U.S. patent application number 11/788797 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-23 for chair for mechanics.
This patent application is currently assigned to Whiteside Mfg. Co.. Invention is credited to Kristin C. Mays, Shane Obitts, Kirt E. Whiteside.
Application Number | 20080258515 11/788797 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39871479 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080258515 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Whiteside; Kirt E. ; et
al. |
October 23, 2008 |
Chair for mechanics
Abstract
A chair (10) includes spaced frames (11, 12) each of which have
a lower portion (13, 14) and an upper portion (15, 16). The upper
(15, 16) and lower (13, 14) frame portions are interconnected by
curved portions (17, 18) which extend upwardly and inwardly from
the lower frame portions (13, 14) to the upper frame portions (15,
16) so that the lower frame portions (13, 14) are spaced from each
other further than the spacing of the upper frame portions (15,
16). A seat (21) is carried by the upper frame portions (15, 16),
and caster assemblies (42) are carried by the lower frame portions
(13, 14). Spreader bars (36, 37) extend between and attach the
lower frame portions (13, 14) to each other. A tray (30) is carried
by the lower frame portions (13, 14) and has opposed edges (32, 33)
which are received around the lower frame portions (13, 14).
Inventors: |
Whiteside; Kirt E.; (Marion,
OH) ; Mays; Kristin C.; (Delaware, OH) ;
Obitts; Shane; (Elyria, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Edward G. Greive;Renner, Kenner, Greive, Bobak, Taylor & Weber
Fourth Floor, First National Tower
Akron
OH
44308-1456
US
|
Assignee: |
Whiteside Mfg. Co.
|
Family ID: |
39871479 |
Appl. No.: |
11/788797 |
Filed: |
April 23, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/174R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 9/00 20130101; B25H
5/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/174.R |
International
Class: |
A47C 3/00 20060101
A47C003/00 |
Claims
1. A chair comprising a first frame, a second frame spaced from
said first frame, said first frame having an upper portion and
lower portion, said second frame having an upper portion and a
lower portion, a first brace extending from said upper portion to
said lower portion of said first frame, a second brace extending
from said upper portion to said lower portion of said second frame,
and a seat carried by said upper portions of said frames.
2. The chair of claim 1 wherein said first frame includes a curved
portion extending between said upper and lower portions, and said
second frame includes a curved portion extending between said upper
and lower portions.
3. The chair of claim 1 further comprising at least one slat
carrying said seat, said slat having opposed curved ends, a said
curved end being received around each said upper portion of said
frames.
4. The chair of claim 3 further comprising fastening assemblies
extending through said curved ends and said upper portions of said
frames to attach said seat to said upper portions of said
frames.
5. The chair of claim 1 further comprising caster assemblies
carried by said lower portions of said frames to render the chair
mobile.
6. The chair of claim 1 wherein said braces do not extend
vertically between said upper portions and said lower portions of
said frames.
7. The chair of claim 6 wherein said first brace extends from near
the outer end of said upper portion of said first frame to near the
inner end of said lower portion of said first frame, and said
second brace extends from near the outer end of said upper portion
of said second frame to near the inner end of said lower portion of
said second frame.
8. The chair of claim 1 wherein said lower portions of said frames
are spaced from each other further than the spacing of the upper
portions of said frames.
9. The chair of claim 8 further comprising at least one spreader
bar extending between and attaching said lower portions of said
frames.
10. The chair of claim 8 further comprising a tray carried by said
lower portions of said frame, said tray having opposed curved
edges, a said curved edge being received around each said lower
portion of said frames.
11. The chair of claim 1 further comprising at least one spreader
bar extending between and attaching said lower portions of said
frames.
12. The chair of claim 1 further comprising a tray carried by said
lower portions of said frame, said tray having opposed curved
edges, a said curved edge being received around each said lower
portion of said frames.
13. The chair of claim 12 further comprising at least one spreader
bar extending between and attaching said lower portions of said
frames.
14. A chair comprising a first frame, a second frame spaced from
said first frame, said first frame having an upper portion and a
lower portion, said second frame having an upper portion and a
lower portion, and a seat carried by said upper portions of said
frames, said lower portions of said frames being spaced from each
other further than the spacing of said upper portions of said
frames.
15. The chair of claim 14 wherein said first frame includes a
curved portion extending between said upper and lower portions, and
said second frame includes a curved portion extending between said
upper and lower portions.
16. The chair of claim 15 wherein each said curved portion extends
upwardly and inwardly from said lower portions to said upper
portions.
17. The chair of claim 14 further comprising at least one spreader
bar extending between and attaching said lower portions of said
frames.
18. The chair of claim 17 further comprising a tray carried by said
lower portions of said frame, said tray having opposed curved
edges, a said curved edge being received around each said lower
portion of said frames.
19. The chair of claim 14 further comprising a tray carried by said
lower portions of said frame, said tray having opposed curved
edges, a said curved edge being received around each said lower
portion of said frames.
20. A chair comprising a first frame, a second frame spaced from
said first frame, said first frame having an upper portion and a
lower portion, said second frame having an upper portion and a
lower portion, a seat carried by said upper portion of said frames,
and a least one spreader bar extending between and attaching said
lower portions of said frames.
21. The chair of claim 20 further comprising a tray carried by said
lower portions of said frame, said tray having opposed curved
edges, a said curved edge being received around each said lower
portion of said frames.
22. The chair of claim 20 wherein said spreader bar has hooks
formed on the ends thereof, a said hook being received around each
said lower portion of said frames.
23. The chair of claim 22 further comprising fastening assemblies
extending through said curved edges, said hooks and the lower
portions of said frames to attach said tray and said spreader bar
to said lower portions of said frames.
24. A chair comprising a first frame, a second frame spaced from
said first frame, said first frame having an upper portion and a
lower portion, said second frame having an upper portion and a
lower portion, a seat carried by said upper portions of said
frames, and a tray carried by said lower portions of said frames,
said tray having opposed curved edges, a said curved edge being
received around each said lower portion of said frames.
25. The chair of claim 24 wherein said tray includes opposed walls,
a said curved edge being positioned between each opposed wall.
26. A chair comprising a first frame, a second frame spaced from
said first frame, said first frame having an upper portion and a
lower portion, said second frame having an upper portion and a
lower portion, said lower portions of said frames being spaced from
each other further than the spacing of said upper portions of said
frames, a seat carried by said upper portions of said frames, at
least one spreader bar extending between and attaching said lower
portions of said frames, and a tray carried by said lower portions
of said frames, said tray having opposed curved edges, a said
curved edge being received around each said lower portion of said
frame.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to a chair. More particularly, this
invention relates to such a chair which is mobile and rugged, and
which is therefore particularly suitable for use by a mechanic in
the garage environment.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] There are a wide variety of mobile chairs, which are
specially designed for use by mechanics, that are known in the art.
Most typically, a base frame carries a plurality of casters and,
much like an office chair, a pedestal extends upwardly from the
frame and carries a seat at the top thereof. Oftentimes, the height
of the pedestal, and therefore the seat, is adjustable.
[0003] Still other configurations include spaced U-shaped frames.
One branch of the frames carries casters to render the chair mobile
while a seat spans the other branch of the frames.
[0004] Both these and other styles of such chairs are often
unstable and not sturdy enough to continually withstand the rigors
of use in the garage of a mechanic. As such, these chairs require
frequent replacement, and what is needed in the art is a chair
which will not break down after rigorous use.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a
chair which is rugged and sturdy and able to withstand the rigors
of use by a mechanic.
[0006] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
chair, as above, which can be rendered mobile.
[0007] These and other objects of the present invention, as well as
the advantages thereof over existing prior art forms, which will
become apparent from the description to follow, are accomplished by
the improvements hereinafter described and claimed.
[0008] In general, a chair made in accordance with the invention
includes a first frame and a second frame spaced from the first
frame. The first frame has an upper portion and a lower portion,
and the second frame had an upper portion and a lower portion. A
seat is carried by the upper portions of the frames.
[0009] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a first
brace extends from the upper portion to the lower portion of the
first frame and a second brace extends from the upper portion to
the lower portion of the second frame.
[0010] In another aspect of the invention, the lower portions of
the frames are spaced further from each other than the upper
portions of the frames.
[0011] As an additional aspect of the invention, at least one
spreader bar extends between the lower portions of the frames and
attaches those lower portions to each other.
[0012] Another aspect of the invention relates to a tray which is
carried by the lower portions of the frames. The tray has opposed
curved edges. A curved edge of the tray is received around each
lower portion of the frames.
[0013] A preferred exemplary chair according to the concepts of the
present invention is shown by way of example in the accompanying
drawings without attempting to show all the various forms and
modifications in which the invention might be embodied, the
invention being measured by the appended claims and not by the
details of the specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chair made in accordance
with the concepts of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the chair of FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view thereof.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line
4-4 of FIG. 3.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along line
5-5 of FIG. 3.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along line
6-6 of FIG. 3.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0020] A chair made in accordance with the present invention is
generally indicated by the numeral 10. Chair 10 includes a first
frame generally indicated by the numeral 11 which is spaced from a
second frame generally indicated by the numeral 12. Frame 11
includes a lower tubular portion 13 which is spaced from a lower
tubular portion 14 of frame 12. Frame 11 also includes an upper
tubular portion 15 which is spaced from an upper tubular portion 16
of frame 12. Frame portions 13 and 15 of frame 11 are
interconnected by a curved frame portion 17, and frame portions 14
and 16 of frame 12 are interconnected by a curved frame portion 18.
Frame portions 13, 15, and 17 are preferably formed as a continuous
piece of oval metallic tubing thereby creating frame 11 as a
continuous integral member. Likewise, frame portions 14, 16, and 18
are preferably formed as a continuous piece of oval metallic tubing
thereby creating frame 12 as a continuous integral member. As
shown, for strength and bending purposes, the tubing at the ends of
frames 13, 14, 15, and 16 is shown as being skewed or tilted as
best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0021] As best shown in FIG. 2, lower tubular portions 13 and 14
are spaced from each other further than are upper tubular portions
15 and 16. As such, interconnecting frame portion 17 curves
upwardly and then inwardly from lower portion 13 to upper portion
14. Similarly, interconnecting frame portion 18 curves upwardly and
then inwardly from lower portion 14 to upper portion 16. Thus,
frame portions 17 and 18 include two distinct curves and the
connection between the lower portions 13, 14 and the upper portions
15, 16 may be considered to be skewed. Such adds strength and
stability to chair 10 as many hereinafter become more evident.
[0022] A brace 19 extends downwardly from near the outer end of
upper frame portion 15 to lower frame portion 13 of frame 11. A
similar brace 20 extends downwardly from near the outer end of
frame portion 16 to lower frame portion 14 of frame 12. While
braces 19 and 20 could be generally vertically oriented between
frame portions 13 and 15 and frame portions 14 and 16,
respectively, without departing from this invention, they are shown
as preferably angularly extending between the upper 15, 16 and
lower 13, 14 frames. As such, the braces 19, 20 extend from near
the outer ends of frame portions 15 and 16, respectively, to
generally near the inner ends of frame portions 13 and 14,
respectively. Such provides a great deal of stability to chair
10.
[0023] Upper frame portions 15 and 16 carry a padded seat 21 in a
manner now to be described. As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, spaced
slats 22 are attached to the bottom of seat 21, as by screw
fasteners 23. Each slat 22 has opposed curved ends 24, 25 which
correspond to the curves of upper tubular frame portions 15, 16,
respectively. As such, ends 24, 25 extend around a portion of the
perimeter of frame portions 15, 16, respectively, and are attached
thereto by fastener assemblies 26, 27, respectively. Thus, as shown
in FIG. 4, a fastener assembly 26 extends through an aperture
formed in each curved end 24 of each slat 22 and through apertures
at opposed sides of tubular frame portion 15. Similarly, a fastener
assembly 27 extends through an aperture formed in each curved end
25 of each slat 22 and through apertures at opposed sides of
tubular frame portion 16. When seat 21 is so mounted to frame
portions 15, 16, the front of the seat 21 is preferably generally
aligned with the front edges of frame portions 15, 16 as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 3.
[0024] A tray, generally indicated by the numeral 30, is
conventionally carried by lower frame portions 13 and 14. Tray 31
includes a main surface or floor 31 which can receive and carry
tools or the like as may be desired by the user of the chair 10.
Opposed lateral edges 32 and 33 of tray surface 31 curve upwardly
and extend around a portion of the perimeter of frame portion 13
and 14, respectively. Opposed front and rear edges 34 and 35 of
tray surface 31 turn upwardly at approximately ninety degrees from
surface 31 to form walls to provide front and rear confinement for
items placed on tray surface 31.
[0025] Front and rear spreader bars 36, 37 are also provided
between frame portions 13 and 14. Spreader bars 36, 37 provide
strength to chair 10 while at the same time maintaining the ends of
frame portions 13 and 14 properly, consistently spaced. Hook ends
38, 39 are formed at the ends of spreader bars 36, 37, with ends 38
extending partially around frame portion 13, and ends 39 extending
particularly around frame portion 14. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5,
fastening assemblies 40 extend through ends 38, frame portion 13,
and tray edge 32, and through ends 39, frame portion 14, and tray
edge 33 at the front and rear of tray 30 to attach tray 30 and bars
36 and 37 to frame portions 13 and 14. In addition, as shown in
FIG. 1, fastening assemblies 41, positioned medially between
fastening assemblies 40, may be provided to further secure tray 30
to frame portions 13 and 14.
[0026] Chair 10 may be rendered mobile by a plurality of caster
assemblies generally indicated by the numeral 42. Caster assemblies
42 may be conventional items and are somewhat schematically shown
as including a wheel 43 rotatable on a horizontal axle 44 carried
by a horn 45. Horn 45 is rotatable on a vertical axle 46 having a
threaded end. The axles 46 of each caster assembly 42 extend
through tray surface 31 and spreader bar 36 or 37 and receive a nut
47 thereby attaching caster assemblies 42 to chair 10.
[0027] In light of the foregoing, it should thus be evident that a
chair constructed as described herein substantially improves the
art and otherwise accomplishes the objects of the present
invention.
* * * * *