[0001] This invention is a chair primarily for public environments, in particular outdoors.
[0002] In public environments and then in particular outdoors as for instance in parks and
other open locations it is desirable with seats at different occasions, at bus stops,
if one wants to rest, meet and talk, or perhaps quite simply only sit quietly and
enjoy the surroundings without having to stand up. The fact that furniture placed
outdoors are frequently subjected to damage hamper the possibility of public seats.
[0003] An additional factor that restrict the useability of publically placed seating furniture
is rain and snow. I reality this means that public places only can be used for a short
time during the summer while one for the rest of the year has to do without outdoor
sitting, either because they are put away until the summer or because the whether
is such that they in effect can not be used since they are covered, are wet or are
too cold.
[0004] In view of the above problems the object of the invention is to provide a chair that
can be used outdoors in different configurations.
[0005] In accordance with the invention the above object is solved with a chair that consists
of two more or less Z-shaped parts that are placed next to each other and where for
each part the middle part constitute seat and the parts extending from the middle
part constitute backrest and leg respectively. The legs are in a first embodiment
of the invention in their lower end connected with a base plate. Alternatively one
can consider inserting the legs into recesses in a larger plate or in the ground anchored
corresponding guides.
[0006] The leg-seat-backrest-parts shaped after the body provide a comfortable sitting and
furthermore result in that the sitting person is centered on the chair despite the
unfilled middle elongate space. Furthermore water easily flow off from the seat areas
so that the chair will dry faster after possible rain.
[0007] The chair is made of concrete and each leg-seat-backrest-part may have an almost
rectangular cross-section. By arranging leg, backrest and seat in one and the same
plane (horizontal at casting, vertical when the chair is ready) the manufacturing
of the chair parts of concrete is facilitated. By manufacturing the parts of the chair
of concrete the parts despite the moderate cross section dimensions become comparatively
heavy and thereby less attractive to vandalize.
[0008] In a further development of the invention the chair is electrically heated, which
can be achieved with self-regulating heating cables that are placed inside the chair,
one cable for each part along seat and backrest.
[0009] The electrical heating in combination with the comparatively moderate material volume
make the required power for the heating of the chair in the winter, so that it may
be comfortable and nice to sit in, comparatively small at the same time as this heat
is enough to thaw and dry away possible precipitation. The seat areas are preferably
gently sloping towards each other, so that the heat together with the inclination
causes for instance snow to slide off the seat areas. Since it all the way is a distance
between the two parts of the chair there is no risk of the elongate opening between
them getting clogged.
[0010] By arranging insert holes for the legs in a larger concrete plate in the ground or
particular, with reception openings provided, connection blocks in the ground a simple
and practical fabrication is obtained on the one hand and on the other hand a possibility
to remove one or several chairs if so should be desired. For instance this can enable
snow plough access in the winter or if one for other reasons wish to drive vehicles
where the chairs are placed. On the occasions when the chairs are removed one can
conceive that particular plugs are mounted in the reception holes for the chairs.
[0011] Since the parts of the chair in accordance with the invention have corresponding
shapes and are comparatively flat these may at transport as well as at storing be
placed very space-saving without one therefor risking that the parts cause damage
to each other. The chair parts of concrete are reinforced with for instance reinforcing
irons and furthermore a heating cable is placed inside each part extending along this.
For the electric connecting of the heating cable the connection may take place in
the bottom of each reception space for the legs, alternatively each chair may have
an outgoing cable that extend to a suitable distribution point. Due to the heating
furthermore the risk that water force itself into the concrete and at degrees below
zero ruin the surface of the concrete is eliminated.
[0012] Further advantages and characteristics of the chair in accordance with the invention
is in more detail apparent from the patent claims and the following description of
a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the enclosed drawing, where
fig 1 shows the chair seen from the front, fig 2 the same chair seen from the side
and fig 3 a matching foundation.
[0013] The chair shown in the drawing includes two more or less Z-shaped parts 1, 2 arranged
in parallel next to each other. The legs are extended a short distance down below
the ground level and are with these downwards narrowing extensions arranged in a base
plate provided with downwards slightly narrowing receiving holes. The middle part
(the seat) of the Z-shaped parts is inclined slightly backwards for draining and comfort.
In the Z-shaped parts of the chair heating cables 5 are embedded in seat and backrest
connected via an electric cable 6. Since the Z-shaped parts are comparatively narrow
an even heating can be achieved with one sole heating cable in each part.
[0014] Advantageously at the fabrication of the chair a strip of heat insulating material
may be applied behind the heating cable and essentially in parallel with seat and
backrest surface so that the generated heat essentially is directed towards the seat
surface.
[0015] The legs may be fastened in the base plate with mortar, glue or wedges. Alternatively
one can consider these only being inserted into the reception holes or mechanically
locked in these so that they can be removed again. The chair is made of concrete which
renders the two Z-shaped parts so heavy that it is neither comfortable nor easy to
lift these without help of suitable machinery and the risk of vandalism is reduced.
Since the parts are flat the casting of the concrete is facilitated and one can even
consider to paint or treat the surface of the chair in some other way.
1. Chair, characterized in that it comprises two Z-shaped parts arranged in parallel to constitute backrest, seat
and legs.
2. Chair according to claim 1, characterized in that the seat surfaces of the chair are inclined inward and or rearward.
3. Chair according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made of concrete.
4. Chair according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the Z-shaped chair parts each are provided with heating in the shape of an electric
heating cable.
5. Chair according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower ends of the legs of the chair are extended in order to extend a short distance
down into a baseplate or in the ground arranged anchoring blocks or plates with corresponding
receiving holes.
6. Chair according to claim 4 and 5, characterized in that the connections of the heating cable are arranged in the lower ends of the extensions
of the legs.
7. Method for fabrication in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that at first two Z-shaped parts are cast in concrete, provided with armoring, and that
one fabricates a bottom plate or corresponding provided with receiving holes for the
lower ends of the legs and that these parts are then mounted together.
8. Chair according to any of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the forwards facing surfaces of the backrest parts are angled slightly inwards backwards.
9. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that the parts of the chair are put together, where the chair is intended to stand.
10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the bottom plate is fabricated in situ and possibly with receiving holes for several
chairs.