U.S. patent application number 13/503001 was filed with the patent office on 2012-08-23 for backrest for chair.
This patent application is currently assigned to OKAMURA CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Ryou Igarashi, Ken Nakayama, Kouichirou Wakizono.
Application Number | 20120212027 13/503001 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43900297 |
Filed Date | 2012-08-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120212027 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nakayama; Ken ; et
al. |
August 23, 2012 |
BACKREST FOR CHAIR
Abstract
A backrest for a chair, including a bag-like upholstery
material, with which a back frame is upholstered by fitting the
bag-like upholstery material onto the back frame that has a pair of
right and left side frames extending in an up-down direction. A
high-friction member is disposed on at least one of an inner
surface of both side portions of the upholstery material on a lower
portion side thereof supporting the sitting person around the hip
and an outer surface of the right and left side frames contacting
the inner surface of the side portions of the upholstery material
on a lower portion side thereof, the high-friction member being
configured to increase the sliding resistance in an area of contact
between the upholstery material and the side frames
Inventors: |
Nakayama; Ken; (Kanagawa,
JP) ; Wakizono; Kouichirou; (Kanagawa, JP) ;
Igarashi; Ryou; (Kanagawa, JP) |
Assignee: |
OKAMURA CORPORATION
Kanagawa
JP
|
Family ID: |
43900297 |
Appl. No.: |
13/503001 |
Filed: |
October 19, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
October 19, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2010/068341 |
371 Date: |
April 19, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/452.18 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 1/03283 20130101;
A47C 7/40 20130101; A47C 31/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/452.18 |
International
Class: |
A47C 7/40 20060101
A47C007/40 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 19, 2009 |
JP |
2009-240146 |
Claims
1. A backrest for a chair, comprising a bag-like upholstery
material, with which a back frame is upholstered by fitting the
bag-like upholstery material onto the back frame that has a pair of
right and left side frames extending in an up-down direction,
wherein a high-friction member is disposed on at least one of an
inner surface of both side portions of the upholstery material on a
lower portion side thereof supporting the sitting person around the
hip and an outer surface of the right and left side frames
contacting the inner surface of the side portions of the upholstery
material on a lower portion side thereof, the high-friction member
being configured to increase the sliding resistance in an area of
contact between the upholstery material and the side frames.
2. The backrest for a chair according to claim 1, wherein stitched
portions are formed by internally folding and stitching both
side-end portions of the upholstery material to cause the
upholstery material to be bag-like, each of the stitched portions
being covered by a side-end portion of the high-friction member
fixed by stitching.
3. The backrest for a chair according to claim 1, wherein the
high-friction member is formed by one of a polyurethane resin or a
foam thereof, a urethane elastomer, and rubber.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a backrest for a chair, the
backrest having a back frame upholstered with a bag-like upholstery
material by fitting the bag-like upholstery material onto the back
frame.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This type of backrest is discussed in Patent Literatures 1
and 2, for example.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0003] Patent Literature 1: European Patent Application Publication
No. 0922419
[0004] Patent Literature 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open
No. 2003-135200
SUMMARY
Technical Problems
[0005] As a bag-like upholstery material for the backrests
described in Patent Literatures 1 and 2, a meshed woven material of
synthetic fibers is often used from the viewpoint of ventilation,
stretch properties, and tensile strength, for example.
[0006] When such an upholstery material is used to upholster a back
frame by fitting the upholstery material onto the back frame in a
predetermined tensioned state and a sitting person falls back on
the backrest, a back-surface portion of the upholstery material
positioned to the rear of the back frame is pulled around to the
front-surface side of the upholstery material so that a
front-surface portion of the upholstery material positioned to the
front of the back frame can be appropriately warped backward.
[0007] At that time, if the sliding resistance at the area of
contact between lower portions of side portions of the upholstery
material and outer surfaces of right and left side frames of the
back frame is small, the lower portions of the side portions of the
upholstery material may move up and slackening or development of
wrinkles may be caused.
[0008] Further, if the sliding resistance at the area of contact
between the lower portions of the side portions of the upholstery
material where the sitting person is supported around the hip and
the outer surfaces of the side frames is small, the lower portions
of the side portions of the upholstery material are easily moved
around toward the front surface side. Thus, the front-surface
portion of the upholstery material where the sitting person is
supported around the hip is excessively warped backward, the lumbar
support effect cannot be obtained, and the hip of the sitting
person cannot be comfortably supported.
[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the foregoing
problems, and an object of the present invention to provide a
backrest for a chair capable of preventing, by making lower
portions of side portions of an upholstery material less slidable
on side frames, slackening or development of wrinkles due to moving
up of the upholstery material, and also preventing a front-surface
portion of the upholstery material being excessively warped
backward, so that the hip of the sitting person can be comfortably
supported.
[0010] According to the present invention, the above object is
accomplished by the following aspects.
[0011] (1) A backrest for a chair, comprising a bag-like upholstery
material, with which a back frame is upholstered by fitting the
bag-like upholstery material onto the back frame that has a pair of
right and left side frames extending in an up-down direction,
wherein a high-friction member is disposed on at least one of an
inner surface of both side portions of the upholstery material on a
lower portion side thereof supporting the sitting person around the
hip and an outer surface of the right and left side frames
contacting the inner surface of the side portions of the upholstery
material on a lower portion side thereof, the high-friction member
being configured to increase the sliding resistance in an area of
contact between the upholstery material and the side frames.
[0012] According to the above-described configuration, because the
lower portions of the side portions of the upholstery material is
made less slidable, moving up of the upholstery material to cause
slackening or development of wrinkles can be prevented.
[0013] Further, because the lower portions of the side portions of
the upholstery material is made less movable around toward the
front surface side of the back frame, the front-surface portion of
the upholstery material on a lower side thereof where the sitting
person is supported around the hip is prevented from being
excessively warped backward, so that the hip of the sitting person
can be comfortably supported by the lumbar support effect.
[0014] (2) In the above-described aspect (1), stitched portions are
formed by internally folding and stitching both side-end portions
of the upholstery material to cause the upholstery material to be
bag-like, each of the stitched portions being covered by a side-end
portion of the high-friction member fixed by stitching.
[0015] According to the above-described configuration, the stitched
portion of the side-end portions of the upholstery material is
covered with the side-end portion of the high-friction member by
stitching. Thus, the stitched portion of the side-end portions of
the upholstery material can be reinforced, so that the upholstery
material can be prevented from being frayed.
[0016] Because the lower portions of the upholstery material can
slide with respect to the side frames via the high-friction member
affixed to the inner surface of the side portions of the upholstery
material, wearing of the side portions of the upholstery material
can be reduced, so that the reupholstering intervals of the
upholstery material can be extended and cost can be reduced.
[0017] (3) In the above-described aspect (1) or (2), the
high-friction member is formed by one of a polyurethane resin or a
foam thereof, a urethane elastomer, and rubber.
[0018] According to the above-described configuration, all of the
recited materials are preferable for the low-friction member or the
high-friction member, readily formable, and highly versatile. Thus,
the structure can be relatively inexpensively implemented.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0019] The present invention provides a backrest for a chair
capable of preventing slackening or development of wrinkles due to
moving up of the upholstery material, and also preventing a
front-surface portion of the upholstery material being excessively
warped backward, so that the hip of the sitting person can be
comfortably supported.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a side view of a chair equipped with a backrest
according to an embodiment of the present invention in a standby
state.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a side view of the chair of FIG. 1 in a seated
state.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the backrest as seen from
diagonally behind, in a state before a back frame is upholstered
with an upholstery material.
[0023] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross section taken along line IV-IV
of FIG. 1.
[0024] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross section taken along line V-V of
FIG. 1.
[0025] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion A of FIG. 4.
[0026] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion B of FIG. 5.
[0027] FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross section illustrating a manner of
attaching a low-friction member and a high-friction member to the
back frame according to a variation.
[0028] FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross section illustrating a manner of
attaching the low-friction member and the high-friction member to
the back frame according to another variation.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0029] In the following, embodiments of the present invention will
be described with reference to the drawings.
[0030] FIGS. 1 and 2 are side views of a chair including a backrest
according to an embodiment of the present invention. The chair
includes a lower assembly 4 which includes a disk-shaped base 1, a
leg column 2 mounted at the center of the disk-shaped base 1 in an
upright manner, and a support base 3 fixedly mounted on an upper
end of the leg column 2.
[0031] The support base 3 has a substantially triangular shape
expanding from the upper end of the leg column 2 toward the front
in plan and side views.
[0032] At the front end of the support base 3, a front-lower
portion of a seat 5 is pivotally mounted on a base axle 6 extending
in a left-right direction. The seat 5 can be rotated about the base
axle 6 into a standby position in which the seat 5 is inclined with
its rear raised, as illustrated in FIG. 1, or into a use position
in which the seat 5 is horizontal or inclined with its rear
slightly lowered, as illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0033] On both sides of the rear of the seat 5, a pair of right and
left arm rests 7 are integrally formed.
[0034] The arm rests 7 extend upward from the sides of the rear of
the seat 5 and include a backrest pivotal support portion 7a and an
arm pad portion 7b. The backrest pivotal support portion 7a
includes a curved surface 8 protruding backward and having a
semicircular or fan shape in a side view, which shape is centered
about a support axle 11 of a backrest 9, which will be described
later. The arm pad portion 7b extends forward from an upper portion
of the backrest pivotal support portion 7a and has an upwardly
arched shape. Thus, the arm rests 7 have a generally forwardly
extending triangular shape converging in a forward-upper direction
in a side view.
[0035] The arm pad portions 7b may be dimensioned with respect to
the front-rear direction such that front-end portions of the arm
pad portions 7b are positioned forwardly of a vertical line S
passing through the center of the base axle 6, on which the seat 5
is pivoted, in the standby position illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0036] When the seat 5 is in the use position as illustrated in
FIG. 2, the front-end portions of the arm pad portions 7b may be
positioned slightly to the rear of the vertical line S
corresponding to the base axle 6 on which the seat 5 is
pivoted.
[0037] On outer surfaces of slightly forward portions of the
backrest pivotal support portions 7a of the right and left arm
rests 7, front-end portions of forwardly extending side pieces 10
extending forward from a lower portion of the backrest 9 on both
sides are located. The front-end portions are pivoted on the
support axle 11 extending substantially in the left-right
direction. Thus, the backrest 9 can be rotated about the support
axle 11 into an upright position illustrated in FIG. 2 or a
backwardly inclined position, not illustrated, with respect to the
seat 5 and the arm rests 7.
[0038] The backrest 9 includes a concave surface 12 facing the rear
surface of the backrest pivotal support portions 7a and having an
arch shape substantially complementary to the curved surface 8 on
the rear surface of the backrest pivotal support portions 7a. Thus,
the backrest 9 can be rotated about the support axle 11 with the
opposed surfaces positioned close to each other. Between a central
portion of a lower frame 20, which will be described later, of the
backrest 9 with respect to the left-right direction and an upper
surface of the front-end portion of the support base 3, a first
biasing portion 13 for biasing the backrest 9 in an upright
direction is provided. Examples of the first biasing portion 13 may
include a gas spring and a compression spring.
[0039] The support base 3 includes a second biasing portion 14 for
helping the sitting person stand up by biasing the seat 5 into the
standby position.
[0040] The second biasing portion 14 includes a rubber torsion unit
15 having an axis in the left-right direction; a backwardly
extending first link 16 linked with the rubber torsion unit 15 and
biased in the anticlockwise direction in the side view of FIG. 1;
and a second link 17 having a lower-end portion pivoted to the end
of the first link 16 via an axis extending in the left-right
direction. An upper end portion of the second link 17 is pivoted on
a lower surface of the seat 5 in an intermediate area in the
front-rear direction via an axis extending in the left-right
direction, the second link 17 extending in a diagonally upward-rear
direction.
[0041] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the backrest 9 extends in the
up-down direction and includes a back frame 22 having a vertically
longer rectangular shape in a front elevation. The back frame 22
includes a pair of right and left side frames 18 extending in the
up-down direction and having a gradually increasing front-rear
dimension toward the lower ends with which the forwardly extending
side pieces 10 are continuously connected. The upper ends of the
side frames 18 are coupled via an upper frame 19 extending in the
left-right direction. The lower ends of the side frames 18 are
coupled via a lower frame 20 extending in the left-right direction.
The upper frame 19 and the lower frame 20 are coupled at their
intermediate portions in the left-right direction via an
intermediate frame 21 which is positioned backwardly of the side
frames 18 and extending in the up-down direction.
[0042] The back frame 22 may be integrally formed from a synthetic
resin material having an appropriate elasticity. Preferably, the
synthetic resin material may contain reinforced fibers, such as
glass or carbon fibers, for increased strength.
[0043] The lower portions of the side frames 18 and a lower portion
of the intermediate frame 21 are arched with the center of
curvature located forwardly in a side view. The upper frame 19 and
the lower frame 20 are curved in a plan view, with their
intermediate portions positioned backwardly of their side portions.
Thus, when the back frame 22 is upholstered with a bag-like
upholstery material 26 as will be described later, a front-surface
portion and a back-surface portion of the upholstery material 26
with respect to the back frame 22 are allowed to be relatively
greatly spaced apart from each other in the front-rear
direction.
[0044] Further, the lower portion of the backrest 9 is also
backwardly spaced from the rear ends of the seat 5 and the arm
rests 7. Thus, when the backrest 9 is rotated, interference with
the rear ends of the seat 5 and the arm rests 7 is prevented, so
that the backrest 9 can have a large range of backward
rotation.
[0045] The intermediate frame 21 may be thinner than the other
frame forming members of the back frame 22 so that the intermediate
frame 21 can be more readily elastically deformed than the other
members. In this way, when the front-surface portion of the
upholstery material 26 is subjected to a load as will be described
later, the intermediate frame 21 can be elastically deformed in the
forward direction.
[0046] At the upper end of the back frame 22, a head-rest frame 25
is integrally formed. The head-rest frame 25 includes upwardly
extending extension frames 23 which are curved with intermediate
portions thereof positioned forwardly of the upper and lower
portions thereof in a side view. Upper ends of the extension frames
23 are coupled to each other via a top frame 24 extending in the
left-right direction.
[0047] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the back frame 22 and the
head-rest frame 25 are upholstered from above with the bag-like
upholstery material 26 by fitting the bag-like upholstery material
26 onto the back frame 22 and the head-rest frame 25. The
upholstery material 26 includes openings in the lower end and
lower-side portions, and has stretch properties. The upholstery
material 26 may be in the form of a mesh woven from synthetic
fibers. The upholstery material 26 includes a head-rest covering
portion 27 covering the head-rest frame 25, and a backrest covering
portion 28 covering the back frame 22.
[0048] The back frame 22 and the head-rest frame 25 are covered
with the upholstery material 26 in a predetermined tensioned state.
The right and left forwardly extending side pieces 10 protrude in
the forward direction through the lower-side openings of the
upholstery material 26. Lower-end portions of a front-surface
portion 28a and a back-surface portion 28b of the upholstery
material 26 positioned to the front and rear of the back frame 22,
respectively, are joined to each other via a joining means below
the lower frame 20 of the back frame 22. Examples of the joining
means include hook-and-loop fasteners, hooks, and zippers (not
illustrated).
[0049] When the head rest is not required, the head-rest frame 25
and the head-rest covering portion 27 of the upholstery material 26
may be omitted.
[0050] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 7, thin and flexible
low-friction members 29 having small sliding resistance with
respect to the frames 18 and 23 are disposed on inner surfaces of
the side portions of the upholstery material 26 that contact outer
surfaces of the side frames 18 of the back frame 22 excepting the
forwardly extending side pieces 10, and outer surfaces of the
extension frames 23 of the head-rest frame 25.
[0051] Thin and flexible high-friction members 30 having large
sliding resistance with respect to the side frames 18 are disposed
on inner surfaces of the side portions of the upholstery material
26 where the sitting person is supported around his or her hip, the
inner surfaces contacting the outer surfaces of lower portions of
the side frames 18.
[0052] Preferably, the low-friction members 29 may include a
material such as a polyamide resin (trade name Nylon), fluororesin
(Teflon (registered trademark); trade name Daiflon), or polyacetal.
The high-friction members 30 may include a material such as a
polyurethane resin or a foam thereof, a urethane elastomer, or
rubber.
[0053] As illustrated in enlarged cross sections of FIGS. 6 and 7,
the side-end portions of the upholstery material 26 are inwardly
folded into layers and stitched into bag-shaped portions at
positions close to the inner surfaces on the front side of the
right and left side frames 18 or extension frames 23. At the same
time, the front-end portions of the low-friction member 29 and the
high-friction member 30 are folded into U-shaped portions by which
the folded portions of the upholstery material 26 are covered by
stitching. In this way, stitched portions 26a of the side-end
portions of the upholstery material 26 can be reinforced. The
front-end portions of the low-friction member 29 and the
high-friction member 30 may be simply stitched onto the stitched
portions 26a of the side-end portions of the upholstery material 26
simultaneously without being folded in U-shape.
[0054] The low-friction member 29 and the high-friction member 30
may be affixed onto the outer surfaces of the side frames 18 and
the extension frames 23 or onto the inner surfaces of the side
portions of the upholstery material 26 by using an adhesive, rather
than by stitching.
[0055] As illustrated in FIG. 8, a concave groove 31 may be formed
in the outer surfaces of the side frames 18 and the extension
frames 23 in the up-down direction, and a convex portion 32 may be
formed on inner surfaces of the low-friction member 29 and the
high-friction member 30 in the up-down direction. In this way, by
fitting the convex portion 32 in the concave groove 31, the
low-friction member 29 and the high-friction member 30 can be
detachably mounted on the outer surfaces of the side frames 18 and
the extension frames 23.
[0056] Further, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the low-friction member
29 and the high-friction member 30 configured to be elastically
deformable may be detachably fitted on the outer surfaces of the
side frames 18 and the extension frames 23. In this case, the
concave groove 31 illustrated in FIG. 8 may not be provided in the
side frames 18 and the extension frames 23.
[0057] The low-friction member 29 and the high-friction member 30
may be a film formed on the outer surfaces of the side frames 18
and the extension frames 23 by coating.
[0058] When the sitting person falls back on the backrest 9
structured as described above, the back-surface portion 28b of the
upholstery material 26 is pulled and extended as the front-surface
portion 28a of the upholstery material 26 is extended and warped
backward, as indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 4. As a
result, the side portions of the upholstery material 26 are pulled
around toward the front-surface portion 28a to some extent, as
indicated by arrows, so that the amount of warping of the
front-surface portion 28a in the backward direction increases. At
this time, because the low-friction members 29 attached to the
inner surfaces of the side portions of the upholstery material 26
are in contact with the outer surfaces of the side frames 18 except
for the lower portions thereof and with the outer surfaces of the
extension frames 23, the sliding resistance at their areas of
contact is reduced.
[0059] Consequently, the upper side portions of the upholstery
material 26 are permitted to smoothly move around toward the front
surface side, so that the front-surface portion 28a of the
upholstery material 26 supporting the back and head of the sitting
person can be effectively warped backward in such a manner as to
fit the back and head of the sitting person. Thus, the back and
head of the sitting person can be comfortably supported with
flexibility.
[0060] Also, the development of unpleasant sliding noise can be
prevented when the side portions of the upholstery material 26 are
moved around toward the front-surface portion 28a.
[0061] Further, because the upholstery material 26 slides with
respect to the side frames 18 via the low-friction members 29
affixed on the inner surfaces of the side portions of the
upholstery material 26, wearing of the side portions of the
upholstery material 26 can be reduced, so that the reupholstering
intervals can be extended and cost can be reduced.
[0062] On the other hand, the high-friction members 30 are attached
to the inner surfaces of the side portions of the upholstery
material 26 where the sitting person is supported around the hip,
the inner surfaces contacting the outer surfaces of the lower
portions of the right and left side frames 18. Thus, the sliding
resistance between the side frames 18 and the lower side portions
of the upholstery material 26 is increased.
[0063] As a result, even when the lower portions of the side frames
18 are curved into an arch shape extending forward, the lower
portions of the side portions of the upholstery material 26 are
prevented from moving up, thus preventing slackening or development
of wrinkles in the lower portion of the upholstery material 26.
[0064] Further, because the movement of the lower side portions of
the upholstery material 26 toward the front side of the back frame
22 is prevented or reduced, the lower portion of the front-surface
portion 28a of the upholstery material 26 where the sitting person
is supported around the hip can be maintained in a properly
tensioned state and prevented from being excessively warped
backward. Thus, the lumbar support effect can be obtained and the
hip of the sitting person can be comfortably supported, thereby
providing enhanced comfort to the sitting person.
[0065] In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the side
portions of the upholstery material 26 can slide with respect to
the low-friction member 29 and the high-friction member 30 attached
to the side frames 18. Thus, effects similar to those described
above can be obtained because of the small and large sliding
resistances provided between the upholstery material 26 and the
side frames 18.
[0066] The present invention is not limited to the foregoing
embodiments and may include various other modifications or
implementations.
[0067] For example, while the low-friction members 29 are attached
to the inner surfaces of the upper side portions, excluding the
lower side portions of the upholstery material 26, the low-friction
members 29 may be omitted and only the high-friction members 30 may
be provided.
[0068] In the foregoing embodiments, the high-friction members 30
may be disposed on the inner surfaces of the side portions of the
upholstery material 26 or on the outer surfaces of the side frames
18. The high-friction members 30 may be disposed on both the outer
surfaces of the side frames 18 and the inner surfaces of the side
portions of the upholstery material 26, so that the high-friction
members 29 can be contacted with each other.
[0069] The present invention may be applied to the backrest for
conventional chairs having the seat 5 that is not inclined up or
down.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0070] 1 BASE
[0071] 2 LEG COLUMN
[0072] 3 SUPPORT BASE
[0073] 4 LOWER ASSEMBLY
[0074] 5 SEAT
[0075] 6 BASE AXLE
[0076] 7 ARM REST
[0077] 7a BACKREST PIVOTAL SUPPORT PORTION
[0078] 7b ARM PAD PORTION
[0079] 8 CURVED SURFACE
[0080] 9 BACKREST
[0081] 10 FORWARDLY EXTENDING SIDE PIECE
[0082] 11 SUPPORT AXLE
[0083] 12 CONCAVE SURFACE
[0084] 13 FIRST BIASING PORTION
[0085] 14 SECOND BIASING PORTION
[0086] 15 RUBBER TORSION UNIT
[0087] 16 FIRST LINK
[0088] 17 SECOND LINK
[0089] 18 SIDE FRAME
[0090] 19 UPPER FRAME
[0091] 20 LOWER FRAME
[0092] 21 INTERMEDIATE FRAME
[0093] 22 BACK FRAME
[0094] 23 EXTENSION FRAME
[0095] 24 TOP FRAME
[0096] 25 HEAD-REST FRAME
[0097] 26 UPHOLSTERY MATERIAL
[0098] 26a STITCHED PORTION
[0099] 27 HEAD-REST COVERING PORTION
[0100] 28 BACKREST COVERING PORTION
[0101] 28a FRONT-SURFACE PORTION
[0102] 28b BACK-SURFACE PORTION
[0103] 29 LOW-FRICTION MEMBER
[0104] 30 HIGH-FRICTION MEMBER
[0105] 31 CONCAVE GROOVE
[0106] S VERTICAL LINE
* * * * *