U.S. patent application number 11/118992 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-03 for hand grip for a seat assembly.
Invention is credited to Lohness, William F., Williams, Brian E..
Application Number | 20050242648 11/118992 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35186337 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050242648 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Williams, Brian E. ; et
al. |
November 3, 2005 |
Hand grip for a seat assembly
Abstract
A seat including a hand grip and a seat back assembly. The seat
back assembly has a rigid frame and a trim cover for covering at
least a portion of the frame. The hand grip includes an outer
surface, an inner surface, a grip area, a flange and a tab. The
inner surface is opposite the outer surface. The grip area is
defined in the outer surface and is adapted to accommodate a hand
of a person. The flange bounds the grip area for concealing a
portion or the trim cover during assembly of the hand grip to the
seat. The tab extends outwardly from the inner surface of the grip.
A distal end of the tab is generally parallel and spaced apart with
the inner surface of the hand grip for receiving the frame
therebetween.
Inventors: |
Williams, Brian E.; (Ida,
MI) ; Lohness, William F.; (Jonesville, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Douglas L. Wathen
Gifford, Krass, Groh, Sprinkle,
Anderson & Citkowski, P.C.
PO Box 7021
Troy
MI
48007-7021
US
|
Family ID: |
35186337 |
Appl. No.: |
11/118992 |
Filed: |
April 29, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60566490 |
Apr 29, 2004 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/411.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 7/62 20130101; B60N
3/02 20130101; B60N 2/01508 20130101; A47C 7/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/411.2 |
International
Class: |
B60N 002/46; A63B
026/00; A47C 007/54 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A hand grip for use with a seat assembly having a frame and a
trim cover for covering at least a portion of the frame, the hand
grip comprising: an outer surface; an inner surface opposite the
outer surface; a grip area defined in the outer surface adapted to
accommodate a hand of a person; a flange bounding the grip area for
concealing a portion or the trim cover during assembly of the hand
grip to the seat assembly; a tab extending from the inner surface
of the grip, at least a portion of the tab being spaced apart from
and generally parallel with said flange for retaining the frame
therebetween.
2. The hand grip as set forth in claim 1, wherein the grip area has
an elongated ovular shape extending between opposite sides.
3. The hand grip as set forth in claim 2, wherein the grip area
includes opposite and spaced apart upper and lower ends, each of
the upper and lower ends extending between the opposite sides of
the grip area.
4. The hand grip as set forth in claim 3, wherein the upper end of
the grip area is arcuate.
5. The hand grip as set forth in claim 1, wherein the grip area is
symmetrical about a center axis of the seat assembly.
6. The hand grip as set forth in claim 1, wherein the grip area
defines a receiving area that is concave with respect to the flange
for receiving the fingers of the user therein.
7. The hand grip as set forth in claim 3, wherein the grip area
defines a receiving area that is concave and extends upwardly
relative to the upper end for receiving the fingers of the user
therein.
8. The hand grip as set forth in claim 1, wherein the tab has a
distal end that is bent so as to be generally parallel and spaced
apart with the flange of the hand grip for receiving the frame
therebetween.
9. A seat assembly comprising: a cushion for supporting a user in a
seated position spaced above a floor; a seat back having a frame
secured to the cushion for supporting the seat back in a
substantially upright position relative to the cushion, the seat
back having an upper edge spaced apart from the cushion; and a hand
grip fixedly secured to the seat back to facilitate carrying of the
seat assembly by a user's hand, the hand grip comprising: a grip
area having an arcuate upper end space apart by a predetermined
distance from the upper edge of the seat back such that the palm of
the user's hand rests along the upper edge of the seat back when
the fingers of the user's hand are placed along the upper end of
the grip area; the grip area having a receiving portion that is
concave and extends upwardly relative to the upper end for
receiving the fingers of the user therein.
10. The seat assembly as set forth in claim 9, wherein the grip
area is substantially bounded by a flange.
11. The seat assembly as set forth in claim 10, wherein the hand
grip includes a tab extending toward the seat back relative to the
flange, the tab being bendable to form an L-shape for retaining the
frame between the flange and the tab, thereby securing the hand
grip to the seat assembly.
12. The hand grip as set forth in claim 10, including a tab that
extends from the inner surface of the grip, the tab being generally
parallel with and spaced apart from said flange for retaining the
frame between therebetween.
13. A hand grip for use with a seat assembly having a frame and a
trim cover for covering at least a portion of the frame, the hand
grip comprising: an outer surface; an inner surface opposite the
outer surface; a grip area defined in the outer surface adapted to
accommodate a hand of a person; a flange bounding the grip area for
concealing a portion or the trim cover during assembly of the hand
grip to the seat assembly; and a stem extending orthogonally from
the flange, the stem having an end that is threaded for threadingly
engaging a nut, thereby retaining the frame between the flange and
the nut.
14. The hand grip as set forth in claim 13, wherein the grip area
has an elongated ovular shape extending between opposite sides.
15. The hand grip as set forth in claim 14, wherein the grip area
includes opposite and spaced apart upper and lower ends, each of
the upper and lower ends extending between the opposite sides of
the grip area.
16. The hand grip as set forth in claim 15, wherein the upper end
of the grip area is arcuate.
17. The hand grip as set forth in claim 13, wherein the grip area
defines a receiving area that is concave with respect to the flange
for receiving the fingers of the user therein.
18. The hand grip as set forth in claim 15, wherein the grip area
defines a receiving area that is concave and extends upwardly
relative to the upper end for receiving the fingers of the user
therein.
19. The hand grip as set forth in claim 15, wherein a pair of stems
extend outwardly from the flange for securing the opposite ends of
the hand grip to the frame.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/566,490, filed Apr. 29, 2004, the
content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a hand grip for use with a seat
back assembly of a chair. The hand grip facilitates moving of the
chair by a person.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A chair typically includes a seat back assembly with a rigid
frame structure covered by an elastic, cellular foam pad concealed
behind a "cut and sew" trim cover. Typically, the frame includes an
upper cross member extending between generally upright side
members. It is well known to trim the seat back assembly such that
a portion of the upper cross member remains exposed to define a
handle to facilitate carrying or moving of the chair by a person.
It remains desirable to provide a handle that is aesthetically
pleasing and, at the same time, provides enhanced functionality
over seat handles known in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] According to one aspect of the invention, a hand grip is
provided for use with a chair having a seat back assembly with a
rigid frame and a trim cover for covering at least a portion of the
frame. The hand grip includes an outer surface, an inner surface, a
grip area, a flange and a tab. The inner surface is opposite the
outer surface. The grip area is defined in the outer surface and is
adapted to accommodate a portion of a hand of a person. The flange
bounds the grip area for concealing a portion or the trim cover
during assembly of the hand grip to the seat back assembly. The tab
extends from the inner surface of the grip. In one embodiment, the
tab is generally parallel and spaced apart with the inner surface
of the hand grip for receiving the frame therebetween.
[0005] According to another aspect of the invention, the tab
extends outwardly from the inner surface of the grip and is
bendable to form an L-shape for retaining the frame between the
flange and the tab, thereby securing the hand grip to the seat
assembly.
[0006] According to another aspect of the invention, a seat
assembly includes a seat cushion, a seat back assembly and a hand
grip. The seat cushion supports a user in a seated position spaced
above a floor. The seat back assembly extends substantially upright
with respect to the cushion. The seat back assembly has an upper
edge spaced apart from the cushion. The hand grip is fixedly
secured to the seat back to facilitate carrying of the seat
assembly by a user's hand. The hand grip includes a grip area that
is convex to receive fingers of the user therein. The grip area has
an upper end space apart by a predetermined distance from the upper
edge of the seat back such that the palm of the user's hand rests
along the upper edge of the seat back when the fingers of the
user's hand are placed along the upper end of the grip area.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Advantages of the present invention will be readily
appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to
the following detailed description when considered in connection
with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a seat assembly
incorporating a one-piece hand grip according to one embodiment of
the invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of a portion of the seat
assembly incorporating the hand grip shown in FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the seat assembly
showing a first embodiment of the attachment of the hand grip to
the seat assembly;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the hand grip shown in
FIG. 3;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a top elevational view of the hand grip shown in
FIG. 3;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the seat assembly
showing a second embodiment of the attachment of the hand grip to
the seat assembly;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the hand grip shown in
FIG. 6;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a top elevational view of the hand grip shown in
FIG. 6;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the seat assembly
illustrating a third embodiment of the attachment of the hand grip
to the seat assembly;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the hand grip shown in
FIG. 9; and
[0018] FIG. 11 is a top elevational view of the hand grip shown in
FIG. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a portion of a back assembly of
a chair is generally indicated at 10. The back assembly 10 includes
a rigid frame covered, at least in part, by a cellular foam padding
concealed behind a trim cover, as commonly known by those of
ordinary skill in the art. A bumper 13 is fixedly secured along at
least an upper edge of the seat assembly to minimize damage during
contact with rigid objects, such as tables, walls, or other seats.
A hand grip 12 according to the invention is fixedly secured to the
back assembly 10. The hand grip 12 includes an outer surface 14. A
grip area 16 is defined in the outer surface 14. The grip area 16
is adapted to receive a hand of a person and is positioned on the
back assembly 10 to facilitate carrying or moving of the back
assembly 10 or chair by the person. More specifically, the grip
area 16 has an elongated ovular shape extending between opposite
sides 16a, 16b and oriented transversely across the back assembly
10. The grip area 16 has opposite and spaced apart upper 16c and
lower 16d ends extending between the sides 16a, 16b. Preferably,
the upper end 16c of the grip area 16 is arcuate and extends
outwardly toward the lower rend 16d. The grip area 16 is preferably
symmetrical about a center axis of the seat, so that the hand grip
can be easily held by both left and right hands of the user. The
grip area 16 is substantially bounded by a rim or flange 18. The
grip area 16 defines a receiving portion that is concave relative
to the flange 18 and extends upwardly relative to the upper end 16c
for receiving the fingers of a user therethrough.
[0020] In FIGS. 3-11, several embodiments of the invention are
shown which illustrate how the hand grip 12 is fixedly secured to
the back assembly 10. Preferably, the hand grip 12 is mounted to a
seat back portion of the seat assembly, as shown in the figures.
Most preferably, the hand grip 12 is spaced apart from the bumper
13 by a predetermined distance, such that the palm of the user's
hand rests along the bumper 13 when the fingers are inserted into
the grip area 16. However, it should be readily appreciated that
the hand grip 12 can be mounted to any portion of the back assembly
10.
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 3-5, the hand grip 12 includes an inner
surface 20. The inner surface 20 is generally parallel with the
outer surface 14, such that the grip area 16 is represented in the
inner surface 20 as convex relative to the flange 18. Corresponding
holes are formed in the foam 22 and trim cover 24 for receiving the
grip area 16 therethrough. Edges 22a, 24a of the foam 22 and trim
cover 24 define the holes and about the grip area 16. The flange 18
extends outwardly from the grip area 16 to conceal the edges 22a,
24a of the foam 22 and trim cover 24.
[0022] A stem 30 extends outwardly from the inner surface of the
flange 18. The stem 30 extends axially through a corresponding hole
32 formed in the frame 34 so that a distal end 35 of the stem 30
protrudes from an opposite side of the frame 34 relative to the
flange 18. A portion 36 of the stem 30 adjacent the distal end 35
is threaded. A nut 38 is threaded onto the threaded portion 36
causing the flange 18 to be pulled against the trim cover 24. The
flange 18 is pressed into the foam 22 so that the outer surface of
the flange 18 is generally flush with the trim cover 24 to provide
an aesthetically pleasing appearance. A boss can be formed to
extend outwardly from the inner surface 20 to positively locate the
hand grip 12 relative to the frame 34 as the nut 38 is threaded
onto the stem 30. Preferably, at least two posts 30 are utilized to
fixedly secure the hand grip 12 to the back assembly 10.
[0023] Referring to FIGS. 6-8, a second embodiment of the
attachment of the hand grip 12 to the back assembly 10 is shown. A
bendable tab 40 extends outwardly from the inner surface 20. The
tab 40 extends through the hole 32 formed in the frame 34 so that a
distal end 42 of the tab 40 protrudes from an opposite side of the
frame 34 relative to the flange 18. A portion of the tab 40
adjacent the distal end 42 of the tab 40 is deformed to define a
bend 44 so that the tab 40 is generally L-shaped. The trim cover
24, foam 22 and frame 34 are retained between the bend 44 and the
flange 18. A screw 50 is fed through a hole 52 formed in the bend
44 and threadingly engaged with a corresponding hole 54 formed in
the frame 34 to fixedly secure the hand grip 12 to the back
assembly 10. The hole 52 is best shown in FIG. 7, which illustrates
the tab 40 prior to bending. Preferably, a plurality of tabs 40 are
utilized to fixedly secure the hand grip 12 to the back assembly
10. The tabs 40 can be formed from metal and insert molded during
formation of the hand grip 12.
[0024] Alternatively, the bend 44 is pre-formed on the tab 40 prior
to assembly with the back assembly 10. During assembly, the tab 40
and hand grip 12 are elastically deformed to allow the bend 44 to
be placed on opposite sides of the frame 34 relative to the flange
18. Then, the screw 50 is driven through the holes 52, 54 to secure
the hand grip 12 to the back assembly 10.
[0025] Referring to FIGS. 9-11, a third embodiment of the
attachment of the hand grip 12 to the back assembly 10 is shown. A
bracket 60 extends outwardly from the inner surface 20 to present
an abutment surface 62 that is generally parallel and spaced apart
from the inner surface of the flange 18. In assembly, the bracket
60 and the flange 18 are placed on opposite sides of the frame 34.
More specifically, the trim cover 24, foam 22 and frame 34 are
retained between the abutment surface 62 and the flange 18. A screw
64 is fed through a hole 66 formed in the bracket 60 and
threadingly engaged with a corresponding hole (not shown) in the
frame 34 to fixedly secure the hand grip 12 to the back assembly
10. It should be appreciated that any number of screws 64 can be
utilized to fixedly secure the hand grip 12 to the back assembly
10. The bracket 60 can be made from metal and insert molded during
formation of the hand grip 12. Alternatively, the bracket 60 is
plastic and is integrally formed with the hand grip 12 during
formation thereof.
[0026] Preferably, the hand grip 12 is formed from plastic using
conventional forming processes, such as injection molding, or may
be partially or completely formed in metal. However, it should be
appreciated that the grip can be made from any material using any
manufacturing process known by those having ordinary skill in the
art.
[0027] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner.
It is, therefore, to be understood that the terminology used is
intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of
limitation. Many modifications and variations of the invention are
possible in light of the above teachings. Thus, within the scope of
the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as
specifically described.
* * * * *