U.S. patent application number 12/424987 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-22 for hydraulic adjustable seat.
Invention is credited to Robert G. Dickie.
Application Number | 20090261642 12/424987 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41198742 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090261642 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dickie; Robert G. |
October 22, 2009 |
HYDRAULIC ADJUSTABLE SEAT
Abstract
An adjustable chair and a tilt assembly for use therewith
typically provides side to side tilting of the chair seat and
preferably provides forward and backward tilting of the seat
separately or in combination with the side to side tilting. A
hydraulic system is provided for controlling the tilting movement.
Hydraulic valves having adjustable knobs are used to control the
resistance to the tilting movement whereby the chair is useful for
exercise while the user is seated and the rate at which the tilting
occurs may be controlled. The seat may be locked by closing
additional hydraulic valves while the tilt assembly is in any
tilted position or the user may shift weight on the seat to provide
a continuous shifting of the tilt angle and tilt direction of the
seat.
Inventors: |
Dickie; Robert G.; (King
City, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SAND & SEBOLT
AEGIS TOWER, SUITE 1100, 4940 MUNSON STREET, NW
CANTON
OH
44718-3615
US
|
Family ID: |
41198742 |
Appl. No.: |
12/424987 |
Filed: |
April 16, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12148425 |
Apr 18, 2008 |
|
|
|
12424987 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/314 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 9/002 20130101;
A47C 7/441 20130101; A47C 7/14 20130101; A47C 3/026 20130101; A47C
7/446 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/314 |
International
Class: |
A47C 1/00 20060101
A47C001/00; A47C 3/00 20060101 A47C003/00; A47C 1/02 20060101
A47C001/02 |
Claims
1. An adjustable hydraulic tilt assembly for a seat comprising: a
base; a seat support disposed above the base and adapted to mount
on a bottom of the seat; a universal joint providing a pivotal
connection between the base and seat support whereby the seat
support is tiltable relative to the base; and a hydraulic system
providing variable tilting resistance to the seat support.
2. The tilt assembly of claim 1, wherein the universal joint
includes a coupler having at least four faces, each face having a
face aperture extending therethrough.
3. The tilt assembly of claim 2, wherein the universal joint
further includes a first pair of opposed brackets secured to the
seat support and a second pair of opposed brackets secured to the
base.
4. The tilt assembly of claim 3, wherein each bracket includes a
horizontal plate and a vertical plate joined generally at a right
angle, and wherein each vertical plate includes a bracket aperture
extending therethrough.
5. The tilt assembly of claim 4, wherein each bracket aperture is
sized and positioned to align with a corresponding face aperture in
the coupler.
6. The tilt assembly of claim 5, wherein a first bolt extends
through the bracket apertures of the first pair of brackets and
face apertures, and a second bolt extends through the bracket
apertures of the second pair of brackets and face apertures.
7. The tilt assembly of claim 6, wherein the first and second bolts
are positioned perpendicular to one another, and wherein the seat
support is tiltable relative to the first and second bolt.
8. The tilt assembly of claim 1, wherein the hydraulic system
includes a first pair of hydraulic actuators in fluid communication
with each other through a fluid line, and wherein the hydraulic
system further includes a regulator valve in the fluid line for
controlling the fluid flow between the first pair of hydraulic
actuators.
9. An adjustable hydraulic tilt assembly for a seat comprising: a
base; a seat support disposed above the base and adapted to mount
on a bottom of the seat; a pivotal connection between the base and
seat support whereby the seat support is tiltable relative to the
base; and an adjustable hydraulic system controlling tilting of the
seat support relative to the base.
10. The tilt assembly of claim 9, wherein the hydraulic system
includes a first pair of hydraulic actuators in fluid communication
with each other through a fluid line.
11. The tilt assembly of claim 10, wherein the hydraulic system
further includes a regulator valve in the fluid line for
controlling the fluid flow between the first pair of hydraulic
actuators.
12. The tilt assembly of claim 11, wherein the regulator valve
includes an adjustment knob for adjusting the rate of fluid flow
between the first pair of hydraulic actuators.
13. The tilt assembly of claim 12, wherein the hydraulic system
further includes an on/off valve in the fluid line to stop and
start the fluid communication between the first pair of hydraulic
actuators.
14. The tilt assembly of claim 13, wherein the on/off valve
includes a control switch having an open position and a closed
position, wherein the open position starts fluid communication
between the first pair of hydraulic actuators, and the closed
position stops fluid communication between the first pair of
hydraulic actuators, and whereby in the open position the seat
support is tiltable relative to the base, and in the closed
position, the seat support is not tiltable relative to the
base.
15. The tilt assembly of claim 14, wherein the hydraulic system
further includes a second pair of hydraulic actuators substantially
similar to the first pair of hydraulic actuators, wherein the
second pair of hydraulic actuators operate independent from the
first pair of hydraulic actuators.
16. The tilt assembly of claim 15, wherein the first pair of
hydraulic actuators and the second pair of hydraulic actuators
extend between the base and the seat support.
17. The tilt assembly of claim 16, further including a first tilt
axis intermediate the first pair of hydraulic actuators and a
second tilt axis intermediate the second pair of hydraulic
actuators, wherein the first and second tilt axis are generally
perpendicular to one another and whereby the seat support is
rotatable relative to the first tilt axis and to the second tilt
axis.
18. The tilt assembly of claim 17, wherein the seat support is
generally a flat plate having four corners, and wherein the base is
generally a flat plate having four corners with each corner
disposed below a corner of the seat support, and wherein each
hydraulic actuator of the first pair and second pair of hydraulic
actuators is disposed between a corner of the seat support and a
corner of the base, and wherein no two hydraulic actuators are
disposed between the same corner of the seat support and corner of
the base.
19. An adjustable hydraulic chair comprising: a base; a seat
support disposed above the base and adapted to mount on a bottom of
a seat; a universal joint for providing a pivotal connection
between the base and the seat support whereby the seat support is
tiltable relative to the base; a first pair of hydraulic actuators
in fluid communication with each other and a second pair of
hydraulic actuators in fluid communication with each other, wherein
the first and second pair of hydraulic actuators are disposed
between the seat support and the base and provide tilting
resistance to the seat support; a first hydraulic valve system
operably connected to the first and second pair of hydraulic
actuators, whereby the first hydraulic valve system provides
variable tilting resistance to the seat support; and a second
hydraulic valve system operably connected to the first and second
pair of hydraulic actuators, whereby the second hydraulic valve
system enables and disables fluid communication between the
hydraulic actuators in the first pair, and between the hydraulic
actuators in the second pair.
20. The adjustable hydraulic chair of claim 19, further comprising
an imaginary central vertical axis passing through centers of the
seat support and the base, wherein each hydraulic actuator in the
first and second pair of hydraulic actuators are spaced equidistant
from the imaginary central vertical axis.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation-in-part of co-pending
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/148,425, filed Apr. 18, 2008.
The entire specification of this application is incorporated herein
by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present invention relates generally to adjustable
chairs. More particularly, the present invention relates to a tilt
assembly which allows the user of the chair to tilt the seat in any
direction. Specifically, the present invention relates to such a
tilt assembly which utilizes hydraulic systems to provide a
selected resistance to the tilting movement as well as to provide a
hydraulic lock for securing the seat at a chosen tilted
position.
[0004] 2. Background Information
[0005] While adjustable chairs have been known for some time,
ergonomically adjustable seating which is widely available to the
public at large is a more recent development which may be due to
the use of computers, which has substantially increased the number
of office workers who are desk bound. Most of the currently
available adjustable chairs are adjusted at a first sitting or
early on in the use of the chair such that the chair typically
remains in the position set by the user of the chair. While the
ability of the user to adjust the chair may be helpful in providing
comfort to the user, this fixed position is still generally less
than desirable due to the amount of time that the user spends in
the chair. Thus, this stationary or sedentary work position is less
than desirable in terms of productivity, employee morale, and the
minimization of sick days taken by employees. Most of the currently
available ergonomic chairs provide for the height adjustment of the
seat, (usually by a gas lift strut or mechanical rotary screw), the
forward and backward tilting of the seat, and the forward and
backward tilting of the backrest. However, to the Applicant's
knowledge, current ergonomic chairs do not provide for the side to
side tilting of the chair seat nor do they provide a chair seat
which may be set for continuous tilting movement in any direction
while providing a control for the degree of resistance to the
tilting movement, which is useful for controlling the speed at
which the tilting movement occurs as well as a mechanism for
exercise while the user is seated. The present invention addresses
these and other problems in the art.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention includes an apparatus comprising: a
base and a seat support which has a front, a back, and opposed
sides, is adapted to mount on the bottom of a seat, and is disposed
above and pivotally mounted on the base whereby the seat support is
tiltable from side to side relative to the base.
[0007] The present invention also includes an adjustable hydraulic
seat comprising: a base; a seat support disposed above the base
adapted to mount on a bottom of a seat; a universal joint providing
a pivotal connection between the base and seat support whereby the
seat support is tiltable relative to the base; and a hydraulic
system providing variable tilting resistance to the seat
support.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view generally from the bottom of a
chair utilizing the tilt assembly of the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view generally from the top showing
the tilt assembly removed from the chair.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the tilt assembly.
[0011] FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 4-4 of
FIG. 3.
[0012] FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 5-5 of
FIG. 3.
[0013] FIG. 5A is a sectional view taken on line 5A-5A of FIG.
4.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the base of the tilt
assembly.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the base of the tilt
assembly.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the hydraulic valves,
hydraulic lines and operating lever.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the hydraulic valves,
hydraulic lines and operating lever.
[0018] FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view of the hydraulic systems of
the tilt assembly.
[0019] FIG. 11 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4 showing the
forward and backward tilting of the seat support of the tilt
assembly.
[0020] FIG. 12 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 5 showing the
side to side tilting of the seat support of the tilt assembly.
[0021] FIG. 13 is an enlarged side elevational view showing the
teeth of the control lever engaging the teeth of the base to secure
the control lever in a desired position.
[0022] FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of a second embodiment
of the tilt assembly.
[0023] FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic view of the hydraulic lines and
valves of the second embodiment of FIG. 14.
[0024] FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of a universal joint for
the tilt assembly of FIG. 14.
[0025] FIG. 17 is a top perspective view of FIG. 16 with the seat
support shown in phantom.
[0026] FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the tilt assembly
of FIG. 17 with the seat support and base shown in phantom.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] The tilt assembly of the present invention is indicated
generally at 10 in FIG. 1 in use with an adjustable chair 12 which
includes a chair base 14, a seat 16 and a backrest 18. Tilt
assembly 10 is configured to allow seat 16 to tilt relative to base
14 and backrest 18 in the forward and backward direction as well as
in the side to side direction. Although assembly 10 may be used
with a variety of chairs, chair 12 in the exemplary embodiment is
shown as an office chair which may have various adjustment features
other than those provided by tilt assembly 10. In the exemplary
embodiment, chair base 14 includes a generally vertical support
post 20 which is secured to and extends upwardly from a set of five
legs 22 which project radially outwardly from the lower end of post
20 and are adapted to contact a support surface such as the ground
or the floor. Legs 22 may include wheels mounted thereon although
not shown in the present embodiment. Support post 20 may be a rigid
non-adjustable post, but preferably includes a height adjustment
mechanism 24 which typically involves the use of a gas spring. Seat
16 is a generally flat structure which is typically oriented
horizontally in its home position. Seat 16 has a front 26, a rear
28, left and right sides 30 and 32, a top 34 and a bottom 36. Top
34 typically is formed of a cushion material on which a person may
sit while bottom 36 is typically formed of a rigid material to
which tilt assembly 10 is secured. Backrest 18 has a front 38
typically formed of a cushion material for resting a person's back
against and a rear 40 which is typically made of a substantially
rigid material. Backrest 18 extends upwardly and generally
vertically from adjacent rear 28 of seat 16 and is secured to
assembly 10 via an L-shaped connector 42 which has an upwardly
extending leg secured adjacent the lower end of rear 40 of backrest
18 and a forward extending leg which is secured adjacent its front
terminal end to assembly 10 via four nut and bolt fasteners 44.
Height adjustment mechanism 24 provides for vertical adjustment as
indicated at arrow A in FIG. 1. In addition, seat 16 and backrest
18 may be rotated or swiveled about the vertical axis passing
through support 20 typically 360 degrees, as indicated at arrow B
in FIG. 1.
[0028] Tilt assembly 10 includes a base 46 which is mounted on the
top of support post 20 and on which backrest 18 is mounted via
connector 42 at fasteners 44. Assembly 10 further includes a seat
support 48 which is secured to bottom 36 of seat 16 via a plurality
of fasteners 50 typically in the forms of screws. Seat support 48
is configured to tilt relative to base 46 forward and backward and
from side to side, and most preferably in any direction. Tilt
assembly 10 further includes a tilt control which in part controls
the direction in which seat 16 and seat support 48 may tilt
relative to base 46. The tilt control also controls the degree of
resistance to the tilting movement and thus the amount of force
which must be applied to tilt seat support 48 in a given direction,
this force being provided in the exemplary embodiment solely by the
shifting of the user's weight on seat 16.
[0029] Tilt assembly 10 is described in greater detail beginning
with seat support 48 and with primary reference to FIGS. 2-4. Seat
support 48 has a front 52, a back 54 and left and right sides 56
and 58. Support 48 includes a support plate 60 which is generally
rectangular and includes left and right generally triangular
flanges 62 and 64 extending outwardly opposite one another from the
rectangular shape along left and right sides 56 and 58. Support
plate 60 has a top 63 in the form of a flat upwardly facing surface
and a parallel bottom 65 in the form of a flat downwardly facing
surface. A set of four left mounting holes 66A and a set of four
right mounting holes 66B are formed respectively adjacent left and
right sides 56 and 58 of plate 60 extending from top 63 to bottom
65. Through holes 66 are configured to receive therethrough
fasteners 50 (FIG. 1) for securing plate 60 to seat 16 with top 63
of plate 60 abutting the flat bottom 36 of seat 16. As shown in
FIG. 4, seat support 48 further includes a generally cylindrical
collar 68 which is rigidly secured to and extends downwardly from
bottom 65 of plate 60 and defines a downwardly opening cavity or
socket 70. Collar 68 and socket 70 are centrally located midway
between front and back 52 and 54 as well as between left and right
sides 56 and 58. Collar 68 defines a partial spherical concave
surface 72 which bounds the top or upper portion of socket 70. In
other words, concave surface 72 lies along a portion of a spherical
boundary. Collar 68 further includes a hexagonal inner perimeter 74
which extends downwardly from concave surface 72 to a bottom
entrance opening 76 at the bottom of collar 68. The hexagonal
configuration of perimeter 74 is best shown in FIG. 5A.
[0030] Four pistons are rigidly mounted on plate 60 and extend
downwardly therefrom, including a front piston 80F adjacent from
52, a back piston 80B adjacent back 54, a left piston 80L adjacent
left side 56 and a right piston 80R adjacent right side 58. Each of
pistons 80F and 80B are positioned midway between left and right
sides 56 and 58 and are aligned with their respective centers
collinear with the center of collar 68 and socket 70, as shown in
FIG. 3. Left and right pistons 80L and 80R are mounted on flanges
62 and 64 and also have centers which are aligned collinear with
the center of collar 68 and socket 70 along a line which is
perpendicular to that along which pistons 80F and 80B are aligned.
In the exemplary embodiment, each of pistons 80 is substantially
identical and thus positioned equidistant from the center of socket
68 along a common circle concentric about the center of socket 68.
In other words, each of pistons 80 is equidistant from a central
vertical axis C (FIG. 4) which passes through the center of collar
68 and socket 70. Pistons 80 are thus circumferentially equidistant
from one another with respect to axis C and in the exemplary
embodiment each adjacent pair of pistons 80 is equidistant from
each other so that pistons 80 lie at the corners of a square as
viewed from above. Each piston 80 has a neck or shaft 82 which
steps radially outwardly at an annular ledge 83 to a head 84 having
a diameter greater than shaft 82. An annular groove 86 which is
typically circular is formed in head 84 extending inwardly from its
outer diameter. An annular flexible seal 88 typically in the form
of an O-ring or circular seal formed of an elastomer is disposed in
groove 86 and extends outwardly from the outer perimeter of head 84
a short distance. A coil spring 90 is mounted on each piston 80
circumscribing the respective shaft 82 thereof. Spring 90 extends
downwardly from seat support 48 to base 46.
[0031] Base 46 is now described in greater detail with primary
reference to FIGS. 4-7. Base 46 has a front 92, a back 94 and left
and right sides 96 and 98 which are respectively aligned with front
52, back 54 and left and right sides 56 and 58 of seat support 48.
Base 46 includes a flat and generally square rigid plate 100 which
is typically oriented horizontally. Plate 100 has a top 102 in the
form of a flat upwardly facing surface which faces bottom 65 of
plate 60 and a bottom 104 in the form of a flat downwardly facing
surface. A chair base mounting structure is provided for mounting
base 46 on the upper end of support post 20 of chair base 14. This
mounting structure in the exemplary embodiment includes a mounting
cylinder 106 which defines a downwardly opening cavity 108 which is
generally cylindrical and may include an upper section which tapers
inwardly below plate 100. Cylinder 106 is rigidly connected to and
extends downwardly from bottom 104 of plate 100 and is centrally
located so that the center of cylinder 106 and cavity 108 are
aligned along vertical axis C when base 46 and seat support 48 are
mounted on one another. Four braces 110 are rigidly secured to the
outer perimeter of cylinder 108 and extend upwardly to a rigid
connection with the bottom 104 of plate 100 to provide additional
support to cylinder 108. A ball or ball like member 112 is rigidly
secured to and extends upwardly from top 102 of plate 100 directly
above cavity 108 and is centered about axis C. Ball member 112 is
received within socket 70 to provide a ball and socket pivotal
connection between base 46 and seat support 48 whereby seat support
48 is tiltable in any direction relative to ball member 112. The
cap of ball member 112 defines a partial spherical convex surface
114 having a curvature which mates with the partial spherical
concave surface 72 of collar 68. Surface 72 thus is supported by
and slides along surface 114 during the tilting movement of support
48 relative to base 46. Ball member 112 further includes a
generally barrel shaped section having a hexagonal outer perimeter
116 formed of eight arcuate facets 118. As shown in FIG. 5A,
arcuate facets 118 as seen along a horizontal section are straight
and mate with respective facets 78 of collar 68 so that facets 78
slide along respective facets 118 during tilting movement of
support 48. The non-circular cross-section and mating configuration
of outer perimeter 116 and inner perimeter 74 prevents rotational
movement of seat support 48 relative to base 46 about axis C. As
viewed from the side, arcuate facets 118 form arcs of respective
circles which have a diameter greater than that of the spherical
surfaces 114 and 72.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 4, cavity 108 includes a wider section 120
defined by cylinder 106 which steps radially inwardly at a step 122
to a narrower section 124 which extends from wider section 120
upwardly into ball member 112 about half way from its bottom to its
top. A through passage or entrance opening 126 is formed in the
sidewall of ball member 112 and extends from its outer perimeter to
its inner surface whereby it communicates with narrower section 124
and opens to the side. A terminal end of a control lever 128 is
received within the narrower section 124. In addition, the upper
end of support post 20 and height adjustment mechanism 24 (dashed
lines in FIG. 4) is received within cavity 108 when base 46 is
mounted on chair base 14. The gas spring of mechanism 24 includes a
depressible activator pin or button 130 at its upper end which may
be activated by control lever 128. More particularly, lever 128 may
be operated so that its terminal end within narrower section 124 is
moved downwardly to move button 130 downwardly (arrow D in FIG. 4)
in order to activate the gas spring, that is, to unlock it from a
given position and allow the internal pressure to create a lifting
motion on tilt assembly 10 and seat 16. This mechanism operates in
a standard fashion and thus allows assembly 10 and seat 16 to be
raised when the user appropriately operates lever 128 when the user
has removed his or her weight from seat 16. Also in standard
fashion, the user may operate lever 128 and apply his or her weight
downwardly on seat 16 to lower seat 16 and assembly 10.
[0033] With continued reference to FIGS. 4-7, base 46 includes a
front cylinder 132F, a back cylinder 132B, and left and right
cylinders 132L and 132R each of which is rigidly mounted on plate
100 with a portion extending upwardly from top 102 and a portion
extending downwardly opposite therefrom from bottom 104. Each
cylinder 132 includes a cylindrical sidewall 134, a circular bottom
wall 136 connected to the bottom of sidewall 134 and an annular top
wall 138 secured to the top of sidewall 134 whereby walls 134, 136
and 138 define therewithin a cylindrical interior chamber 140. A
single or sole entry/exit port 142 is formed through sidewall 134
adjacent bottom wall 136 and communicates with interior chamber 140
below the bottom of the respective piston 80 which is slidably
received within interior chamber 140. More particularly, annular
top wall 138 defines a circular entrance opening 144 at the top of
each cylinder 132 so that shaft 82 is slidably received to move in
the up and down direction within entrance opening 144. Head 84 of
each piston 80 is in its entirety disposed within interior chamber
140 and slidable therein so that seal 88 slides along the
cylindrical inner surface of sidewall 134 along a continuous
circular interface therewith. Entrance opening 144 has a smaller
diameter than that of interior chamber 140, whereby ledge 83 of
head 84 may abut the bottom of annular top wall 138, which serves
as a stop to the upward movement of the respective piston 80 and
associated portion of seat support 48 during the tilting movement
thereof. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, hydraulic fluid 146 is disposed
within interior chambers 140 and moves through the associated
hydraulic lines and valves which are discussed further below. Any
suitable hydraulic fluid may be used although fluid 146 is
preferably self-lubricating and non-staining. It has been found
that mineral oil fulfills these characteristics although other
fluids may be used. Pistons 80 and cylinders 132 thus form
respective laterally spaced hydraulic actuators 148 in the form of
piston cylinder combinations. More particularly, these include a
front actuator 148F, and back actuator 148B and left and right
actuators 148L and 148R. Front and back actuators 148F and 148B are
disposed on opposite sides of the ball and socket pivotal
connection respectively forward and rearward thereof while left and
right actuators 148L and 148R are likewise disposed on opposite
sides of said pivotal connection respectively to the left and right
thereof.
[0034] With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, plate 100 includes a
backrest mounting location at a substantially rectangular flange
150 adjacent back 94 which extends outwardly on either side of
cylinder 132B. A pair of mounting through holes 152 is formed
through flange 150 from top 102 to bottom 104 of plate 100 on
either side of cylinder 132B. Holes 152 are configured for
receiving therethrough fasteners 44 (FIG. 1) in order to secure
L-shaped connector 42 and backrest 18 on flange 150. Base 46
further includes a mounting area for mounting control lever 128 and
the valves of the hydraulic system, which are described further
below. A pair of horizontally spaced and generally triangular
lever-mounting brackets 154 (only one shown in FIG. 6) are rigidly
secured to and extend upwardly from top 102 of plate 100 adjacent
entrance opening 126 of ball member 112. Through holes are formed
in each mounting bracket 154 for receiving therein a pivot 156
whereby lever 128 is pivotally mounted on brackets 154 about a
substantially horizontal axis E (FIG. 6). A recessed valve-mounting
area 158 (FIG. 6) is formed in plate 100 extending downwardly from
top 102 thereof. Area 158 is bounded along its bottom and sides by
several valve-supporting walls 160 which are rigidly connected to
and extend downwardly from bottom 104 of plate 100. Three through
holes or access openings 162A-C are formed in walls 160 for
receiving therethrough various hydraulic lines. A series of one-way
ratchet teeth or locking teeth 164 are formed integrally with and
extend upwardly from top 102 of plate 100 adjacent recessed area
158 on the opposite side of area 158 from ball member 112 and
mounting flanges 154. Teeth 164 are disposed intermediate and
generally midway between cylinders 132R and 132B.
[0035] Referring now to FIGS. 7-10, control lever 128 and its
associated structure, along with the remaining portions of the
hydraulic system are now described in greater detail. Referring
primarily to FIGS. 8 and 9, lever 128 has inner and outer terminal
ends 166 and 168 and is formed of two pieces in the form of a
shorter segment 170 and a longer segment 172 which are pivotally
connected to one another about a pivot 174 whereby longer segment
172 is pivotable relative to segment 170 about an axis F (FIG. 6)
which is substantially vertical and perpendicular to axis E. Pivot
174 extends through respective aligned holes formed in each of
segments 170 and 172. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, pivots 156 are
rigidly secured to and extend outwardly from either side of shorter
segment 170. A dual-valve activator 176 is mounted on longer
segment 172 adjacent its inner end and pivot 174 and includes a
rearwardly facing flat vertical engaging surface 178. Likewise, a
single-valve activator 180 is mounted on longer segment 172 just
opposite activator 176 and includes a forward facing flat vertical
engaging surface 182. Surfaces 178 and 182 are typically parallel
to one another. A series of one-way ratchet teeth or locking teeth
184 is integrally formed with longer segment 172 and extend
downwardly therefrom adjacent and radially outwardly of activators
176 and 180 relative to pivot 174. Teeth 184 are configured to
releasably engage teeth 164 on plate 100 so that when teeth 184 and
164 are engaged, lever 128 is secured in a selected secured
position and when they are disengaged or released from one another,
lever 128 is movable to an unsecured position and in the exemplary
embodiment is automatically returned to its home position shown in
FIG. 6 as discussed further below.
[0036] With continued reference to FIGS. 6-10, the hydraulic system
includes a left to right or side to side tilt control valve 186A, a
first front to back tilt control valve 186B and a second front to
back tilt control valve 186C. Each of valves 186 includes a housing
defining an interior chamber for slidably receiving therein a
depressible piston or plunger 188A-C along with an internal spring
which biases the respective plunger outwardly to its closed
position. Plungers 188A and 188B are configured to be depressed
simultaneously by vertical engaging surface 178 of dual valve
activator 176, while plunger 188C is configured to be depressed by
vertical engaging surface 182 of activator 180. Side to side tilt
valve 186A includes a pair of entry/exit ports 190L and 190R (FIG.
10) which are respectively associated with left and right actuators
148L and 148R. First front to back valve 186B likewise has a pair
of entry/exit ports 192F and 192B respectively associated with
actuators 148F and 148B. Likewise, second front to back valve 186C
has a pair of entry/exit ports 194F and 194B respectively
associated with front and back actuators 148F and 148B. A left
hydraulic line 196L is connected at a first end 198 thereof to port
190L of the valve 186A and at a second opposed end 200 thereof to
port 142 of left actuator 148L. Likewise, a right hydraulic line
196R is connected at a first end 198 thereof to port 190R of valve
186A and at an opposed end 200 thereof to right actuator 148R.
Thus, the interior chambers 140 of left and right actuators 148L
and 148R are in fluid communication with one another via lines 196L
and 196R and valve 186A when plunger 188A is in an open or
partially open position. FIG. 10 shows plunger 188A is slidably
moveable as indicated by the double arrow between a closed position
shown in solid lines and a fully open position shown in dashed
lines. Plunger 188A increases the size of the passage through which
hydraulic fluid may flow through valve 186A the more it is
depressed into the housing of said valve. Left and right actuators
148L and 148R along with valve 186A and hydraulic lines 196L and
196R form one closed hydraulic system. Another separate closed
hydraulic system is formed by front and back actuators 148F and
148B along with valve 186B and 186C and the associated
interconnecting hydraulic lines. These hydraulic lines include
three front hydraulic lines 202A-C which are interconnected at a
T-connector 204 and extend respectively from connector 204 to the
respective ports of front actuator 148F, front port 192F of valve
186B and front port 194F of valve 186C. Similarly, a rear set of
hydraulic lines 206A-C are interconnected by another T-connector
208, from which said lines extend respectively to port 142 of back
actuator 148B, back port 192B of valve 186B and back port 194B of
valve 186C. Either one of valves 186B and 186C may be operated to
allow hydraulic fluid to flow therethrough in order to provide for
forward and backward tilting of seat support 48 or to prevent such
tilting. Like valve 186A, each of valves 186B and 186C is a
progressive valve configured to either cut off the flow of
hydraulic fluid therethrough or to allow hydraulic fluid to flow
with differing degrees of resistance depending on the degree to
which plunger 188 is depressed to control the size of the passage
through which the hydraulic fluid may flow through the respective
valve.
[0037] The operation of tilt assembly 10 is now described. As shown
in FIG. 6, outer end 168 of segment 172 of controller 128 may be
pivoted upwardly (arrow G) so that segments 170 and 172 pivot as a
unit about axis E and so that the terminal inner end 166 of shorter
segment 170 pivots downwardly, which as previously indicated
depresses button or pin 130 of the height adjustment mechanism as
shown at arrow D in FIG. 4. This allows for the height adjustment
previously described. In addition, outer end 168 of segment 162 may
be pivoted in the forward direction (arrow H) about axis F relative
to shorter segment 170 so that engaging surface 182 of activator
180 depresses plunger 188C (arrow J) of valve 186C to partially or
fully open said valve. The opening of valve 186C allows the user to
tilt seat support 48 along with seat 16 in the forward and backward
directions only, as indicated in FIG. 11. More particularly, the
user may shift his or her weight forward on seat 16 so that the
downward force applied via seat 16 to seat support 48 forward of
axis C is greater than the downward force applied rearward of axis
C. This forward downward force or weight is indicated at W.sub.F in
FIG. 11. The downward force or weight W.sub.F causes front piston
80F to move downwardly relative to front cylinder 132F so that the
hydraulic fluid 146 within the interior chamber 140 of cylinder
132F is pressurized and forced into the interior chamber 140 of
back cylinder 132B via the hydraulic pathway therebetween which
includes line 202A, T-connector 204, line 202C, valve 186C, line
206C, T-connector 208 and line 206A. Depending on how far forward
longer segment 172 of control lever 128 is moved forward and thus
how far valve 186C is opened via the corresponding movement of
plunger 188C, the resistance to the force or weight W.sub.F will be
greater or lesser. As the back 54 of support 48 and back piston 80B
move upwardly, ledge 83 may come into contact with the lower
surface of annular top wall 138 to provide a stop to the tilting
movement of support 48. If the user desires to tilt seat support 48
rearwardly as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 11, he or she simply
shifts his or her weight rearwardly so that downward force behind
axis C is greater than the downward force forward of axis C, the
rearward downward force or weight being indicated at arrow W.sub.B
in FIG. 11. The back 54 of seat support 48 thus tilts downwardly as
the front 52 tilts upwardly in this scenario, with back piston 80B
moving downwardly within interior chamber 140 of back cylinder 132B
to force hydraulic fluid 146 along the same path but in the
opposite direction.
[0038] The maximum angle or degree of tilting in the forward and
the backward directions is indicated respectively at angles K.sub.F
and K.sub.B in FIG. 11. Said angles are typically equal to one
another and preferably at least 5 degrees and more typically 10
degrees. Although an angle of 10 degrees is likely sufficient to
meet the needs of anyone sitting on seat 16 in a given position,
angles K may be larger than this, for example up to 15 or 20
degrees especially where seat 16 is used for the purpose of
exercising as discussed in greater detail further below. When the
user is finished adjusting the forward or backward tilt of seat
support 48, he or she may simply release lever 128 so that outer
end 168 thereof is automatically moved back to its neutral position
in response to the spring biased movement of plunger 188C in the
direction opposite arrow J of FIG. 6 back to the closed position of
valve 186C. When valve 186C is closed, hydraulic fluid may not flow
therethrough and thus a hydraulic lock is provided which prevents
the tilting movement of seat support 48 out of whatever position it
is in when control lever 128 reaches its neutral or home
position.
[0039] The user may also pivot outer end 168 of segment 172
rearwardly (arrow L in FIG. 6) about axis F relative to shorter
segment 170 so that engaging surface 178 of activator 176 engages
and forces plungers 188A and 188B toward respective partial or
fully opened positions, as indicated at arrows M and N in FIG. 6.
The simultaneous opening of valves 186A and 186B allows for the
forward and backward tilting of seat support 48 as well as its side
to side tilting. The forward and backward tilting is achieved in
the same manner as described with the use valve 186C except that
hydraulic fluid 146 flows through an alternate path which includes
line 202A, T-connector 204, line 202B, valve 186B, line 206B,
T-connector 208 and line 206A. The side to side tilting of seat
support 48 is illustrated in FIG. 12, with the tilting to the right
shown in solid lines and the tilting to the left shown in dashed
lines. Again, the user will shift his or her weight on seat 16 so
that a greater downward force is applied to the right of axis C
than is applied to the left of axis C, as represented by arrow
W.sub.R. Tilting support 48 to the left is likewise achieved by
applying a greater downward force to the left of axis C than to the
right of axis C, as illustrated by arrow W.sub.L in FIG. 12 so that
left side 56 tilts downwardly as right side 58 tilts upwardly. As
previously noted, the force for tilting seat support 48 is in the
exemplary embodiment provided solely by the weight of the user on
seat 16, and thus assembly is preferably free of a powered
hydraulic pump for powering the flow of hydraulic fluid through its
hydraulic systems. The respective angles or degrees of tilting to
the right and left are respectively represented at angles K.sub.R
and K.sub.L in FIG. 12 and fall within the same maximum ranges
described above with reference to angles K.sub.F and K.sub.B it is
noted that the use of the two valves 186A and 186B which may be in
open positions at the same time via movement of lever segment 172
in one direction and the use of a third valve 186C which may
alternately be in its open position via movement of segment 172 in
the opposite direction provides an isolation mechanism which
isolates the forward and backward tilting from the side to side
tilting. More particularly, the tilting of seat support 48 is
limited to forward and backward tilting when segment 172 is
operated to open valve 186C when valves 186A and 186B are closed,
while forward and backward tilting is alternately combined with
side to side tilting to produce omni directional tilting when
valves 186A and 186B are open and valve 186C is closed.
[0040] The simultaneous opening of valves 186A and 186B in
conjunction with the ball and socket pivotal connection between
base 46 and seat support 48 allows support 48 not only to tilt
directly forward and backward and directly from side to side
perpendicular thereto, but also to tilt in any direction relative
to axis C. Thus, the user may rock, for instance, in a circular
fashion, thereby shifting his or her weight along a generally
circular pattern about axis C so that seat support 48 along with
seat 16 may be tilted in any direction and continuously changed
depending on where the greater amount of downward force is applied
relative to axis C. The user may thus shift his or her weight to
provide continuous shifting of the tilt angle and/or direction. In
conjunction with the ability to control the degree of resistance
provided by hydraulic fluid 146 depending on the extent to which
valve 186A and 186B are open, the ability to tilt seat support 48
relative to base 46 especially in any direction provides a
convenient way for the user to exercise in addition to the ability
to set the angle of support 48 and seat 16 wherever desired. If the
user wishes to lock the seat support 48 and seat 16 at a given
degree of tilt, the user simply releases control lever 128 so that
outer end 168 is automatically pivoted back to its home position in
response to the spring biased movement of plungers 188A and 188B in
the direction opposite arrows M and N in FIG. 6 to the closed
position of valves 186A and 186B.
[0041] As noted above, tilt assembly 10 offers the user the ability
to exercise or at least continuously shift positions as desired
when valves 186A and 18B are partially or fully open. In order to
maintain said valves in an open position, longer segment 172 of
control lever 128 is manipulated so that teeth 184 engage teeth
164, as shown in FIG. 13. To achieve the securing engagement
between teeth 184 and 164, outer end 168 of segment 172 is moved
rearwardly as indicated at arrow L in FIG. 6 and then moved
downwardly as indicated at arrow T in FIG. 13. The engagement of
teeth 184 and 164 thus prevents the forward pivoting movement of
outer end 168, whereby valves 186A and 186B are maintained in a
partially or fully open position. As will be evident, a given tooth
184 may engage any one of teeth 164 depending on the position of
lever 128 in order to secure lever 128 and valves 186A and 186B in
the various positions associated with varying degrees of resistance
provided by the flow of hydraulic fluid 146 through said valves.
The spring bias of plungers 188A and 188B to their forward closed
positions applies a forward force on surface 178 which is
translated to a forward force of teeth 184 on teeth 164, thus
providing a frictional engagement between said teeth which holds
longer segment 172 in this latching or securing engagement between
teeth 184 and 164. To release the securing mechanism provided by
the frictional latching engagement between teeth 184 and 164, the
use simply pivots outer end 168 of longer segment 172 upwardly
about axis E, after which the user may simply release manual
engagement with segment 172, which automatically returns to its
home position in response to the spring bias of plungers 188A and
188B. As previously noted, the movement of segment 172 to its home
position thus produces a hydraulic lock in each of the hydraulic
systems so that seat support 48 is secured at the position to which
it had been tilted at the time valves 186A and 186B reach their
closed positions.
[0042] Assembly 10 also provides an automatic leveling mechanism
for leveling seat support 48 or returning it to its home or neutral
position. More particularly, springs 90 are provided for this
purpose. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, at least one of springs 90 is
compressed between annular top walls 138 of the respective cylinder
132 and upper portions of the respective piston 80 or the bottom of
plate 60 when the portion of seat support 48 adjacent the
compressed spring is moved downwardly relative to the portion of
base 46 therebelow. When control lever 128 is in its home position,
seat support 48 will be hydraulically locked at a given position
which may be a tilted position in which at least one of springs 90
is compressed. The automatic leveling of seat support 48 is
achieved by moving outer end 168 of longer segment 172 rearwardly
(arrow L in FIG. 6) while the user has removed his or her weight
from atop seat 16. This movement of control lever 128 of course
opens valves 186A and 186B to unlock the hydraulic lock whereby the
compressed spring or springs 90 provides an upward force on the
respective downwardly tilted portion of seat support 48 to raise
the downwardly tilted portion back to its home position, thus
providing the automatic leveling of seat support 48. Movement of
outer end 168 forward (arrow H in FIG. 6) to depress plunger 188C
may likewise lead to a leveling movement via a compressed spring 90
with respect to forward and backward tilting of support 48 without
providing side to side leveling.
[0043] Tilt assembly 10 thus allows a seat such as seat 16 to be
tilted in any direction relative to a chair base such as base 14
and relative to a backrest such as backrest 18. In addition,
assembly 10 provides hydraulic systems which are capable of
providing varying degrees of resistance to this tilting movement,
which is useful both in providing exercise for the user as well as
limiting the rate at which the tilting occurs for a given amount of
weight applied at any given point on seat 16. The hydraulic systems
further provide a hydraulic lock for securing the seat support and
seat in any tilted position while also providing a simple mechanism
for automatically leveling the seat support and seat.
[0044] A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in
FIGS. 14-18 which illustrate a tilt assembly 310 which operates
similar in many aspects to the previous embodiment shown in FIG.
1-13. However, tilt assembly 310 replaces progressively opening
valve 186 of the previous embodiment with two separate hydraulic
valves, including one valve which controls the rate in which
hydraulic fluid flows within the system, and another valve which
operates to turn the hydraulic fluid communication on or off within
the system. Tilt assembly 310 further replaces ball member 112 and
cavity 108 of the previous embodiment with a universal joint having
a lower profile.
[0045] Referring particularly to FIG. 15, a first pair of the
previously described hydraulic actuators 148F and 148B are joined
by a hydraulic line 312 containing a hydraulic fluid which allows
for fluid communication between pistons 80F and 80B. Hydraulic line
312 also includes a regulator valve 316 and an adjustment knob 318
operatively connected to regulator valve 316 and movable between a
plurality of positions to adjust the opening size of valve 316.
Hydraulic line 312 further includes an on/off valve 320 and a
control switch 322 operatively connected to on/off valve 320 and
movable between an open and closed position to open and close valve
320.
[0046] A second pair of hydraulic actuators 148L and 148R are
joined by a hydraulic line 332 containing a hydraulic fluid which
allows for fluid communication between pistons 80L and 80R. Second
pair of actuators 148L and 148R are substantially similar to first
pair of actuators 148F and 148B described in the first embodiment,
and includes a regulator valve 336 having an operatively connected
adjustment knob 338 moveable between a plurality of positions to
adjust the opening size of valve 336, and an on/off valve 340
having an operatively connected control switch 342 moveable between
and open and closed position to open and close valve 340. The first
pair of actuators 148F/48B and the second pair of actuators
148L/148R operate independently from one another.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 14, a control rod 324 extends from on/off
valve 320 and terminates in a switch housing 323. Control switch
322 extends from switch housing 323 and is operatively connected to
on/off valve 320 through control rod 324. Similarly, a control rod
344 extends from on/off valve 340 and terminates in switch housing
323. Control switch 342 extends from switch housing 323 generally
parallel to control switch 322, and is operatively connected to
on/off valve 340 through control rod 344. Similar to the previous
embodiment, a control lever 346 extends from between base 46 and
seat support 48 to actuate a gas pin (not shown) to raise and lower
chair 12. Seat support 48 and base 46 are each generally a flat
plate having four corners with each hydraulic actuator 148F, 148B,
148L, and 148R disposed between a corner of seat support 48 and a
corresponding corner of base 46.
[0048] As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, tilt assembly 310 includes base
46 and seat support 48, which operate substantially similarly to
the previous embodiment. However seat support 48 tilts about a
universal joint 350 pivotally connected to base 46 and seat support
48. Universal joint 350 includes a pair of upper brackets 351
secured to seat support 48. Each bracket 351 includes a horizontal
plate 352 and a vertical plate 354 joined together generally at a
right angle. Universal joint further includes a pair of lower
brackets 371 secured to base 46. Each bracket 371 includes a
horizontal plate 372 and a vertical plate 374 joined together
generally at a right angle. Each vertical plate 354 and 374
includes a bracket aperture 356 and 376, respectively, extending
therethrough.
[0049] Universal joint 350 further includes a coupler 385 having
four faces 387, each face 387 having an aperture 389 extending
therethrough. A first bolt 358 is sized to extend through a
plurality of washers 360, bracket apertures 356 of upper brackets
351, and apertures 389 of coupler 385. A second bolt 378 is sized
to extend through a plurality of washers 380, bracket apertures 376
of lower brackets 371, and apertures 389 of coupler 385.
[0050] The operation of tilt control 310 is now described. Tilt
control 310 and tilt control 10 operate to hydraulically adjust
seat 16 in fundamentally the same manner. However, while tilt
control 10 combines on/off control of the hydraulic system with the
progressive flow control of hydraulic fluid into one progressively
opening valve 186, tilt control 310 separates the two valves. Tilt
control 310 separates valves 186 of the previous embodiment into
on/off valves 320 and 340, and regulator valves 316 and 336. Tilt
control 310 further uses universal joint 350 rather than ball
member 112 and cavity 108 to pivotally connect seat support 48 with
base 46.
[0051] On/off valve 320 determines if the first pair of hydraulic
actuators 148F and 148B are in fluid communication with one
another, and on/off valve 340 determines if the second pair of
hydraulic actuators 148L and 148R are in fluid communication with
one another. As shown diagrammatically in FIG. 15, closing valve
320 or 340 prevents hydraulic fluid from moving through hydraulic
lines 312 or 332, respectively, which in turn prevents actuation of
pistons 80 within hydraulic actuators 148. Valves 320 and 340 may
be closed while the user is tilting in any direction, and acts to
"freeze" tilt control 310 in the current position for the user.
Opening valve 320 or 340 allows hydraulic fluid to move through
hydraulic lines 312 or 332, respectively, restoring fluid
communication between hydraulic actuators 148F/148B, or 148L/148R,
respectively.
[0052] As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, control switch 322 extends from
on/off valve 320 and provides a button mechanism to the user for
controlling the opening and closing of valve 320, and more
particularly the positioning of tilt control 310. When a user
desires to hold first pair of actuators 308 in the current
position, control switch 322 is depressed in the direction of Arrow
M, which moves on/off valve 320 into a closed position to stop
hydraulic fluid from moving within hydraulic line 312, interrupting
the fluid communication between hydraulic actuators 148F and 148B.
When a user desires to release first pair of actuators 308 from the
current position, control switch 322 is released in the direction
of Arrow M, which moves on/off valve 320 in an open position to
allow hydraulic fluid to move within hydraulic line 312,
establishing fluid communication between hydraulic actuators 148F
and 148B.
[0053] On/off valve 340 acts in a substantially similar manner,
with control switch 342 controlling the open or closed state of
on/off valve 340 which enables or disables fluid communication
between actuators 148L and 148R.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 15, to provide a central and more ergonomic
control for control switches 322 and 342, control rods 324 and 342
extend from on/off valves 320 and 340, respectively, and terminate
in switch housing 323. Control rods 324 and 342 provide an
extending control mechanism for on/off valves 320 and 340,
respectively. Switch housing 323 offers control switches 322 and
342 to the user in a central interface extending from between base
46 and seat support 48, and allows a user to easily control on/off
valves 320 and 340. Pursuant to the overall objectives of tilt
assembly 310, when a user wishes to hold seat 16 in a particular
position, the user is typically sitting on seat 16. From this
position, switch housing 323 is easily accessible and a user may
manipulate control switches 322 and 342 simply by reaching down
with a hand.
[0055] On/off valves 320 and 340 operate independently to control a
separate range of motion for tilt assembly 310. As discussed
previously, hydraulic actuators 148F and 148B control the
front-to-back tilting of seat 16 and are actuated through hydraulic
fluid which flows through line 312 and on/off valve 320. Closing
on/off valve 320 stops hydraulic fluid through hydraulic line 312
and in turn, holds seat 16 stationary in the front-to-back range.
As on/off valves 320 and 340 operate independently, seat 16 is free
to move from side-to-side, even while on/off valve 320 is in the
closed position, holding seat 16 stationary in the front-to-back
range. Likewise for on/off valve 340, a user may restrict the
side-to-side range of motion and hold seat 16 stationary with
respect to that range by closing on/off valve 340. This independent
control of the two ranges within tilt assembly 310 gives a user
control over the ultimate position or motion of seat 16.
[0056] As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the operation of regulator
valves 316 and 336 allow the user to adjust the rate of flow
therethrough, by progressively opening and closing the valve in
hydraulic lines 312 and 332 through manual manipulation of
adjustment knobs 318 and 338, respectively. A user moves regulator
valve 316 or 336 from a wide opening to a narrow opening to
decrease the amount of hydraulic fluid which may pass through. This
increases the resistance of hydraulic actuators 148, in turn
requiring the user to apply more force to seat 16 to move it within
a particular range of motion. A user moves regulator valve 316 or
336 from a narrow opening to a wider opening to increase the rate
in which hydraulic fluid flows therethrough, lessening the force a
user must exert on seat 16 to move it within a particular range of
motion.
[0057] Manipulating regulator valve 316 or 336 is achieved through
movement of adjustment knobs 318 or 338, respectively. Adjustment
knobs 318 and 338 are operatively connected to regulator valves 316
and 336, respectively, and control the size of the valve opening.
As shown in FIG. 14, adjustment knob 318 is moved in the directions
of Arrow P to adjust the flow of hydraulic fluid moving through
regulator valve 316 in hydraulic line 312. Likewise, adjustment
knob 338 is moved in the directions of Arrow Q to adjust the flow
of hydraulic fluid in hydraulic line 332. Adjustment knobs 318 and
338 may be adjusted to a plurality of positions, wherein each
position corresponds to a different rate of flow of hydraulic fluid
through regulator valves 316 and 336, respectively.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 15, adjustment knob 318 extends from
regulator valve 316, positioned such that a user may manipulate
adjustment knob 318 while resting in a seated position in seat 16.
When a user wishes to decrease the rate in which hydraulic fluid
flows through regulator valve 316, the user simply reaches down and
moves adjustment knob 318 to a new position corresponding with the
desired rate of flow of hydraulic fluid. With a decreased rate of
flow, it takes more physical pressure from the user to tilt seat 16
in the front-to-back range. Likewise, with an increased rate of
flow, it takes less physical pressure from the user to tilt seat 16
in the front-to-back range.
[0059] Adjustment knob 338 and regulator valve 336 work in a
substantially similar way to adjust the rate of flow of hydraulic
fluid through hydraulic line 332, allowing a user to adjust the
side-to-side resistance of seat 16.
[0060] To maintain a universal range of tilting, tilt assembly 310
utilizes universal joint 350 having two orthogonal pivot joints to
allow a user to tilt seat 16 in any direction. Universal joint 350
is an improvement over ball member 112 and cavity 108 of tilt
assembly 10 of the previous embodiment in that universal joint 350
is smaller in vertical size, which lowers the overall vertical
profile of tilt assembly 310.
[0061] As shown in FIGS. 16-18, upper brackets 351A and 351B are
secured to seat support 48 and spaced to align bracket apertures
356A and 356B with opposed face apertures 389. This alignment
allows first bolt 358 to extend through brackets 351 and coupler
385, which enables seat support 48 to tilt relative first bolt 358.
First bolt 358 extends through brackets 351 and coupler 385 with
the support of corresponding washers 360 which provide a friction
reducing buffer between the metallic surfaces of first bolt 358,
upper brackets 351, and coupler 385. First bolt 358 allows seat
support to tilt in a general front-to-back orientation relative the
overall tilt assembly 310.
[0062] Seat support 48 tilts relative second bolt 378 in a
substantially similar way. Bracket apertures 376A and 376B are
aligned with opposed face apertures 389, allowing second bolt 378
to extend perpendicularly relative to first bolt 358 through
brackets 371 and coupler 385. Washers 380 provide a friction
reducing buffer between the metallic surfaces of second bolt 378,
lower brackets 371, and coupler 385. Second bolt 378 allows seat
support 48 to tilt in a general side-to-side orientation relative
the overall tilt assembly 310.
[0063] As a user sits down on chair 12 resting on tilt assembly
310, any desired tilting orientation is supported by universal
joint 350. If a front-to-back tilt is desired, seat support 48
tilts about first bolt 358. If a side-to-side tilt is desired, seat
support 48 tilts about second bolt 378. If an intermediate tilt is
desired which corresponds to a front-to-back and a side-to-side, in
any possible combination, seat support 48 tilts about both first
bolt 358 and second bolt 378.
[0064] The hydraulic system and universal joint 350 of tilt
assembly 310 are not limited to combined use, and either may be
selectively incorporated into the first embodiment of tilt assembly
10.
[0065] In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used
for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary
limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of
the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes
and are intended to be broadly construed.
[0066] Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention
is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details
shown or described.
* * * * *