U.S. patent number 3,815,955 [Application Number 05/319,627] was granted by the patent office on 1974-06-11 for chair construction.
This patent grant is currently assigned to The Vecta Group, Inc.. Invention is credited to Charles A. Gibilterra.
United States Patent |
3,815,955 |
Gibilterra |
June 11, 1974 |
CHAIR CONSTRUCTION
Abstract
Chair construction having independent back and seat support
means, preferably including a pair of substantially identical side
frame members of tubular metal or the like having generally
U-shaped configuration. The back and the seat are secured to the
side frame members, but move independently of each other without
the assistance of springs or other tensioning means. One of the
upwardly-extending shanks of each U-shaped side frame member
terminates in a loop which provides an arm rest, and the bight of
each side frame member provides a base means.
Inventors: |
Gibilterra; Charles A. (Sherman
Oaks, CA) |
Assignee: |
The Vecta Group, Inc.
(Kalamazoo, MI)
|
Family
ID: |
23243061 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/319,627 |
Filed: |
December 29, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/295;
297/447.3; 297/451.7; 297/448.2; 297/451.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C
3/023 (20130101); A47C 5/04 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47C
5/00 (20060101); A47C 5/04 (20060101); A47c
003/023 () |
Field of
Search: |
;297/294,295,296,297,445 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
172,680 |
|
Jan 1935 |
|
CH |
|
443,655 |
|
Mar 1936 |
|
GB |
|
Primary Examiner: Zugel; Francis K.
Claims
I claim:
1. A chair comprising a pair of substantially identical, spaced,
flexible side frames each frame being a single elongated member and
including a first upwardly-extending shank, a bight, and a second
upwardly-extending shank; and first upwardly-extending shank having
a terminal portion angled rearwardly and the rest angled forwardly
relative to said bight and said second upwardly-extending shank
terminating in a rearwardly-extending and downwardly-depending loop
situated between said first and second shanks and having a
forwardly-extending terminal portion which terminates short of said
second upwardly-extending shank;
a back means positioned between the terminal portions of said first
upwardly-extending shanks and secured thereto; and
a seat means positioned between the forwardly-extending terminal
portions of said loops and secured thereto;
said back means and said seat means being substantially independent
of each other and being adapted for independent movement relative
to each other, said bights together forming a base for said chair,
and all parts of each side frame lying in a generally vertical
common plane.
2. The chair in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first
upwardly-extending shanks are adapted to flex so as to allow a
resiliently restrained backward movement of said back.
3. The chair in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second
upwardly-extending shanks are adapted to flex so as to allow
resiliently restrained downward movement of said seat.
4. The chair in accordance with claim 1 wherein said back means and
said seat means are removably secured to said side frame
members.
5. The chair in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said side
frames is made of an elongated tubular member.
6. The chair in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said side
frames is made of stainless steel tubing.
7. The chair in accordance with claim 1 wherein said terminal
portions of the first upwardly-extending shanks are provided with a
plurality of transverse openings; wherein said terminal portions of
the loops are provided with a plurality of transverse openings;
wherein sleeve means in said shanks surround each of said openings;
wherein fastening means comprising headed, elongated fastening
elements extend through said sleeve means and said openings and
into said back means and said seat means; and wherein the head of
each said fastening element abuts a corresponding sleeve means.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a chair construction and more
particularly to a chair construction which is relatively simple
while providing a chair which is light in weight and which provides
firm but comfortable support for the user. The chair may be shipped
disassembled in a compact package and can be readily assembled for
use.
Numerous chairs have been proposed in the prior art using metal
frame members, usually tubular, bent to form back and seat supports
and providing resiliency for flexure in use. Such chairs have been
relatively inexpensive but have had a number of disadvantages. For
example, such chairs have not provided the proper support for the
user, being generally uncomfortable especially when used for an
extended period of time. Prior art chairs have also been bulky to
ship, even when shipped disassembled. Additionally, when prior art
chairs have been shipped disassembled, they have been difficult to
assemble for use. This invention has been evolved with the general
object of overcoming the disadvantages of prior art chairs and of
providing a light-weight chair which provides firm, comfortable
support for the user.
Another object of the invention is to provide a chair which can be
shipped disassembled in a compact package and which can be readily
assembled for use.
A further object of the invention is to provide a chair having a
minimum number of component parts and which is readily and
economically manufacturable.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide side frame
members which are adapted for use with seats and backs of various
constructions to provide complete chairs.
Still other objects, features and advantages of this invention will
become more fully apparent from the following detailed description,
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, a chair is provided in which a seat and
a back are independently supported from a pair of spaced side
frames which are preferably adapted to flex in a manner such as to
allow resiliently restrained backward movement of the back and
resiliently restrained downward movement of the seat. With this
arrangement, the chair provides firm but very comfortable support
and can be used for extended periods of time without fatique.
This invention contemplates a chair which comprises a pair of
spaced, flexible side frames. Each side frame is formed from a
single elongated member and includes a back-supporting portion
adjacent one end of the elongated member, a rear leg portion
connected to the back-supporting portion and extending downwardly
therefrom, a base portion connected to the rear leg portion and
extending forwardly substantially horizontally therefrom, and a
front leg portion connected to the base portion and extending
upwardly therefrom. In addition, an arm-supporting portion is
connected to the front leg portion and curves rearwardly toward the
back-supporting portion, and a seat-receiving portion, situated
adjacent to the other end of said elongated member, is connected to
the arm-supporting portion and curves downwardly therefrom and from
the back-supporting portion, and also extends forwardly toward the
front leg portion. A back means is positioned between the aforesaid
back-supporting portions of the side frames and is secured thereto,
and a seat means is positioned between the seat-receiving portions
of the side frames and is secured thereto.
According to a specific feature of this invention, a pair of spaced
side frame members having a generally U-shaped configuration are
provided and are connected together by the seat and by the back.
The bight of each side frame member defines a base means. An
integral, first upwardly-extending shank of each side frame member
is secured to the back, and an integral second upwardly-extending
shank of each side frame member is secured to the seat. Preferably
the terminal portion of first upwardly-extending shank is angled
rearwardly and the rest of first upwardly-extending shank is angled
forwardly relative to the bight, and the second upwardly-extending
shank terminates in a rearwardly-extending and downwardly-depending
loop which defines arm rests and provides connecting sites for the
seat at the terminal portion of the loop. In such manner flexure of
the seat-supporting portions allows resiliently restrained movement
of the seat, primarily in a downwardly direction, and to a limited
extent, in a rearward direction. The result of this support of the
seat, combined with the independent back support, is a chair which
is firm but very comfortable.
To secure the back and the seat to the side frame members, a
plurality of transverse openings is provided in the first
upwardly-extending shank and in the loop portion of the side frame
members through which fastening elements such as screws or bolts
are extended. With this feature, and with each side frame member
being in a common generally vertical plane, the side frame members
can be substantially identical, thereby facilitating manufacture
and also permitting shipping of the chair "knocked down" or
disassembled in a compact package, the chair being readily
assembled for use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
In the drawing,
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chair construction according to
the invention;
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the chair of FIG. 1 with
portions broken away to show interior detail; and
FIG. 3 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken along line
3--3 of FIG. 2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the FIGURES, reference numeral 10 generally designates a chair
constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention.
Chair 10 comprises seat 11, back 12 and a pair of spaced,
substantially identical side frame members 13 and 14, preferably of
tubular metal, and most preferably of stainless steel tubing. Side
frame member 13 is similar to side frame member 14 and comprises
first upwardly-extending shank 15 extending generally vertically,
including terminal portion 15a secured against one side of back 12
and preferably angled rearwardly and the rest or main portion 15b
which is preferably angled forwardly, both relative to base means
such as bight 16.
Second upwardly-extending shank 17 extends upwardly from the
forward end of bight 16 and terminates in rearwardly-extending and
downwardly-depending loop 18 which provides arm rest 19. Terminal
portion 20 of loop 18 extends forwardly toward shank 17 and
provides connecting sites for seat 11 which is secured to terminal
portion 20 and to the corresponding portion of member 14 at
opposite sides. A pair of screws 21 and 22 is provided for securing
terminal portion 20 to one side of seat 11 and another pair of
screws 23 and 24 is provided for securing terminal portion 15a to
one side of back 12. As shown in FIG. 3, screw 21 includes a head
portion 21a and elongated portion 21b, the elongated portion 21b
being extended through sleeve 26 and through opening 27 provided in
the inside wall of terminal portion 20. Opening 27 has an inside
diameter just slightly larger than the outside diameter of
elongated portion 21b. Preferably, opening 28 is provided in the
outside wall of terminal portion 20, having an inside diameter
slightly larger than the outside diameter of head portion 21a and
sleeve 26 has a length such as to position the outer end of head
portion 21a just inside the outer surface of terminal portion 20.
The illustrated head portion 21a is provided with a suitable
hexagonal socket 21c for receiving an Allen wrench. A similar
construction is used for screws 22, 23 and 24 and for the screws on
the opposite side of the chair used to secure side frame member 14
to the opposite side of seat 11 and to the opposite side of back
12.
The chair of this invention can thus be readily assembled requiring
only eight screws, four on each side. It is also noted that side
frame members 13 and 14 are substantially identical, all portions
of each member being in a common vertical plane. Thus with this
feature, manufacture is facilitated and, also, the chair can be
shipped knocked down or disassembled in a very compact package.
By way of example, side frame members 13 and 14 are of tubular
stainless steel having an outer diameter of one inch and a wall
thickness of approximately 3/32 inches. Suitable plugs 29 and 30
are provided for closing the ends of member 13, the
reduced-diameter body portions of plugs 29 and 30 being inserted
into the ends of side frame member 13 with a press fit. A similar
pair of plugs is provided for side frame member 14.
In the illustrated chair 10, seat 11 is formed by a generally
rectangular frame of wood including front and rear portions 31 and
32 and side portions 33 and 34, supporting cane web 35. Similarly,
back 12 is formed by a generally rectangular wood frame including
lower and upper portions 37 and 38 and side portions 39 and 40,
supporting cane web 41. It will be understood that upholstered or
other types of seats and backs such as plastic or metal seats and
backs may be used, as desired.
In use, the weight of a person sitting on seat 11 causes rearward
flexure of shank 17, opening of loop 18, downward flexure of arm
rest 19, and flexure of terminal portion 20 downwardly. With the
proportions as illustrated, seat 11 moves downwardly and slightly
rearwardly, but its angular position relative to the floor is
substantially unchanged. The effect of flexure of shank 17 and arm
rest 19 which would tend to elevate the front of the seat 11
relative to the rear, is offset by the opening of loop 18 and the
flexure of terminal portion 20 the effect of which is to lower the
front of the seat relative to the rear. Arm rest 19 remains
generally parallel to seat 11. Pressure against back 12 causes it
to move rearwardly with flexure of shank 15. The overall result is
a relatively firm but very comfortable support with which the
muscles of the user are not strained.
While in the foregoing specification this invention has been
described in relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and
many details have been set forth for purpose of illustration, it
will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is
susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the
details described herein can be varied considerably without
departing from the basic principles of the invention.
* * * * *