U.S. patent application number 14/098029 was filed with the patent office on 2014-06-05 for ganging device for chair.
This patent application is currently assigned to Michigan Tube Swagers & Fabricators, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Michigan Tube Swagers & Fabricators, Inc.. Invention is credited to Joshua Paul Swy.
Application Number | 20140152059 14/098029 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50824727 |
Filed Date | 2014-06-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140152059 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Swy; Joshua Paul |
June 5, 2014 |
GANGING DEVICE FOR CHAIR
Abstract
A ganging system for a chair includes a first support
interconnected with the chair adjacent the first side of the chair
and a first ganging member slidably supported by the support. The
first ganging member has a retracted position, a fully extended
position, and at least one intermediate partially extended
position. A second support is interconnected with the chair
adjacent the second side of the chair and a second ganging member
is supported by the second support. The ganging members have
ganging features that interconnect with the ganging feature of a
like chair so as to interconnect the chairs.
Inventors: |
Swy; Joshua Paul;
(Lambertville, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Michigan Tube Swagers & Fabricators, Inc. |
Temperance |
MI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Michigan Tube Swagers &
Fabricators, Inc.
Temperance
MI
|
Family ID: |
50824727 |
Appl. No.: |
14/098029 |
Filed: |
December 5, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61733638 |
Dec 5, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
297/188.01 ;
297/248 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 1/124 20130101;
A47C 7/624 20180801; A47C 7/62 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/188.01 ;
297/248 |
International
Class: |
A47C 1/124 20060101
A47C001/124; A47C 7/62 20060101 A47C007/62 |
Claims
1. A ganging system for a chair of the type having a generally
horizontal seat supported by four legs, the chair having a first
side and a second side, the ganging system comprising: a first
support interconnected with the chair adjacent the first side of
the chair; a first ganging member slidably supported by the
support, the first ganging member having a retracted position, a
fully extended position and at least one intermediate partially
extended position, the first ganging member extending from the
first side of the chair in the partially extended and fully
extended positions; a second support interconnected with the chair
adjacent the second side of the chair; and a second ganging member
supported by the second support; wherein the first ganging member
has a first ganging feature and the second ganging member has a
second ganging feature, the first ganging feature configured to
engage the second ganging feature of a like chair so as to
interconnect the chair and the like chair.
2. A ganging system in accordance with claim 1, wherein: one of the
ganging members has an opening defined therein, the opening sized
to receive and hold a drinking cup.
3. A ganging system in accordance with claim 2, wherein: the
ganging member with the opening defined therein is the first
ganging member.
4. A ganging system in accordance with claim 2, further comprising:
a bottom support disposed below the opening for supporting a bottom
of a drinking cup received in the opening.
5. A ganging system in accordance with claim 4, wherein: the bottom
support is pivotally interconnected with the ganging member.
6. A ganging system in accordance with claim 1, wherein: the first
ganging member has at least one detent defined therein; and a
spring loaded detent element engaging the detent in the first
ganging member when the ganging member is in the partially extended
position so as to retain the first ganging member in the partially
extended position.
7. A ganging system in accordance with claim 1, wherein: the second
ganging member is slidably supported by the second support, the
second ganging member having a retracted position and an extended
position.
8. A ganging system in accordance with claim 1, wherein: one of the
ganging features is a tab and the other of the ganging features is
a slot for receiving the tab of a like chair.
9. A ganging system in accordance with claim 8, wherein: the slot
is a generally horizontal slot and the tab extends downwardly.
10. A ganging system for a chair of the type having a generally
horizontal seat supported by four legs, the chair having a first
side and a second side, the ganging device comprising: a ganging
member interconnected with one of the sides of the chair, the
ganging member having a ganging feature for engaging a ganging
feature of another ganging member, the ganging member having a
drink holder defined therein for receiving a drinking cup.
11. A ganging system in accordance with claim 10, wherein: the
drink holder includes a generally circular opening in the ganging
member.
12. A ganging system in accordance with claim 11, further
comprising: a bottom support disposed below the opening for
supporting a bottom of a drinking cup received in the opening.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This patent application claims priority to U.S. provisional
patent application Ser. No. 61/733,638, filed Dec. 5, 2012, the
content of which is incorporated herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a ganging device
for chairs.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Banquet halls, convention halls, and auditoriums often use
individual chairs to provide seating, with the chairs being
rearranged depending on the type of event. When the chairs are
arranged in rows, it is sometimes desirable to interlock the chairs
into rows. This may be referred to as "ganging" the chairs. For
this purpose, some chairs include ganging devices or ganger
brackets for interlocking each chair with its immediately adjacent
neighboring chair or chairs. These ganging devices typically take
the form of some type of hook that extends from one side of the
chair and a corresponding engagement opening on the opposite side
of the chair. When two chairs with compatible ganging devices are
arranged side by side, they may be interlocked by the hook portion
of one ganging device engaging the opening in the corresponding
ganging device of its neighboring chair.
[0004] While ganging devices are useful when chairs are arranged
into rows, it may also be desirable to use the chairs without the
ganging devices. For this purpose, it is desirable to have ganging
devices that may be retracted when not in use.
[0005] When chairs are ganged into rows, the ganging devices
typically place the chairs at a fixed distance relative to one
another. Depending on the event, it may be desirable to have the
chairs interlocked or ganged very close to one another, to maximize
the number of chairs in a given area. For other events, it may be
desirable to interlock or gang the chairs with greater spacing, in
order to increase the comfort of occupants.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides a ganging system for a chair
of the type having a generally horizontal seat supported by four
legs. The chair has a first side and a second side. The ganging
system includes a first support interconnected with the chair
adjacent the first side of the chair and a first ganging member
slidably supported by the support. The first ganging member has a
retracted position, a fully extended position, and at least one
intermediate partially extended position. The first ganging member
extends from the first side of the chair in the partially extended
and fully extended positions. A second support is interconnected
with the chair adjacent the second side of the chair. A second
ganging member is supported by the second support. The first
ganging member has a first ganging feature and the second ganging
member has a second ganging feature. The first ganging feature is
configured to engage the second ganging feature of a like chair so
as to interconnect the chair and the like chair.
[0007] In certain embodiments, one of the ganging members has an
opening defined therein, the opening sized to receive and hold a
drinking cup. The ganging member with the opening defined therein
may be the first ganging member. A bottom support may be provided,
with the bottom support disposed below the opening for supporting a
bottom of a drinking cup received in the opening. The bottom
support may be pivotally interconnected with the ganging
member.
[0008] In certain embodiments, the first ganging member has at
least one detent defined therein and a spring-loaded detent element
is provided that engages the detent in the first ganging member
when the ganging member is in the partially extended position so as
to retain the first ganging member in the partially extended
position.
[0009] In certain embodiments, the second ganging member is
slidably supported by the second support and has a retracted
position and an extended position.
[0010] In certain embodiments, one of the ganging features is a tab
and the other of the ganging features is a slot for receiving the
tab of a like chair. In some versions, the slot is a generally
horizontal slot and the tab extends downwardly.
[0011] The present invention also provides a ganging system that
includes a ganging member interconnected with one of the sides of a
chair. The ganging member has a ganging feature for engaging a
ganging feature of another ganging member and the ganging member
has a drink holder defined therein for receiving a drinking cup. In
some versions, the drink holder includes a generally circular
opening in the ganging member. A bottom support may be provided
below the opening for supporting a bottom of a drinking cup
received in the opening.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pair of chairs
interconnected by ganging devices in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a chair with ganging
devices in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
with the ganging devices in their fully extended positions;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the chair of FIG.
2;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view of a ganging device in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with the
ganging device in a partially extended intermediate position;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 with the ganging device
extended at a second intermediate position;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIGS. 4 and 5 with the ganging
device in a fully extended position;
[0018] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a ganging device in accordance
with the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a view of a ganging device for use in association
with the ganging device of FIGS. 4-7, with the ganging device in a
retracted position;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a view of the ganging device of FIG. 8 with the
ganging device in an extended position;
[0021] FIG. 10 is a detailed view of two chairs interconnected
using ganging devices in accordance with the present invention,
wherein one of the ganging devices is in a partially extended
intermediate position;
[0022] FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 with one of the ganging
devices in a second intermediate position;
[0023] FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIGS. 10 and 11 with one of the
ganging devices in a fully extended position;
[0024] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a pair of chairs
interconnected by ganging devices in accordance with a second
embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of a chair with ganging
devices in accordance with the second embodiment of the present
invention, with the ganging devices in their fully extended
positions;
[0026] FIG. 15 is a detailed perspective view of a ganging device
in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention,
with the ganging device in a fully retracted position;
[0027] FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 15 with the ganging device
in a fully extended position;
[0028] FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16 with the ganging device
shown at a different angle;
[0029] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a ganging device for use in
association with the ganging device of FIGS. 15-17, with a ganging
device in an extended position;
[0030] FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 18 with the ganging device
in a retracted position; and
[0031] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a pair of ganging devices
both in extended positions and interconnected with one another.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] The present invention provides ganging devices for use with
chairs wherein it is desirable to interconnect like chairs in a
side-by-side row. Referring to FIG. 1, a first chair is shown at 10
and a second chair is shown at 12. The chair 10 has a first ganging
member 14 extending from a first side of the chair and a second
ganging member 16 extending from a second side of the chair. The
second chair 12 has a first ganging member 18 extending from a
first side of the chair and a second ganging member 20 extending
from a second side of the chair. The second ganging member 20 of
the second chair 12 is interconnected with the first ganging member
14 of the first chair 10, thereby interlocking the chairs in a
side-by-side arrangement.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the first chair 10 is shown in
more detail. The chair 10 has a generally horizontal seat cushion
22 that is supported by four legs 24. The chair 10 may be said to
have a first side 26 and an opposed second side 28. The first
ganging member 14 is interconnected with the first side 26 and the
second ganging member 16 is interconnected with the second side 28.
In the illustrated embodiment, the first ganging member 14 is a
generally planar member having an upper surface 30 and an opposed
lower surface 32. The ganging member 14 is slidably received by a
support 34 interconnected with the chair 10. The ganging member 14
has an outer end 36 with a receiving slot 38 defined therethrough.
The slot 38 may be considered a ganging feature that cooperates
with a corresponding ganging feature for interlocking ganging
member 14 with an adjacent ganging member. By sliding the ganging
member 14 in the support 34, the position of the outer end 36
relative to the side 26 of the chair 10 may be adjusted. In a fully
retracted position, the ganging member 14 may be mostly hidden with
the outer end 36 retracted almost completely into the support 34.
This is a non-use position.
[0034] Referring now to FIG. 2, the second ganging member 16 is
also a generally planar member. It is also slidably supported by a
support 40 that interconnects it with the second side 28 of the
chair 10. It is shown in the fully extended position. The ganging
member 16 has an outer end 42 with a downwardly extending tab 44.
As will be clear to those of skill in the art, the tab 44 may
engage the slot 38 of a ganging device 14 of an adjacent like
chair, thereby interconnecting the chairs in a side-by-side
arrangement.
[0035] In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the first
ganging member 14 has a plurality of positions. These include a
fully retracted non-use or storage position wherein the ganging
member is mostly hidden. The ganging member is placed in this fully
retracted position when the chair is not ganged into a row. The
ganging member 14 also has a fully extended position, as shown in
FIG. 3, and at least one intermediate partially extended position.
In some embodiments, it has two or more intermediate positions.
FIG. 4 shows the ganging member 14 in a first intermediate
partially extended position. As shown, the ganging member 14
extends from the side 26 of the chair 10 by only a short distance.
FIG. 5 shows the ganging member 14 in a second intermediate
partially extended position. In this second intermediate position,
the ganging device extends farther from the side 26 of the chair
10. FIG. 6 shows the ganging device 14 in a fully extended
position.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 6, some embodiments of a ganging member in
accordance with the present invention include a drink holder. FIG.
6 illustrates this version of the ganging member. However, this
feature may be eliminated from other embodiments. In the
illustrated embodiment, the drink holder takes the form of an
opening 50 in the upper surface 30 of the ganging member 14. The
opening 50 is sized so as to receive a typical drinking cup. In
some versions, the opening is 3 to 5 inches in diameter, and
generally circular. Referring to both FIGS. 6 and 7, some
embodiments of the ganging member 14 including the drink holding
feature further include a bottom support 52 for supporting the
bottom of a cup disposed in the opening 50. The bottom support 50
may take a variety of forms. In the illustrated embodiment, the
support 52 is a thin wire that is pivotally interconnected with the
lower surface 32 of the ganging member 14. As the ganging member 14
slides into the support 34, the support 34 causes the bottom
support 52 to pivot upwardly so as to be flush with the underside
32 of the ganging member 14. When the ganging member 14 is slid
outwardly to the fully extended position, the bottom support 52
pivots downwardly so as to provide support directly below the
opening 50.
[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, the ganging member 14 has a
pair of slots 54 and 56 extending parallel to one another and
parallel to side edges 58 and 60 of the ganging member 14. The side
edges 58 and 60 extend between the outer end 36 and an inner end 62
of the ganging device. Pins 62 and 64 engage the slots and act as
travel limits for the ganging member 14. In some embodiments, the
ganging device 14 may be slid to any position between the fully
retracted and fully extended positions and used in any position.
However, in preferred embodiments, a detent system is provided for
retaining the ganging device in the intermediate positions. For
this purpose, recesses 68 and 70 are provided in the side surfaces
58 and 60. Spring loaded detent elements 72 and 74 engage these
recesses 68 and 70 when the ganging member is in the first
intermediate position and second intermediate position,
respectively. This feature helps a user to locate all ganging
devices of a row of chairs in the same position so as to provide
consistent spacing. The ganging member 14 may be moved to a
different position by applying sufficient force to the ganging
member to overcome the resistance of the spring loaded detent
members 72 and 74.
[0038] As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the outer end 36 of the
ganging member 14 may be bent downwardly at a small angle and the
slot 38 may be provided in this downwardly bent portion. This may
simplify ganging of adjacent chairs.
[0039] Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, the second ganging member 16
is shown. The ganging member 16 has a generally planar body 80 that
slides in the support 40 between the retracted position shown in
FIG. 8 and the extended position shown in FIG. 9. The tab 44 in the
illustrated embodiment extends generally perpendicularly downwardly
from the body 80. In the illustrated embodiment, the second ganging
member 16 is much smaller than the first ganging member and does
not include a drink holder. The second ganging member 16 has a slot
82 defined therein. A pin in the support 40 engages the slot and
acts as a travel limit.
[0040] FIG. 10 illustrates two like chairs interconnected by a
first ganging member 14 and a second ganging member 16. The first
ganging member is in the first intermediate position and the second
ganging member 16 is in the fully extended position. FIG. 11
illustrates the same chairs interconnected by the ganging members
14 and 16, with ganging member 14 in the second intermediate
position. As shown, because the first ganging member 14 extends
farther from the side of the chair in the second intermediate
position, the chairs are spaced apart by a greater distance in FIG.
11 than in FIG. 10. FIG. 12 illustrates the same chairs and ganging
members 14 and 16 with the first ganging member 14 in a fully
extended position. In the fully extended position, the chairs are
spaced farther apart than in FIG. 11. Additionally, the drink
holder feature of the ganging member 14 may be used in this fully
extended position.
[0041] Referring now to FIGS. 13-20, a second embodiment of a
ganging system will be discussed. The second embodiment is similar
to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-12. Therefore, the discussion will be
mostly limited to features of the second embodiment that differ
from the first embodiment. FIG. 13 shows a first chair 110 and a
second chair 112. The first chair 110 has a first ganging member
114 extending from a first side of the chair and a second ganging
member 116 extending from a second side of the chair. The second
chair 112 has a first ganging member 118 extending from a first
side of the chair and a second ganging member 120 extending from a
second side of the chair. The second ganging member 120 of the
second chair 112 is interconnected with the first ganging member
114 of the first chair 110, thereby interlocking the chairs in a
side-by-side arrangement. FIG. 14 shows chair 110 in more
detail.
[0042] FIGS. 15-17 show the first ganging member 114 in more
detail. In the illustrated embodiment, the first ganging member 114
is generally planar and is slidably supported by a support 134 that
interconnects with the frame of the chair 110. FIG. 15 shows the
ganging member 114 in a fully retracted position while FIGS. 16 and
17 show the ganging member 114 in a fully extended position. The
ganging member may also have one, two, or more intermediate
positions, such as defined by recesses 168 and 170. These recesses
may be engaged by spring-loaded detent elements, not shown. Other
approaches to retaining the ganging member in various positions may
also be used. Unlike the embodiment of FIGS. 1-12, the ganging
member 114 does not have slots that engage pins. As with the prior
embodiment, the ganging member may have an opening 150 defined
therein sized to receive and support a cup, thereby acting as a
drink holder. In this embodiment, the opening 150 is formed in a
cup holder insert 151 that is recessed into the remainder of the
ganging member 114. This allows the use of dissimilar materials.
The cup holder insert 151 may have compliant elements 153 that
extend inwardly from the perimeter of the opening 150 so as to more
securely support cups of various sizes. As best shown in FIG. 17, a
bottom support 152 may also be provided, and be pivotally
interconnected with the ganging member 114.
[0043] In this embodiment, the ganging feature of the ganging
member 114 takes the form of a tab 139 that extends generally
perpendicularly downwardly from the remainder of the ganging member
114.
[0044] Referring now to FIGS. 18 and 19, the second ganging member
116 is shown along with a support 140 that slidably receives the
ganging member 116. This ganging member is similar to the second
ganging member of the first embodiment except that the ganging
feature takes the form of a slot 145 in the body of the ganging
member 116. The slot is sized and positioned to receive the
downwardly extending tab 139 of the first ganging member 114.
[0045] Referring now to FIG. 20, a first ganging member 114 is
shown engaged with a second ganging member 120, with each ganging
member being in its extended position. In alternative versions of
either embodiment of the present invention, the ganging members may
be retractable or non-retractable and may be provided with or
without cup holder openings. While the invention is illustrated as
having a cup holder at only one side of the chair, in one of the
ganging members, the cup holder may be provided in either or both
ganging members. In further alternatives, the ganging members may
be provided with other types and shapes of ganging features for
interconnecting like chairs.
[0046] As will be clear to those of skill in the art, the herein
described embodiments of the present invention may be altered in
various ways without departing from the scope or teaching of the
present invention. As such, this disclosure should be interpreted
broadly. It is the following claims, including all equivalents,
which define the scope of the present invention.
* * * * *