MODULAR SELF-LOCKING CHAIR WITH INTERLOCKING JOINT SYSTEM

Abstract

A modular self-locking chair includes two vertical frames comprising of a flexible joint attached at the top of the first and second vertical frames. The chair may include two horizontal frames each including two joint frames and an indentation on an intermediate underside section of one horizontal frame and the other horizontal frame may have an indentation on an intermediate topside section. Each horizontal frame may attach to one of the vertical frames to form two leg assemblies. Aspects of the present disclosure may include a backrest that may include one or more latches attached to the back section of the backrest, a seat base with two or more half-lap joints attached to the underside section of the seat base, and a bow-shaped joint which may attach to an underside section of the seat base.

Claims

1. A self-locking chair apparatus, comprising: a first and second vertical frame each comprising a flexible joint attached at the top of the first and second vertical frames; and a first and second horizontal frame each comprising of a first, second, third, and fourth frame joint attached to a top surface of the first and second horizontal frames, wherein the first horizontal frame has an indentation on an intermediate underside section and the second horizontal frame has an indentation on an intermediate topside section, wherein the first horizontal frame attaches to the first vertical frame and the second horizontal frame attaches to the second vertical frame to form a first and second leg assembly; and a backrest with a first and second latch attached to a back section of the backrest; and a seat base with a first and second half lap joint attached to a proximal underside section of the seat base and a bow-shaped joint attached to a distal underside section of the seat base.

2. The self-locking chair of claim 1, wherein the first and second frame joints attach to a proximal end of the first and second horizontal frame and the third and fourth frame joints attach to a distal end of the first and second horizontal frame.

3. The self-locking chair of claim 1, wherein the first and second latch are attached to opposing horizontal side of the rear section of the backrest.

4. The self-locking chair of claim 1, wherein the first and second half lap joint are attached to a proximal side and positioned in opposing horizontal alignment on the underside section of the seat base.

5. The self-locking chair of claim 1, wherein the first and second horizontal frames attach to the first and second vertical frames via a hinge mechanism to form the first and second leg assemblies.

6. The self-locking chair of claim 5, wherein each hinge mechanism includes of a first, second, and third screw securing the first and second horizontal frames to the first and second vertical frames.

7. The self-locking chair of claim 1, wherein the latches, half lap joints, flexible joints, frame joints, and bow-shaped joint includes a recycled high-density polyethylene plastic or a material that is capable of flexibility and durability to secure components in a self-locking mechanism.

8. The self-locking chair of claim 1, wherein the indentations on the first and second horizontal frames are a rectangular shape or a shape that would secure the first and second horizontal shapes to couple to one another.

9. The self-locking chair of claim 1, wherein the backrest is a curved shape to conform to the natural contours of a user's back, providing ergonomic support for comfortable sitting.

10. The self-locking chair of claim 1, wherein the first and second vertical frames, first and second horizontal frames, backrest, and seat base are composed of wood, plastic, or any material that is durable to provide support for comfortable sitting.

11. The self-locking chair of claim 1, wherein the flexible joint attached to the vertical frames have a hooked shape on a top and bottom section of the flexible joint or any shape that provides latches to be clicked in securely.

12. A method of assembling the self-locking chair, comprising the steps of: coupling the first leg assembly to the second leg assembly, wherein the indentation on the intermediate underside section of the first leg assembly aligns with and is pushed downward into the indentation on the intermediate topside portion of the second leg assembly, thereby securing the two leg assemblies together; and securing the backrest onto the first and second vertical frames, wherein the first and second latch on the back of the backrest aligns with and secures on the first and second flexible joint attached to the top of the first and second vertical frames, thereby providing a secure attachment of the backrest to the two secured leg assemblies; and securing the seat base onto the first and second horizontal frames, wherein the first and second half lap joint attached to the proximal underside section of the seat base are aligned and secured to the first and second frame joint on the proximal end of the first and second horizontal frames, wherein the bow shaped joint attached to the distal underside section of the seat base is clipped to the third and fourth frame joints attached to the distal side of horizontal frames.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein each latch attached to the backrest is secured to a respective flexible joint attached to the vertical frames by placing the bottom of each latch into the flexible joint and then pushing the top of the latch into the flexible joint, such that each hook on the flexible joint engages with the top and bottom of each latch to secure them together.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the first and second half-lap joint attached to the seat base horizontally slides into the first and second frame joints on the proximal end of horizontal frame to interlock, and the distal side of the seat base is then pushed downward, while squeezing the bow-shaped joint inward in order to clip into the third and fourth frame joints near the intersecting horizontal frames, thereby securing the seat base to the first and second secured leg assemblies.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the intersecting horizontal frames are oriented at a 90-degree angle.

16. The method of disassembling the self-locking chair, comprising the steps of: releasing the seat base from the horizontal frames, wherein the bow-shaped joint attached to the distal underside section of the seat base is disengaged to the third and fourth joint frames attached to the distal end of the first and second horizontal frames and that are near the intersection of the first and second horizontal frames, wherein the first and second half-lap joints attached to the proximal underside section of the seat base is disengaged with the first and second joint frames attached to the proximal ends first and second horizontal frames providing the removal the seat base from the two secured leg assemblies; and releasing the backrest from the first and second vertical frames, wherein the first and second latches on the back of the backrest are disengaged from the first and second flexible joint attached on the top of the first and second vertical frames providing the removal of the backrest from the h-shaped frames; and decoupling the first and second h-shaped frames from one another, wherein the first leg assembly is hoisted in an upward manner providing the removal of the first leg assembly from the second h-shaped frame.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the bow shaped joint attached to the distal underside section of the seat base is squeezed inward and vertically disengaged from the third and fourth joint frames attached to the distal end of the horizontal frames and the half lap joints attached to the proximal underside section of the seat base are pulled laterally from the first and second joint frames attached to the proximal end of the horizontal frames providing for the removal of the seat base from the first and second leg assemblies.

18. The method claim of 16, wherein the first and second latch attached to the back of the backrest is disengaged to a respective flexible joint attached to the top of the first and second vertical frames by withdrawing a top section of the first and second latch from a top section of the first and second flexible joints providing for the bottom section of the first and second latches attaches to the back of the backrest.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the intersecting horizontal frames are oriented at a 90-degree angle.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the first leg assembly is decoupled by hoisting the first horizontal frame from the second horizontal frame providing a release of the indentation in the first horizontal frame from the indentation in the second horizontal frame.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The incorporated drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification exemplify the aspects of the present disclosure and, together with the description, explain and illustrate principles of this disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 1A illustrates a chair according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 1B illustrates a chair according to FIG. 1A.

[0024] FIG. 1C illustrates a chair according to FIG. 1A.

[0025] FIG. 2A illustrates an exploded view of a chair according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 2B illustrates an exploded view of the chair according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 3A illustrates how the two leg assemblies couple according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 3B illustrates how the two leg assemblies couple according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 3C illustrates how the two leg assemblies couple according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 4A-4G illustrates how the seat base attaches to the horizontal frames according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 5A-5E illustrates how the backrest attaches to the vertical frames according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the accompanying drawing(s), in which identical functional elements are designated with like numerals. The accompanying drawings show by way of illustration, and not by way of limitation, specific aspects, and implementations consistent with the principles of this disclosure. These implementations are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other implementations may be utilized, and that structural changes and/or substitutions of various elements may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be construed in a limited sense.

[0033] As illustrated in FIG. 1A-C, an embodiment of a self-locking chair 100 comprises two vertical frames 104 attached to two horizontal frames 102b and 102d, a backrest 108, and a seat base 106. Aspects of the present disclosure relate to using a precision-engineered interlocking system that enables components to securely click together, forming a durable yet non-complicated structure. In one embodiment, the self-locking chair pieces 102b, 102d, 104, 106, 108 may suitability be made of any material while the joints 102a, 102c, 102e, 102f, 104a, 106a, 108a may be made of recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic. Such plastic may allow flexible joint systems that facilitate attachment, allowing a user to snap or click pieces to assemble or dissemble the chair quickly and easily. Furthermore, the self-locking chair 100 may be manufactured from a range of materials, including wood, plastic, metal composites, and others, based on the needs of consumers, offering versatility in design and aesthetic appeal.

[0034] The horizontal frames 102b and 102d may attach to two vertical frame 104 to form two or more leg assemblies. Each horizontal frame 102b and 102d may attach to a separate vertical frame 104. The attachment may comprise a hinge with three screws on each frame 102b, 102d, 104. A variety of screws may work to keep the horizontal frames 102b and 102d attached to the two vertical frames 104.

[0035] FIG. 2A-B illustrates an exploded view of the chair. In such an embodiment one or more joint frames 102a, 102f are attached to the horizontal frames 102b, 102d. One or more bow-shaped joints 106a may be attached to seat base 106. One or more latches 108a may be attached to the backrest 108. There may be one or more flexible joints attached to a vertical frame. There may be more than one indentation 102c, 102e on the horizontal frames 102b, 102d.

[0036] FIG. 3A-C illustrates the method of coupling the two leg assemblies via the indentations 102c, 102e on the horizontal frames 102b, 102d. The horizontal frame 102b may comprise of a rectangular indention on the upper center portion of the frame. The horizontal frame 102d may comprise of a rectangular indention on the lower center portion of the frame. The shape of the indentations 102e, 102c may be any shape that allows a horizontal frame 102d to couple to the other horizontal frame 102b and 102d may lock together by aligning the indention 102c of the horizontal frame 102d with the indentation 102e of the other horizontal frame 102b. Once the horizontal frames 102d, 102b indentions 102c, 102e are aligned, the indention 102c of the horizontal frame 102d may be pushed down in the indention 102e of the bottom horizontal frame of 102b to form a sturdy lock.

[0037] The horizontal frames 102b and 102d may comprise of two separate h-shaped structures that slot together at or around ninety degrees, utilizing a cross-lap joint which may create a four-legged rigid frame with two vertical frames 104 for the backrest 108 of the chair. This method of joining the structures may allow them to be easily assembled and disassembled without any mechanical fasteners or adhesives. Furthermore, the system requires no screws, bolts, or tools for assembly. As a non-limiting example, the modular interlocking system can be utilized throughout the design to allow components to snap together without needing screws or bolts.

[0038] FIG. 4A illustrates a top view of the chair 100. Additionally, this view illustrates transparency to the seat base 106. The seat base's 106 half-lap joints 106b may attach to the joint frames 102a on the horizontal frames 102b, 102d. Additionally, the bow-shaped joint 106a may attach to the frame joints 102f on the horizontal frames 102b, 102d. This secured seat base 106 enables a user to comfortably sit in the seat. The half-lap joints 106b, bow-shaped joint 106a, and joint frames 102a, 102f provide a secure and easy way to attach and disassemble the seat base 106 when needed.

[0039] FIGS. 4B-D illustrate a method on how the seat base 106 attaches to the horizontal frames 102b, 102d using half lap joints 106b at the front of the seat and a flexible bow-shaped joint 106a that snaps into place at the rear of the seat. When the half-lap joints 106b are coupled together with the proximal joint frames 102a, they may act as a fulcrum for the bow-shaped joint 106a to rotate downwards and lock into the distal frame joints 102f on the horizontal frames 102b, 102d by squeezing the bow-shaped 106a joint inward into the frame joints 102f.

[0040] The seat base 106 also may act as a rigidifying element for the frame of the chair 100. The seat 106 may be easily removed by squeezing the two ends of the flexible bow together and releasing the back joint 106a. This method of joining the seat to the frame may allow users to easily assemble and disassemble the chair without mechanical fasteners.

[0041] The seat base 106 may be attached using only half-lap joints. This may be done by having two or more half-lap joints 106b and slotting all of them with a joint frame 102a. This would provide a seat base to secure onto the horizontal frames. Additionally, a seat base 106 may attach to horizontal frames 102b, 102d, with the use of only bow-shaped joints 106a. If more than one bow shaped joint 106a is secured onto frame joints 102f on the horizontal frames 102b, 102d, it may provide a secure way for a user to sit on the seat base. The seat base 106 may also be attached by using joints 102a, 102f, 106a, 106b, or other forms of attachment to the vertical frames 104. Furthermore, the seat base 106 may be attached using joints on the horizontal and vertical frames 102b, 102d, 104, or the vertical frames 104 only. Lastly, the seat base 106 may be attached to the horizontal frames 102b, 102d with the use of hook-shaped joints 104a and latches 108a. The latches 108a may be aligned to the flexible joints 104a and clipped in to secure the seat base 106.

[0042] FIG. 4E-G illustrates the focus on the seat base 106 attachment to the horizontal frames 102b, 102d. The bow-shaped joint 106a may be secured into the joint frames' 102f projecting edges. Furthermore, the bow-shaped joint 106a may be squeezed inward between the joint frames' 102f projecting edges and once released, will be secured in place by the same joint frames' 102f projecting edges.

[0043] FIG. 4E-G illustrates the components of the self-locking joint system from an underside view. The bow-shaped joint 106a may be located in the distal intersection of the horizontal frames 102b, 102d when secured to the joint frames 102f. The bow-shaped joint 106a may also be located in any other intersection created by the horizontal frames 102b, 102d in order to secure to the horizontal frames 102b, 102d. The half-lap 106b joints may be located on the proximal side of the seat base 106 or where there is a way to fix the half-lap joints 106b onto horizontal frames 102b, 102d with the use of the joint frames 102a.

[0044] FIG. 5A illustrates an aerial view of the chair 100. The bow-shaped joint 106a may be visible and easy to locate so a user may easily detach the seat base 106 from the horizontal frames 102b, 102d. The backrest 108 may have a curved figure to allow a user to sit comfortably and allow the chair 100 to fit the contours of their body. The backrest 108 may also be rectangular, circular, square, or any other shape that may allow a user to sit comfortably.

[0045] FIG. 5B-5E illustrates a method on how to attach the backrest 108 to the hook-shaped joints 104a. The hook-shaped joints 104a may be attached to vertical frames 104 in order for the backrest 108 to attach to the chair 100. Such attachment of the hook-shaped joints 104a to the vertical frame 104 may be done in a variety of ways, including screws, glue, and other attachment methods.

[0046] In order for the backrest 108 to securely attach to the hook-shaped joints 104a, the backrest may comprise latches 108a. The latches 108a may be placed on the top left side, bottom left side, top right side, and bottom right side of the backrest 108, or anywhere that allows the latches 108a to secure to the hook-shaped joints 104a. The latches 108a may be spaced enough to align with the hook-shaped joints 104a in order to attach properly.

[0047] When attaching the backrest 108, the bottom sections of the latches 108a may be secured in the hook-shaped joints 104a first. Once the bottom sections of the latches 108a are secured into the hook-shaped joints 104a, the top sections of the latches 108a of the backrest 108 may be pushed into the hook-shaped joints 104a to create a secure lock.

[0048] The backrest 108 may be easily removed by pressing the top edge of each hook-shaped joint 104a, one at a time, and pushing it backward. This may allow the top of the backrest 108 to become free from the top section of the latches 108a, at which point it can be lifted upwards and removed.

[0049] The hook-shaped joints 104a on the vertical frames 104 may be configured with two hooked shapes on the top and bottom of the hook-shaped joints 104a. This may allow the hook-shaped joints 104a to hook onto the latches 108a of the backrest 108. The latches 108a of the backrest 108 may be shaped to have the bottom section of the latches 108a to protrude more than the top section of the latches 108a. This may allow the hook-shaped joints 104a to be secured by hooking onto the protruded bottom section of the latch 108a in order to ensure a stiff attachment with no movement of the backrest 108 when in use. This elongation and protrusion of the latches 108a may be any measurement that would allow the hook-shaped joint 104a to have a secure attachment.

[0050] The backrest 108 may also secure to the vertical frames 104 in other ways. This may include the backrest having half-lap joints 106b that secure onto joint frames 102a that are attached to the vertical frame 104 by vertically aligning the half-lap joints 106a to the joint frames 102a and securing them to one another. Another way the backrest 106 rest may attach to the vertical frames 104, is by using joint frames 102f on the backrest 106 and bow-shaped joints 106a on the vertical frames 104 to lock in the backrest 106 when the bow-shaped joints 106a are locked in between two or more joint frames 102f.