Modular chair construction

• US 6,241,317 B1
• Filed: 12/07/1999
• Issued: 06/05/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jimmy Wu
• Original Assignee: Jimmy Wu
• Inventors: Wu, Jimmy
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WHITE, RODNEY BARNETT
• Application Number:
  US09/456,047
• Time in Patent Office: 546 Days
• Field of Search: 297/440.23, 297/440.1, 297/440.14, 297/440.15, 297/440.16, 297/440.21
• US Class Current: 297/440.23
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 13/005 Modular seating chairs connectible into a row A47C1/124
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 17/00 Sofas; Couches; Beds bedsteads A47C19/00; spring mattresses A47C23/00; divan bases A47C23/00; stuffed mattresses A47C27/00; beds with special provisions for nursing A61G7/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 4/02 Dismountable chairs
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 4/028 Upholstered chairs, e.g. metal, plastic or wooden chairs
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/42 of detachable or loose type
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/546 of detachable type

Abstract

A modular chair includes a seat unit, a back unit that is mounted removably on the seat unit, and two armrest units that are mounted respectively and removably on the left and right sides of the seat unit.

Claims

1. A modular chair with a seat unit, a back unit, and two armrest units, said seat unit having a rear side, a left side, and a right side, and further comprising a retainer assembly, which mounts said back unit removably on said rear side of said seat unit and which mounts said armrest units respectively and removably on said left and right sides of said seat unit and said retainer assembly includes:

a plurality of first retainers;

a plurality of second retainers that are connected respectively and removably to said first retainers;

a plurality of first bolts fastening respectively said first retainers to one of said seat unit and said back unit; and

a plurality of second bolts fastening respectively said second retainers to the other one of said seat unit and said back unit, said first and second bolts extending in a direction that is parallel to said rear side of said seat unit, thereby preventing removal of said first and second retainers from said seat unit and said back unit when a rearward force is applied to said back unit.

2. A modular chair as claimed in claim 1, wherein said seat unit includes a plurality of first vertical plates that are connected fixedly to said rear side of said seat unit, said first retainers being fastened respectively to said first vertical plates by means of said first bolts, said back unit including a plurality of second vertical plates that are connected fixedly to a lower end thereof, said second retainers being fastened respectively to said second vertical plates by means of said second bolts.

3. A modular chair as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said first retainers includes:

a vertical first mounting plate fastened to said one of said seat unit and said back unit by means of a respective one of said first bolts and having two opposite side edges;

two L-cross-sectioned flanges projecting respectively and integrally from said side edges of said first mounting plate and spaced apart from each other, each of said flanges having a vertical plate portion that is parallel to and that is spaced apart from said first mounting plate, and a connecting portion that interconnects said vertical plate portion and said first mounting plate, thereby defining a dovetail groove unit among said first mounting plate and said flanges; and

a stop unit provided on said first mounting plate;

each of said second retainers including;

a vertical second mounting plate disposed parallel to said first mounting plates and fastened to the other one of said seat unit and said back unit by means of a respective one of said second bolts;

a vertical insert plate disposed between said first mounting plate and said flanges of a corresponding one of said first retainers; and

a connecting strip interconnecting integrally said insert plate and said second mounting plate and extending between said flanges of said corresponding one of said first retainers so that said insert plate and said strip constitute a dovetail tongue unit, which engages said dovetail groove unit that is defined between said first mounting plate and said flanges of said corresponding one of said first retainers, each of said insert plates having a lower end that rests on said stop unit of a corresponding one of said first retainers, thereby preventing downward removal of said second retainers from said first retainers.

4. A modular chair as claimed in claim 3, wherein said two opposite side edges of each of said first mounting plates incline downwardly and inwardly, each of said insert plates being tapered and having two downwardly and inwardly inclined opposite sides, each of which is disposed between said first mounting plate and a corresponding one of said flanges of a corresponding one of said first retainers.

5. A modular chair as claimed in claim 3, wherein said two opposite side edges of each of said first retainers are vertical, each of said insert plates having two vertical sides, each of which is disposed between said first mounting plate and a corresponding one of said flanges of a corresponding one of said first retainers.

6. A modular chair as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of said first mounting plates is formed from a metal plate, which is pressed to form a projection that constitutes said stop unit.

7. A modular chair as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of said first mounting plates is formed from a metal plate, which is pressed to form two reinforcing ribs that are aligned respectively with said flanges of a corresponding one of said first retainers.

8. A modular chair as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said first retainers includes:

a vertical first mounting plate fastened to said one of said seat unit and said back unit by means of a corresponding one of said first bolts; and

a vertical first insert plate disposed parallel to and spaced apart from said first mounting plate, said first insert plate having a lower end, which is formed integrally with a lower end of said first mounting plate;

each of said second retainers including;

a vertical second mounting plate fastened to the other one of said seat unit and said back unit by means of a corresponding one of said second bolts; and

a vertical second insert plate disposed parallel to and spaced apart from said second mounting plate, said second insert plate being formed integrally with an upper end of said second mounting plate at an upper end thereof and being inserted into a space between said first mounting plate and said first insert plate of a corresponding one of said first retainers, each of said first insert plates being inserted into a space between said second mounting plate and said second insert plate of a corresponding one of said second retainers.