy. It may however also be formed of any alternative suitable material, such as plastics, wood or composite materials .

The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein: -

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a seating apparatus of the present invention in-situ; and

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a seating apparatus of the present invention.

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a seating apparatus 10 of the present invention with an upper end 11 fixed to a wall 30 and a lower end 12 in contact with a floor -40. The seating apparatus 10 has a rigid frame 13 comprised of a plurality of similarly shaped arcuate rods 14 which are spaced apart at their midpoints to form a central seating area 15 which accommodates an occupant of the seating apparatus. The arcuate rods 14 taper towards the upper and lower ends 11,12 to form respectively upper and lower support elements 16, 17.

The upper and lower support elements 16, 17 curve outwardly in a manner opposite to the inward inflexion of the rods 14 at their central position.

The upper support element is connectable to wall 30 by way of a universal coupling 31. In this regard, the distal end of the upper support element 16 comprises a ball formation which couples with a socket 18 on a bracket 19 affixed to the wall to form the coupling 31. This allows the seating apparatus to move rock or sway. The distal end of the lower support element 17 comprises a ball 20 which contacts the ground or floor. •

The ball is made of rubber. Rubber affords non-slip and resilient contact properties. The downward force on the rubber ball causes it to deform slightly whilst maintaining sticking contact with the ground. This enhances the resistance of the lower support to slipping on, for example, polished floors and adds to the stability of the seating apparatus.

The combination of the universal coupling at the upper end and the ball allows the seating apparatus to be moved, or rocked, from side to side thus providing a comfortable and soothing seating environment for an occupant. As the ball 20 is not fixed to the floor, the whole seating apparatus can be readily moved about the universal coupling 31. Hence the seating apparatus can be moved around a room, to face different directions. The weight and shape of the seating apparatus 10 together with the angle subtended by the sloping arcuate rods, with respect to the support surfaces (i.e. the wall and floor) , give the seating apparatus good stability when rocked without fear of slippage at the lower end. In this respect, a preferred angle subtended by the frame with respect to the horizontal, i.e. as shown by angle α, is around 40-50°.

The connection at the upper end of the seating apparatus to the bracket/socket combination may be releaseable, thus allowing the seating apparatus to be removed from one location and connected to a similar bracket 19 with suitable sockets 18 elsewhere. A building may be provided with many bracket/socket combinations allowing a seating apparatus of the present invention to be moved to a variety of locations. Additionally or alternatively, the ball formation at the distal end of the upper support element 16 may be releasably fixed into a track/rail arrangement allowing the seating apparatus to translated along a wall to a different position.

Figure 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention. The seating apparatus 10 is similar to the first embodiment described above. Additionally, the seating apparatus of this embodiment has a plurality of cross-struts 21 connected to the arcuate rods 14 to form a lattice. Padded/upholstered cushioning 22 is provided within the bowl shape provided by the lattice of arcuate rods and cross- struts .

It will be understood that the embodiments illustrated show certain applications of the invention only for the purposes of illustration. In practice the invention may be applied to many different configurations, the detailed embodiments being straightforward for those skilled in the art to implement.

In this regard, whilst the lower support element is described above as not being fixed to a floor, it certain embodiments the lower support element may be fixed to a lower support surface to further enhance the stability of the seating apparatus.

Further the seating apparatus may be used in outdoor as well as indoor environments.

Claims

Claims :

1. A seating apparatus comprising: - a substantially rigid frame member for supporting a seat, the frame member tapering at opposing ends to form upper and lower support elements; the upper support element having a coupling for pivotable anchoring to a raised surface, the lower support element having a contact end for contact with a lower surface.

2. A seating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the contact end of the lower support takes the form of a ball.

3. A seating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the ball is made of rubber.

4. A seating apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the coupling of the upper support element takes the form of a universal bearing.

5. A seating apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the seating apparatus is evenly balanced along its longitudinal axis.

6. A seating apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein -the frame is formed of a plurality of similarly shaped arcuate rods, extending longitudinally of the apparatus, the rods being close coupled at the upper and lower support elements and being spaced from each other at their midpoints.

7. A seating apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of transverse elements are formed between the arcuate rods.

8. A seating apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the upper and lower support elements are curved in a sense opposite to that of the arcuate rods.

9. A seating apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein, the upper and lower support elements are formed from extended sections of the arcuate rods.

10. A seating apparatus frame according to any preceding claim wherein the frame is formed of metal or metal alloy.

11. A seating apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 9 wherein the frame is formed of plastics or composite materials .

12. A seating apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings .