DEVICE FOR CONNECTING CHAIRS IN A ROW

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of furniture and, more specifically, to chairs and their accessories.

[0002] The main object of the present invention is a device specially adapted for joining adjacent chairs, forming a straight row without misadjustments, thereby avoiding undesired movements and noises from the chairs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Currently, different types of furniture (chairs, seats or similar) susceptible of being successively joined together two by two to form modular units are known in the state of the art. Such a system is known from US 4978168.

[0004] These currently known solutions require a specific configuration of their constituent elements; for example, in cinemas, a row of seats is generally mounted on a common bar with its own bearings. Other technical solutions require the use of units formed from parts of high structural complexity, which hampers assembly and disassembly thereof to a large degree, as well as considerably raising manufacturing and production costs.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention resolves the aforementioned drawbacks by providing a device for joining chairs whereby a group of chairs can be quickly and easily distributed in row alignment, forming a straight row without misadjustments and preventing undesired shifting and movement of the chairs caused by the user's constant action of standing up and sitting down.

[0006] The device for joining chairs object of the invention is of the type comprising a female part and a male part destined for joining and solidarily interlocking with other male and female parts, respectively, of chairs disposed in adjacent lateral positions according to claim 1. More specifically, the device described herein is especially intended for chairs having a bottom frame disposed underneath the seat, said frame having at least one tubular profile whereupon said seat rests.

[0007] The device of the invention stands out mainly because its female and male parts comprise folding means, in such a manner that it is possible to extract and retract these in a fast and simple manner, depending on whether or not arrangement of chairs in row alignment is required, remaining totally hidden underneath the chair if not required.

[0008] The female part of the present invention comprises a first fixing body having a recess dimensionally adapted for adjusting to the tubular profile of the chair frame; and a locking element, preferably T-shaped, which is associated to the fixing body and defines an enclosed space, having diverging projections on its distal end.

[0009] For its part, the male part comprises a second fixing body also having a recess adapted for adjusting to the tubular profile of the chair; and a hooking element associated to the second fixing body, having sharp vertical projections on its distal end destined for being introduced into the projections of the female part, stopping against these and preventing involuntary unhooking and release thereof.

[0010] Preferably, the fixing bodies of the female and male parts are manufactured from plastic material, while the locking and hooking elements are preferably metallic.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] In order to complete the description that is being made and with the object of helping to better understand the characteristics of the invention, in accordance with a preferred example of practical embodiment thereof, accompanying said description as an integral part thereof, is a set of drawings wherein the following has been represented in an illustrative and non-limiting manner:

Figure 1 shows a bottom view of a chair that incorporates the device for joining chairs in row alignment object of the invention.

Figure 2 shows another bottom view of the chair where its two parts for connecting to adjacent chairs have been deployed.

Figure 3 shows an upper view of the female part.

Figure 4 shows a side view of the female part.

Figure 5 shows an upper view of the male part.

Figure 6 shows a side view of the male part.

Figure 7 shows a perspective view showing the connection between the locking element of the female part and the hooking element of the male part.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0012] In accordance with a preferred embodiment shown in figures 1 and 2, the device for joining chairs (1) object of the invention comprises a female part (10) and a male part (20) destined for being installed on the underside (3) of a chair (1). More specifically, in said figures 1 and 2 a bottom frame (2) having two tubular profiles (4) whereupon the seat (3) of the chair (1) rests is represented.

[0013] The device for joining chairs (1) object of the invention stands out basically for comprising folding means (30) which allow the female and male parts (10, 20) to be extracted and retracted in a fast and simple manner.

[0014] Figure 1 shows the female and male (10, 20) parts of the present invention, retracted and disposed in opposition to each other, remaining completely hidden underneath the seat (3) of the chair (1) in situations where arrangement of chairs (1) in row alignment is not required.

[0015] Further, figure 2 shows the female and male parts (10, 20) folded and pivotally deployed outwards approximately 180°, prepared for being joined laterally to other male and female parts (20, 19), respectively, of adjacent chairs (1).

[0016] Figures 3 and 4 represent the female part (10) of the invention, which stands out basically for comprising:

• a first fixing body (11) having a recess (12) dimensionally adapted for adjusting in the tubular profile (4) of the chair (1) of the frame (2); and
• a locking element (13) associated to the first fixing body (11), which defines a T-shaped enclosed space, having two diverging projections (14) on its distal end by way of a fork joined by one of their sides.

[0017] For its part, figures 5 and 6 show upper and side views, respectively, of the male part (20) of the invention, which comprises:

• a second fixing body (21) also having a recess (22) dimensionally adapted for adjusting to the tubular profile (4) of the chair (1) frame (2), and
• a hooking element (23) associated to the second fixing body (21), having a pair of tilted sections (25), shown in figure 6, on its distal end, wherefrom sharp vertical projections (24) joined by means of an intermediate horizontal section (28) project, destined for being introduced into the projections (14) of the female part (10) of the adjacent chair (1), stopping against these and preventing involuntary unhooking thereof.

[0018] As can be observed in figures 3 and 5, the folding means (30) comprise passage holes (17, 27) on the fixing bodies (11, 21) of the female and male part (10, 20), respectively, allowing both the locking element (13) and hooking element (23) to rotate approximately 180°, remaining completely hidden underneath the seat (3) of the chair (1) in situations where arrangement of chairs (1) in row alignment is not required.

[0019] In the case of the female part (10), two side sections (15) project from the fixing body (22) which taper slightly towards each other and end in two elongated parallel sections (16), shown in figure 3, on the distal end of which the aforementioned diverging projections (14) are defined. As can be observed in figure 4, the locking element (13) is aligned along the same horizontal plane at all times.

[0020] In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention, not represented herein, both the locking element (13) and the hooking element (23) additionally comprise a rod on their proximal end which articulates on the fixing parts (11, 21), respectively, for folding thereof.

[0021] As can be observed in said figure 6, a curved cavity (26) is defined between the two tilted sections (25) and the vertical projections (24), dimensionally adapted to receive and house the distal end of the female part (10).

[0022] Finally, figure 7 shows a detailed view of the connection between the locking element (13) of the female part (10) and the hooking element (23) of the male part (20), whereupon both are firmly joined together.

Claims

1. Device for joining chairs (1) in row alignment, said chairs (1) having a bottom frame (2) disposed underneath the seat (3), the frame (2) having at least one tubular profile (4) whereupon the seat (3) rests, the device comprising a female part (10) and a male part (20) associated to the chair (1), destined for being solidarily joined to other male (20) and female (10) parts, respectively, of chairs (1) disposed in adjacent lateral positions,
the female part (10) comprising

- a locking element (13) which defines an enclosed space and has diverging projections (14) on its distal end,

- a female part rod on its proximal end,

the male part (20) comprising:

- a hooking element (23), having a pair of tilted sections (25) on its distal end, wherefrom sharp vertical projections (24) joined together by means of a horizontal intermediate section (28) project, destined for being introduced into the projections (14) of the female part (10) of the adjacent chair (1), stopping against these and preventing involuntary unhooking thereof,

- a male part rod on its proximal end,

wherein the male part and the female part comprise folding means which allow extraction and deployment thereof, allowing both the locking element (13) and hooking element (23) to rotate approximately 180°, remaining completely hidden underneath the seat (3) of the chair (1) in situations where arrangement of chairs (1) in row alignment is not required.
characterized in that
the male part (20) further comprise a first fixing body (11) having a recess (22) dimensionally adapted for adjusting to the tubular profile (4) of the chair frame (2), said first fixing body (11) having the folding means which comprises a passage hole (27) made therein, wherein the male part rod articulates, and in that
the female part (10) further comprise a second fixing body (21) having a recess (12) dimensionally adapted for adjusting to the tubular profile (4) of the chair frame (2), said second fixing body (21) having the folding means which comprises a passage hole (17) made therein, wherein the female part rod articulates.

2. Device for joining chairs (1) in row alignment, according to claim 1, characterised in that the fixing bodies (11, 21) of the female part (10) and male part (20), respectively, are manufactured from plastic.

3. Device for joining chairs (1) in row alignment, according to claim 1, characterised in that both the locking element (13) and hooking element (23) are metallic.

Ansprüche

1. Vorrichtung zur Zusammenfügung von Stühlen (1) in einer Reihenausrichtung, wobei die besagten Stühle (1) einen unteren Rahmen (2) besitzen, der unter jedem Sitz (3) angeordnet ist, wobei der Rahmen (2) mindestens ein rohrförmiges Profil (4) besitzt, auf dem der Sitz (3) ruht, wobei die Vorrichtung ein mit dem Stuhl (1) verbundenes Buchsenteil (10) und ein Steckerteil (20) umfasst, die dazu bestimmt sind, solidarisch jeweils mit anderen Stecker- (20) und Buchsenteilen (10) von Stühlen (1) verbunden zu werden, die in angrenzenden seitlichen Positionen angeordnet sind, wobei das Buchsenteil (10) Folgendes umfasst:

- ein Verriegelungselement (13), das einen umschlossenen Raum definiert und an seinem distalen Ende auseinandergehende Vorsprünge (14) besitzt,

- eine Buchsenteilstange an seinem distalen Ende,

wobei das Steckerteil (20) Folgendes umfasst:

- ein Hakenelement (23), das an seinem distalen Ende ein Paar geneigte Abschnitte (25) besitzt, von dem sich scharfe vertikale Vorsprünge (24) erstrecken, die mit einem horizontalen Zwischenabschnitt (28) miteinander verbunden sind, die dazu bestimmt sind, in die Vorsprünge (14) des Buchsenteils (10) des angrenzenden Stuhls (1) eingeführt zu werden, gegen diese zu stoppen und die unbeabsichtigte Lösung der Verbindung derselben zu verhindern,

- eine Steckerteilstange an seinem proximalen Ende,
wobei der Steckerteil und der Buchsenteil Faltmittel umfassen, welche die Herausnahme und Entfaltung derselben erlauben, wodurch sowohl dem Verriegelungselement (13) als auch dem Hakenelement (23) erlaubt wird, sich ca. 180° zu drehen und in Situationen vollständig unter dem Sitz (3) des Stuhls (1) verdeckt zu werden, in denen die Anordnung von Stühlen (1) in einer Reihenausrichtung nicht erforderlich ist,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
das Steckerteil (20) weiterhin ein erstes Befestigungsgehäuse (11) umfasst, das eine Vertiefung (22) besitzt, die von ihren Abmessungen her dazu angepasst ist, sich an das rohrförmige Profil (4) des Stuhlrahmens (2) anzupassen, wobei das besagte erste Befestigungsgehäuse (11) das Faltmittel besitzt, das eine darin ausgeführte Durchgangsbohrung (27) umfasst, in der die Steckerteilstange gelenkig angeordnet ist, und dass
das Buchsenteil (10) weiterhin ein zweites Befestigungsgehäuse (21) umfasst, das eine Vertiefung (12) besitzt, die von ihren Abmessungen her dazu angepasst ist, sich an das rohrförmige Profil (4) des Stuhlrahmens (2) anzupassen, wobei das besagte zweite Befestigungsgehäuse (21) das Faltmittel besitzt, das eine darin ausgeführte Durchgangsbohrung (17) umfasst, in der die Buchsenteilstange gelenkig angeordnet ist.

2. Vorrichtung zur Verbindung von Stühlen (1) in einer Reihenausrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Befestigungsgehäuse (11, 21) des Buchsenteils (10) und Steckerteils (20) jeweils aus Kunststoff gefertigt sind.

3. Vorrichtung zur Verbindung von Stühlen (1) in einer Reihenausrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sowohl das Verriegelungselement (13) als auch das Hakenelement (23) aus Metall bestehen.

Revendications

1. Dispositif pour assembler des chaises (1) en alignement de rangées, lesdites chaises (1) possédant un cadre de fond (2) disposé sous l'assise (3), le cadre (2) possédant au moins un profilé tubulaire (4) sur lequel repose l'assise (3), le dispositif comprenant une partie femelle (10) et une partie mâle (20) associées à la chaise (1), destinées à être assemblées solidairement à d'autres parties mâles (20) et femelles (10), respectivement, de chaises (1) disposées dans des positions latérales adjacentes,
la partie femelle (10) comprenant :

- un élément de blocage (13) qui définit un espace fermé et possède des projections divergentes (14) sur son extrémité distale,

- une tige de partie femelle sur son extrémité proximale,

la partie mâle (20) comprenant :

- un élément d'accrochage (23), possédant une paire de sections inclinées (25) sur son extrémité distale, d'où des projections verticales pointues (24) assemblées ensemble au moyen d'une section horizontale intermédiaire (28) se projettent, destinées à être introduites dans les projections (14) de la partie femelle (10) de la chaise adjacente (1), butant contre celles-ci et empêchant son décrochage involontaire,

- une tige de partie mâle sur son extrémité proximale,

dans lequel la partie mâle et la partie femelle comprennent des moyens de pliage qui permettent leur extraction et déploiement, ceci permettant à l'élément de blocage (13) ainsi qu'à l'élément d'accrochage (23) de tourner approximativement à 180°, en restant complètement caché sous l'assise (3) de la chaise (1) dans des situations où la disposition de chaises (1) en alignement de rangées n'est pas requise,
caractérisé en ce que
la partie mâle (20) comprend en outre un premier corps de fixation (11) possédant un chambrage (22) aux dimensions adaptées pour un ajustement au profilé tubulaire (4) du cadre de chaise (2), ledit premier corps de fixation (11) possédant le moyen de pliage qui comprend un trou de passage (27) réalisé dans celui-ci, dans lequel s'articule la tige de la partie mâle, et en ce que la partie femelle (10) comprend en outre un second corps de fixation (21) possédant un chambrage (12) aux dimensions adaptées pour un ajustement au profilé tubulaire (4) du cadre de chaise (2), ledit second corps de fixation (21) possédant le moyen de pliage qui comprend un trou de passage (17) réalisé dans celui-ci, dans lequel s'articule la tige de la partie femelle.

2. Dispositif pour assembler des chaises (1) en alignement de rangées, selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que les corps de fixation (11, 21) de la partie femelle (10) et de la partie mâle (20), respectivement, sont fabriqués à partir de plastique.

3. Dispositif pour assembler des chaises (1) en alignement de rangées, selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'élément de blocage (13) ainsi que l'élément d'accrochage (23) sont métalliques.

Drawing