U.S. patent application number 11/354305 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-16 for spring chair.
Invention is credited to L. William III Zahner.
Application Number | 20070188006 11/354305 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38367633 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070188006 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zahner; L. William III |
August 16, 2007 |
Spring chair
Abstract
A chair operable to change between an original shape and a
plurality of different shapes is disclosed. The chair has a
continuous surface, comprising a sheet of metal, which enables the
chair to change shape without requiring the use of complex moving
elements. The shape change is a reaction to the weight of a person
seated in the chair, and creates an asymmetric rocking motion in
reaction to shifts in the weight of the person.
Inventors: |
Zahner; L. William III;
(Kansas City, MO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOVEY WILLIAMS LLP
2405 GRAND BLVD., SUITE 400
KANSAS CITY
MO
64108
US
|
Family ID: |
38367633 |
Appl. No.: |
11/354305 |
Filed: |
February 14, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/451.7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 1/143 20130101;
A47C 5/04 20130101; A47C 3/029 20130101; A47C 3/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/451.7 |
International
Class: |
A47C 1/12 20060101
A47C001/12 |
Claims
1. A chair, comprising: a piece of metal formed into a continuous
surface of a desired original shape that flexes to at least one
different shape when supporting a person's weight and substantially
returns to the original shape when not supporting the person.
2. The chair of claim 1, wherein the continuous surface flexes to
many different shapes as the person shifts his or her weight on the
chair to provide an asymmetric rocking motion.
3. The chair of claim 2, wherein said rocking motion is fluid.
4. The chair of claim 1, wherein the degree and direction in which
the continuous surface flexes are dependent upon the weight or size
of the person.
5. The chair of claim 1, wherein said metal is an alloy selected
from the group consisting of aluminum, magnesium, silicon and
combinations thereof.
6. The chair of claim 1, the continuous surface comprising: an
upper seating portion and a lower ground-engaging portion.
7. The chair of claim 6, wherein the upper seating portion shifts
in proportion to the lower ground-engaging portion due to the
person's weight.
8. The chair of claim 1, wherein the piece of metal is made from a
single sheet of metal.
9. A chair, comprising: a single piece of metal formed into a
continuous surface of a desired original shape that flexes to at
least one different shape when supporting a person and
substantially returns to the original shape when not supporting the
person, said chair flexing to many different shapes as the person
shifts his or her weight on the chair to provide an asymmetric
rocking motion.
10. The chair of claim 9, wherein the degree and direction in which
the continuous surface flexes are dependent upon the weight or size
of the person.
11. The chair of claim 10, wherein said rocking motion is
fluid.
12. The chair of claim 9, wherein said metal is an alloy selected
from the group consisting of aluminum, magnesium, silicon and
combinations thereof.
13. The chair of claim 9, the continuous surface comprising: an
upper seating portion and a lower ground-engaging portion.
14. The chair of claim 13, wherein the upper seating portion shifts
in proportion to the lower ground-engaging portion due to the
person's eight.
15. A chair, comprising: a single piece of metal formed into a
continuous surface of a desired original shape that flexes to at
least one different shape when supporting a person and
substantially returns to the original shape when not supporting the
person, said chair flexing to many different shapes as the person
shifts his or her weight on the chair to provide an asymmetric
rocking motion, wherein said metal is an alloy selected from the
group consisting of aluminum, magnesium, silicon and combinations
thereof.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. FIELD of the INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a chair, and more specifically to
a chair formed from a single piece of metal or other material that
flexes when supporting a person and returns to its original shape
when not supporting a person.
[0003] 2. DESCRIPTION of the RELATED ART
[0004] Efforts have been made to make chairs that are more
comfortable, aesthetically pleasing, and unique. Such chairs have
been made from a wide variety of materials, including wood, metal
and plastic, thus giving chairs a wide range of styles, comfort and
appearance.
[0005] Lounge chairs are sometimes provided with mechanisms that
permit rocking, sliding or other desired movements. Such lounge
chairs often operate with two parallel frames connected
therebetween by a seating surface, and require complex parts to
rock back and forth. Although these chairs are more comfortable
than chairs that do not move, they are complicated and expensive to
build. Moreover, lounge chairs have a very limited range of motion
dictated by their frames and rocking mechanisms.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention solves the above-described problems
and provides a distinct advance in the art of chairs. More
particularly, the invention provides a chair formed from a
continuous piece of metal or other material that flexes in a
wave-like fashion when supporting a person to provide a unique
rocking motion and returns to its original shape when not
supporting the person. The chair is preferably formed from a single
piece of metal that is shaped by a set of rolls and then connected
by its ends to form a closed loop with no frame or internal support
mechanism. The metal is preferably an alloy selected from the group
consisting of aluminum, magnesium, silicon and combinations
thereof.
[0007] By constructing the chair in accordance with the present
invention, numerous advantages are realized. For example, the
continuous piece of metal provides an aesthetically pleasing
appearance with a unique rocking motion. The rocking motion has a
nearly infinite range of direction and motion that is dependent on
the size, weight, and movements of the person sitting on the chair.
Each time the seated person moves, the chair reacts by flexing to a
new shape. This results in a gentle, fluid rocking motion, similar
to if the person were resting on a spring, but without the use of
rockers, springs or other devices. The metal alloy used to
construct the chair can support the weight of a person and provides
the above-described rocking motion without permanent deformation.
Specifically, the chair deforms when a person sits in it, but
returns to its original shape once the person gets off the
chair.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0008] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described
in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures,
wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chair configured in
accordance with various preferred embodiments of the present
invention, the chair shown presenting an original shape;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side view of the chair of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the chair of FIGS. 1-2, the
chair shown in a different shape because of deformation from a
person sitting in the chair;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a side view of the chair of FIGS. 1-3 showing a
person seated in the chair.
[0013] The drawing figures do not limit the present invention to
the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. The
drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being
placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] The following descriptions are of exemplary embodiments
only, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability or
configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following
description provides a convenient illustration for implementing
exemplary embodiments of the invention. Various changes to the
described embodiments may be made in the function and arrangement
of the elements described without departing from the scope of the
invention as set forth in the appended claims.
[0015] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a chair 10 is shown comprising a
continuous surface 12 which includes an inner face 30 and an outer
face 40. The continuous surface 12 preferably forms a closed loop.
The chair may have a length ranging from approximately 48 inches to
132 inches, with a preferred length of approximately 82 inches and
a height ranging from approximately 24 inches to 60 inches, with a
preferred height of approximately 43 inches. The continuous surface
of the chair 10 is preferably contoured similar to a lounge style
chair, such that a person can recline in the chair.
[0016] The continuous surface 12 can be created using one or more
sheets of metal or other material. "Sheet" as defined herein means
any piece of metal with a thickness less than its length.
Preferably, the continuous surface 12 is created using a single
sheet of metal, shaped by a set of rolls and coupling opposing
ends, such that the sides of the sheet are alignably connected.
[0017] The material utilized to create the chair 10 may be any
material which provides the resiliency required of the invention
but is preferably composed of an alloy selected from the group
consisting of aluminum, magnesium, silicon and combinations
thereof. The length of the sheet utilized may range from 106 inches
to 308 inches, but is preferably approximately 212 inches. The
width of the sheet may range from approximately 2 feet to 6 feet
but is preferably approximately 4 feet.
[0018] When formed as described above, the chair 10 comprises an
upper seating portion 16 and a lower ground-engaging portion 18.
The lower ground-engaging portion 18 presents a contour similar to
the contour presented by the upper seating portion 16, but may have
different lengths and bend angles. The lower ground-engaging
portion 18 contacts the ground at at least one point, area or
location. In the preferred embodiment the lower ground-engaging
portion 18 contacts the ground at two points, a first
ground-engaging point 14a and a second ground-engaging point
14b.
[0019] The upper seating portion 16 is further comprised of a
foot-supporting area 20, a knee-supporting area 22, a
hip-supporting area 24 and a head-supporting area 26. The first
ground-engaging point 14a is approximately below the
foot-supporting area 20. The second ground-engaging point 14b,
corresponds to a point on the upper seating portion 16 between the
hip-supporting area 24 and the head-supporting area 26. An open
space exists between the upper seating portion 16 and the lower
ground-engaging portion 18, which is completely devoid of
structural supports, such that the lower ground-engaging portion 18
bears the weight of the upper seating portion 16.
[0020] The foot-supporting area 20, the knee-supporting area 22,
the hip-supporting area 24 and the head-supporting area 26 are each
located in bends on the upper seating portion 16 and generally
correspond to the area on the chair where the seated persons feet,
knees, hips, and head would be located, respectively.
[0021] The contour of the upper seating portion 16 beginning
approximately in the foot-supporting area 20, rises to a position
approximately in the knee-supporting area 22. The contour then
declines to the hip-supporting area 24, and then rises to the
head-supporting area 26. The lower ground-engaging portion 18
follows the same rising and declining pattern set by the upper
seating portion 16, but may have different lengths, arc-lengths and
angles. Each bend in the contour is preferably a transition through
a smooth, rounded curve. The area of the lower ground-engaging
portion 18 and the upper seating portion 16 corresponding to the
head 26 preferably bend smoothly into each other, as does the area
corresponding to the feet 20.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 2, the first ground-engaging point 14a has
a first angle C associated with it. The second ground engaging
point 14b has a second and third angle A, B associated with it. The
first angle C as shown in FIG. 2 is approximately 23 degrees. The
second angle A is approximately 50 degrees, and the third angle B
is approximately 30 degrees.
[0023] A cushion can be attached to the upper seating portion 16 to
provide extra comfort. Preferably the cushion is segmented with a
plurality of small connected pads, such that the cushion conforms
to the surface of the upper seating portion 16 for any shape the
chair 10 may take. The cushion may also have a fastening means to
attach the cushion to the chair 10. The fastening means may be a
strap connected to the pad on the end of the cushion. The strap may
be connected to a penultimate pad, such that the pad on the end can
be folded over the penultimate pad, thus forming a head rest.
[0024] In use, the chair 10 is operable to support a seated person.
The upper seating portion 16 acts as the support for the person.
The lower ground-engaging portion 18 supports the upper seating
portion 16. The chair's 10 shape adjusts when subjected to the
person's weight. The chair 10 has an original shape as shown in
FIGS. 1-2, when no one is seated thereon. When a person is seated
on the chair 10, the chair 10 can change to any of a plurality of
different shapes, an exemplar of which is shown in FIGS. 3-4. The
chair 10 substantially returns to the original shape of FIGS. 1-2
when the seated person gets off of the chair.
[0025] The chair 10 flexes through a virtually infinite number of
different shapes when the person seated in the chair 10 shifts his
or her weight. This results in a gentle asymmetric rocking motion
without the use of complicated rocking and sliding mechanisms. The
rocking motion acts to provide extra comfort and a more relaxing
experience. The degree and direction in which the chair 10 moves is
dependent on the size and shape of the seated person. Because the
flexing and rocking motion are dependent on the size and shape of
the seated person, each person who sits on the chair is provided a
completely unique seating experience.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 4, the continuous surface 12 flexes to a
different shape when a person is seated on the chair 10. For
example, when a person sits on the chair, the angles A' and C'
shown in FIG. 4 may each initially become smaller than the angles A
and C shown in FIG. 2, while the angle B' shown in FIG. 4 may
initially become larger than the angle B shown in FIG. 2. Then one
or both of the angles A' and C' may change and even briefly become
greater than the angles A and C as the chair flexes and moves.
Similarly, the angle B' may change and even briefly become smaller
than the angle B as the chair flexes and moves. Due to the novel
construction of the chair, the particular movements of the chair
are almost never duplicated so that every person obtains a unique
seating experience each time they sit on the chair.
[0027] Although the invention has been described with reference to
the preferred embodiment illustrated in the attached drawing
figures, it is noted that equivalents may be employed and
substitutions made herein without departing from the scope of the
invention as recited in the claims. For example, although the chair
is preferably configured as a lounge-type chair, it may instead be
configured in other shapes and sizes without departing from the
scope of the invention.
[0028] Having thus described the preferred embodiment of the
invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be protected by
Letters Patent includes the following:
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