U.S. patent application number 11/629565 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-20 for chair having a synchronizing mechanism.
Invention is credited to Egon Brauning.
Application Number | 20080067848 11/629565 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34957641 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080067848 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brauning; Egon |
March 20, 2008 |
Chair Having A Synchronizing Mechanism
Abstract
The invention relates to a seat comprising a lower frame which
is placed on the floor (1) and on which a synchronous mechanism (2)
is mounted. A horizontal fixed main rotational axle (D1) and a
horizontal secondary rotational axle (D2) that can be pivoted about
the main rotational axle (D1) are arranged on the synchronous
mechanism (2). Said synchronous mechanism (2) also comprises a
fixed base (20) which is to be placed on the lower frame (1) and
penetrated by the main rotational axle (D1). A pivotable seat
carrier (21) for fixing the seat element (3) is arranged above the
base (20) and is penetrated by the secondary rotational axle (D2).
First connecting means (22) are fixed to the main rotational axle
(D1) and the secondary rotational axle (D2) in an articulated
manner. Second connecting means (23) are provided opposite the
secondary rotational axle (D2) as a connection between the base
(20) and the seat carrier (21). A backrest (4) is fixed to the
synchronous mechanism (2), said backrest being pivotable about the
fixed main rotational axle (D1) against the resistance of a spring
module (24). The movements of the seat (3) and the backrest (4) are
mutually synchronised.
Inventors: |
Brauning; Egon; (Weil am
Rhein, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCCARTER & ENGLISH, LLP
FOUR GATEWAY CENTER
100 MULBERRY STREET
NEWARK
NJ
07102
US
|
Family ID: |
34957641 |
Appl. No.: |
11/629565 |
Filed: |
June 14, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
June 14, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CH04/00360 |
371 Date: |
December 14, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/323 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 1/03266 20130101;
A47C 1/023 20130101; A47C 1/0325 20130101; A47C 1/03272 20130101;
A47C 1/03 20130101; A47C 1/03255 20130101; A47C 1/03283
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/323 |
International
Class: |
A47C 3/18 20060101
A47C003/18 |
Claims
1. A chair having: a) a substructure (1) positioned on the floor,
b) a synchronizing mechanism (2) which is positioned on the
substructure (1) and has: ba) a fixed, horizontally running main
rotary spindle (D1); bb) a horizontally running secondary rotary
spindle (D2) which can be pivoted about the main rotary spindle
(D1); bc) a fixed base (20) which is intended for positioning on
the substructure (1) and through which the main rotary spindle (D1)
extends; bd) a seat carrier (21) which is arranged in a pivotable
manner above the base (20), through which the secondary rotary
spindle (D2) extends and on which a seat (3) can be fastened; be)
first connecting means (22) which are articulated, on the one hand,
on the main rotary spindle (D1) and, on the other hand, on the
secondary rotary spindle (D2); bf) second connecting means (23)
which are arranged opposite the secondary rotary spindle (D2) as a
connection between the base (20) and the seat carrier (21); c) a
backrest (4) which is fastened on the synchronizing mechanism (2)
and can be pivoted about the fixed main rotary spindle (D1) counter
to the resistance of a spring subassembly (24), the movements of
the seat (3) and backrest (4) being synchronized in relation to one
another, characterized in that d) the backrest (4) has extensions
(40) which are fitted in a self-supporting manner on the first
connecting means (22).
2. The chair as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a) two
extensions (40) which are spaced apart parallel to one another, and
each have a first and a second retaining contour (401,402), are
provided on the backrest (4); b) the first retaining contours (401)
are fitted on the secondary rotary spindle (D2) and partially
engage from beneath here around a respective spindle element (220)
of the first connecting means (22); and c) the second retaining
contours (402) butt against the first connecting means (22).
3. The chair as claimed in at least one of claims 1 and 2,
characterized in that a) in the state in which the backrest (4) is
inclined in the direction of the front seat edge (30), the first
retaining contours (401) on the extensions (40) of the backrest (4)
can be fitted beneath the spindle elements (220) of the first
connecting means (22); and b) as the backrest (4) is pivoted back
in the direction of the, in principle, vertical use position: ba)
the first retaining contours (401) grip beneath the spindle
elements (220) in a claw-like manner, on the side which is directed
toward the front seat edge (30), such that they slope upward from
beneath; and bb) the second retaining contours (402) are forced
against the first connecting means (22) by the torque generated by
the weight of the backrest (4) itself and the increase in this
torque as the contact pressure against the backrest (4)
increases.
4. The chair as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 3,
characterized in that a) the first connecting means (22) are, in
principle, two angle components (22), each angle component (22)
having the, in principle, cylindrical spindle elements (220) at the
end which is associated with the secondary rotary spindle (D2); b)
a through-passage (221) is present in the angle component (22), in
front of the spindle element (220), and allows the first retaining
contour (401) to be fitted onto the spindle element (220); and c)
the second retaining contours (402) on the extensions (40) of the
backrest (4) are mating angles (402), each mating angle (402) being
supported on the associated angle component (22), engaging beneath
the latter in the process.
5. The chair as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 4,
characterized in that an accommodating connector (25) for the
adjustable insertion of a carrying arm (50), which is a constituent
part of an armrest (5), is provided laterally on the synchronizing
mechanism (2) in each case.
6. The chair as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 5,
characterized in that it is possible to change the depth to which
the free end of the carrying arm (50) is pushed into the
accommodating connector (25), as a result of which it is possible
to adjust the span between the two armrests (5) provided on the
chair.
7. The chair as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 6,
characterized in that a) the accommodating connector (25) is
designed as a sleeve component (25) of, in principle, rectangular
inner cross section; b) the free end of the carrying arm (50) is in
the form of a sliding component (500); c) the sliding component
(500) contains a slot (501) through which projects the shank (510)
of a clamping screw (51) which engages in the accommodating
connector (25) and serves for fixing the selected span of the
armrests (5); and d) the accommodating connectors (25) extend from
the seat carrier (21).
8. The chair as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 7,
characterized in that the spring subassembly (24) in the
synchronizing mechanism (2) contains at least one mechanical spring
(240) and a pneumatic spring (241).
9. The chair as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 8,
characterized in that a) the spring subassembly (24) in the
synchronizing mechanism (2) contains two helical springs (240) and
a pneumatic spring (241), the three springs (240,240,241) being
arranged in parallel; b) the pneumatic spring (241) acts, in
particular, as a damping member as the backrest (4) is deflected
into the rearwardly inclined position from its approximately
vertical zero position; and c) the prestressing generated by the
spring subassembly (24) can be set by means of an actuating member
(242).
10. The chair as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 9,
characterized in that the synchronizing mechanism (2) a) has an
arresting element (26) for blocking the free synchronizing
movement; b) has an actuating device (27) for selecting in a
stepwise manner the depth to which the seat (3) is extended in
relation to the seat carrier (21); c) has a device (28) for setting
a forward inclination of the seat carrier (21); and d) on the base
(20), contains vertical opening (200) for the insertion of the
outwardly extending outer tube (100) of a height-specific pneumatic
spring (10) positioned vertically in the substructure (1); and e)
has a guide track (23) as second connecting means (23) between the
base (20) and the seat carrier (21), the seat carrier (21) being
displaced within the guide track during the synchronizing
movement.
11. The chair as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 10,
characterized in that, in order to secure a backrest (4) fitted
into the synchronizing mechanism (2), the second retaining contours
(402) on the extensions (40) of the backrest (4) are screwed on the
angle components (22).
12. The chair as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 11,
characterized in that a) a preferably elastic cover (41) is
provided for pulling over the backrest (4) and as the essential
constituent part of the latter, the cover being fixed in a
releasable manner on a crossmember (43) of the backrest (4) by
means of a cover holder (42); and b) one end of the cover is
fastened on a base plate (420), which is arranged on the
crossmember (43), and a second end of the cover is fastened on a
latching plate (421), which can be fitted onto the base plate
(420).
Description
APPLICATION AREA OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a chair of the generic type
having a substructure which is positioned on the floor and on which
a synchronizing mechanism is mounted. The synchronizing mechanism
has a fixed, horizontally running main rotary spindle and a
horizontally running secondary rotary spindle which can be pivoted
about the main rotary spindle. The synchronizing mechanism also has
a fixed base which is intended for positioning on the substructure
and through which the main rotary spindle runs. Arranged above the
base is a pivotable seat carrier through which the secondary rotary
spindle runs and on which a seat can be fastened. Articulated
connecting means are provided between the main rotary spindle and
the secondary rotary spindle. Further connecting means are provided
opposite the secondary rotary spindle as a connection between the
base and the seat carrier. A backrest is fastened on the
synchronizing mechanism, which provides for synchronized movement
between the seat and backrest, it being possible for the backrest
to be pivoted about the fixed main rotary spindle counter to the
resistance of a spring unit. The invention deals specifically with
the compact construction and multiple functionality of the
synchronizing mechanism within a chair designed therefor.
PRIOR ART
[0002] Synchronizing mechanisms, in particular for office chairs
and other chairs for the workplace, have been used for many years
now. The applicant therefore owns EP 0 592 369 B1, EP 0 839 478 B1,
EP 1 039 815 B1 and EP 1 039 816 B1. A compact synchronizing
mechanism has recently been proposed in EP 1 396 213.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Based on the prior art which is already known in this
respect, the object of the invention is to propose a chair of the
generic type defined in the introduction which has an improved
synchronizing mechanism, so that the basic construction is suitable
for chairs of different configurations and levels or numbers of
features. The intention is thus for mass production to be more
efficient and, at the same time, for the functions to be further
improved.
OVERVIEW OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The chair has, in the first instance, a substructure which
is positioned on the floor and on which a synchronizing mechanism
is mounted. The synchronizing mechanism has a fixed, horizontally
running main rotary spindle and a horizontally running secondary
rotary spindle which can be pivoted about the main rotary spindle.
The synchronizing mechanism also comprises a fixed base which is
intended for positioning on the substructure and through which the
main rotary spindle extends. Arranged above the base is a pivotable
seat carrier through which the secondary rotary spindle extends and
on which a seat can be fastened. First connecting means are
articulated, on the one hand, on the main rotary spindle and, on
the other hand, on the secondary rotary spindle. Second connecting
means are arranged opposite the secondary rotary spindle as a
connection between the base and the seat carrier. A backrest is
fastened on the synchronizing mechanism and can be pivoted about
the fixed main rotary spindle counter to the resistance of a spring
subassembly, the movements of the seat and backrest being
synchronized in relation to one another. Characterizing is that the
backrest having extensions which are fitted in a self-supporting
manner on the first connecting means.
[0005] The following features relate to specific embodiments of the
invention: Two extensions which are spaced apart parallel to one
another, and each have a first and a second retaining contour, are
provided on the backrest. The first retaining contours are fitted
on the secondary rotary spindle and partially engage from beneath
here around a respective spindle element of the first connecting
means. The second retaining contours butt against the first
connecting means.
[0006] In the state in which the backrest is inclined in the
direction of the front seat edge, the first retaining contours on
the extensions of the backrest can be fitted beneath the spindle
elements of the first connecting means. As the backrest is pivoted
back in the direction of the, in principle, vertical use position,
the first retaining contours grip beneath the spindle elements in a
claw-like manner, on the side which is directed toward the front
seat edge, such that they slope upward from beneath. The second
retaining contours are forced against the first connecting means by
the torque generated by the weight of the backrest itself and the
increase in this torque as the contact pressure against the
backrest increases. The first connecting means are, in principle,
two angle components, each angle component having the, in
principle, cylindrical spindle element at the end which is
associated with the secondary rotary spindle. A through-passage is
present in the angle component, in front of the spindle element,
and allows the first retaining contour to be fitted onto the
spindle element. The second retaining contours on the extensions of
the backrest are mating angles, each mating angle being supported
on the associated angle component, engaging beneath the latter in
the process. In order to secure the backrest fitted into the
synchronizing mechanism, the second retaining contours on the
extensions of the backrest are screwed on the angle components.
[0007] An accommodating connector for the adjustable insertion of a
carrying arm, which is a constituent part of an armrest, is
provided laterally on the synchronizing mechanism in each case. It
is possible to change the depth to which the free end of the
carrying arm is pushed into the accommodating connector, as a
result of which it is possible to adjust the span between the two
armrests provided on the chair. The accommodating connector is
designed as a sleeve component of, in principle, rectangular inner
cross section, and the free end of the carrying arm is in the form
of a sliding component. The sliding component contains a slot
through which projects the shank of a clamping screw which engages
in the accommodating connector and serves for fixing the selected
span of the armrests. The accommodating connectors extend from the
seat carrier.
[0008] The spring subassembly in the synchronizing mechanism
contains at least one mechanical spring and a pneumatic spring. The
spring subassembly in the synchronizing mechanism advantageously
comprises two helical springs and a pneumatic spring, the three
springs being arranged in parallel. The pneumatic spring acts, in
particular, as a damping member as the backrest is deflected into
the rearwardly inclined position from its approximately vertical
zero position. The prestressing generated by the spring subassembly
can be set by means of an actuating member.
[0009] The synchronizing mechanism also has: [0010] a) an arresting
element for blocking the free synchronizing movement; [0011] b) an
actuating device for selecting in a stepwise manner the depth to
which the seat is extended in relation to the seat carrier; [0012]
c) a device for setting a forward inclination of the seat carrier;
and [0013] d) on the base, a vertical opening for the insertion of
the outwardly extending outer tube of a height-specific pneumatic
spring positioned vertically in the substructure; and [0014] e) a
guide track as second connecting means between the base and the
seat carrier, the seat carrier being displaced within the guide
track during the synchronizing movement.
[0015] A preferably elastic cover is provided for pulling over the
backrest and as the essential constituent part of the latter, the
cover being fixed in a releasable manner on a crossmember of the
backrest by means of a cover holder. One end of the cover here is
fastened on a base plate, which is arranged on the crossmember,
while a second end of the cover is fastened on a latching plate,
which can be fitted onto the base plate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0016] In the drawings:
[0017] FIG. 1A shows a front view of the chair according to the
invention;
[0018] FIG. 1B shows a side view of the chair according to FIG.
1A;
[0019] FIG. 1C shows an exploded illustration of the chair
according to FIG. 1A;
[0020] FIG. 2A shows an enlarged perspective illustration of a
synchronizing mechanism from FIG. 1C (without the spring
subassembly);
[0021] FIG. 2B shows an exploded illustration of the synchronizing
mechanism according to FIG. 2A (with the spring subassembly);
[0022] FIG. 2C shows a plan view of the synchronizing mechanism
according to FIG. 2A (with the spring subassembly);
[0023] FIG. 2D shows a perspective side view of the synchronizing
mechanism according to FIG. 2C;
[0024] FIG. 2E shows a perspective side view from the rear of the
synchronizing mechanism according to FIG. 2C;
[0025] FIG. 2F shows a perspective side view from beneath of the
synchronizing mechanism according to FIG. 2C;
[0026] FIG. 3 shows a basic illustration of the seat-depth
adjustments;
[0027] FIG. 4A shows a perspective view solely of a backrest with
the extensions;
[0028] FIG. 4B shows a basic illustration of the initial phase of
fitting the backrest on the synchronizing mechanism;
[0029] FIG. 4C shows a basic illustration of a backrest fully
fitted on the synchronizing mechanism;
[0030] FIG. 5A shows a perspective illustration of an armrest
having a carrying arm and sliding component, and also a clamping
screw;
[0031] FIG. 5B shows a plan view of an armrest inserted in the
accommodating connector;
[0032] FIG. 5C shows the perspective view from beneath of the
armrest inserted in the accommodating connector, with the
synchronizing mechanism as a whole;
[0033] FIG. 6A shows a basic illustration of a holder for the
backrest cover; and
[0034] FIG. 6B shows a perspective illustration solely of the base
plate and latching plate of a cover holder, in the separated
state.
EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
[0035] A detailed description of an exemplary embodiment will be
given hereinbelow, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
respect of the chair according to the invention.
[0036] The following applies to the rest of the description. If, in
order to avoid ambiguity in the drawings, a figure contains
designations which are not explained in the directly associated
text of the description, then you are referred to the point at
which they are mentioned in previous descriptions of the figures.
For reasons of clarity, components are not usually designated again
in subsequent figures, provided that it is clear from the drawings
that they are "recurring" components.
[0037] The chair rests on a substructure 1 which is positioned on
the floor and on which the synchronizing mechanism 2 is mounted.
The fixed, horizontal main rotary spindle D1 and the horizontal
secondary rotary spindle D2, which can be pivoted about the main
rotary spindle D1, run through the synchronizing mechanism 2. The
synchronizing mechanism 2 has: [0038] a fixed base 20 which is
intended for positioning on the substructure 1 and through which
the main rotary spindle D1 extends; [0039] a seat carrier 21 which
is arranged in a pivotable manner above the base 20, through which
the secondary rotary spindle D2 extends and on which a seat 3 can
be fastened; [0040] first connecting means 22 which are
articulated, on the one hand, on the main rotary spindle D1 and, on
the other hand, on the secondary rotary spindle D2; and [0041]
second connection means 23 which are arranged opposite the
secondary rotary spindle D2 as a connection between the base 20 and
the seat carrier 21.
[0042] The backrest 4, which can be pivoted about the fixed main
rotary spindle D1 counter to the resistance of a spring subassembly
24, is fastened on the synchronizing mechanism 2, the movements of
the seat 3 and backrest 4 being synchronized in relation to one
another. The backrest 4 has extensions 40 which are fitted in a
self-supporting manner on the first connecting means 22. Two
extensions 40 which are spaced apart parallel to one another, and
each have a first and a second retaining contour 401,402, are
provided on the backrest 4. The first retaining contours 401 are
fitted on the secondary rotary spindle D2 and partially engage from
beneath here around a respective spindle element 220 of the first
connecting means 22. The second retaining contours 402 butt against
the first connecting means 22.
[0043] In the state in which the backrest 4 is inclined in the
direction of the front seat edge 30, the first retaining contours
401 on the extensions 40 of the bracket 4 can be fitted beneath the
spindle elements 220 of the first connecting means 22. As the
backrest 4 is pivoted back in the direction of the, in principle,
vertical use position, the first retaining contours 401 grip
beneath the spindle elements 220 in a claw-like manner, on the side
which is directed toward the front seat edge 30, such that they
slope upward from beneath. The second retaining contours 402 are
forced against the first connecting means 22 by the torque
generated by the weight of the backrest 4 itself and the increase
in this torque as the contact pressure against the backrest 4
increases.
[0044] The first connecting means 22 are, in principle, two angle
components 22, each angle component 22 having the, in principle,
cylindrical spindle element 220 at the end which is associated with
the secondary rotary spindle D2. A through-passage 221 is present
in the angle component 22, in front of the spindle element 220, and
allows the first retaining contour 401 to be fitted onto the
spindle element 220. The second retaining contours 402 on the
extensions 40 of the backrest 4 are mating angles 402, each mating
angle 402 being supported on the associated angle component 22,
engaging beneath the latter in the process. In order to secure the
backrest 4 fitted into the synchronizing mechanism 2, the second
retaining contours 402 on the extensions 40 of the backrest 4 are
screwed on the angle components 22, preferably in the bottom
region.
[0045] An accommodating connector 25 for the adjustable insertion
of a carrying arm 50, which is a constituent part of an armrest 5,
is provided laterally on the synchronizing mechanism 2 in each
case. It is possible to change the depth to which the free end of
the carrying arm 50 is pushed into the accommodating connector 25,
as a result of which it is possible to adjust the span between the
two armrests 5 provided on the chair. The accommodating connector
25 is designed as a sleeve component 25 of, in principle,
rectangular inner cross section, and the free end of the carrying
arm 50 is in the form of a sliding component 500. The sliding
component 500 contains a slot 501 through which projects the shank
510 of a clamping screw 51 which engages in the accommodating
connector 25 and serves for fixing the selected span of the
armrests 5. The accommodating connectors 25 extend from the seat
carrier 21. It is not necessary, in principle, for the clamping
screw 51 to absorb any forces acting on the armrests 5 from
above.
[0046] The spring subassembly 24 in the synchronizing mechanism 2
contains at least one mechanical spring 240 and a pneumatic spring
241. The spring subassembly 24 of the synchronizing mechanism 2
preferably contains two helical springs 240 and a pneumatic spring
241, the three springs 240,240,241 being arranged in parallel. The
pneumatic spring 241 acts, in particular, as a damping member as
the backrest 4 is deflected into the rearwardly inclined position
from its approximately vertical zero position. The prestressing
generated by the spring subassembly 24 can be set by means of the
actuating member 242.
[0047] The synchronizing mechanism 2 also has: [0048] an arresting
element 26 for blocking the free synchronizing movement; [0049] an
actuating device 27 for selecting in a stepwise manner the depth to
which the seat 3 is extended in relation to the seat carrier 21,
the actuating device comprising a lever with a latching head and
also a complementary latching grid on the underside of the seat
panel 31, above which the cushion panel 32 is arranged; [0050] a
device 28 for setting a forward inclination of the seat carrier 21;
and [0051] on the base 20, a vertical opening 200 for the insertion
of the outwardly extending outer tube 100 of the height-specific
pneumatic spring 10 positioned vertically in substructure 1; and
[0052] a guide track 23 as a second connecting means 23 between the
base 20 and the seat carrier 21, the seat carrier 21 being
displaced within the guide track during the synchronizing
movement.
[0053] A preferably elastic cover 41 is provided for pulling over
the backrest 4 and as the essential constituent part of the latter,
the cover being fixed in a releasable manner on the crossmember 43
of the backrest 4 by means of a cover holder 42. One end of the
cover is fastened on a base plate 420, which is arranged on the
crossmember 43, and a second end of the cover is fastened on a
latching plate 421, which can be fitted onto the base plate 420.
The cover 41 can thus be removed relatively straightforwardly, e.g.
for cleaning purposes.
* * * * *