U.S. patent application number 12/435071 was filed with the patent office on 2009-08-27 for seating unit with accessories.
Invention is credited to Paul Thomas Cornell, John M. Kaloustian, Russell Plant, Robert L. Stewart.
Application Number | 20090212607 12/435071 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37493448 |
Filed Date | 2009-08-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090212607 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kaloustian; John M. ; et
al. |
August 27, 2009 |
SEATING UNIT WITH ACCESSORIES
Abstract
A seating unit includes a tubular support extending upwardly
from a chair frame, a retainer telescopingly engaging an upright
open end of the support, and an armrest mounted on the retainer.
The retainer is keyed at both ends to prevent undesired rotation of
the armrest. Accessories are mounted to the retainer, and are
positionable at use and non-use positions relative to a seated
user. The accessories include a cup holder, a container, a hook for
hanging items under the cup holder or container, and different
tablets. One tablet includes a wheeled leg that extends downwardly
from a center of gravity of the tablet, the leg supporting the
tablet and reducing cantilever forces on the retainer. The back and
seat comprise a flexible member co-molded onto a supportive
partial-perimeter frame member and includes back and seat sections
that matably engage corresponding surfaces of the frame member.
Inventors: |
Kaloustian; John M.;
(Northville, MI) ; Plant; Russell; (London,
GB) ; Stewart; Robert L.; (Grapevine, TX) ;
Cornell; Paul Thomas; (Grapevine, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PRICE HENEVELD COOPER DEWITT & LITTON, LLP
695 KENMOOR, S.E., P O BOX 2567
GRAND RAPIDS
MI
49501
US
|
Family ID: |
37493448 |
Appl. No.: |
12/435071 |
Filed: |
May 4, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11142650 |
Jun 1, 2005 |
7530632 |
|
|
12435071 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/188.21 ;
297/452.14 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 7/68 20130101; A47C
7/624 20180801 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/188.21 ;
297/452.14 |
International
Class: |
A47C 7/62 20060101
A47C007/62 |
Claims
1. An armrest apparatus comprising: an upright support defining a
substantially vertical axis; an armrest supported atop the upright
support; and an accessory rotatably attached to the upright support
for adjustment between different positions relative to the armrest,
wherein the accessory is rotatable about the substantially vertical
axis, and wherein the upright support provides cantilevered support
to the armrest at a location generally at a front of the
armrest.
2. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the upright support
extends below the armrest.
3. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the upright support is
a sole support for the armrest.
4. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the upright support
includes a circumferentially-extending structure for rotatably
supporting the accessory.
5. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the accessory has a
first end supported by the support, a laterally-extending leg that
extends from the first end, a useful end that is located at another
end of the laterally-extending leg, and a hook that extends
downwardly from the laterally-extending leg at a location generally
under the laterally-extending leg for holding items under the
accessory.
6. An armrest apparatus comprising: an upright support; an armrest
supported atop the upright support; and an accessory rotatably
attached to the upright support for adjustment between different
positions relative to the armrest, wherein the upright support
includes a retainer that extends upwardly and that includes a first
mounting structure for supporting the armrest and a second mounting
structure for supporting the accessory, wherein the second mounting
structure includes a circumferentially-extending structure for
rotatably supporting the accessory.
7. The apparatus defined in claim 6, wherein the first mounting
structure is located at a top of the retainer and includes a keyed
connection to prevent rotation of the armrest.
8. The apparatus defined in claim 6, wherein the support includes a
tubular section with an open end, and wherein the retainer includes
a bottom that is configured to non-rotatably engage the open
end.
9. The apparatus defined in claim 6, wherein the support includes a
tubular section, and wherein the retainer removably engages the
tubular section.
10. The apparatus defined in claim 6, wherein the support includes
a tubular section, and wherein the retainer telescopingly engages
the tubular section at a lower end and also telescopingly engages
the armrest at an upper end.
11. The apparatus defined in claim 6, wherein the accessory is
selected from a group consisting of one of a tablet, a container,
and a cup holder.
12. The apparatus defined in claim 11, wherein the accessory
includes at least the cup holder.
13. The apparatus defined in claim 6, wherein the support includes
a lower end configured and adapted to be removably attached to a
chair frame.
14. The apparatus defined in claim 6, wherein the armrest is
removably attached to the support.
15. An armrest apparatus comprising: an upright support defining a
substantially vertical axis; an armrest supported atop the upright
support; and an accessory rotatably attached to the upright support
for adjustment between different positions relative to the armrest,
wherein the accessory includes a tablet and an accessory-supporting
leg extending downward from the tablet for engaging a floor
surface, and wherein the accessory is rotatable about the
substantially vertical axis.
16. The apparatus defined in claim 15, wherein the accessory leg
includes a floor-engaging bottom part located generally below a
center of gravity of the tablet.
17. A seating apparatus comprising: a seating unit having a frame;
and a vertical support extending from the frame and including a top
section configured to both rotatably support a first device and
non-rotatably support a second device, wherein the first device is
rotatable about a substantially vertical axis defined by the
support.
18. The apparatus defined in claim 17, wherein the first device has
a functional portion forming an accessory.
19. The apparatus defined in claim 18, wherein the second device
forms an armrest.
20. The apparatus defined in claim 19, wherein both the armrest and
the accessory engage the top section.
21. The apparatus defined in claim 19, wherein the accessory
includes a cup holder.
22. The apparatus defined in claim 18, wherein the accessory
includes a tablet.
23. The apparatus defined in claim 22, wherein the accessory
includes a leg extending downwardly under the tablet at a location
generally at a center of gravity of the tablet.
24. The apparatus defined in claim 22, wherein the leg includes a
wheel.
25. The apparatus defined in claim 18, wherein the accessory
includes a hook that extends downwardly from under the accessory
for holding items under the accessory.
26. A seating unit comprising: a base adapted to stably engage a
floor surface; a supportive frame member supported on the base and
defining at least one of a seat section and a back section, the
supportive frame member defining an enlarged opening and a
perimeter frame extending at least partially around the opening to
two opposing sides of the opening; and a sheet support co-molded
onto the supportive frame member, the sheet support having edge
strips overlapping the perimeter frame and secured to the opposing
sides with integrally formed rivet-simulating protrusions that
engage apertures in the supportive frame member.
27. The seating unit defined in claim 26, wherein the sheet support
includes a sheet section that at least partially covers the
enlarged opening.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This is a divisional application of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 11/142,650, filed Jun. 1, 2005, entitled SEATING UNIT WITH
ACCESSORIES, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein
in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates to seating units having
accessories attached their frame, such as to an armrest
support.
[0003] Modern consumers want chairs and seating units to be
functional and practical for supporting teaming activities and
individual preferences, including the ability to stably hold and
support such things as a beverage or cup, to provide a work surface
that can be manipulated to different use and non-use positions, to
provide accessories for holding and/or storing papers, and to be
otherwise adaptable for different uses. At the same time, consumers
want functionality and adaptability without complexity and without
the functional feature interfering with multi-tasking and group
discussion. Still further, they want replaceability,
retrofitability, and removability, so that the functional items can
be replaced, upgraded, and/or stored when not needed. Also, it is
desirable to provide for dense storage of the seating units. Still
further, consumers want customizability yet without substantial
increased costs. Consumers also require style and elegance, while
requiring structural integrity and durability and without
sacrificing comfort.
[0004] Thus, a system having the aforementioned advantages and
solving the aforementioned problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0005] In one aspect of the present invention, an armrest apparatus
includes an upright support, an armrest supported atop the upright
support, and an accessory rotatably attached to the upright support
for adjustment between different positions relative to the
armrest.
[0006] In another aspect of the present invention, a seating
apparatus includes a seating unit having a frame, and a support
extending from the frame. The support has a top section configured
to both rotatably support a first device, such as a cup holder or
tablet, and shaped to non-rotatably support a second device, such
as an armrest.
[0007] In another aspect of the present invention, a seating unit
includes a frame for supporting a seated user, and a retainer
engaging the frame. An armrest and also an accessory are supported
by the retainer in desired coordinated positions relative to the
seated user.
[0008] In another aspect of the present invention, a seating unit
includes a base adapted to stably engage a floor surface, a
supportive frame member and a sheet support. The supportive frame
member is supported on the base and defines at least one of a seat
section and a back section, the one section defining an opening.
The supportive frame member defines a perimeter frame extending at
least partially around the opening to two opposing sides of the
opening. The sheet support is co-molded onto the supportive frame
member, and has edge strips overlapping the perimeter frame that
are secured to the opposing sides with integrally formed
rivet-simulating protrusions that engage apertures in the
supportive frame member.
[0009] These and other aspects, objects, and features of the
present invention will be understood and appreciated by those
skilled in the art upon studying the following specification,
claims, and appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010] FIGS. 1 and 1A are perspective views of a seating unit
embodying the present invention, including a cup holder accessory
and a tablet accessory rotatably mounted on respective right and
left armrest supports by retainers, FIG. 1 showing the tablet in a
storage position and FIG. 1A showing the tablet in a use position
centered relative to a seated user.
[0011] FIGS. 2 and 2A are a fragmentary perspective view and a
related exploded perspective view of the support, retainer,
armrest, and cup holder accessory shown in FIG. 1.
[0012] FIGS. 3 and 3A are a fragmentary perspective view and a
related exploded perspective view of a second arrangement including
a support, retainer, armrest, and cup holder accessory similar to
that shown in FIG. 1, but modified so that the retainer is in-line
with the support as described below.
[0013] FIG. 3B is an exploded perspective view of a third
arrangement similar to that shown in FIGS. 3-3A.
[0014] FIGS. 4 and 4A are a perspective view and a related exploded
perspective view of a seating unit similar to FIG. 1, including a
tablet supported on the armrest support.
[0015] FIGS. 5 and 5A are perspective views of a seating unit like
that shown in FIG. 1, but with a tablet supported in cantilever off
the left armrest support in FIG. 5 and off the right armrest
support in FIG. 5A.
[0016] FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective views of the tablet shown in
FIG. 5, FIG. 6 being a top perspective showing the tablet and its
supporting tubular section, and FIG. 7 being a bottom perspective
showing structure on a bottom of the tablet.
[0017] FIGS. 8 and 9 are perspective views of the tablet shown in
FIG. 1, FIG. 8 being a top perspective showing the tablet and its
supporting tubular section and wheeled supporting leg, and FIG. 9
being a bottom perspective showing structure on a bottom of the
tablet.
[0018] FIG. 10 is a front view of the back and seat structure shown
in FIG. 1.
[0019] FIGS. 11-12 are fragmentary cross-sectional views taken
along lines XI-XI and XII-XII in FIG. 10.
[0020] FIG. 13 is a front view of the supportive perimeter frame
member in FIG. 10.
[0021] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a side of the back and seat
of the seating unit of FIG. 10.
[0022] FIGS. 15 and 16 are fragmentary perspective views of FIG.
14, each of FIGS. 15 and 16 being taken in the direction of arrows
XV and XVI in FIG. 14.
[0023] FIGS. 17 and 18 are perspective views of a seating unit
similar to FIG. 1, but including a modified rotatable tablet having
an extendable panel and showing a paper management storage device
attached to the seating unit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] The present seating unit (FIGS. 1-2) includes a chair frame
having right and left tubular supports mounted permanently (or
removably) to the frame of the chair for selectively supporting one
or both of armrests and also accessories, such as a cup holder
accessory and/or a tablet accessory. Specifically, a retainer fits
onto the support and includes a support-engaging structure and also
includes an accessory-supporting structure either adjacent the
support (see FIGS. 2-2A and 4-4A) or in-line with the support (see
FIGS. 3-3A). By this arrangement, seating units can be produced
with or without accessories attached to the seating unit, with all
versions being aesthetically acceptable and functionally robust,
durable, and functional.
[0025] A first version of the seating unit 200 (FIG. 1) includes a
seat and back component 201 supported by a tubular frame 202. It is
contemplated that a scope of the present invention includes
different seat and back components and different supporting frames.
The illustrated seating unit 200 is commonly referred to as a side
chair, but it is contemplated that additional seating units can be
constructed using the present inventive concepts. Accordingly, the
present invention is not intended to be unnecessarily limited and
concurrently, the term "seating unit" as used herein is intended to
be broadly construed.
[0026] The illustrated frame 202 includes an underseat portion 203
with four legs 204 extending downwardly from each corner and with a
pair of back-supporting side frame members 205 extending upwardly
from a rear area on the frame 202 for supporting the back 206 of
the seat and back component 201. A protruding mount 207 (FIG. 2A)
extends laterally from a front corner area of the frame 202 on both
right and left sides of the seating unit 200. A tubular armrest
support 208 (also called an "upright") includes a lower end 209
shaped to frictionally non-rotatably engage the mount 207. For
example, the illustrated mount 207 includes splines configured to
axially engage mating structure within the lower end 209. The
support 208 extends outwardly and then upwardly to a position
adjacent a front and side area of the chair, at a location
generally located at a front of where an armrest might be
located.
[0027] A retainer 210 (FIG. 2A) includes a first cylindrical sleeve
211 shaped to fit onto an upper configured end 212 of the support
208. The upper configured end 212 has a reduced diameter and forms
a supporting ridge 213 that abuts a bottom of the sleeve 211 for
supporting the retainer 210 at a desired height generally lower
than the associated armrest. The illustrated configured end 212 is
press-fit or otherwise non-rotatably secured to the upper end 212
and further includes non-uniform structure such as notches 213' for
engaging and non-rotatably supporting an armrest 214. By this
arrangement, the armrest is sufficiently stable for comfortable
use. However, it is contemplated that the retainer 210 could be
made to be rotatable on the upper end 212, if desired. In such
case, the inter-engaging surfaces would be made to provide a
desired level of friction such that the retainer 210 would stay in
a desired angular position once adjusted. Alternatively, it is
contemplated that the inter-engaging surfaces could have an
undulating shape (e.g., on ridge 213), or have an inter-engaging
member (such as a spring-biased ball that engages a mating
undulated surface adjacent the ridge 213) such that rotation of the
retainer would provide a detented feel upon rotation.
[0028] The retainer 210 (FIG. 2A) includes a laterally-extending
mounting arm 220 that extends from the first sleeve 211 near a
bottom thereof. A rod-like pintle 221 is attached to the mounting
arm 220 and extends upwardly. Pintles are generally known in the
art and are often used, for example, for attaching castors to
spider-legged chair bases. The illustrated pintle 221 is attached
to the mounting arm 220 by rivets or screws, but it is contemplated
that it could be insert-molded or otherwise secured in place to the
arm 220.
[0029] The cup holder accessory 225 (FIG. 2A) includes a
socket-forming end 226 shaped to fit vertically downwardly engage
the pintle 221. The inter-engagement supports rotation, as
illustrated by arrow 227 (FIG. 2), but provides sufficient friction
to hold the accessory 225 in a selected angular position. It is
contemplated that a detent-forming structure such as a
spring-biased ball engaging an undulating surface can be provided
(e.g., at a bottom of the end 226 at the interfacing surfaces of
the end 226 and the arm 220) for providing a detent feel as the
accessory 225 is rotated to various angular positions. The
accessory 225 further includes a beam-like arm 228 that extends
from the socket-forming end 226. A ring 229 is supported on the
outer end of the arm 228, the ring being shaped to engage and
support a beverage container. It is contemplated that the ring 229
can include a floor or bottom wall (flexible or rigid), or
alternatively can be taper-shaped and sized to support a standard
paper coffee cup.
[0030] The illustrated accessory 225 includes a hook 230 that
extends downwardly and outwardly from a bottom of the arm 228, such
as for supporting a coffee cup or other article in a hanging
position. Notably, other accessories can be made by substituting
various structures for the cup holder ring 229 and/or the hook 230.
These can include pencil-holders, paper holders,
electronic-supporting holders, etc.
[0031] The armrest 214 (FIG. 2A) is elongated and includes a body
having a relatively flat top surface 231. A rearward end of the
body is relatively thinner, and a forward end is relatively
thicker. A mount 232 is formed at the forward end, and defines a
downwardly open structure shaped to matingly engage the open upper
end 212 of the support 208. In particular, the mount 232 includes a
recess for receiving the upper end 212 and also includes protruding
tabs 233 for engaging the notches 213' in the upper end 212.
Reinforcement ribs are formed around the mount 232 as required for
stability and durability. A setscrew can be provided for providing
an extra secure retention of the armrest to the support 208, if
desired. It is contemplated that the armrest 214 can include
cushion material and/or upholstery covering and/or other treatment
for aesthetics and function. It is also contemplated that the
armrest 214 could be made to be adjustable, such as by including a
top member that is movable/adjustable on the body of the armrest
214.
[0032] A second embodiment (FIGS. 3 and 3A) includes a molded or
cast arm retainer 154 having a bottom 155 that press-fittingly
plugs into the open end of the upper end 212 of the armrest support
208 and includes protrusions 175 that register into engagement with
index notches 156 in a top end of the support 208, with a ring 176
on the retainer 154 engaging a top of the support 208. An upper end
157 of the retainer 154 includes a blade-like flat portion 158 with
a hole 159 therein. An armrest 160 includes a downwardly facing
mount 161 with an opening that matably fits onto the flat portion
158, and includes a screw 162 that fits through a hole in the
armrest 160 and through the hole 159 threadably into the armrest
160 to securely retain the armrest 160 on the retainer 154.
[0033] A cup holder accessory 165 (FIG. 3A) is provided that
includes a tubular end section 166 that telescopingly fits onto a
middle section 177 of a protruding annular retainer 154 above the
ridge/ring 176 for holding the accessory 165 on the chair. The
accessory 165 includes a cantilever arm 167 supporting a cup holder
176' defining a section recess 168 (or tablet or box-like storage
container for holding papers, cell phone holders, or other
accessorizing device), and includes a hook 169 that extends
downwardly from the arm 167 for holding items under the accessory
165. The illustrated tubular end section 166 is rotatably supported
by the retainer 154 above the ring 176 on a relatively smooth
cylindrical bearing surface of middle section 177 for rotation
between a use position and a non-use (storage) position. It is
conceived that the surface of section 177 could be non-cylindrical
or to include bumps to provide a detented feel upon rotation. The
illustrated accessory 165 is supported in cantilever from the
support 208, and is rotatable between a use position such as where
the cup holder recess 168 is located generally over or forward of a
seated user's lap, and a non-use position where the cup holder
recess 168 is positioned off to a side (so that the person can exit
the chair without interference). It is contemplated that the cup
holder accessory 165 can be modified to form a container, such as
by providing a lower wall or floor under the cup holder ring 176'
for closing off the area under the ring 176'. Also, it is
contemplated that different shapes of container accessories can be
provided while staying with and utilizing the present inventive
concepts.
[0034] Another cup holder accessory 165B (FIG. 3B) is provided that
is similar to accessory 165, but that includes a modified
support/connection arrangement. Similar components, features, and
characteristics are identified using the same numbers but with the
addition of the letter "B". The accessory 165B includes a tubular
end section 166B that telescopingly fits onto a
frustoconically-shaped middle section 177B of the retainer 154B
above the ridge/ring 176B for holding the accessory 165B on the
chair. The accessory 165B includes a cantilever arm 167B supporting
a ring-shaped cup holder 176B' defining a section recess 168B, and
includes a hook 169B that extends downwardly and laterally from the
arm 167B for holding items under the accessory 165B. The
illustrated tubular end section 166B is rotatably supported by the
retainer 154B above the ring 176B on a relatively smooth
cylindrical bearing surface of middle section 177B for rotation
between different use positions and non-use (storage) positions.
The surface of section 177B is frustoconically-shaped such that it
frictionally engages the tubular sleeve section 166B. The
frictional engagement can be controlled by the selection of the
materials having a particular coefficient of friction, or can be
controlled by addition of a lubricant, or can be controlled by
addition of a non-lubricious friction-producing material (sticky
substance) or "bearing interface" sleeve. A top of the sleeve
section 166B includes a notch 190B that extends about 90 degrees
around the top edge of the sleeve section 166B. The armrest 160B
includes a mount 161B having a protrusion 191B that engages the
notch 190B to limit angular rotation of the cup holder accessory
165B to about 90 degrees. By making the notch 190B longer or
shorter, or by repositioning the angular orientation of the notch
190B, the angular positioning of the cup holder accessory 165B can
be controlled. The mount 161B of the armrest 160B telescopingly
frictionally engages the frustoconically-shaped top of the retainer
154B. The armrest 160B can be held in a non-rotatable position
either by frictional engagement with the retainer 154B, or if
desired a screw (see screw 162 in FIG. 3A) can be extended through
the mount 161B into the top end of the retainer 154B to create a
more positive connection.
[0035] It is contemplated that other accessories can be supported
on the support 208, such as a leg-supported tablet 170 (FIGS. 1, 4,
4A, 8) or a "no-leg" cantilevered tablet 171 (FIGS. 5, 5A, 6).
Where the accessory is relatively heavy or may need to be designed
to withstand substantial torsional loading, a wheeled leg 250 can
be extended from the accessory (see tablet accessory 170 in FIG. 1)
to support the accessory. Specifically, wheeled leg 250 (FIG. 8)
includes a tubular vertical section that extends generally
downwardly from the structural support for the tablet at a location
generally under a center of gravity of the tablet 170. The leg 250
extends into contact with a floor surface and is adapted to support
any "extra" weight on the tablet 170, in order to reduce cantilever
forces on the support and related connections. The illustrated leg
250 includes a castor 251 secured to its lower end that rollingly
engages the floor, permitting the tablet 170 and leg 250 to move
between a first side of the chair (FIG. 1) where the tablet 170 is
in a non-use (stored) position out of the way relative to a seated
user, to a centered position in front of the chair (FIG. 1A) where
the tablet 170 is in its use position generally in front of the
seated user (with the leg 250 being generally at or between the
knees of a seated user). The illustrated castor 251 is commercially
available and is often used on chair bases for rollingly supporting
an office chair on a floor surface. An upper section 252 of the leg
250 extends horizontally under the tablet 170 and is attached
thereto to support the tablet 170 by brackets 253 and 254. The
illustrated brackets 252 and 254 permit the tablet 170 to be
adjusted longitudinally several inches along the subframe section
252. A hook 252' can be provided on the subframe section 252, if
desired.
[0036] It is contemplated that the support can be an elongated
structural member permanently attached to the chair frame.
Alternatively, where armless versions of the chair are (or will be)
offered, it may be desirable to provide a removable connection at
the mounting stud. In such circumstance, the removable connection
must be particularly stable and secure. In the illustrated
arrangement in FIG. 2A, a male protrusion 207 is provided with
splines forming a keyed arrangement, and the mating end of the
upright support 208 includes internal mating ridges for
frictionally wedgingly engaging the splines to prevent undesired
rotation. Also, a setscrew or other securement device may be
required to assure that the connection does not come loose over
time.
[0037] A second keyed connection is formed at a top of the
illustrated upright support 208 (FIG. 2) at the location where the
retainer 154 (or retainer 210) attaches to the top of the support
208. In the illustrated arrangement, the keyed connection includes
notches 213' in support 208, and the mating protrusions 175 below
ring 176 in the retainer 154. It is contemplated that other keyed
connections can be used, such as splines, and/or that fasteners or
other securement can be used. Notably, the armrest 160 (FIG. 3)
also is keyed to a top of the retainer 154 via flat portion 158. By
this arrangement, the armrest 160 maintains its orientation
relative to the chair, but the cup holder is rotatable.
Alternatively, it is contemplated that the connection at the top of
the retainer 154 or at a bottom of the retainer 154 can be made
frictional but rotational so as to permit detented/controlled
rotation, thereby allowing the armrest to be adjusted rotationally
between different use (and non-use) positions. Notably, the
retainer 154 telescopingly engages an open tubular section of the
support 208, and also telescopingly engages a mating structure on a
bottom of the armrest 160, and also telescopingly engages the
mating structure on the cup holder accessory 165. These telescoping
arrangements provide substantial stability and good
assembleability, as well as replaceability. They also look
aesthetically acceptable when, for example, the cup holder
accessory 165 is not used. However, it is contemplated that the
retainer could be modified to provide other supporting
arrangements, such as providing a blade-shaped connector or
clam-shell-like connector on the cup holder accessory 165 that
laterally engages mating structure on the retainer 154 to provide
rotational support to the accessory.
[0038] Tablets 170 and 171 include a tablet surface 300 (FIG. 4)
with reinforcement ribs 301 formed thereunder as required for
structural support. An under-tablet tubular frame 302 (FIG. 6) is
attached to the tablet surface 300 and includes a tubular arm 303
that extends laterally from a corner thereof. The arm 303 includes
a downturned end section 304 shaped to fit into a sleeve-like
socket 305 (FIG. 4A) of a modified retainer 306. The retainer 306
is similar to the retainer 154 but includes the socket 305
positioned adjacent the "primary" sleeve 211 instead of the pintle
221. An injection-molded nylon sleeve 307 fits into the socket 305
and provides support to the downturned end section 304. A spring
308 is shaped to fit within the cavity of the end section 304. A
button 309 is attached to the spring 308 and extends through a hole
310 in the bearing sleeve 307 through a hold 310' of the downturned
end section 304 and into detenting engagement with a feature 311 on
the retainer 306. This provides a detent arrangement that provides
a detented feel upon rotation of the tablet 170 (or 171) and also
provides a way of holding the tablet in a selected position (i.e.,
either a use position in front of the chair or a non-use storage
position at a side of the chair).
[0039] It is contemplated that the cup holder accessories 165 and
225 and/or the tablet accessories 170 and 171 (and also the
accessory 171A discussed below) can be mounted on the support 208
located on either side of the seating unit (see FIGS. 5 and 5A). It
is also contemplated that the chair frame can be made to
permanently incorporate the structure of the retainers as an
integral part of the support 208 on one or both sides. It is also
contemplated that the retainer can be made as a permanent or
separate (replaceable) component removable from the support 208 on
one or both sides of the seating unit. It is noted that the seating
unit 200 is stackable for storage, with each successive seating
unit 200 being about 11/2 inches above the underlying seating unit
200. Where the cup holder accessory 165 is only 11/2 inches or less
in thickness, it does not interfere with stacking the seating unit
200 for dense storage. This is an advantage, since known stackable
chairs do not include cup holders that permit stacking.
[0040] It is further contemplated that the tablet can be provided
with additional options. For example, FIGS. 17-18 illustrate a
tablet 171A that is similar to tablet 171 but that includes an
extendable panel 180 telescopingly movably mounted within a cavity
in the main body of the tablet 171A and extendable to increase a
top surface of the tablet 171A. Also, the tablet 171A is rotatably
mounted on a horizontal section 303 of the leg 170 for movement
between a horizontal use position (FIG. 17) and a vertical storage
position (FIG. 18). It is contemplated that a single tablet can be
made that is usable on right or left sides. Also, the tablet can be
rectangular or square, with curved or straight sides. Where the
supporting arm section 303 is bent in a horizontal plane partially
around the support 208, or where the socket 305 is positioned at an
optimal angle relative to the sleeve 211 on support 208, the tablet
can made to lie completely adjacent and parallel a side of the seat
of the seating unit when in its storage position. It is noted that
wire management devices such as tubular sleeve and/or pouch 183 can
be attached to the legs of the seating unit and/or to the support
208.
[0041] The basic seating unit 200 (FIGS. 10-16) with the
illustrated frame 390 and shell 391 is adapted to be stacked in a
nested arrangement for dense storage, with each successive chair
adding about 11/2 inches to a height of the stack of chairs. The
cup holder accessories can be attached to the stacked chairs, where
the cup holder accessory does not take up more than 11/2 inches in
total height when in a stacked condition. Similarly, the "no-leg"
tablet accessory can also be on a stacked arrangement of chairs
without interfering with the stacking.
[0042] The illustrated sheet-like support 396 (FIGS. 10-11) is
one-piece and includes seat and back sections 397 and 398 connected
by side strips 399, each of which overlappingly matably engage a
front surface of the corresponding sections 392-394 of the shell
391. The cushion 396 can be foam-like or gel-like in its physical
properties.
[0043] The seating unit 201 includes a shell 491 defining a large
opening, and a sheet-like support 496 co-molded onto the shell 491.
The shell 491 includes a seat section 492 with a transverse front
section 503 and rearwardly extending side sections 504 and 505
defining a U-shape around an opening 506. The back section 493 of
the shell 491 includes vertically extending side section 507 and
508 that form a parallel goal-post-like arrangement from side
sections 504 and 505. The illustrated side sections 507 and 508 are
not structurally connected, but it is contemplated that they could
be interconnected at their upper ends by an arching top member for
strength. The opening 506 is defined in part between the side
sections 507-508. The sections 503-505 and 507-509 include a series
of regularly spaced apertures 510 for attachment purposes, as
disclosed below.
[0044] The illustrated sheet-like support 496 is co-molded onto the
shell 491 as follows. The shell 491 is made of a glass-filled
polyester material or other structural plastic that is relatively
rigid, but having some ability to flex. The illustrated sheet-like
support 496 is made of a non-foam thermoplastic flexible/resilient
thermo-plastic or thermoset polyurethane having good tensile
strength and a limited amount of stretchability, such as about 1/8
inch to 1/4 inch thick. The shell 491 includes a series of
regularly-spaced apertures 510 along its border. The sheet-like
support 496 includes a top/front border strip 500 of material, and
includes a plurality of regularly spaced integrally-molded
rivet-like headed protrusions 501 that extend through the apertures
in the border strip 500. The protrusions 501 are molded as part of
support 496 and form a rivet-like securement of the sheet-like
support 496 to the shell 491, with heads of the protrusions 501
interlockingly engaging the shell 491 to retain the support 496 on
the shell 491 in a tensioned suspended position. The illustrated
second border strip 500' interconnects the heads of protrusions 501
and extends along the rear/bottom of the sheet support 496 parallel
the top border strip 500, with the material of the sheet support
496 being tensioned between the sections 503-505 and 507-508 (due
to shrinkage during the molding process). As illustrated, the sheet
support 496 comprises a continuous polyurethane. It is noted that,
where the polyurethane foam is translucent, the rivet-like
protrusions 501 have an aesthetically pleasing novel appearance.
Where the side sections 503-505 and/or 507-508 require additional
strength, a reinforcement can be molded into them or reinforcement
ribs can be formed thereon. The illustrated tubular section shown
in FIG. 12 and formed by inner wall 510 is formed by gas-assisted
injection-molding techniques, which are known in the art of
injection-molding. Notably, the tubular upright 205 (FIG. 1) fits
into the cavity of the back section 507-508 inside of the wall 510.
Alternatively, the upright 205 can fit against an open-sided
channel formed under sections 504-505 and 507-508.
[0045] It is contemplated that the present inventive concepts can
be used on a side chair as shown, or can be incorporated into
office chairs such as task chairs (for example, a pedestal chair).
It is also contemplated that the present concepts can be
incorporated into any seating unit, such as benches, lounge chairs,
class room chairs, and seating units for vehicles (planes, trains,
boats, mass transit, etc.). Still further, it is contemplated that
the present concepts can be incorporated into other furniture units
and systems, and into other arrangements where it is desirable to
support multiple items in an arrangement where an adjustable
functional component preferably has a coordinated position relative
to an armrest.
[0046] It is to be understood that variations and modifications can
be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the
concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be
understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the
following claims unless these claims by their language expressly
state otherwise.
* * * * *