U.S. patent application number 10/958310 was filed with the patent office on 2006-04-06 for seat device for a chair.
This patent application is currently assigned to Habitex Corporation. Invention is credited to Duan-Cheng Hsieh.
Application Number | 20060071532 10/958310 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35998684 |
Filed Date | 2006-04-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060071532 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hsieh; Duan-Cheng |
April 6, 2006 |
SEAT DEVICE FOR A CHAIR
Abstract
A seat device for a chair includes at least two outer sheet
layers made of a stretchable elastic textile material, and an inner
sheet layer of a textile material sandwiched by the outer sheet
layers. The inner sheet layer has a second marginal part
surrounding substantially an entire area thereof and secured to
first marginal parts of the outer sheet layers. An attachment
member is associated with the first and second marginal parts and
is adapted to be mounted on the chair. The entire area of the inner
sheet layer is larger than that of a respective outer sheet layer
so that the inner sheet layer creases when the outer sheet layers
lay flat. The inner and outer sheet layers form a concaved
configuration when a pressure is exerted on the inner and outer
sheet layers along a direction transverse to the same.
Inventors: |
Hsieh; Duan-Cheng; (Taipei
City, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ABELMAN, FRAYNE & SCHWAB
666 THIRD AVENUE, 10TH FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
10017
US
|
Assignee: |
Habitex Corporation
|
Family ID: |
35998684 |
Appl. No.: |
10/958310 |
Filed: |
October 5, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/440.11 ;
297/452.13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 7/282 20130101;
A47C 5/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/440.11 ;
297/452.13 |
International
Class: |
A47C 7/02 20060101
A47C007/02 |
Claims
1. A seat device for a chair, comprising: at least two outer sheet
layers made of a stretchable elastic textile material, each of said
outer sheet layers having a first marginal part surrounding
substantially an entire area of a corresponding one of said outer
sheet layers; an inner sheet layer of a textile material sandwiched
by said outer sheet layers and having a second marginal part
surrounding substantially an entire area of said inner sheet layer,
said second marginal part being secured to said first marginal
parts; and an attachment member associated with said first and
second marginal parts and being adapted to be mounted on the chair;
said entire area of said inner sheet layer being larger than said
entire area of a respective one of said outer sheet layers so that
said inner sheet layer creases when said outer sheet layers lay
flat, said inner and outer sheet layers forming a concaved
configuration when a pressure is exerted on said inner and outer
sheet layers along a direction transverse to said inner and outer
sheet layers; wherein said textile material of said inner sheet
layer includes polyethylene terephthalate fibers.
2. The seat device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said stretchable
elastic textile material includes elastomeric polyurethane
fibers.
3. (canceled)
4. A seat device for a chair, comprising: at least two outer sheet
layers made of a stretchable elastic textile material, each of said
outer sheet layers having a first marginal part surrounding
substantially an entire area of a corresponding one of said outer
sheet layers; an inner sheet layer of a textile material sandwiched
by said outer sheet layers and having a second marginal part
surrounding substantially an entire area of said inner sheet layer,
said second marginal part being secured to said first marginal
parts; and an attachment member associated with said first and
second marginal parts and being adapted to be mounted on the chair;
said entire area of said inner sheet layer being larger than said
entire area of a respective one of said outer sheet layers so that
said inner sheet layer creases when said outer sheet layers lay
flat, said inner and outer sheet layers forming a concaved
configuration when a pressure is exerted on said inner and outer
sheet layers along a direction transverse to said inner and outer
sheet layers; wherein said inner sheet layer is substantially
bowl-shaped.
5. A seat device for a chair, comprising: at least two outer sheet
layers made of a stretchable elastic textile material, each of said
outer sheet layers having a first marginal part surrounding
substantially an entire area of a corresponding one of said outer
sheet layers; an inner sheet layer of a textile material sandwiched
by said outer sheet layers and having a second marginal part
surrounding substantially an entire area of said inner sheet layer,
said second marginal part being secured to said first marginal
parts; and an attachment member associated with said first and
second marginal parts and being adapted to be mounted on the chair;
said entire area of said inner sheet layer being larger than said
entire area of a respective one of said outer sheet layers so that
said inner sheet layer creases when said outer sheet layers lay
flat, said inner and outer sheet layers forming a concaved
configuration when a pressure is exerted on said inner and outer
sheet layers along a direction transverse to said inner and outer
sheet layers; wherein said textile material of said inner sheet
layer is a non-elastic material.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a seat device, more particularly to
a seat device for a chair.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional seat cushion 11,
11' for a chair assembly 1, 1' is generally supported by a leg
assembly 12, 12'. The seat cushion 11 shown in FIG. 1 is made by
covering a cotton layer 111 with a synthetic leather 112, thereby
providing comfort to a user. The seat cushion 11' shown in FIG. 2
is made by molding a fabric sheet into a bowl-shaped fabric cushion
113, which corresponds to the sitting posture of a user. The fabric
cushion 113 is then mounted detachably on a main frame 13 of a
modular chair assembly 1'.
[0005] Because the synthetic leather 112 and the cotton layer 111
are easily deformed due to different loads they bear, the
conventional seat cushion 11 eventually becomes permanently
deformed over time, and therefore becomes uncomfortable to use. As
to the fabric cushion 113, since it is made of a non-stretchable
fabric material, it cannot match the body shape of each user, and
is thus uncomfortable to sit on. Furthermore, since the fabric
cushion 113 is not ergonomically sound, the user may suffer body
fatigue and pain during long use of the fabric cushion 113, and in
the worst case, the pain may be severe and the spinal cord may even
be injured.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide
a seat device for a chair that may lay flat in the absence of an
external force.
[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a seat
device for a chair that is comfortable to sit on.
[0008] According to this invention, a seat device for a chair
comprises at least two outer sheet layers made of a stretchable
elastic textile material, an inner sheet layer of a textile
material sandwiched by the outer sheet layers, and an attachment
member. Each of the outer sheet layers has a first marginal part
surrounding substantially an entire area of a corresponding one of
the outer sheet layers. The inner sheet layer has a second marginal
part surrounding substantially an entire area of the inner sheet
layer and secured to the first marginal parts. The attachment
member is associated with the first and second marginal parts, and
is adapted to be mounted on the chair. The entire area of the inner
sheet layer is larger than the entire area of the outer sheet
layers so that the inner sheet layer creases when the outer sheet
layers lay flat. The inner and outer sheet layers form a concaved
configuration when a pressure is exerted on the inner and outer
sheet layers along a direction transverse to the inner and outer
sheet layers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent in the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings,
of which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a chair incorporating a
conventional seat cushion;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a chair incorporating
another conventional seat cushion;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a modular chair assembly
incorporating the preferred embodiment of a seat device of the
present invention;
[0013] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the preferred
embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the seat device of
the present invention in an alternative embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of FIG. 3; and
[0016] FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6, but illustrating the
seat device of the present invention in a state of use.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the preferred embodiment of a
seat device 3 according to the present invention is adapted to be
mounted on a modular chair assembly 2. The seat device 3 may also
be applied to an office chair, a dining chair, etc., and should not
be limited to the disclosed embodiment.
[0018] The modular chair assembly 2 includes a ring-shaped main
frame 21, which is made up of a plurality of detachable connecting
rods 211, two substantially U-shaped legs 22 supporting the main
frame 21 on a supporting surface, such as the ground, and a
plurality of link units 23 interconnecting the main frame 21 and
the legs 22.
[0019] The seat device 3 of the present invention is adapted to be
mounted on the main frame 21 of the modular chair assembly 2, and
includes two outer sheet layers 31, and an inner sheet layer 32
sandwiched by the outer sheet layers 31. In this embodiment, each
of the outer sheet layers 31 is made of a stretchable elastic
textile material. The stretchable elastic textile material includes
elastomeric polyurethane fibers, and such a material is well known
under the trademark "Spandex." However, the outer sheet layers 31
should not be limited to this embodiment, and may be any other
suitable stretchable elastic textile material. Each outer sheet
layer 31 has a first marginal part 311 surrounding substantially an
entire area of a corresponding outer sheet layer 31.
[0020] The inner sheet layer 32 is made of a textile material,
which is not elastic or which is comparatively less elastic than
the outer sheet layers 31. The textile material, in this
embodiment, includes polyethylene terephthalate fibers (Trade Mark
"Tetoron," by Toray Industries Inc.). The inner sheet layer 32 has
a second marginal part 321 surrounding substantially an entire area
of the inner sheet layer 32. The second marginal part 321 is sewn
to the first marginal parts 311. The entire area of the inner sheet
layer 32 is larger than the entire area of a respective outer sheet
layer 31 so that the inner sheet layer 32 creases when the outer
sheet layers 31 lay flat. When a pressure is exerted on the inner
and outer sheet layers 32, 31 along a direction transverse to the
inner and outer sheet layers 32, 31, the inner and outer sheet
layers 32, 31 form a concaved configuration. Preferably, the inner
sheet layer 32 is substantially bowl-shaped.
[0021] The inner and outer sheet layers 32, 31 are provided with an
attachment member 34, which is adapted to be mounted on the modular
chair assembly 2. In this embodiment, the attachment member 34 is
formed as a plurality of spaced-apart sleeve portions 342 at the
first and second marginal parts 311, 321 for insertion of the
corresponding connecting rods 211 therethrough.
[0022] To enable the seat device 3 to be detachably mounted on the
modular chair assembly 2, during production, the sleeve portions
342 are in the form of tubular members and are formed by sewing
together the first and second marginal parts 311, 321. After the
connecting rods 211 are inserted respectively into the sleeve
portions 342, two ends of each connecting rod 211 are exposed
outwardly of the respective sleeve portion 342 so as to connect
with the legs 22 through the link units 23.
[0023] In an alternative embodiment, a plurality of male and female
snap fasteners 33 are attached to the first and second marginal
parts 311, 321, as shown in FIG. 5. The sleeve portions 342 of the
attachment member 34 are formed when the first and second marginal
parts 311, 321 are folded and the male and female snap fasteners 33
are interengaged, so that the seat device 3 can be mounted
detachably on the modular chair assembly 2. Since the connection of
the seat device 3 to the modular chair assembly 2 may be performed
using a variety of methods, it should not be limited to those
disclosed in the embodiments.
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, when the seat device 3 is
mounted on the main frame 21 of the modular chair assembly 2, the
outer sheet layers 31 lay flat, while the inner sheet layer 32 is
in a creased state. When a user, shown in phantom lines in FIG. 7,
sits on the seat device 3, the outer sheet layers 31 are stretched
elastically due to the weight of the user, and the inner sheet
layer 32 is spread from a creased state to a smooth state so that
the outer and inner sheet layers 31, 32 form a concaved
configuration, such as a bowl-shaped configuration. Since the outer
sheet layers 31 are elastic, they can deform according to the body
shape and weight of the user to thereby provide comfort to the
user. The inner sheet layer 32 serves to support and add strength
to the outer sheet layers 31. When the user stands up from the
chair assembly 2, the outer and inner sheet layers 31, 32, in the
absence of an external force, are restored to their respective
original positions.
[0025] The seat device 3 of the present invention is made circular
so as to match the shape of the modular chair assembly 2. However,
it may be made non-circular in other embodiments, and should not be
limited to the disclosed preferred embodiment.
[0026] From the aforementioned description of the preferred
embodiment, it is apparent that the seat device 3 of the present
invention is ergonomically friendly, so that the feeling of fatigue
by the user following long periods of sitting can be minimized,
thereby preventing any injury to the spinal cord of the user.
Furthermore, since the components used to assemble the seat device
3 are simple, production costs are minimized. Finally, the seat
device 3 of the present invention is applicable to different kinds
of chairs since it utilizes a simple mounting method.
[0027] While the present invention has been described in connection
with what is considered the most practical and preferred
embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to
the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various
arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest
interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and
equivalent arrangements.
* * * * *