CHAIR WITH A REUSABLE SEAT SHELL AND A CHAIR FRAME ATTACHED TO THE SEAT SHELL

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a chair comprising a reused seat shell and a chair frame connected to the seat shell according to claim 1. State of the art

[0002] Chairs are considered to be sufficiently well-known in the art. These typically comprise a seat shell and an attached chair frame, which are already coordinated during manufacture to ensure secure seating. US3201172A and US9980569B1 are prior art, which can be considered useful for understanding the invention.

[0003] Such chairs can usually be carried around by a user and are therefore mobile in this sense.

[0004] On the other hand, there are seating options that are inherently immobile. These include, for example, seating in football stadiums. Here, the seat shells are permanently mounted on benches, perhaps made of stone or wood, or on metal structures, such as tubular frames / truss frames, and therefore cannot be moved. Reliable seating is guaranteed for the user, as tipping over is impossible in the stadium. However, the corresponding seat shells in stadiums are typically subject to heavy wear, for example, during football matches, which requires regular replacement of the seat shells. This is accompanied by a significant waste problem. Task

[0005] Based on the known state of the art, the task to be solved is therefore to reuse seat shells that were originally firmly attached to a building in order to reduce the resulting waste. Solution

[0006] This object is achieved by the chair according to claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are covered in the subclaims.

[0007] The chair according to the invention according to claim 1 comprises, among other things, a reused seat shell and a chair frame connected to the seat shell, wherein the chair frame comprises a mounting plate and four chair legs, wherein the mounting plate is connected to the chair legs via first connecting elements and wherein the mounting plate is connected to the seat shell via second connecting elements, wherein the center of gravity of the chair lies within an area delimited by the mounting plate and the chair legs.

[0008] The reused seat shell is in particular a seat shell which was designed and used in connection with a fixed installation and connection, for example, to a building or a structure which was considerably heavier than the seat shell, in particular at least ten times heavier or at least one hundred times heavier than the seat shell.

[0009] The fact that the centre of gravity of the chair lies within an area (or volume) delimited by the mounting plate and the chair legs is to be understood in particular to mean that the centre of gravity lies below the seat surface of the seat shell.

[0010] In order to position the center of gravity of the chair within this volume, it can be provided, in particular, that the mounting plate has a mass that is at least as large as the mass of the seat shell. In particular, it can be provided that the mass of the chair frame is greater than the mass of the seat shell, approximately 20% or 30% greater than the mass of the seat shell.

[0011] The seat shell can be divided into a seat surface, on which the user sits during normal use, and a backrest, against which the user can lean their back during normal use. This division is merely for clarification. The seat shell can in particular be formed in one piece, so that the backrest and seat surface are made of the same material and are continuously shaped, for example from plastic. In some embodiments, the one-piece seat shell is made of the plastics PA and / or PP or comprises these materials. In another embodiment, the seat shell can also be made of wood or comprise wood. Seat shells designed in two or more parts are also conceivable, wherein, for example, the backrest can be formed as one workpiece and the seat surface as a second workpiece, which are connected to one another via suitable connections.

[0012] The seat surface of the seat shell is essentially horizontal when the chair is on the floor, whereas the backrest usually extends essentially vertically. This also includes deviations from the exact horizontal or exact vertical of a few degrees, approximately up to 20°, within the definition of a "essentially vertical" backrest or a "essentially horizontal" seat surface.

[0013] By designing the chair with the reused seat shell according to the invention, it is achieved, on the one hand, that a seat shell that would otherwise have to be disposed of or recycled can be reused, which reduces the overall waste generated and thus contributes to a circular economy. Furthermore, the chair designed in this way can ensure safe use as a seat thanks to the specific design of the chair frame.

[0014] According to the invention, the mounting plate is designed as a substantially cuboid-shaped shell, wherein the first connecting elements comprise first bores in the base of the shell, wherein the first bores form corners of a quadrilateral, a rectangle or a square and wherein the center of the quadrilateral, the rectangle or the square lies on a first central axis of the base and is spaced from a second central axis of the base running perpendicular to the first central axis and wherein the center of gravity of the chair lies on a first straight line passing through the center and extending perpendicular to the plane defined by the base.

[0015] In particular, the shell can have a backrest-side side surface and a front side surface, whose side surfaces are shaped differently to correspond to the shape of the reused seat shell, so that the latter can also rest on these areas. The backrest-side side surface is the side surface that is arranged closer to the backrest of the seat shell.

[0016] The mounting plate is preferably made of metal. Alternatively, the mounting plate can also be made of coated metal, such as coated (stainless) steel or coated aluminum, in particular powder-coated (stainless) steel or powder-coated aluminum. The design of the mounting plate according to these embodiments allows for a reliable connection of the mounting plate to the chair legs.

[0017] In one embodiment, it is provided that the mounting plate comprises at least two support areas arranged on opposite sides of the shell, on which the seat shell rests at least partially, wherein the second connecting elements comprise second bores in the support areas, wherein the second bores form corners of a quadrilateral, a rectangle or a square and wherein the center of the quadrilateral, the rectangle or the square lies on a second straight line passing through the first central axis, which is perpendicular to the plane defined by the floor.

[0018] Preferably, the distance between the second holes is greater than the distance between each of the first holes.

[0019] The seat shell does not need to fully rest on the support areas when unloaded (i.e., without a seated user). It can also be designed so that when the chair is not in use, the seat surface only contacts the support areas in the area of ​​the second holes. During use, any elasticity in the seat shell causes the seat shell to deform, causing it to come into contact with other areas of the support area. This further improves the operator's secure seating on the chair.

[0020] Furthermore, the second connecting elements can comprise third holes in the seat shell and screws passing through the second holes and the third holes.

[0021] Instead of screw connections, other connecting elements can be used, such as clamps or rivets. Removable connections, such as one or more screws and corresponding nuts, can also be used here, allowing for the replacement of the reused seat shell or chair frame, which can further reduce waste if one or more of the chair's components are damaged.

[0022] It can also be provided that the center of gravity of the seat shell lies on the first straight line. This means that the center of gravity of the seat shell itself lies on the first straight line, independent of the chair frame, when the seat shell is connected to the chair frame. The chair frame and seat shell are thus designed to achieve a center of gravity that is as favorable as possible for use by an operator, thus ensuring a high level of safety.

[0023] It can also be provided that the reused seat shell is a stadium seat shell. This advantageously reduces the waste generated when disposing of these seat shells.

[0024] Furthermore, it can be provided that the four chair legs are connected with a mounting adapter, wherein the first connecting elements comprise fourth holes in the mounting adapter and screws extending through the first holes and the fourth holes. This allows the chair legs themselves to be structurally simple and, for example, made of wood.

[0025] In one embodiment, the mounting adapter comprises a cross-shaped connecting region in which the fourth bores are arranged, wherein the center of gravity of the chair lies on a third straight line passing through the center of the cross and extending perpendicular to a plane formed by the connecting region.

[0026] The mounting plate can preferably rest fully on the cross-shaped connection area of ​​the mounting adapter, preventing unwanted movement of the mounting plate and the seat shell mounted on it against the chair legs, further increasing safety while sitting. The location of the center of gravity in the center of the cross also contributes to this. The center of gravity preferably extends away from the underside of the seat surface of the seat shell at a distance from the cross-shaped connection area, which achieves the lowest possible center of gravity of the chair and thus simultaneously increases safety during use.

[0027] In particular, the first and third lines can be identical. This ensures that the center of gravity of the chair is on the central axis of the chair frame, further increasing safety during use.

[0028] In one embodiment, it is provided that the chair legs are connected to the mounting adapter via screws and / or that the chair legs enclose an angle of 10° to 50° or 15° to 40° or 20° to 30° with a central axis of the chair.

[0029] This specifically means that the chair legs extend away from the central axis of the chair, starting from the mounting plate. The larger the angle between the legs and the central axis, the larger the footprint of the chair, which can further improve safety when using the chair. Short description of the characters

[0030] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a chair according to an embodiment Figures 2a+b show an embodiment of a mounting plate Figures 3a+b show an embodiment of a mounting adapter in connection with chair legs Detailed description

[0031] Fig. 1shows an embodiment of a chair 100. The chair 100 comprises a seat shell 101 and a chair frame 103 connected thereto, which comprises a mounting plate 102 and a group of chair legs 131, 132, 133 and 134.

[0032] The mounting plate 102 is connected to the seat shell 101 via second connecting elements 121 (this also includes the connecting elements on the opposite side of the mounting plate). This connection can preferably be a detachable connection, so that the seat shell and mounting plate can be separated from each other, for example, to replace the seat shell or the mounting plate.

[0033] Furthermore, the mounting plate 102 is connected to the chair legs 131 to 134 via first connecting elements 141. The chair frame 103, comprising the mounting plate 102 and the chair legs 131 to 134, is designed according to the invention such that, together with the seat shell of the chair 100, it is configured such that the center of gravity S of the chair 100 lies within the volume V bounded by the mounting plate and the chair legs. This volume V is also referred to as the "area" V.

[0034] The volume V is not completely enclosed or enclosed by the mounting plate and the chair legs.

[0035] In some embodiments, the volume is at least partially bounded by all outwardly facing surfaces of the chair legs and the mounting plate, wherein the mounting plate and chair legs form edges or parts of the side surfaces of the imaginary volume V.

[0036] It is preferred if the center of gravity S lies below the seat shell 101 and in the volume V. It is particularly preferred if the center of gravity S lies below the seat shell and on the side of the mounting plate opposite the seat shell, i.e. in the volume delimited only by the underside of the mounting plate, which points away from the seat shell 101, and the chair legs 131 to 134.

[0037] The lower the center of gravity of the chair, the safer the chair can be used. In some embodiments, the center of gravity S is located at a distance from the underside of the chair top that is more than 10% but less than 50% of the distance from the underside of the chair top to the imaginary base area of ​​the volume V, in which the ends of the chair legs facing away from the mounting plate are located. Particularly preferably, the distance is more than 25% but less than 50% of the distance.

[0038] According to the invention, the seat shell is a reused seat shell which, during its first use, did not form a chair together with a mobile or movable chair frame, but rather, before being connected to the chair frame according to the invention, was part of a building and firmly connected to it. In particular, the reused seat shell can be a stadium seat shell, for example from a football stadium, handball stadium, ice hockey stadium, ice stadium, racing stadium (horse racing track, racetrack), tennis stadium, basketball stadium, or baseball stadium, which was firmly connected, for example by screws, to a bench, a metal structure, such as a tubular steel structure, or a truss system, each of which is considerably heavier than the seat shell itself, or to the building itself (fastened to a concrete step, for example).

[0039] It is particularly preferred if holes in the seat shell that were originally used to fix the seat shell in the stadium or similar are also used as part of the second connecting elements 121, so that the mounting plate can be connected to the seat shell, for example by means of screws, via the holes that were already provided in the seat shell when it was installed in the stadium.

[0040] However, this design is not mandatory, so that additional holes can be inserted into the seat shell when it is reused as part of the chair in order to create a connection with the mounting plate.

[0041] The Fig. 2a and 2b show views of the mounting plate according to some embodiments.

[0042] In the Fig. 2a the mounting plate 102 is shown together with the seat shell 101, which is only shown in dashed lines.

[0043] In the Fig. 2aThe mounting plate is designed as a substantially shell-shaped, and here essentially as a cuboid-shaped shell with optionally beveled side surfaces. In an embodiment with beveled side surfaces, this essentially cuboid-shaped shell can also be referred to as a trapezoidal shell.

[0044] The tray 220 in this embodiment comprises a base 240 which, as described in relation to Fig. 2b which will be carried out later, contains the first drillings.

[0045] The base 240 is further defined by a backrest-side side surface 221, which extends upward from the base in a vertical direction or at an angle below the vertical direction. A front side surface 222 defines the shell on the side opposite the side surface 221.

[0046] Furthermore, the shell 220 comprises two side surfaces 223 and 224 which extend from the backrest side surface 221 to the front side surface 222.

[0047] These side surfaces may, but do not have to, be connected to or encompass the illustrated support areas 230. The support areas 230 serve to connect the seat shell to the mounting plate.

[0048] The mounting plate is preferably made of a shatter-proof material, for example stainless steel or coated iron or aluminum, preferably powder-coated steel or powder-coated stainless steel or powder-coated aluminum, so that it can withstand the stresses and strains encountered during use of the chair.

[0049] In particular, the mounting plate can be assembled from several pieces, for example by welding these pieces together and punching the necessary openings or holes into the individual workpieces. The individual workpieces from which the mounting plate can be assembled (for example, a plate forming the base 240 and several plates forming the side surfaces 221 to 224) can also be punched from sheet metal. The individual workpieces can then be welded together to complete the mounting plate.

[0050] The Fig. 2b shows a top view of the mounting plate from the Fig. 2a .

[0051] The base 240 is here in the shape of a rectangle with a center point M and a first central axis M1 extending in the plane formed by the base 240, which runs from the backrest-side edge, adjacent to the backrest-side side surface 221, to the opposite, front edge, adjacent to the front side surface 222 of the mounting plate. The central axis M1 intersects the center point M.

[0052] A second central axis M2 runs perpendicular to this central axis M1 in the plane formed by the base 240, from one side surface 223 to the other side surface 224 and intersects the center point M.

[0053] In principle, the shape of the mounting plate or the shell can be regarded as cuboid-shaped in plan view, whereby this shape approaches a cuboid more closely the closer the angle of attack of the side surfaces 221 to 224 comes to a right angle with respect to the base 240.

[0054] While straight boundary surfaces of the mounting plates were assumed here, one or more of the side surfaces 221 to 224 and / or the bottom 240 can also have a convex or concave curvature.

[0055] In one embodiment, it is provided that the mounting plate in the base 240 contains a series of holes 241 to 244 as part of the first connecting elements. Since in some embodiments it is provided that the chair comprises four legs, four holes are preferred. The holes 241 to 244 can in principle have any relative position to one another, whereby instead of a general quadrilateral, the arrangement of the holes in a regular quadrilateral, in particular in a rectangle or a square, as shown here, is preferred. This embodiment is also particularly preferred if the chair legs are connected to the mounting plate by means of a mounting adapter, as described with regard to Fig. 3aand b is still being executed.

[0056] Particularly preferred is an arrangement of the first bores 241 to 244 closer to the backrest-side surface 221 of the mounting plate than to the front side surface 222, as shown here.

[0057] Furthermore, it is preferred if the four holes are arranged symmetrically with respect to the first central axis M1, so that the distance between the holes to the left of it in the Fig. 2b(i.e., holes 241 and 244) is equal to the distance between the right-hand holes 242 and 243 and the central axis M1. It is particularly preferred if the center point K of the rectangle formed by the holes 241 and 244 (here, these holes form the corners of the rectangle) lies on an axis SA that runs parallel to the second central axis M2, but whose distance to the backrest-side side surface 221 is less than the distance to the front side surface 222. In this case, the axis SA does not have to pass through the floor 240, and it can be provided that the point K lies in the plane defined by the floor 240 and, at the same time, in the plane defined by the axis SA, which is perpendicular to the plane of the floor 240.

[0058] Particularly preferably, the center point K of the rectangle formed by the four holes 241 to 244 coincides with the center of gravity S of the chair, or the center point K and the center of gravity S of the chair lie on a common straight line perpendicular to the plane formed by the base 240. It is preferred if the center of gravity S is at a greater distance from the seat shell than from the base 240, in particular on the side of the base 240 opposite the seat shell 101.

[0059] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the mounting plate 102 comprises the above-mentioned support areas 230, on which the seat shell 101 of the chair can rest at least partially, as is the case in Fig. 2ais shown. Preferably, but not necessarily, the support surfaces 230 are beveled so that they slope downwards from their connection point with the side surfaces 223 and 224, respectively. They thus follow the contour of the underside of the seat surface of the seat shell and can thus ensure reliable support of the seat shell.

[0060] Preferably, the side surfaces 223 and 224 can enclose an angle between 90° and 130°, preferably between 110° and 130° and particularly preferably between 120° and 130° with the floor and / or the support areas enclose an angle between 80° and 120°, preferably between 90° and 110°, particularly preferably between 95° and 105° with the side surfaces 233 and 234, respectively.

[0061] Furthermore, the support surfaces 230 preferably comprise second bores 231 to 234, which are designed as part of the second connecting elements for connecting the seat shell to the mounting plate. These bores can be located, if possible, at the outer corners of the support area, as shown in the Fig. 2b shown. Although only two holes are shown per support surface 230, this is not to be understood as limiting. More than two holes, such as three or four, or even just one, may be provided per side surface.

[0062] The mounting plate is preferably designed such that the center point T of the rectangle formed by the holes 231 to 234 lies on the center axis M1 or in a plane perpendicular to the plane formed by the floor, which contains the center axis M1. In some embodiments, the center point T of the rectangle defined by the holes 231 to 234 coincides with the center point M or the intersection point M of the first center axis M1 and the second center axis M2. Preferably, the center point T can lie on the side of the second center axis M2 opposite the center of gravity S and / or the center point K.In embodiments in which the center of gravity of the seat shell 101 is not exactly in the center of the seat surface but is shifted towards the backrest, this design can ensure that when the seat shell is attached to the mounting plate, the center of gravity of the seat shell lies on the same straight line on which the center of gravity of the chair and, if applicable, the center point K of the holes for the chair legs are located.

[0063] The Fig. 3a and 3b show designs of the chair legs, whereby in the Fig. 3a a mounting adapter 350 is shown which can be connected to the chair legs.

[0064] As in the Fig. 3aAs shown, the mounting adapter 350 is designed as a truncated pyramid, wherein this truncated pyramid is formed only by the edges in the embodiment shown here. Both the upper surface 360 ​​with the bores 361 to 364 and the lower connection or surface 380, which form the top surface 360 ​​and base surface 380 of the truncated pyramid, are preferably formed by cross-shaped structures. These two crosses 360 and 380 are therefore connected by the side struts 371 to 374 of the mounting adapter. The side struts 371 to 374 can enclose an angle with an axis R running perpendicularly through the upper cross-shaped surface 360. This angle can be, for example, 10° to 50° or preferably 15° to 40°, particularly preferably 20° to 30°. This allows the base area of ​​the chair legs following the course of the side struts to be increased, which makes the chair more stable.

[0065] Instead of the cross-shaped shape of the base surface 380, in some embodiments a round iron, for example in the shape of a rectangle or a rhombus, can also be provided, the (possibly rounded) corners of which are connected to the side struts 371 to 374.

[0066] In the Fig. 3b This can be seen schematically in the embodiment shown. As shown in the Fig. 3bAs can also be seen, the individual chair legs 331 to 333 are connected to the mounting adapter 350 via suitable connecting elements, such as holes and screws, shown here as elements 391 and 392 for the chair leg 331. This connection is preferably made such that the chair legs 331 rest against the side struts 371 to 374, so that a positive and non-positive connection can be ensured with the aid of the elements 391 and 392. Preferably, at least two connecting elements are used to connect the chair legs 331 to 334 to the respective struts 371 to 374. However, more connecting elements can also be provided.

[0067] Particularly preferably, the mounting adapter 350 is designed such that the central axis R, which is perpendicular to the surface defined by the upper cross 360, runs through the center of gravity S of the chair when the mounting adapter is connected to the first holes 241 to 244 by means of the fourth holes 361 to 364.

[0068] The chair legs are preferably made of a sturdy material, such as wood or plastic. Wear surfaces made of a softer material, such as rubber or felt, can be arranged at the ends of the chair legs that come into contact with the floor. These can also reduce the noise that hits the floor when the chair is moved around or placed on the floor.

Claims

1. A chair (100) comprising a reused seat shell (101) and a chair frame (103) connected to the seat shell, wherein the chair frame comprises a mounting plate (102) and four chair legs (131, 132, 133, 134), wherein the mounting plate is connected to the chair legs by first connecting elements (141), and wherein the mounting plate is connected to the seat shell by second connecting elements (121), wherein the center of gravity (S) of the chair is located within a range defined by the mounting plate and the chair legs; wherein the mounting plate is formed as a substantially cuboidal shell, the first connecting elements comprising first holes (241, 242, 243, 244) in the bottom (240) of the shell, wherein the first holes form corners of a quadrilateral, a rectangle or a square, and wherein the center (K) of the quadrilateral, the rectangle or the square is located on a first central axis (M1) of the bottom and is spaced from a second central axis (M2) extending perpendicular to the first central axis of the bottom, and wherein the center of gravity of the chair is located on a first line extending through the center of the quadrilateral running perpendicular to the line through the plane defined by the bottom.

2. The chair according to claim 1, wherein the mounting plate comprises at least two support regions disposed on opposite sides of the shell at least partially supporting the seat shell, wherein the second connecting elements comprise second holes in the support regions, wherein the second holes form corners of a quadrilateral, a rectangle or a square and wherein the center of the quadrilateral, the rectangle or the square is located on a second line extending through the first central axis perpendicular to the plane defined by the bottom.

3. The chair according to claim 2, wherein the second connecting elements comprise third holes in the seat shell and screws penetrating through the second holes and the third holes.

4. The chair according to claims 2 or 3, wherein the center of gravity of the seat shell is located on the first line.

5. The chair according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the reused seat shell is a stadium seat shell.

6. The chair according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the four chair legs are connected to a mounting adapter, and wherein the first connecting elements comprise fourth holes in the mounting adapter and screws penetrating through the first holes and the fourth holes.

7. The chair according to claim 6, wherein the mounting adapter comprises a cross-shaped connecting region in which the fourth holes are arranged and wherein the center of gravity of the chair is located on a third line extending through the center of the cross perpendicular to a plane formed by the connecting region.

8. The chair according to claim 7, wherein the first line and the third line are identical.

9. The chair according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the chair legs are connected to the mounting adapter by screws and / or wherein the chair legs include an angle of 10° to 50° or 15° to 40° or 20° to 30° with a central axis of the chair.