US3799486A
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 and a seat supporting column telescopically mounted in the base and operably threadably mounted on the spindle. To lock the spindle against rotation with respect to the base and thereby allow one to adjust the chair height by rotating the seat supporting column, one depresses upwardly a button at the bottom of the base. The button includes a pair of fingers which engage slots in a shoulder plate which is attached to the spindle. As the column is threaded downwardly and approaches its lowermost position, the bottom thereof engages the tops of the fingers and forces them out of engagement with the slots in the shoulder plate.
Inventors
- 👤 R Mohr
- 👤 A Olree
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 02:23
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47C; A47C3/00; A47C3/20; A47C3/24; A47C3/245
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
In a height adjusting mechanism for a chair or the like including a threaded member rotatably mounted in a chair base; a chair support operably threadably mounted to said threaded member; and means for locking said threaded member against rotation with respect to said base whereby said support can be rotated and thereby adjusted upwardly or downwardly, the improvement in said mechanism comprising: said locking means being fixed against rotation with respect to one of said base and said threaded member; said locking means including a detent member; receiving means on the other of said base and said threaded member for receiving said detent member; said locking means being movable relative to said receiving means whereby said detent member can be moved into and out of engagement therewith; and said chair support means including abutment means in alignment with said detent member for forcing said detent member out of engagement with said receiving means, against the force of one holding it therein, when said chair support is threaded downwardly to its lowermost position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
In a height adjusting mechanism for a chair or the like including a threaded member rotatably mounted in a chair base; a chair support operably threadably mounted to said threaded member; and means for locking said threaded member against rotation with respect to said base whereby said support can be rotated and thereby adjusted upwardly or downwardly, the improvement in said mechanism comprising: said locking means being fixed against rotation with respect to one of said base and said threaded member; said locking means including a detent member; receiving means on the other of said base and said threaded member for receiving said detent member; said locking means being movable relative to said receiving means whereby said detent member can be moved into and out of engagement therewith; and said chair support means including abutment means in alignment with said detent member for forcing said detent member out of engagement with said receiving means, against the force of one holding it therein, when said chair support is threaded downwardly to its lowermost position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
The mechanism of claim 1 in which said detent member includes a wedge thereon; said receiving means including a cam; said wedge and cam being so arranged that said abutment means forces said wedge into alignment with said cam as said chair support is lowered to its lowermost position whereby further rotation of said chair support causes said cam to slide over said wedge and thereby force said detent member out of engagement with said receiving means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The mechanism of claim 2 in which said receiving means comprises an aperture in a plate, said plate being secured to said other of said base and said threaded member; said cam comprising the edge of said aperture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The mechanism of claim 3 in which said detent comprises a finger including a shoulder, said shoulder abutting said plate to limit the extent of engagement of said finger with said aperture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The mechanism of claim 4 in which said base includes a downwardly opening cavity at the bottom thereof; said locking means being disposed within said cavity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The mechanism of claim 5 in which said locking means is fixed against rotation with respect to said base and said receiving means is on said threaded member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The mechanism of claim 1 in which said base includes a downwardly opening cavity at the bottom thereof; said locking means being disposed within said cavity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
171 words
In a height adjusting mechanism for a chair or the like including a threaded spindle mounted in a base, a support column operably threadably mounted on said spindle and a locking means for locking said spindle against rotation with respect to said base whereby said column can be adjusted upwardly or downwardly by rotation thereof, the improvement in said mechanism comprising: a plate secured to one of said spindle and said base; a receiving aperture in said plate; a button fixed against rotation with respect to the other of said spindle and said column and having at least one detent finger projecting upwardly therefrom, said button being movable whereby said finger can be moved into or out of engagement with said aperture; and the bottom of said column being in alignment with said finger whereby when said column is adjusted to its lowermost position, the bottom of said column abuts said finger and forces said finger out of engagement with said aperture whereby further downward adjustment of said column is prevented.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
171 words
In a height adjusting mechanism for a chair or the like including a threaded spindle mounted in a base, a support column operably threadably mounted on said spindle and a locking means for locking said spindle against rotation with respect to said base whereby said column can be adjusted upwardly or downwardly by rotation thereof, the improvement in said mechanism comprising: a plate secured to one of said spindle and said base; a receiving aperture in said plate; a button fixed against rotation with respect to the other of said spindle and said column and having at least one detent finger projecting upwardly therefrom, said button being movable whereby said finger can be moved into or out of engagement with said aperture; and the bottom of said column being in alignment with said finger whereby when said column is adjusted to its lowermost position, the bottom of said column abuts said finger and forces said finger out of engagement with said aperture whereby further downward adjustment of said column is prevented.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
The mechanism of claim 8 in which said base includes a bottom wall; said plate being secured to said spindle and being rotatably carried on said bottom wall; said bottom wall including an aperture through which said detent finger projects; said base including a downwardly opening cavity below said bottom wall, said button being positioned within said cavity.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The mechanism of claim 9 in which said cavity includes retaining means around the peripheral edge thereof for preventing said button from falling out of said cavity.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
83 words
The mechanism of claim 10 in which said finger includes a wedge at the top thereof, said wedge being positioned entirely through said aperture when said finger is pushed completely into engagement therewith; the bottom of said column forcing said wedge downwardly as it approaches its lowermost position until said wedge is in alignment with the edge of said slot whereby further rotation of said column causes said plate to ride up over said wedge and thereby disengage said finger from said slot.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The mechanism of claim 11 in which said button includes two of said fingers, one positioned generally on either side of said spindle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
83 words
The mechanism of claim 8 in which said finger includes a wedge at the top thereof, said wedge being positioned entirely through said aperture when said finger is pushed completely into engagement therewith; the bottom of said column forcing said wedge downwardly as it approaches its lowermost position until said wedge is in alignment with the edge of said slot whereby further rotation of said column causes said plate to ride up over said wedge and thereby disengage said finger from said slot.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The mechanism of claim 13 in which said button includes two of said fingers, one positioned generally on either side of said spindle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
138 words
The height adjusting mechanism of claim 13 comprising: a nut threadably mounted on said spindle; a detent washer resting on top of said nut 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; said column including an elongated, generally vertical slot near the base thereof; said nut including a pin projecting radially therefrom and engaging said slot; the vertical stroke of said wedge being greater than the vertical height of said elongated slot whereby one will not be able to apply sufficient upward pressure on said button to cause said column to rise upwardly without forcing said finger downwardly.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The mechanism of claim 15 in which said button includes two of said fingers, one positioned generally on either side of said spindle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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 |