Arrangement in a chair, especially a chair for children

• US 5,782,532 A
• Filed: 05/24/1996
• Issued: 07/21/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Peter Opsvik
• Original Assignee: Peter Opsvik
• Inventors: Opsvik, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelson, Jr., Milton
• Application Number:
  US08/649,667
• Time in Patent Office: 788 Days
• Field of Search: 297/337, 297/338, 297/423.1, 297/423.11, 297/423.12, 297/423.25, 297/423.19, 297/451.4, 297/423.38, 297/DIG. 2, 297/451.5
• US Class Current: 297/338
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 3/20 Chairs or stools with vertically-adjustable seats tables with variable height A47B9/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/506 of adjustable type
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 9/025 Stools for standing or leaning against, e.g. in a semi-standing or half-seated position
• CPC Class Codes: A47D 1/004 in height
• CPC Class Codes: A47D 11/02 Chairs convertible into children's chairs

Abstract

An arrangement for a chair especially suited for children comprising a back rest and an adjustable chair seat and foot support is disclosed. The chair has a column-like support with a mid-stem comprising a rearwardly extending upper regulating portion and a less rearwardly extending lower regulating portion. The chair seat is attached to the upper regulating portion. Both the height of the seat and its horizontal position relative to the back rest are regulated by adjusting the position of the chair seat along the upper regulating portion. The foot rest is attached to the lower regulating portion. The vertical and horizontal distance between the foot rest and the chair seat is regulated by adjusting the position of the foot rest along the lower regulating portion. The position of the chair seat and foot support can easily be adjusted by hand to configure the chair for a wide variety of differently sized individuals.

Claims

1. An arrangement in a chair resting on a foundation, said chair comprising in combination:

a column-like support having a mid-stem comprising a rearwardly extending upper regulating portion angled upwardly in a range of 10°

-55°

relative to the foundation and a rearwardly extending lower regulating portion angled upwardly in a range of 65°

-90°

relative to the foundation,

a back rest attached to said support;

a chair seat;

a first attachment means connecting said chair seat to the upper regulating portion having means for adjusting the position of said chair seat along the upper regulating portion and thereby the level of said chair seat above the foundation of the chair;

a foot support;

a second attachment means connecting said foot support to the lower regulating portion having means for adjusting the position of said support along the lower regulating portion and thereby the level of said foot support above the foundation of the chair;

said support and said chair each having a central projection plane, the central projection plane of said support substantially coinciding with the central plane of the chair.

2. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mid-stem comprises a substantial portion of said support and has at least one branch in the central projection plane of said support.

3. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the angles of said upper and lower regulating portions are substantially constant.

4. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said mid-stem has a lower portion;

said foot support has a rear edge with a recess therein which at least partly embraces said lower portion of said mid-stem;

said foot support further comprising side portions which protrude rearwardly beyond said mid-stem.

5. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mid-stem comprises a double-bent portion above said upper regulating portion.

6. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said foot support is larger than said chair seat.

7. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mid-stem comprises at least one conical portion to reduce sliding of the foot support and chair seat upon loading.

8. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for adjusting said chair seat and foot support, respectively, are each constructed to be operated from the rear of the chair.

9. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mid-stem is substantially one continuous member.

10. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein a portion of said mid-stem above said upper regulating portion is substantially perpendicular to said upper regulating portion to form an angle having its cusp facing rearwardly from said chair.

11. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mid-stem comprises:

a first portion comprising the lower regulating portion;

a second portion comprising the upper regulating portion and merging into said first portion;

a third portion comprising a forwardly slanted portion of said mid-stem which merges into said second portion; and

a fourth portion comprising a forwardly slanted portion of said mid-stem which is less slanted than said third portion and merges into said third portion;

said back rest being attached to said fourth portion.

12. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mid-stem comprises a lower protruding portion in the central plane of said chair to provide additional support for said chair.

13. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lower regulating portion comprises a regulating track along which the foot support can be positioned, and

said upper regulating portion comprises a regulating track along which the chair seat can be positioned.

14. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mid-stem comprises two substantially similar stem portions having a gap therebetween;

and

said first attachment means and said second attachment means are positioned within said gap.

15. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said first and second attachment means is constructed to be operated by hand.

16. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the angle of at least one of said upper and lower regulating portion varies along its length.

17. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mid-stem comprises two or more joined sections.

18. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein a portion of said mid-stem above said upper regulating portion forms an obtuse angle relative to said upper regulating portion having its cusp facing rearwardly from said chair.

19. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the chair seat extends forward of the back rest and has a rear edge with a recess therein which allows a portion of the chair seat to extend behind the back rest when the chair seat is positioned near the back rest, thereby reducing an effective chair seat surface on which a user may sit.

20. An arrangement as claimed in claim 19, wherein said mid-stem comprises a bent portion above said upper regulating portion, said recess providing for a reduced effective chair seat surface when said chair seat is positioned in the area of said bent portion.

21. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said upper regulating portion protrudes freely from said mid-stem.

22. An arrangement as claimed in claim 21, wherein said upper and lower regulating portions form a substantially V-shaped portion in said mid-stem.

23. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mid-stem has an upper portion and said chair further comprises a guarding means removably mounted to said upper portion.

24. An arrangement as claimed in claim 23, wherein said back rest is removably mounted to said support.

25. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support further comprises a base.

26. An arrangement as claimed in claim 25, wherein said base further comprises rolling means and said lower regulating portion comprises a substantially vertical cylinder.

27. An arrangement as claimed in claim 25, wherein said base consists of crossed legs, a ring, or a plate.

28. An arrangement as claimed in claim 25, wherein said base comprises a plate made of moulded material.

29. An arrangement as claimed in claim 28, wherein said back rest and said mid-stem are co-molded to form a substantially unitary element.