EP0107627A1 — Chair having a back comprising a plurality of art…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 119 words

Chair (10) having a seat (12) and a backrest (16) which, from an erect position relative to the seat (12) , can take up a partially reclined position, characterised in that the backrest (16) is formed by a series of at least three superimposed segments (18,22,20) which are connected together in an articulated manner about respective, substantially horizontal axes (A,B,C,) and are arranged to define, in said partially reclined position of the backrest (16), an arcuate configuration with a curve substantially corresponding to that of the arched back of a user, and in that resilient means (30,46) are provided for resisting the movement of the segments (18,22,20) towards the position corresponding to the reclined position of the backrest (16).

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 119 words

Chair (10) having a seat (12) and a backrest (16) which, from an erect position relative to the seat (12) , can take up a partially reclined position, characterised in that the backrest (16) is formed by a series of at least three superimposed segments (18,22,20) which are connected together in an articulated manner about respective, substantially horizontal axes (A,B,C,) and are arranged to define, in said partially reclined position of the backrest (16), an arcuate configuration with a curve substantially corresponding to that of the arched back of a user, and in that resilient means (30,46) are provided for resisting the movement of the segments (18,22,20) towards the position corresponding to the reclined position of the backrest (16).

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 58 words

Chair according to Claim 1, characterised in that there are at least five segments in the series (18,22,20) of which a lower segment (20) for connection to the seat (12). is articulated to the seat (12) itself about a horizontal axis (D) located at a level corresponding to that of the sitting plane of the seat (12) .

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 32 words

Chair according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterised in that the resilient means (30,46) are distinct and separate from the articulated connections (24,26,28) of the segments (18,22,20) of the backrest (16).

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 39 words

Chair according to Claim 3, characterised in that the articulated connections (24,26,28) are disposed at the ends of the segments (18,22,20) of the backrest (16) and the resilient means (30,46) are located in intermediate zones of the segments (18,22,20).

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 64 words

Chair according to Claim 4, characterised in that at least some of the segments (18,22) have a generally arcuate form with their concavities facing inwardly of the chair (10) and cross-sections with a profile tapered towards the back of the backrest (16), and in that the articulated connections (24,26,28) are located on the side of the segments (18,22,20) opposite the back of the backrest(16).

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 27 words

Chair according to Claim 4, characterised in that the lower connecting segment (20) has a generally rounded form with its concavity facing inwardly of the chair (10).

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 44 words

Chair according to Claim 2, characterised in that the resilient means comprise first resilient means (30) connected to the series of segments (18,22,20) and secondresilient means (46)independent of the first resilient means and connected to the lower connecting segment (20) and the seat (12).

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 106 words

Chair according to Claim 7, characterised in that the first resilient means (30) include a single flexible blade element (32) extending transversely of the segments (18,22,20) of said series with its lower end (32a) rigidly connected to that surface of the lower connecting segment (20) facing the remaining segments (22,18), the flexible element (32) being slidably connected to the remaining segments (22,18) of the series and having its upper end (32b) connected to the upper segment (18) of the series by means of resilient members (44) for returning the blade element (32) towards an undeformed rest position corresponding to the erect position of the backrest. (16).

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 32 words

Chair according to Claim 8, characterised in that the resilient return members include a plurality of helical tension springs (44) located parallel to and on opposite sides of the flexible element (32).

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 85 words

Chair according to Claim 8 or Claim 9, characterised in that the intermediate segments (22) of the series between the upper segment (18) and the lower connecting segment (20) each have a respective central recess (22b), and in that the flexible blade element (32) has projections ( 32c ) which slidablv enaaae the recesses (2 2b ) and cooperates with the lower and upper walls thereof to act as stops for the backrest (16) in the erect position and in the partially reclined position, respectively.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 76 words

Chair according to Claim 7, characterised in that the second resilient means (46) include a flexible blade element (48) having one end (48a) rigidly connected to the end of the lower connecting segment (20) facing the seat ( 12) and its other end (48b) slidably connected to the seat (12) by means of resilient members (60) for returning the blade element (48) towards its undeformed rest position corresponding to the erect position of the backrest (16).

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 32 words

Chair according to Claim 11, characterised in that the resilient return members include a plurality of helical tension springs (60) located parallel to and on opposite sides of the flexible element (48).

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 73 words

Chair according to Claim 1, characterised in that the support structure for the backrest segments is of metal and the articulated connections of the segments of the backrest are constituted by elongate metal plates (100) having their ends articulated together and located on the two sides of the backrest (16), each of the elongate metal plates .(10) being welded to one end of the metal structure of a corresponding segment of the backrest.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 31 words

Chair according to Claim 13, characterised in that the elongate metal plates (10) are articulated together by means of clenched metal pins (101) with the interposition of metal anti-friction washers (103).

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 52 words

Chair according to Claim 7, characterised in that the first resilient means for returning the backrest towards the erect position comprise a plurality of helical compression springs (104) interposed between the facing side surfaces (22a,20a,18a) of each pair of adjacent segments of the backrest, close to the central part of the backrest.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 26 words

Chair according to Claim 15, characterised in that the ends of the said helical sprinqs(104) are housed in depressions (105)moulded in the sides of the segments.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 74 words

Chair according to Claim 15, characterised in that the maximum reclined position of the backrest is defined by the condition of maximum compression of the helical springs (104), while the erect position is defined by a vertical metal wire (106) which passes freely through the various segments of the backrest and has retaining members (107) at its ends,which are arranged to bear against corresponding surfaces of the upper segment and the lower connecting segment,

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 16 words

Chair according to Claim 17, characterised in that the positions of the retaining members (107)are adjustable.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 29 words

Chair according to Claim 18, characterised in that the retaining members are constituted by bushes (107) which are lockable on the metal wire (106) by the transverse screws (108).

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 28 words

Chair according to Claim 17, characterised in that a non-metallic ring (109) is interposed between each retaining member (107) and the bearing surface of the segment adjacent thereto.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 47 words

Chair according to Claim 17, characterised in that the said vertical metal wire (106) is located at the centre of the backrest, and two helical springs (104) are interposed between each pair of adjacent segments and are located on the two sides of the metal wire (106).

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 57 words

Chair according to Claim 7, characterised in that the lower segment (20) for connection to the seat and the seat itself are connected together by means of a transmission including a pivoted lever (112) arranged to put the second resilient means (110) under tension when the lower segment connected to seat is brought into the reclined position.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 21 words

Chair according to Claim 22, characterised in that the position of the fulcrum (113) of the pivoted lever (112) is adjustable.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 43 words

Chair according to Claim 23, characterised in that the articulation pin (113) for the pivoted lever (112) is engaged in a slot in the latter and is movable in this slot by means of a screw system (117) provided with a knob (118)

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 44 words

Chair according to Claim 23, characterised in that the articulation pin (113) of the pivoted lever (112) is engaged in a slot in the latter and is movable in this slot by means of an auxiliary control lever (120) which is lockable in position.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 81 words

Chair according to Claim 1, characterised in that the seat has a cross member (125) articulated about a horizontal axis to the upper end of a column (127) forming part of the structure of the chair, and resilient means are provided for returning the seat towards a substantially horizontal position, these resilient means being housed within the basal column (127) and being associated with means which enable the adjustment of the return action towards the substantially horizontal position of the seat.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 76 words

Chair according to Claim 26, characterised in that the resilient means for returning the seat towards its horizontal position comprise a compression spring (137) located vertically within the basal column (127) in a position spaced from the axis of articulation between the cross member (125) and the column (127), the adjusting means being arranged to vary the distance between the compression spring (137) and the articulation axis of the cross member of the basal column (127).

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 23 words

Chair according to Claim 27, characterised in that the adjusting means are arranged to cause a translation movement of the compression spring (137).

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 31 words

Chair according to Claim 27, characterised in that the adjusting means are arranged to cause a displacement of a pin (142) articulating the cross member (125) to the basal column (127).

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 66 words

Chair according to Claim 1, characterised in that the articulated connections between the backrest segments and the resilient biasing means are constituted by leaf springs (146) fixed to the various segments of the backrest and to the seat adjacent the two sides of the chair , these springs having notches (148,149) defining sections of lower strength in correspondence with the axes of articulation of the segments.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 23 words

Chair according to Claim 3, characterised in that the leaf springs (146) are fixed to the metal support structure for the various segments.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 43 words

Chair according to Claim 30, characterised in that the various segments of the backrest and the seat form part of a structure moulded in a single piece and constituted by a resiliently deformable material in which the two leaf springs (146) are embedded.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 35 words

Chair according to Claim 7, characterised in that the resilient means comprise a resilient blade (150) which is substantially,Ω-shaped and connected to the ends of the seat (12) and to the lower connecting segment (20).

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 43 words

Chair according to Claim 1, characterised in that each pair of adjacent backrest segments (20,22.) is connected by a plate (152) having a vertical slot in at least one end in which is engaged a pin carried by the corresponding backrest segment (20,22).

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 45 words

Chair according to Claim 7, characterised in that the first resilient means comprise a leaf spring (153) disposed vertically at the centre of the backrest and fixed at its lower end to the lower connecting segment (20) :and slidably connected to the remaining backrest segments.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 71 words

Chair according to Claim 7, characterised in that the first resilient means comprise a torsion spring (155) constituted by a metal wire bent into an elongate U-shape disposed vertically in correspondence with the madian zone of the backrest and slidably connected to the -various segments of the backrest, the metal wire having its two free ends (156) bent outwardly at 90 0 and con nected to the lower connecting segment (20).

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 37 words

Chair according to Claim 7, characterised in that the second resilient means comprise a plurality of compression springs (157) interposed vertically between two plates (158,159) fixed to the lower connecting segment (20) and the seat (12), respectively.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 57 words

Chair according to Claim 7, characterised in that the second resilient means comprise at least one helical spring (164) arranged horizontally and perpendicular to the axis of articulation between the seat and the backrest, and interposed between a'member (165) fixed to the seat and a lever (167) articulated to the lower connecting segment (20) of the backrest.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 67 words

Chair according to Claim 7, characterised in that the second resilient means comprise a metal wire (172) bent into a U-shape lying in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the axis of articulation of the seat and the backrest, said metal wire being connected at its free ends and at the vertex of its U to the seat (212)and to the lower connecting segment (20) of the backrest.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 63 words

Chair according to Claim 1, characterised in that the articulated connections of the various segments of the backrest are constituted by two strips (174) of thermoplastics material fixed to the various segments and located adjacent the two sides of the backrest, the strips (174) having notches (175) which define sections of lower strength in correspondence with the axis of articulation of the segments.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 67 words

Chair according to Claim 7, characterised in that the first resilient means.comprise two leaf springs (176) disposed adjacent the sides of the backrest, which have their lower ends connected to the lower connecting segment (20). of the backrest and are connected to the various segments of the backrest by means of lugs (177) forming part of hinge elements (178) constituting the connections articulating the various segments together.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 105 words

Chair according to Claim 7, characterised in that the first resilient means comprise two torsion springs constituted by two metal wires (159) bent so as to define two adjacent U-shapes with adjacent limbs (160) directed vertically in correspondence with the median zone of the backrest and two opposing limbs (161) arranged adjacent the sides of the backrest, the opposing limbs (161) being connected to the segments of the backrest by means of lugs (158) forming part of the hinge elements which constitute the articulated connections of the backrest segments, the two torsion springs further including central yokes (162) connected to the lower connecting segment (20).

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 86 words

Chair according to Claim 7, characterised in that the first resilient means and the connections articulating the various backrest segments together are formed by means of a plurality of pairs of torsion springs (163), each pair of springs being connected to a respective segment and each spring of each pair having a central portion parallel to the axis of articulation of the segments and two end portions (164, 165) bent downwardly and upwardly respectively and connected to said segment and to the immediately overlying segment, respectively.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 57 words

Chair according to Claim 1, characterised in that the articulated connections of the backrest segments comprise a plurality of pairs of blocks (169) of thermoplastics material articulated together and connected respectively to the segments of each pair of adjacent segments, at least one tension spring (172) being interposed between the two thermoplastics blocks (169) of each pair.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 51 words

Chair according to Claim 1, characterised in that the resilient means for returning the backrest towards the erect position comprise a plurality of tension springs (176,18 3) and means (175,186,187,188) are provided for adjusting the return action, which are arranged to prevent the operation of some of the tension springs (176,183).

Chair having a back comprising a plurality of articulated segments

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