Movable support for a furniture or the like

Abstract

The invention relates to a movable support for mounting on a furniture leg or the likes. The movable support comprises a socket or a cavity configured to engage a body such as a leg of a furniture, a walker or the like and at least two roller or roller assemblies. The movable support is particularly directed to aid persons having difficulties in moving chairs back and forth when sitting down and getting back up, but the movable support may also be used in other connections and for other types of furniture or devices. In particular, the invention relates to a movable support for a leg of a unit, which movable support comprises a socket configured to support the leg of the unit during use which socket comprises an upward facing supporting surface (1) on which surface the leg of the unit rests during use, and side surfaces or supports (2) preventing horizontal movements of the leg of the unit relative to the socket during use, a lower surface (3) facing the ground during use, and at least two rollers or roller assemblies (4) which at least two rollers (4) normally positioned with a mutual angle greater than 89° and at maximum 180°, and a cover (5) covering one or both the at least two roller or roller assemblies (4), wherein the movable support comprises one socket configured to support one leg.

Description

[0001] Movable support for a furniture or the like

[0002] The invention relates to a movable support for mounting on a furniture leg or the likes. The movable support comprises a socket or a cavity configured to engage a body such as a leg of a furniture, a walker or the like and at least two roller or roller assemblies. The movable support is particularly directed to aid persons having difficulties in moving chairs back and forth when sitting down and getting back up, but the movable support may also be used in other connections and for other types of furniture or devices.

[0003] In particular, the movable support is intended to be an add-on which is supplied independently of the furniture which it is to support. However, the movable support may also constitute a permanent or build-in part of a unit or furniture when being supplied to a user.

[0004] Background of the invention

[0005] Many different devices or wheels used to support furniture legs are known from the prior art.

[0006] WO 2018 / 050743 discloses a roller support device which is used to facilitate moving e.g. a chair back and forth while a person is seated.

[0007] GB 2576638 discloses a rollable support device for moving an item, such as a chair. The device comprises a platform 4 having roller assemblies 10, 12 in form of wheels or castors at two opposing ends 6,8, and the axes of rotation of the roller assemblies are parallel. The platform has means 14, 17 for securing the item to the supporting platform 4, the device may have brakes 16 and the item securing means may be straps, hook and loop fastening, circular recesses having padding for frictional engagement with the transported item or a pressure plate screw locking mechanism 17. The platform 4 may be slidably or telescopically extended between its two opposite ends to fit items of different size. Figure 5A shows an embodiment comprising two retaining recesses 14 arranged outside respectively the first and second roller assembly 10,12. Each rollable support device comprises two sockets adapted to receive two legs, a front leg and a back leg of a furniture comprising four legs. The rollable support device is complex with many interacting parts and there is an upper limit in respect of the maximum distance between a front and a back leg, also the rollable support is less stable when extended to its maximum.

[0008] AU 5948369 A discloses a transporting device for transporting chairs and other similar furnitures. The transporting device comprises four supporting arms (1,2, 3, 4) and each supporting arm (1,2, 3, 4) is at the free end provided with a self-steered swivelling castor 5 mounted on the underside of the supporting arm. The supporting arms are arranged in pairs and the two pairs are arranged at a distance from each other at the ends of a telescoping shaft (7). A first supporting arm (1,3) of each pair is both swingably mounted around the telescoping shaft (7) as well as displaceably arranged along the shaft (7) whereas a second supporting arm (2,4) of each pair is fixedly connected to the shaft (7). As one supporting arm of each pair is displaceably arranged along the telescoping shaft (7) it is possible to adapt the four-legged support to a chair where the distance between the back legs of the chair is shorter than the distance between the front leg of the chair. Also, to make it possible to adapt to chairs having different distance between front legs and back legs, each supporting arm (1,2, 3, 4) of the transporting support comprises an oblong space (9) as a socket. Although the oblong socket (9) provides a certain flexibility, there is a maximum distance between front leg and back leg of a chair which the transporting device can support, also the transporting device is complex and cannot be adapted to a unit with less than four legs.

[0009] The present invention provides a flexible improvement of movable supports of the kind comprising wheels, castors, or the like. The movable support is independent of distance between legs, both back and front and from one side to the other. By separating a movable support into one support for each leg of a unit, it is possible to adapt each socket completely to the leg to be supported.

[0010] Further, the present invention provides a movable support combining support of a leg at a low height in a working position, with a simple mounting procedure for mounting the movable support below a leg which makes it easy to handle the movable support and makes the movable support to be a great improvement.

[0011] Summary of the invention

[0012] Thus, an object of the present invention relates to provide a movable support for a leg of a furniture or the like used to support a weight, preferably the weight of a person which is either resting or moving.

[0013] The movable support is simple to apply and is also very flexible when it comes to adapting the support to a specific unit to be supported. Especially, there is normally no maximum distance between front leg and back leg of a four-legged unit to be supported.

[0014] In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a movable support that solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art.

[0015] Thus, a first aspect of the invention relates to a movable support for a leg of a unit which movable support comprises a socket configured to support the leg of the unit during use which socket comprises an upward facing supporting surface (1) on which surface the leg of the unit rests during use, and side surfaces or supports (2) preventing horizontal movements of the leg of the unit relative to the socket during use, a lower surface (3) facing the ground during use, and at least two rollers or roller assemblies (4) which at least two rollers (4) are normally positioned with a mutual angle greater than 89° and at maximum 180°, and a cover (5) covering one or both the at least two roller or roller assemblies (4), wherein the movable support comprises one socket configured to support one leg.

[0016] That the cover (5) covers one or both the at least two roller or roller assemblies (4) means that the cover (5) covers and prevents at least access to upward facing parts of the roller or roller assemblies (4) and preferably also forward and backward facing parts, as well as sideward facing parts, where the directions refer to the direction of movement of the movable support.

[0017] According to any embodiment of the first aspect, the movable support may comprise at least one brake mechanism (6, 6a, 6b, 6c). The brake mechanism (6) may be load activated and / or load released, i.e. the brake mechanism (6) is either activated or released when a load forces the movable support towards the ground by exerting a pressure or force on the upward facing support surface (1).

[0018] According to any embodiment of the first aspect comprising a brake mechanism, the brake mechanism (6) may comprise an elastic member (6b) such as a mechanical spring e.g. a coil spring, and a brake pad (6a). The brake pad (6a) may be positioned either along a surface positioned at an upper half of at least one roller (4) or along a surface positioned at a lower half of at least one roller (4). Optionally, at least one or two or all of the roller assemblies (4) comprises a brake mechanism.

[0019] According to any embodiment of the first aspect comprising a brake mechanism, the brake mechanism (6) may either be released or locked at a load of at least 5 kg, or at least 7 kg, or at least 10 kg on the upward facing support surface (1) of the socket.

[0020] According to any embodiment of the first aspect, the movable support may comprise two rollers (4) and the two rollers (4) are positioned on opposite sides of the one socket i.e. with a mutual angle of between 175° and 185°, e.g. 180°.

[0021] According to any embodiment of the first aspect, the socket may comprise centralizing means (8) configured to adapt to the leg of the unit to be supported when inserted into the socket. Such centralizing means (8) may comprise either one or more separate inserts (8a, 8b), or one or more elastic parts extending from the inner surfaces (2) of the socket.

[0022] According to any embodiment of the first aspect, each roller or roller assembly (4) may comprise or be constituted of one wheel comprising a rotation axis (7) which wheel may have a width of at least 5 mm, or of at least 10 mm, or of at least 15 mm.

[0023] According to any embodiment of the first aspect, the cover (5) covering the at least two rollers or roller assemblies (4) may comprise an outer surface without sharp edges, preferably the cover (5) is constituted of a single continuous material where "continuous" means there are no sharp edges or joints, or breaks. Such continuous surface may be obtained by a moulding process or similar where the cover is created as a single unit, alternatively the cover (5) may be obtained by making inward joints / edges making the outer surface appear smooth and continuous.

[0024] According to any embodiment of the first aspect, the cover (5) may comprise means for fixing or releasably attaching a connection (9) which means may include an opening in the cover (5), e.g. the means may also comprise click-means or magnets for quick fastening of the connection (9).

[0025] According to any embodiment of the first aspect, the roller or roller assemblies (4) are not positioned below the socket, i.e. the roller or roller assemblies (4) are positioned beside the socket i.e. the socket extends below the upper edge of the rollers or roller assemblies and the supporting surface (1) is below the upper edge of the roller or roller assemblies (4).

[0026] According to any embodiment of the first aspect, the at least two roller or roller assemblies (4) may all have parallel rotations axis (7).

[0027] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a system comprising two or more movable supports according to the first aspect, which system comprises at least two movable supports connected to each other by a connection (9), preferably the connection (9) is slidably or telescopically extendable. Also, the connection (9) may be permanently fixed to the movable supports or the connection (9) may be releasably attached to at least one or both movable supports.

[0028] According to any embodiment of the second aspect, the connection (9) may be attached to a side part (10) of a first movable support and an opposite facing side part (10) of a second movable support i.e. the connection (9) extends in a direction perpendicular to the primary rolling direction normally being back and forth and parallel to the rotation axis of the roller or roller assemblies (4). Alternatively, the connection (9) may be attached to a front surface of a first movable support and to an oppositely facing backward surface of a second movable support i.e. the connection (9) extends in a direction parallel to the primary rolling direction normally being back and forth and perpendicularly to the rotation axis of the roller or roller assemblies (4).

[0029] According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a combination comprising at least one or at least two movable supports according to the first aspect, and comprising a unit being supported by the at least one or two movable supports such as a chair, or a bed or a walking cane or a walker.

[0030] According to a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a movable support for a unit comprising one, two or more legs, which movable support comprises one socket configured to support one leg of the unit during use which socket comprises an upward facing supporting surface (1) on which surface a leg of the unit rests during use, one or more side surfaces or supports (2) preventing horizontal movements of the leg of the unit relative to the socket during use, a lower surface (3) facing the ground, and at least two rollers or roller assemblies (4), and a cover (5) covering one or both the at least two roller or roller assemblies (4), wherein the at least two rollers (4) are positioned at different angular positions of the one socket where "different angular positions" means that the rollers (4) are positioned at different angles relative to the socket.

[0031] Brief description of the figures

[0032] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a movable support according to the invention from a view above showing a socket.

[0033] Figure 2 shows the same embodiment of a movable support according to the invention as shown in fig. 1 from a view below showing rollers.

[0034] Figure 3 shows the same embodiment as figs. 1 and 2 in a side cut-through view.

[0035] Figure 4 shows the same embodiment as figs. 1-3 in an end view.

[0036] Figure 5 shows the same embodiment as figs. 1-4 in a cut-through view along the line A-A of fig. 3.

[0037] Figure 6 shows the same embodiment as figs. 1-5 in a 3D-view from the upper side.

[0038] Figure 7 shows a system comprising two movable supports according to the invention. Figure 8 shows a combination comprising two systems supporting a unit in form of a chair.

[0039] Detailed description of the invention

[0040] Definitions

[0041] Prior to discussing the present invention in further details, the following terms and conventions will first be defined :

[0042] In general - when this expression is used mentioning a feature relating to the present invention, it must be understood that the feature may be used with all embodiments of the invention, even if the mentioning is made in the detailed part of the document.

[0043] Length of a movable support - the largest outer dimension of a movable support

[0044] Wheel width - The width of the wheel is measured in millimetres and is the distance between each outer edge of the wheel parallel to the rotation axis. The riding surface or contact surface is the area between each edge of the wheel touching the ground during driving of the wheel.

[0045] Moving direction - the moving direction may be defined by the rotation axis of the two or more rollers if the two or more rollers have a parallel rotation axis. Normally, the rollers of a movable support according to the invention are positioned and combined in such a way that the rollers have at least one common direction of movement which all rollers may move in. Normally, the rollers may move both back and forth in this common direction. If the rollers are e.g. constructed of embedded balls, the rollers may not have a common rotation axis, and each roller may move in any direction when subjected to a force, i.e. each roller may move back or forth or sideway independently of each other.

[0046] The invention will now be described in further details in the following non-limiting examples.

[0047] The invention relates to a movable support for a leg of a unit. The unit to be supported may be a chair or a walker or a similar unit having two, three, four or more legs and the unit may serve as support for a person while sitting or standing or walking or laying or changing position e.g. from sitting to standing or opposite. During use or operation, one, two or more legs of a unit is positioned on each their movable support making it possible to move the leg(s) placed on the movable support(s) by rolling.

[0048] The unit may have legs with a round, square, or polygonal circumference or perimeter, the perimeter of the leg should just be small enough to allow the leg to enter into the socket or cavity.

[0049] In general, the movable support is an add-on to a unit and may be configured to fit a leg of a unit simply by positioning the leg into the one socket or cavity without the use of tools.

[0050] A movable support according to the invention comprises one socket or cavity configured to support one leg of a unit during use. The socket or cavity comprises a supporting surface 1 on which the leg of the unit rests during use and side surfaces or supports 2 preventing horizontal movements of the leg of the unit relative to the socket during use. I.e., the socket or cavity comprises an opening or recess which can receive and at least to some degree retain a leg of the unit during operation / use.

[0051] The socket 1,2 may comprise centralizing means 8 facilitating centralizing of the leg of the unit to be supported when the leg is inserted into the socket. The centralizing means 8 may be configured to adapt a cross-section or perimeter of the socket or cavity defined by side surfaces 2 to a cross-section or outer perimeter of the leg making the leg fit into the socket in size and / or in shape in such a way that the leg is retained within the socket. The centralizing means 8 may comprise either a separate insertion part, or one or more elastic side parts extending from the inner side surfaces 2 of the socket. A separate square or rectangular insertion part may e.g. be configured to centralize a round or a rectangular leg. In general, the movable support may not comprise means to attach or fix the movable support to the leg, i.e. the movable support may be removed from the leg simply be lifting the leg out of the socket. However, the movable support may comprise means to fix or attach the movable support to the leg, and such means may be either permanent, require tools or be releasable, where "permanent" means that it is not possible to remove the movable support from the leg without destroying either part, and "releasable" means that it is possible to remove and re-attach the movable support to the leg normally without tools.

[0052] The movable support further comprises a lower surface 3 facing the ground and at least two rollers or roller assemblies 4 and the movable support may comprise a cover 5 covering the roller or roller assemblies 4. Preferably, the upper surface of the supporting surface 1 is at maximum 15 mm above the ground i.e. the height which the movable support adds to the leg of the unit which it supports is at most 15 mm, more preferably the upper surface of the supporting surface 1 is at maximum 10 mm above the ground.

[0053] A roller may comprise a wheel or a castor or a ball and the roller may rotate around a rotation axis 7. A roller assembly 4 is an assembly comprising two or more rollers which function as a single roller 4, i.e. the two or more rollers are positioned beside each other and may have one common rotation axis 7 or may have parallel rotation axes positioned in extension of each other. In the following text when referring to "rollers" or to a "roller", this also comprises roller assemblies or a roller assembly.

[0054] Each roller 4 may comprise at least one wheel having a width of at least of at least 5 mm, or at least 10 mm, e.g. a width of at least 15 mm, where the width of the wheel is the distance between each edge of the wheel in the direction of the rotation axis 7. The contact surface or riding surface is the area between each edge of the wheel that is touching the ground during use.

[0055] According to the invention, the at least two rollers 4 may be positioned with a mutual angle larger than 89° and at maximum 180°, preferable in such a way that the socket or cavity is positioned centrally between the at least two rollers 4 and the rollers 4 are distributed evenly around the socket. That the rollers are distributed evenly means that if there are two rollers 4, the angle between the two rollers may be approximately 180 degrees, if there are three rollers, the angle between two neighbouring rollers of the three rollers 4 may be approximately 120 degrees, and if there are four rollers, the angle between two neighbouring rollers of the four rollers may be approximately 90 degrees. If a movable support comprises two rollers 4, the two rollers may be positioned at opposite sides of the one socket where the rotation axis 7 defines the direction of movement which is perpendicular to rotation axis 7, preferably in front of the socket and behind the socket in the direction of movement, or alternatively, on each side of the socket relative to the direction of movement, in both configurations having a mutual angle of approximately 180°.

[0056] In general, the socket may be positioned centrally between the rollers, which means that the socket is positioned with same or similar distance from a central point of the socket to each roller. When the distance is approximately the same, the load on each roller 4 is approximately the same and therefore each roller carries approximately the same amount of weight. However, if the rotation axis 7 of each of a plurality of rollers has a same direction i.e. all rotation axes 7 for the rollers are parallel while the plurality of rollers or roller assemblies can be positioned at differently angled positions, it may be difficult to position each roller at exactly same distance from the central point of the socket. Instead, the rollers or roller assemblies may be positioned so that all rollers carry approximately the same weight.

[0057] In general, it is preferred that the distance daxisbetween the centre of the socket and the center of the rotation axis 7 of a roller 4 may be as short as possible. The minimum distance daxis is defined by the radius of the roller 4, the perimeter of the opening of the socket, and the distance between the perimeter defining the inner opening of the socket and the outer circumference of the roller 4. Normally, the minimum distance daxisis smaller than 0.100 m, or smaller 0.080 m, or smaller than 0.060 m. According to a preferred embodiment, the distance daxisis around 55 mm (0.055 m).

[0058] In general, the distance between the perimeter of the opening of the socket and the perimeter of a roller is at maximum 0.040 m, or at maximum 0.020 m.

[0059] Example: the roller has a diameter of 4 cm, the socket has an inner square opening with a cross-section of 3.5 cm and the distance between the perimeter of the socket and the outer perimeter of the roller 4 is approximately 0.5 cm, then the distance daxisis around 0.04 / 2 m + 0.035 / 2 m + 0.005 m = 0.0425 m = 4.25 cm.

[0060] The size of the movable support according to the invention is not defined by the need to adapt to a distance between two or more legs of a unit as each movable support may be an independent unit and therefore the size of the movable support may be significantly reduced. In general, the total length ltotai of a movable support according to the invention may be at maximum 0.25 m, or at maximum 0.20 m, or at maximum 0.18 m.

[0061] When positioning two, three or four wheels at different positions around the socket at a short distance to the socket, the movable support becomes compact, strong, well-balanced, and able to carry a high load, while it is also possible to lower the lower surface of a movable support to just a few millimetres above the ground / floor.

[0062] In general, when the movable support comprises two or more rollers 4, the rollers 4 are mounted in such a way that the rollers 4 may roll back and forth along parallel lines. I.e., all rollers of one movable support have at least one common direction of rolling which may be defined by the rotation axis 7 of the rollers when moving back and forth, this is in the following text referred to as the "moving direction". In some cases, the two or more rollers 4 do not have a defined moving direction which e.g. may be the case if the rollers 4 are ballshaped and may move freely in all directions.

[0063] The movable support may comprise a cover 5, and the position of each roller 4 relative to the socket may be maintained within or below the cover 5. I.e., the cover 5 may not only be a part providing a protection for the rollers 4 and a pleasant design, the cover 5 may also constitute a constructional part e.g. comprising bearings for the rotation axes of the rollers 4.

[0064] The cover 5 may be made of a moulded material such as a polymer, a biopolymer, a metal or the like from which it is possible to create a smooth and continuous surface without projecting edges.

[0065] In general, a movable support according to the invention may comprise at least one brake mechanism 6. In the shown embodiment, the braking mechanism 6 comprises a braking pad 6a constituted of a hard and durable material such as metal, and a spring unit 6b which is an elastic member biasing the axis of a roller to either a locked or an unlocked position when the movable support is being loaded. The elastic member may be a mechanical spring e.g. a coil spring.

[0066] In general, the brake mechanism 6 may be load activated and load released, i.e. the brake mechanism 6 is either activated when a load forces the movable support towards the ground or released when a load forces the movable support towards the ground.

[0067] In general, the brake mechanism 6 of a movable support is released or locked at a load of at least 5 kg, or at least 7 kg, or at least 10 kg.

[0068] In general, the brake pad 6a may be positioned either along a surface positioned at an upper half of at least one roller, or along a surface positioned at a lower half of at least one roller. If a compression spring 6b is positioned between the cover 5 and the rotational axis 7 of the roller 4 and the brake pad 6a moves together with the cover 5, then the below options may be used :

[0069] - If the brake pad 6a is positioned along a surface positioned at an upper half of the at least one roller 4, then the roller 4 will be braked and eventually locked when the compression spring 6b is compressed, and the compression spring is compressed when the unit positioned on top of the movable support is subjected to a load. This is generally referred to as a heavy weight brake.

[0070] - If the brake pad 6a is positioned along a surface positioned at a lower half of the at least one roller 4, then the roller 4 will be braked and eventually locked when the compression spring is in a relaxed state which is when the unit being positioned on top of the movable support is not subjected to a load. This is generally referred to as a lightweight brake.

[0071] The invention also relates to a system comprising at least two movable supports being connected to each other by a connection 9 which is optionally slidably or telescopically extendable. By connecting two or more movable supports it is easier to control the resulting movement of a unit being movably supported.

[0072] Preferably, the connection 9 of such as system is attached to one side surface of a first movable support and to an opposite facing side surface of a second movable support i.e. the connection 9 may extend in a direction perpendicular to the primary rolling direction which is back-and-forth.

[0073] More preferably, the connection is attached to a side surface of a first movable support and an opposite facing side part of a second movable support close to one end of both movable supports, i.e. either the back-end or the front-end of both the first and second movable supports.

[0074] Figures 1-6 shows an embodiment of a movable support according to the invention comprising two rollers positioned on opposite sides of the one socket i.e. the two rollers 4 are positioned at an angle 180° relative to each other.

[0075] Figure 7 shows a system comprising two movable supports according to the invention connected by connection 9.

[0076] Figure 1 shows the movable support from above and discloses the upward facing supporting surface 1 of the socket or cavity, and the cover 5 which covers and shields the two rollers 4. The socket may be provided with centralizing means 8 which are shown in form of two rectangular or square inserts, an inner insert 8a and an outer insert 8b. The two inserts may be independent and separate units, and the inner insert 8a may fit into the outer insert 8b, and the outer insert 8b may fit into the socket defined by the supporting surface 1 and the side surfaces 2. The inner insert 8a may be inserted into the outer insert 8b and removed from the outer insert 8b when the outer insert 8b is present in the socket. The inserts 8a and 8b are centralizing means which make it possible both to adapt the cross-section or perimeter of the opening of the socket to different sized and shaped legs of units without using tools and without using straps or hooks or loops for fastening the leg to the support as well as to centralize the position of the leg and preventing the leg from moving around when placed within the socket.

[0077] Use of centralizing means 8 are advantageous to make a weight activated braking system work effectively, if the leg is not precisely positioned in the socket, the brake mechanism of the support may not be either activated or released upon loading.

[0078] It is advantageous for an insert 8a, 8b to have a square or otherwise polygonal cross-section as an insert 8a, 8b or a socket with a polygonal cross-section can centralize and retain legs having e.g. a circular cross-section or perimeter.

[0079] Figure 2 shows the movable support from below and discloses the downward facing lower surface 3 of the movable support, two rollers 4 positioned at opposite angular positions relative to the lower surface 3, two brake pads 6a positioned in proximity of each a roller 4 and fastened to the movable support by fastening means 6c optionally directly to the cover 5, a rotation axis 7 for each roller 4, as well as end and side parts of the cover 5. The brake pads 6a are mounted in level with the lower surface 3 in connection with both of the rollers 4, it would however be possible to obtain a desired braking efficiency by mounting a braking mechanism 6 in connection with only one of the rollers 4. The spring unit 6b is positioned above the rotation axis 7 and is not visible in the view of fig. 2.

[0080] According to the shown embodiment, the cover 5 may be moulded in one piece comprising the socket providing and upward opening comprising a supporting surface 1 and the lower surface 3 of the movable support. According to this embodiment, the cover 5 provides a housing comprising openings for insertion and mounting of each of the rollers 4 and openings for inserting the fastening means 6c for the braking pad 6a.

[0081] Moulding the cover 5 in one piece provides the advantage of allowing an elegant design provided with a smooth outer surface which is easy to clean. Also, the smooth outer surface and the absence of sharp edges protects the user's feet and lower legs from getting into contact with the movable parts below or within the cover 5 and therefore protects the user or other persons or pets from injuries obtained through such contact.

[0082] Figure 3 shows the movable support in a cut-through view from the side. A line A-A indicate a cut-through view shown in figure 5.

[0083] In fig. 3 it is possible to see how elastic members 6b of the brake mechanism 6 may be positioned. According to this embodiment, the elastic members 6b are positioned at an internal opening in the cover 5 above the rotation axis 7 of each roller 4 and above a longitudinal opening 12 which opens against the lower surface of the movable support, the elastic member 6b is mounted between the cover 5 and the rotational axis of at least one roller 4.

[0084] When mounting a roller 4 in the housing provided by the cover 5, the elastic member 6b is first inserted into the longitudinal opening 12, then the rotation axis 7 of the roller 4 is pushed into the longitudinal opening 12 and at last the braking pad 6a is positioned and fastened to the lower surface 3 of the cover 5, in order to keep the roller 4 in position and in order to provide braking of the roller 4 in an unloaded position where the elastic member 6b pushes the roller 4 towards the braking pad 6a.

[0085] Figure 4 shows an end view of the embodiment of the movable support illustrated in figs. 1- 3. This view illustrates a preferred embodiment of a roller 4 which is a relatively broad wheel having a relatively wide contact surface. Preferably, one roller of this type has a contact width of at least 10 mm, e.g. a contact width of at least 15 mm, where the "contact width" is the total width of the surface of the roller being in contact with the ground. This size is marked with a double arrow (cw) in fig. 4.

[0086] Figure 5 shows a cut-through view along the line A-A shown in fig. 3. This view illustrates how the elastic member 6b is positioned above the rotation axis 7 of a roller 4 inside the longitudinal opening 12. The shown roller 4 is a standard wheel whereas the cover 5 and the mounting means are customized according to the invention.

[0087] Figure 6 shows a 3D-view of an embodiment of the movable support. This view illustrates the elegant design and the smoot surface which may be obtained according to the invention. The rollers 4 are barely visible as they are shielded by the moulded cover 5 which functions as a housing for the rollers 4.

[0088] Figure 7 illustrates a system according to the invention comprising two movable supports. Each movable support comprises two rollers 4 being positioned at different angular positions relative to the socked i.e. the two rollers 4 are positioned opposite i.e. with an angular deviation of 180 degrees between their positions.

[0089] The two movable supports of the system are connected or secured to each other by a connection 9 which connection 9 may have the form of a rod or a pipe, and preferably the connection 9 is slidably or telescopically extendable which would make it possible to adapt the system of movable supports to different units having a pair of legs positioned with varying distance.

[0090] In the shown embodiment, the connection 9 is attached to side parts 10 of the two movable supports in such a way that the connection 9 extends in a direction perpendicular to the primary rolling direction which is considered to be a back-and-forth direction defined by the shape and the rotation axis 7 of the rollers 4.

[0091] In general, the system is configured to adapt to corresponding legs of a furniture such as a chair a distance between two legs of between 0.25 m and 0.60 m. I.e. in general, the distance between the sockets may normally be varied at least 0.35 m, where the distance between sockets is measured from the centre of each socket.

[0092] However, if the rollers 4 are shaped as spheres or balls there may be no primary rolling direction as such rollers 4 may roll in all directions. In this case, the connection 9 may be said to extend between two or more front legs of a unit, or alternatively, between two or more hind legs of the unit.

[0093] Fig. 8 illustrates a combination comprising a unit 13 in form of a chair comprising four legs being supported by two systems each system comprising two movable supports and a connection 9 which connection 9 is extendable either slidably or telescopically. Each connection 9 extends between the two movable supports of the system in a direction perpendicular to the primary rolling direction. Normally, the rolling direction is defined by the rollers and the rollers may at least move along a line and the rollers may move both back and forth along this line. The two connections 9 of the two systems are parallel, however, the distance between the two movable supports of each system may vary as the distance between the "front legs" may be different from the distance between the "bag legs" of a unit. Each movable supports of each systems comprises centralizing means in form in inserts 8a, 8b which are used to adapt each movable support to the leg which it is supporting.

[0094] In the shown embodiment, each connections 9 join the two movable supports of a system at an end of the movable support extending below the seat of the chair. This has the advantage that the feet of a user sitting on the chair would not interfere with the connection 9.

[0095]

Claims

Claims1. A movable support for a leg of a unit, which movable support comprises- a socket configured to support the leg of the unit during use which socket comprises an upward facing supporting surface (1) on which surface the leg of the unit rests during use, and side surfaces or supports (2) preventing horizontal movements of the leg of the unit relative to the socket during use,- a lower surface (3) facing the ground during use, and- at least two rollers or roller assemblies (4) which at least two rollers (4) normally positioned with a mutual angle greater than 89° and at maximum 180°, and- a cover (5) covering one or both the at least two roller or roller assemblies (4), characterised in that the movable support comprises one socket configured to support one leg.

2. A movable support according to claim 1, further comprising at least one brake mechanism (6, 6a, 6b, 6c).

3. A movable support according to claim 2, wherein the brake mechanism (6) is load activated and / or load released, i.e. the brake mechanism (6) is either activated or released when a load forces the movable support towards the ground by exerting a pressure or force on the upward facing support surface (1).

4. A movable support according to any of the claims 2-3, wherein the brake mechanism (6) comprises an elastic member (6b) such as a mechanical spring e.g. a coil spring, and a brake pad (6a).

5. A movable support according to claim 4, wherein the brake pad (6a) is positioned either along a surface positioned at an upper half of at least one roller (4) or along a surface positioned at a lower half of at least one roller (4).

6. A movable support according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the brake mechanism (6) is either released or locked at a load of at least 5 kg, or at least 7 kg, or at least 10 kg on the upward facing support surface (1) of the socket.

7. A movable support according to any previous claim, wherein the movable support comprises two rollers (4) and the two rollers (4) are positioned on opposite sides of the one socket i.e. with a mutual angle of between 175° and 185°, e.g. 180°.

8. A movable support according to any previous claim, wherein the socket comprises centralizing means (8) configured to adapt to the leg of the unit to be supported when inserted into the socket.

9. A movable support according to claim 8, wherein the centralizing means (8) comprise either one or more separate inserts (8a, 8b), or one or more elastic parts extending from the inner surfaces (2) of the socket.

10. A movable support according to any previous claim, wherein each roller or roller assembly (4) comprises one wheel comprising a rotation axis (7) which wheel normally has a width of at least 5 mm, or of at least 10 mm, or of at least 15 mm.

11. A movable support according to any previous claim, wherein the cover (5) covering the at least two rollers or roller assemblies (4) comprises an outer surface without sharp edges, preferably the cover (5) is constituted of a single continuous material where "continuous" means there are no sharp edges or joints, or breaks.

12. A movable support according to any previous claim, wherein the cover (5) comprises means for fixing or releasably attaching a connection (9) which means may include an opening in the cover (5).

13. A movable support according to any previous claim, wherein the roller or roller assemblies (4) are not positioned below the socket, i.e. the roller or roller assemblies (4) are positioned beside the socket i.e. the socket extends below the upper edge of the rollers or roller assemblies and the supporting surface (1) is below the upper edge of the roller or roller assemblies (4).

14. A movable support according to any previous claim, wherein the roller or roller assemblies (4) all have parallel rotations axis (7).

15. A system comprising two or more movable supports according to any of the previous claims, which system comprises at least two movable supports connected to each other by a connection (9), preferably the connection (9) is slidably or telescopically extendable.

16. A system according to claim 15, wherein the connection (9) is attached to a side part (10) of a first movable support and an opposite facing side part (10) of a second movable support i.e. the connection (9) extends in a direction perpendicular to the primary rollingdirection normally being back and forth and parallel to the rotation axis of the roller or roller assemblies (4).

17. A system according to claim 15, wherein the connection (9) is attached to a front surface of a first movable support and to an oppositely facing backward surface of a second movable support i.e. the connection (9) extends in a direction parallel to the primary rolling direction normally being back and forth and perpendicularly to the rotation axis of the roller or roller assemblies (4).

18. A system according to claim 15, 16 or 17, wherein the system comprises two sets of movable supports, each set comprising two movable supports connected to each other by a connection (9), each set is during use mounted on two neighbouring legs of a unit.

19. A combination comprising at least one or at least two movable supports according to claims 1-14, and comprising a unit being supported such as a chair, or a bed or a walking cane or a walker.

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