Patent US996464A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3799485A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Height adjusting mechanism
Assignee: Steelcase Inc
•
Filing: 1972-08-31
•
Granted: 1974-03-26
•
Expires: 1992-08-31
Abstract
Abstract The height-adjusting mechanism includes a threaded spindle rotatably mounted in a chair base, a nut threaded on the spindle and a seat-supporting column telescopically mounted in the base and carried on a detent washer which in turn rests on top of the nut. A pin projecting from the nut and through elongated vertical slots at the base of the column allows vertical movement of the column with respect to the nut, but fixes the column against rotatable motion with respect to the nut. The detent washer includes a key projecting into a slot in the spindle and includes downwardly projecting detents engaging depressions in the top of the nut and normally preventing rotation of the washer and spindle with respect to the nut. A locking button at the base of the spindle can be depressed upwardly to hold the spindle against rotation such that when the chair is rotated, the column and the nut will rotate with respect to the detent washer and with respect to the threaded spindle and will thereby adjust upwardly or downwardly.
Inventors
- 👤 R Wolters
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 14:13
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47C; A47C3/00; A47C3/20; A47C3/24; A47C3/245
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A height-adjusting mechanism for a chair or the like comprising: a base; a spindle rotatably mounted in said base; a nut threadably mounted on said spindle; chair-supporting means operably connected to said nut and being fixed against rotation with respect thereto; detent means slidably mounted on said spindle and fixed against rotation with respect thereto, said detent means engaging said nut for normally holding said nut against rotation with respect thereto, said detent means being disengageable from said nut upon the exertion of a predetermined force; and means for locking said spindle against rotation with respect to said base whereby rotation of said chair-supporting means with sufficient force to disengage said detent means from said nut causes said nut to thread on said spindle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
A height-adjusting mechanism for a chair or the like comprising: a base; a spindle rotatably mounted in said base; a nut threadably mounted on said spindle; chair-supporting means operably connected to said nut and being fixed against rotation with respect thereto; detent means slidably mounted on said spindle and fixed against rotation with respect thereto, said detent means engaging said nut for normally holding said nut against rotation with respect thereto, said detent means being disengageable from said nut upon the exertion of a predetermined force; and means for locking said spindle against rotation with respect to said base whereby rotation of said chair-supporting means with sufficient force to disengage said detent means from said nut causes said nut to thread on said spindle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The height-adjusting mechanism of claim 1 in which said chair-supporting means is carried on said detent means and said detent means rests on said nut.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
76 words
The height-adjusting mechanism of claim 2 in which said detent means comprises a washer having at least one downwardly protruding detent; said nut including at least one depression in the top surface thereof for receiving said detent; said chair support means being slidably joined to said nut whereby said chair-support means can be slid vertically with respect to said nut at least a distance great enough to allow said detent to slide out of said depression.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
The height-adjusting mechanism of claim 3 in which said chair-support means comprises a column, generally sleeve like in configuration; said column including a collar at the base thereof, said collar resting on said washer and embracing said nut, said collar including an opening therein through which said spindle passes, said collar including a generally vertical, elongated slot; a pin on said nut projecting radially therefrom through said slot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The height-adjusting mechanism of claim 4 in which said washer includes a key projecting radially inwardly; said spindle including a groove therein extending generally from top to bottom thereof; said key being positioned within said groove to thereby fix said washer against rotation with respect to said spindle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The height-adjusting mechanism of claim 3 in which said washer includes a key projecting radially inwardly; said spindle including a groove therein extending generally from top to bottom thereof; said key being positioned within said groove to thereby fix said washer against rotation with respect to said spindle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
141 words
A height-adjusting mechanism for a chair or the like comprising: a base; a spindle rotatably mounted in said base; a nut threadably mounted on said spindle; a chair-supporting column operably connected to said nut, being slidable vertically with respect thereto and being fixed against rotation with respect thereto; a detent washer resting on top of said nut and including at least one downwardly projecting detent; said nut including at least one detent receiving depression in the top thereof; said washer being positioned around said spindle and being slidable vertically with respect thereto, but being fixed against rotation with respect thereto; said column resting on said washer; meanS for locking said spindle against rotation with respect to said base whereby rotation of said column with sufficient force to disengage said detent from said depression causes said nut to thread on said spindle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
141 words
A height-adjusting mechanism for a chair or the like comprising: a base; a spindle rotatably mounted in said base; a nut threadably mounted on said spindle; a chair-supporting column operably connected to said nut, being slidable vertically with respect thereto and being fixed against rotation with respect thereto; a detent washer resting on top of said nut and including at least one downwardly projecting detent; said nut including at least one detent receiving depression in the top thereof; said washer being positioned around said spindle and being slidable vertically with respect thereto, but being fixed against rotation with respect thereto; said column resting on said washer; meanS for locking said spindle against rotation with respect to said base whereby rotation of said column with sufficient force to disengage said detent from said depression causes said nut to thread on said spindle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The height-adjusting mechanism of claim 7 in which said column includes an elongated, generally vertical slot near the base thereof; said nut including a pin projecting radially therefrom and engaging said slot.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
The height-adjusting mechanism of claim 8 in which said washer includes a key projecting radially inwardly; said spindle including a groove therein extending generally from top to bottom thereof; said key being positioned within said groove to thereby fix said washer against rotation with respect to said spindle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
The height-adjusting mechanism of claim 9 in which said column comprises a sleeve having a collar at the bottom thereof; said collar resting on said washer and embracing said nut; said collar including an opening therethrough through which said spindle passes; said collar including an elongated, generally vertical slot through which said pin passes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
The height-adjusting mechanism of claim 7 in which said washer includes a key projecting radially inwardly; said spindle including a groove therein extending generally from top to bottom thereof; said key being positioned within said groove to thereby fix said washer against rotation with respect to said spindle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US457774A
Cited
US1160108A
Cited
US2060075A
Cited
US2504018A
Cited
US2543924A
Cited
US2771787A
Cited
US3391893A
Cited
US3386697A
Cited
GB1226763A
Cited
US3691858A
Cited
US3606234A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-25 | 1977-09-24 | 1978-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-25 | 1981-09-24 | 1982-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-25 | 1985-09-24 | 1986-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |