EP3019047B1 - Mechanism for an office chair - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a mechanism for an office chair.

As mechanisms for office chairs u. a. Synchronous mechanisms and rocking mechanisms known. Under the name synchronous mechanism assemblies are understood in the seat substructure of an office chair, which provide for a mutually coupled, a certain relative movement of the seat and backrest with each other bringing kinematics. On the seat support of the usually provided with a padded seat seat of the office chair is mounted. The backrest support, which extends in a conventional manner from the actual synchronizing mechanism to the rear, carries on an upwardly extending arm, the backrest of the office chair. Seat support and backrest support are usually coupled so articulated that a pivoting movement of the backrest to the rear - as can be caused for example by leaning of the chair user to the backrest - induces a lowering movement of the rear edge of the seat down. This is to prevent the so-called "shirt pull-out effect" and increase the seating comfort. Such synchronous mechanisms are often constructed very expensive and therefore expensive to manufacture.

On the other hand, rocking mechanisms are comparatively simple assemblies in the seat substructure of chairs, in which the backrest support is rigidly connected to the seat support, the seat or the frame of the chair. The resulting seat carrier backrest support combination is pivoted by means of the tilt mechanism to a transverse to the chair longitudinal direction pivot axis to the rear, when the user of the chair leans against the backrest. Such rocking mechanisms are often used instead of synchronous mechanisms in inexpensive visitor or conference chairs to realize there a simple Wippfunktion. Because of their relatively simple structure, rocking mechanisms are usually much cheaper to manufacture than the synchronizing mechanisms described above.

Out EP 0 022 933 A1 and US 3,989,297 are chairs with tilt-adjustable seat and reclining backrest known in which the backrest support and the seat support are pivotally mounted about a common pivot axis to a base support.

An object of the invention is to provide an office chair, which has a structurally particularly simple design and therefore comparatively inexpensive, yet extremely variable mechanics.

This object is achieved by a mechanism according to claim 1 or an office chair according to claim 6. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

A core idea of the invention is to provide a common pivot axis for the coupling of seat support and backrest support of the office chair.

This common pivot axis is the only pivot axis, the seat support and backrest support have in common, ie there is no other pivot axis, the seat support and backrest support connects.

In this case, this pivot axis is the only pivot axis of the seat support and at the same time the only pivot axis of the backrest support.

According to the invention, the common swivel axis is at all about the only pivot axis of this mechanism, in particular the single swivel axis, which allows pivoting of mechanical components, such as the seat support or the backrest support, forwardly and / or rearwardly in the chair longitudinal direction. In other words, the entire mechanism has only one such, namely the common pivot axis.

Due to this idea of the common pivot axis, the mechanism is particularly simple and inexpensive to produce, but at the same time also extremely variable, as can be seen from the following explanations.

The seat support and the backrest support are, preferably exclusively, with the aid of one or more common pivot pin, thereby forming the above-described, preferably single common pivot axis, connected to the base support. This means that the at least one common pivot pin rotatably supports both the seat support and the backrest support.

More specifically, according to the invention with the formation of this common pivot axis of the seat support by means of at least one pivot pin hingedly connected to the base support and pivotable relative to the base support. Preferably, the seat support is connected exclusively with the aid of this at least one pivot pin with the base support and with the backrest support and pivotable relative to the base support and relative to the backrest support, and this regardless of a pivoting or by an application of the backrest support.

According to the invention, the backrest support is additionally connected in an articulated manner to the base support with the aid of the at least one pivot pin and pivoted relative to the base support while forming this common pivot axis. Preferably, the backrest support is pivotally connected exclusively with the aid of this at least one pivot pin with the base support and also with the seat support and pivotable relative to the base support and relative to the seat support, and this regardless of a pivoting or by an actuation of the seat support.

Both in a use of the office chair with forces acted upon components of the office chair, namely seat support and backrest support, are therefore individually and independently pivotable. Depending on the further, special design of the mechanism, different dependencies between the movements of seat support and backrest support can be defined. The common pivot axis allows a particularly simple manipulation and adjustment.

The one or more pivot pins used always fulfill a dual function. They serve on the one hand for pivotal mounting of the seat support on the base support and on the other hand for pivotal mounting of the backrest support on the base support. As a result, the pivot pin also serves to connect the backrest support and seat support. The pivot pin is preferably rigidly connected to the base support and therefore may be considered part of the base support. A particularly simple structural design is achieved when only a single pivot pin is used, for example, starting from the center of the Base carrier extends transversely to the chair longitudinal direction on both sides to the outside.

In summary, the invention provides a particularly variable office chair mechanism, in particular rocker or swivel mechanism, which allows an individual pivoting of the backrest that is independent of the degree of pivoting of the seat surface. At the same time allows the simple structure of the mechanism described so far the particularly simple use of other components with which the movement characteristics of the mechanism is variably variable. In other words, on the basis of a single basic construction by means of the simplest modifications, different mechanisms can be produced with significantly different swing characteristics.

The pivoting properties of the individual components are adjustable by means of elastic damping elements. Depending on whether the elasticity of these damping elements is selected to be the same or different from each other, different pivoting characteristics, in particular different pivoting resistances and restoring forces for seat support and backrest support, can be set. At the same time allows the different positioning of the damping elements within the mechanism, more precisely, the different positioning of the damping elements between the mechanical components and thus the choice of which of these mechanical components as acting element and which serves as abutment, the setting of various movement characteristics. The mechanism according to the invention can, for example, the movement characteristics of a Recreate synchronous mechanism, without the need for a complex mechanical design would be necessary.

According to the invention, the mechanism has at least a first elastic damping element, which is acted upon in a pivoting of the seat support. In particular, this first elastic damping element is acted upon by the seat support in the event of a pivoting of the seat support forward and / or rearward in the chair longitudinal direction. The seat carrier mounted on the central pivot axis can thus be pivoted backwards or forwards, for example, in the case of a weight shift of the user against the resistance of the first elastic damping element.

In this case, if the at least one first elastic damping element is arranged between the base support and the seat support, in other words the base support forms the abutment for the at least one first elastic damping element acted upon by the seat support, then the damping or the return of a pivoting movement of the Seat support relative to the base support as well as the pivoting range of the seat support individually and - depending on the further structural design of the mechanism - regardless of an action on the backrest support or depending on such action on the backrest support, ie by a pivoting of the backrest can be adjusted.

According to the invention, the mechanism has at least a second elastic damping element, which is acted upon in a pivoting of the backrest support. In particular, this second elastic damping element is acted upon by the backrest support in the event of a pivoting of the backrest support in the chair longitudinal direction.

The arrangement of this second elastic damping element now determines whether it is a mechanism in which the seat support and backrest support are in a close coupled relationship to each other, in which a movement of the one component causes a follow-up movement of the other component, or if seat support and backrest support more or less completely decoupled from each other, so that there are two independent pivoting movements.

In a variant of the invention, the at least one second elastic damping element between the backrest support on the one hand and the seat support on the other hand arranged. In other words, the seat support forms the abutment for the acted upon by the backrest support at least a second elastic damping element.

In a specific embodiment of such a coupled variant, a pivoting of the seat support, as preferably occurs against the at least one first elastic damping element results in a subsequent movement of the backrest support, ie the backrest support follows the pivotal movement of the seat support, without this being an act of loading the at least one second elastic Damping element required by the backrest support and the seat support.

In a specific embodiment of such a coupled variant moreover results in a pivoting of the backrest support, as preferably takes place against the at least one second elastic damping element in a subsequent movement of the seat support, in particular in a subsequent movement of the seat support against the at least one first elastic damping element. In other words, the seat support follows the pivotal movement of the backrest support. In this case, the seat support is taken over the second elastic damping element, since seat support and backrest support are in operative connection with each other via this damping element.

In another variant of the invention, the at least one second elastic damping element between the backrest support on the one hand and the base support on the other hand is arranged. In other words, the base support forms the abutment for the acted upon by the backrest support at least a second elastic damping element.

In such a decoupled variant, there are no follow-up movements, as described above. Seat support and backrest support are completely decoupled from each other in terms of their pivotal movements.

It is advantageous in all cases described above, when the first elastic damping element has a different elasticity from the elasticity of the second elastic damping element. Different can be specified by a suitable choice of the damping elements, in particular by a suitable choice of material, the elasticity of these damping elements. Thereby, the pivoting properties of the seat support and the backrest support are defined adjustable, on the one hand in each case for the relevant mechanical component itself, as well as on the other matched, for example, to provide a movement characteristic that is modeled on a synchronous mechanism.

For example, it can be ensured by a suitable choice of the damping elements, that the backrest support performs at least the same pivoting angle as the seat support. Alternatively, for example, the hardness of the damping elements can be set adjusted to one another such that at a weight shift of the user to the rear of the pivot angle of the backrest support is greater than the pivot angle of the seat support. To the deflection angle of the seat support, an additional deflection angle of the backrest support is added, so that there is a felt synchronous effect.

Due to the special features of the structural design of the mechanism according to the invention, in particular the common single pivot axis, can be realized with particularly simple means, in particular with a by a linear displacement movement of a locking element, a multi-stage locking the pivoting movements of seat support and / or backrest support. For this purpose, preferably have base support, seat support and backrest support mutually aligned openings for receiving the locking element.

Fig. 1

einen ausschnittsweise dargestellten Bürodrehstuhl mit einer Tragkonstruktion für eine Sitzfläche und eine Rückenlehne eines Bürodrehstuhls;

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Tragkonstruktion aus Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

eine Explosionsdarstellung der Tragkonstruktion aus Fig. 2;

Fig. 4

eine perspektivische Schnittansicht der Tragkonstruktion aus Fig. 2 in einer aufrechten Grundposition;

Fig. 5

eine perspektivische Schnittansicht der Tragkonstruktion aus Fig. 2 in einer Schwenkposition;

Fig. 6

eine weitere Schnittansicht der Tragkonstruktion aus Fig. 2; und

Fig. 7

eine Schnittansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform,

Fig. 8

eine perspektivische Schnittansicht einer "Typ-A"-Mechanik,

Fig. 9

eine Schnittansicht der Mechanik aus Fig. 8 im nichtverschwenkten Grundzustand,

Fig. 10

eine Schnittansicht der Mechanik aus Fig. 8 mit nach vorn verschwenktem Sitzträger,

Fig. 11

eine Schnittansicht der Mechanik aus Fig. 8 mit nach hinten verschwenktem Sitzträger,

Fig. 12

eine Schnittansicht der Mechanik aus Fig. 8 mit nach hinten verschwenktem Rückenlehnenträger,

Fig. 13

eine andere Schnittansicht der Mechanik aus Fig. 8 mit Blick auf eine mehrstufige Arretierung,

Fig. 14

eine perspektivische Schnittansicht einer "Typ-B"-Mechanik von vorn,

Fig. 15

eine perspektivische Schnittansicht der Mechanik aus Fig. 14 von hinten,

Fig. 16

eine Schnittansicht der Mechanik aus Fig. 14 im nichtverschwenkten Grundzustand,

Fig. 17

eine Schnittansicht der Mechanik aus Fig. 14 mit nach vorn verschwenktem Sitzträger,

Fig. 18

eine Schnittansicht der Mechanik aus Fig. 14 mit nach hinten verschwenktem Sitzträger,

Fig. 19

eine Schnittansicht der Mechanik aus Fig. 14 mit nach hinten verschwenktem Rückenlehnenträger,

Fig. 20

eine Schnittansicht der Mechanik aus Fig. 14 mit nach hinten verschwenktem Rückenlehnenträger und nach vorn verschwenktem Sitzträger,

Fig. 21

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer "Typ-C"-Mechanik,

Fig. 22

eine perspektivische Schnittansicht der Mechanik aus Fig. 21 im nichtverschwenkten Grundzustand,

Fig. 23

eine Schnittansicht der Mechanik aus Fig. 21 mit nach hinten verschwenktem Rückenlehnenträger,

Fig. 24

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer "Typ-D"-Mechanik,

Fig. 25

eine perspektivische Schnittansicht der Mechanik aus Fig. 24 im nichtverschwenkten Grundzustand,

Fig. 26

eine Schnittansicht der Mechanik aus Fig. 24 mit nach hinten verschwenktem Rückenlehnenträger.

The invention is further explained by means of embodiments in the drawing figures. Show it:

Fig. 1

a partial illustrated office swivel chair with a support structure for a seat and a backrest of an office swivel chair;

Fig. 2

a perspective view of the support structure Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3

an exploded view of the support structure Fig. 2 ;

Fig. 4

a perspective sectional view of the support structure Fig. 2 in an upright basic position;

Fig. 5

a perspective sectional view of the support structure Fig. 2 in a swivel position;

Fig. 6

another sectional view of the support structure Fig. 2 ; and

Fig. 7

a sectional view of another embodiment,

Fig. 8

a perspective sectional view of a "Type A" -Mechanik,

Fig. 9

a sectional view of the mechanics Fig. 8 in the non-pivoted ground state,

Fig. 10

a sectional view of the mechanics Fig. 8 with seat carrier pivoted forwardly,

Fig. 11

a sectional view of the mechanics Fig. 8 with seat carrier pivoted to the rear,

Fig. 12

a sectional view of the mechanics Fig. 8 with backrest support pivoted backwards,

Fig. 13

another sectional view of the mechanics Fig. 8 with a view to a multi-stage lock,

Fig. 14

a perspective sectional view of a "Type B" -Mechanik from the front,

Fig. 15

a perspective sectional view of the mechanics Fig. 14 from behind,

Fig. 16

a sectional view of the mechanics Fig. 14 in the non-pivoted ground state,

Fig. 17

a sectional view of the mechanics Fig. 14 with seat carrier pivoted forwardly,

Fig. 18

a sectional view of the mechanics Fig. 14 with seat carrier pivoted to the rear,

Fig. 19

a sectional view of the mechanics Fig. 14 with backrest support pivoted backwards,

Fig. 20

a sectional view of the mechanics Fig. 14 with backrest support pivoted backwards and seat support pivoted forwardly,

Fig. 21

a perspective view of a "type C" mechanism,

Fig. 22

a perspective sectional view of the mechanics Fig. 21 in the non-pivoted ground state,

Fig. 23

a sectional view of the mechanics Fig. 21 with backrest support pivoted backwards,

Fig. 24

a perspective view of a "type D" mechanism,

Fig. 25

a perspective sectional view of the mechanics Fig. 24 in the non-pivoted ground state,

Fig. 26

a sectional view of the mechanics Fig. 24 with backrest support pivoted backwards.

All figures show the invention not to scale, while only schematically and only with their essential components.

The same reference numerals correspond to elements of the same or comparable function.

The following are based on the Fig. 1 to 7 first embodiments of the chair mechanism explained. First, these embodiments will be explained generally. Here, the mechanics is called "support structure".

The support structure according to the invention for a seat and a backrest of an office swivel chair has a sleeve-shaped seat base, a hollow cylindrical back base, a pivot pin and an elastic damping element. The seat base has an end face for attachment of the seat surface and an inner circumferential surface. The back base is arranged coaxially with the seat base. In addition, a backrest adapter for attaching the backrest is formed on the back base. The pivot pin has a longitudinal axis extending in the radial direction of the seat base and is mounted in a bearing block of the seat base and in bearing sleeves formed in the lateral surface of the back base. The elastic damping element is arranged between the end face of the seat base and the end face of the back base at least in the region which faces the backrest adapter in the radial direction.

By the bearing in the pivot pin, the seat base and the back base - and thus the connectable with these seat and backrest - are pivotable relative to each other. The elastic damping element is used for damping or the provision of this pivotal movement in the basic position. Overall, an individual, independent of the degree of pivoting of the seat pivoting the backrest is possible.

The elastic damping element may be formed as an annular element and be formed entirely in the region between the end face of the seat base and the end face of the back base. However, it is sufficient that the damping element is formed in the region between the end face of the seat base and the end face of the back base, which faces the backrest adapter in the radial direction. Compared to the training as a full ring is on this way a material savings possible. As particularly advantageous, the formation of the elastic damping element has been found to be a semi-circular ring segment.

In an advantageous embodiment, the support structure further comprises a coaxial with the seat base arranged hollow cylindrical gas spring base for receiving a gas spring. The gas spring base is mounted here with the interposition of an elastic ring element on the inner circumferential surface of the seat base. By the elastic ring member is the seat base - and thus the seat - mounted elastically relative to the gas spring base. It can thus be done pivoting / rocking the seat relative to the chair column. In other words, you get an office swivel chair that has both a swivel backrest and a swivel seat. The pivoting movement of the backrest and the seat are independent of each other.

By selecting the elasticity of the elastic damping element and the elastic ring element, the intensity of the pivoting movement or the pivoting range of the backrest and / or the seat can be adjusted. In this context, it has proven to be particularly advantageous to equip the elastic ring element with a lower elasticity than the elastic damping element. The adjustment of the elasticity can be done for example by selecting suitable materials for the elastic damping element and the elastic ring member.

Advantageously, the pivot pin is additionally formed in the lateral surface of the gas spring base bearing bushes stored. As a result, the pivot pin serves for the pivotable mounting of both the seat base relative to the back base and the gas spring base relative to the seat base. The pivot pin thus fulfills a dual function.

In an advantageous embodiment, the bearing bushes of the gas spring base in which the pivot pin is mounted, equipped with rubber rings. In other words, the pivot pin stored with the interposition of the rubber rings in the bushings of the gas spring base. Due to the elasticity properties of the rubber rings, an elastic (yielding) bearing of the pivot pin is given. In this way, no additional side tilt of the seat can be achieved.

In a further advantageous embodiment, a gas spring Höhenverstellring is attached to the pivot pin. The pivot pin serves in this way at the same time the height adjustment of the seat. The functionality of the pivot pin is thus further increased.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the support structure further comprises a between the seat base and the back base arranged in the circumferential direction of the seat base rotatable back-locking element for locking and unlocking the pivotal movement of the seat base relative to the back base. In this way, the relative movement between the seat base and the back base can be suppressed by the user of the office swivel chair if necessary. In the locked position, a joint pivoting of the backrest and seat surface based on the permissible by the elastic ring member pivotal movement takes place.

The office swivel chair according to the invention comprises a pedestal with a serving as a chair column gas spring, one of the supporting structures described above, a seat base connected to the seat base and connected to the Rückenlehenadapter backrest.

Below are the first, in the Fig. 1 to 7 illustrated embodiments of the invention with reference to these drawings described in detail.

Fig. 1 shows an office swivel chair 1 with a seat 2 and a backrest 3. The seat 2 and the backrest 3 are connected to each other via a support structure 4. More specifically, the seat 2 is fixed to a seat base 6 of the support structure 4. The backrest 3 is connected via a backrest adapter 7 with a back base 8.

Further, the support structure 4 serves to receive an upper end portion of a (in Fig. 1 only shortened shown) Gas spring 5. The gas spring 5 forms the so-called chair column. In Fig. 1 not shown is the lower portion of the chair column and the base of the office swivel chair. 1

Fig. 2 to Fig. 6 show details of the support structure 4. The seat base 6 is formed substantially sleeve-shaped. At the end face 9 of the seat base 6, the seat 2 is attached. Coaxially to the seat base 6, the back base 8 is arranged. The back base 8 is formed substantially hollow cylindrical, wherein the outer diameter of the lateral surface widens from bottom to top. A bearing pin 10 extends in the radial direction and is in a bearing block 11 of the seat base 6 and in bearing bushes 12 of Back base 8 stored. At the same time, the bearing pin 10 is mounted in bearing bushes 13 of a gas spring base 14.

The gas spring base 14 is disposed within the seat base 6 and aligned coaxially therewith. The gas spring base 14 is substantially hollow cylindrical and receives the upper end portion of the gas spring 5. Between the outer circumferential surface of the gas spring base 14 and the inner circumferential surface 15 of the seat base 6, an elastic ring member 16 is arranged. In the axial direction of this ring member 16 is mounted between a shoulder 17 on the inner circumferential surface 15 of the seat base 6 and a front side formed on the gas spring base 14 flange 18. Furthermore, a gas spring height adjustment ring 19 is mounted on the bearing pin 10 within the gas spring base 14. By rotation of the bearing pin 10 takes place as a height adjustment of the gas spring 5 and thus a height adjustment of the seat second

Between the end face of the seat base 6 and the end face of the back base 8, an elastic damping element 20 is arranged. The elastic damping element 20 is formed as a semicircular ring segment and is arranged in the region between the end face of the seat base 6 and the end face of the back base 8, which faces the backrest adapter 7 in the radial direction. The elastic ring element 16 has a lower elasticity than the elastic damping element 20.

Also coaxial with the seat base 6, a back-locking element 21 is arranged. The back-locking member 21 is rotatable in the circumferential direction of the seat base 6 and serves for Locking and unlocking of the pivoting movement of the seat base 6 relative to the back base 8 about the pivot pin 10th

In the unlocked position of the back-locking element 21 is a pivotal movement of the seat base 6 relative to the back base 8 around the pivot pin 10 around - and thus a pivotal movement of the seat 2 relative to the backrest 3 - possible. At the same time a pivoting movement of the seat base 6 relative to the gas spring base 14 around the pivot pin 10 around - and thus a pivotal movement of the seat 2 relative to the chair column - possible. The relative movement of the seat base 6 to the back base 8 is based on the elastic damping element 20, while the relative movement of the seat base 6 to the gas spring base 14 is made possible by the elastic ring element 16.

Fig. 4 shows the support structure 4 in the upright basic position while Fig. 5 the support structure 4 is in a pivoted to the rear pivot position. In the pivoting position, the elastic damping element 20 and the elastic ring element 16 are compressed on the area opposite the backrest adapter 7 in the radial direction.

Due to the different elasticities of the elastic damping element 20 and the elastic ring member 16 and the different compared to the pivot pin 10 formed lever arms, the seat base 6 is less strongly deflected from the home position than the back base 8. It is thus an independent pivoting of the seat base 6 and the back base. 8 possible.

Fig. 7 shows another embodiment of a support structure 104. The support structure 104 differs from the support structure described above only in the formation of the gas spring base. The remaining components remain unchanged.

The gas spring base 114 used in the supporting structure 104 substantially corresponds in construction to the gas spring base 14 and differs from the gas spring base 14 by additionally provided rubber rings 22. These rubber rings 22 are inserted in the bearing bushes 13 of the gas spring base 114. The pivot pin 10 thus superimposed with the interposition of the rubber rings 22 in the bearing bushes 13 of the gas spring base 114. Due to the elasticity properties of the rubber rings 22 is an elastic support of the pivot pin 10 within the gas spring base 114 given. This in turn leads - with a corresponding weight or positional displacement of the user - to a lateral inclination of the seat 2.

The invention is thus directed to a support structure 4, 104 for a seat 2 and a backrest 3 of an office swivel chair 1, comprising: a sleeve-shaped seat base 6 with an end face 9 for fixing the seat 2 and an inner surface 15; a hollow cylindrical back base 8 which is arranged coaxially with the seat base 6 and on which a backrest adapter 7 for fixing the backrest 3 is formed; a pivot pin 10, which has a longitudinal axis extending in the radial direction of the seat base 6 and which is mounted in a bearing block 11 of the seat base 6 and formed in the lateral surface of the back base 8 bearing bushes 12; and an elastic damping element 20, which between the end face of the seat base 6 and the end face of the Back base 8 is arranged at least in the region opposite to the backrest adapter 7 in the radial direction. The invention is further directed to such a support structure, wherein the elastic damping element 20 is formed as a semi-circular ring segment. The invention is further directed to such a support structure, further comprising a coaxial with the seat base 6 arranged hollow cylindrical gas spring base 14, 114 for receiving a gas spring 5, wherein the gas spring base 14, 114 is mounted with the interposition of an elastic ring member 16 on the inner circumferential surface 15 of the seat base 6 , The invention is further directed to such a support structure, wherein the elastic ring member 16 is mounted in the axial direction between a shoulder 17 of the inner circumferential surface 15 of the seat base 6 and a flange 18 formed on the end face of the gas spring base 14, 114. The invention is further directed to such a support structure, wherein the elastic ring member 16 has a lower elasticity than the elastic damping element 20. The invention is further directed to such a support structure, wherein the pivot pin 10 is additionally mounted in formed in the circumferential surface of the gas spring base 14, 114 bearing bushes 13. The invention is further directed to such a support structure, wherein in the bearing bushes 13 of the gas spring base rubber rings 22 are introduced, in which the pivot pin 10 is mounted. The invention is further directed to such a support structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein on the pivot pin 10, a gas spring Höhenverstellring 19 is mounted. The invention is further directed to such a support structure according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a seat base 6 and the back base 8, in the circumferential direction of the seat base 6 rotatable back-locking element 21 for locking and unlocking the pivotal movement of the seat base 6 relative to the back base 8 about the pivot pin 10. Finally, the invention is also directed to an office swivel chair 1, comprising: a pedestal with serving as a chair column Gas spring 5; a support structure 4, 104 according to any one of the preceding claims; a seat 2 connected to the seat base 6; and a backrest 3 connected to the backrest adapter 7.

The following are based on the 8 to 26 second embodiments of the chair mechanism explained. Four different types of mechanics are described, which are designated for ease of distinction with the letters A to D.

In the Fig. 8 to 13 a mechanism 4A of type "A" is shown.

The pivoting mechanism has a base support 14, which is set by means of a cone seat on the upper end of a chair column (not shown). In addition, the mechanism comprises a seat support 6 and a fork-shaped in plan view backrest support 8, the cheeks 23 are arranged on both sides of the base support 14. The seat support 6 is provided for receiving or mounting a padded seat (not shown). On the backrest support 8, an indicated backrest 3 is attached, which is height adjustable in modern office chairs. The backrest 3 may also be integrally connected to the backrest support 8.

The entire "Type A" -Mechanik 4A is - as well as the following types of mechanics "B", "C" and "D", with respect to a central longitudinal plane, as regards the actual kinematics, mirror-symmetrical structure. In that regard, in the following description always be based on both sides in pairs existing design elements.

In the 8 and 9 the basic position is shown, in which the backrest support 8 occupies a substantially horizontal position and also the seat support 6 is pivoted neither in the chair longitudinal direction 24 forward or backward. The mechanism 4A is comparatively compact in that the central base support 14 is gripped at least laterally both by the seat support 6 and by the cheeks 23 of the backrest support 8.

Forming a transverse to the chair longitudinal direction 24 common pivot axis 25 on the one hand, the seat support 6 by means of a single continuous pivot pin 10 is pivotally connected to the base support 14 and pivotable relative to the base support 14 in the chair longitudinal direction 24 forward and backward and on the other hand, the backrest support 8 with Help this pivot pin 10 pivotally connected to the base support 14 and pivotable relative to the base support 14 from its non-pivoted ground state into a pivot state in which it is pivoted backwards down. The pivot pin 10 is mounted in bearing bushes 26 or the like, see Fig. 8 , which are provided for this purpose in the cheeks 23 of the backrest support 8, in which the side walls 27 of the base support 14 flanking side walls 28 of the seat support 6 and in the side walls 27 of the base support 14 itself. If a base support 14 is used without side walls, so can corresponding bearing 26 may also be provided in an upwardly extended cone seat or in a gas spring base. The common pivot axis 25 extends centrally over the cone seat, so that the horizontal pivot axis 25 and the vertical central longitudinal axis 29 of the chair column intersect, see Fig. 8 and 13 ,

Seen in chair longitudinal direction 24 in front of the cone receiver, a front first elastic damping element 16a is provided, which is acted upon by the seat support 6 in the event of a forward pivoting of the seat support 6 in the chair longitudinal direction 24. Seen in the chair longitudinal direction 24 behind the cone seat, a rear first elastic damping element 16b is provided, which is acted upon by a pivoting of the seat support 6 to the rear in chair longitudinal direction 24 from the seat support 6.

Both the front first elastic damping element 16 a and the rear first elastic damping element 16 b are arranged between the base support 14 and the seat support 6. The base support 14 thus forms the abutment for both damping elements 16a, 16b.

The backrest support 8 is connected exclusively to the seat support 6 via the pivot pin 10 and via a central second damping element 20 arranged behind the cone seat. This second elastic damping element 20 is acted upon at a taking place in chair longitudinal direction 24 pivoting of the backrest support 8 to the rear bottom of the backrest support 8. To achieve this, the second damping element 20 between the backrest support 8 on the one hand and the seat support 6 on the other hand arranged, so that the seat support. 6 forms the abutment for acted upon by the backrest support 8 second elastic damping element 20.

When pivoting the seat support 6 from the in FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrated basic state in chair longitudinal direction 24 forward the front first damping element 16a is applied, see Fig. 10 , Since the backrest support 8 is connected to the seat support 6 via the second damping element 20, the backrest support 8 follows the forward movement of the seat support 6, provided the backrest support 8 is not loaded by a user leaning against it and is thereby prevented from following.

When pivoting the seat support 6 in the chair longitudinal direction 24 to the rear, the rear first damping element 16b is applied, see Fig. 11 , Since the seat support 6 also carries the second damping element 20, via which the backrest support 8 is connected to the seat support 6, the tilting of the seat support 6 is followed by a corresponding tilting of the backrest support 8 and thus the backrest 3, in FIG Fig. 11 shown again in the event that the backrest 3 is not applied itself.

Now, as in Fig. 12 shown, a load of the backrest 3 by leaning on a chair user and thus an act on the backrest support 8, then the backrest support 8 acts on the second damping element 20. Since the second damping element 20 is supported by the seat support 6, the application of the second damping element 20 by the backrest support 8 a - in response to the elasticity, more specifically, in dependence on the deformation resistance of the second damping element 20 and the deformation resistance of this Movement counteracting the rear first damping element 16b - more or less strong subsequent movement of the seat support 6 in the same direction, so here down. This is a typical synchronous movement, ie a tilting movement of the seat support 6 to the rear at a pivoting of the backrest 3, achieved without requiring a complex synchronous mechanism would be required. By a suitable choice of material for the damping elements 16, 20, the desired pivoting characteristic of the office chair 1 can be adjusted.

In Fig. 13 a further cross-section through the mechanism 4A is shown, from which it is apparent how easily by means of a linear displacement movement of a locking element 30, a multi-stage locking the pivoting movements of seat support 6 and / or backrest support 8 can be realized. For example, the rod-shaped blocking element 30 can optionally be placed in one or more mutually aligned openings 31, 32, 33, which are provided for receiving the locking element 30 in the base support 14, the seat support 6 and the backrest support 8. In the in Fig. 13 illustrated first locking step, in which the locking element 30 rests only in the outer receiving opening 31 of the backrest support 8, the lock is released. If the blocking element 30 is pushed further in the direction of cone reception in the mechanism 4A, so that it rests in the next receiving opening 32 of the seat support 6, the second locking stage is reached, in which the movement of the seat support 6 is locked relative to the backrest support 8. In this case, the seat carrier / backrest support combination 6, 8 can only be tilted as a common pivot unit, whereby the pivot principle of a rocking mechanism is realized. In the final one third locking step, which is achieved when the blocking element 30 is inserted into the next following receiving opening 33 of the base support 14 and rests in this, in addition to the blocking effect of the second locking step, a pivoting of the seat support / backrest support combination 6, 8 relative to locked to the base support 14; this corresponds to a locked rocking mechanism.

The multi-stage lock, as in Fig. 13 can also be used in the "B", "C" and "D" type mechanisms described below.

Unlike in the Fig. 8 to 13 shown "type A" -Mechanik 4A, in which there is a coupling between the seat support 6 and the backrest support 8 via the supported by the seat support 6 second damping element 20, the following in connection with the FIGS. 14 to 20 Mechanics of type "B" did not describe such a coupling.

In contrast to the mechanism of the type "A", the second elastic damping element 20 is arranged here between the backrest support 8 on the one hand and the base support 14 on the other hand. In other words, the base support 14 forms the abutment for the acted upon by the backrest support 8 in a pivoting movement second elastic damping element 20th

In the FIGS. 14 and 15 the cut mechanism 4B is shown from the front and from behind, so that the arrangement of the damping elements 16, 20 is particularly clear. In this case, the outer side walls 28 of the seat support 6 surround the inner central Backrest support member 34 of the cheekless backrest support 8 in this case between this backrest support 8 on the one hand and a base plate 35 of the base support 14 on the other hand is the second damping element 20, see Fig. 15 , Between the side walls 28 of the seat support 6, which for this purpose downwardly facing, stamp-shaped shaped ends 36, and the base plate 35 of the seat support 6 are on both sides first damping elements 16 are provided, which extends continuously over the entire length of the base support 14 from front to back extend. Both the first damping elements 16 and the second damping element 20 are thus on the same as an abutment serving construction element, the base plate 35 of the base support 14, on. The non-reversed ground state is again in Fig. 16 shown.

Fig. 17 shows that when pivoting the seat support 6 seen in chair longitudinal direction 24 forward the front end 37 of the first damping elements 16 is acted upon by the seat support 6, while the seat support 6 of the rear end 38 of the first damping elements 16, see Fig. 14 , takes off. Since it lacks a coupling to the second damping element 20, the pivoting of the seat support 6 remains forward without affecting the backrest support 8. The same applies accordingly for a pivoting of the seat support 6 in the chair longitudinal direction 24 to the rear, as in Fig. 18 displayed.

The backrest support 8 moves only when the backrest 3 is loaded, that is to say when the user leans against the backrest 3, see FIG Fig. 19 , In this case, the second damping element 20 is acted upon by the backrest support 8 and also provides a corresponding Restoring force available, which - as in all other described embodiments - causes a pivoting back of the backrest 3 with the backrest support 8 in the ground state when the backrest 3 is no longer burdened by the user.

There is no automatic follow-up movement with the "Type B" mechanism, so that no synchronization profile is also reproduced. However, here also by the separately arranged and independently operable damping elements 16, 20 an independent pivoting of seat support 6 and backrest support 8 take place, as exemplified in Fig. 20 shown where the backrest support 8, acted upon by a leaning user, pivoted to the rear and the seat support 6, according to the user of the chair, is pivoted forward.

In the Fig. 21 to 23 is a mechanism of the type "C" shown. It is their function, as the "Type A" -Mechanik to a coupled mechanism 4C, in which the abutment for the second damping element 20 is formed by the seat support 6. However, the type "C" mechanism differs from the "Type A" mechanism in the shape and arrangement of the damping elements 16, 20.

Once again, the center of the base support 14 with the conical seat is flanked on both sides first by side walls 28 of the seat support 6, then flanked to the outside by the cheeks 23 of the backrest support 8. The special feature is that the damping elements 16, 20 are arranged in the interior of the side walls 28 and cheeks 23. As a result, the space required for the mechanism 4C is significantly reduced and it results in an overall much more compact mechanism 4C, which is particularly flat.

Unlike the mechanics of the type "A" and "B", in which cuboid damping element 16, 20 are used, the damping elements 16, 20 are formed in this case as a ring arc segment-shaped blocks, extending over a defined angle section, the Partially encompass pivot pin 10. The damping elements 16, 20 lie in suitable receiving spaces within the side walls 28 and cheeks 23 a.

While Fig. 21 the mechanism 4C with the damping elements 16, 20 receiving side walls 28 and cheeks 23 from the outside, illustrates the in Fig. 22 illustrated section through a side wall 28 of the seat support 6 shape and arrangement of a front first damping element 16a and a rear first damping element 16b. By way of example, two different materials for the front and rear first damping element 16a, 16b were used to illustrate that in this way for pivoting the seat support 6 in chair longitudinal direction 24 forward another pivoting resistance can be set, as for a pivoting of the seat support 6 in chair longitudinal direction 24 to the rear.

The first two damping elements 16a, 16b are separated from each other twice. On the one hand lie in the non-pivoted ground state of the seat support 6, the damping elements 16a, 16b with one end to a driver 39 of the seat support 6, which is a kind of projection of the outer wall of the receiving space 40 radially in the direction of the pivot pin 10th extends and both in the chair longitudinal direction 24 to front and back corresponding stop surfaces 41, 42 for acting on the damping elements 16a, 16b form. Thus, by a pivoting movement of the seat support 6 in chair longitudinal direction 24 to the rear, the front first damping element 16a by the forward facing stop surface 41 and by a pivoting movement of the seat support 6 in chair longitudinal direction 24 forward the rear first damping element 16b acted upon by the rearwardly facing abutment surface 42 ,

On the other hand lie in the non-pivoted ground state, the damping elements 16a, 16b with their opposite other ends on serving as an abutment 43, stationary part of the base support 14, starting from the center of the base support 14, extending transversely to the chair longitudinal direction 24, in the receiving space 40 of protrudes first damping elements 16a, 16b. In this example, the abutment 43 is integrally fixedly connected to the pivot pin 10 and corresponds in shape to the driver 39 of the seat support 6, wherein the Pivot 10 in turn is firmly connected to the base support 14.

In the example shown here, the front and rear first damping elements 16a, 16b and provided for them receiving spaces 40 are the same size. At the same time driver 39 and abutment 43 are exactly opposite, wherein the driver 39 in the non-pivoted ground state of the seat support 6 from the pivot pin 10 viewed from down and the abutment 43 facing upward. The driver 39 So in the ground state is in a 6 o'clock position, while the abutment 43 is placed in a 12 o'clock position. However, both the size of the damping elements 16a, 16b and the position of the driver 39 and / or the abutment 43 can be varied in order to realize certain pivoting characteristics.

The in Fig. 23 illustrated section through a cheek 23 of the backrest support 8 illustrates the shape and arrangement of a second damping element 20 of this mechanism 4C.

In order that the desired coupling between a movement of the seat support 6 and the backrest support 8 can again be achieved, a second catch 44 of the seat support 6 extending in the form and execution of the first catch 39 described above extends transversely to the chair longitudinal direction 24 into the interior of the cheek 23 of the backrest support 8 formed receiving space 45 of the second damping element 20 into it and forms the abutment for the second damping element 20 at a loading of the second damping element 20 by the backrest support 8. In the ground state of the backrest support 8 is this abutment 44 approximately in a 2 o'clock position , The driver 46 of the backrest support 8, which is arranged in the basic position approximately in a 11 o'clock position, in turn extends as a kind of projection of the outer wall of the receiving space 45 radially in the direction of the pivot pin 10. He also forms both in the chair longitudinal direction 24 before as well as to the rear corresponding stop surfaces for acting on the two second damping elements 20a, 20b.

This is the "rear" second damping element 20b, which - as from the arrangement of driver 46 and Abutment 44 can be seen - extends over a significantly larger angle portion than the "front" second damping element 20a, such between the driver 46 and the abutment 44 in the receiving space 45 that a pivoting of the backrest support 8 in the pivoting state, as in Fig. 23 is shown, an action on the "rear" second damping element causes 20 b, which thus determines the pivoting resistance of the backrest 8. At the same time pushes the "rear" second damping element 20b with its other end against the designed as part of the seat support 6 abutment 44, so that this pivotal movement of the backrest support 8 to the rear as a subsequent movement causes a pivoting of the seat support 6 to the rear.

The "front" second damping element 20a, which rests in the ground state of the backrest support 8 to the front longitudinally facing the stop surface 24 of the driver 46 of the backrest support 8, is acted upon by a pivoting of the seat support 6 to the rear of the abutment 44 formed by the seat support 6 and causes as a subsequent movement pivoting of the backrest support 8 in the same direction, to the rear. Likewise, when the seat support 6 is pivoted forward, the "rear" second damping element 20b is acted upon by the abutment 44 formed by the seat support 6, which causes the backrest support 8 to pivot in the same direction, that is to say forward, as a following movement.

In the Fig. 24 to 27 is a mechanism of the type "D" shown. This is their function, as the "Type B" -Mechanik to a decoupled mechanism 4D, in which the abutment for the second damping element 20 is not of the seat support 6, but is formed by the base support 14. As with the "C" type of mechanics, however, the damping elements 16, 20 are again arranged around the pivot pin.

While Fig. 24 the mechanism 4D with the damping elements 16, 20 receiving side walls 28 and cheeks 23 from the outside, illustrates the in Fig. 25 illustrated section through a side wall 28 of the seat support 6 shape and arrangement of a front first damping element 16a and a rear first damping element 16b. This structure corresponds essentially to the construction of a "Type C" mechanism, as in Fig. 22 shown.

Fig. 26 shows a section through a cheek 23 of the backrest support 8. Unlike the "Type C" -Mechanik there is no protruding into the receiving space 45 component of the seat support 6, so that, as in the "Type B" -Mechanik because of the missing Coupling between seat support 6 and backrest support 8 no subsequent movements are possible. Instead, again forms the base support 14, the abutment 47 for the two second damping elements 20a, 20b, which are acted upon in pivoting movements of the backrest 3 of the driver 46 of the backrest support 8 in a known manner. The abutment 47 is designed as a chair longitudinal direction 24 forward and rearward facing shaping of the pivot pin 10, which forms in the ground state horizontal, upwardly facing abutment surfaces 49 for the second damping elements 20a, 20b. The pivot pin 10 with its contact surfaces 49 is, as in the above-described mechanism "C", fixedly connected to the base support 14 and therefore can constructively, in each Case but functionally be regarded as part of the base 14.

In the example shown here, the driver 46 is arranged in the basic state of the backrest support 8 approximately in a 1 o'clock position. When pivoting the backrest support 8 to the rear, the driver 46 moves, for example in the 12 o'clock position, as in Fig. 26 imaged, and thus acts on the "rear" second damping element 20 b, which abuts with its opposite end on the rear abutment surface 49 of the abutment 47. By this "rear" second damping element 20b turn the swing resistance of the backrest 3 is defined. The shorter "front" second damping element 20a is used for damping a pivoting movement of the backrest 3 forward.

Since the common pivot axis 25 and the vertical central longitudinal axis 29 of the chair column 5 intersect in the center of the base support 14, can, as already in connection with the in the Fig. 1 to 7 described embodiments, also in the mechanics of the type "A" to "D", the pivot axis 25, more precisely, the pivot pin 10, as a support for a Gasfederauslöseelement, for example in the form of a gas spring Höhenverstellrings 19 serve. This Höhenverstellring 19 is for example eccentric and designed to mount a Bowden cable (not shown) or other traction means, so that when pulling the Bowden cable at the upper end of the gas spring 5 mounted Gasfederpin depressed and thus the gas spring 5 is actuated.

By a suitable elastic mounting of the pivot pin 10 in the base support 14, for example by means of rubber rings 22 or the like, a lateral pivotability of the mechanism 4 can be realized beyond also in the last-described embodiments.

The invention is not limited to the described embodiments. Thus, other examples can realize the inventive principles. For example, the common pivot axis 25 does not necessarily have to be the only pivot axis of the entire mechanism 4. It is also possible that the mechanism 4 has further pivot axes, as long as at least the common pivot axis 25 is the only pivot axis, the seat support 6 and backrest support 8 connect with each other. Also, the concept of arranged between individual components of the mechanism 4 damping elements 16, 20 different elasticity can be transferred to such office chair mechanisms having more than one pivot axis.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Office swivel chair, office chair

2

seat

3

backrest

4

Supporting structure, mechanics

5

Gas spring, chair column

6

Seat base, seat support

7

Backrests Adapter

8th

Back base, backrest support

9

face

10

pivot pin

11

bearing block

12

bearing bush

13

bearing bush

14

Gas spring base, base holder with cone holder

15

Inner surface area

16

elastic ring element

17

shoulder

18

flange

19

Gas spring Height adjustment

20

elastic damping element

21

Back-locking element

22

rubber ring

23

Cheek of the backrest wearer

24

Chair longitudinally

25

swivel axis

26

bearing bush

27

Sidewall of the base carrier

28

Sidewall of the seat support

29

Center longitudinal axis of the chair column

30

blocking element

31

receiving opening

32

receiving opening

33

receiving opening

34

central backrest support element

35

Base plate of the base carrier

36

Sidewall end

37

front end

38

rear end

39

first driver of the seat carrier

40

Receiving space of the first damping element

41

front stop surface

42

rear stop surface

43

abutment

44

second driver of the seat support, abutment

45

Receiving space of the second damping element

46

Carrier of the backrest carrier

47

abutment

49

contact surface

104

supporting structure

114

Gas spring base

Claims (6)

1. A mechanism (4) for an office chair (1), said mechanism having a base support (14) which is placeable on a chair column (5), a seat support (6) and a backrest support (8), wherein by realizing a common pivot axis (25)
   both the seat support (6) is connected in an articulated manner to the base support (14) by means of at least one pivot bolt (10) and is pivotable relative to the base support (14)
   and the backrest support (8) is connected in an articulated manner to the base support (14) by means of said at least one pivot bolt (10) and is pivotable relative to the base support (14),
   wherein the pivot axis (25) is the only common pivot axis between the seat support (6) and the backrest support (8)
   having resilient damping elements (16, 20) being positioned between components (6, 8, 14) of the mechanism (4),
   having at least one first resilient damping element (16) being arranged between the base support (14) and the seat support (6), which is acted upon when the seat support (6) is pivoted,
   and at least one second resilient damping element (20) being arranged either between the backrest support (8) and the seat support (6) or between the backrest support (8) and the base support (14), which is acted upon when the backrest support (8) is pivoted,
   characterized in that the damping elements (16, 20) are cuboid shaped, ring shaped or ring segment shaped blocks, whose resilience is definable by appropriate material selection.
2. The mechanism (4) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pivot axis (25) is the only pivot axis of the mechanism (4).
3. The mechanism (4) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first resilient damping element (16) comprises a resilience which differs from the resilience of the second resilient damping element (20).
4. The mechanism (4) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, said mechanism having a multistage locking arrangement for locking the pivoting movement of the seat support (6) and/or the backrest support (8) by means of a linear displacement of a blocking element (30).
5. The mechanism (4) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a gas spring triggering element (19) is arranged on the at least one pivot bolt (10).
6. An office chair (1), having a chair column (5) and having a mechanism (4) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5 placed on said chair column (5).

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