U.S. patent application number 11/385207 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-27 for nestable and stackable chair.
This patent application is currently assigned to Ditto Sales, Inc.. Invention is credited to Roberto Lucci, Paolo Orlandini.
Application Number | 20070222266 11/385207 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38523272 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070222266 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lucci; Roberto ; et
al. |
September 27, 2007 |
Nestable and stackable chair
Abstract
A chair is provided comprising a seat assembly including a seat
back and a seat bottom and a support frame including a left leg
assembly and right leg assembly connected by a transverse support
member. The seat back is pivotably connected to each of the leg
assemblies such that an upper portion of the seat back pivots in
relation to the leg assemblies between a first seat back position
and a second seat back position. The seat bottom is rotatable in
relation to the seat back between an upright position and a
horizontal position. The seat bottom is slidingly engaged with the
leg assemblies such that pivoting of the seat backward from the
first seat back position to the second seat back position causes
the seat bottom to slide forward from a first seat bottom position
to a second seat bottom position.
Inventors: |
Lucci; Roberto; (Como,
IT) ; Orlandini; Paolo; (Milano, IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MAGINOT, MOORE & BECK, LLP;CHASE TOWER
111 MONUMENT CIRCLE
SUITE 3250
INDIANAPOLIS
IN
46204
US
|
Assignee: |
Ditto Sales, Inc.
Jasper
IN
|
Family ID: |
38523272 |
Appl. No.: |
11/385207 |
Filed: |
March 21, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/331 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 3/045 20130101;
A47C 1/121 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/331 |
International
Class: |
A47C 1/00 20060101
A47C001/00 |
Claims
1. A chair comprising: a support frame having ground engaging legs;
a seat back connected to said support frame; a seat bottom is
connected to said support frame to rotate relative to said support
frame between a horizontal position and an upright position and to
slide forward and backward in relation to said support frame
between a first seat bottom position and a second seat bottom
position.
2. The chair of claim 1, wherein said seat back is pivotably
connected to said support frame to pivot between a first generally
upright position and a second relatively reclined position.
3. The chair of claim 2, wherein: said seat back includes an upper
portion for supporting the back of a person seated in the chair and
an opposite lower portion: and said seat bottom is connected to
said lower portion of said seat back so that pivoting of said seat
back causes said seat bottom to slide in relation to said support
frame.
4. The chair of claim 1, wherein said support frame is configured
to allow the chair to be stacked with other chairs having a similar
support frame configuration when said seat bottom is in the
horizontal position.
5. The chair of claim 4, wherein said support frame is further
configured to allow the chair to be nested with other chairs having
a similar support frame configuration when said seat bottom is in
the upright position.
6. The chair of claim 1, wherein said support frame is configured
to allow the chair to be nested with other chairs having a similar
support frame configuration when said seat bottom is in the upright
position.
7. A chair, comprising: a seat assembly including a seat back and a
seat bottom; and a support frame including a left leg assembly and
right leg assembly connected by a transverse support member, each
of said leg assemblies including a seat back support member;
wherein said seat back is pivotably connected to each of said seat
back support members such that an upper portion of said seat back
pivots in relation to said seat back support members between a
first seat back position and a second seat back position; wherein
said seat bottom is rotatably connected to a lower portion of said
seat back such that said seat bottom is rotatable in relation to
the seat back between an upright position and a horizontal
position; and wherein said seat bottom is slidingly engaged with
said seat back support members such that pivoting of said upper
portion of said seat backward from said first seat back position to
said second seat back position causes said lower portion of said
seat back to pivot forward thereby causing said seat bottom to
slide forward in relation to said seat back support members from a
first seat bottom position to a second seat bottom position.
8. The chair of claim 7, wherein: each of said left and right leg
assemblies further includes a front leg member and a rear leg
member operably connected in a criss-cross configuration; and said
lower portions of said front leg members and said rear/leg members
are continuously downwardly curved from a crossing point of said
front leg member and said rear leg member such that said front leg
member and said rear leg member exhibit an arched configuration in
profile.
9. The chair of claim 8, wherein said front leg members and said
rear leg members are formed of a tubular metal having a "double-d"
configuration.
10. The chair of claim 8, wherein: said seat back support member
comprises an upper portion of said front leg members; and an upper
portion of said rear leg member extends above said seat back
support member and includes an arm rest extending rearwardly from
said upper portion of said rear leg member.
11. The chair of claim 7, wherein: said seat back includes a back
panel and a left and right upright support member, an upper portion
of each upright support member being attached to lateral ends of
said back panel; and a central portion of said left and right
upright support members is pivotably connected to a respective one
of said seat back support members.
12. The chair of claim 11, wherein said seat bottom includes left
and right laterally extending attachment members, said left and
right attachment members being rotatably connected to a lower
portion of said left and right upright support members.
13. The chair of claim 12, wherein said lower portions of said
upright support members are located in a pivot guide channel inside
respective said seat back support members when said upright support
members are pivotably attached to respective said seat back support
members.
14. The chair of claim 13, wherein each of said seat back support
members has an opening to said pivot guide channel on an inboard
side thereof, said lower portions of said upright support members
and said left and right attachment members of said seat bottom
being rotatably connected through said respective openings.
15. The chair of claim 14, wherein said opening includes a slide
guide, said left and right attachment members being slidingly
engaged with said slide guide, said slide guide being configured to
guide said seat bottom between said first seat bottom position and
said second seat bottom position.
16. The chair of claim 12, wherein each of said seat back support
members includes a biasing element for biasing said lower portions
of said upright support members backward thereby pivoting said
upper portions of said upright support members seat back into said
first seat back position.
17. The chair of claim 7, wherein said support frame includes a
seat stop configured to stop downward rotation of said seat bottom
at said horizontal position.
18. The chair of claim 17, wherein said seat bottom includes a ramp
member on a bottom side of said seat bottom in a position to engage
said seat stop during sliding movement of said seat bottom, said
ramp member being configured to tilt a front portion of said seat
bottom upwards when said seat bottom slides forward into said
second seat bottom position.
19. The chair of claim 14, wherein said seat bottom includes a
cover fin, said cover fin being configured to cover said opening
when said seat bottom is in said upright position.
20. The chair of claim 19, wherein said cover fin includes a first
detent for engaging said opening when said seat bottom is in said
upright position, said detent being configured to releasably retain
said seat bottom in said upright position.
21. The chair of claim 20, wherein said cover fin further includes
a second detent for engaging said opening when said seat bottom is
in said upright position, said second detent being configured to
prevent rotation of said seat bottom upward past said upright
position.
22. The chair of claim 7, wherein said front leg members are
positioned closer together than said rear leg members so that said
chair is vertically stackable with similarly configured chairs when
said seat bottom is in said horizontal position.
23. The chair of claim 22, wherein said chair is horizontally
nestable with similarly configured chairs when said seat bottom is
in said upright position.
24. The chair of claim 23, further comprising a stack nest bumper
located on a bottom portion of each of said front leg members.
25. A chair comprising: a seat assembly including a seat back and a
seat bottom; and a support frame including a pair of tubular front
leg members and a pair of tubular rear leg members, a lower portion
of said tubular front leg members and rear leg members having a
"double-d" configuration.
26. The chair of claim 25, wherein said lower portions of said
front leg members are continuously downwardly curved such that said
front leg members exhibit an arched configuration in profile.
27. A chair comprising: a seat back; a seat bottom; a support frame
connected to said seat back and seat bottom and having a pair of
front legs and a pair of rear legs, said front and rear legs
configured and arranged to allow the chair to be stacked with other
chairs having a similar support frame configuration when said seat
bottom is in the horizontal position; and at least one stack/nest
bumper positioned on a bottom portion of said pair of front legs to
contact an upper portion of said front legs of another chair on
which said chair is stacked.
28. A chair comprising: a seat assembly including a seat back and a
seat bottom; and a support frame including a left leg assembly and
right leg assembly connected by a transverse support member, each
of said leg assemblies including a seat back support member, said
seat back support members each including a pivot guide channel and
a slide guide opening; wherein said seat bottom is rotatably and
slidingly supported in said pivot guide channel through said slide
guide opening such that said seat bottom rotates in relation to
said seat back support members between a horizontal and an upright
position and slides in relation to said seat back support members
between a first seat bottom position and a second seat bottom
position; and wherein said seat bottom further includes a cover fin
configured to cover an exposed portion of said slide guide opening
when said seat bottom is in said upright position.
29. The chair of claim 28, wherein said cover fin includes a first
detent configured to releasably retain said seat bottom in said
upright position.
30. The chair of claim 29, wherein said first detent has a ramped
leading end and a substantially flat trailing end, said ramped
leading end being configured to allow said cover fin to slide past
a rim of said slide guide opening, said flat trailing end being
configured to abut against an inner lower portion of said slide
guide opening to releasably restrain said seat bottom.
31. The chair of claim 28, wherein said cover fin includes a second
detent configured to limit the upward rotation of said seat bottom
to said upright position.
32. A chair comprising: a support frame having ground engaging
legs; a seat back connected to said support frame; a seat bottom
connected to said support frame to rotate between a horizontal
position and an upright position, and to slide forward and backward
in relation to said support frame between a first seat bottom
position and a second seat bottom position; a seat stop mounted to
said support frame in an orientation to prevent said seat bottom
from rotating downward past said horizontal position; and a ramp
member mounted to said seat bottom to contact said seat stop, said
ramp member configured to cooperate with said seat stop to tilt a
front portion of said seat bottom upward when said seat bottom
slides from said first seat bottom position to said second seat
bottom position.
33. A chair comprising: a support frame having ground engaging
legs; a seat back pivotably connected to said support frame to
pivots between a generally upright position and a relatively
reclined position; a seat bottom is connected to said support frame
to rotate relative to said support frame between a horizontal
position and an upright position and to slide forward and backward
in relation to said support frame between a first seat bottom
position and a second seat bottom position; a coupling between said
seat bottom and said seat back operable so that pivoting of said
seat back causes said seat bottom to slide in relation to said
support frame; and a biasing element between said coupling and said
support frame configured to bias said seat back into said upright
position.
34. The chair of claim 33, wherein: said support frame includes a
left leg assembly and right leg assembly connected by a transverse
support member, each of said leg assemblies including a seat back
support member; and said biasing element comprises a biasing spring
in a spring guide channel formed in each of said seat back support
members.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of
seating and in particular to a reclining chair that is stackable
and nestable.
[0002] Chairs for extended seating applications, such as banquet
halls and conference rooms, should preferably be comfortable,
durable, and either stackable or nestable for storage purposes.
Traditional stackable banquet chairs include a pair of
inverted-U-shaped leg members attached to opposite sides of a
generally horizontal seat. A generally L-shaped back support frame
interconnects with the leg members and extends upwardly from the
rear of the seat to support a back cushion. This type of chair may
be stacked by placing the inverted-U-shaped leg members of one
chair over the top of the leg members of another chair, such that
the seat of the upper chair is supported just above the seat of the
lower chair. Examples of traditional stackable banquet chairs are
shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,102,733 to Burnett and U.S. Design Pat.
No. 180,996 to Cramer. While this type of chair has wide
applicability, many people prefer chairs that do not look like a
traditional stacking chair. These traditional stacking chairs have
the leg members completely exposed at the sides of the chairs. Some
users prefer legs or leg members that are less visible.
[0003] The above-described chair is generally referred to as a
stacking chair, because the leg members of one chair rest directly
on the leg members of a lower chair creating a secure leg-on-leg
stack. Multiple chairs may be securely stacked on top one another
with this design.
[0004] An alternative to stacking chairs are so-called nesting
chairs. Nesting chairs come in a variety of styles and are
distinguished from stacking chairs in that the underside of a seat
frame of one chair rests atop the seat cushion of a lower chair
when the chairs are nested. An example of such a nesting chair is
illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,963 to Barile. An advantage with
nesting chair designs is that the chair designer may configure the
chair legs to be less exposed than with traditional stacking
chairs.
[0005] Modem consumers require comfort and style in their chairs,
but also demand cost-effective solutions given the highly
competitive furniture industry. Further, the chairs must be durable
and rugged, yet preferably mechanically simple, easily assembled,
lightweight, and low-cost. Still further, many consumers want a
modern appearance and a chair design that takes advantage of modern
materials, part-forming processes, and assembly techniques. Often
consumers need chairs that are mobile and that can be stored in
dense arrangements that minimize the storage space required.
[0006] A problem is that these requirements create conflicting
design criteria. For example, low-cost chairs tend to be less
comfortable and less stylized. Chairs that are more comfortable,
such as so-called "synchrotilt" chairs, have more expensive
components and greater assembly costs, are neither stackable nor
nestable for dense storage, and are usually too heavy to be lifted
and/or stacked for storage.
[0007] A need has remained for a chair combining the benefits of an
ergonomic design in a stackable and/or nestable chair.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In order to address these needs, the present invention
contemplates a chair comprising a seat assembly including a seat
back and a seat bottom and a support frame including a left leg
assembly and right leg assembly connected by a transverse support
member, each of the leg assemblies including a seat back support
member. The seat back is pivotably connected to each of the seat
back support members such that an upper portion of the seat back
pivots in relation to the seat back support members between a first
seat back position and a second seat back position. The seat bottom
is rotatably connected to a lower portion of the seat back such
that the seat bottom is rotatable in relation to the seat back
between an upright position and a horizontal position. The seat
bottom is slidingly engaged with the seat back support members such
that pivoting of the upper portion of the seat backward from the
first seat back position to the second seat back position causes
the lower portion of the seat back to pivot forward thereby causing
the seat bottom to slide forward in relation to the seat back
support members from a first seat bottom position to a second seat
bottom position.
[0009] The configuration of the support frame and seat assembly
allows the chair to be stacked with other chairs having a similar
configuration when the seat bottom is in the horizontal position.
Moreover, the same configuration allows the chair to be nested with
other chairs having a similar configuration when the seat bottom is
in the upright position.
[0010] The left and right leg assemblies may be comprised of a
front leg member and a rear leg member connected in a criss-cross
configuration. Lower portions of the front leg members and the
rear/leg members may be continuously downwardly curved from the
crossing point of the front leg member and the rear leg member such
that the front leg member and the rear leg member exhibit an arched
configuration in profile that provides a sturdy base for supporting
and distributing the weight of a person sitting in the chair.
[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the seat back includes a back
panel and a left and right upright support member. An upper portion
of each upright support member is attached to lateral ends of said
back panel. A central portion of the left and right upright support
members is pivotably connected to the respective seat back support
members.
[0012] The seat bottom preferably includes left and right laterally
extending attachment members for rotatably connecting to a lower
portion of said left and right upright support members. The lower
portions of the upright support members are preferably located in a
pivot guide channel inside the respective seat back support members
when the upright support members are pivotably attached to the seat
back support members. The seat back support members may each have
an opening to the pivot guide channel on an inboard side of each of
the respective seat back support members. The lower portions of the
upright support members and the left and right attachment members
of the seat bottom may be rotatably connected through the
respective openings. The opening may act as a slide guide to guide
the sliding of the seat bottom between the first seat bottom
position and the second seat bottom position.
[0013] In some embodiments, the seat back support members include a
biasing element for biasing the lower portions of the upright
support members backward thereby pivoting the upper portions of the
upright support members back into the first seat back position.
[0014] Accordingly, it is one object of the invention to provide an
ergonomic chair that includes features that allow a user to easily
recline the chair while the seat back maintains support for the
user's back. Another object is achieved by features of the
invention that allow the chair to not only recline, but also be
easily stacked or nested when not in use.
[0015] These and other objects and benefits of the invention will
be readily discerned from the following written description, taken
together with the accompanying figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0016] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a chair according to
one embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the chair of FIG.
1.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the chair shown in FIG.
1 in the upright position.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the chair shown in FIG.
1 in the reclined position.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a support frame of the
chair of FIG. 1.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of a support frame of the
chair of FIG. 1.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a perspective partial cross-sectional view of a
portion of a leg member of the chair shown in FIG. 5, taken along
line 7-7 as views in the direction of the arrows.
[0023] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a seat bottom of the
chair shown in FIG. 1.
[0024] FIG. 9 is a bottom view of a seat bottom of the chair shown
in FIG. 1.
[0025] FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of a seat back of the
chair shown in FIG. 1.
[0026] FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of an upright support
member of the seat back shown in FIG. 10.
[0027] FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of the chair of FIG. 1
with the seat bottom in the upright position.
[0028] FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of a seat back support
member of the chair in FIG. 1.
[0029] FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of a seat back support
member of the chair in FIG. 1 in the reclined position.
[0030] FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional elevational view of a seat
back support member of the chair in FIG. 1.
[0031] FIG. 16 is a side cross-sectional elevational view of a seat
back support member of the chair in FIG. 1 in the reclined
position.
[0032] FIG. 17 is an enlarged perspective view of a biasing
mechanism within the seat back support member depicted in FIGS.
13-16.
[0033] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a cover fin.
[0034] FIG. 19 is another view of the cover fin of FIG. 18.
[0035] FIG. 20 is a side elevational view of a seat stop and ramp
for a seat bottom.
[0036] FIG. 21 is another side elevational view of a seat stop and
ramp for a seat bottom.
[0037] FIG. 22 is a side elevational view of two chairs
stacked.
[0038] FIG. 23 is a side elevational view of two chairs nested.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0039] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the
principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the
embodiments illustrated in the drawings and described in the
following written specification. It is understood that no
limitation to the scope of the invention is thereby intended. It is
further understood that the present invention includes any
alterations and modifications to the illustrated embodiments and
includes further applications of the principles of the invention as
would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which this
invention pertains.
[0040] The present invention provides a chair with a synchronously
moving seat and seat back. The seat slides forward as the seat back
tilts rearward to provide a reclined seating position in response
to the natural forward movement of the seated user's pelvis along
with the user leaning against the seat back. The biasing spring of
the seat allows it to return to an upright seating position when
the pressure on the seat back is removed. The chair includes a
fold-up seat that allows the chair to be stacked vertically or
nested horizontally to suit a wide variety of storage needs.
[0041] Referring to the drawings, a chair 10 in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. The chair
10 includes a seat assembly 14 having a seat bottom portion 18 and
a seat back portion 20. The seat bottom 18 and seat back 20 of the
seat assembly are supported by a support frame 24 which includes a
left leg assembly 28 and right leg assembly 30 connected by a
transverse support member 34. Each of the leg assemblies 28, 30
includes a seat back support member 38 for enabling the seat back
20 to recline and the seat bottom 18 to slide forward in a
synchronous manner as explained in more detail below. In
particular, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the back and bottom 18 and
20 move to their reclined position 18' and 20'.
[0042] FIGS. 5 and 6 show an embodiment of the support frame 24
without the seat assembly 14. The support frame 24, which is
preferably made of a metal such as steel or aluminum, has a left
leg assembly 28 and a right leg assembly 30 connected by a
transverse support member 34. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, each leg
assembly 28, 30 includes a front leg member 40, 44, respectively,
and a rear leg member 50, 54, respectively, connected in a
criss-cross configuration. Lower portions of the front leg members
40, 44 and the rear leg members 50, 54 are preferably downwardly
curved from the crossing point of the front leg members and the
rear leg members to form an arch-like profile that provides a
sturdy base for supporting and distributing the weight of a person
sitting in the chair, as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0043] Preferably, the front leg members 40, 44 and the rear leg
members 50, 54 are formed of a sturdy tubular metal such as
aluminum or steel, for example. The tubular legs may have a wall
thickness of about 1/16.sup.th inch. In one particular embodiment,
portions of the tubular front leg members and rear leg members may
be constructed with a "double-d" configuration, as depicted in the
cross-sectional view of FIG. 7. As can be seen, the interior
portion 54b of the tubing of the leg member is bent towards the
exterior portion 54a of the tubing such that the exterior portion
and the interior portion exhibit a D-shaped cross-sectional
profile. This construction forms a channel 54c that merges at
location 54d into a purely tubular portion 54e, as seen in FIGS. 1
and 7. This construction provides significant bending strength to
the lower portion of the leg members. In particular, this double-D
construction allows the use of an elegantly contoured or curved
tubular leg. This essentially creates a double walled-thickness for
the leg at the most heavily loaded part of the leg. The uppermost
part of the leg 54, namely the portion 54e, does not require the
double-D construction because it is essentially above the curved,
load-bearing part of the leg. A similar construction is preferably
employed in the front legs 44 so that the legs include a channel
44c at the double-D section, a merging portion 44d and a purely
tubular portion 44e. This double-D configuration for the legs
significantly strengthens the legs while retaining an aesthetically
appealing appearance.
[0044] Preferably, the seat back support members 38 of the leg
assemblies are integral with the front leg members 40, 44 as seen
in FIGS. 5 and 6. Alternatively, the front leg member may be
constructed separately from the seat back support member and
attached to the seat back support member using any suitable method,
such as by, for example, bolting, welding, or riveting.
[0045] The rear leg members 50, 54 may include an arm portion 58,
60 in some embodiments. In these embodiments, an arm rest 64, 68 is
attached at an upper end of the arm portion 58, 60 and has a free
end that extends in a rearward direction from the upper end of the
arm portion 58, 60 of the leg members 50, 54. Preferably, the arm
rest 64, 68 is not attached to any portion of the seat assembly so
it will remain stationary with respect to movement of the seat
assembly as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. This allows the seat back 20 to
tilt and the seat bottom 18 to slide forward without having to move
the arm rest 64, 68, thus, simplifying construction. The arm
portions may be attached to the seat back support member or the
front leg member or to any suitable portion of the respective
support portion of the support frame. In a preferred embodiment,
the rear leg members 50, 54 are positioned slightly laterally
farther apart than the front leg members 40, 44 (as shown in FIG.
6) to facilitate stacking and nesting (explained in more detail
below).
[0046] For certain features of the invention, the configurations of
the leg members are not critical and any suitable design is
contemplated. Other suitable configurations include, but are not
limited to, sled, cantilever and caster-based styles (See, e.g.,
FIG. 23).
[0047] Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, an embodiment of the seat
bottom portion 18 of the seat assembly is shown. The seat bottom
portion 18 may comprise a seating surface 70 secured to a seat
frame 74 in a conventional manner, such as using several screws 75
(FIG. 12). The seating surface 70 can be of many varieties,
including padded or molded shell. The seat frame 74 may extend
generally around the perimeter of the seating surface 70, or along
the sides, front and back of the seat 70. The seating surface 70 is
sized to span the distance between the left and right leg
assemblies 28, 30 of the support frame 24. The seat frame includes
left and right attachment members 78, 80 extending laterally from
the sides of the seat bottom proximate the rear of the seat bottom
for rotatable connection to seat back 20 and sliding engagement
with the seat back support member 38, explained in more detail
below. Preferably the frame 74 is formed of cast aluminum, or from
a molded tubular plastic frame, with the attachment members 78, 80
being metal pins pressed or molded into the frame. However, other
suitable frame constructions may be used.
[0048] Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, seat back portion 20
includes a back panel 84 secured to a pair of upright support
members 88. Like the seating surface 74, the back panel 84 may be
of many varieties, including padded or molded shell. The upright
support members 88 have an upper portion 90 for connecting to the
side edges 85 (FIG. 12) of the back panel. The upright support
members 88 may be attached to the back panel 84 using any suitable
method. In one embodiment as shown in FIG. 11, the upright support
members 88 each define a groove 98 for receiving a side edge 85
(FIG. 12) of the back panel. The side edges 85 of the back panel 84
are inserted into the groove 98 in the upright support members 88
along with a backing plate 86. The side edges 85 and backing plate
86 are attached to the upright support members 88 in any suitable
manner, such as by pins pressed through aligned openings in the
components. The backing plates 86 distribute the load along the
side edges 85, which allows the back panel 84 to be formed of a
non-metal, such as plastic or a multi-ply wood.
[0049] A lower portion 94 of the upright support member 88 includes
an opening 100 therethrough for receiving the laterally extending
members 78, 80 of the seat bottom 18. The laterally extending
members 78, 80 may translate and rotate within the opening 100 so
that the seat bottom 18 may be rotated into an upright position (as
shown in FIG. 23). A central portion 104 of the upright support
member 88 defines a pivot axis 105 or fulcrum about which the seat
back portion 20 can pivot or rotate relative to the support frame
24 to and from a reclined seating position. The upright support
members 88 may be formed of any material sturdy enough to support
the back panel against the weight of a person sitting in the chair.
Preferably, the upright support members are formed of a metal, such
as cast aluminum or steel. The lower portion 94 may further define
an opening 106 to receive a bearing pin (not shown) that bears
against support member 38 to facilitate movement of the portion 94
within that member.
[0050] The back panel 84 and seating surface 70 may be curved to
adapt to a user's body for comfort. The back panel and seating
surface may be formed of any suitable material and may be cushioned
or padded for additional comfort. The comfort and durability of the
chair may be further enhanced by providing a back panel and seating
surface that are formed of a relatively flexible material that
flexes, bends, or deflects slightly in response to, and
proportional to, a user's weight such as, for example, molded
plastic or a multiple ply wood. The walls of the back panel and
seating surface may be of generally uniform thickness, but may have
increased thickness where required for strength. Stiffening ribs or
flanges may also be added as required.
[0051] The seat back support member 38 is operable to allow the
seat back portion of the chair 10 to pivot, or tilt, rearwardly
while the seat bottom slides forward. Details of the member 38 are
best understood with reference to FIGS. 13-16. The seat back
support member 38 includes a generally upright upper portion 108
and a generally forward extending lower portion 110. In one
embodiment, the upright portion 108 includes a pivot guide channel
114 (FIG. 15) sized to receive the lower portion 94 of the upright
support members 88. The central portion 104, or pivot point 105
(FIG. 11), of the upright support members 88 of the seat back is
pivotably attached at the upper end of the pivot guide channel 114
so that the upper portion 90 of the upright support member 88
extends generally upward from the seat back support member 38 and
is pivotable from an upright position (FIGS. 13 and 15) to a
reclined position (FIGS. 14 and 16). The pivot pin 118 may be fixed
to the pivot guide channel 114 in any suitable method. In one
specific embodiment, the pin includes a keyed cap screw and bushing
assembly depicted in FIG. 12. As can be seen in FIGS. 15 and 16,
the pivot guide channel 114 defines a space in which the lower
portion 94 of the upright support members may move in response to
the pivoting of the upper portion 90 of the upright support
members.
[0052] Once inserted into the pivot guide channel 114, the lower
portion 94 of the upright support member extends into the lower
portion 110 of the seat back support member 38. The seat back
support member 38 further includes a slide guide opening 120 (FIG.
13) on an inboard side of each of the respective seat back support
members 38. The lower portions 94 of the upright support members
and the attachment members 78, 80 of the seat bottom are rotatably
connected within the pivot guide channel 114 through the respective
slide guide openings 120. Specifically, the attachment members 78,
80 fit through a respective slotted opening.
[0053] As the lower portion 94 of the upright support member is
pivoted into the reclined position, the slotted opening 100 of the
lower portion 94 of each upright support member is moved in a
forward arc A within the pivot guide channel 114. Thus, the slotted
opening 100 is displaced vertically and horizontally while moving
from the upright position (FIG. 15) to the reclined position (FIG.
16). In order to ensure that the seat bottom 18, or the rear
portion of the seat bottom, is not vertically displaced as the seat
bottom slides forward, the slot 100 in the lower portion 94 of the
upright support member is preferably elongated in the vertical
direction as shown in FIG. 11 so that the lower portion never
exerts an upward force on the attachment members 78, 80.
[0054] It can be appreciated that the interface between the
attachment members 78, 80 and the slotted openings 100 couple the
seat bottom 18 and seat back 20 to move in synchronization.
Backward tilting of the seat back causes forward movement of the
seat bottom. Backward movement of the seat bottom causes forward
tilting of the seat back. In one feature of the invention, this
coupling of seat bottom and seat back movement does not compromise
the ability to rotate the seat bottom to its nesting position, as
illustrated in FIG. 22. In other words, the attachment members 78,
80 act as a pivot axis for the seat bottom. The slotted openings
100 do not restrict that relative rotation. Thus, the present
invention provides a nestable chair that permits synchronous
movement between seat bottom and seat back.
[0055] The seat back support member 38 preferably further includes
a biasing element 124 for biasing the seat back portion into the
upright position (FIG. 3). Referring to FIGS. 12-16, in one
embodiment, seat back support member 38 may include a guide chamber
128 in the lower portion 110 of the seat back support member. The
guide chamber 128 is open at one end to the pivot guide channel
114. A biasing spring 130 is positioned within the guide channel
114 to bear against the base of the chamber and against the lower
portion 94 of the upright support member 88 adjacent the slotted
opening 100. The biasing spring 130 applies a rearward biasing
force in direction F on the lower portion 94 of the upright support
member thereby biasing the lower portion 94 rearward and pivoting
the upper portion 90 into the upright position (FIGS. 3, 13 and
15).
[0056] In the preferred embodiment, the interface between the
spring 130 and the lower portion 94 is facilitated by a yoke
element 134, as illustrated in FIG. 17. The yoke element includes a
post 134a that extends into the spring 130. The body of the element
further includes arms 134b that are separated to form a channel
134c to receive the end of the lower portion 94 with the slotted
opening 100 within the channel. The arms define slots 134d that
align with the opening 100 and receive the attachment member 78
therethrough. Thus, the attachment member 78, lower portion 94 and
yoke element 134 all move together as the seat back is tilted.
[0057] When a person sitting in the chair leans back with
sufficient force to overcome the biasing force in the springs 130,
the springs 130 compress and allow the lower portion 94 of the
upright support member to pivot forward and the upper portion 90 to
pivot backward into the reclined position (FIGS. 4, 14 and 16). The
forward and rearward limits are established by engagement between
the laterally extending members 78, 80 of the seat bottom and the
slide guide opening 120 of the seat back support member 38. When
the backward force on the seat back 20 is removed, the springs 130
restore the seat back 20 to the upright position (FIGS. 3, 13 and
15). In the illustrated embodiment, a sheath 136 is provided that
fits over the spring 130. The sheath provides an interface between
the spring and the guide chamber 128 to decrease noise as the
spring compresses. Preferably the sheath 136 is a plastic or nylon
mesh. A further backward limit may be established by a tang 94a
(FIGS. 15 and 17) projecting from the lower portion 94 to contact
rib 110a of the seat back support member 110.
[0058] Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 5, the chair preferably
includes seat stop 135 mounted to each front leg member 44 forward
of the transverse support member 34. The seat stops 135 prevent the
seat bottom 18 from rotating downward past the horizontal position.
In a preferred embodiment, seat stops 135 are positioned to engage
the bottom portion of the lateral sides of the seat bottom support
frame 74 at least midway along the sides of the seat bottom from
the back of the seat bottom. This positioning places the force of a
sitting person substantially onto the stops 135 and not onto the
forward unsupported portion of the seat bottom.
[0059] The seat stops 135 may be any suitable member or device that
is capable of supporting the seat bottom 18 when a person is seated
on the chair. In a specific embodiment, the seat stop 135 includes
a busing 135a that projects inwardly from each of the left and
right support portions 44 of the support frame. The bushings 135a
may be formed of any hard, durable material, such as, for example,
a hard plastic. The bushings 135a are preferably attached to the
inboard side of the respective support portion of the support frame
in a way that allows the bushings to pivot to act as a roller as
the seat bottom 18 moves back and forth. One suitable attachment is
by a carriage bolt 135b passing through the bushing and threaded
into the frame.
[0060] When the seat bottom is in the upright position (FIG. 12), a
portion of the slide guide opening 120 may be exposed. Thus, the
chair preferably includes a cover fin 138 for covering the open
portion of the slide guide opening 120 when the seat bottom 18 is
in the upright position (FIG. 23). One embodiment of a cover fin
138 for covering the slide guide opening 120 is shown in FIG. 18.
The cover fin 138 comprises a flexible plate member attached to the
seat bottom support frame 74 below the laterally extending
attachment members 78. When the seat bottom 18 is in the upright
position, the cover fin 138 extends forward from the seat bottom 18
to cover the forward portion of the slide guide opening, as shown
in FIG. 19.
[0061] In accordance with a further feature of certain embodiments,
the cover fin 138 includes a first detent 140 configured to prevent
the seat bottom 18 from freely falling from the upright position to
the horizontal position. The first detent 140 may comprise a
protrusion on the outboard side of the cover fin 138. When the seat
bottom 18 is rotated to the upright position, the cover fin 138
slides along the edge of the slide guide opening 120. Once the seat
bottom has reached the upright position, the first detent slides
into a position just inside the rim of the slide guide opening 120
as shown in FIG. 19. In one embodiment, a leading portion 140a of
the first detent 140 is ramped so that the first detent may easily
slide past the rim of the slide guide opening 120 when the seat
bottom is rotated upward. Once the first detent 140 is within the
slide guide opening 120, the trailing portion 140b of the first
detent is configured to abut against the rim of the opening to
prevent the seat bottom from coming down. The trailing portion 140b
is preferably generally blunt. It is contemplated that the fin 138
is formed of a slightly bendable material so that the fin flexes as
the detent 140 passes across the rim of the guide opening 120. This
flex or resilience also holds the detent within the opening until
the seat bottom is tilted down.
[0062] The cover fin 138 may further include a second detent 144
configured to prevent rotation of the seat bottom 18 upward past
the upright position. The detent 144 projects laterally outward
from the cover fin. When the seat bottom 18 is rotated upward and
the first detent 140 has passed into the slide guide opening, the
second detent 144 is positioned to catch on the outside rim of the
slide guide opening 120 to prevent further rotation of the seat
bottom.
[0063] Referring now to FIGS. 20 and 21, there is shown an
additional comfort enhancing feature of the chair 10 of the present
invention. This feature comprises a ramp 148 affixed to the bottom
portion of the support frames 74 where the seat bottom support
frames contact a corresponding seat stop 135. The ramp 148 has a
generally flat rear portion 150 that is spaced a distance D from
the bottom portion of the seat frame 74. The front portion 154 of
the ramp is rounded or curved. As the seat back 20 is tilted back
into the reclined position, the seat bottom 18 slides forward
causing the ramp 148 to slide atop the seat stop 135. As shown in
FIG. 20, when the seat back is in the upright position, the seat
stop 135 is positioned at or near the front curved portion 154 of
the ramp 148. As the seat bottom slides forward, the seat stop 135
bears against the curved portion 154 of the ramp causing the front
of the seat bottom to be raised slightly relative to the rear
portion of the seat bottom. When the seat back reaches the reclined
position, the seat stop 135 is engaging the flat rear portion 150
of the ramp thus keeping the front portion of the seat bottom 18
angled slightly upward. Angling the front portion of the seat
bottom upward when in the reclined position prevents a person from
slipping forward in the seat as they are reclining and more closely
follows a comfortable body position for the person.
[0064] As discussed above, the positioning of the leg members and
the rotatability of the seat bottom allows the chair 10 to be
stacked and nested with other similar chairs to facilitate storage.
This capability is shown in FIGS. 22 and 23. To facilitate the
stacking and nesting of the chairs, the front leg members are
positioned closer together than the rear leg members as shown in
FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6. Thus, when stacking vertically, as shown in
FIG. 22, the front leg members 40 of a stacked chair rest above the
front leg members of the chair below it and rear leg members 50 are
above the rear leg members of the chair below it in a "leg-on-leg"
configuration. Additionally, the arm portion of the rear leg
members may be flared outward so that the arm portion does not
block, or otherwise interfere, with the stacking of the chairs.
[0065] When nesting the chairs horizontally, as shown in FIG. 23,
the seat bottoms 18 of the chairs to be nested are rotated into an
upright position. This allows a first chair to be pressed
horizontally against a second chair without interference or
blocking caused by the seat bottom 20. Again, because of the front
leg members of the chairs are positioned closer together than the
rear leg members, the seat back portion of the seat assembly of a
nested chair fits between the arm portion of the chair behind it
while the rear leg members of the chair to be nested fits outside
the front leg members of the chair behind it.
[0066] Referring again to FIGS. 21, 22 and 23, the chair preferably
includes stack/nest bumpers 158 positioned on the chair to minimize
contact between stacked or nested chairs. The stack/nest bumpers
158 may be formed of a hard, durable material such as a hard
plastic. The stack/nest bumpers 158 minimize contact and rubbing of
chair parts thereby improving the durability and extending the life
of the chair. A bumper 158 may be placed in any position where
contact between stacked or nested chairs is likely. For example, in
the embodiments shown in FIGS. 21, 22 and 23, a bumper 158 is
placed on a bottom inboard portion of each seat back support member
38 where there is contact between the leg members and seat back
support members of stacked or nested chairs. Additionally, a bumper
guard 160 may be positioned on the rear bottom portion of the arm
rests 64 as shown in FIG. 23 to minimize contact between the nested
arm rests of the chairs. Moreover, the guard 160 can be sized to
prevent a user's sleeve from sliding over the cantilevered arm
64.
[0067] While the invention has been illustrated and described in
detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same should
be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It
is understood that only the preferred embodiments have been
presented and that all changes, modifications and further
applications that come within the spirit of the invention are
desired to be protected
* * * * *