Detachable seat base and method

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a seat base assembly comprising a central hub having a central receiver for receiving a central post adapted to support a seat portion and at least three side receivers having openings in a radiation direction from a center of the central hub, wherein each side receiver comprises a receiving portion adapted to receive a leg in a lockable and releasable manner, the side receiver and the leg comprising respective locking means, and wherein the side receiver comprises a respective aperture having at least one lower portion and a hub locking means on an upper portion within the aperture, wherein a respective leg comprises a first end adapted to be attached in the side receiver and a second end adapted to be supported on the ground to support the wheel or support, and wherein the first end of the leg comprises a leg locking member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat base assembly, a method for assembling the seat base assembly, and a method for disassembling the seat base assembly. More specifically, the present invention relates to a seat base assembly that can be assembled and disassembled without tools. Background Art

[0002] Typical office chairs include a seat and a backrest supported on a mechanism that controls the movement and rotation of the seat and the backrest. This assembly is typically supported by a gas spring column seated in a base. Office chairs usually have a swivel base that allows the user to rotate the seat 360 degrees. This feature makes it easier for an individual to reach different areas of their workspace without feeling strained. Additionally, they are usually mounted on a set of wheels or casters to facilitate easy movement across the floor. This enables the user to slide from one end of their desk to the other without having to stand up. The base typically includes five legs that project from a center in a star pattern, and each leg can in turn be supported on wheels or the like. When transporting the chair, it is usually shipped in separate parts including the backrest, the seat, the mechanism, the column, and the base. Thus, the base is usually the largest part.

[0003] One problem with such existing assemblies is that they are large in size and costly to package because they cannot be divided into smaller pieces. This is especially true for the base, which can be a cast metal or a bulky single-piece shape. Large items or components of office chairs, such as the base, typically require large amounts of packaging for protection during transportation. This can result in a significant amount of packaging waste, exacerbating environmental problems.

[0004] Furthermore, since the gas spring column is usually press-fitted into the base, tools or great force are required to remove the column from the base during assembly. This means that once the chair is in use, packaging or transportation becomes more difficult.

[0005] There are some known solutions that attempt to address this problem. Document US20220000267A1 discloses a detachable seat leg and seat. The seat includes feet and a central support member. The central support member includes a support body and a plurality of mounting portions, and a mounting groove is provided on one side of the feet. The mounting portions are horizontally embedded in the mounting groove, and a fastening assembly is provided between the feet and the central support member to prevent the mounting portions from being laterally removed from the mounting groove. At least one problem with this solution is the lack of strength and the difficulty of removing the column from the base.

[0006] The document US10568432B2 discloses a collapsible five-star foot, including a central body and five legs; each leg is provided with a first mounting block and a second mounting block; each first mounting block corresponds to a first mounting groove; each second mounting block corresponds to a second mounting groove; and the first mounting groove and the second mounting groove are formed on the central body. At least one problem with this solution is the lack of the possibility of removing the legs, and it is difficult to disassemble the column from the base.

[0007] Other known solutions are disclosed in US2023083858A1, CN104873023B, and CN205649212U.

[0008] The present invention solves this problem through a self-locking assembly and disassembly device for the base. Summary of the Invention

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a seat base assembly, the assembly including a central hub having a central receiver for receiving a central column adapted to support a seat portion and at least three side receivers, the side receivers having openings in a radial direction from the center of the central hub, wherein each side receiver includes a receiving portion adapted to receive a leg in a lockable and releasable manner, the side receiver and the leg including corresponding locking members, wherein the side receiver includes a corresponding orifice having at least one lower portion and a hub locking member on an upper portion located within the orifice, wherein the corresponding leg includes a first end adapted to be attached in the side receiver and a second end adapted to be supported on the ground to support a wheel or a support member, and wherein the first end of the leg includes a leg locking member.

[0010] In an embodiment of the seat base assembly, the leg locking member includes a notch providing an outward-facing locking surface, and the hub locking member includes a protrusion protruding downward from the uppermost portion within the orifice and providing an inward-facing locking surface.

[0011] In an embodiment of the seat base assembly, each leg includes at least two positions: a first position and a second position, wherein, in the first position, the leg cannot be inserted and can be removed from the receiving portion; wherein, in the second position, the leg is tilted upward or rotated relative to the first position such that the leg locking member interacts with the inner hub locking member by the outward-facing locking surface abutting against the inward-facing locking surface, thereby preventing the leg from being removed from the receiving portion.

[0012] In an embodiment of the seat base assembly, when inserting or removing the leg, the outward-facing locking surface and the inward-facing locking surface are parallel-aligned or concentric-aligned, and / or both are perpendicular to an axis X aligned with the traveling direction of the leg.

[0013] In one embodiment of the seat base assembly, the orifice and the first end of the leg include corresponding cross-sectional shapes.

[0014] In one embodiment of the seat base assembly, the first end of the leg includes a rotational support structure, and the inner end of the receiver includes a support surface adapted to rotatably receive and support the rotational support structure.

[0015] In one embodiment of the seat base assembly, the first end of the leg includes an interface projection or a cam profile, wherein the interface projection or the cam profile is located at a distance from the rotational support structure, and wherein when the leg is inserted into the receiving portion, the leg is adapted to move between a first angle corresponding to the first position and a second angle corresponding to the second position, wherein at the first angle or the first position, the interface projection or the cam profile at least partially protrudes into the central receiver, and wherein at the second angle or the second position, the interface projection or the cam profile is retracted or moved out of the central receiver by rotation.

[0016] In one embodiment of the seat base assembly, the central receiver includes a first portion having a first diameter and a second portion located above the first portion and having a second diameter larger than the first diameter, wherein the central receiver is adapted to receive a central column, the central column including a first column portion having a first column diameter and a second column portion having a second column diameter above the first column portion, the first column diameter being smaller than the second column diameter, and wherein the first column diameter of the central receiver and the first diameter and / or the second column diameter D of the central receiver and the second diameter D are adapted to be assembled together in a press-fit manner.

[0017] In one embodiment of the seat base assembly, the interface projection or the cam profile is adapted to move the central column out of the press-fit state by moving from the second position to the first position, whereby the interface projection or the cam profile interacts with the central column and releases the fit between the two portions.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for assembling the above-mentioned seat base assembly, wherein the method comprises the following steps:

[0019] a) Providing a central hub;

[0020] b) Inserting the first end of the leg into the side receiver at a first angle;

[0021] c) Rotating the leg from the first angle to the second angle to lock the leg in the side receiver;

[0022] d) Repeat steps a)-c) for all side receivers present in the central hub.

[0023] In one embodiment of the method, the method further comprises step e): inserting a central column into the central receiver.

[0024] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for disassembling the above-mentioned seat base assembly, wherein the method comprises the following steps:

[0025] a) Provide a seat base assembly equipped with a central column,

[0026] b) Rotate one or more legs from a second angle to a first angle, thereby removing the central column from the central receiver and unlocking the legs from the side receivers;

[0027] c) Remove each leg; and

[0028] d) Remove the central column.

[0029] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a seat comprising the above-mentioned seat base assembly.

[0030] In one embodiment, the seat is at least partially assembled using the above method.

[0031] In one embodiment, the seat is at least partially disassembled using the above method. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] When taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the above and other objects, additional objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 1 Illustrated is a base assembly, typically the base assembly of an office chair.

[0034] Figure 2 An enlarged view of the base hub is illustrated;

[0035] Figure 3 Illustrated is a leg initially placed in the receiving portion of the hub;

[0036] Figure 4 Illustrated is the leg placed in a second position in the receiving portion of the hub;

[0037] Figure 5 Illustrated is the hub, legs, and central column placed together, and a cutout showing the interaction between the legs and the column.

[0038] Figure 6Illustrated are a wheel hub, legs, and a central column placed together, as well as the cutouts where the legs and the column interact with each other.

[0039] Figure 7 Illustrated is the highlighted part where the cam and the column interact with each other.

[0040] Figure 8 Illustrated is the highlighted part where the cam and the column interact with each other. Detailed Description

[0041] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in other forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments disclosed herein. The disclosed embodiments are provided to fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art.

[0042] Figure 1 Illustrated is the base of an office chair. Figure 2 Illustrated is the wheel hub 2 of the base. The wheel hub includes an opening 3 adapted to receive the central column 1 having an actuator. The central wheel hub 2 further includes a plurality of attachment means 4 adapted to receive the legs 5 of the assembly.

[0043] Figure 3 Shown is the leg 5 initially placed in the receiving portion 6 of the attachment means 4. The first end of the leg 5 includes a locking member 7 that corresponds to an internal locking member 8 within the attachment means 4. Such that in the first position, the leg 5 can be inserted into and removed from the receiving portion 6.

[0044] Figure 4 Illustrated is the leg 5 in the second position, where the leg 5 is tilted upward relative to the first position such that the locking member 7 of the leg 5 interacts with the internal locking member 8, whereby the leg 5 cannot be pulled out of the attachment means 4.

[0045] Figure 5 Illustrated is how the central column 1 can include a lower portion having a diameter smaller than the upper portion, such that when the central column 1 is installed in the wheel hub 2, the edge 9 between the smaller diameter portion and the larger diameter portion of the column 1 interacts with the end of the first end of the leg 5, causing the leg 5 to move from the first position to the second position when the central column 1 is inserted into the opening 3 of the wheel hub. Additionally, Figure 7 Shown is Figure 5 the highlighted part where the cam profile 16 and the edge 9 interact between the smaller diameter portion and the larger diameter portion of the column 1. Figure 5 and Figure 7 Shown is the leg 5 in the first position p1, where the leg 5 can be inserted into and removed from the receiving portion 6.

[0046] Figure 6Shows the fully installed central column 1 and the legs 5 in the locked position. Such an assembly as disclosed herein further facilitates the easy removal of the base, whereby moving the second end of the leg 5 downward, i.e., rotating the leg from a first angle to a second angle, will force the column 1 out of the press-fit assembly and release the intermediate column 1 from the hub 2. Typically, for the prior art, this requires a blow from a hammer or the like. In addition, Figure 8 Shows Figure 5 The protruding part of, where the cam profile 16 and the edge 9 interact between the smaller diameter part and the larger diameter part of the column 1. Figure 6 And Figure 8 Illustrates the leg 5 in the second position p1, where the leg 5 is tilted or rotated upward relative to the first position p1 such that the leg locking member 7 interacts with the hub inner locking member 8 via the outward-facing locking surface 12 against the inward-facing locking surface 13, thereby preventing the leg 5 from being removed from the receiving part 6.

[0047] The first aspect of the present invention shows a seat base assembly that includes a central hub 2 having a central receiver 3 and at least three side receivers 4. The central receiver 3 is for receiving a central column 1 adapted to support a seat portion. Each side receiver 4 has an orifice that opens radially from the center of the central hub 2. Each side receiver 4 includes a receiving part 6 adapted to receive a leg 5 in a lockable and releasable manner. The side receiver 4 and the leg 5 include corresponding locking members 7, 8. The side receiver 4 includes a corresponding orifice having at least one lower part that may be smooth or otherwise adapted to insert components and allow components to slide relative to each other or open downward, and a hub locking member 8 on the upper part within the orifice. The corresponding leg 5 includes a first end 10 adapted to be attached to the side receiver 4 and a second end 11 adapted to be supported on the ground to support a wheel or a support member. The first end 10 of the leg 5 includes a leg locking member 7. It should be understood that the hub 3 may include three to six or more receivers 4 having a corresponding number of corresponding legs 5.

[0048] The leg locking member 7 includes a notch that provides an outward-facing locking surface 12, and the hub locking member 8 includes a protrusion from the uppermost part within the orifice that projects downward and provides an inward-facing locking surface 13.

[0049] Each of the (multiple) legs 5 of the seat includes at least two positions; a first position P1 and a second position P2, where in the first position P1 (see Figure 3 And Figure 5 ), the leg 5 can be inserted into and removed from the receiving part 6; where, in the second position P2 (see Figure 4 And Figure 6), the outrigger 5 is tilted or rotated upward relative to the first position P1 such that the outrigger locking member 7 interacts with the hub internal locking member 8 by means of the outward-facing locking surface 12 abutting against the inward-facing locking surface 13, thereby preventing the outrigger 5 from being removed from the receiving portion 6.

[0050] To provide locking of the outrigger 5 to the hub 4, when inserting or removing the outrigger 5, the outward-facing locking surface 12 and the inward-facing locking surface 13 can be aligned parallel or concentrically, and / or both are perpendicular to an axis X aligned with the longitudinal direction of the outrigger or the traveling direction of the outrigger 5. Concentric alignment should be understood as that both surfaces 12, 13 have a curvature defined by a common axis of rotation of points along the surface curves 12, 13.

[0051] In some embodiments, any one of the orifices and the first end of the outrigger 5 can include corresponding cross-sectional shapes, such as square, rounded, T-shaped, I-shaped, etc.

[0052] In addition, as Figure 4 shown, any one of the first ends 10 of the outrigger 5 can include a rotary support structure 14, and the inner end of the receiver 4 can include a support surface 15 that is adapted to rotatably receive and support the rotary support structure 14.

[0053] In some embodiments, the first end 10 of the outrigger 5 can include an interface protrusion or cam profile 16, wherein the interface protrusion or cam profile 16 is located at a certain distance from the rotary support structure 14, wherein the outrigger 5 is adapted to move between a first angle corresponding to the first position and a second angle corresponding to the second position when inserted into the receiving portion 6, wherein in the first angle, the interface protrusion or cam profile 16 at least partially protrudes into the central receiver 3, and wherein in the second angle, by rotation, the interface protrusion or cam profile 14 retracts or moves out of the central receiver 3. Thus, if a post is located in the central receiver 3, the rotation of the outrigger within the side receiver 4 will interact with the post. Therefore, the cam profile 16 will be utilized to apply a force by leverage to move any press-fit post. This is achieved by using the outrigger 5 and its second end 11 as a lever to amplify the force applied to the first end 10. The rotary support structure 14 will serve as a fulcrum, which is the pivot point around which the outrigger 5 rotates. The position of the fulcrum is crucial for determining the effectiveness of the lever. Thus, when the distance from the second end 11 to the fulcrum 14 is greater than the distance from the fulcrum 14 to the first end 11, by applying a force to the second end 11 of the outrigger 5, the force will increase at the first end 10. The longer the distance from the force application point to the fulcrum, the greater the leverage. Then, the force is transmitted to the first end 10 of the outrigger 5 and the cam profile 16, thereby allowing the user to apply a much greater force to the post in the central receiver 3 than the force initially applied.

[0054] The central receiver 3 may include a first portion 17 having a first diameter D1 and a second portion 18 located above the first portion 17 and having a second diameter D2 greater than the first diameter, wherein the central receiver 3 is adapted to receive the central column 1. The seat includes a first column portion 19 having a first column diameter D3 and a second column portion 20 located above the first column portion and having a second column diameter D4, the first column diameter D3 being smaller than the second column diameter D4, wherein the first column diameter D3 of the central receiver 3 and the first diameter D1 and / or the second column diameter D4 of the central receiver 3 and the second diameter D2 are adapted to fit together in a press-fit manner. The seat base assembly is adapted to move the central column 1 out of the press-fit state by moving from a second position P2 to a first position P1, whereby the interface projection or cam profile 16 interacts with the central column 1 and releases the fit between the two parts. The press-fit manner should be understood, in a general sense, as a method of joining two parts together by interference or force without the need for additional fasteners such as screws or adhesives. In a press-fit, one part is designed to be slightly larger than the other part, and then these parts are pressed or pushed together to form a tight and secure connection. During the assembly process, the column 1 is pressed into the central receiver 3. This can be done using a hydraulic press, a mandrel press, hand power, or other special tools. The interference fit creates a frictional force between the mating surfaces, thereby fixing the parts together, which is herein understood as a press-fit. To release the press-fit parts, a force greater than the frictional force between the mating surfaces needs to be applied.

[0055] A second aspect of the present disclosure shows a method for assembling a seat base assembly according to the first aspect. A third aspect of the present disclosure shows a method for disassembling a seat base assembly according to the first aspect.

[0056] A second aspect of the present disclosure shows a method for assembling a seat base assembly according to the first aspect, wherein the method includes the following steps: a) providing a central hub 2, b) inserting a first end of the leg 5 into the side receiver 4 at a first angle; c) rotating the leg 5 from the first angle to a second angle, thereby locking the leg 5 in the side receiver 4; d) repeating steps a-c for all side receivers 4 present in the central hub 2. After the leg 5 is inserted and locked in place, the central column 1 can be inserted into the central receiver 3.

[0057] A third aspect of the present disclosure shows a method for disassembling a seat base assembly according to the first aspect, wherein the method includes the following steps: a) providing a seat base assembly equipped with a central column 1, b) rotating one or more legs 5 from a second angle or position to a first angle or position, thereby removing the central column 1 from the central receiver 3 and unlocking the legs 5 from the side receivers 4; c) removing each leg 5 and / or; d) removing the central column 1.

[0058] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present disclosure is not limited to the above preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will also recognize that modifications and variations can be made within the scope of the appended claims. In addition, by studying the drawings, the present invention, and the appended claims, those skilled in the art can understand and implement variations of the disclosed embodiments when practicing the claimed disclosure.

Claims

1. A seat base assembly, comprising a central hub (2) having a central receiver (3) for receiving a central column (1) suitable for supporting a seat portion, and at least three side receivers (4), the side receivers (4) having openings in a radial direction from the center of the central hub (2), wherein each side receiver (4) comprises a receiving portion (6) suitable for receiving a leg (5) in a lockable and releasable manner, the side receivers (4) and the legs (5) comprising corresponding locking parts (7, 8), in, The side receiver (4) comprises a corresponding aperture having at least one lower portion and a hub locking member (8) on an upper portion located within the aperture, Therein, the respective leg (5) comprises a first end (10) adapted to be attached in a side receiver (4) and a second end (11) adapted to be supported on the ground to support a wheel or a support, wherein the first end (10) of the leg (5) comprises a leg locking member (7).

2. The seat base assembly of claim 1, wherein The leg locking member (7) comprises a recess providing an outwardly facing locking surface (12), and wherein The hub locking member (8) comprises a protrusion projecting downwardly from an uppermost portion within the aperture and providing an inwardly facing locking surface (13).

3. The seat base assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: Each of the legs (5) comprises at least two positions; The first position (p1) and the second position (p1), wherein, in the first position (p1), the leg (5) is not insertable and can be removed from the receiving portion (6); In the second position (p1), the leg (5) is tilted or rotated upward relative to the first position (p1), so that the leg locking component (7) interacts with the hub internal locking component (8) by abutting the outward-facing locking surface (12) against the inward-facing locking surface (13), thereby preventing the leg (5) from being removed from the receiving portion (6).

4. The seat base assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: When inserting or removing the leg (5), the outwardly facing locking surface (12) and the inwardly facing locking surface (13) are aligned parallel or concentrically, and / or both are perpendicular to an axis (X) aligned with the direction of travel of the leg (5).

5. The seat base assembly according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the aperture and the first end of the leg (5) comprise corresponding cross-sectional shapes.

6. The seat base assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The first end (10) of the leg (5) comprises a rotational support structure (14), and the inner end of the receiver (4) comprises a support surface (14), wherein the support surface (14) is suitable for receiving and supporting the rotational support structure (14) in a rotational manner.

7. A seat base assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein The first end (10) of the leg (5) comprises an interface protrusion or cam profile (16), in, The interface protrusion or cam profile (16) is located at a distance from the rotation support structure (14), wherein when the leg (5) is inserted into the receiving portion (6), the leg is moved between a first angle corresponding to the first position (P1) and a second angle corresponding to the second position (P2), wherein at the first angle or first position (P1), the interface protrusion or cam profile (14) at least partially protrudes into the central receiver (3), And wherein at the second angle or second position (P2), the interface protrusion or cam profile (14) is retracted or moved out from the central receiver (3) by rotation.

8. The seat base assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The central receiver (3) comprises a first portion (17) having a first diameter (D1) and a second portion (18) located above the first portion (17) and having a second diameter (D2) larger than the first diameter. wherein the central receiver (3) is adapted to receive a central column (1), the central column comprising a first column portion (19) having a first column diameter (D3) and a second column portion (20) having a second column diameter (D4) above the first column portion, the first column diameter (D3) being smaller than the second column diameter (D4), and wherein The first column diameter (D3) and the first diameter (D1) of the central receiver (3) and / or the second column diameter (D4) and the second diameter (D2) of the central receiver (3) are suitable for being assembled together in a press-fit manner.

9. The seat base assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein The interface protrusion or cam profile (16) is adapted to remove the central column (1) from a press-fit state by moving from a second position (P2) to a first position (P1), whereby the interface protrusion or cam profile interacts with the central column (1) and releases the fit between the two parts.

10. A method for assembling a seat base assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a) providing a central hub (2); b) inserting a first end of the leg (5) into the side receiver (4) at a first angle; c) rotating the leg (5) from a first angle to a second angle, thereby locking the leg (4) in the side receiver (4); d) Repeat steps a) - c) for all side receivers (4) present in the central hub (2).

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the method further comprises step e): inserting a central column (1) into the central receiver (3).

12. A method for disassembling a seat base assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9, The method comprises the following steps: a) provide a seat base assembly fitted with a centre column (1), b) rotating one or more of the legs (5) from the second angle to the first angle, thereby removing the center column (1) from the center receiver (3) and unlocking (one or more) of the legs (5) from the side receivers (4); c) remove each leg (5); and d) Remove the center column (1).

13. A seat comprising a seat base assembly according to any one of claims 1-9.

14. A seat according to claim 13, wherein the seat is at least partially assembled using the method of claim 10 or 11.

15. The seat of claim 13, wherein the seat is at least partially disassembled using the method of claim 12.

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