EP2457467B1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: EP2457467B1
Application number: EP10192708.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Peter R. Tuckey; Jonathan K. Mountz
Original assignee: Nuna International BV
Current assignee: Nuna International BV
Priority date: 2010-11-26
Filing date: 2010-11-26
Publication date: 2013-07-24
Anticipated expiration: 2030-11-26
Also published as: CN102525161B; EP2457467A1; JP5401529B2; CN102525161A; TWI461168B; JP2012110720A; TW201221090A

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to chair structures and methods of assembling chair structures.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional chair structure, exemplarily shown in patent applicatonEP 2 127 560 A1, usually includes a seat portion that is assembled on a support structure. To allow convenient use, certain chair structures may also include a pivoting mechanism that allows rotation of the seating portion relative to the support structure, such that a user can push the seat portion in rotation while remaining seated on the seat portion. However, the pivoting mechanism usually employed in the convention chair does not permit disassembly of the chair structure. As a result, when the chair is not used, the chair cannot be stored in a compact form.
Therefore, there is presently a need for a chair structure that can be easily assembled and disassembled, and address at least the foregoing issues.

SUMMARY

The present application describes a system and method for assembling the chair structure.
According to one embodiment, the chair structure comprises a seat frame having a first coupling element, a support base, and a pivot link assembly mounted on the support base. The pivot link assembly includes a pivot axle, and a second coupling element pivotally mounted around the pivot axle, wherein the second coupling element includes a latch operable to lock the first coupling element with the second coupling element when the seat frame is assembled with the support base, and unlock the first coupling element from the second coupling element for allowing separation of the seat frame from the support base.
The present application also describes a method for assembling the chair structure. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a seat frame having a first coupling element having a hole, providing a support base having a pivot axle and a second coupling element pivotally mounted around the pivot axle, wherein the second coupling element includes a latch thereon, and assembling the seat frame with the support base by sliding the first coupling element over the second coupling element until the latch engages through the hole for locking the first coupling element with the second coupling element.
At least one advantage of the chair structure and method described herein is the ability of the seat frame to assemble with and separate from the support base in a convenient manner. Storage of the chair structure can be thereby facilitated.
The foregoing is a summary and shall not be construed to limit the scope of the claims. The operations and structures disclosed herein may be implemented in a number of ways, and such changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention and its broader aspects. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of the invention, as defined solely by the claims, are described in the nonlimiting detailed description set forth below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view illustrating a seat frame and support base of a chair structure according to one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a chair structure according to one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a pivot link assembly implemented in a chair structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the pivot link assembly shown inFIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a perspective of the pivot link assembly shown inFIG. 4
FIG. 6 is a schematic enlarged view of the support base shown inFIG. 1; and
FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating an operation of the chair structure ofFIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present application describes a chair structure and a method for assembling the chair structure. Examples of use of the chair structure described herein may include, without limitation, a chair for seating a young infant or baby.
FIGs. 1 and2 are respectively exploded and perspective views illustrating one embodiment of achair structure 100. Thechair structure 100 comprises asupport base 102, aseat frame 104, and apivot link assembly 106 mounted on thesupport base 102. Thesupport base 102 may include a plurality ofresting beams 108 that extend radial from ajoint portion 110 for providing stable support of thechair structure 100 on a floor. Thejoint portion 110 of thesupport base 102 has aninner cavity 112 in which thepivot link assembly 106 is fixedly mounted. Theseat frame 104 may include atubular structure 114 having abracket 115 and afirst coupling element 117 affixed on thebracket 115. In one embodiment, thefirst coupling element 117 may be formed as an enclosing cup having a hollow inner volume in which thepivot link assembly 106 can be received when theseat frame 104 is assembled on thesupport base 102. In particular, a side of thefirst coupling element 117 can include aslot 119 that is able to engage with a second coupling element 124 (e.g., shown inFIG. 3) provided on thepivot link assembly 106 for enabling rotation of theseat frame 104 relative to thesupport base 102 about a rotation axis Y defined by thepivot link assembly 106.
FIGs. 3-5 are respectively cross-sectional, exploded and perspective views illustrating the construction of thepivot link assembly 106 and how it assembles with thesupport base 102 andfirst coupling element 117. As shown inFIG. 3, thefirst coupling element 117 may include an outer enclosingcup 117A in which is mounted aninner cup 117B having a hollow inner volume. Further, referring toFIGs. 3 and4, thepivot link assembly 106 includes apivot axle 122 that defines the rotation axis Y, and asecond coupling element 124 pivotally mounted around thepivot axle 122. Thepivot axle 122 has afirst end 122A affixed in theinner cavity 112 of thesupport base 102. More particularly, theinner cavity 112 is at least partially delimited by abottom surface 112A andsidewall 112B. Ahole 123 is formed through thebottom surface 112A and is downwardly closed by anend cap 125. Thefirst end 122A of thepivot axle 122 having a threadedhole 126 is assembled through thehole 123 and fixedly secured with theend cap 125 via ascrew 128 that engages through theend cap 125 with the threadedhole 126.
Thesecond coupling element 124 includes asleeve 130, acover 132 and ananti-rotation lock 134. Thesleeve 130 has a hollow, generally elongated shape that has aninner bore 136 through which thepivot axle 122 is pivotally mounted viabearings 137A and 137B. Thebearing 137A may be mounted adjacent to atop end 130A of thesleeve 130 and tightly fitted around asecond end 122B of thepivot axle 122 opposite itsfirst end 122A. Thebearing 137B is tightly mounted around thepivot axle 122 in abutment against ashoulder portion 122C of thepivot axle 122, at an intermediate position between thefirst end 122A andsecond end 122B of thepivot axle 122. Theinner bore 136 may be downwardly closed by aseal 138, which is fastened via acollar 139 against thebearing 137B at a side opposite theshoulder portion 122C. Theseal 138 can prevent dust contamination through the lower end of theinner bore 136. Thetop end 130A of thesleeve 130 is closed with thecover 132 fixedly secured viascrews 135.
As shown inFIGs. 3-5, aside 130B of thesleeve 130 forms a recessed,elongated pocket 140 through which theanti-rotation lock 134 is assembled in sliding relationship along the direction of the rotation axis Y. In one embodiment, theanti-rotation lock 134 may be formed as an elongated member slidably mounted through thepocket 140. Afirst end 134A of theanti-rotation lock 134 includes two restricting flanges 142 (better shown inFIG. 4) that are spaced apart from each other and delimit agap 144 there between. Asecond end 134B of theanti-rotation lock 134 opposite itsfirst end 134A includes acatch 146 that is able to detachably fasten with arib 147 protruding inward from an inner sidewall of the sleeve 130 (better shown inFIG. 3).
In addition, an intermediate portion of theanti-rotation lock 134 between thefirst end 134A and thesecond end 134B includes ahandle 148 that extends radial from the direction of the rotation axis Y for engaging through theslot 119 of the first coupling element 117 (shown inFIG. 1). By pulling thehandle 148 downward or upward, theanti-rotation lock 134 can slide vertically to either a first position or second position higher than the first position. As described hereafter, when theanti-rotation lock 134 is in the first position, the restrictingflanges 142 of theanti-rotation lock 134 can be placed adjacent to two lateral sides of aprotuberance 162 formed in the inner cavity 112 (better shown inFIG. 6) for blocking rotation of theseat frame 104 about thepivot axle 122. In the second position, the restrictingflanges 142 are positioned in a gap above theprotuberance 162 such that rotation of theseat frame 104 about thepivot axle 122 is allowed.
Referring again toFIGs. 4-5, thesecond coupling element 124 also includes alatch 150 that is provided on an outer side of thesecond coupling element 124. In one embodiment, thelatch 150 may include atab portion 152 extending downward from thecover 132, and aflange 154 protruding outward from thetab portion 152 and extending radial from the direction of the rotation axis Y. By resilient deflection of thetab portion 152 in a radial direction relative to the rotation axis Y, theflange 154 can engage through or disengage from ahole 156 provided through the first coupling element 117 (better shown inFIG. 7). When thelatch 150 engages through thehole 156, theflange 154 can abut against a rim portion of thehole 156 for locking thefirst coupling element 117 with thesecond coupling element 124.
As shown inFIG. 5, alower portion 130C of thesleeve 130 opposite thetop end 130A includes two opposite abuttal flanges 158 (only oneabuttal flange 158 is visible onFIG. 5) that are spaced-apart from each other and laid in different radial directions. When theseat frame 104 assembled on thesupport base 102 is rotated, either of the twoabuttal flanges 158 can come in abutment against a stop element provided in the inner cavity 112 (better shown inFIG. 6) so as to delimit a maximum angle of rotation permitted for theseat frame 104.
FIG. 6 is a schematic enlarged view illustrating theinner cavity 112 of thesupport base 102. As shown, thesidewall 112B surrounding theinner cavity 112 may have a generally cylindrical contour. Theprotuberance 162 against which theanti-rotation lock 134 abuts for blocking rotation of theseat frame 104 protrudes upward from thebottom surface 112A of theinner cavity 112. Acushion pad 164 is also fixed on thebottom surface 112A at a position diametrically opposite theprotuberance 162. Thecushion pad 164 is placed in an area located between the twoabuttal flanges 158. The limits of the angular rotation permitted for theseat frame 104 are reached when either of the twoabuttal flanges 158 comes in abutment against thecushion pad 164. Thecushion pad 164 may be made of a flexible material adapted to cushion collision of theabuttal flanges 158 against thecushion pad 164 for stopping rotation of theseat frame 104.
It is worth noting that a variant embodiment can also configure thecushion pad 164 as a spring element (e.g., thecushion pad 164 may be made of a resilient material) that is loaded and provides a resilient force when it is pressed by theabuttal flange 158. When theabuttal flange 158 comes in contact with a first side of thecushion pad 164, thecushion pad 164 can deform and apply a counteracting force that causes theseat frame 104 to rotate in a reverse direction. Theseat frame 104 can then rotate reversely until theopposite abuttal flange 158 comes in contact with an opposite second side of thecushion pad 164, which applies again a counteracting force to rotate theseat frame 104 toward the first side of thecushion pad 164. Accordingly, theseat frame 104 can bounce against thecushion pad 164 to perform reciprocated rotational movements, thereby providing an entertaining environment to the seated child.
Exemplary operation of thechair structure 100 is described hereafter with reference toFIGs. 3-7. Theseat frame 104 can be assembled on thesupport base 102 by sliding thefirst coupling element 117 over thesecond coupling element 124 of thepivot link assembly 106. As shown inFIG. 7, the connection between thefirst coupling element 117 and thesecond coupling element 124 is then locked when thelatch 150 engages through thehole 156 of thefirst coupling element 117. Moreover, thefirst coupling element 117 and thesecond coupling element 124 are also coupled with each other respectively via the engagement of thehandle 148 through theslot 119 of thefirst coupling element 117, and the engagement between theslot 119 of thefirst coupling element 117 and outline protrusions of theelongated pocket 140. When rotation of theseat frame 104 is desired, theanti-rotation lock 134 can be raised until thecatch 146 of theanti-rotation lock 134 engages and grips therib 147 of thesleeve 130 by resilient deflection. Theanti-rotation lock 134 can thereby be securely maintained at a higher position (i.e., the second position previously mentioned and shown with solid lines inFIG. 7) where the restrictingflanges 142 are positioned in a gap above theprotuberance 162. Theseat frame 104 can then be rotated relative to thesupport base 102, which results in a unitary rotating movement of the first andsecond coupling elements 117 and 124 locked with each other around thepivot axle 122. In particular, the rotation movement of theseat frame 104 relative to thesupport base 102 can be transmitted from thefirst coupling element 117 to thesecond coupling element 124 through contact between thehandle 148 and an edge of theslot 119 of thefirst coupling element 117.
If a user wants to block theseat frame 104 on thesupport base 102, theseat frame 104 first must be oriented to a position where thehandle 148 is in alignment with theprotuberance 162. By pulling thehandle 148 downward, thecatch 146 can disengage from therib 147, and theanti-rotation lock 134 can then slide downward to a lower position (i.e., the first position previously mentioned and shown with phantom lines inFIG. 7) where theprotuberance 162 is lodged in thegap 144 between the two restrictingflanges 142. In this position, the restrictingflanges 142 are placed adjacently against two opposite lateral sides of theprotuberance 162. As a result, any rotation of the second coupling element 124 (and thefirst coupling element 117 andseat frame 104 locked therewith) about the rotation axis Y can be blocked owing to abutment between theprotuberance 162 and of either of the restrictingflanges 142.
When thechair structure 100 is not used, the user can disassemble thechair structure 100 by pushing thelatch 150, in particular the protrudingflange 154, to cause inward deflection of thetab portion 152. As a result, theflange 154 can disengage from thehole 156, and thelatch 150 thereby unlocks the connection between the first andsecond coupling elements 117 and 124. Theseat frame 104 and thefirst coupling element 117 fixed thereon can then be pulled upward away from thesupport base 102 and thepivot link assembly 106. Theseat frame 104 can then be stored separately from thesupport base 102.
At least one advantage of the chair structure described herein is the ability of the seat frame to assemble on and separate from the support base in a convenient manner. Such feature may be particularly advantageous when the seat frame can also folded into a compact form, allowing convenient storage of the chair structure in a reduced space. In addition, when the seat frame is assembled with the support base, rotation of the seat frame can also be selectively enabled or blocked for providing safer use of the chair structure.
Realizations in accordance with the present invention therefore have been described only in the context of particular embodiments. These embodiments are meant to be illustrative and not limiting. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements are possible. Accordingly, plural instances may be provided for components described herein as a single instance. Structures and functionality presented as discrete components in the exemplary configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims that follow.

Claims

A chair structure for seating a young infant, comprising a seat frame (104) having a first coupling element (117), and a support base (102) including a pivot axle (122) fixed thereon and a second coupling element (124) pivotally mounted with the pivot axle (122),characterized in that the second coupling element (124) includes a latch (150) operable to lock the first coupling element (117) with the second coupling element (124) to attach the seat frame (104) with the support base (102), and to unlock the first coupling element (117) from the second coupling element (124) such that the seat frame (104) and the first coupling element (117) are removable from the support base (102) and the second coupling element (124).
The chair structure according to claim 1, wherein the first coupling element (117) includes a hole (156) through which the latch (150) is engaged to lock the first coupling element (117) with the second coupling element (124).
The chair structure according to claim 2, wherein the latch (150) includes a resilient tab portion (152), and a flange (1154) protruding from the tab portion (152) that engages through the hole (156) of the first coupling element (117) when the latch (150) locks the first coupling element with the second coupling element (124).
The chair structure according to claim 3, wherein the tab portion (152) is deflectable in a radial direction relative to the pivot axle (122) for either engaging or disengaging the latch (150).
The chair structure according to claim 1, wherein the second coupling element (124) further includes an anti-rotation lock (134) movable along a direction substantially parallel with the pivot axle (122) for either blocking or allowing rotation of the seat frame (104) about the pivot axle (122), when the seat frame (104) is assembled with the support base (102).
The chair structure according to claim 5, wherein the second coupling element (124) includes a sleeve (130) having a pocket (140) through which the anti-rotation lock (134) is assembled in sliding relationship.
The chair structure according to claim 5, wherein the anti-rotation lock (134) includes a handle (148) that protrudes radial through a slot (119) of the first coupling element (117) when the seat frame (104) is assembled with the support base (102).
The chair structure according to claim 7 , wherein a rotation movement of the seat frame (104) relative to the support base (102) is transmitted from the first coupling element (117) to the second coupling element (124) through contact between the handle (148) and an edge of the slot (119) of the first coupling element (117).
The chair structure according to claim 5, wherein a first end portion (134A) of the anti-rotation lock (134) includes restricting flanges (142), the restricting flanges (142) being positioned adjacent to opposite sides of a protuberance (162) on the support base (102) when the anti-rotation lock (134) is moved toward the support base (102) to a first position for blocking rotation of the seat frame (104).
The chair structure according to claim 5, wherein a second end portion (134B) of the anti-rotation lock (134) includes a catch (146) that detachably fastens with a portion of the second coupling element (124) when the anti-rotation lock (134) is moved away from the support base (102) to a second position for allowing rotation of the seat frame (104).
The chair structure according to claim 1, wherein the second coupling element (124) is pivotally mounted around the pivot axle (122) via at least one bearing (137A, 137B).
The chair structure according to claim 1, wherein the support base (102) includes a cushion pad (164) against which abuttal flanges (158) provided on the second coupling element (124) abut for delimiting an angular rotation of the seat frame (104).
The chair structure according to claim 1, wherein the first coupling element (117) has a hollow inner volume in which the second coupling element (124) is received when the seat frame (104) is assembled with the support base (102).
The chair structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the latch (150) is accessible from an outside of the chair structure.