U.S. patent application number 09/931968 was filed with the patent office on 2003-02-20 for supporting device for a chair.
Invention is credited to Wu, Hsiu-Hsueh.
Application Number | 20030034684 09/931968 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25461587 |
Filed Date | 2003-02-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030034684 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wu, Hsiu-Hsueh |
February 20, 2003 |
Supporting device for a chair
Abstract
A supporting device for a chair in accordance with the present
invention comprises a board comprising two opposite lateral wings
extending from a side of the board and defining a compartment
therebetween, each of the opposite lateral wings having a top edge.
Plural resilient members extend between the top edges of the
opposite lateral wings. An elastic lining pad is mounted to an
outer side of the plural resilient members. When an external force
is exerted on the supporting device, the plural resilient members
absorbs the external force by means of deforming into the
compartment, and the resilient members return to their original
shapes when the external force is removed.
Inventors: |
Wu, Hsiu-Hsueh; (Ta Li City,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Alan Kamrath
RIDER BENNETT EGAN & ARUNDEL, LLP
Suite 2000
333 South Seventh Street
Minneapolis
MN
55402
US
|
Family ID: |
25461587 |
Appl. No.: |
09/931968 |
Filed: |
August 17, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/440.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 7/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/440.11 |
International
Class: |
A47C 007/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A supporting device for a chair, comprising: a board comprising
two opposite lateral wings extending from a side of the board and
defining a compartment therebetween, each of the opposite lateral
wings having a top edge; plural resilient members extending between
the top edges of the opposite lateral wings; and an elastic lining
pad mounted to an outer side of the plural resilient members;
wherein when an external force is exerted on the supporting device,
the plural resilient members absorbs the external force by means of
deforming into the compartment, and the resilient members return to
their original shapes when the external force is removed.
2. The supporting device for a chair as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising plural ribs extending between the opposite lateral walls
of the board for reinforcing the board.
3. The supporting device for a chair as claimed in claim 1, wherein
air is allowed to circulate in the compartment to provide a good
permeability.
4. The supporting device for a chair as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising an elastic support between the plural resilient members
and the elastic lining pad for preventing the elastic lining pad
from entering into the compartment.
5. The supporting device for a chair as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising an outer cover for housing the board and the elastic
lining pad.
6. The supporting device for a chair as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the board is formed by molding injection.
7. The supporting device for a chair as claimed in claim 1, wherein
each said resilient member is a rubber strip.
8. The supporting device for a chair as claimed in claim 1, wherein
each said resilient member is a spring.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a supporting device for a
chair. In particular, the present invention relates to a supporting
device such as a seat or backrest for a chair such as an office
chair.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] FIG. 10 of the drawings illustrates a conventional backrest
for a chair. The backrest comprises a board 1, a piece of sponge 2,
and an outer cover 3 for covering the board 1 and the piece of
sponge 2 for aesthetic purpose. The piece of sponge 2 is deformed
when an external force is exerted on the backrest (e.g., the user's
back is lying on the backrest), and it returns to its original
shape after the external force is removed. However, the returning
effect of the piece of sponge 2 is poor if it is has a low density.
But the air permeability of the piece of the sponge 2 is poor if it
has a high density for obtaining a satisfactory returning effect.
The user will feel hot and uncomfortable at the back. In addition,
the returning effect provided by the piece of sponge deteriorates
after a period of time and thus should be replaced from time to
time. The discarded sponge causes an environmental problem.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a
supporting device such as a seat or backrest for a chair such as an
office chair.
[0006] A supporting device for a chair in accordance with the
present invention comprises a board comprising two opposite lateral
wings extending from a side of the board and defining a compartment
therebetween, each opposite lateral wing having a top edge. Plural
resilient members extend between the top edges of the opposite
lateral wings. An elastic lining pad is mounted to an outer side of
the plural resilient members. When an external force is exerted on
the supporting device, the plural resilient members absorbs the
external force by means of deforming into the compartment, and the
resilient members return to their original shapes when the external
force is removed.
[0007] Plural ribs extend between the opposite lateral walls of the
board for reinforcing the board. Air is allowed to circulate in the
compartment to provide a good permeability. An elastic support is
mounted between the plural resilient members and the elastic lining
pad for preventing the elastic lining pad from entering into the
compartment. An outer cover is provided for housing the board and
the elastic lining pad. Each resilient member is a rubber strip or
a spring.
[0008] Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a perspective view of a
backrest in accordance with the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the backrest in
accordance with the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a seat in accordance with
the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the seat in
accordance with the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an upper portion
of a chair in accordance with the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the chair in accordance with
the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along plane A-A in FIG.
6.
[0016] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a modified
embodiment of the backrest in accordance with the present
invention.
[0017] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a further modified
embodiment of the backrest in accordance with the present
invention.
[0018] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional
chair backrest.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 9 and initially to FIGS. 1 and
2, a backrest 10 in accordance with the present invention generally
comprises a board 11, an elastic support 12, an elastic lining pad
13, and an outer cover 14. The board 11 can be made of any suitable
material. In this embodiment, the board 11 is formed by means of
molding injection. The board 11 comprises two opposite lateral
wings 111 extending from a front side of the board 11 and defining
a compartment 112 therebetween. Plural ribs 113 extend between the
opposite lateral wings 111 for reinforcing the structure of the
board 11. Plural resilient members 114 extend between top edges 116
of the opposite lateral wings 111, which will be described later.
In this embodiment, each resilient member 114 is a rubber strip.
The elastic support 12 is mounted to the outer sides of the
resilient members 114 and thus encloses the compartment 112. The
elastic lining pad 13 is mounted to an outer side of the elastic
support 12 and preferably made of sponge. The outer cover 14 houses
the board 11, the elastic support 12, and the elastic lining pad 13
and is made of a suitable material such as leather. The board 11
may further comprises two pegs 115 on an outer face of one of the
opposite lateral walls 111. The pegs 115 are exposed outside the
outer cover 14 and each have a screw hole (not labeled).
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a seat 20 in accordance with the
present invention generally comprises a board 21, an elastic
support 22, an elastic lining pad 23, and an outer cover 24. The
board 21 can be made of any suitable material. In this embodiment,
the board 21 is formed by means of molding injection. The board 21
comprises two opposite lateral wings 211 extending from a front
side of the board 21 and defining a compartment 212 therebetween.
Plural ribs 213 extend between the opposite lateral wings 211 for
reinforcing the structure of the board 21. Plural resilient members
214 extend between top edges 216 of the opposite lateral wings 211,
which will be described later. In this embodiment, each resilient
member 214 is a rubber strip. The elastic support 22 is mounted to
the outer sides of the resilient members 214 and thus encloses the
compartment 212. The elastic lining pad 23 is mounted to an outer
side of the elastic support 22 and preferably made of sponge. The
outer cover 24 houses the board 21, the elastic support 22, and the
elastic lining pad 23 and is made of a suitable material such as
leather. The board 21 may further comprises two pegs 215 on an
outer face of one of the opposite lateral walls 211. The pegs 215
are exposed outside the outer cover 24 and each have a screw hole
(not labeled).
[0021] In general, the backrest 10 and the seat 20 are almost
identical in structure except for the outlines. FIGS. 5 and 6
illustrate a chair, particularly an office chair, comprising the
backrest 10, the seat 20, and two armrests 30. Each armrest 30 has
two holes 32 in a lower side thereof and two holes 31 in a rear end
thereof, and bolts or screws 40 are extended through the holes 31,
32 and the screw holes 115 and 215 of the backrest 10 and the seat
20 to thereby assemble the armrests 30 to the backrest 10 and the
seat 20. Referring to FIG. 7, when an external force is exerted on
the supporting device (i.e., the backrest 10 or the seat 20), it is
absorbed by the resilient members 14, 24. The elastic support 12,
22 prevents entrance of the elastic lining pad 13, 23 into the
compartment 11, 21. The elastic lining pad 13, 23 provides the user
with a soft, comfort support. The resilient members 14, 24 are less
likely to deform permanently when compared with those in the
conventional design. The compartment 112, 212 allows air to
circulate therein and thus prevents overheat and prolongs the life
of the supporting device.
[0022] FIGS. 8 and 9 are exploded perspective views of modified
embodiments of the supporting device (in the form of a backrest) in
accordance with the present invention. In the embodiments shown in
FIGS. 8 and 9, the resilient members 114 are coil springs and wavy
springs, respectively. In addition, the elastic support 12 in the
first embodiment is omitted in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9.
[0023] In conclusion, when an external force is exerted on the
supporting device, the plural resilient members 114, 214 absorbs
the external force by means of deforming into the compartment 112,
212, and the resilient members 114; 214 return to their original
shapes when the external force is removed. By means of provision of
the supporting device in accordance with the present invention, the
life of the backrest or seat is prolonged while providing an
improved support.
[0024] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its
preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other
possible modifications and variations can be made without departing
from the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
* * * * *