BACKGROUND
Field
[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to office furniture, and more
particularly to swiveling, rotating tablet arms for nesting chairs.
Description of Related Art
[0002] Current chairs featuring tablet arms are often unable to be nested or stacked together
to efficiently save space, because the tablet arms are often immovable. Some current
nesting chairs featuring movable tablet arms often require complex mechanical joints
to permit rotation of tablet arm components about a series of closely-connected axes.
Tablet rotation with such closely-spaced and complex joints detracts from the durability
of the tablet rotation mechanism and increases manufacturing costs. In addition, current
tablet arms for nesting chairs are unable to permit horizontal translation of the
tablet in the tablet arm's operable position. Therefore, there is a need in the art
for a tablet arm for a nesting chair which swivels in a horizontal plane, slides in
a horizontal plane, and/or rotates between an operable position and a nested position
to more efficiently save space while maintaining a durable tablet arm construction.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0003] A tablet arm for a nesting chair is described, according to embodiments of the present
invention. Tablet arms according to such embodiments include a first rigid support
member affixed to a nesting chair, a second rigid support member swivelably coupled
to the first rigid support member, a tablet rotatably and slidably coupled to the
second rigid support member by a collar, and first and second stops coupled with the
rigid support member. The first stop may be configured to contact one end of the collar
in a forward operable position of the tablet, and the second stop may be configured
to contact another end of the collar in a rearward operable position of the tablet.
According to some embodiments, the second rigid support member swivels along a substantially
horizontal plane. The first and/or second rigid support members may be tubular, and
in some cases, the first rigid support member may be affixed to the nesting chair
via welding.
[0004] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the first stop and the second
stop may be formed by a U-shaped bracket attached to the second rigid support member
in a manner such as welding, and the tablet may be configured to rest against the
U-shaped bracket in an operable position.
According to some embodiments, the U-shaped bracket includes a crossbar piece substantially
parallel to the second rigid support member, such that the top of the crossbar piece
and the top of the collar form a substantially horizontal plane on which the tablet
rests in an operable position. In some cases, the tablet arm may be coupled with the
second support member via one collar; in other cases, the tablet arm may be coupled
with the second support member via two or more collars, such that the second collar
is separated from the first collar by either the first stop or the second stop. A
third stop may be coupled with the second rigid support member and configured to halt
the rotation of the tablet about the second rigid support member at a predetermined
rotation angle.
[0005] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a swivel joint couples the
first support member with the second support member, and includes a means for halting
swiveling of the second support member away from the chair at a predetermined angle.
According to additional embodiments, the nesting chair includes a seatback over which
the tablet arm is configured to locate the tablet in the nested position. According
to some instances of the embodiments, the nesting chair and the tablet arm occupy
a substantially similar amount of horizontal side space in the nested position as
in the operable position.
[0006] A nesting chair system according to embodiments of the present invention may include
a plurality of nesting chairs having swivcling rotatable tablets, the swiveling rotatable
tablets movable from an operable position to a nested position, the swiveling rotatable
tablets positioned over seatbacks of the plurality of nesting chairs in the nested
position and configured to slide horizontally in the operable position. The swiveling
rotatable tablets may be further configured to slide horizontally toward and away
from the seatbacks in the operable position such as, for example, along a substantially
straight support member. The swiveling rotatable tablets are movable from the operable
position to the nested position by swiveling the tablets toward the seatbacks and
rotating them from a substantially horizontal orientation to a non- substantially
horizontal orientation, according to various embodiments of the present invention.
[0007] A tablet arm for a nesting chair according to some embodiments of the present invention
may include a tablet, a nesting chair, a mounting arm coupled to the nesting chair,
a means for coupling the tablet to the mounting arm, a means for swiveling the tablet
substantially horizontally about the mounting arm, a means for pivoting the tablet
between a substantially horizontal position and a non- substantially horizontal position,
and a means for sliding the tablet in a direction towards or away from the mounting
arm. In some cases, the means for coupling, the means for pivoting, and the means
for sliding may be the same means.
[0008] This summary provides only a general outline of some embodiments of the present invention.
Many other objects, features, advantages and other embodiments of the present invention
will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] A further understanding of the various embodiments of the present invention may be
realized by reference to the figures which are described in remaining portions of
the specification.
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a nesting chair with a tablet arm in an
operable position according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a front elevation view of the nesting chair of FIG. 1 with tablet
arm in an operable position, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates a side elevation view of the nesting chair of FIGS. 1 and 2 with
tablet arm in an operable position, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates a top elevation view of the nesting chair of FIGS. 1-3 with tablet
arm in an operable position according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the nesting chair of FIGS. 1-4 with a tablet
arm in a nested position, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 6 illustrates a front elevation view of the nesting chair of FIGS. 1-5 with
a tablet arm in a nested position, according to embodiments of the present invention
[0016] FIG. 7 illustrates a side elevation view of the nesting chair of FIGS. 1-6 with a
tablet arm in a nested position, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 8 illustrates a top elevation view of the nesting chair of FIGS. 1-7 with a
tablet arm in a nested position, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of two nesting chairs nested with tablet arms
in nested positions, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 10 illustrates a side elevation view of the two nesting chairs of FIG. 9 with
tablet arms in nested positions, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 11 illustrates a top elevation view of the two nesting chairs of FIGS. 9 and
10 with tablet arms in nested positions, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 12 illustrates an exploded front perspective view of a tablet arm of the nesting
chair of FIGS. 1-8, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 13 illustrates an enlarged view of the exploded front perspective view of the
tablet arm of FIG. 12, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 14 illustrates an exploded rear perspective view of the tablet arm of the nesting
chair of FIGS. 12 and 13.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to office furniture, and more
particularly to swiveling, rotating tablet arms for nesting chairs. The term "nesting
chair" is used herein in its broadest sense to refer to a chair capable of interfacing
with other similar chairs in a way such that each chair occupies less area space on
average in a nested position than it does in an operable position. Nesting chairs
may be used in rooms such as conference rooms or meeting spaces where the meeting
area may be rearranged from a seating configuration to an open space configuration.
Such nesting chairs may be horizontally stacked, aligned, and/or lined up in a front-to-back
configuration, such as along a wall or corridor, to minimize space occupied by the
nested chairs. Nesting chairs may eliminate the need to lift and stack chairs, and
may further facilitate setup, takedown, and storage of the chairs.
[0025] As used herein, the term "coupled" is used in its broadest sense to refer to elements
which are connected, attached, and/or engaged, either directly or integrally or indirectly
via other elements, and either permanently, temporarily, or removably. As used herein,
the term "swivelably coupled" is used in its broadest sense to refer to elements which
are coupled in a way that permits one element to swivel with respect to another element.
As used herein, the term "rotatably coupled" is used in its broadest sense to refer
to elements which are coupled in a way that permits one element to rotate with respect
to another element. As used herein, the term "slidably coupled" is used in its broadest
sense to refer to elements which are coupled in a way that permits one element to
slide or translate with respect to another element.
[0026] As used herein, the terms "horizontal," "horizontally," and the like are used in
their broadest sense to refer to a direction along or parallel to a plane relative
to a nesting chair 102, where such plane is defined by the lines H1 and H2 depicted
in FIGS. 2-4. Although lines H1 and H2 are not shown in all views, the plane defined
by H1 and H2 in FIGS. 2-4 serves to define such plane in all views as such plane is
defined relative to nesting chair 102. As used herein, the terms "vertical," "vertically,"
and the like are used in their broadest sense to refer to a direction along or parallel
to a line relative to a nesting chair 102, where such line is defined by the line
V1 of FIGS. 2-4. Although line V1 is not shown in all views, line V1 serves to define
such line in all views as such line is defined relative to nesting chair 102.
[0027] FIGS. 1-4 depict a nesting chair 102 with a tablet arm 100 in an operable position,
according to various embodiments of the present invention. Chair 102 includes a support
frame 120, as well as a seatback (back) 106 and a seat 108 coupled to support frame
120. Support frame 120 includes front legs 114 and rear legs 116. Wheels 118 or casters
or rollers may be coupled with the ends of front legs 114 and/or rear legs 116 to
further facilitate movement and/or placement of chair 102 along a floor. Tablet arm
100 includes support members 110 and 112, and a tablet 104 is coupled with support
member 112 according to some embodiments.
[0028] Tablet arm 100 and chair 102 are depicted in an operable position in FIGS. 1-4. As
used herein, the term "operable position" is used in its broadest sense to refer to
a position in which seat 108 is oriented to permit a user to sit upon it (for example,
in a substantially horizontal oricntation), and/or in which tablet 104 is in a substantially
horizontal orientation and ready for use to support or permit writing or the resting
of a hand or arm thereon.
[0029] In order to permit nesting of chair 102, support member 112 is swivelably coupled
to support member 110 according to embodiments of the present invention. Support member
110, also herein referred to as a mounting arm, is rigidly coupled with support frame
120; for example, support member 110 may be welded to support frame 120 by welding
at weld sites 202, according to some embodiments. Support member 110 may be a fixed
support member such as a solid bar, a hollow bar, and/or a tube according to various
embodiments of the present invention. Support member 112 is swivelably coupled with
support member 110 such that support member 112 swivels along a substantially horizontal
plane. Support member 112 may be a solid bar, a hollow bar, and/or a tube according
to some embodiments of the present invention. Support members 110 and/or 112 may be
made with metal or metal alloy such as steel or aluminum, for example; alternatively,
support members 110 and/or 112 may be made with plastic, wood, or other rigid or semi-rigid
material according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0030] In addition to the swivelable coupling between support members 110 and 112, tablet
104 is also rotatably coupled to tablet arm 100 at support member 112, according to
embodiments of the present invention. As seen in FIG. 3, tablet 104 is rotatably coupled
to support member 112 by collars 302, according to embodiments of the present invention.
This permits tablet 104 to rotate about axis 304. Such rotation may be, for example,
between a substantially horizontal tablet 104 position and a non- substantially horizontal
tablet 104 position. A non-substantially horizontal tablet 104 position may be, for
example, a vertical orientation, or an almost vertical orientation, or the orientation
shown in FIG. 7, according to some embodiments of the present invention. One extent
of tablet's 104 rotation may be defined by a stop member 222, as seen in FIG. 2. According
to some embodiments of the present invention, stop member 222 is a U-shaped bracket
rigidly coupled with support member 112. Such coupling may be welding, for example.
[0031] In the operable position, tablet 104 rests upon stop member 222 in a substantially
horizontal orientation. Tablet 104 may be rotated away from stop member 222 along
axis 304 until the bottom of tablet 104 contacts tablet stop 1328, which serves to
prevent tablet 104 from rotating too far away from stop member 222. According to some
embodiments of the present invention, tablet stop 1328 stops rotation of tablet 104
away from stop member 222 at a position where tablet 104 is short of being in a vertical
orientation. In some embodiments, tablet stop 1328 stops rotation of tablet 104 at
a position where tablet 104 is in the angular position depicted in FIG. 7. Placement
of tablet stop 1328 on support member 112 may be varied to achieve different predetermined
rotation angles, as measured between tablet 104 in the operable position and tablet
104 after being rotated about axis 304.
[0032] In addition to the swivelable coupling between support members 110 and 112, and the
rotatable coupling of tablet 100 to support member 112, a slidable coupling may also
be included between tablet 104 and support member 112 according to some embodiments
of the present invention. Collars 302, in addition to rotatably coupling tablet 104
with support member 112, may also slidably couple tablet 104 with support member 112.
Such a slidable coupling permits tablet 104 to be translated horizontally along axis
304 of support member 112 while tablet arm 100 is in the operable position, for example.
This translation or sliding permits a user of tablet arm 100 to position tablet 104
closer or further from the body to position tablet 104 to varying body sizes and types
and to varying usage posture preferences. Such sliding permits a wider array of positioning
choices than a tablet arm which merely permits tablet rotation about a single vertical
axis. And the combination of support member's 112 ability to swivel in a substantially
horizontal plane and a slidable coupling between tablet 104 and support member 112
permits a much larger number of positional placements of tablet 104 along a horizontal
plane, and permits a user to fine tune or customize with precision tablet 104 placement,
according to various embodiments of the present invention.
[0033] FIGS. 5-8 depict the chair 102 and tablet arm 100 of FIGS. 104 in a nested position
according to embodiments of the present invention. The nested position of chair 102
includes a rotation of seat 108 toward seatback 106, such as, for example, a rotation
of seat 108 to a substantially vertical orientation. The nested position of tablet
arm 100 includes a rotation of tablet 104 away from stop member 222, as well as a
swiveling of support member 112 along axis 206 toward seatback 106. According to some
embodiments of the nested position of the present invention, tablet 104 is rotated
away from stop member 222 until tablet 104 contacts tablet stop 1328; according to
other embodiments, tablet 104 is rotated away from stop member 222 through a smaller
rotation angle. According to some embodiments of the nested position of the present
invention, once tablet 104 has been rotated away from stop member 222, support member
112 may be swiveled toward seatback 106 until stop member 222 contacts seat back as
depicted in FIG. 7; according to other embodiments, support member 112 is stopped
short of stop member 222 contacting seatback 106. According to some other embodiments
of the nested position of the present invention, tablet 104 may rest above seatback
106 as depicted in FIG. 7; according other embodiments, tablet 104 may rest above
and contact seatback 106.
[0034] Once a chair 102 and tablet arm 100 have been changed from the operating position
to the nested position, several chairs 102 may be nested together to save space. FIGS.
9-11 illustrate how two chairs 102 may be nested and stored according to embodiments
of the present invention. Once in the nested position with seat 108 rotated toward
seatback 106 and with support member 112 swiveled inward toward seatback 106 with
tablet 104 rotated away from stop member 222, two chairs 102 may be placed front-to-back
according to some embodiments of the present invention. The front legs 114 of a first
chair 102 pass between the rear legs 116 of a second chair 102 in front of the first
chair. Multiple chairs 102 may be nested and/or stored in this fashion, with each
chair 102 occupying significantly less area space on average in the nested configuration
than in the operable position. In addition to two similar chairs 102 being nested
in this fashion, a nesting chair 102 with a nesting tablet arm 100 may also be nested
with a regular nesting chair 102 lacking a nesting tablet arm 100. According to various
embodiments of the present invention, various such combinations of nesting chairs
with and/or without nesting tablet arms 100 may be nested together to save space.
[0035] Current nesting chairs having tablet arms which are nested to the side of the chair
take up more space to the sides of the chair, because the tablets in such cases must
often be angled outwardly so as not to contact the subsequent nested tablet. However,
according to embodiments of the present invention, positioning tablets 104 above seatbacks
106 in a nested position, rather than in the horizontal side space around each chair
102 (which is the space to either side of chair 102 along horizontal line H1), further
saves such space to either side of the chair.
[0036] FIGS. 12-14 depict exploded views of tablet arm 100, illustrating how tablet arm
100 may be made according to various embodiments of the present invention. Tablet
104 is slidably and rotatably coupled with support member 112 by collars 302, according
to some embodiments of the present invention. Support member 112 may include a horizontal
section 1330 and a vertical section 1332, and according to some embodiments in which
horizontal section 1330 is tubular, an end cap 1308 may be placed at an end of horizontal
section 1330. Collars 302 may include an outer collar section 302b, an inner collar
section 302c, and a collar attachment tongue 302a with holes 302d. Inner collar section
302b and outer collar section 302c may be injection-molded plastic components which
snap together around horizontal section 1330, for example.
[0037] Once collar sections 302b, 302c have been secured around horizontal section 1330,
collar attachment tongue 302a may be placed over both collar sections 302b, 302c and
attached to tablet 104. Collar attachment tongue 302a may be attached to tablet 104
via bolts 1336 applied through holes 302d and into attachment holes 1334. Alternatively,
collar attachment tongue 302a may be attached to tablet 104 via screws, nails, staples,
adhesive, welding, or other suitable attachment means. Collar attachment tongue 302a
is held to tablet 104 with a force sufficient to maintain attachment between collar
attachment tongue 302a and tablet 104 and to maintain a relatively fixed position
of collar sections 302b, 302c with respect to tablet 104, while permitting collar
sections 302b, 302c to rotate and slide with respect to horizontal section 1330. According
to some embodiments of the present invention, the greater the force between attachment
tongue 302a and tablet 104, the greater the friction between horizontal section 1330
and collar sections 302b, 302c, and the more difficult to rotate and/or slide tablet
104 with respect to horizontal section 1330. Therefore, varying levels of friction
and tightness between collar sections 302b, 302c and horizontal section 1330 may be
achieved according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0038] Horizontal sliding of tablet 104 with respect to horizontal section 1330 is limited
by stops 1302,1304 according to various embodiments of the present invention. Although
FIG.13 depicts tablet 104 coupled with support member 112 via two collars 302, a single
collar may be used according to embodiments of the present invention. However, using
two or more such collars, and/or increasing the width of one or more such collars,
may serve to increase stability and durability of tablet arm 100. FIG. 13 depicts
forward and rear collars 302. The forward collar 302 couples horizontal section 1332
to tablet 104 in a location between a front stop 1302 and a rear stop 1304. Front
stop 1302 and rear stop 1304 serve to limit horizontal sliding of tablet 104 along
horizontal section 1330. In a forward operable position, forward collar 302 abuts
front stop 1302 and can slide no further in a direction towards front stop 1302. In
a rearward operable position, forward collar 302 abuts rear stop 1304 and can slide
no further in a direction towards rear stop 1304. Thus, the sliding or translational
distance of tablet 104 along horizontal section 1330 achievable by a particular embodiment
of the present invention may be calculated by measuring a distance between front stop
1302 and rear stop 1304 along horizontal section 1330, then subtracting the width
of the forward collar 302. According to some embodiments of the present invention,
such sliding or translational distance of tablet 104 is between two and four inches.
[0039] Although forward stop 1302 and rear stop 1304 are depicted as pegs or bars protruding
from horizontal section 1330 according to embodiments of the present invention, stops
1302 and 1304 may alternatively be bumps, ridges, collars, bends, lips, or other irregularity
coupled with or formed on horizontal section 1330 and configured to halt sliding of
forward collar 302. According to some embodiments of the present invention, front
stop 1302 and rear stop 1304 are connected by a crossbar 1306, such that stop member
222 is a U-shaped bracket that may be coupled with horizontal section 1330 such as,
for example, by welding. According to such embodiments, forward collar 302 may be
attached over horizontal section 1330 at any point between front stop 1302 and rear
stop 1304. Although horizontal sliding of tablet 104 is governed by forward collar
302 and stops 1302,1304 according to some embodiments of the present invention, a
rearward collar 302 may be included for further stability.
[0040] Collar section 302c may be flat on top as illustrated in FIG. 13 to permit tablet
104 to rest flatly against collar section 302c. Stop member 222 may be coupled with
horizontal section 1330 in a configuration which permits tablet 104 to rest flatly
against both collar sections 302c and crossbar 1306 when tablet arm 100 is in the
operable position; according to some embodiments, a slight upward angle of stop member
222 with respect to horizontal section 1330 may achieve this purpose, as seen from
the front view of FIG. 2.
[0041] FIGS. 13 and 14 also illustrate a swivel coupling between support member 112 and
support member 110, according to some embodiments of the present invention. The vertical
section 1332 of swiveling support member 112 includes slots 1326a, 1326b formed within
vertical section 1332. A sleeve 1312 is configured to surround at least part of vertical
section 1332; sleeve 1312 is further configured for insertion into a sleeve receptacle
1310 coupled with and/or protruding from fixed support member 110. According to some
embodiments of the present invention, sleeve receptacle 1310 extends substantially
vertically from an end of support member 110. Sleeve receptacle 1310 includes threaded
holes 1404a, 1404b sized for threadable interface with threaded pins 1316a, 1316b.
According to some embodiments of the present invention, sleeve 1312 may be made with
two identical injection-molded plastic pieces 1312a, 1312b configured to snap together
and/or be otherwise coupled around lower end of vertical section 1332. Holes 1314a,
1314b formed in sleeve half 1312a may be similar or identical to holes 1402a, 1402b
formed in sleeve half 1312b, according to some embodiments of the present invention,
and may be sized to permit threaded pins 1316a, 1316b to pass therethrough.
[0042] According to some embodiments of the present invention, sleeve 1312 may be placed
around at least part of vertical section 1332 such that holes 1402a, 1402b approximately
align with slots 1326a, 1326b, respectively. In some embodiments, bottom end 1318
of vertical section 1332 may contact bottom 1324 of sleeve 1312 for further vertical
support. Sleeve 1312 may be placed into sleeve receptacle 1310, such that protruding
lip 1320 of sleeve 1312 rests upon top ledge 1322 of sleeve receptacle; such a configuration
may permit weight applied to tablet 104 to be further distributed through sleeve 1312,
protruding lip 1320, and sleeve receptacle 1310 instead of exclusively through slots
1326a, 1326b to pins 1316a, 1316b.
[0043] Once sleeve 1312 is placed into sleeve receptacle 1310, holes 1404a, 1404b are approximately
aligned with holes 1402a, 1402b and with slots 1326a, 1326b. Threaded pin 1316a may
be threaded through hole 1404a until threaded pin 1316a also passes through hole 1402a
in sleeve 1312 and into slot 1326a in vertical section 1332, while being held in a
fixed position with respect to sleeve receptacle 1310 by the threaded connection between
sleeve receptacle 1310 and pin 1316a. Threaded pin 1316b may be threaded through hole
1404b until threaded pin 1316b also passes through hole 1402b in sleeve 1312 and into
slot 1326b in vertical section 1332, while being held in a fixed position with respect
to sleeve receptacle 1310 by the threaded connection between sleeve receptacle 1310
and pin 1316b.
[0044] According to such embodiments of the present invention, threaded pins 1316a, 1316b
are fixed relative to sleeve receptacle 1310, which is fixed relative to support member
110 and thus relative to nesting chair 102. Because threaded pins 1316a, 1316b also
pass through holes 1402a, 1402b, sleeve 1312 is also prevented from rotating substantially
with respect to sleeve receptacle 1310. However, vertical section 1332 may freely
rotate within sleeve 1312 limited only by the extent of slots 1326a, 1326b. Support
member 112 may be swiveled in one direction until threaded pins 1316a, 1316b contact
an end of each slot 1326a, 1326b, thus halting rotation in that one direction. Support
member 112 may also be swiveled in the opposite direction until threaded pins 1316a,
1316b contact another end of each slot 1326a, 1326b, thus halting rotation in that
opposite direction. Thus, the angle through which support member 112 may swivel in
a substantially horizontal plane is directly related to the angular extent of slots
1326a, 1326b formed within vertical section 1332, according to embodiments of the
present invention.
[0045] According to embodiments ofthc present invention, slots 1326a, 1326b are of sufficient
extent and placement to permit swiveling of tablet arm 100 toward seatback 106 into
the nesting position as shown in FIGS. 5-8, and to permit swiveling of tablet arm
100 away from seatback 106 by an angle as measured between seatback 106 and horizontal
section 1330. This angle, as measured between seatback 106 and horizontal section
1330 about axis 206, may be a predetermined angle at which swiveling of second support
member 112 may be halted. According to some embodiments of the present invention,
such angle may be approximately 90 degrees, corresponding to the horizontal section
1330 pointing straight forward. According to other embodiments of the present invention,
such angle may be between 90 and 180 degrees, such as, for example, 120 degrees so
that tablet 104 may be pushed slightly toward the side of chair 102 to permit easier
access for sitting down on or standing up from chair 102.
[0046] Although FIGS. 13 and 14 depict a smaller diameter support member 112 fitting within
a larger diameter sleeve receptacle 1310 of support member 110, a similar swivelable
coupling may be achieved with a larger diameter receptacle coupled with support member
112 fitting over a smaller diameter support member 110. Based on the disclosure provided
herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a number of ways in which
the swivelable coupling of support member 112 and support member 110 may be achieved.
And although FIGS. 13 and 14 depict a swivel joint having pins 1316a, 1316b protruding
from an outer diameter into slots 1326a, 1326b, the swivel joint between support member
110 and support member 112 may alternatively be formed in a variety of ways to achieve
a similar result according to some embodiments of the present invention, such as,
for example, by using protruding pins coupled with support member 112 which protrude
through slots formed in support member 110, by using springs or other spring-like
devices to limit swiveling of support member 112, and/or by using fins or ridges or
protrusions on support member 110 and/or support member 112 which make contact at
certain swiveling angles to halt swiveling of support member 112 with respect to support
member 110. Springs or spring-like devices may also be used to provide resistance,
dampening, and/or control in the slidable or rotatable coupling between support member
112 and tablet 104, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
[0047] Various configurations of tablet arm 100 are possible in addition to the nested position
and the operable position, according to embodiments of the present invention. For
example, when user of chair 102 and tablet arm 100 is finished with using the tablet
arm 100 and tablet 104, the user may simply rotate tablet 104 along axis 304 in order
to more easily stand up from the seated position. According to some embodiments of
the present invention, slots 1326a and 1326b permit a slight outward rotation of tablet
104 along axis 206 for this purpose. As described above, the extent of such outward
rotation may be controlled by selecting the extent of the slot 1326a, 1326b circumference.
[0048] As can be seen from the above description, several elements of various embodiments
of the present invention are standard, interchangeable, interconnectable, and/or modular
for increased manufacturing and installation efficiency. Embodiments of the invention
have now been described in detail for purposes of clarity and understanding. However,
it will be appreciated that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within
the scope of the appended claims. Thus, although the invention is described with reference
to specific embodiments and figures thereof, the embodiments and figures are merely
illustrative, and not limiting of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention
is to be determined solely by the appended claims.
1. A tablet arm for a nesting chair, the tablet arm comprising:
a first rigid support member affixed to a nesting chair;
a second rigid support member swivelably coupled to the first rigid support member;
a tablet rotatably and slidably coupled to the second rigid support member by a collar;
a first stop coupled with the second rigid support member and configured to abut a
first end of the collar in a forward operable position of the tablet; and
a second stop coupled with the second rigid support member and configured to abut
a second end of the collar in a rearward operable position of the tablet.
2. The tablet arm of claim 1, wherein the second rigid support member swivels along a
substantially horizontal plane.
3. The tablet arm of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first rigid support member is tubular.
4. The tablet arm of any of the preceding claims, wherein the second rigid support member
is tubular.
5. The tablet arm of any of the preceding claims, wherein the first rigid support member
is affixed to the nesting chair via welding.
6. The tablet arm of any of the preceding claims, wherein the first stop and the second
stop are formed by a U-shaped bracket attached to the second rigid support member.
7. The tablet arm of claim 6, wherein the U-shaped bracket is attached to the second
rigid support member via welding.
8. The tablet arm of claim 6 or 7, wherein the tablet is configured to rest against the
U-shaped bracket in the forward operable position and in the rearward operable position.
9. The tablet arm of any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the U-shaped bracket comprises a crossbar
piece substantially parallel to the second rigid support member, wherein a first top
of the crossbar piece and a second top of the collar form a substantially horizontal
plane, and wherein the tablet is configured to rest on the first top and the second
top in the forward operable position and in the rearward operable position.
10. The tablet arm of any of the preceding claims, wherein the collar is a first collar,
the tablet arm further comprising a second collar configured to rotatably and slidably
couple the tablet to the second rigid support member, the second collar coupled with
the second rigid support member and separated from the first collar by either the
first stop or the second stop.
11. The tablet arm of any of the preceding claims, further comprising:
a third stop coupled with the second rigid support member and configured to halt rotation
of the tablet about the second rigid support member at a predetermined rotation angle.
12. The tablet arm of any of the preceding claims, further comprising:
a swivel joint coupling the first support member with the second support member, the
swivel joint including a means for halting swiveling of the second support member
away from the chair at a predetermined angle.
13. The tablet arm of any of the preceding claims, wherein the nesting chair comprises
a seatback, and wherein the tablet arm is configured to locate the tablet over the
seatback in a nested position.
14. The tablet arm of claim 13, wherein an operable position comprises the forward operable
position and the rearward operable position, and wherein the nesting chair and the
tablet arm occupy a substantially similar amount of horizontal side space in the nested
position as the nesting chair and the tablet arm occupy in the operable position.
15. A nesting chair system comprising:
a plurality of nesting chairs having swiveling rotatable tablets, the swiveling rotatable
tablets movable from an operable position to a nested position, the swiveling rotatable
tablets positioned over seatbacks of the plurality of nesting chairs in the nested
position, the swiveling rotatable tablets configured to slide horizontally in the
operable position.
16. The nesting chair system of claim 15, wherein the swiveling rotatable tablets are
further configured to slide horizontally toward and away from the seatbacks in the
operable position.
17. The nesting chair system of claim 15 or 16, wherein the swiveling rotatable tablets
are further configured to slide horizontally along a substantially straight support
member.
18. The nesting chair system of any of claims 15 to 17, wherein the swiveling rotatable
tablets are movable from the operable position to the nested position by swiveling
the swiveling rotatable tablets toward the seatbacks and rotating the swiveling rotatable
tablets from a substantially horizontal orientation to a non-substantially horizontal
orientation.
19. A table arm for a nesting chair comprising:
a tablet;
a nesting chair;
a mounting arm coupled to the nesting chair;
a means for coupling the tablet to the mounting arm;
a means for swiveling the tablet substantially horizontally about the mounting arm;
a means for pivoting the tablet between a substantially horizontal position and a
non-substantially horizontal position; and
a means for sliding the tablet in a direction towards or away from the mounting arm.
20. The nesting chair system of claim 19, wherein the means for coupling, the means for
pivoting, and the means for sliding are the same means.
21. A nesting chair system comprising:
a plurality of nesting chairs having swiveling rotatable tablets, the swiveling rotatable
tablets movable from an operable position to a nested position, the swiveling rotatable
tablets positioned over seatbacks of the plurality of nesting chairs in the nested
position.