BACKREST FOR AN OFFICE CHAIR

Abstract

A backrest for an office chair. The backrest has a support structure on which a backrest shell element can be fastened. The support structure is formed with two braces that which are interconnected at upper and lower end regions and that are spaced from each other between the upper and lower end regions. At least sections of the braces are movable relative to one another.

Claims

1. A backrest for an office chair having a pedestal, the backrest comprising: a backrest shell; a support structure upon which the backrest shell element can be fastened; and first and second braces, each comprising upper and lower end regions; wherein the first and second braces are interconnected at the upper and lower end regions; wherein the first and second braces are spaced from each other between the upper and lower end regions; and wherein at least sections of the first and second braces are movable relative to one another.

2. The backrest according to claim 1, wherein the support structure is made from plastic.

3. The backrest according to claim 1, wherein the support structure has connection points for the point connection to the backrest shell element.

4. The backrest according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second braces has a backrest leg that is elastic at least in some areas of the backrest leg.

5. The backrest according to claim 4, wherein each of the backrest legs are c-shaped.

6. The backrest according to claim 1, wherein the first and second braces are connected to a base support that is connected to the pedestal of the chair.

7. The backrest according to claim 1, wherein the first and second braces are oriented in parallel to one another in a first section.

8. The backrest according to claim 1, further comprising a base support and wherein a distance between the braces increases in a second section toward the part of the backrest comprising the base support.

9. The backrest according to claim 1, further comprising a backrest shell element connected to the support structure.

10. The backrest according to claim 9, wherein the backrest shell element has a plurality of through-holes and webs situated therebetween.

11. The backrest according to claim 10, wherein a portion of the plurality of through-holes that are arranged alternately in a direction corresponding to a vertical extent of the backrest shell element, are situated at a first height and at a second, greater height.

12. The backrest according to claim 10, wherein a portion of the plurality of through-holes embodies a central vertical row of through-holes, and a narrower through-hole of the plurality of through-holes is assigned to each through-hole of the central vertical row of through-holes, on the right and the left.

13. The backrest according to claim 12, characterized in that the through-holes of the central vertical row of through-holes become wider from top to bottom of the backrest shell element.

14. The backrest according to claim 10, wherein the backrest shell element comprises slot-like openings.

15. The backrest according to claim 9, wherein elastic fastening tabs for detachable fastening on the support structure are provided on the backrest shell element.

16. An office chair comprising: a pedestal; and a backrest according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a partial exploded illustration of an office chair;

[0026] FIG. 2 shows a front view of the office chair from FIG. 1;

[0027] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the office chair; and

[0028] FIG. 4 shows a detail of the backrest in a partial sectional illustration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] The following is a detailed description of example embodiments of the invention depicted in the accompanying drawings. The example embodiments are presented in such detail as to clearly communicate the invention and are designed to make such embodiments obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.

[0030] Fig. presents an exploded illustration of an office chair 1. The office chair 1 comprises a five-arm pedestal 2 having rollers 3. A base support 5 can be fastened on a central column 4 of the pedestal 2. A support structure 6 of a backrest 7 extends upward from the base support 5. The support structure 6 includes, in this case, two braces 8, 9 which are interconnected by way of the connection web 10 at an upper end of the support structure 6 and by way of the base support 5 at a lower end of the support structure 6. Located between the braces 8, 9 is an intermediate space 11 that can be open, or that can be hidden by a plastic plate. In a first section 12, the braces 8, 9 extend at least partially in parallel. In a second section 13, the distance between the braces 8, 9 increases. The support structure 6 widens toward the base support 5. The braces 8, 9 also become wider toward a bend area 14. In a lower area, the support structure 6 comprises backrest legs 15, 16, which are elastic at least in some areas and are c-shaped, as viewed in cross section, at least in one area 17.

[0031] The support structure 6 has receptacles 18 along the braces 8, 9 for accommodating fastening tabs of a backrest shell element 20. The backrest shell element 20 can therefore be connected at points to the support structure 6.

[0032] The support structure 6 is preferably formed from plastic and therefore has a certain elasticity due solely to the material properties. The braces 8, 9 can be moved relative to each other, within certain limits.

[0033] A c-shaped seat leg 21, on which a non-illustrated seat surface can be fastened, is also situated on the base support 5.

[0034] The backrest legs 15, 16 point diagonally upward, in the embodiment shown.

[0035] FIG. 2 presents the office chair 1 in a front view, wherein a seat surface 22 is visible here. The backrest shell element 20 is designed, in an upper area 23, having an approximately constant width. The width increases in a lower area 24. The backrest shell element 20 comprises openings 25 at a first height, and slot-like openings 26 at a second height. The height of the slot-like openings 26 is less than the height of the openings 25 in this case. In addition, the backrest shell element 20 has a central row 27 of openings 28. The openings 28 become wider as viewed from top to bottom.

[0036] Fastening tabs 29, 30 for fastening the backrest shell element on the support structure 6 (FIG. 1) are provided in the edge areas of the openings 28. The fastening tabs 29, 30 are elastic and can be inserted into the openings 18. Narrower openings 25, 31 are provided to the right and to the left of the openings 28 of the central row (27) of openings 28. The openings 25, 31 in the edge area of the backrest shell element 20 are therefore narrower.

[0037] The slot-like openings 26 can be spaced from each other by webs. Continuous slots 32 also can be provided over approximately the entire width of the backrest shell element 20, however.

[0038] The backrest shell element 20 is preferably made from plastic. Due to the alternating arrangement of openings 25, 26, 28, 31 and webs 33, a skeleton-like structure results, which is particularly flexible.

[0039] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the office chair 1. It is apparent here that the backrest shell element 20 is connected to the support structure 6. In this case, the backrest shell element 20 is located above the bend area 14, at which sections 41, 42 of the braces 8, 9, assume an angle of approximately 90° with respect to one another.

[0040] FIG. 4 shows a cutaway of the backrest 50, wherein the support structure 6 is depicted in a sectional view. It is apparent here that the tabs 29, 30 have been inserted into the openings 18 of the support structure 6, and so a point connection of the backrest shell element 20 to the support structure 6 results at multiple points.

[0041] As will be evident to persons skilled in the art, the foregoing detailed description and figures are presented as examples of the invention, and that variations are contemplated that do not depart from the fair scope of the teachings and descriptions set forth in this disclosure. The foregoing is not intended to limit what has been invented, except to the extent that the following claims so limit that.