The present invention relates generally to the field of furniture, and more particularly to a tubular chair construction.
Tubular chairs are generally well known. Tubular chairs typically include a tubular metal frame, which is welded together, and seat and back members affixed to the frame. Tubular chairs may be used in institutional or commercial settings, such as schools, offices, hotels, convention centers and the like. Tubular chairs may also be used in home settings as extra chairs or as outdoor furniture such as patio furniture and the like.
Tubular chairs need to be relatively rugged, but relatively inexpensive and lightweight. It is difficult to achieve all three of these goals. Particular problems exist in affixing the chair seat and back to the frame. Generally, the seat and back portions are attached to the frame using screws, rivets, or the like. Such connectors tend to become loose or structurally damaged through use. A common material for seat and back portions is molded plastic. Molded plastic often fails in the area of the connectors.
Another problem in conventional tubular chairs is providing suitable feet or the like at the bottoms of the legs. In order to make tubular furniture stackable, it is usually necessary for the legs to be angled rather than vertical. Conventional tubular chairs typically has metal buttons or pads at the bottoms of the legs. It is difficult to connect the buttons or pads such that they are positioned flat on a supporting surface.
Another problem with conventional tubular chairs is providing a suitable arm rest. Typically, arm rests are connected to the chair frame by screws or other fasteners. These fasteners tend to become loose, thereby causing the arm rest to separate from the frame.
The present invention provides a chair. The chair of the present invention includes a tubular U-shaped back frame. The back frame defines a pair of spaced apart back legs. A pair of tubular L-shaped side members, each of which defines a front leg and an arm, are connected the back legs. A tubular U-shaped seat frame is connected to each of the front legs and each of the back legs. A connecting member is connected across the seat frame adjacent the connections of the seat frame to the back legs.
The seat frame has a circular cross-section and includes a pair of spaced apart side bars and a front bar connected between the side bars. A seat member is mounted to the seat frame. The seat member has a shape and size congruent with the seat frame. The seat member has a front edge and a pair of spaced apart side edges. The front and side edges have a partial circular edge profile adapted to fit with the front and side bars, respectively. The front bar of the seat frame has a pair of spaced apart pin holes. The front edge of the seat member includes a pair of spaced apart pins engaged with the pin holes of the front bar.
The chair of the present invention may have arm rests connected to each said arm. The arms of the arm members have a circular cross-section. The arm rests are generally cylindrical and have an inside diameter substantially equal to the outside diameter of the arm member The arm rest has an axially extending slot having a width less than the outside diameter of said arm member. The arm rest is made of a flexible material such that the arm rest can be snapped onto the arm member, with said arm member passing through said slot. The arm member may have at least one pin hole and the arm rest has a pin engageable with said pin hole.
The chair of the present invention includes a foot pivotally connected to each of the legs. Each of the legs includes a tubular end. A foot according to the present invention includes a plug insertable into an end of a leg. The plug has a partial spherical socket surface. The plug includes leg wall engaging members. A tapered bore extends between the leg wall engaging members. A foot member having a partial spherical ball surface is engageable with the partial socket surface of the plug. The foot member also includes a partial spherical socket surface disposed opposite the partial ball surface. A threaded member is engaged with the bore to hold the partial ball surface of said foot member in contact with said partial socket surface of the plug and urge said leg wall engaging members into engagement with the leg. A washer having a partial ball surface engageable with the partial socket surface of the foot member is disposed between the head of the treaded member and the socket surface of the foot member. The threaded member urges the washer into contact with the foot member.
Referring now to the drawings, and first to
Chair 11 also includes a pair of spaced-apart tubular L-shaped side members 25 and 27. Side members 25 and 27 include generally horizontal arms 29 and 31, respectively. The ends of arms 29 and 31 are connected, preferably by welding, to back frame 13. As will be explained in detail hereinafter, arm members 29 and 31 have a affixed thereto armrests 49 and 51, respectively. Side members 25 and 27 also include leg members 33 and 35, respectively, having feet 23 at their bottom ends.
Chair 11 includes a tubular U-shaped seat frame 37. Seat frame 37 includes a front bar 39 and spaced-apart side bars 41 and 43. Side bar 41 is connected by welding or the like to legs 21 and 35. Similarly, side bar 43 is connected by welding or the like to leg members 19 and 33.
As will be explained in detail hereinafter, seat frame 37 supports a seat member 47. Seat member 47 is preferably made of molded plastic. As is best shown in
Referring now to
As shown in
The combination of seat member 47 and seat frame 37 provides a strong, lightweight and aesthetically pleasing seating surface. The channel 55 and pins 59 cooperate with seat frame 37 and support bar 73 to provide a high strength attachment. Seat back 17 is attached to back frame 13 using a similar combination of a tubular frame, channel and pins.
Referring now to
Arm rest 49 can be quickly and easily installed on arm 29 without using any tools. A customer or assembler simply positions slot 81 on arm 29 with pins 83 and 85 generally aligned with pin holes 75 and 77. The assembler then press arm rest 49 onto arm 29, which causes slot 81 to spread and snap onto arm 29. If necessary, slight axial adjustment causes the pins to engage the pin holes. Once assembled, arm rest 49 remains solidly affixed to arm 29 over the life of the chair.
Referring now to
Plug 91 includes an outwardly facing spherical socket surface 107. A foot member 109 has an inwardly facing spherical ball surface 111 that engages socket surface 107. Foot member 109 has a radially outwardly extending foot flange 113 that is adapted to contact a supporting surface. The ball and socket engagement of foot member 109 with plug 91 makes it possible for foot flange 113 to be mounted level with the supporting surface regardless of the angular orientation of leg 33. Foot member 109 has an outwardly facing spherical socket surface 115 a washer 117 having a spherical ball surface 119 is provided. Ball surface 119 engages socket surface 115. A lock washer 121 may be provided.
The foot assembly of the present invention can be assembled with only a screwdriver or hex key by a customer or assembler. The foot is self-leveling to provide a solid footing regardless of angle of the leg. The foot thus can accommodate variation in leg angle in construction or through use. The foot assembly of the present invention finds application in other tubular furniture applications, such as tables.
From the foregoing, it may be seen that the present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art. A chair made according to the present invention is strong, durable, lightweight and aesthetically pleasing. The chair may be assembled quickly and easily by a person of virtually any level of skill without the need for specialized tools. Features of the invention find application in other furniture types besides chairs.
The present invention has been illustrated and described with respect to presently preferred embodiments. Certain features of the invention may be used independently of, or in combination with, other features, all as would be apparent to one skilled in the art.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20040090105 A1 | May 2004 | US |