Omni-Directional Flexible Swivel Chair

Abstract

A chair assembly includes a seat, a base having a post, and a bracket attaching the seat to the base. The bracket includes a plate attached to the seat, a retainer, and an absorber. The retainer includes a receiving portion receiving the post of the base and a flange extending radially from the receiving portion. The absorber includes an annular shape and is disposed about the receiving portion and between the flange and the plate. The absorber is configured to flex between the flange and the plate to accommodate pivotal movement of the seat relative to the post in directions transverse to a longitudinal axis of the post.

Claims

1. A chair assembly, the chair assembly comprising: a seat; a base having a post; and a bracket attaching the seat to the base, the bracket comprising: a plate attached to the seat; a retainer including (i) a receiving portion receiving the post of the base and (ii) a flange extending radially from the receiving portion; and an absorber including an annular shape and disposed about the receiving portion and between the flange and the plate, the absorber configured to flex between the flange and the plate to accommodate pivotal movement of the seat relative to the post in directions transverse to a longitudinal axis of the post.

2. The chair assembly of claim 1, wherein the absorber accommodates pivotal movement of the seat relative to the post in the directions transverse to the longitudinal axis of the post within 360 degrees of range about the longitudinal axis of the post.

3. The chair assembly of claim 1, wherein the absorber resists pivotal movement of the seat relative to the post equally in the directions transverse to the longitudinal axis of the post.

4. The chair assembly of claim 1, wherein the plate comprises a first portion and a second portion, the retainer disposed between the first portion and the second portion, and the absorber comprising a first portion disposed between a first side of the flange and the first portion of the plate and a second portion disposed between a second side of the flange and the second portion of the plate.

5. The chair assembly of claim 1, wherein the seat comprises one selected from the group consisting of (i) a chair having a seat bottom and a backrest and (ii) a stool.

6. The chair assembly of claim 5, wherein the seat bottom and the backrest are integrally formed with one another.

7. The chair assembly of claim 5, wherein the chair comprises arms attached to the seat bottom.

8. The chair assembly of claim 1, wherein the base comprises one selected from the group consisting of (i) a stationary base and (ii) a mobile base.

9. The chair assembly of claim 1, wherein a footrest ring is disposed along the post.

10. The chair assembly of claim 1, wherein the seat is pivotable relative to the base about the longitudinal axis of the post.

11. A chair assembly, the chair assembly comprising: a seat; a post extending from the seat; a base; and a bracket attaching the seat to the base, the bracket comprising: a plate attached to the base; a retainer including (i) a receiving portion receiving the post and (ii) a flange extending radially from the receiving portion; and an absorber including an annular shape and disposed about the receiving portion and between the flange and the plate, the absorber configured to flex between the flange and the plate to accommodate pivotal movement of the seat and the post relative to the base in directions transverse to a longitudinal axis of the post.

12. The chair assembly of claim 11, wherein the absorber accommodates pivotal movement of the seat and the post relative to the base in the directions transverse to the longitudinal axis of the post within 360 degrees of range about the longitudinal axis of the post.

13. The chair assembly of claim 11, wherein the absorber resists pivotal movement of the seat and the post relative to the base equally in the directions transverse to the longitudinal axis of the post.

14. The chair assembly of claim 11, wherein the plate comprises a first portion and a second portion, the retainer disposed between the first portion and the second portion, and the absorber comprising a first portion disposed between a first side of the flange and the first portion of the plate and a second portion disposed between a second side of the flange and the second portion of the plate.

15. The chair assembly of claim 11, wherein the seat is pivotable relative to the base about the longitudinal axis of the post.

16. A bracket for a chair assembly, the bracket comprising: a plate; a retainer including (i) a receiving portion configured to receive a post of a chair assembly and (ii) a flange extending radially from the receiving portion; and an absorber including an annular shape and disposed about the receiving portion and between the flange and the plate, the absorber configured to flex between the flange and the plate to accommodate pivotal movement of a seat of the chair assembly relative to a base of the chair assembly in directions transverse to a longitudinal axis of the post.

17. The bracket of claim 16, wherein the absorber is configured to accommodate pivotal movement of the seat relative to the base in the directions transverse to the longitudinal axis of the post within 360 degrees of range about the longitudinal axis of the post.

18. The bracket of claim 16, wherein the absorber is configured to resist pivotal movement of the seat relative to the base equally in the directions transverse to the longitudinal axis of the post.

19. The bracket of claim 16, wherein the plate comprises a first portion and a second portion, the retainer disposed between the first portion and the second portion, and the absorber comprising a first portion disposed between a first side of the flange and the first portion of the plate and a second portion disposed between a second side of the flange and the second portion of the plate.

20. The bracket of claim 16, wherein the plate is configured for attachment to the seat of the chair assembly, the post extending from the base of the chair assembly.

21. The bracket of claim 16, wherein the plate is configured for attachment to the base of the chair assembly, the post extending from the seat of the chair assembly.

22. The bracket of claim 16, wherein the seat of the chair assembly is pivotable relative to the base of the chair assembly about the longitudinal axis of the post.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chair assembly showing degrees of motion of a seat of the chair assembly relative to a base of the chair assembly;

[0018] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the chair assembly;

[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the chair assembly with the seat removed from a bracket at the base;

[0020] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bracket;

[0021] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the bracket;

[0022] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a flexible retaining assembly of the chair assembly with a portion of an absorber rendered transparent;

[0023] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the flexible retaining assembly; and

[0024] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the bracket.

[0025] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative configurations depicted therein, a chair assembly 100 includes a seat 200 attached to a base 300 via a bracket 400 (FIGS. 1 and 2). As discussed further below, the bracket 400 enables swiveling or rotational movement of the seat 200 relative to the base 300 about an axis of rotation A.sub.100 (e.g., yaw) and the bracket 400 enables titling or pivotal or jogging movement of the seat 200 relative to the base 300 in directions transverse to the axis of rotation A.sub.100 (e.g., pitch and roll). The bracket 400 may enable this tilting movement of the seat 200 relative to the base 300 across 360 degrees of range about the axis of rotation A.sub.100 of the seat 200. Thus, the seat 200 may move relative to the base 300 according to the weight distribution of a user in the seat 200, causing the seat 200 to tilt relative to the base 300 in any desired direction. This increases the effective reach of the user and results in a more active sitting experience, which may at least partially counteract negative side effects of the user remaining seated for extended periods of time.

[0027] In the illustrated example, the seat 200 is a chair having a seat bottom 202 and a backrest 204. The seat bottom 202 has an upper surface or sitting surface 202a configured to support the user at the chair assembly 100 and a lower surface or mounting surface 202b is opposite the sitting surface 202a. The backrest 204 is integrally formed with the seat bottom 202, such as via a thermoplastic molding process. Because the bracket 400 enables tilting or pivoting of the seat 200 relative to the base 300 across a 360 degree range of motion, the chair assembly 100 is able to accommodate movements of the user without requiring movement of the backrest relative to the seat bottom. That is, the user is able to, for example, lean backward or lean forward while seated with both the seat bottom 202 and the backrest 204 pivoting as a unitary piece relative to the base 300.

[0028] In other examples, the seat may provide other seating configurations for the user. For example, the seat may include a chair having a seat bottom and a separately attached backrest or the seat may include a stool that does not have a backrest. Optionally, the seat may include arms or armrests extending along opposite sides of the seat bottom. Armrests may provide the user greater stability when leaning and tilting the seat 200 relative to the base 300. The armrests may be integrally formed with or attached to the seat bottom or the backrest so that the armrests pivot and/or tilt with the seat 200. Optionally, armrests may extend from the base 300 so that the seat 200 pivots and/or tilts relative to the base 300 and armrests.

[0029] The base 300 includes a post 302 extending from a support structure 304 with the seat 200 mounted to an upper end of the post 302 opposite the support structure 304 via the bracket 400. In the illustrated example, the base 300 is a mobile base meaning that the support structure 304 includes a plurality of legs 306 extending radially from the post 302 and having wheels or casters 308 disposed at ends of the legs 306 for moving the chair assembly 100 within its environment. In other examples, the base may be a stationary base, such that the chair assembly 100 is supported at one or more legs of the support structure and is not movable within its environment. For example, the stationary base may include a pedestal or a plurality of legs such as a tripod or four-legged configuration.

[0030] With the seat 200 mounted at the upper end of the post 302 via the bracket 400, the bracket 400 and the seat 200 may be pivotable about the pivot axis A.sub.100 of the chair assembly 100 within a 360 degree range of motion. A longitudinal axis A.sub.302 of the post 302 defines the pivot axis A.sub.100. Moreover, the post 302 may be extendable and retractable to adjust a height of the seat 200 relative to the support structure 304. In the illustrated example, the post 302 includes a telescoping gas cylinder 310 that extends and retracts the post 302 relative to the support structure 304 according to actuation by a lever 312 at the upper end of the post 302 (FIG. 3). A footrest ring 314 is disposed along the post 302 between the support structure 304 and the upper end of the post 302 to provide support for the user's feet at all heights of the seat 200. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bracket 400 is mounted to the lower surface 202b of the seat 200 and receives the upper end of the post 302 to attach the seat 200 to the post 302.

[0031] Referring now to FIGS. 4-8, the bracket 400 includes a mounting plate 402 that attaches to the lower surface 202b of the seat 200 and, in the illustrated example, the mounting plate 402 includes a first plate or portion 404 and a second plate or portion 406. The mounting plate 402 includes a plurality of through holes and/or slots 408 configured to respectively receive threaded fasteners for attaching the mounting plate 402 to the seat 200. The threaded fasteners may pass through both the first plate 404 and the second plate 406 to secure the plates to one another and to the lower surface 202b of the seat 200. Optionally, the first plate 404 and the second plate 406 may be secured to one another via other means, such as adhesives, or the first plate 404 and the second plate 406 may be integrally formed with one another. A cover 410 may snap attach to the mounting plate 402 and extend partially over the mounting plate 402 to cover the through holes and threaded fasteners and provide a smooth outer surface for the user. A slot or passageway 412 may extend through the mounting plate 402 and/or the cover 410 to receive the lever 312 and accommodate movement of the lever 312 when the user actuates the gas cylinder 310.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the first plate 404 includes a first bowl portion 414 and the second plate 406 includes a second bowl portion 416. With the mounting plate 402 attached at the lower surface 202b of the seat 200, the first bowl portion 414 extends a distance from the lower surface 202b of the seat 200 and the second bowl portion 416 extends a distance from the lower surface 202b further than the first bowl portion 414. Thus, a gap or space or cavity 418 is formed between opposing surfaces of the first bowl portion 414 and the second bowl portion 416. Other portions of the first plate 404 and the second plate 406 may substantially overlap and engage one another.

[0033] Moreover, a first through hole or passageway 420 is formed through the first plate 404 at a central region of the first bowl 414 and a second through hole or passageway 422 is formed through the second plate 406 at a central region of the second bowl 416. Thus, the first passageway 420 and the second passageway 422 may be concentric with one another to provide a channel at the mounting plate 402 for receiving the upper end of the post 302.

[0034] A retaining assembly 424 is accommodated within the cavity 418 and disposed between the first bowl portion 414 and the second bowl portion 416. The retaining assembly 424 is configured to receive the upper end of the post 302 and accommodate movement of the mounting plate 402 relative to the post 302 to enable tilting of the seat 202 in directions transverse to the pivot axis A.sub.100. For example, the retaining assembly 424 includes a rigid retainer 426 that receives the post 302 at least partially along a channel 428 of the retainer 426 and a flexible absorber or gasket 430 that flexes between the retainer 426 and the mounting plate 402 as the seat 202 and mounting plate 402 tilt relative to the retainer 426 and post 302.

[0035] The retainer 426 includes a cylindrical or tubular receiving portion 432 that defines the channel 428 and a cylindrical flange 434 that extends radially from the receiving portion 432. The retainer 426 may be formed from any suitably rigid material, such as a cast or machined metallic material or a rigid plastic material. With the retaining assembly 424 disposed within the cavity 418 of the mounting plate 402, the receiving portion 432 may be received at least partially through the first passageway 420 and the second passageway 422 to align the channel 428 with the passageways 420, 422. A first side 434a of the flange 434 faces the first bowl portion 414 and a second side 434b of the flange 434 opposite the first side 434a faces the second bowl portion 416. The absorber 430 is disposed about the receiving portion 432 and between at least one side of the flange 434 and the mounting plate 402.

[0036] In the illustrated example, the absorber 430 includes a first portion or ring 430a between the first side 434a of the flange 434 and the first bowl portion 414 of the first plate 404 and a second portion or ring 430b between the second side 434b of the flange 434 and the second bowl portion 416 of the second plate 406. The absorber 430 may be formed from any suitably flexible or elastomeric material, such as a rubber or pliable plastic material. As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of ribs or protrusions or detents 436 are formed at both the first side 434a and the second side 434b of the flange 434 and a corresponding plurality of recesses or detents 438 are formed at the first ring 430a and the second ring 430b. The ribs 436 and the recesses 438 engage one another to secure the absorber 430 relative to the retainer 426 and preclude the absorber 430 from rotating relative to the retainer 426.

[0037] Further, the first ring 430a and the second ring 430b may each include a respective channel 440 formed at the outer surfaces of the absorber 430. A flange 442 (e.g., a U-shaped flange) of the first plate 404 circumscribes the first passageway 420 with an end of the flange 442 received within the channel 440 of the first ring 430a, and a flange 444 (e.g., an L-shaped flange) of the second plate 406 circumscribes the second passageway 422 with an end of the flange 444 received within the channel 440 of the second ring 430b. Thus, portions of the mounting plate 402 are received within the channels 440 of the absorber 430 to further secure the absorber 430 relative to the retainer 426 and mounting plate 402.

[0038] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 8, the upper end of the post 302 is received at least partially along the channel 428 of the receiving portion 432 and the mounting plate 402 is attached to the lower surface 202b of the seat 202 to flexibly or adjustably mount the seat 202 relative to the post 302 of the base 300. The annular absorber 430 flexes between the flange 434 and the mounting plate 402 to accommodate the pivotal movement of the seat 202 and mounting plate 402 relative to the post 302 in directions transverse to the pivot axis A.sub.100 of the chair assembly 100 and longitudinal axis A.sub.302 of the post 302. For example, the seat 202 may tilt about a roll axis and about a pitch axis and about other axes within 360 degrees about the pivot axis A.sub.100 and longitudinal axis A.sub.302. In other words, as the seat 202 and the mounting plate 402 tilt relative to the post 302 and the retainer 426, the absorber 430 flexes to accommodate movement of a portion of the mounting plate 402 toward the flange 434 of the retainer 426.

[0039] The absorber 430 resists movement of the mounting plate 402 toward the flange 434 of the retainer 426 to provide stability to the user in the seat 202 and prevent the seat 202 from tilting or wobbling too easily relative to the post 302. Further, the annular shape of the absorber 430 resists movement of the mounting plate 402 toward the flange 434 equally within the 360 degree range of motion of the seat 202 to provide uniform flexibility of the seat 202 relative to the post 302. Flexibility of the absorber 430 between the retainer 426 and the mounting plate 402 may be affected by characteristics such as a durometer of the absorber 430, a radial distance of the absorber 430 from the cylindrical retaining portion 432, a thickness of the rings 430a, 430b of the absorber 430, and the like. For example, a harder or more rigid absorber 430 or an absorber 430 having a greater diameter may make it more difficult for the user to tilt the seat 202 relative to the post 302. Further, these characteristics of the absorber 430 may be adjusted between chair assemblies 100, such as to accommodate users of different sizes. For example, a chair assembly 100 intended for children or smaller users may have a bracket 400 utilizing a more flexible absorber 430 so the seat 202 is easier to tilt as compared to a chair assembly 100 intended for adults or larger users.

[0040] Although described herein as including an annular absorber 430 having rings 430a, 430b disposed at opposing sides of a cylindrical flange 434 of the retainer 426, characteristics of the bracket 400 may be suitable for use with absorbers and/or flanges having any curved, polygonal or irregular cross-section. For example, the first portion 430a and second portion 430b of the absorber 430 may have a square or rectangular shape (and the flange 434 of the retainer 426 may have a corresponding square or rectangular shape). Where the annular absorber 430 provides substantially similar or equal flexibility for movement of the seat 202 in all directions transverse to the pivot axis A.sub.100, the square or rectangular absorber may resist movement of the seat 202 to a lesser degree in directions toward the sides of the square or rectangular absorber (e.g., about the pitch and roll axes of FIG. 1) while resisting movement of the seat 202 to a greater degree in directions toward the corners of the square or rectangular absorber (e.g., about axes transverse to the pitch and roll axes of FIG. 1). That is, the flexibility of the absorber 430 (or resistance of the absorber 430 to movement of the seat 202) in a given direction is related to the characteristics of a portion of the absorber 430 in that direction, such as width, thickness, and durometer. Thus, adjusting the absorber 430 to alter these characteristics, such as by adjusting the shape, thickness, and/or durometer of the absorber 430, may adjust the flexibility of the seat 202 in various directions transverse to the pivot axis A.sub.100.

[0041] Moreover, the illustrated example of FIGS. 1-3 shows the post 302 extending from the support structure 304 of the base 300 with the upper end of the post 302 received by the bracket 400 attached at the lower surface 202b of the seat 200. In other examples, the bracket 400 may be configured to receive a post extending from the seat. In other words, the post may be fixed relative to the seat (such as via an adapter plate mounting the plate to the seat) and the bracket may be mounted to an upper portion of the base. A lower end of the post is received by a retaining assembly of the bracket to attach the seat to the base. Similar to the examples described above, the bracket accommodates movement of the seat and the post relative to the bracket and base in directions transverse to a pivot axis of the seat. This may allow for active seating arrangements having a variety of different bases, such as a pedestal base, a three-legged or four-legged frame, a sled-style base, and the like.

[0042] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary configurations only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular articles a, an, and the may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms comprises, comprising, including, and having, are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. Additional or alternative steps may be employed.

[0043] When an element or layer is referred to as being on, engaged to, connected to, attached to, or coupled to another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, attached, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being directly on, directly engaged to, directly connected to, directly attached to, or directly coupled to another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., between versus directly between, adjacent versus directly adjacent, etc.). As used herein, the term and/or includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0044] The terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections. These elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as first, second, and other numerical terms do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example configurations.

[0045] A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.