U.S. patent application number 11/701191 was filed with the patent office on 2008-08-07 for chair footring adjustment mechanism.
Invention is credited to Chen Wei.
Application Number | 20080185896 11/701191 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39675551 |
Filed Date | 2008-08-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080185896 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wei; Chen |
August 7, 2008 |
Chair footring adjustment mechanism
Abstract
The present invention provides a chair assembly having a support
member defining a plurality of positioning stations separated by a
predetermined vertical distance. A coupling element may be included
that defines a first portion and a second portion, such that the
first and second portions are pivotably coupled to one another. The
coupling element may be engageable with one or more of the
positioning stations of the support member. A foot ring may also be
included, where the foot ring is engageable with the coupling
element to be positioned at a desired height while being securely
affixed to the coupling element and thus, the support member of the
chair assembly.
Inventors: |
Wei; Chen; (Shenzhen City,
CN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHRISTOPHER & WEISBERG, P.A.
200 EAST LAS OLAS BOULEVARD, SUITE 2040
FORT LAUDERDALE
FL
33301
US
|
Family ID: |
39675551 |
Appl. No.: |
11/701191 |
Filed: |
February 1, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/423.19 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 7/5064 20180801;
A47C 7/004 20130101; A47C 7/506 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/423.19 |
International
Class: |
A47C 7/50 20060101
A47C007/50 |
Claims
1. A chair assembly, comprising: a support member defining a
plurality of positioning stations; a coupling element engageable
with at least one of the positioning stations; and a foot ring
engageable with the coupling element.
2. The chair assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one
positioning station is defined by a groove.
3. The chair assembly according to claim 2, wherein the positioning
stations are separated by a predetermined vertical distance.
4. The chair assembly according to claim 3, wherein the coupling
element includes an engagement structure matable with at least one
of the positioning stations.
5. The chair assembly according to claim 4, wherein the engagement
structure defines a protruding rim positionable within one of the
plurality of grooves.
6. The chair assembly according to claim 1, wherein the coupling
element defines a hollow passage for receiving a portion of the
support member.
7. The chair assembly according to claim 6, wherein the coupling
element includes a first portion and a second portion pivotably
coupled to the first portion.
8. The chair assembly according to claim 1, wherein the coupling
element defines a first end and a second end, the second end having
a width larger than that of the first end.
9. The chair assembly according to claim 8, wherein the foot ring
defines a central opening slideably engageable with at least a
portion of the coupling element.
10. The chair assembly according to claim 1, wherein the support
member is an elongated, cylindrically shaped member.
11. The chair assembly according to claim 10, wherein each
positioning station is defined by an annular groove circumscribing
the cylindrically shaped member.
12. A coupling element for a chair assembly, comprising: a first
portion defining a substantially arcuate body; a second portion
defining a substantially arcuate body, wherein the second portion
is movably coupled to the first portion.
13. The coupling element according to claim 12, wherein the first
and second portions are positionable about each other to form a
substantially cylindrical shape defining a passage therethrough
14. The coupling element according to claim 13, wherein the
coupling element further defines a first end and a second end, the
second end having a width larger than that of the first end.
15. The coupling element according to claim 14, wherein the
coupling element includes an engagement structure defined by a
protruding rim.
16. A method of positioning a foot ring about a chair assembly,
comprising the steps of: providing a support member, the support
member defining a plurality of positioning stations; affixing a
coupling element to at least one of the positioning stations of the
support member; and slideably positioning the foot ring about the
coupling element.
17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the coupling element
defines a protruding rim matable with at least one of the plurality
of positioning stations.
18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the coupling element
defines a first end and a second end, the second end having a width
larger than that of the first end.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] n/a
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] n/a
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to office and/or task chairs,
and more particularly, to a height adjustment system for a foot
ring of a chair that allows an individual to be comfortably seated
in the chair with the foot ring at a desirable position.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is typically desirable to provide a chair that allows an
individual to remain continuously seated, properly oriented, and
comfortably positioned in the chair. Office chairs and more
particularly task chairs are often purchased with the user and
intended use of the chair in mind. Depending on the application,
one or more adjustments may be provided at the option of the
purchaser.
[0005] Office chairs and task chairs used by individuals seated at
desks and consoles are often used in a wide variety of applications
where the individual is required to remain seated for extended
durations of time to perform their required duties. Because of the
length of time that many individuals spend seated, it is important
that these chairs be properly adjusted for each user to provide
enhanced comfort.
[0006] To improve the comfort of a particular chair, provisions are
usually made for some adjustments to accommodate the physical size
of the user. These adjustments may include an adjustment of the
height of the seat relative to the base, adjustment of the chair
back height, adjustment of the chair back angle, adjustment of the
seat angle, and adjustment of the seat depth. In addition, for
certain chairs, an adjustment of the height of a foot ring or
support with respect to the ground and/or seat may be made. In some
office and task chairs, the adjustments may include complex
mechanisms having multiple moving parts. As such, the adjustment
mechanisms may be prone to malfunction and/or fail to work
altogether after a short period of time. Moreover, the particular
adjustment mechanisms may include a handle or the like placed just
under the seat, where an individual may accidentally trigger the
adjustment mechanism and thus have to reposition the seat time and
time again.
[0007] Thus, in addition to the potential unreliability of an
adjustment mechanism, chair adjustments can be tedious and time
consuming as the user needs to repeatedly adjust the chair. In view
of the above, the need exists for a simple, inexpensive, and
effective chair adjustment mechanism that allows the user to adjust
the chair's orientation, and wherein the adjustment may not be
accidentally triggered.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention advantageously provides a simple,
inexpensive, and effective chair adjustment mechanism that allows
the user to adjust the chair's orientation. In particular, a height
adjustment system for a foot ring coupled to a portion of a chair
may include a foot ring that is engageable with a portion of a
chair. The foot ring may generally define a disc-like structure
having a rounded rim that extends from and/or circumscribes a
central opening of the foot ring. The rounded rim may extend from
and/or be offset from the central opening by a plurality of
spokes.
[0009] The present invention may include a support member coupled
to a pedestal or wheel base having multiple caster assemblies
affixed thereto. The support member may define one or more
positioning stations disposed about a surface of the support member
for receiving the foot ring at a particular height from the ground
and/or a seat cushion affixed to the support member. Each
positioning station may include a depression or groove disposed
about the support member, such as a plurality of annular grooves
circumscribing the support member.
[0010] A coupling element may be provided that is engageable with
one or more of the positioning stations of the support member, and
for further providing for the affixation of the foot ring to the
support member. The coupling element may define a first portion and
a second portion, where the first and second portions are pivotably
coupled to one another. Further, the coupling element may define an
engaging structure that is matable and/or engageable with the
positioning station of the support member for the affixation
thereof. The coupling element may further define a first end and a
second end, where the second end has a width and/or diameter larger
than that of the first end. Accordingly, the central opening of the
foot ring may be slidably positioned over the coupling element and
thereby provide a compression fit as the lower end of the central
opening is proximate to the flared end of the coupling element.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] A more complete understanding of the present invention, and
the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily
understood by reference to the following detailed description when
considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings
wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 provides an assembly view of an embodiment of a
height adjustment system for a foot ring in accordance with the
present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment
of a height adjustment system for a foot ring in accordance with
the present invention; and
[0014] FIG. 3 provides an assembled view of an embodiment of a
height adjustment system for a foot ring in accordance with the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention includes a height
adjustment system, generally indicated as 10, for a foot ring
coupled to a portion of a chair. The present invention may include
a foot ring 12 that is engageable with a portion of a chair for
supporting the feet of an individual when seated in the chair.
While the foot ring 12 may define a myriad of shapes having varying
dimensions and/or decorative characteristics, in a particular
embodiment, the foot ring 12 generally defines a disc-like
structure having a rounded outer rim 14 that extends from and/or
circumscribes a central opening 16 of the foot ring 12. The rounded
rim may extend from and/or be offset from the central opening by a
plurality of spokes 18.
[0016] In addition, the present invention may include a support
member 20, where the support member 20 may define an elongated
cylindrically shaped body. The support member 20 may be coupled to
a pedestal or wheel base 22 having multiple caster assemblies
affixed thereto to ease movement of the chair assembly around a
workspace or the like. The support member 20 may extend upward from
the pedestal or wheel base 22 to couple to and thereby support a
seat cushion or the like (not shown) of a chair. The support member
20 may further define one or more positioning stations 24 disposed
about a surface of the support member 20 for receiving the foot
ring 12 at a particular height from the ground and/or a seat
cushion affixed to the support member 20. Each positioning station
may include a depression or groove disposed about the support
member 20, such as a plurality of annular grooves circumscribing
the support member 20. The plurality of positioning stations may
further be separated by a predetermined distance to provide
multiple locations at which the foot ring 12 may ultimately be
affixed to comfortably accommodate individuals of varying physical
dimensions. The positioning stations 24 may further include
protruding elements, a series of apertures, or other engageable
elements able to provide for the affixation of a corresponding
complementary structure, i.e., a protruding element may couple with
a lip of a corresponding structure, an aperture may receive a
corresponding protrusion, etc.
[0017] A coupling element 26 may be provided that is engageable
with one or more of the positioning stations 24 of the support
member 20, and for further providing for the affixation of the foot
ring 12 to the support member 20. For example, the coupling element
26 defines a first portion 28 and a second portion 30 having
arcuate bodies, where the first and second portions are pivotably
coupled to one another. The first and second portions may further
be movably coupled to one another to provide a cylindrically shaped
construct able to be placed in an open configuration as well as a
closed configuration. In the closed configuration, the coupling
element 26 defines a substantially continuous cylindrical wall
defining a passage therethrough such that the coupling element 26
is positionable about a portion of the support member 20. Further,
the coupling element 26 defines an engaging structure that is
matable and/or engageable with a positioning station 24 of the
support member 20 for the affixation thereof. For example, the
coupling element 26 includes a protruding rim 32 along an interior
surface of the coupling element 26 that is matable with one or more
of the indentations or grooves of the support member 20. The
coupling element 26 may further define a first end and a second
end, where the second end has a width and/or diameter larger than
that of the first end. Accordingly, the central opening of the foot
ring 12 may be slideably positioned over the coupling element 26.
As the lower end of the central opening descends towards the flared
or widened second end of the coupling element, a compression fit is
achieved to securely affix the foot ring to the coupling
element.
[0018] Now referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, in an exemplary use of the
present invention, the support member 20 is provided in a chair
assembly, where the support member 20 includes one or more
positioning stations 24 located thereon. Upon a determination of
the desired height of the foot ring 12 with respect to either the
ground or a portion of the chair assembly, the coupling element 26
is opened by separating at least a portion of the first portion 28
from the second portion 30, and placed at the desired height on the
support member 20, which corresponds to a particular positioning
station. The coupling element 26 is then closed about the support
member 20, thereby engaging the protruding rim 32 with one of the
grooves of the positioning stations 24 of the support member 20. As
such, the coupling element 26 becomes firmly engaged and affixed to
the support member 20 at the desired positioning station 24. Once
the coupling element 26 is satisfactorily positioned about the
support member 20, the foot ring 12 may be slideably engaged with
the coupling element 26 such that the coupling element 26, and thus
the support member 20, are positioned within the central opening 16
of the foot ring 12. As the foot ring 12 is subsequently lowered
onto the coupling element 26, the flared second end of the coupling
element 26 provides a compression fit and thus affixes the foot
ring 12 to the coupling element 26, and as such, the support member
20. Where it is desired to change the particular height or
positioning of the foot ring 12 with respect to the support member
20, the foot ring 12 may be lifted away from the coupling element
26, and the coupling element 26 may be opened and thus repositioned
about the desired positioning station 24 of the support member 20.
Subsequent repositioning of the foot ring 12 about the coupling
element 26 would then proceed as discussed above.
[0019] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that
the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly
shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was
made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the
accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications
and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without
departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, which is
limited only by the following claims.
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