CHAIR

Abstract

A chair includes a frame for supporting a seat and a backrest. The frame is provided with legs for resting on the ground. The chair includes the seat and the backrest. At least the backrest is fixed to the frame by virtue of interlocking elements.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 (b) to Italian Patent Application No. 102023000015105, filed on Jul. 19, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention relates to a chair.

Nowadays, a considerable quantity of types of chairs are widely available on the market.

These usually have a frame, provided with legs for resting on the ground, which supports a seat and a backrest and couples them together.

Normally, the backrest and the seat are joined to the frame using fixing means such as screws, bolts, nails, pegs, etc.

The sight of such fixing means leads to an unpleasant visual impact.

Furthermore, the need to fix the backrest and/or the seat to the frame using such fixing means entails a process of providing the chair that is long and inconvenient, and the necessity to use tools.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The aim of the present invention is to provide a chair which is capable of improving the known art in one or more of the above-mentioned aspects.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a chair in which there are no means present for fixing the seat or the backrest to the frame, such as screws and/or nails and/or pegs, or such fixing means are hidden from view.

Another object of the invention is to provide a chair that can be assembled more easily and rapidly with respect to similar, conventional chairs, limiting the use of tools compared to such conventional chairs.

A further object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the background art in a manner that is alternative to any existing solutions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a chair that is highly reliable, easy to implement, and at low cost.

This aim and these and other objects which will become more apparent hereinafter are achieved by a chair, which comprises:

• • a frame for supporting a seat and a backrest, said frame being provided with legs for resting on the ground,
  • said seat,
  • said backrest,
  • said chair being characterized in that at least said backrest is fixed to said frame by virtue of interlocking means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the preferred invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the preferred invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a chair, according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the chair of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3a and 3b are two different cross-sectional views of details of the chair of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4 to 6 show some steps of assembling the chair of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6a is an enlarged detailed view of the assembly step shown in FIG. 6;

FIGS. 7 and 8 show other steps of assembling the chair of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

With reference to the figures, a chair according to the invention is generally designated by the reference number 10.

The chair 10 comprises:

• • a frame 11 for supporting a seat 12 and a backrest 13, the frame 11 being provided with a plurality of legs 14 for resting on the ground,
  • such seat 12,
  • such backrest 13.

One of the peculiarities of the invention consists in that at least the backrest 13 is fixed to the frame 11 using interlocking means 15.

The expression “interlocking means” refers to means that make it possible to fix by simple interlocking/form-fit coupling, and without the use of elements such as nails, screws, pegs, etc. which require the use of one or more tools.

In embodiments not shown in the figures, both the backrest and the seat are fixed to the frame solely using interlocking means.

In particular, the frame 11 has two portions 16a, 16b, which are mirror-symmetrical with respect to the sagittal plane of the chair 10.

In the present description, the expression “sagittal plane” refers to the plane that runs in the fore-and-aft direction dividing a body into two parts: right and left.

Each one of the portions 16a, 16b of the frame comprises:

• • a substantially C-shaped section 17a, 17b, which is substantially parallel to the seat 12 and has in turn:
  • a core 18a, 18b, from which two wings 19a′, 19a″, 19b′, 19b″ extend,
  • such two wings 19a′, 19a″, 19b′, 19b″,
  • two legs 14, each one of which extends from a respective free end of a corresponding one of such wings 19a′, 19a″, 19b″, 19b″, such legs 14 extending in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the plane of arrangement of the substantially C-shaped section 17a, 17b, below the seat 12,
  • an appendage 20a, 20b, which extends proximate to the free end of a corresponding one of such wings 19a′, 19a″, 19b′, 19b″, proximate to/facing the backrest 13, the appendage 20a, 20b extending in a direction at right angles to the plane of arrangement of the substantially C-shaped section 17a, 17b and in a direction that is opposite to that of the legs 14.

In the present description, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “above”, “below”, etc. refer to the configuration for use of the chair 10.

Advantageously, the portions 16a, 16b of the frame 11 are fixed to each other at the respective core 18a, 18b.

The frame 11 is preferably made of metallic material.

The seat 12 is composed of two shells:

• • a first, lower shell 21, associated with the frame 11, at the substantially C-shaped sections 17a, 17b,
  • a second, upper shell 22, which is complementary to the first lower shell 21 and defines the user's horizontal resting surface.

Advantageously, the first lower shell 21 has a substantially quadrangular profile with:

• • contoured zones 23 adapted to provide insertion/interlocking seats for the substantially C-shaped sections 17a, 17b,
  • stiffening ribs 24.

The first lower shell 21 has two first through holes 25, each one for the insertion of a respective appendage 20a, 20b at/proximate to the corners of the substantially quadrangular profile that are proximate to the backrest 13.

The first lower shell 21 is fixed to the frame 11 by inserting/interlocking the substantially C-shaped sections 17a, 17b in the respective contoured zones 23, and fixing the wings 19a′, 19a″, 19b′, 19b″ to the first shell 21 with respective collars, not shown in the figures, connected to the shell with respective screws, also not shown in the figures, screwed into corresponding second holes 26 in the first lower shell 21.

The interlocking means 15 comprise two association elements 27a, 27b, which are mirror-symmetrical with respect to the sagittal plane of symmetry of the chair 10.

Each one of such association elements 27a, 27b has an elongated body which is provided, along its axis of extension, with:

• • a first section 28, which is tubular and is provided with a third through hole 29 with an axis of extension that is parallel to the axis of extension of the elongated body,
  • a second section 30, provided with a lateral opening 31, in communication with the third through hole 29.

The association elements 27a, 27b comprise a coupling portion 32 for coupling to the first lower shell 21.

This coupling portion 32 extends from the free end of the first section 28 of the respective association element 27a, 27b, and lies on a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of extension of the elongated body thereof.

The coupling portion 32 has a C-shaped profile adapted to interlock with a respective contoured zone 23, on the opposite side with respect to the side of insertion of the respective substantially C-shaped section 17a, 17b.

Furthermore, such coupling portion 32 has a fourth through hole 33 for the insertion of a respective screw, not shown in the figures, for fixing to the first lower shell 21.

The backrest 13 has two portions 34 for association with the frame 11 (of which only one is shown in the figures), each one of which is inserted in the opening 31 of a respective association element 27a, 27b and is substantially shaped complementarily to such opening 31.

The association portions 34 have a substantially vertical configuration for use and an axis of extension that is substantially parallel to the plane of arrangement of the backrest 13.

Advantageously, each association portion 34 has shapes and dimensions that are such as to produce an interlocking/form-fit coupling with the respective opening 31, into which it is inserted.

Each one of the association portions 34 has a fifth through hole 35, which is adapted to correspond to the third hole 29 of the first section 28 of the corresponding association element 27a, 27b, for the insertion of a respective appendage 20a, 20b of the frame 11.

The seat 12, the backrest 13 and the association elements 27a, 27b are made of plastic material.

FIGS. 4 to 8 show the steps of assembling the chair 10, according to the invention.

The assembly of the chair 10 according to the invention is as follows.

First of all the association elements 27a, 27b are installed on the first shell 21 of the seat 12, interlocking the coupling portion 32 with a respective contoured zone 23, so as to make the third holes 29 correspond to the respective first holes 25 (FIGS. 4 and 5).

Then the association elements 27a, 27b are fixed to the first lower shell 21 using fixing screws (not shown in the figures) inserted in the fourth holes 33.

Subsequently, the backrest 13 is connected to the association elements 27a, 27b, by inserting the association portions 34 into the respective openings 31, arranging the fifth holes 35 at the respective third holes 29 (FIGS. 6 and 6a).

At this point the whole is fixed to the frame 11 by inserting the appendages 20a, 20b thereof into the respective first holes 25, third holes 29 and fifth holes 35 (FIG. 7).

In this manner, it is no longer possible to remove the backrest 13 from the association elements 27a, 27b, and therefore from the first lower shell 21, without removing the frame 11.

The frame 11 is then fixed to the first lower shell 21, optionally by means of collars for clamping the wings 19a′, 19a″, 19b′, 19b″ and screws inserted into the second holes 26 from the lower surface of the first lower shell 21, therefore hidden from view in the configuration for use of the chair 10.

Finally, the second shell 22 of the seat 12 is fixed/interlocked to the first shell 21 (FIG. 8).

In practice it has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects by providing a chair in which there are no means present for fixing the seat or the backrest to the frame, such as screws and/or nails and/or pegs, or such fixing means are hidden from view.

According to the invention a chair has been devised that can be assembled more easily and rapidly with respect to similar, conventional chairs, limiting the use of tools compared to such conventional chairs.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

In practice the materials employed, provided they are compatible with the specific use, and the contingent dimensions and shapes, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A chair, comprising: a frame for supporting a seat and a backrest, said frame being provided with legs for resting on the ground,said seat,said backrest,wherein at least said backrest is fixed to said frame by virtue of interlocking means.

2. The chair according to claim 1, wherein said frame has two portions which are mirror-symmetrical with respect to a sagittal plane of said chair, each one of said portions of said frame comprising: a substantially C-shaped section, which is substantially parallel to said seat and has in turn:a core, from which two wings extend,two of said legs, each one of said legs extending from a respective free end of a corresponding one of said wings, said legs extending in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to a plane of arrangement of said substantially C-shaped section, below said seat,an appendage, which extends proximate to a free end of a corresponding one of said wings, proximate to/facing said backrest, said appendage extending in a direction at right angles to the plane of arrangement of said substantially C-shaped section and in a direction that is opposite to a direction of said legs.

3. The chair according to claim 2, wherein said seat is composed of two shells: a first, lower shell, associated with said frame, at each of said substantially C-shaped sections,a second, upper shell, which is complementary to said first shell and defines the user's horizontal resting surface.

4. The chair according to claim 3, wherein said first lower shell has a substantially quadrangular profile with: contoured zones adapted to provide insertion/interlocking seats for each said substantially C-shaped section,stiffening ribs,said first lower shell having two first through holes, each one for the insertion of said respective appendage at/proximate to corners of said substantially quadrangular profile that are proximate to said backrest.

5. The chair according to claim 2, wherein said interlocking means comprise two association elements, which are mirror-symmetrical with respect to the sagittal plane of symmetry of said chair, each one of said association elements having an elongated body which is provided, along an axis of extension thereof, with: a first section, which is tubular and is provided with a third through hole with an axis of extension that is parallel to the axis of extension of said elongated body,a second section, provided with a lateral opening, in communication with said third through hole.

6. The chair according to claim 5, wherein said association elements comprise a coupling portion for coupling to said first shell, said coupling portion extending from the free end of said first section of the respective one of said association elements, and lying on a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of extension of said elongated body, said portion coupling having a C-shaped profile adapted to interlock with a respective one of said contoured zones on the opposite side with respect to the side of insertion of the respective said substantially C-shaped section.

7. The chair according to claim 6, wherein said coupling portion has a fourth through hole, for inserting a respective screw for fixing to said first shell.

8. The chair according to claim 5, wherein said backrest has two portions for association with said frame, each one of said portions being inserted in said lateral opening of a respective one of said association elements and being substantially shaped complementarily to said opening.

9. The chair according to claim 8, wherein said portions for association have a substantially vertical arrangement for use and an axis of extension that is substantially parallel to the plane of arrangement of said backrest, each one of said portions for association having shapes and dimensions that are such as to produce an interlocking/shape mating with the respective said lateral opening, in which said portion is inserted.

10. The chair according to claim 8, wherein each one of said portions for association has a fifth through hole, which is adapted to correspond to said third hole of said first section of the corresponding one of said association elements, for the insertion of a respective said appendage of said frame.