Chair with lateral frame parts connected by transverse rods supporting seat and backrest

• US 5,586,808 A
• Filed: 04/21/1995
• Issued: 12/24/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Frank Oelke
• Original Assignee: Frank Oelke
• Inventors: Oelke, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): VU, STEPHEN A
• Application Number:
  US08/426,040
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• Field of Search: 297/301.1, 297/285, 297/296, 297/297, 297/411.4, 297/411.41, 297/287, 297/447, 403/131, 403/161, 403/163
• US Class Current: 297/287
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 3/021 having elastic frames
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 5/04 Metal chairs, e.g. tubular of rocking type A47C3/023; of non-tubular folding, collapsible, or dismountable type A47C4/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32704 Stud extends into ball
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32951 Transverse pin or stud

Abstract

A chair has two lateral frame parts, each one in the form of a single, continuous member of an elastically yielding material. Transverse rods are connected between the lateral frame parts. A seat is connected to at least one of the transverse rods and a back rest is connected to at least one of the transverse rods. The single member of the lateral frame parts is preferably made of spring steel. Connecting elements that are slipped onto the lateral frame parts are used for connecting the transverse rods to the lateral frame parts. The connecting parts can be balls having throughbores for receiving the lateral frame parts and threaded holes, extending substantially perpendicularly to the throughbores, for receiving the transverse rods.

Claims

1. A chair comprising:

two lateral frame parts, each one of said frame parts comprised of a single, continuous member of an elastically yielding material;

transverse rods connected between said lateral frame parts;

a seat connected to at least one of said transverse rods; and

a backrest connected to at least one of said transverse rods; and

wherein each one of said single members of said lateral frame parts has an upper rearward end, a lower rearward end, and a floor-contacting portion, wherein each one of said single members is curved continuously at a first radius of curvature from said upper rearward end forward and downward, then rearward and downward to said floor-contacting portion, from said floor-contacting portion upward and rearward, and then with an arc of a second radius of curvature, substantially smaller than said first radius of curvature, downward and rearward to said lower rearward end, wherein an end portion of said single member, positioned between said lower rearward end and said arc, extends straight downward and rearward at a slant.

2. A chair according to claim 1, wherein said single member of each one of said lateral frame parts is comprised of spring steel.

3. A chair according to claim 1, further comprising connecting elements for connecting said transverse rods to said lateral frame parts, wherein said connecting elements are slipped onto said lateral frame parts.

4. A chair according to claim 3, wherein said connecting elements are balls having throughbores for receiving said lateral frame parts and further having threaded holes, extending substantially perpendicularly to said throughbores, for receiving said transverse rods.

5. A chair according to claim 1, wherein said backrest is comprised of at least two elastically yielding back cushions in the form of balls connected to said at least one transverse rod, wherein said at least one transverse rod penetrates said balls.

6. A chair according to claim 1, wherein said first radius of curvature decreases from said upper rearward end to said arc.

7. A chair according to claim 1, wherein said single member is bent over more than 540°

within said arc.

8. A chair according to claim 1, wherein each one of said lower rearward ends comprises an inwardly bent horizontal portion and wherein said horizontal portions are rigidly connected to one another.

9. A chair according to claim 1, wherein one of said connecting elements is connected to each one of said single members at a location substantially most forward relative to said chair and to said arc, wherein every two of said connecting elements arranged opposite one another on said lateral frame parts are rigidly connected to one another with one of said transverse rods, and wherein said transverse rods form a receiving structure for said seat.

10. A chair according to claim 9, wherein at a forward end of said single, continuous member that is closely positioned to the floor one of said connecting elements is located, further comprising a coaster for each one of said single members, said coaster connected to said connecting elements.

11. A chair according to claim 10, further comprising a roller for each one of said single members connected to said lower rearward end, wherein said rollers are positioned such that, when said chair is not in use, said floor-contacting portion is spaced from the floor.

12. A chair according to claim 1, further comprising hexagon socket head cap screws for fastening said connecting elements at said single members.