Chair

Abstract

A chair characterized by a frame structure formed by a single frame member having a continuously curved shape. The frame member includes an arcuate planar floor engaging portion, an arcuate inclined riser portion, and an inclined arcuate seat support portion. A seat is suspended from the frame seat support portion and may be fabricated of flexible material such as fabric, or may be of a rigid material such as molded plastic.

Description

The present invention relates generally to chairs and more particularly to a novel chair structure comprising a frame formed by a single rod-like frame member.

Chairs have in the past been constructed of rods or tubes which are bent and joined in various configurations to provide leg, seat and back elements. Such arrangements have, however, for the most part been relatively complex structures which are difficult and expensive to fabricate and which require the welding or other connection of joints during assembly. In addition, many designs of this type are strictly utilitarian in concept and lack aesthetic appeal.

In the present invention, the chair structure is characterized by a frame which is formed of a single rod-like element having a continuously curved configuration. The chair frame has no joints and thus requires no assembly steps. The frame can be made without the usual large investment in jigs, dies and related rools. While functional in concept, the chair frame nevertheless produces an attractive, graceful, free-flowing appearance in view of its continuously curved single frame member.

In brief, the present chair includes a frame comprising a single continuously curved rod-like frame member which is formed to provide an arcuate planar floor engaging portion, an arcuate ascending riser portion, and an inclined arcuate seat support portion. A chair seat is suspended from the seat support portion. The several frame portions have substantially similar radii and are joined in smoothly curved transitions.

It is accordingly a first object of the present invention to provide a chair structure having a chair frame formed of a single continuously curved rod-like frame member.

A further object of the invention is to provide a chair structure as described wherein the frame thereof is free of joints or connectors and may be readily and inexpensively fabricated.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a chair structure having a novel chair frame which provides a resilient support of the chair seat.

Another object of the invention is to provide a chair structure as described which has an attractive modern appearance and which can be decoratively and comfortably employed for interior or exterior seating purposes.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description of an embodiment thereof when taken together with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a chair embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the chair of FIG. 1 with the seat thereof partly broken away to show details of the frame member;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the chair of FIG. 1 with the seat partly broken away;

FIG. 4 is a view taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the chair of FIGS. 1-5.

Referring to the drawings, the chair generally designated 10 embodying the present invention includes a frame 11 comprising a single continuously curving generally helical frame member 12, and a seat 14 carried thereby. The frame member 12, which may be formed from a metal rod as illustrated or any other suitable rod-like element, includes an arcuate planar floor engaging portion 16, an arcuate riser portion 18 ascending therefrom, and an arcuate seat support portion 20. The three arcuate frame portions have a similar radius, and each curves smoothly into the adjacent portion.

In the preferred form of the invention illustrated, the frame portions are each less than 360.degree. in angular extent. The floor engaging portion 16 as seen in FIG. 5 extends from the lower frame member end 22 to the transition 24 with the riser portion 18 through approximately 215.degree.. The transition 24 is preferably at the rear center of the frame as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, which places the end 22 off to one side of the seat. The floor engaging portion should extend beneath the front edge of the seat support portion to provide the necessary chair stability.

The riser portion extends from the transition 24 to a transition 26 with the seat support portion through approximately 180.degree. . The seat support portion 20 forms nearly a complete circle, having an angular extent of approximately 325.degree. between the transition 26 and the upper frame end 28. The suggested angular extent of the various frame portions describe a preferred embodiment of the invention and it should be understood that these angles may be varied within the scope of the invention.

Although the riser portion 18 in the illustrated embodiment is shown as a planar arcuate portion of the frame, the riser portion may alternatively be of a helical shape. The angle .alpha. shown in FIG. 1 between the riser portion and the floor engaging portion is preferably less than 45.degree. and as illustrated is 23.degree. although this angle can be varied depending on the height of the seat desired. Similarly, the angle .beta. which the seat supporting portion 20 makes with the horizontal is preferably less than 45.degree. and in the preferred form of the invention is 30.degree. . The angle .beta. is preferably greater than the angle .alpha. .

The seat 14 in the illustrated embodiment is formed of a molded plastic and includes a generally oval shaped relatively flat bottom portion 30 and a smoothly curved back portion 32 extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom. A U-shaped peripheral flange 34 defines the outer edge of the seat and is formed to fit over the seat supporting portion 20 of the frame 12. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the frame transition 26 and the upper end 28 of the frame are concealed beneath the seat flange.

The seat 14 could alternately be made of a fabric and could be attached to the seat support portion of the frame either by sewing, lacing, hooks, zipper or any other suitable means of attachment. The shape of the seat and the means of attachment of the seat to the frame can thus be varied as desired.

In the illustrated embodiment, the arcuate chair frame curves upwardly from the floor in a counterclockwise direction. The frame may obviously be reversed in direction and curve upwardly clockwise with equally effective results. In such a case, the riser portion and the end 22 will be on the right hand side of the chair, keeping the transition 24 at the rear center of the chair.

The radius of the arcuate frame portions may differ somewhat as is illustrated in the present embodiment wherein the radius of the riser portion 18 is slightly larger than that of the floor engaging portion 16 in order to support the front edge of the seat over the front of the floor engaging portion. It may, for example, be desireable to make the radius of the chair support portion smaller than that of the floor engaging portion, although in the illustrated embodiment these portions have the same radius.

Because of the configuration of the frame member, the chair will have a certain resilient character, the amount of spring of the frame depending on the size and characteristics of the material from which the frame is fabricated. Although a metal rod is illustrated in the drawings, a steel pipe, for example 1 inch OD with a wall thickness of one-sixteenth inch to one-eighth inch, would alternately be a suitable material for the frame member and can be easily formed to the necessary shape without elaborate equipment. Conventional bending tools and techniques may be employed to form the frame in a single step operation. A radius of approximately 18 inches for the arcuate frame portions and a seat height of 15-18 inches are preferred dimensions but may of course be varied as desired.

The term "rod-like" as used in describing the frame member is considered to include either solid or hollow elongated structural elements which may have any desired cross sectional configuration. While a metal rod or tube would be the most obvious choice considering strength and cost, other materials could also be used such as plastics.

The absence of any joints or connectors in the chair frame greatly simplifies the expense and time required to manufacture the frame. The present construction further assures a practically unlimited life of the chair frame since accidental breakage, loosening of joints, or weakening of the frame is virtually impossible.

Manifestly, changes in details of construction can be effected by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined in and limited solely by the appended claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. A chair frame, comprising a generally helical single continuously curved rod-like member having a planar lowermost arcuate portion having a uniform radius of curvature adapted to rest upon a floor to support said member, and having an uppermost planar arcuate seat support portion having a uniform radius of curvature inclined to the plane of said lowermost arcuate portion.

2. A chair comprising a frame, and a seat, said frame comprising a single continuously curved rod-like frame member, said frame member including a horizontal arcuate planar floor engaging portion having a uniform radius of curvature, a planar arcuate riser portion having a uniform radius of curvature extending from one end of said floor engaging portion, the plane of said riser portion being inclined at an acute angle to that of said floor engaging portion, and a planar arcuate seat support portion having a uniform radius of curvature extending from the upper end of said riser portion, the plane of said seat support portion being inclined at an acute angle with respect to that of said floor engaging portion, the transitions between said adjoining frame portions comprising smoothly curved continuations of the arcs of said respective portions, said seat being peripherally supported by said arcuate seat support portion.

3. A chair frame comprising a single continuously curved rod-like frame member, said frame member including a horizontal arcuate planar floor engaging portion having a uniform radius of curvature, a planar arcuate riser portion having a uniform radius of curvature extending from one end of said floor engaging portion, the plane of said riser portion being inclined at an acute angle to that of said floor engaging portion, and a planar arcuate seat support portion having a uniform radius of curvature extending from the upper end of said riser portion, the plane of said seat support portion being inclined at an acute angle to that of said floor engaging portion, the transitions between said adjoining frame portions comprising smoothly curved continuations of the arcs of said respective portions.

4. A chair frame as claimed in claim 3 wherein the transition between said riser portion and said seat support portion is centered at the front of the chair.

5. A chair frame as claimed in claim 3 wherein the planes of each of said planar floor engaging, riser and seat support portions are perpendicular to a reference plane passing vertically through the chair frame along the front-to-rear axis thereof.

6. A chair frame as claimed in claim 3 wherein the radii of the arcuate frame portions are substantially equal.

7. A chair frame as claimed in claim 3 wherein said frame member is formed of a single metal rod.

8. A chair frame as claimed in claim 3 wherein said frame member is formed of a metal tube.

9. A chair frame as claimed in claim 3 wherein the arcuate extent of said floor engaging portion comprises approximately 215.degree. , the arcuate extent of said riser portion comprises approximately 180.degree. , and the arcuate extent of said seat supporting portion comprises approximately 325.degree. .

10. A chair frame as claimed in claim 6, the transition between said floor engaging portion and said riser portion being centered at the rear of the chair.

11. A chair frame as claimed in claim 3 wherein said floor engaging portion extends beneath the front edge of said seat support portion.