Chair

Abstract

The invention concerns a chair, in particular an office chair, comprising a base frame with a base column (4) on which a seating element frame (8) is mounted through a base support (6) connected to the base column (4). The base support (6) comprises two upper struts (10, 12), two lower struts (14, 16) and a connection strut (18). The connection strut (18) connects the upper struts (10, 12) to each other, the lower struts (14, 16) to each other and the upper struts (10, 12) to the lower struts (14, 16). In a projection in the vertical direction (z) of the chair, each of the lower struts (14, 16) crosses a corresponding upper strut (10, 12). The base support (6) is elastically deformable in such a way that the upper struts (10, 12) can be brought close to the lower struts (14, 16) and / or into contact with a corresponding lower strut (14, 16) in the vertical direction (z) of the chair, so that a seat tilting mechanism is obtained.

Description

CHAIRDESCRIPTION

[0001] The invention concerns a chair, in particular an office chair, which comprises a base frame with a base column. A seating element is mounted on the base column by means of a base support connected to the base column.

[0002] Chairs with a base frame, a base support and a seating element are known in the art. These are usually provided with a seat tilting mechanism or seat inclination mechanism. The seat tilting mechanism comprises a lower plate connected to the base frame, an upper plate to which the seating element is attached, and a spring mechanism. The lower plate and the upper plate can be tilted against each other, wherein the tilting movement is carried out against the force of a spring mechanism.

[0003] A large number of components are therefore required to provide a seat tilting mechanism for the chairs known in the art. Consequently, the assembly of the known chairs is usually complex.

[0004] The invention is based on the task of providing a chair which has a seat tilting mechanism obtained in a structurally simple manner, with few components, and which is therefore easy to assemble.

[0005] According to the invention, this task is accomplished through the chair with the characteristics described in claim 1.

[0006] Thus, according to the invention, a chair, in particular an office chair, is provided, which comprises a base frame with a base column. A seating element is mounted on the base column by means of a base support connected to the base column. The base support is elastically deformable and comprises two upper struts, two lower struts and a connection strut. The connection strut connects the upper struts to each other, the lower struts to each other and the upper struts to the lower struts. In a projection in the vertical direction of the chair, each of the lower struts crosses a corresponding upper strut. The base support is elastically deformable in such a way that the upper struts can be brought close to the lower struts and / or into contact with a corresponding lower strut in the vertical direction of the chair. In this way, a seat tilting mechanism or seat inclination mechanism is formed.

[0007] The core idea of the invention is therefore to provide the chair with an elastically deformable base support whose geometry is such that the seating element can be tilted. Therefore, in order for the chair according to the invention to provide the possibility to tilt the seat, no additional spring mechanism is required. Instead, the possibility to tilt the seat is ensured by the elastic structure of the base support itself, which at the same time rests the seating element on the base frame.

[0008] In a condition in which the base support is not elastically deformed, the upper struts are spaced from the lower struts in the vertical direction, for example, in particular in an alignment area in which the upper struts are aligned with the lower struts in the vertical direction.

[0009] The upper struts, the lower struts and / or the connection strut of the base support are, for example, elastically deformable, wherein the other elements of the base support, in particular, are not elastically deformable.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the chair according to the invention, the lower struts extend from the connection strut, outwards in the transverse direction of the chair and forwards in the longitudinal direction of the chair, that is, diagonally forwards and outwards.

[0011] In a condition in which the base support is not elastically deformed, the lower struts can extend upwards from the connection strut in the vertical direction, in particular obliquely.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment of the chair according to the invention, the upper struts extend from the connection strut, outwards in the transverse direction of the chair and backwards in the longitudinal direction of the chair, that is, diagonally backwards and outwards.

[0013] In a condition in which the base support is not elastically deformed, the upper struts extend upwards from the connection strut, for example in the vertical direction of the chair, in particular obliquely.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the chair according to the invention, the base support is formed in one piece.

[0015] The base support is an injection-moulded plastic part, for example.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, the chair according to the invention comprises at least two stop elements. The stop elements are respectively arranged on one of the upper struts or on one of the lower struts, in such a way that they can be brought into contact with a corresponding lower strut or a corresponding upper strut through the elastic deformation of the base support, in particular in an area in which, in a projection in the vertical direction of the chair, each of the lower struts crosses a corresponding upper strut. In this way it is possible to define a maximum seat tilting angle.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the chair according to the invention, each of the upper struts and each of the lower struts comprises a supporting element at an end area facing away from the connection strut.

[0018] The seating element can be rested or mounted on the supporting elements.

[0019] In particular, the seating element can be fixed to the base support at the supporting elements.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the chair according to the invention, the supporting surfaces of the supporting elements, that is, the upper sides of the supporting elements which face the seating element, are arranged in the same plane.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment of the chair according to the invention, each of the supporting elements comprises a through hole. The seating element, in particular a seating element frame of the seating element, comprises four blind holes or four additional through holes into which screws arranged in the through holes can be screwed to fix the seating element to the base support.

[0022] The through holes and the blind holes or the additional through holes extend, for example, essentially in the vertical direction of the chair.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the chair according to the invention, four counter supporting elements are arranged on the seating element, in particular on the seating element frame.

[0024] The counter supporting elements extend inwards from the seating element frame, for example.

[0025] The counter supporting elements are formed in one piece with the seating element frame, for example.

[0026] The seating element is mounted on the base support at the counter supporting elements, for example.

[0027] The seating element frame can be formed in one piece.

[0028] For example, the seating element comprises a fabric or a mesh fabric with which the seating element frame is covered, so that a seating surface and / or a back surface are or is formed.

[0029] In an exemplary embodiment, the chair according to the invention comprises a connection element. The base element is connected to the base column through the connection element.

[0030] The connection element is arranged, for example, at the connection strut, more specifically the underside of the connection strut.

[0031] The connection element can be cylindrical, the axis of the cylinder extending in the vertical direction of the chair.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment of the chair according to the invention, the lower struts together with the area of the connection strut joining the lower struts to each other have a V-shaped profile or a U-shaped profile.

[0033] The upper struts together with the area of the connection strut joining the upper struts to each other can have a V-shaped profile or a U-shaped profile.

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment of the chair according to the invention, the connection strut extends obliquely from the lower struts, forwards in the longitudinal direction of the chair and upwards in the vertical direction of the chair.

[0035] In an exemplary embodiment, the chair according to the invention comprises two spring elements. Each of the spring elements connects an upper strut to a corresponding lower strut.

[0036] The spring elements connect the upper struts to the lower struts, for example in an area in which, in a projection in the vertical direction of the chair, the upper struts cross the corresponding lower struts, in particular in the condition in which the base support is not elastically deformed or in a condition in which it is elastically deformed.

[0037] For example, each of the spring elements is elastically deformable and thus theyform a sort of damping element.

[0038] Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the subject of the invention can be learnt from the description, the drawings and the patent claims.

[0039] An example of embodiment of a chair according to the invention is shown, schematically simplified, in the drawings and is explained in greater detail in the following description. In the drawings:Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a portion of a chair according to the invention when assembled;Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a base support, a portion of a seating element frame and screws of the chair according to Figure 1 , not assembled;Figure 3 shows a view corresponding to Figure 2, in a partially assembled state;Figure 4 shows a partial perspective view of the base support of the chair according to Figure 1 ;Figure 5 shows a further partial perspective view of the base support of the chair according to Figure 1 ;Figure 6 shows a sectional view along line V - V of Figure 5, in which the base support is tilted forwards;Figure 7 shows a view corresponding to Figure 6, in which the base support is in a neutral position; andFigure 8 shows a view corresponding to Figure 6, in which the base support is tilted backwards.

[0040] Figure 1 shows a portion of a chair 2 according to the invention.

[0041] The chair 2 comprises a base frame with a base column 4, a base support 6 and a seating element with a seating element frame 8. The base support 6 is mounted on the base column 4. The seating element 8 is in turn mounted on the base support 6.

[0042] As can be seen in particular in Figures 4 and 5, in which the base support 6 is represented alone, the base support 6 comprises two upper struts 10 and 12, two lowerstruts 14 and 16, and a connection strut 18.

[0043] The upper struts 10 and 12 are connected to each other through the connection strut 18 at first ends facing each other. Each of the first struts 10 and 12 extends from the connection strut 18, backwards in the longitudinal direction y of the chair, outwards in the transverse direction x of the chair, that is, away from each other, and upwards in the vertical direction z of the chair. In a top view or a bottom view, the upper struts 10 and 12 thus form a V-shaped profile together with an area of the connection strut 18 joining the upper struts 10 and 12 to each other.

[0044] Also the lower struts 14 and 16 are connected to each other through the connection strut 18 at first ends facing each other. The lower struts 14 and 16 extend from the connection strut 18, forwards in the longitudinal direction y of the chair, outwards in the transverse direction x of the chair and upwards in the vertical direction z of the chair, so that in a top view or a bottom view also the lower struts 14 and 16 have a V- shaped profile together with an area of the connection strut 18 joining the lower struts 14 and 16 to each other.

[0045] The connection strut 18 extends in the longitudinal direction y of the chair and in the vertical direction z of the chair. Starting from the lower struts 14 and 16, the connection strut therefore runs obliquely forwards and upwards in the direction of the upper struts 10, 12. The area of the connection strut 18 joining the upper struts 10 and 12 to each other is therefore arranged above the area joining the lower struts 14 and 16 to each other in the vertical direction z of the chair.

[0046] In a projection in the vertical direction z of the chair, each of the lower struts 14 and 16 crosses a corresponding upper strut 10 or 12, wherein the upper struts 10, 12 are arranged above the lower struts 14, 16 in the vertical direction z of the chair.

[0047] The base support 6 is elastically deformable. In a condition in which the base support 6 is not elastically deformed, the upper struts 10 and 12 are spaced from the lower struts 14 and 16 in the vertical direction z, in particular in the area in which each of the lower struts 14 and 16 crosses a corresponding upper strut 10 or 12 in the projection in the vertical direction z of the chair. The upper struts 10 and 12 can be brought close to the lower struts 14, 16 in the vertical direction z of the chair through the elastic deformation of the base support. In this way, a seat tilting mechanism is formed.

[0048] In the areas in which each of the lower struts 14 and 16 crosses a correspondingupper strut 10 or 12 in the projection in the vertical direction z of the chair, there is a stop element 20 at each of the lower struts 14, 16.

[0049] It is also conceivable that the stop elements 20 are arranged on the underside of the upper struts 10 and 12.

[0050] As can be seen in the sectional views along line V - V of Figure 5 shown in Figures 6 to 8, each of the upper struts 10 and 12 comprises a first through hole 32 with an inner thread in the area in which it crosses a corresponding lower strut 14 or 16 in the projection in the vertical direction z of the chair. Each of the lower struts 14 and 16 also comprises a second through hole 34 with a screw head countersink 36. Each of the second through holes 34 is aligned with a corresponding first through hole 32 in the axial direction. Furthermore, each of the stop elements 20 also comprises a third through hole 40, which is aligned with a corresponding first through hole 32 and a corresponding second through hole 34 in the axial direction.

[0051] A partially threaded screw 38 is screwed into each of the first through holes 32 and extends through a corresponding third through hole 40 and through a corresponding second through hole 34, wherein the screws 38, more specifically the head and a nonthreaded section of the screws 38, are movable in the axial direction of the screws 38 with respect to the corresponding lower strut 14 or 16 and the corresponding stop element 20.

[0052] As shown in Figure 6, when the base support 6 is inclined or tilted forwards and therefore the seating element frame 8 is inclined forwards, the screw heads rest against the bottom that delimits the screw head countersink 36. In this situation, the upper struts 10 and 12 are spaced from the stop elements 20.

[0053] If the base support 6 and therefore also the seating element frame 8, as shown in Figure 7, is in a neutral position, in which a seating surface of the base support 6 extends in particular substantially horizontally, each of the screw heads is spaced from the bottom of a corresponding screw head countersink 36 and positioned completely into the screw head countersink 36, that is, does not protrude from the screw head countersink 36. In this situation, the upper struts 10 and 12 can rest on the stop elements 20, but in particular do not deform them elastically.

[0054] In Figure 8, the base support 6 is shown in a position in which it is tilted backwards. In this position, each of the screw heads is spaced further apart from thebottom of a corresponding screw head countersink 36 than in the neutral position. In this situation, in particular, the screws 38, more specifically their heads, but not their nonthreaded sections, protrude from the screw head countersinks 36. The stop elements 20 can be elastically deformed, in particular compressed.

[0055] Each of the upper struts 10, 12 and of the lower struts 14, 16 comprises a supporting element 22 at one end facing away from the connection strut 18. The supporting surfaces of the supporting elements 22, which face the seating element frame 8, are arranged in the same plane.

[0056] As can be seen in particular in Figures 2 and 3, the seating element frame 8 comprises counter supporting elements 28 corresponding to the supporting elements 22. Each of the supporting elements 22 comprises a fourth through hole 24. To fix the seating element frame 8 to the base support 6, screws 26 arranged in the fourth through holes 24 can be screwed into blind holes or fifth through holes present in the counter supporting elements 28.

[0057] The base support 6 also comprises a connection element 30. The connection element 30 is arranged on an underside of the connection strut 18, is cylindrical in shape and extends downwards in the vertical direction z of the chair. The base column 4 for fixing the base support 6 to the base frame is housed in the connection element 30.

[0058] The base support 6 is formed in one piece. In particular, the base support is an injection-moulded plastic part.

[0059] Also the seating element frame 8 is formed in one piece, in particular as an injection-moulded plastic part. The seating element frame 8 can be covered with a fabric (not shown) or a mesh fabric (not shown), so that a seating surface and a back surface are formed.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Chair, in particular office chair, comprising a base frame with a base column (4) on which a seating element is mounted by means of a base support (6) connected to the base column (4), characterized in that the base support (6) comprises two upper struts (10, 12), two lower struts (14, 16) and a connection strut (18), wherein the connection strut (18) connects the upper struts (10, 12) to each other and the lower struts (14, 16) to each other, and also connects the upper struts (10, 12) to the lower struts (14, 16), wherein in a projection in the vertical direction of the chair (z) each of the lower struts (14, 16) crosses a corresponding upper strut (10, 12), wherein the base support (6) is elastically deformable in such a way that the upper struts (10, 12) can be brought close to the lower struts (14, 16) in the vertical direction (z) and / or can be brought into contact with a corresponding lower strut (14, 16) of the chair, so that a seat tilting mechanism is obtained.

2. Chair according to claim 1 , characterized in that the lower struts (14, 16) extend from the connection strut (18), outwards in the transverse direction of the chair (x) and forwards in the longitudinal direction (y) of the chair and / or the upper struts (10, 12) extend from the connection strut (18), outwards in the transverse direction (x) of the chair and backwards in the longitudinal direction (y) of the chair.

3. Chair according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the upper struts (10, 12) and / or the lower struts (14, 16) extend upwards from the connection strut (18) in the vertical direction (z) of the chair.

4. Chair according to one of claims from 1 to 3, characterized in that the base support (6) is formed in one piece.

5. Chair according to one of claims from 1 to 4, characterized in that the base support (6) is an injection-moulded plastic part.

6. Chair according to one of claims from 1 to 5, characterized by at least two stop elements (20), each of which is arranged on one of the upper struts (10, 12) or one of the lower struts (14, 16) in such a way that they can be brought into contact with a corresponding lower strut (14, 16) or a corresponding upper strut (10, 12) through the elastic deformation of the base support (6).

7. Chair according to one of claims from 1 to 6, characterized in that the upper struts(10, 12) and the lower struts (14, 16) respectively comprise, at a terminal area facing away from the connection strut (18), a supporting element (22) on which the seating element rests.

8. Chair according to claim 7, characterized in that the supporting surfaces of the supporting elements (22) facing towards the seating element are arranged on the same plane.

9. Chair according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that each of the supporting elements (22) comprises a through hole (24) and the seating element comprises four blind holes into which screws (26) arranged in the through holes (24) can be screwed in order to fix the seating element to the base support (6).

10. Chair according to one of claims from 1 to 9, characterized in that four counter supporting elements (28) are arranged on a seating element frame (8) of the seating element, which extend inwards with respect to the seating element frame (8) and at which the seating element frame (8) is mounted on the base element.

11. Chair according to one of claims from 1 to 10, characterized in that the connection strut (18) comprises a connection element (30), by means of which the base element is connected to the base column (4).

12. Chair according to claim 11 , characterized in that the connection element (30) is cylindrical and extends downwards from the connection strut (18) in the vertical direction (z) of the chair.

13. Chair according to one of claims from 1 to 12, characterized in that the lower struts (14, 16) together and / or the upper struts (10, 12) together respectively have a V- shaped profile or a U-shaped profile in plan view.

14. Chair according to one of claims from 1 to 13, characterized in that the connection strut (18) extends obliquely from the lower struts (14, 16), forwards in the longitudinal direction (y) of the chair and upwards in the vertical direction (z) of the chair.

15. Chair according to one of claims from 1 to 14, characterized by two elastically deformable spring elements, each of which connects one of the upper struts (10, 12) to a corresponding lower strut (14, 16) in an area in which the upper strut (10, 12) crosses the corresponding lower strut (14, 16) in a projection in the vertical direction (z) of the chair.

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