CHAIR FOR USER SITTING

Description

FIELD OF APPLICATION

The present invention regards a chair for user sitting.

The present chair is intended to be employed for allowing the sitting of a user, for example in offices, studies and the like (in particular during working hours) as well as in private homes, e.g. in respective studies, kitchens and living rooms.

The present chair is of reclinable type, such to allow a user to vary his/her own sitting position between a position in which the back is placed substantially at a right angle with respect to the legs, and multiple reclined positions.

The chair, object of the present invention, is therefore inserted in the field of furnishing both work and home settings and more generally in the field of furniture production, in particular in the production of chairs and reclinable chairs.

STATE OF THE ART

The chairs of known type comprise a support structure, which is intended to be rested on the floor, a seat, which is mounted on the support structure and is intended to support a user in seated position, and a back, which is connected to the support structure or to the seat and is intended to support the back of the user during the use of the chair.

The chairs of known type can be attained in a single body, e.g. made of plastic or metal, or alternatively can be formed by multiple separated elements which are connected to each other during mounting of the chair.

The chairs of known type in a single body, also termed unibody, are usually less expensive products with lower added value, and are usually intended to be employed for a temporary, not extended use, since they have limited ergonomics and comfort, unsuitable for a use of the chair for extended time periods and in more professional settings, for example as an office chair.

Otherwise, the chairs for more professional uses (also termed ergonomic), which must have greater comfort and ergonomics, are formed by multiple separate elements that must be subsequently assembled together, before proceeding with the shipping and with the sale at the retailer or at the final client.

Usually, such ergonomic chairs comprise a support structure, which can be made of metal or plastic, on which a seat is mounted that is usually formed by a rigid support covered with a padding layer or, alternatively, by a mesh support that likewise allows maintaining good user comfort.

In addition, such ergonomic chairs have a back, in order to support the back of the user in seated position, and a pair of arms adapted to allow the user to rest his/her arms during the use of the chair.

The back is usually hinged to the support structure or to the seat and is reclinable between a rest position and multiple reclined positions, in order to increase the ergonomics of the chair during use depending on the client needs.

Such chairs of known type also comprise elastic return elements, which are connected to the back and one between the support structure and the seat, and are configured for exerting an elastic return force on the back in order to bring it back from the reclined position once again towards the rest position.

For example, known from document EP 1551255B1 is a chair for user sitting which comprises as elastic return elements multiple elastic leaf springs, made of metal.

More in detail, the chair described in the aforesaid document comprises three leaf springs, including two front leaf springs that are connected to a base support and hinged to the seat, and a rear leaf spring which is also fixed to the base support and hinged to the back, in order to exert an elastic return force on the latter following the reclining thereof.

In particular, in such chair, the back is hinged to the seat, and is rotatable with respect to the latter between the vertical rest position and multiple reclined positions, against the elastic action of the rear leaf spring to which it is connected.

However, the above-described chairs of known type have in practice demonstrated that they do not lack drawbacks.

The main drawback lies in the fact that such chairs are costly and extremely complex to produce and mount, since they are formed by numerous element that must be assembled together, e.g. by means of screws, bolts, hinges etc.

This requires considerable time for such operations, in addition to requiring the use of highly specialized personnel in order to be able to assemble the chair in the correct manner for the final use.

A further drawback lies in the fact that such chairs of known type have proven uncomfortable during use.

More in detail, such chairs of known type provide that the leaf springs are only employed for determining an elastic return force on the back in order to bring it back into the rest position, however without at all guiding the movement of the seat during the movement of the back and therefore resulting not very comfortable for the user during the use thereof.

A further drawback lies in the fact that such chairs of known type have proven unsuitable for respecting the legal requirements that oblige, for reclinable chairs, that the seat also be automatically tiltable for slightly lifting the front of the seat, at which the user abuts against with his/her legs.

Finally, a further drawback lies in the fact that such chairs of known type have proven not very aesthetically pleasing and appreciated by the public, hence hard to insert in contexts in which the design of the product is important, e.g. in minimal design settings.

Presentation of the Invention

In this situation, the problem underlying the present invention is therefore that of overcoming the drawbacks manifested by the support elements for chairs of known type, by providing a chair for user sitting which is simple and inexpensive to produce and assembly.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a chair which does not require qualified personnel for the assembly thereof.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a chair which is comfortable for a user during its use.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a chair which respects the current laws provided for reclinable chairs.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a chair which is safe and stable during the use thereof.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a chair which is aesthetically pleasing and appreciable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The technical characteristics of the invention, according to the aforesaid objects, and the advantages thereof will be more evident in the following detailed description, made with reference to the enclosed drawings, which represent a merely exemplifying and non-limiting embodiment of the invention, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a lateral perspective view of the chair, object of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the chair of FIG. 1, with a back placed in a rest position;

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the chair of FIG. 1, with the back placed in a reclined position;

FIGS. 4A and 4B show top views of the chair of FIG. 1, respectively with the back in a rest position and in a reclined position;

FIG. 5 shows a top perspective view of a detail of the chair of FIG. 1, relative to the back connected to a seat;

FIG. 6 shows a bottom perspective view of the detail of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7A shows a side view of the detail of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7B shows w sectional view of the chair of FIG. 7A, executed according to trace VII-VII.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the enclosed drawings, reference number 1 overall indicates a chair for user sitting, object of the present invention.

Advantageously, the present chair 1 is adapted to be placed as a functional and furnishing element in both public and private settings, in the office and in the home.

More in detail, the chair 1, object of the present invention, is intended to be advantageously used for user sitting, for example for the sitting of a worker in an office or for user sitting in a private and/or home environment.

The chair for user sitting 1 in accordance with the invention comprises a support structure 2, intended to be placed in abutment against the ground, for example on the floor.

Advantageously, the support structure 2 of the chair 1 comprises multiple support legs 20, which are preferably provided with wheels for allowing the movement of the chair 1 on the floor for its use. Of course, it is also possible to provide for a support structure 2 of base type, without support legs, or even provide for a support structure 2 in which the legs lack wheels, so as to allow greater stability of the chair 1 in position during the use thereof.

Preferably, the support structure 2 of the chair 1 is made of resistant material, in particular of metal material, such as for example steel or aluminum, or alternatively of a plastic material.

The chair 1 also comprises a seat 3, which comprises, integral with each other, a support portion 31, mounted above the support structure 2, and a seat portion 32, which defines a seat surface γ in order to receive a user in seated position.

Advantageously, the seat 3 is made of plastic, and preferably of Nylon, preferably glass filled (PA6-15-30% glass fiber).

In particular, the support portion 31 can be fixed to the support structure 2 or, alternatively, can be rotatably connected to the support structure 2. Preferably the support portion 31 is adjustable, e.g. height-wise, with respect to the same support structure 2. For such purpose, the support portion 31 is advantageously provided with a central body 310 and with a cylindrical coupling element 311, which projects on the lower part from the central body 310, towards the floor, and which is rotatably mounted for example on a connection tube of the support structure 2.

Advantageously, the seat portion 32 comprises a perimeter frame 320, preferably with annular shape, which internally defines an opening. Preferably, the perimeter frame 320 has a substantially square form. Advantageously, on the perimeter frame 320 of the seat portion 32, a covering element (e.g. a mesh) is fixed, which is placed to close the internal opening at the perimeter frame 320 and which cooperates for supporting the user during sitting. Of course, it is also possible that the seat portion 32 be formed by a single rigid element which itself defines the seat surface γ. In such case, on the seat portion 32, a padding layer is preferably placed which is subsequently covered by a covering (made of leather, faux leather or fabric) which encloses the seat portion 32 and the padding layer.

Of course, the seat surface γ can be planar, e.g. perfectly horizontal, or curved, such as for example visible in the enclosed figures, as a function of the different possible designs and ergonomics of the chair, without departing from the protective scope of the present invention. The chair 1 also comprises a back 4, which is extended along a main extension direction Y, substantially vertical, between an upper end 4′ and an opposite lower end 4″. More in detail, the main extension direction Y of the back 4 is substantially vertical when the back 4 is placed in the rest position A, while it is tilted when the back 4 is in the reclined position B.

Of course, as is visible in the enclosed figures, the back 4 can be extended mainly along the aforesaid main extension direction Y but be provided with its own curvature for the lumbar and/or cervical support, without departing from the protective scope of the present invention. The back 4 is hinged to the support portion 31 of the seat 3 around a hinging axis R, at a hinging point I, and is rotatable around the hinging axis R between at least one rest position A in which it is placed substantially vertical, as is visible in FIG. 2, and at least one reclined position B, as is visible in FIG. 3.

Preferably, the back 4 is reclinable up to a reclined maximum position, in which the reclining angle is comprised between 16° and 20°.

Therefore, the chair 1, object of the present invention, is of reclinable type, so as to allow a user to vary his/her own sitting position between a rest position A, e.g. an operating position in which the back is placed substantially at a right angle with respect to the legs, and multiple reclined positions B, in which the back is tilted with respect to the legs and the user takes on a more laid-back position with respect to the aforesaid rest position A.

In particular, the back 4 is reclinable in a reclining sense V1 between the rest position A and the various reclined positions B, and is instead movable in a repositioning sense V2, opposite the reclining sense V1, between the various reclined positions B and the rest position A.

The back 4 is mechanically connected to the seat portion 32 of the seat 3, at a connection point C, in order to move the seat portion 32, following the rotation of the back 4 around the hinging axis R, along at least one translation direction T substantially orthogonal to the main extension direction Y of the back 4. In other words, when the back 4 is rotated in the reclining sense V1, the seat portion 32 is moved along the translation direction T, in the same sense as the aforesaid reclining sense V1. Otherwise, when the back 4 is rotated in the repositioning sense V2, the seat portion 32 is moved along the translation direction T, in an opposite sense, in the same sense as the aforesaid repositioning sense V2.

Advantageously, with the expression “translation direction”, it is not intended a translation along a perfectly rectilinear direction, since the seat portion 32 is substantially movable in rotation-translation, completing a trajectory that is both linear and at least partly circular.

Therefore, the seat portion 32 is moved along a direction which comprises a substantially horizontal translation component, and a circumferential rotary component.

In accordance with the idea underlying the present invention, the hinging point I, between the back 4 and the support portion 31 of the seat 3, is placed in proximity to the lower end 4″ of the back 4, and the connection point C between the back 4 and the seat portion 32 of the seat 3, is placed above the hinging point I, between the hinging point I and the upper end 4′ of the back 4. In particular, along the development line of the back 4 which goes from the lower end 4″ to the upper end 4′, the connection point C is positioned on said development line between the hinging point I and the upper end 4′.

In other words, the connection point C between the back 4 and the seat portion 32 of the seat 3 is placed radially spaced from the hinging point I, so as to define a lever arm interposed between the connection point and the hinging point I.

Advantageously, the aforesaid radial distance between the connection point C and the hinging point I has at least one vertical component (oriented parallel to the main extension direction Y).

In other words, when the back 4 is rotated in the reclining sense V1, the connection point between the back 4 and the seat portion 32 is moved in the aforesaid reclining sense V1 and, on the contrary, when the back 4 is rotated in the repositioning sense V2 the connection point is moved in the repositioning sense V2.

In addition. in accordance with the idea underlying the present invention, the seat 3 comprises elastic return elements 5, which are integral with the support portion 31 and with the seat portion 32 of the seat 3. Therefore, advantageously also the elastic return elements 5 are made of plastic, and in particular of Nylon, preferably glass filled (PA6-15-30% glass fiber).

The elastic return elements 5 comprise at least two elastic leaf springs 50, each of which comprising a central portion 51, fixed to the support portion 31, and two lateral wings 52, which are extended projecting from opposite sides of the central portion 51 and are extended up to respective terminal ends 52′, fixed to the seat portion 32.

Advantageously, the terminal ends 52′ of the lateral wings 52 are fixed on the lateral sides of the seat portion 32, in particular the two lateral wings 52 of a same leaf spring 50 are fixed on opposite lateral sides of the seat portion.

Advantageously, the support portion 31 is provided with a lower face, directed towards the support structure 2 and from which preferably the coupling element 311 is extended projecting, and an opposite upper face, and the two elastic leaf springs 50 are fixed on the upper face of the support portion 31, preferably projecting on the upper part from the latter.

The lateral wings 52 of the leaf springs 50 are extended starting from the central portion 51, moving away from the back 4, and are tilted with respect to an axis N, substantially orthogonal to the seat surface γ of the seat portion 32.

More in detail, the axis N preferably coincides with the direction orthogonal to the seat surface γ when the back 4 is in the rest position A. Of course, when the back 4 is rotated in a reclined position B, the axis N no longer coincides with the direction orthogonal to the seat surface γ, as is visible in FIG. 3.

The lateral wings 52 are also configured for being elastically bent following the translation of the seat portion 32 along the translation direction T, and exerting an elastic return force on the seat portion 32 in order to force the back 4 to rotate towards the rest position A.

The lateral wings 52 are flexible between a first position, in which they are placed tilted with respect to the axis N by a rest angle α, as is visible in FIG. 2, and a second position, of bending, in which they are placed tilted with respect to the same axis N by an operative angle β, which is smaller than the rest angle α, as is visible in FIG. 3.

Of course, it may also be that the operative angle β of one or both leaf springs 50 is negative, for example if the leaf spring 50 exceeds the axis N.

In particular, the rest angle α and the operative angle β are defined between the axis N and a rear face of the corresponding lateral wing 52, which rear face faces the back 4 of the chair 1.

Preferably, with the back 4 in the maximum reclined position, the lateral wings 52 are bent by a travel such that the operative angle β is lower than the rest angle α by a value comprised between 40° and 10°, and still more preferably between 30° and 15°.

In particular, each lateral wing 52 is extended between a base end 52″, fixed to the central portion 51, and an opposite terminal end 52′, fixed to the seat portion 32, and in particular at a lateral side of the latter.

More clearly, the base end 52″ and the terminal end 52′ of the lateral wing 52 are connectable by means of a line which, with the lateral wing 52 in the first position, coincides with the same extension direction of the wing 52, while with the lateral wing 52 in the second position it might not coincide with the latter.

More in detail, when the seat portion 32 of the seat 3 is translated along the translation direction T (following the rotation of the back 4), the terminal ends 52′ of the lateral wing 52 of each leaf spring 50 are moved towards the back 4, determining an elastic bending of the lateral wing 52.

More in detail, in the first position the terminal end 52′ of each lateral wing 52 is approached to the aforesaid axis N and is placed more vertically at the base end 52″ of the same lateral wing 52 with respect to when the lateral wing 52 is situated in the second position, as is visible in the enclosed FIGS. 2 and 3.

Therefore, when the lateral wing 52 is in the second position, it must be intended that the line that connects the terminal end 52′ and the base end 52″ of each lateral wing 52 to be tilted with respect to the axis N by the operative angle β, which is smaller than the rest angle α.

More in detail, each elastic leaf spring 50 defines four virtual hinging points, including two first virtual hinging points between the central portion 51 of the elastic leaf spring 50 and the support portion 31 of said seat 3, and two second virtual hinging points between the seat portion 32 of said seat 3 and the lateral wings 52 of the corresponding said leaf spring 50.

Advantageously, the lateral wings 52 of the leaf springs 50 have a substantially plate-like form, and provided with a negligible thickness with respect to the other dimensions, so as to allow greater elastic bending of the lateral wings 52.

In this manner, the bending of the lateral wings 52 in the reclining sense V1 determines a tilt due to the raising of part of the seat portion 52, due to the fact that the lateral wings 52 are less tilted and thus provided with greater height than the first position, as is visible in FIG. 3.

Advantageously, during the rotation of the back 4, only the elastic leaf springs 50 are bent, and in particular the lateral wings 52, while the other elements of the seat 3 such as the seat portion 32 and the support portion 31 are not bent, since they are rigid elements and provided with a geometric configuration such to substantially not allow their bending or deformation.

Advantageously, the seat portion 32 is extended, along a horizontal extension direction X, between a front portion 321, which defines the front of the seat 3, and an opposite rear portion 322, directed towards the back 4.

More in detail, the front of the seat 3 is to be intended as the terminal portion on which the legs of the user are supported in seated position.

In addition, the seat portion 32 is extended advantageously, along a depth extension direction Z, substantially orthogonal to the horizontal extension direction X, between two opposite lateral sides 323, which define the sides of the seat 3.

Advantageously, when moving from the rest position A to the reclined position B, the front portion 321 of the seat portion 32 is raised with respect to the rear portion 322 of the latter. In particular, in the reclined position B the front portion 321 is placed at a higher level than the rear portion 322.

Advantageously, as described above the terminal ends 52′ of the lateral wings 52 are fixed on the lateral sides 323 of the seat portion 32, preferably on opposite lateral sides 323 of the seat portion 32.

Advantageously, as described above, the seat portion 32 comprises a perimeter frame 320, which is formed by four substantially tubular elements, including two elements that define the front portion 321 and the rear portion 322 of the seat portion 32, and two other elements that define the lateral sides 323 of the seat portion 32.

Advantageously, the chair 1 comprises a connection element configured for the rotation-translation connection between the back 4 and the seat portion 32, which is placed at the aforesaid connection point C.

Advantageously, the arrangement of a rotation-translation connection between the back 4 and the seat portion 32 allows controlling the rotation of the seat portion 32 on which the user is seated, in particular controlling the rise of the front of the seat 3 in order to reach the tilt degree requested by law.

Advantageously, the chair 1 comprises at least one connecting rod 6, which is pivoted to the back 4 and to the seat portion 32 in order to kinematically connect the back 4 to the seat portion 32 of the seat 3, at the connection point C.

In other words, the connecting rod 6 defines the aforesaid connection element.

Preferably, the connecting rod 6 is placed substantially orthogonal to the back 4.

Advantageously, the connecting rod 6 is formed by a rigid rod 60, preferably substantially plate-like, which is provided with two hinging holes 61, including a first hole for the hinging of the connecting rod 6 to the back 4, and a second hole for the hinging of the connecting rod 6 to the seat portion 32.

Preferably, the rigid rod 60 of the connecting rod 6 is extended between two opposite ends and the two hinging holes 61 are made on the aforesaid opposite ends of the rigid rod 60.

For such purpose, the back 4 and the seat portion 32 are provided with respective holes and the chair 1 advantageously comprises corresponding hinging pins, each of which engaging one of the holes made on the back 4 or on the seat portion 32 and the respective hinging hole of the connecting rod 6, in order to connect the connecting rod 6 to the back 4 or to the seat portion 32.

Advantageously, the chair 1 comprises two connecting rods 6, which are placed on opposite sides of the back 4, in order to connect one side of the back 4 with a respective side of the seat portion 32. More in detail, the two connecting rods 6 are hinged at the opposite lateral sides 323 of the seat portion 32, preferably in proximity to the rear portion 322 of the latter.

Advantageously, the back 4 is provided with a first housing seat and the seat portion 32 is provided with a second housing seat, and the connecting rod is partially housed in the first housing seat of the back 4 and in the second housing seat of the seat portion 32.

In this manner it is possible to substantially hide from view the connecting rod 6 and the relative hinging pins, rendering the chair 1 more pleasing to view and more appreciable aesthetically.

Advantageously, the back 4 is provided with a main portion 41, substantially vertical, which is extended along the main extension direction Y between the upper end 4′ and a bent portion 42.

Advantageously, the back 4 also comprises a connection portion 43, which is placed transverse to the main portion 41 and is extended between the bent portion 42 and the lower end 4″ of the seat 4.

Preferably, the main portion 41, the bent portion 42 and the connection portion 43 of the back 4 are made in a single body with each other.

Advantageously, the hinging point I is placed on the connection portion 43 of the back 4 and the connection point C is placed on the main portion 41 of the back 4 itself. Advantageously, the hinging point I is placed at the lower end 4″ of the back 4, while the connection point C is placed in proximity to the seat portion 32, preferably substantially at the same height as the seat portion 32 with respect to the support structure 2.

Advantageously, in addition, the hinging point I is placed in proximity to the cylindrical coupling element 311 of the support portion 31.

More in detail, the support portion 31 of the seat 3 is advantageously placed below the seat portion 32, towards the support structure 2, and the elastic return elements 5 are interposed between the support portion 31 and the seat portion 32 of the seat 3.

In other words, the elastic return elements 5 are totally interposed between the support portion 31 and the seat portion 32, and are in particular placed above the hinging point I, along the main extension direction Y. In this manner, the leaf springs 50 of the elastic return elements 5 are moved in accordance with the back 4, in the reclining sense V1 and in the repositioning sense V2 depending on the movement of the back 4.

Advantageously, the support portion 31 of the seat 3 is extended along a main extension direction X, between a rear end 31′, at which the back 4 is hinged, and an opposite front end 31″.

More in detail, the support portion 31 is hinged to the back 4 at the central body 310. In particular, the central body 310 is provided with a tongue which is extended on the rear part, towards the back 4, and which is preferably engaged in shape relationship with a cavity made on the back 4, at the lower end 4″ thereof.

Advantageously, the tongue of the central body 310 and the back 4 are provided with corresponding through holes engaged by a pin in order to rotatably connect the support portion 31 of the seat 3 with the back 4.

Advantageously, the elastic return elements 5 comprise a rear leaf spring 50′, fixed at the rear end 31′ of the support portion 31 of the seat 3, and a front leaf spring 50″, fixed at the front end 31″ of the support portion 31 of the seat 3.

Advantageously, the rear leaf spring 50′ is placed tilted with a first rest angle α′ with respect to the respective axis N, and the front leaf spring 50″ is placed tilted with a second rest angle α″ with respect to the respective axis N. As is visible in the enclosed figures, the axes N are parallel and are through for the base end 52″ of the corresponding lateral wing 52.

Advantageously, the second rest angle α″ is greater than the first rest angle α′. In other words, the rear leaf spring 50′ is placed more vertically with respect to the front leaf spring 50″.

Preferably, the first rest angle α′ of the rear leaf spring 50′ is comprised between 5° and 25°, and still more preferably between 10° and 20°. Preferably, the second rest angle α″ of the front leaf spring 50″ is comprised between 15° and 45°, and still more preferably between 20° and 40°, e.g. 30°. Therefore, the corresponding operative angles β′, β″ will respectively and preferably be comprised between −10° and 10°, and between 0° and 15°.

Advantageously, the seat portion 32 is extended, parallel to the main extension direction X of the support portion 31, between a rear side 32′, fixed to the back 4, and an opposite front side 32″.

Advantageously, the front leaf spring 50″ is placed with its lateral wings 52 fixed at the front side 32″ of the seat portion 32.

In particular, the front leaf spring 50″ is tilted towards the front portion 321 of the seat portion 32. Preferably, the lateral wings 52 of the front leaf spring 50″ are fixed on the lateral sides 323 of the seat portion 52, at a connector section with the front portion 321, as is visible in FIG. 4A.

In this manner, when the seat portion 32 of the seat 3 is translated along the translation direction T (following the rotation of the back 4) the lateral wings 52 of the front leaf spring 50″ carry in traction, and lifting, the front portion 321 of the seat portion 32, and hence the front of the seat 3 defined by the latter, allowing meeting the legal requirements provided for reclinable chairs.

Advantageously, the support portion 31 of the seat 3 is constrained to the support structure 2 and integral with the latter for movements of the seat portion 32 along the translation direction T. In other words, the support portion 31 is mounted on the support structure 2 so as to be free only possibly in its rotation around a vertical rotation axis, being instead constrained to the support structure 2 for translations on a plane orthogonal to the aforesaid rotation axis.

Therefore, when the back 4 is rotated with respect to the support portion 31, this does not modify its position with respect to the support structure 2, and the back 4 is thus susceptible of completing an exclusively rotary movement around the hinging point. This ensures greater solidity and strength of the chair 1, and allows reducing the risk of breakage of the components, in particular being plastic component attained in a single body.

The invention thus conceived therefore attains the pre-established objects.

The contents of the Italian patent application number 102024000005875, from which this application claims priority, are incorporated herein by reference.