Chair

Abstract

A chair (1) comprises a substantially rectangular frame for a seat portion of the chair, where the frame extends upwardly on both sides thereof, in an inverted U shape. Each U-shaped base is formed by substantially horizontally extending side frame portions of the frame, the side frame portions (24) being raised from and extending substantially perpendicular to and between the front frame portion (23) and the rear frame portion (21) of the frame. A substantially vertical frame portion (14) is provided on each of the substantially horizontally extending side frame portions of the frame for connecting an armrest (13) thereto.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a chair, and more particularly to an office chair.

[0002] Office chairs are typically designed to be ergonomic and ensure user comfort. To this end, modern office chairs are equipped with a variety of adjustable functions, such as seat height adjustment, backrest height and angle adjustment, armrest height and width adjustment, seat depth adjustment, tilt mechanism, lumbar support adjustment, and so on. While these features contribute to ergonomics and user comfort, the mobility required for different chair components to provide adjustment options to achieve the desired ergonomics and comfort often sacrifices the overall stability of the chair. However, for chairs used intensively, such as those used by computer gamers, this stability is crucial. These gamers often sit for long periods and frequently sway violently during intense gameplay, causing the chair, especially certain components, to bear relatively large loads.

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to improve the chair of the above type so that it is more suitable for high-intensity use, such as when playing computer games, without affecting its adjustability.

[0004] According to the invention, this objective is achieved by a chair comprising a generally rectangular frame as the seat portion, wherein the frame extends upward on both sides in an inverted U-shape. Each U-shaped base is formed by a generally horizontally extending side frame portion of the frame, which rises from and extends substantially perpendicularly to the front and rear frame portions and between them. On each generally horizontally extending side frame portion of the frame, a generally upright frame portion is provided for connecting armrests.

[0005] The inverted U-shaped design on both sides of the frame ensures that forces applied to the armrests connected to the upright frame section are transmitted to the frame, particularly to the horizontal extension of the frame. Specifically, each inverted U-shaped leg and its base cooperate to prevent any rotational movement of the upright frame section about a horizontal axis that extends horizontally from the chair and is perpendicular to the vertical extension of the upright frame section. In other words, the frame and the upright frame section provide a very robust base for the chair's armrests. Therefore, this chair is ideal for high-intensity use. The armrest connection provided by the upright frame section allows the armrests to be attached to a table behind the chair, further enhancing the chair's stability.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment of the chair, each upright frame portion includes two elongated upright frame members arranged parallel to and adjacent to each other, and each armrest includes two generally downwardly extending elongated shafts arranged parallel to and adjacent to each other. The two upright frame members and the two shafts are configured such that each shaft can be connected over at least a portion of its length to a different one of the two upright frame members, thereby connecting each armrest to its respective upright frame portion.

[0007] The beneficial technical effect of this configuration is that it includes two parallel and adjacent upright frame members, and the two axes of each armrest can be connected to these two members. This makes the armrest very stable because this configuration prevents rotational movement of the armrest about two axes: firstly, preventing rotation about an axis that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis that extends substantially vertically from the upright frame members and axes; and secondly, preventing rotation about a horizontal axis that extends laterally from the chair and is perpendicular to the substantially vertical longitudinal axis.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, one of the two legs of each inverted U-shaped frame section on both sides of the frame constitutes one of the two slender, upright frame members of each upright frame section. This allows the forces from the armrests to the seat section of the chair to be transmitted very efficiently.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the two elongated, upright frame members and the two shafts are respectively designed such that each of the two shafts can be inserted into at least a portion of its length into a different one of the two upright frame members, thereby connecting each handrail to its respective upright frame portion. Alternatively, each of the two upright frame members can be inserted into at least a portion of its length into a different one of the two shafts, thereby connecting each handrail to its corresponding upright frame portion. The shafts are connected to the upright frame members by interlocking, which ensures a very secure connection.

[0010] Preferably, the outermost one of the two upright frame members and the outermost one of the two shafts are structurally connected directly by a connecting member sandwiched between the outermost one of the two upright frame members and the outermost one of the two shafts. This connecting member provides additional stiffness to each pair of upright frame members and shafts, thereby contributing to the stability of the handrail.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, two upright frame members and two shafts are configured such that the two shafts can move relative to the two upright frame members along their longitudinal axes, thereby adjusting the height position of the handrail.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the rear frame portion is generally U-shaped, with its base formed by a laterally extending rear frame member that spans the width of the frame. At each of the two opposite ends of the laterally extending rear frame member, one of two upright frame members extends upward, each upright frame member being integrally formed with the laterally extending rear frame member. The front frame portion includes: a laterally extending front frame member parallel to the laterally extending rear frame member that spans the width of the frame; and two substantially parallel, rearwardly extending opposite side frame members, which are raised from the front frame member by an intermediate vertically extending frame member located between each of the two opposite ends of the front frame member and each side frame member. These two side frame members extend across the frame length toward the rear portion, wherein at each end of the two side frame members facing the rear portion, the other of the two upright frame members is integrally formed with its respective side frame member and extends in a substantially downward direction. The integral connection of the upright frame members to the horizontal portion of the frame ensures that forces applied to the armrests are transmitted to the seat frame, particularly to the horizontal extension of the frame. In particular, the central vertically extending frame member and its integrally formed side frame members work together to further prevent any rotational movement about a horizontal axis that extends laterally from the chair and is perpendicular to the substantially vertically extending longitudinal axis of the upright frame member and its axis. In other words, the configuration according to this preferred embodiment provides a very robust base for the chair's armrests. Therefore, the chair according to the invention is well-suited for high-intensity use. The armrests, constructed from the upright frame member and its axis, can even be connected to a table behind the chair, thus providing even greater stability to the chair.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the length of the intermediate frame member corresponds substantially to the length of the upright frame member in the rear portion, such that the upper end of the upright frame member in the rear portion is substantially flush with the upper end of the substantially downward-extending upright frame member in the front portion.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the chair further includes a height adjustment device for each armrest, used to adjust and fix the height position of the armrest. The height adjustment device is configured to engage at least one of two downwardly extending axes of the armrest and fix the height position of the armrest. Although the chair according to the invention is configured for heavy use, this height adjustment device still allows for considerable flexibility in armrest height.

[0015] Preferably, at least one of the two downwardly extending shafts is provided with a series of vertically arranged grooves, and the height adjustment device includes a protruding member that can be accommodated in one of the grooves in the series. These grooves facilitate the adjustment of the armrest.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the protruding member is equipped with a loading spring, allowing it to protrude into one of the grooves in the series of recesses when in its resting position. This prevents the handrail from sliding down due to gravity, as the spring-loaded protruding member ensures it remains within a specific groove.

[0017] Preferably, the height adjustment device includes a clamping device configured to clamp at least one of the two axes of the handrail to its respective upright frame member. This device ensures that the handrail will not slip when additional force is applied to the top of the handrail, thus allowing for high-intensity use of the handrail.

[0018] In another preferred embodiment, the clamping device includes: a clamping member configured to engage at least one of the two shafts; and a tension bolt for clamping the at least one of the two shafts between the clamping member and its respective upright frame member.

[0019] Preferably, the tensioning bolt is a quick-release tensioning bolt. The quick-release tensioning bolt allows for quick and convenient switching between a released state (where the height of the handrail is adjustable) and a clamped state (where the height of the handrail is fixed), thereby enabling quick and convenient adjustment and fixation of the height position.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the shapes of the two upright frame members and the two shafts are correspondingly designed such that each of the two shafts can be inserted into a different one of the two upright frame members for at least a portion of its length. A height adjustment device is configured to embed a length portion of each of the two upright frame members and a portion of a side frame member, one of the two upright frame members being integrally formed at the end of the side frame member. The technical advantage of this height adjustment device is that it embeds a portion of both upright frame members and a portion of the side frame member integrally formed with one of the two upright frame members, thereby providing additional rigidity to the upright frame members and the armrests. In particular, it also prevents rotational movement of the armrests about a horizontal axis extending laterally from the chair (i.e., perpendicular to the upright frame members).

[0021] In one or more preferred embodiments, each of the two upright frame members includes a recess, through which a protruding member can protrude into a groove provided on at least one of the two shafts, and a clamping member can engage with at least one of the two shafts (preferably both shafts) through the recess, thereby clamping at least one of the two shafts between the clamping member and its respective upright frame member.

[0022] The following detailed description will set forth other features and advantages, some of which will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the description or will be recognized by practice of the embodiments described in this specification and its claims, as well as the accompanying drawings.

[0023] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are merely examples intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and features of the claims.

[0024] The accompanying drawings are intended to provide a further understanding and form part of this specification, wherein:

[0025] - Figure 1 A perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the chair according to the present invention is shown;

[0026] - Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 Side view of the chair shown;

[0027] - Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 and Figure 2 Detailed view of the armrests of the chair shown;

[0028] - Figure 4 A frame for a seat portion of a chair according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown, including armrests mounted on the frame portion;

[0029] - Figure 5 It shows Figure 4 Exploded view of the frame and handrail shown;

[0030] - Figure 6 The height adjustment device of the chair according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown along... Figure 4 A top view of the cross-section shown by the dashed lines;

[0031] - Figure 7 It shows Figure 6 An exploded view of the height adjustment device.

[0032] Figure 1 A perspective view of an office chair or office seat 1 is shown. The office chair 1 includes a seat frame 2 and a backrest frame 3. The seat frame 2 is supported by a support member 4, which in the illustrated embodiment is a movable support member, including a central support leg 5 and five radially extending legs 6.

[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, chair 1 is designed specifically for computer game players (especially racing game players), and therefore its shape resembles a car seat, having a typical bucket shape. For this purpose, the seat frame 2 extends relatively long from its upright frame portions 7 on opposite sides and from the winglets 8 of the backrest frame 3. The central support leg 5 of the support member 4 is conventionally equipped with a seat height adjustment device, and for this purpose is partially telescopic. In the illustrated embodiment, the central support leg 5 includes a base portion 9 and a narrowing portion 10, which can slide in and out of each other via a gas spring, mechanical spring, or hydraulic system, thereby changing the ground clearance of the seat frame 2. Height adjustment is operated via a handle (not shown) below the seat frame 2. Legs 6 are connected to the base portion 9 of the central support leg 5. Each leg 6a is equipped with a wheel 11. The wheels 11 ensure that chair 1 is movable.

[0034] The seat frame 2 includes a generally upright frame portion 12 on each of its two sides for attaching armrests 13 thereto. Each upright frame portion 12 includes two elongated upright frame members 14 arranged parallel to each other and adjacent to each other. Each armrest 13 includes two generally downwardly extending elongated shafts 15 arranged parallel to each other and adjacent to each other. The two upright frame members 14 and the two shafts 15 are configured such that each of the two shafts 15 is connectable over at least a portion of its length to a different one of the two upright frame members 14, thereby connecting each armrest 13 to its respective upright frame portion 12. The armrests 13 are highly stable due to the parallel and adjacent arrangement of the upright frame members 14 in each pair of frame members 14 on each side of the chair 1. This is because it prevents any rotational movement, namely, preventing rotational movement about axis 16, which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the basically vertically extending axis of the upright frame members; and preventing rotational movement about horizontal axis 17, which extends from the lateral direction of the chair and is perpendicular to the basically vertically extending longitudinal axis.

[0035] At least a portion of the length of each shaft in shaft 15 can be inserted into each upright frame member 14. Plate members 18 are sandwiched between each pair of upright frame members 14, connecting the upright frame members 14 to each other, thereby increasing the rigidity of the handrail 13.

[0036] Specifically, the seat frame 2 includes a rear portion 19 and a front portion 20. The rear portion 19 is generally U-shaped and includes a laterally extending rear frame portion 21 that spans the width of the seat frame 2; and at each of the two opposing ends 22 of the laterally extending rear frame portion 21, one of two upright frame members 14 is included, each upright frame member 14 being integrally formed with the laterally extending rear frame portion 21. The front portion 20 includes: a laterally extending front frame portion 23 parallel to the laterally extending rear frame portion 21 that spans the width of the seat frame 2; and two generally parallel, rearwardly extending opposing side frame members 24 that are raised from the front frame portion 23 by a centrally extending vertical frame member 25 located between each of the two opposing ends 26 of the front frame portion 23 and each side frame member 24. Two side frame members 24 extend across the length of the seat frame 2 toward the rear portion 19, wherein at each end of the two side frame members 24 facing the rear portion 19, another of the two upright frame members 14 is integrally formed with its corresponding side frame member 24 and extends in a substantially downward direction. The integral connection of the upright frame member 14 with the horizontal portion of the seat frame 2 (e.g., the side frame member 24) ensures that forces applied to the armrest 13 are transmitted to the seat frame 2, particularly to the horizontal extension of the seat frame 2. Specifically, the intermediate vertically extending frame member 25 and the side frame member 24 integrally formed therewith cooperate to further prevent any rotational movement about a horizontal axis 17, which extends laterally from the chair and is perpendicular to the substantially vertically extending longitudinal axis of the upright frame member 14 and axis 15. In other words, the configuration according to this preferred embodiment provides a very robust base for the armrest 13 of the chair 1. Therefore, the chair 1 according to the invention is well-suited for high-intensity use. The armrest structure provided by the upright frame member 14 and the shaft 15 allows the armrest 13 to be connected to the table behind which the chair is used, thus providing even greater stability to the chair 1.

[0037] Axle 15 is movable relative to the upright frame members 14 along their longitudinal axis to adjust the height position of the armrest 13, and this height position can be fixed by a height adjustment device 27. The height adjustment device 27 includes a housing 41 configured to embed a length portion of each of the two upright frame members 14 and a portion of a side frame member therein, one of the upright frame members being integrally formed at the end of the side frame member. The technical advantage of this height adjustment device 27 is that it embeds a portion of each of the two upright frame members 14 and a portion of a side frame member 24 integrally formed with one of the two upright frame members 14, thereby providing additional rigidity to the upright frame members 14 and the armrest 13. In particular, it further prevents rotational movement of the armrest 13 about a horizontal axis 17 extending laterally from the chair (i.e., perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the upright frame members 14).

[0038] Each of the two upright frame members 14 includes a recess 28 through which a spring-loaded protrusion 29 extends into one of a series of grooves 31 on at least one of the two shafts 15 of a pair of shafts 15, and a clamping member 32 engages with both shafts 15 through the recess, thereby clamping the shafts 15 between the clamping member 15 and their respective upright frame members 14. The clamping member 32 is clamped by a tension bolt 33 having a quick-release handle 34, which can be opened and closed to release and clamp the clamping member 32 respectively.

[0039] The accompanying drawings illustrate selected aspects of this disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles and operation of the methods, products, and systems covered by this disclosure.

[0040] Those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Since those skilled in the art will conceive of modifications, combinations, sub-combinations, and variations of the disclosed embodiments to achieve the spirit and essence of the invention, the invention should be interpreted as encompassing all contents within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A chair comprising a generally rectangular frame for a seat portion of the chair, wherein, The frame extends upward on both sides in an inverted U-shape, wherein the base of each U-shape is formed by a generally horizontally extending side frame portion of the frame, the side frame portion rising from the front and rear frame portions of the frame and extending substantially perpendicular to the front and rear frame portions and between the front and rear frame portions, wherein at each of the generally horizontally extending side frame portions of the frame a generally upright frame portion is provided for connecting the handrail to the frame portion.

2. The chair according to claim 1, wherein, Each upright frame portion includes two elongated upright frame members arranged parallel to each other and adjacent to each other, wherein each handrail includes two generally downwardly extending elongated shafts arranged parallel to each other and adjacent to each other, wherein the two upright frame members and the two shafts are configured such that each of the two shafts can be connected to a different one of the two upright frame members over at least a portion of its length, thereby connecting each handrail to its respective upright frame portion.

3. The chair according to claim 2, wherein, One of the two legs of each inverted U-shaped frame section located on the side of the frame constitutes one of the two slender, upright frame members of each upright frame section.

4. The chair according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The two elongated, upright frame members and the two shafts correspond in shape such that each of the two shafts can be inserted into a different one of the two upright frame members over at least a portion of its length, or each of the two upright frame members can be inserted into a different one of the two shafts over at least a portion of its length, thereby connecting each handrail to its respective upright frame portion.

5. The chair according to claim 4, wherein, The outermost one of the two upright frame members and the outermost one of the two shafts are structurally connected to each other directly by a connecting member sandwiched between the outermost one of the two upright frame members and the outermost one of the two shafts.

6. The chair according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein, The two upright frame members and the two shafts are configured such that the two shafts can move relative to the two upright frame members along their longitudinal axes, thereby adjusting the height position of the handrail.

7. The chair according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein, The rear frame portion is generally U-shaped, and the base of the rear frame portion is formed by a laterally extending rear frame portion that spans the width of the frame. At each of the two opposite ends of the laterally extending rear frame portion, one of two upright frame members extends upward, each upright frame member being integrally formed with the laterally extending rear frame portion. The front frame portion includes: a laterally extending front frame portion parallel to the laterally extending rear frame portion that spans the width of the frame; and two generally parallel, rearwardly extending opposite side frame members, the two side frame members being raised from the front frame portion by an intermediate vertically extending frame member located between each of the two opposite ends of the front frame portion and each side frame member. The two side frame members extend rearward across the length of the frame. At each end of the two side frame members facing the rear portion, the other of the two upright frame members is integrally formed with its respective side frame member and extends in a generally downward direction.

8. The chair according to claim 7, wherein, The length of the intermediate frame member corresponds approximately to the length of the upright frame member in the rear part, such that the upper end of the upright frame member in the rear part is approximately flush with the upper end of the upright frame member in the front part that extends downwards.

9. The chair according to any one of claims 6 to 8, further comprising a height adjustment device for each armrest, for adjusting and fixing the height position of the armrest, wherein, The height adjustment device is configured to engage with at least one of the two downwardly extending shafts of the handrail and fix the height position of the handrail.

10. The chair according to claim 9, wherein, At least one of the two downwardly extending shafts is provided with a series of grooves arranged vertically to each other, and wherein the height adjustment device includes a protruding member that is received in one of the grooves.

11. The chair according to claim 10, wherein, The protruding member is spring-loaded, such that in its resting position, the protruding member can protrude into one of a series of grooves.

12. The chair according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein, The height adjustment device includes a clamping device configured to clamp at least one of the two shafts of the handrail to its respective upright frame member.

13. The chair according to claim 12, wherein, The clamping device includes: a clamping member configured to engage at least one of two shafts; and a tension bolt for clamping at least one of the two shafts between the clamping member and its respective upright frame member.

14. The chair according to claim 13, wherein, The tensioning bolt is a quick-release tensioning bolt.

15. The chair according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein, The two upright frame members and the two shafts are shaped to correspond such that each of the two shafts can be inserted into a different one of the two upright frame members over at least a portion of its length, and wherein the height adjustment device is configured to be embedded therein in a length portion of each of the two upright frame members and a portion of the side frame member, one of the two upright frame members being integrally formed at the end of the side frame member.

16. The chair according to claim 15 when it is subordinate to claims 9 to 13, wherein, Each of the two upright frame members includes a recess, a protruding member that can protrude through the recess into one of the grooves provided on at least one of the two shafts, and a clamping member that can engage with at least one of the two shafts through the recess, preferably with both shafts, thereby clamping at least one of the two shafts between the clamping member and its respective upright frame member.

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