[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to chair structures and methods of assembling chair
structures.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] A conventional chair structure usually includes a seat portion that is assembled
on a support structure. To allow convenient use, certain chair structures may also
include a pivoting mechanism that allows rotation of the seating portion relative
to the support structure, such that a user can push the seat portion in rotation while
remaining seated on the seat portion. However, the pivoting mechanism usually employed
in the convention chair does not permit disassembly of the chair structure. As a result,
when the chair is not used, the chair cannot be stored in a compact form.
[0005] Therefore, there is presently a need for a chair structure that can be easily assembled
and disassembled, and address at least the foregoing issues.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present application describes a system and method for assembling the chair structure.
[0007] According to one embodiment, the chair structure comprises a seat frame having a
first coupling element, a support base, and a pivot link assembly mounted on the support
base. The pivot link assembly includes a pivot axle, and a second coupling element
pivotally mounted around the pivot axle, wherein the second coupling element includes
a latch operable to lock the first coupling element with the second coupling element
when the seat frame is assembled with the support base, and unlock the first coupling
element from the second coupling element for allowing separation of the seat frame
from the support base.
[0008] The present application also describes a method for assembling the chair structure.
In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a seat frame having a first coupling
element having a hole, providing a support base having a pivot axle and a second coupling
element pivotally mounted around the pivot axle, wherein the second coupling element
includes a latch thereon, and assembling the seat frame with the support base by sliding
the first coupling element over the second coupling element until the latch engages
through the hole for locking the first coupling element with the second coupling element.
[0009] At least one advantage of the chair structure and method described herein is the
ability of the seat frame to assemble with and separate from the support base in a
convenient manner. Storage of the chair structure can be thereby facilitated.
[0010] The foregoing is a summary and shall not be construed to limit the scope of the claims.
The operations and structures disclosed herein may be implemented in a number of ways,
and such changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention
and its broader aspects. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of the
invention, as defined solely by the claims, are described in the nonlimiting detailed
description set forth below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is an exploded view illustrating a seat frame and support base of a chair
structure according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a chair structure according to one embodiment of
the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a pivot link assembly implemented
in a chair structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the pivot link assembly shown in FIG. 3;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective of the pivot link assembly shown in FIG. 4
[0016] FIG. 6 is a schematic enlarged view of the support base shown in FIG. 1; and
[0017] FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating an operation of the chair structure of FIG.
1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0018] The present application describes a chair structure and a method for assembling the
chair structure. Examples of use of the chair structure described herein may include,
without limitation, a chair for seating a young infant or baby.
[0019] FIGs. 1 and 2 are respectively exploded and perspective views illustrating one embodiment
of a chair structure 100. The chair structure 100 comprises a support base 102, a
seat frame 104, and a pivot link assembly 106 mounted on the support base 102. The
support base 102 may include a plurality of resting beams 108 that extend radial from
a joint portion 110 for providing stable support of the chair structure 100 on a floor.
The joint portion 110 of the support base 102 has an inner cavity 112 in which the
pivot link assembly 106 is fixedly mounted. The seat frame 104 may include a tubular
structure 114 having a bracket 115 and a first coupling element 117 affixed on the
bracket 115. In one embodiment, the first coupling element 117 may be formed as an
enclosing cup having a hollow inner volume in which the pivot link assembly 106 can
be received when the seat frame 104 is assembled on the support base 102. In particular,
a side of the first coupling element 117 can include a slot 119 that is able to engage
with a second coupling element 122 (e.g., shown in FIG. 3) provided on the pivot link
assembly 106 for enabling rotation of the seat frame 104 relative to the support base
102 about a rotation axis Y defined by the pivot link assembly 106.
[0020] FIGs. 3-5 are respectively cross-sectional, exploded and perspective views illustrating
the construction of the pivot link assembly 106 and how it assembles with the support
base 102 and first coupling element 117. As shown in FIG. 3, the first coupling element
117 may include an outer enclosing cup 117A in which is mounted an inner cup 117B
having a hollow inner volume. Further, referring to FIGs. 3 and 4, the pivot link
assembly 106 includes a pivot axle 122 that defines the rotation axis Y, and a second
coupling element 124 pivotally mounted around the pivot axle 122. The pivot axle 122
has a first end 122A affixed in the inner cavity 112 of the support base 102. More
particularly, the inner cavity 112 is at least partially delimited by a bottom surface
112A and sidewall 112B. A hole 123 is formed through the bottom surface 112A and is
downwardly closed by an end cap 125. The first end 122A of the pivot axle 122 having
a threaded hole 126 is assembled through the hole 123 and fixedly secured with the
end cap 125 via a screw 128 that engages through the end cap 125 with the threaded
hole 126.
[0021] The second coupling element 124 includes a sleeve 130, a cover 132 and an anti-rotation
lock 134. The sleeve 130 has a hollow, generally elongated shape that has an inner
bore 136 through which the pivot axle 122 is pivotally mounted via bearings 137A and
137B. The bearing 137A may be mounted adjacent to a top end 130A of the sleeve 130
and tightly fitted around a second end 122B of the pivot axle 122 opposite its first
end 122A. The bearing 137B is tightly mounted around the pivot axle 122 in abutment
against a shoulder portion 122C of the pivot axle 122, at an intermediate position
between the first end 122A and second end 122B of the pivot axle 122. The inner bore
136 may be downwardly closed by a seal 138, which is fastened via a collar 139 against
the bearing 137B at a side opposite the shoulder portion 122C. The seal 138 can prevent
dust contamination through the lower end of the inner bore 136. The top end 130A of
the sleeve 130 is closed with the cover 132 fixedly secured via screws 135.
[0022] As shown in FIGs. 3-5, a side 130B of the sleeve 130 forms a recessed, elongated
pocket 140 through which the anti-rotation lock 134 is assembled in sliding relationship
along the direction of the rotation axis Y. In one embodiment, the anti-rotation lock
134 may be formed as an elongated member slidably mounted through the pocket 140.
A first end 134A of the anti-rotation lock 134 includes two restricting flanges 142
(better shown in FIG. 4) that are spaced apart from each other and delimit a gap 144
there between. A second end 134B of the anti-rotation lock 134 opposite its first
end 134A includes a catch 146 that is able to detachably fasten with a rib 147 protruding
inward from an inner sidewall of the sleeve 130 (better shown in FIG. 3).
In addition, an intermediate portion of the anti-rotation lock 134 between the first
end 134A and the second end 134B includes a handle 148 that extends radial from the
direction of the rotation axis Y for engaging through the slot 119 of the first coupling
element 117 (shown in FIG. 1). By pulling the handle 148 downward or upward, the anti-rotation
lock 134 can slide vertically to either a first position or second position higher
than the first position. As described hereafter, when the anti-rotation lock 134 is
in the first position, the restricting flanges 142 of the anti-rotation lock 134 can
be placed adjacent to two lateral sides of a protuberance 162 formed in the inner
cavity 112 (better shown in FIG. 6) for blocking rotation of the seat frame 104 about
the pivot axle 122. In the second position, the restricting flanges 142 are positioned
in a gap above the protuberance 162 such that rotation of the seat frame 104 about
the pivot axle 122 is allowed.
[0023] Referring again to FIGs. 4-5, the second coupling element 124 also includes a latch
150 that is provided on an outer side of the second coupling element 124. In one embodiment,
the latch 150 may include a tab portion 152 extending downward from the cover 132,
and a flange 154 protruding outward from the tab portion 152 and extending radial
from the direction of the rotation axis Y. By resilient deflection of the tab portion
152 in a radial direction relative to the rotation axis Y, the flange 154 can engage
through or disengage from a hole 156 provided through the first coupling element 117
(better shown in FIG. 7). When the latch 150 engages through the hole 156, the flange
154 can abut against a rim portion of the hole 156 for locking the first coupling
element 117 with the second coupling element 124.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 5, a lower portion 130C of the sleeve 130 opposite the top end 130A
includes two opposite abuttal flanges 158 (only one abuttal flange 158 is visible
on FIG. 5) that are spaced-apart from each other and laid in different radial directions.
When the seat frame 104 assembled on the support base 102 is rotated, either of the
two abuttal flanges 158 can come in abutment against a stop element provided in the
inner cavity 112 (better shown in FIG. 6) so as to delimit a maximum angle of rotation
permitted for the seat frame 104.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a schematic enlarged view illustrating the inner cavity 112 of the support
base 102. As shown, the sidewall 112B surrounding the inner cavity 112 may have a
generally cylindrical contour. The protuberance 162 against which the anti-rotation
lock 134 abuts for blocking rotation of the seat frame 104 protrudes upward from the
bottom surface 112A of the inner cavity 112. A cushion pad 164 is also fixed on the
bottom surface 112A at a position diametrically opposite the protuberance 162. The
cushion pad 164 is placed in an area located between the two abuttal flanges 158.
The limits of the angular rotation permitted for the seat frame 104 are reached when
either of the two abuttal flanges 158 comes in abutment against the cushion pad 164.
The cushion pad 164 may be made of a flexible material adapted to cushion collision
of the abuttal flanges 158 against the cushion pad 164 for stopping rotation of the
seat frame 104.
[0026] It is worth noting that a variant embodiment can also configure the cushion pad 164
as a spring element (e.g., the cushion pad 164 may be made of a resilient material)
that is loaded and provides a resilient force when it is pressed by the abuttal flange
158. When the abuttal flange 158 comes in contact with a first side of the cushion
pad 164, the cushion pad 164 can deform and apply a counteracting force that causes
the seat frame 104 to rotate in a reverse direction. The seat frame 104 can then rotate
reversely until the opposite abuttal flange 158 comes in contact with an opposite
second side of the cushion pad 164, which applies again a counteracting force to rotate
the seat frame 104 toward the first side of the cushion pad 164. Accordingly, the
seat frame 104 can bounce against the cushion pad 164 to perform reciprocated rotational
movements, thereby providing an entertaining environment to the seated child.
[0027] Exemplary operation of the chair structure 100 is described hereafter with reference
to FIGs. 3-7. The seat frame 104 can be assembled on the support base 102 by sliding
the first coupling element 117 over the second coupling element 124 of the pivot link
assembly 106. As shown in FIG. 7, the connection between the first coupling element
117 and the second coupling element 124 is then locked when the latch 150 engages
through the hole 156 of the first coupling element 117. Moreover, the first coupling
element 117 and the second coupling element 124 are also coupled with each other respectively
via the engagement of the handle 148 through the slot 119 of the first coupling element
117, and the engagement between the slot 119 of the first coupling element 117 and
outline protrusions of the elongated pocket 140. When rotation of the seat frame 104
is desired, the anti-rotation lock 134 can be raised until the catch 146 of the anti-rotation
lock 134 engages and grips the rib 147 of the sleeve 130 by resilient deflection.
The anti-rotation lock 134 can thereby be securely maintained at a higher position
(i.e., the second position previously mentioned and shown with solid lines in FIG.
7) where the restricting flanges 142 are positioned in a gap above the protuberance
162. The seat frame 104 can then be rotated relative to the support base 102, which
results in a unitary rotating movement of the first and second coupling elements 117
and 124 locked with each other around the pivot axle 122. In particular, the rotation
movement of the seat frame 104 relative to the support base 102 can be transmitted
from the first coupling element 117 to the second coupling element 124 through contact
between the handle 148 and an edge of the slot 119 of the first coupling element 117.
[0028] If a user wants to block the seat frame 104 on the support base 102, the seat frame
104 first must be oriented to a position where the handle 148 is in alignment with
the protuberance 162. By pulling the handle 148 downward, the catch 146 can disengage
from the rib 147, and the anti-rotation lock 134 can then slide downward to a lower
position (i.e., the first position previously mentioned and shown with phantom lines
in FIG. 7) where the protuberance 162 is lodged in the gap 144 between the two restricting
flanges 142. In this position, the restricting flanges 142 are placed adjacently against
two opposite lateral sides of the protuberance 162. As a result, any rotation of the
second coupling element 124 (and the first coupling element 117 and seat frame 104
locked therewith) about the rotation axis Y can be blocked owing to abutment between
the protuberance 162 and of either of the restricting flanges 142.
[0029] When the chair structure 100 is not used, the user can disassemble the chair structure
100 by pushing the latch 150, in particular the protruding flange 154, to cause inward
deflection of the tab portion 152. As a result, the flange 154 can disengage from
the hole 156, and the latch 150 thereby unlocks the connection between the first and
second coupling elements 117 and 124. The seat frame 104 and the first coupling element
117 fixed thereon can then be pulled upward away from the support base 102 and the
pivot link assembly 106. The seat frame 104 can then be stored separately from the
support base 102.
[0030] At least one advantage of the chair structure described herein is the ability of
the seat frame to assemble on and separate from the support base in a convenient manner.
Such feature may be particularly advantageous when the seat frame can also folded
into a compact form, allowing convenient storage of the chair structure in a reduced
space. In addition, when the seat frame is assembled with the support base, rotation
of the seat frame can also be selectively enabled or blocked for providing safer use
of the chair structure.
[0031] Realizations in accordance with the present invention therefore have been described
only in the context of particular embodiments. These embodiments are meant to be illustrative
and not limiting. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements are
possible. Accordingly, plural instances may be provided for components described herein
as a single instance. Structures and functionality presented as discrete components
in the exemplary configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component.
These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within
the scope of the invention as defined in the claims that follow.
1. A chair structure comprising:
a seat frame having a first coupling element; and
a support base including a pivot axle fixed thereon and a second coupling element
pivotally mounted with the pivot axle, wherein the second coupling element includes
a latch operable to:
lock the first coupling element with the second coupling element when the seat frame
is assembled with the support base, and
unlock the first coupling element from the second coupling element for allowing separation
of the seat frame from the support base.
2. The chair structure according to claim 1, wherein the first coupling element includes
a hole through which the latch is engaged to lock the first coupling element with
the second coupling element.
3. The chair structure according to claim 2, wherein the latch includes a resilient tab
portion, and a flange protruding from the tab portion that engages through the hole
of the first coupling element when the latch locks the first coupling element with
the second coupling element.
4. The chair structure according to claim 3, wherein the tab portion is deflectable in
a radial direction relative to the pivot axle for either engaging or disengaging the
latch.
5. The chair structure according to claim 1, wherein the second coupling element further
includes an anti-rotation lock movable along a direction substantially parallel with
the pivot axle for either blocking or allowing rotation of the seat frame about the
pivot axle, when the seat frame is assembled with the support base.
6. The chair structure according to claim 5, wherein the second coupling element includes
a sleeve having a pocket through which the anti-rotation lock is assembled in sliding
relationship.
7. The chair structure according to claim 5, wherein the anti-rotation lock includes
a handle that protrudes radial through a slot of the first coupling element when the
seat frame is assembled with the support base.
8. The chair structure according to claim 7, wherein a rotation movement of the seat
frame relative to the support base is transmitted from the first coupling element
to the second coupling element through contact between the handle and an edge of the
slot of the first coupling element.
9. The chair structure according to claim 5, wherein a first end portion of the anti-rotation
lock includes restricting flanges, the restricting flanges being positioned adjacent
to opposite sides of a protuberance on the support base when the anti-rotation lock
is moved toward the support base to a first position for blocking rotation of the
seat frame.
10. The chair structure according to claim 5, wherein a second end portion of the anti-rotation
lock includes a catch that detachably fastens with a portion of the second coupling
element when the anti-rotation lock is moved away from the support base to a second
position for allowing rotation of the seat frame.
11. The chair structure according to claim 1, wherein the second coupling element is pivotally
mounted around the pivot axle via at least one bearing.
12. The chair structure according to claim 1, wherein the support base includes a cushion
pad against which abuttal flanges provided on the second coupling element abut for
delimiting an angular rotation of the seat frame.
13. The chair structure according to claim 1, wherein the first coupling element has a
hollow inner volume in which the second coupling element is received when the seat
frame is assembled with the support base.