FURNITURE SEAT

Abstract

A seat comprising at least one seat (2) and legs (6) fixed to an underside of the seat, wherein said seat comprises a main part (16) and a secondary part (18), the legs (6) being fixed to the main part (16), and wherein the main part (16) comprises a recess (20) opening into an edge (10) of the seat intended to face a table and allow a person to sit on the seat facing the table. The secondary part (18) has a shape complementary to the shape of the recess (20) and is capable of moving from a first position, in which the secondary part (18) at least largely closes the recess (20), to a second position in which the secondary part (18) leaves at least a large portion of the recess (20) open, so as to allow the main part to be positioned around a table leg. [Fig. 2]

Description

Title of the invention: FURNITURE SEAT TECHNICAL FIELD AND PRIOR ART

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat having improved comfort of use.

[0002] There are several types of seats, for example chairs which are generally without armrests and which are arranged around a table and allow for example to share a meal.

[0003] There are also a large number of table types. Round tables often have a single central leg. The chairs are arranged around the table and are not hindered by the leg. In the case of round tables with legs arranged around the edge or rectangular tables, it may happen that a chair is opposite a leg. This happens regularly when guests are received and the number of chairs exceeds the number of chairs ideally planned around the table. In this case, the occupant of the chair moves his chair so that his legs are arranged on one side of the leg, but his comfort is reduced, as is that of his neighbors.Alternatively, he places his legs on either side of the foot; on the one hand this arrangement is not comfortable, and furthermore, due to the interaction between the foot and the seat of the chair, the chair and therefore the occupant are in a position set back from the table and its neighbors, which is not a very comfortable situation for eating a meal, nor very convivial.

[0004] There is therefore a demand for furniture that improves the comfort of occupants around a table, particularly those positioned at the table legs. Statement of the invention

[0005] It is therefore an aim of the present application to provide a seat which does not have the above drawbacks.

[0006] The aim stated above is achieved by a seat comprising a seat and legs fixed to one face of the seat, in which the seat is in two parts, a main part on which the user rests, said main part comprising a recess configured to allow a table leg to be housed in the cutout and a removable secondary part configured to fill the recess in order to reform a complete seat and means for releasing the recess or locking the secondary part onto the main part so as to reform a complete seat.

[0007] Thus when the seat is to be used in front of a leg, the secondary part is manipulated to release the recess, the chair can then be brought closer to the leg and take a position similar to those of the other seats which are not in front of a leg. foot. When the seat is not facing a foot, the secondary part is put back in place and the seat resumes a classic appearance and normal use.

[0008] Advantageously, the secondary part is connected to the main part by a hinge, so the secondary part is always connected to the main part, and there is no risk of it being lost or getting in the way. In addition, this allows the secondary part to be quickly replaced.

[0009] In other words, the invention proposes a piece of furniture provided with a seat, part of which is retractable to allow the seat to be placed as close as possible to a table leg.

[0010] The present invention then relates to a seat comprising at least one seat and legs fixed to a lower face of the seat, in which said seat comprises a main part and a secondary part, the legs being fixed to the main part. The main part comprises a recess opening into an edge of the seat intended to be oriented towards a table and to allow a person to sit on the seat opposite the table, and the secondary part has a shape complementary to the shape of the recess and is capable of passing from a first position, in which the secondary part at least largely closes the recess and a second position in which the secondary part frees at least a large part of the recess, so as to allow the main part to be arranged around a table leg.

[0011] Preferably, the main part has the shape of a U, the person being intended to rest on the bottom of the U and on the branches of the U.

[0012] Very advantageously, the secondary part is mounted articulated on the main part so as to remain attached to the main part in its first position and in its second position.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, the seat comprises a hinge connecting the main part and the secondary part and means for immobilizing the secondary part to the main part in the first position.

[0014] For example, the immobilizing means comprise lever latches cooperating with hooks.

[0015] The hinge is advantageously configured to ensure that the secondary part is held at least in the second position.

[0016] In the second position the secondary part can be substantially in a vertical position.

[0017] Preferably, the secondary part in its second position is located at least partly under the seat.

[0018] The recess advantageously has a flared shape.

[0019] The seat may include a backrest fixed to the seat opposite the part of the seat into which the recess opens. Brief description of the drawings

[0020] The present application will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows and the attached drawings in which: - [Fig.l] is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a seat according to the invention in a first state, - [Fig.2] is a perspective view of the seat according to the invention in a second state, - [Fig.3] is a view from below of the seat of [Fig.l], - [Fig.4] is a schematic representation of a seat according to the invention placed near a table, - [Fig.5] is a perspective view of another example of embodiment of a chair according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0021] In [Fig.l], we can see an example of an embodiment of a seat S according to the invention.

[0022] The seat S is a chair comprising a seat 2, a backrest 4 and four legs 6.

[0023] In this example, the seat is substantially square in shape with a rear side 8 to which the backrest 4 is fixed, and a front side 10 opposite the rear side 8 forming the front part of the chair by which the user sits on the seat.

[0024] In this example, the front side 10 and the rear side 8 are curved for reasons of comfort but this is in no way limiting.

[0025] The seat further comprises a lower face 12 to which the feet are fixed and an upper face 14, on which the user is intended to rest.

[0026] According to the invention, the seat comprises a main part 16 and a secondary part 18, the two parts 16 and 18 being complementary. The feet are fixed to the lower face of the main part.

[0027] The main part 16 comprises a recess 20 opening into the front side 10. The recess 20 opens substantially into a central zone of the front side 10. The main part then has a substantially U-shape. In this example, the recess 20 has a substantially square shape. The dimensions of the recess are such that they allow the recess to accommodate a table leg of standard dimensions. The side of the recess opening into the front side 10 is completely free to allow the seat to slide around the table leg.

[0028] The recess comprises edges 20.1, 20.2 opening into the front side 10 of the seat. Advantageously, the edges 20.1, 20.2 flare outwards so as to facilitate the insertion of the foot into the recess and reduce the risks of damage to the foot and the seat in the event of contact.

[0029] The secondary part 18 has a shape complementary to the main part.

[0030] The secondary part 18 is advantageously articulated on the main part 16, so that it can take at least a first position in which the secondary part 18 closes the recess 20, and a second position in which the secondary part 18 frees the recess and does not hinder the positioning of the chair around a table leg.

[0031] In this example, a hinge 22 is provided between the main part 16 and the secondary part 18. In [Fig. 3], a bottom view of the seat can be seen on which the hinge 22 is visible. Preferably and as shown, the axis of rotation of the hinge 22 is substantially parallel to a bottom 24 of the recess.

[0032] In the example shown and advantageously, the hinge is a spring hinge, for example from the BLUM® brand. It also ensures that the secondary part is held in its two positions, which prevents the secondary part from falling as soon as the latches are unlocked and from oscillating around its second position, in particular during the movement of the chair. However, a hinge of the flat hinge type does not depart from the scope of the present invention; in this case, additional means may then be provided to immobilize the secondary part in the second position.

[0033] Furthermore, the seat comprises immobilization means 26 for immobilizing the secondary part 18 in the first position. In the example shown and advantageously, the means 26 comprise two lever latches 26.1, each fixed to the secondary part and cooperating with a hook 26.2 fixed to the main part. The hooks are on the branches of the U and each latch is arranged perpendicular to an edge 20.1, 20.2.

[0034] The use of lever latches has the advantage of providing a rigid connection between the main part and the secondary part, so that the user feels little or no difference between the main part and the secondary part. In addition, they are easy to handle even without having a direct view of them.

[0035] Alternatively, the lever latches are attached to the main part and the hooks are attached to the secondary part.

[0036] Alternatively, the securing means are sliding latches.

[0037] Any other mechanical immobilization means is conceivable, for example ratchet locking means or spring-loaded plunger pin type means.

[0038] As a further variant, the securing means comprise two plates mounted to pivot perpendicular to the seat, so as to move from a position in which they form a stop for the secondary part to a position in which they release the secondary part.

[0039] In this example, the edges of the secondary part opposite the edges of the recess are substantially vertical. As a variant, a cutout of so as to form a shoulder between the secondary part and the main part. Thus in its first position, the secondary part is supported by its contour against the contour of the recess, improving the relative positioning of the main part and the secondary part and the visual appearance of the seat.

[0040] The use of the seat of Figures 1 to 3 will now be described.

[0041] When the seat is arranged around a table between two legs, the seat can remain in the first position. The user uses it normally.

[0042] When the seat is intended to be placed in front of a leg, for example due to a lack of other places around the table, the two lever latches 26.1 are unlocked. Then pressure is exerted on the secondary part to pivot it downwards around the axis of rotation of the hinge from its first position to its second position. The user sits on the chair normally, because the recess does not reduce the area actually serving as a seat. In addition, the U-shape allows support for the thighs to be maintained. He places his legs on either side of the leg, and can move the chair forward so that the recess surrounds the leg without interaction. Thus the user can be seated around the table as close to it as if he were situated between two legs. This arrangement of the chair relative to the leg 28 of a table 30 made possible by the present invention is shown diagrammatically in [Fig. 4].A seat 32 of the state of the art is placed next to the seat S according to the invention showing that the two seats can be positioned relative to the table top 30 at the same distance despite the presence of the leg 28. Thanks to the invention, it is possible to gain seating places around the table, since the locations at the level of the legs can be used like conventional locations.

[0043] When the user wants to transform the seat again, he exerts traction on the secondary part so that it pivots around the X axis upwards and returns to its first position. The user then locks the secondary part by hooking each latch 26.1 to its hook 26.2.

[0044] The presence of the recess as provided does not modify or only very little modifies the comfort of use of the seat, nor its aesthetics, since the location of the recess does not form or only very little forms the effective area of ​​the seat.

[0045] Furthermore, a seat with a padded seat does not depart from the scope of the present application. In this case, the secondary part may or may not be padded.

[0046] In the example described, the secondary part is permanently attached to the main part. Alternatively, in order to release the recess, the secondary part is detached from the main part. For example, the secondary part comprises two lateral tabs sliding in two grooves of the central main part, or a single tab cooperating with a single groove formed in the contour of the recess. The shape is then advantageously straight or rounded.

[0047] In [Fig. 5], we can see an example of a seat in which the secondary part is separable. In this example the secondary part 18' is fixed to the main part 16' by three hook latches 26.1', two being arranged as in [Fig. 3] and the third being arranged in place of the hinge. As a variant, plunger pins are implemented.

[0048] In this example, the secondary part 18' is articulated on the bottom of the U of the main part 16. As a variant, it is articulated on a branch of the U.

[0049] In another example it can be envisaged that the secondary part slides under the main part thus releasing the recess.

[0050] In this example, the seat is a chair. It will be understood that the seat could be a stool or an armchair, i.e. equipped with armrests.

[0051] Furthermore, the seat can have various shapes. The seat can be rectangular, round, oval without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0052] The seat can be made of wood, plywood, synthetic material, for example plastic. It can also have a covering.

Claims

Claims

1. A seat comprising at least one seat (2) and legs (6) fixed to a lower face of the seat, wherein said seat comprises a main part (16) and a secondary part (18), the legs (6) being fixed to the main part (16), wherein the main part (16) comprises a recess (20) opening into an edge (10) of the seat intended to be oriented towards a table and to allow a person to sit on the seat facing the table, and wherein the secondary part (18) has a shape complementary to the shape of the recess (20) and is capable of passing from a first position, in which the secondary part (18) at least largely closes the recess (20) and a second position in which the secondary part (18) frees at least a large part of the recess (20), so as to allow the main part to be arranged around a table leg.

2. A seat according to claim 1, wherein the main part (16) is U-shaped, the person being intended to rest on the bottom of the U and on the branches of the U.

3. A seat according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the secondary part (18) is hingedly mounted on the main part (16) so as to remain attached to the main part (16) in its first position and in its second position.

4. Seat according to claim 3, comprising a hinge (22) connecting the main part (16) and the secondary part (18), and means (26) for immobilizing the secondary part (18) to the main part (16) in the first position.

5. Seat according to claim 4, in which the immobilizing means (26) comprise lever latches (26.1) cooperating with hooks (26.2).

6. 6. Seat according to claim 4 or 5, in which the hinge (22) is configured to ensure maintenance of the secondary part (18) at least in the second position.

7. Seat according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein in the second position the secondary part (18) is substantially in a vertical position.

8. Seat according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which the secondary part in its second position is located at least partly under the seat.

9. 9. Seat according to one of claims 1 to 8, in which the recess (20) has a flared shape.

10. 10. Seat according to one of claims 1 to 9, comprising a backrest (4) fixed to the seat (2) opposite the part of the seat into which the recess (20) opens.

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