Chair with tilt limiter

• US 6,102,477 A
• Filed: 03/11/1998
• Issued: 08/15/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: HNI Technologies Inc. (HNI Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Hon. Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Kurtz, Eric J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): VU, STEPHEN A
• Application Number:
  US09/038,530
• Time in Patent Office: 888 Days
• Field of Search: 297/316, 297/302.3, 297/301.7, 297/301.6, 297/300.8, 297/300.7, 297/302.6, 297/302.7, 297/301.3, 297/301.1
• US Class Current: 297/301.7
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/024 the parts, being the back-rest, or the back-rest and seat unit, having adjustable and lockable inclination
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 3/03 Locking members A47C3/027 takes precedence

Abstract

A chair has a control mechanism configured to limit the angle of tilt of the chair back rest relative to the seat. The control mechanism includes a bracket member configured to be supported on a vertical column of a chair base. A rotational member attachable to the chair back rest is supported for rotation on an end of the bracket member. A generally elongated stop member is secured to the tubular member at a position extending inwardly of the end of the bracket member. A slide member extends along the longitudinal axis of the bracket member and has one end provided with at least one downwardly directed inclined edge. The stop member has a free distal end configured to engage the inclined edge and limit rotation of the tubular member. By this arrangement, the chair user can adjust the degree of rearward tilt of the back rest by selected movement of the slide member longitudinally of the bracket member.

Claims

1. A chair having a control mechanism configured to limit an angle of tilt of a chair back rest assembly relative to a chair seat, said chair comprising:

a bracket member configured to be supported on a vertical column of a chair base;

a rotational member supported for rotation on an end of said bracket member, said rotational member being attached to the chair back rest;

a generally elongate stop member secured to said rotational member at a position extending inwardly of said end of said bracket member; and

a slide member slidable along a longitudinal axis of said bracket member and having a first generally U-shaped end provided with two mutually aligned and spaced downward directed inclined edges for engagement with said stop member;

said stop member having a free distal end configured to engage said inclined edges of said slide member and limit rotation of said rotational member and the chair back rest;

wherein said rotational member is rotatable through one of a plurality of ranges of degrees of rotation as determined by a specific position of said slide member along said longitudinal axis.

2. The chair of claim 1 wherein a second end of said slide member is connected to a laterally extending lever.

3. The chair of claim 2 wherein said lever has a first free end extending outwardly of said control and has a second end pivotally connected to said bracket member.

4. The chair of claim 3 wherein an intermediate portion of said lever passes through an arcuate slot provided in said bracket member.

5. The chair of claim 2 wherein said lever extends through an aperture of said slide member.

6. A chair having a control mechanism configured to limit an angle of tilt of a chair back rest assembly relative to a chair seat said chair comprising:

a bracket member configured to be supported on a vertical column of a chair base;

a rotational member supported for rotation on an end of said bracket member, said rotational member being attached to the chair back rest;

a generally elongate stop member secured to said rotational member at a position extending inwardly of said end of said bracket member; and

a slide member slidable along a longitudinal axis of said bracket member and having a first end provided with at least one downwardly directed inclined edge;

said stop member having a free distal end configured to engage said inclined edge of said slide member and limit rotation of said rotational member and the chair back rest;

wherein said rotational member is rotatable through one of a plurality of ranges of degrees of rotation as determined by a specific position of said slide member along said longitudinal axis.