Office chair

Abstract

An office chair (1) is provided with: a floor-type support frame (2) that supports a seat (3); and a backrest (4) connected to the seat (3) by means of a backrest support portion (4A) wherein the backrest (4) is tiltable relative to the support frame (2) and the support frame (2) comprises, on the left and / or right side of the chair (1), a front fork (6A) supporting a sliding pin (6) cooperating with a tiltable slider element (10), the tiltable slider element is connected to or forms part of a seat support element (3A) below the seat (3), the tiltable slide element (10) is equipped with a slit (10 ') which receives a sliding pin (6) which can be moved in said slit (10') of the tiltable slide element (10), and wherein the backrest support part (4A) and the seat support element (3A) are connected to each other via an intermediate part (2A) by means of a first hinge (11), and the backrest support portion (4A) and the front fork (6A) are connected to each other by means of a second hinge (30) via the intermediate portion (2A).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an office chair, which includes a frame, a seat and a backrest, wherein the backrest is tiltable relative to the frame. Background Technology

[0002] For example, US 10,264,890 B2 discloses an office chair that includes: a back support structure comprising a frame; a support member comprising an upright member having a lower end and an upper end, and a support pad, the lower end of the upright member being connected to the frame in a first position, and the support pad being connected to the upper end of the upright member.

[0003] A support member having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being connected to a frame at a second position vertically spaced above a first position; the support member including a strut engaging an upright member between the upper and lower ends; wherein the support member is movable between multiple support positions; and

[0004] An adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment member connected to the lower portion of the support member and a frame, wherein the adjustment member can be adjusted to move the support member to multiple support positions.

[0005] One of the known drawbacks of office chairs is their complexity and the fact that the components required to lock the backrest are not tightly packed together. This makes them prone to malfunction, in addition to the fact that known office chairs may have noticeable gaps that negatively impact the sense of quality.

[0006] Another known drawback of other office chairs is that some office chairs offer an active seating position in which the seat and backrest rotate forward, giving the user the sensation of being pushed out of the chair.

[0007] In addition, there are some office chairs where, when the seat is tilted, the seat moves upward at the back, requiring other components (seat height, armrests, lumbar support) to be readjusted according to the new position of the seat.

[0008] EP-A-4 162 840 discloses an office chair having a mechanism that includes at least the following:

[0009] Base bearing components;

[0010] A seat support member, which is arranged on a base support member and is movable relative to the base support member;

[0011] and a backrest support member connected to a seat support member, wherein pivoting of the backrest support member causes the seat support member to move relative to the base support member.

[0012] Furthermore, the mechanism has a spring system that loads the seat support member to resist the movement of the backrest support member, wherein the spring system has two spring assemblies connected in series.

[0013] EP-A-2 457 466 discloses a multi-functional chair assembly comprising: a seat that can tilt forward according to the user's body shape or the working environment in which the chair assembly is used; and a backrest having a subdivided multi-level locking function and a tilt limiting function. The chair assembly includes: a tilt limiter for limiting the free tilt angle of the backrest; a multi-level lock for locking the tilt state of the backrest; an elastic adjuster for adjusting the tilt intensity of the backrest; a seat tilter for tilting the seat forward; and a vertical level adjuster for adjusting the vertical level of the seat. The chair assembly is configured for simple and convenient operation using cables, thereby achieving convenience and comfort during use.

[0014] The known drawback of this type of chair is that tilting the seat also causes the backrest to tilt, and the backrest moves forward due to the tilt of the seat. Then, the combined movement of the seat and backrest can cause the person sitting in the chair to be pushed out of the chair. Summary of the Invention

[0015] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art office chairs mentioned above. In particular, the purpose of this invention is to provide a relationship between the tilted position of the seat and the reclining position of the backrest, thereby avoiding unnatural combinations of the seat and backrest, such as a combination of a forward-tilted seat and a reclining backrest.

[0016] According to the present invention, an office chair is provided that has the features of one or more of the appended claims.

[0017] An embodiment of the office chair of the present invention includes a floor-mounted support frame supporting the seat and a backrest connected directly or indirectly to the seat via a backrest support portion, wherein the backrest is tiltable relative to the support frame, and the support frame includes a front fork supporting a sliding pin on the left and / or right side of the chair. The sliding pin engages with a tiltable sliding element connected to or forming part of a seat support element below the seat, wherein the tiltable sliding element is equipped with a slit that receives the sliding pin, the sliding pin being movable within the slit of the tiltable sliding element, and wherein the backrest support portion and the seat support element are directly connected to each other via a first hinge portion or indirectly connected to each other via an intermediate portion, and the backrest support portion and the front fork are directly connected to each other via a second hinge portion or indirectly connected to each other via the intermediate portion. The relatively simple and ingenious implementation of the office chair of the present invention is characterized by a sliding pin that engages with a locking system having a toothed rack and mating slides, the toothed rack and mating slides being positioned relative to each other to define a desired reclining position of the backrest. This allows the backrest to remain in a neutral position when the seat is tilted forward to provide an active posture for the user.

[0018] Further preferably, the sliding pin received in the slit of the tiltable sliding element is able to move up and down in the mating sliding element so that the seat can be tilted further independently of the backrest position.

[0019] Suitablely, the toothed rack can engage with the mating slider in a relative position defined relative to each other for a desired reclining position of the backrest. Preferably, this engagement is achieved by operating a lever-operated toggle mechanism operable on the toothed rack, and the lever-operated toggle mechanism can be disengaged from the toothed rack without changing the relative position of the toothed rack and the mating slider. This last measure provides safety for the office chair user because the position of the lever-operated toggle mechanism does not immediately affect the backrest position due to disengagement.

[0020] Ideally, the toothed rack is spring-loaded so that once the mating slider is unloaded from the reaction force of the backrest, the toothed rack is forced to disengage from the mating slider. Before this, the friction between the toothed rack and the mating slider prevents them from loosening.

[0021] Ideally, the lever-operated toggle mechanism is implemented in a replaceable housing that can be customized to have specific functions to meet customer requirements for the chair.

[0022] Another aspect of the invention relates to the feature that the tiltable slider element is equipped with a notch that engages with a slidable fixing element forming part of the seat tilting mechanism to lock the tiltable slider element in a neutral or forward-tilted position. This involves the same tiltable slider element mentioned above, and the tiltable slider element is equipped with a slit that receives a sliding pin to ensure a defined relationship between the tilt of the seat and the reclining position of the backrest.

[0023] Ideally, one or more slidable retaining elements can be operated by a lever connected via one or more cables to one or more slidable blocking elements to block or release the blocking of the one or more slidable retaining elements, allowing these elements to disengage from the notches of the tiltable sliding elements. In this case, the seat can be easily tilted to the desired position.

[0024] Preferably, one or more slidable fixing elements are spring-loaded to compress these elements when the aforementioned lever is activated or released, such that at least one of these elements engages in a locking engagement with a notch of the tiltable sliding element.

[0025] Another aspect of the invention relates to the feature that a first hinge portion of the seat support element has a fixed distance from the floor on which the chair is placed, the first hinge portion being positioned below the area where the user of the chair places his or her buttocks during use.

[0026] In particular, when using the aforementioned customizable box with specific functions to meet customer requirements, it is advantageous that the seat tilting mechanism can be equipped with knobs or screws for disabling one or more sliding fixing elements. This arrangement allows for limiting manufacturing costs because no special design is required to provide a chair in which the seat tilting function is disabled. Attached Figure Description

[0027] The invention will be further illustrated below with reference to the accompanying drawings of an office chair according to the invention, which is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described in the appended claims.

[0028] In the attached diagram:

[0029] - Figure 1 and Figure 1A The office chair of the present invention is shown;

[0030] - Figure 2 This is shown with the base removed for clarity. Figure 1 Office chairs;

[0031] - Figure 3 It shows Figure 1The office chair demonstrates the modularity of a replacement box that provides mechanical functionality to the chair;

[0032] - Figure 4 and Figure 5 Shown in the unlocked neutral backrest position Figure 1 The office chair, along with some mechanical components in the neutral backrest position that can be unlocked only;

[0033] - Figure 6 and Figure 7 Shown in the locked neutral backrest position Figure 1 The office chair, along with some mechanical components that limit and lock the neutral backrest position;

[0034] - Figure 8 and Figure 9 The image shows the backrest in its locked maximum recline position. Figure 1 The office chair, along with some mechanical components that restrict and lock the reclining backrest position;

[0035] - Figure 10 and Figure 11 The invention shows a chair and a seat tilting mechanism located on the left side of the chair, together with the components of the mechanism;

[0036] - Figure 12 The chair and its mechanism of the present invention are shown in the forward-tilted seat position;

[0037] - Figure 13 The components of the chair and its mechanism of the present invention are shown in the neutral seat position.

[0038] - Figure 14 Another embodiment of the chair of the present invention is shown;

[0039] - Figure 15 The diagram shows the absence of a seat for clarity. Figure 14 The chair; and

[0040] Figure 16 shows a seat support element with features for tilting the seat. Detailed Implementation

[0041] Whenever the same reference numerals are used in a figure, they refer to the same part.

[0042] Figure 1 and Figure 1A An office chair 1 is shown, which includes a floor-mounted support frame 2 that supports the seat 3 and a backrest support portion 4A (see [reference]). Figure 1A The backrest 4 is connected to the seat 3, and the backrest 4 is tiltable relative to the support frame 2.

[0043] Figure 2 The chair 1 is shown with the seat 3 removed for clarity. Figure 2 The support frame 2 is shown on the left (and right) side of the chair 1, including the fork 6A. The fork is circled and further shown in detail A in the accompanying drawing. Figure 1A The diagram shows the fork 6A supporting the sliding pin 6. This sliding pin 6 mates with the tiltable sliding element 10, as... Figures 10 to 13 The best example shown is... Figure 1A It is shown that the tiltable sliding element 10 is connected to or forms part of the seat support element 3A below the seat 3. Figures 10 to 13 The tiltable slider element 10 is depicted as being equipped with a slit 10' that receives a sliding pin 6, which is movable within the slit 10' of the tiltable slider element 10.

[0044] Refer again Figure 1A It shows that the backrest support portion 4A and the seat support element 3A are connected to each other via the middle portion 2A by the first hinge portion 11, and the backrest support portion 4A and the fork 6A are connected to each other via the middle portion 2A by the second hinge portion 30.

[0045] This arrangement allows for a defined (also known as synchronous) relationship between the tilted position of the seat 3 and the reclining position of the backrest 4, thereby avoiding unnatural combinations of the seat 3 and backrest 4, such as a forward-tilted seat 3 and a reclining backrest 4. When the seat 3 is tilted forward in the office chair 1 of the present invention to provide an active posture for the user, the backrest 4 can remain in a neutral position. Figure 2 Detail A shows a locking system as used in the chair of the present invention, which is implemented with a toothed rack 14 and a mating slider 15, the toothed rack 14 and the mating slider 15 being able to be positioned relative to each other in a relative position in order to define a desired reclining position of the backrest 4.

[0046] Figure 4 and Figure 5 The diagram shows the corresponding positions of the toothed rack 14 and the mating slider 15 when the backrest 4 is in the unlocked neutral position. Figure 6 and Figure 7 The relative positions of the toothed rack 14 and the mating slider 15 are shown when the backrest 4 is in the locked neutral position. In this locked position, the teeth of the toothed rack 14 and the teeth of the mating slider 15 are engaged with each other, thus providing the locked position, while in the unlocked position, the teeth are disengaged from each other, and therefore the position is unlocked.

[0047] Moving the toothed rack 14 and the mating slider 15 from the unlocked position to the locked position is accomplished by operating the toggle mechanisms 12 and 13, which are operated by lever 12A and can operate on the toothed rack 14, such as... Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown in the figure.

[0048] To illustrate the difference from the reclining position of backrest 4, Figure 8 and Figure 9 The relative positions of the toothed rack 14 and the mating slider 15 are shown again when the backrest 4 is locked in the reclining position. Clearly, compared to the upright neutral position of the backrest 4, the teeth of the toothed rack 14 and the teeth of the mating slider 15 are in different relative positions to each other at this time.

[0049] It should be noted that the sliding pin 6, which is received in the slit 10' of the tiltable sliding element 10, can move up and down in the mating sliding element 15 so that the seat 3 can be tilted independently of the position of the backrest 4.

[0050] Reference Figure 8 and Figure 9 This illustrates that the toothed rack 14 can engage with the mating slider 15 in the relative position defined by the reclining position of the backrest 4 relative to each other. As mentioned above, the engagement of the toothed rack 14 and the mating slider 15 is achieved by operating a toggle mechanism 12, 13 operated by a lever 12A that is operable on the toothed rack 14, such as... Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown in the figure.

[0051] The toggle mechanisms 12 and 13, operated by lever 12A, can be disengaged from the toothed rack 14 without changing the relative positions of the toothed rack 14 and the mating slider 15. This is achieved through comparison. Figure 4 and Figure 6 It is clear. Figure 4 and Figure 6 The diagram shows toggle mechanisms 12 and 13 in engaged and disengaged positions relative to the toothed rack 14. When toggle mechanisms 12 and 13, operated by lever 12A, are disengaged from the toothed rack 14, the spring 31 that operatively supports the backrest 4 (see [reference])... Figure 10 The backrest 4 remains in place. When the user applies pressure to the backrest 4, its position can be unlocked. This is achieved through... Figure 4 and Figure 6 The features described in the document are realized. Figure 4 and Figure 6 The toothed rack 14 is shown to be spring-loaded by spring 19 so that once the mating slider 15 is unloaded from the reaction force of the backrest 4, the toothed rack 14 is forced to disengage from the mating slider 15.

[0052] It should also be noted that all the components in this structure are close to each other, which makes it possible to achieve a compact structure.

[0053] Back Figure 2 ,exist Figure 2 Detail A shows that the toggle mechanisms 12, 13, operated by lever 12a, are implemented in a replaceable housing 27, which can be customized to have specific functions to meet customer requirements. Figure 3 The application of this separate box 27 is also described. (See reference...) Figure 5 The embodiment shown demonstrates the benefits of using such a box 27 system, wherein the seat tilting mechanism is provided with a knob or screw 22 for disabling the seat tilting function, which utilizes one or more slidable fixing elements 16, 17, which will be discussed below.

[0054] Figures 10 to 1 6. A seat tilting system for a chair 1 according to the present invention. The seat 3 is shown in a tilted position and a neutral position, respectively. Figure 12 and Figure 13 Specifically shown is that the tiltable sliding element 10 has a notch 10”, which engages with one or more slidable fixing elements 16, 17 forming part of the seat tilting mechanism to lock the tiltable sliding element 10 in a neutral position. Figure 13 ) or tilt forward ( Figure 12 )middle.

[0055] A preferred embodiment is shown, wherein one or more slidable fixing elements 16, 17 can be secured by means of... Figure 15 Operated in accordance with the lever 29 shown in Figure 16, the lever 29 is connected via one or more cables 24 to one or more slidable stop elements 20 to disengage one or more slidable retaining elements 16, 17 connected to the one or more slidable stop elements 20 from the notch 10” of the tiltable slider element 10. The one or more slidable retaining elements 16, 17 are spring-loaded by spring 18 to force these elements 16, 17 into locking engagement with the notch 10” of the tiltable slider element 10 when the lever 29 connected via one or more cables 24 to the one or more slidable stop elements 20 is activated or released. Depending on the subsequent position of the slider element 10, either Figure 13 The neutral position is fixed by a sliding fixing element 16, or as follows: Figure 12 As shown, the forward tilt position of the seat 3 is fixed by the slidable fixing element 16.

[0056] Finally in Figure 10The diagram shows that when the seat is tilted, the aforementioned first hinge 11 of the seat support element 3A, which supports the seat 3, maintains a fixed distance from the floor where the chair 1 is placed. The first hinge 11 is positioned below the area where the user of the chair 1 rests his or her buttocks during use.

[0057] Embodiments of the present invention may include each combination of features disclosed herein independently of each other. Although the invention has been discussed above with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, the invention is not limited to that particular embodiment, which may be varied in many ways without departing from the invention. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments discussed should not be used to interpret the appended claims strictly according to the exemplary embodiments. Rather, the embodiments are intended only to interpret the wording of the appended claims and not to limit the claims to those exemplary embodiments. Therefore, the scope of protection of the invention should be interpreted only according to the appended claims, wherein the exemplary embodiments should be used to resolve any possible ambiguities in the wording of the claims.

[0058] Modifications and alterations to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the invention is intended to cover all such modifications and equivalents in the appended claims. The full disclosure of all references, applications, patents, and publications cited above is incorporated herein by reference. Unless specifically stated above as "essential," the various components or their interrelationships are not essential to the operation of the invention. Rather, desired results can be achieved by replacing the various components and / or reconfiguring the relationships between them.

Claims

1. An office chair (1), said office chair (1) comprising: A floor-mounted support frame (2) supports the seat (3); and a backrest (4), which is connected to the seat (3) via a backrest support portion (4A), wherein the backrest (4) is tiltable relative to the support frame (2), wherein the support frame (2) includes a fork (6A) supporting a sliding pin (6) on the left and / or right sides of the chair (1), the sliding pin (6) engaging with a tiltable sliding element (10), the tiltable sliding element (10) being connected to or forming part of a seat support element (3A) below the seat (3), wherein the tiltable sliding element (10) is equipped with a slit (10') receiving the sliding pin (6), the sliding pin (6) being able to... The backrest support portion (4A) and the seat support element (3A) are directly connected to each other by means of a first hinge portion (11) or indirectly connected to each other by means of a first hinge portion (11) via an intermediate portion (2A), and the backrest support portion (4A) and the fork (6A) are directly connected to each other by means of a second hinge portion (30) or indirectly connected to each other by means of a second hinge portion (30) via the intermediate portion (2A), characterized in that the sliding pin (6) is connected to a locking system implemented with a toothed rack (14) and a mating slider (15), the toothed rack (14) and the mating slider (15) being able to be positioned in relative positions to each other in order to define the desired reclining position of the backrest (4).

2. The office chair according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sliding pin (6) received in the slit (10') of the tiltable sliding element (10) is able to move up and down in the mating sliding element (15) so that the seat (3) can be tilted independently of the position of the backrest (4).

3. The office chair according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, By operating the toggle mechanism (12, 13) operated by the lever (12A), the toothed rack (14) and the mating slider (15) can engage in the relative position defining the reclining position of the backrest (4) relative to each other. The toggle mechanism (12, 13) operated by the lever (12A) can operate on the toothed rack (14), and the toggle mechanism (12, 13) operated by the lever (12A) can disengage from the toothed rack (14) without changing the relative position of the toothed rack (14) and the mating slider (15).

4. The office chair according to claim 3, characterized in that, The toothed rack (14) is spring-loaded by a spring (19) so that once the mating slider (15) is unloaded from the reaction force of the backrest (4), the toothed rack (14) is forced to disengage from the mating slider (15).

5. The office chair according to any one of claims 3 to 4, characterized in that, The toggle mechanism (12, 13) operated by the lever (12A) is implemented in a replaceable box (27), which can be customized to have specific functions to meet customer requirements.

6. The office chair according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The tiltable sliding element (10) has a notch (10") that engages with one or more slidable fixing elements (16, 17) forming part of the seat tilting mechanism to lock the tiltable sliding element (10) in a neutral position or a forward tilting position.

7. The office chair according to claim 6, characterized in that, The one or more slidable fixing elements (16, 17) are blocked by one or more blocking elements (20), which can be operated by levers (29) connected by one or more cables (24), wherein the one or more slidable fixing elements (16, 17) are free to move once they are released by the one or more blocking elements (20) so as to disengage the one or more slidable fixing elements (16, 17) from the notch (10) of the tiltable sliding element (10).

8. The office chair according to claim 7, characterized in that, The one or more slidable fixing elements (16, 17) are spring-loaded by springs (18) to force these elements (16, 17) to lock into engagement with the notch (10") of the tiltable sliding element (10) when the lever (29) connected to the one or more slidable blocking elements (20) via one or more cables (24) is activated or released.

9. The office chair according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, When the seat is tilted, the first hinge (11) of the seat support element (3A) maintains a fixed distance from the floor where the chair (1) is placed, and the first hinge (11) is positioned below the area where the user of the chair (1) places his or her buttocks during use.

10. The office chair according to any one of claims 6 to 8, or claim 9 when dependent on any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that, The seat tilting mechanism is provided with a knob or screw (22) for disabling the one or more sliding fixing elements (16, 17).

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