US3918822A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable joint
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-11-22
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Granted: 1975-11-11
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Expires: 1994-11-22
Abstract
Abstract An adjustable joint for connecting three parts of an assembly, such as a seat part, a backrest part, and a leg part of a foldable piece of furniture, includes three joint members connected to the three parts of the assembly, respectively. Two of the joint members are mounted on the remaining joint member for pivoting movement with respect thereto about two spaced parallel axes between their respective folded and extended positions. One of the two joint members is provided with a serrated detent position, and the other of the two joint members has associated therewith an arresting portion which engages the detent portion as the other joint member is pivoted toward its extended position. The remaining joint member also has an abutment portion which cooperates with the other joint member to prevent its movement beyond the extended position. When the arresting portion is out of engagement with the detent portion, the position of the one joint member with respect to the remaining joint portion may be adjusted, and the one joint member may be arrested in such an adjusted position by pivoting the other joint member toward its extended position. The forces acting on the assembly tend to displace the other joint member toward its extended position so that the arresting action of the arresting portion is proportional to such forces, whereby accidental displacement of the one joint member out of its selected position during the use of the assembly is prevented.
Inventors
- 👤 Gunter Rauschenberger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 04:03
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C11/00; F16C11/04; F16C11/10; A; A47; A47C; A47C1/00; A47C1/02; A47C1/022; A47C1/024; A47C1/026; A47C20/00; A47C20/04; A47C20/043; A47C20/08; B; B62; B62B; B62B7/00; B62B7/04; B62B7/12; B62B7/123; B62B9/00; B62B9/10; B62B9/102; B62B9/104; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/32; Y10T403/32008; Y10T403/32081; Y10T403/32254; Y10T403/32262; Y10T403/32319; Y10T403/32327; Y10T403/32336
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
In an assembly of the character described having at least three mutually adjustable parts, a combination comprising a joint including a first, a second, and a third joint member connected to the three parts of the assembly, respectively, each of said second and third joint members being connected to said first joint member for a pivoting movement with respect thereto about a respective one of two spaced parallel axes between a folded position and an extended position through a plurality of intermediate positions; detent means on said second joint member; and arresting means sharing the pivoting movement of said third joint member at least between a predetermined one of said intermediate positions and said extended position of said third joint member, and operative for engaging said detent means during said shared pivoting movement so as to arrest said second joint member in a selected one of said intermediate positions of said second joint member at least when said third joint member is in said extended position thereof, and for releasing said detent means upon return of said third joint member into said one intermediate position of the latter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
In an assembly of the character described having at least three mutually adjustable parts, a combination comprising a joint including a first, a second, and a third joint member connected to the three parts of the assembly, respectively, each of said second and third joint members being connected to said first joint member for a pivoting movement with respect thereto about a respective one of two spaced parallel axes between a folded position and an extended position through a plurality of intermediate positions; detent means on said second joint member; and arresting means sharing the pivoting movement of said third joint member at least between a predetermined one of said intermediate positions and said extended position of said third joint member, and operative for engaging said detent means during said shared pivoting movement so as to arrest said second joint member in a selected one of said intermediate positions of said second joint member at least when said third joint member is in said extended position thereof, and for releasing said detent means upon return of said third joint member into said one intermediate position of the latter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein the assembly is a piece of foldable lounging furniture; and wherein the three adjustable parts connected to said first, second and third joint members are a seat part, a backrest part, and a leg part of the piece of lounging furniture, respectively.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
133 words
A combination as defined in claim 2, further comprising a first pivot for pivotally connecting said second joint member to said first joint member, and a second pivot for pivotably connecting said third joint member to said first joinT member; wherein said second pivot is situated closer to said seat part than said first pivot, and wherein the axes of said pivots and the point of contact of said arresting means with said detent means are located in the corners of a triangle of such a configuration that a normal from the axis of said first pivot to a line connecting the axis of said second pivot with said point of contact intersects said line intermediate the ends thereof and encloses an angle smaller than 45* with a normal to said seat part.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said arresting means is rigidly connected to said third joint member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said arresting means is an integral portion of said third joint member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said detent means includes a detent segment having a plurality of teeth.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
70 words
A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said first and third joint members have bifurcated portions; wherein said second joint member is received in said bifurcated portion of said first joint member and said first joint member is received in said bifurcated portion of said third joint member; and wherein said arresting means includes a transverse wall formed on said third joint member and cooperating with said detent segment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
75 words
A combination as defined in claim 7; wherein said first joint member is formed with a recess; wherein the respective one of the teeth of said plurality extends adjacent to said recess when said second joint member is in one of its intermediate positions; and wherein said transverse wall is received in said recess and engages said respective tooth when said third joint member is between said one intermediate position and said extended position thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A combination as defined in claim 8, wherein said recess has a bottom surface; and wherein said bottom constitutes an abutment for said transverse wall preventing movement of said third joint member beyond said extended position thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said third joint member is formed with at least one extended wall; and wherein said arresting means includes at least one tooth in said extended wall and cooperating with said detent segment.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
75 words
A combination as defined in claim 10, wherein said first and third joint members have bifurcated portions; wherein said second joint member is received in said bifurcated portion of said first joint member and said first joint member is received in said bifurcated portion of said third joint member; and wherein said extended wall is angularly bent so that said tooth in said extended wall is located in the general plane of said detent means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
107 words
A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said arresting means includes a pawl situated between said detent segment of said second joint member and said third joint member; wherein said pawl is formed with at least one tooth at a side thereof facing said detent segment; and wherein said joint member and said pawl are provided with associated abutment surfaces which are in contact when said third joint member is between said one intermediate position and said extended position thereof whereby said pawl is pressed by said third joint member into engagement with said detent segment when said abutment surfaces are in contact with one another.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
A combination as defined in claim 12, further comprising a pivot for pivotably connecting said pawl to said first joint member; and wherein said pivot simultaneously pivots said third joint member between said folded and extended positions thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
89 words
A combination as defined in claim 12, wherein said first joint member has a bifurcated portion including two arms, and a transverse portion connecting said two arms; wherein said transverse wall portion limits the extent of movement of said pawl so that, when the pawl abuts against said transverse wall portion, said tooth of said pawl is disengaged from said circular segMent; and wherein said pawl extends beyond said transverse wall and is provided with said abutment surface in the portion thereof which extends beyond said transverse wall portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
A combination as defined in claim 12, wherein said pawl has a U-shaped cross-section.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
89 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, and further comprising means for locking said third joint member and provided on said second joint member, said locking means engaging said third joint member with a freedom of movement between said one intermediate position and said extended position of said third joint member, whereby said detent means may be engaged with and disengaged from said detent segment when said locking means is in the locking position thereof whereas further movement of said third joint member toward said folded position is prevented.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
169 words
A combination as defined in claim 16, wherein said first and third joint members have bifurcated portions; wherein said second joint member is received in said bifuracted portion of said first joint member and said first joint member is received in said bifurcated portion of said third joint member; wherein said first joint member is formed with an elongated slot; wherein said third joint member is formed with a projection extending through said slot into the space defined by said bifurcated portion of said first joint member; and wherein said locking means includes a circumferentially incomplete annular bulge on said second joint member which engages said projection of said third joint member when the same is in said one intermediate position and prevents the movement of said third joint member beyond such intermediate position and toward said folded position as long as said second joint member is in one of said intermediate positions thereof, while permitting such movement when said second joint member is in said folded position thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
79 words
A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said second and third joint members are situated to the same side of said first joint member; wherein said arresting means is in the same general plane as said detent segment; and wherein said first and third joint members are formed with abutments which cooperate with one another to determine said extended position of said third joint member and to prevent the movement of the latter beyond said extended position thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
A combination as defined in claim 18, wherein said first joint member has a bifurcated portion having two arms; and wherein said second and third joint members are received between said arms of said bifurcated portion of said first joint member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
A combination as defined in claim 18, wherein said second and third joint members have bifurcated portions; and wherein said first joint member is received in said bifurcated portions of said second and third joint members.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
42 words
A combination as defined in claim 18, wherein said arresting means includes at least one tooth formed on said third joint member and operative for entering the respective gap between two adjacent teeth of said plurality of teeth of said detent segment.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
52 words
A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said teeth of said plurality of teeth of said detent segment have saw-teeth configuration with one steep flank and one gradually increasing flank; and wherein said steep flank engages said arresting means as said second joint member is displaced toward said extended position thereof.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
A combination as defined in claim 22, wherein said gradually increasing flank is of a curved configuration.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
57 words
A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein the respective adjacent teeth of said plurality of teeth of said detent segment are separated from one another by gaps; wherein the flanks of the respective tooth extend substantially parallel to one another; and wherein said detent means has a configuration substantially corresponding to the shape of said gaps.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
43 words
A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein the tip of the leading tooth of saId plurality has a greater circumferential length than the tips of the remaining teeth of said plurality, and wherein both flanks delimiting said leading tooth have curved configurations.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
83 words
A combination as defined in claim 22, and further comprising a pivot connecting said third joint member to said first joint member; wherein said steep flank of the respective tooth of said plurality encloses an acute angle with a radius of curvature of said detent segment, and wherein in a selected one of said intermediate positions of said second joint member the tip of the respective tooth of said plurality is situated closer to said pivot than the root of said respective tooth.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
36 words
A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said teeth of said plurality are so configurated as to engage beyond the complementarily shaped arresting means when said third joint member is in said extended position thereof.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
53 words
A combination as defined in claim 27, wherein said teeth of said plurality of teeth of said detent segment are formed with projections in the regions of their tips; and wherein said detent means is formed with a corresponding recess for receiving the respective projection of the respective tooth of said detent segment.
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) | 1978-11-10 | 1979-05-12 | 1979-11-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-10 | 1983-05-12 | 1983-11-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-10 | 1987-05-12 | 1987-11-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |