GB2598170A

GB2598170A - A Seating Accessory Joint

Info

Publication number: GB2598170A
Application number: GB2100182.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Oono Ko
Original assignee: Ferco Seating Systems M Sdn Bhd; Kotobuki and Co Ltd; Kotobuki Seating Co Ltd; FERCO SEATING SYSTEMS M Sdn Bhd
Current assignee: Ferco Seating Systems M Sdn Bhd; Kotobuki and Co Ltd; Kotobuki Seating Co Ltd; FERCO SEATING SYSTEMS M Sdn Bhd
Priority date: 2021-01-07
Filing date: 2021-01-07
Publication date: 2022-02-23
Anticipated expiration: 2041-01-07
Also published as: WO2022148956A1; GB202100182D0; GB2598170B

Abstract

A seating accessory joint, a seat assembly incorporating the joint and a method of controlling the movement of the joint when deploying and/or stowing the accessory are disclosed. The joint comprises a base part 1; a tablet part 3; and a rotatable joint J interconnecting the base and the tablet and determining a prescribed path. Relative motion between the base and the tablet is over a range of motion between a stowed position, in which the tablet is in a first orientation with respect to the base, and a deployed position, in which the tablet is in a second orientation with respect to the base. Further, the motion is in a first direction from the stowed position to the deployed position and in a second direction from the deployed position to the stowed position, and also is divided into at least two phases along a prescribed path from a point on the tablet when deployed to the same point on the tablet when stowed. One or more dampers 6,7 provide torsional resistance to the relative motion between the base and the tablet in accordance with a damping profile for each phase in the range of motion.

Description

Title: A Seating Accessory Joint

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a seating accessory joint, a seat assembly incorporating the joint and a method of controlling the movement of the joint when deploying and/or stowing the accessory.

BACKGROUND

Study areas with seating such as lecture halls and the like can include a planar seat accessory comprising a movable writing table or writing tablet. The writing tablet is pivotally mounted on a seat armrest or other static part of the seat or structure in which the seating is located. There is usually one writing tablet per seat. When deployed in front of a seated person, the main plane of the writing tablet lies substantially horizontally and can be used to support a laptop, other electronic device(s), paper pad and/or books so that the user can comfortably type or write. The writing tablet can move from the deployed position to a stowed position in which the main plane of the writing tablet is substantially vertical lying beside the seat armrest giving access to the seating by a user.

In use, a user sits on a seat with the tablet in the stowed position and then the user moves the tablet from the stowed position into the deployed position. When leaving, the user moves the tablet from the deployed position to the stowed position and stands up from the seat.

In emergency situations such as an evacuation, considerable noise and confusion can be caused by an auditorium all moving their tablets from denim/Ad to stowed positions. Writing tablets may move under gravity into their final stowed position or may be accelerated into the stowed position by the user's legs pushing the tablet with considerable force and speed. When all the users in an entire auditorium exit at the same time, there may be considerable noise and even damage to the tablets and/or seating. Some writing tablet assemblies use a ball and socket joint to allow movement between the stowed and deployed positions such as in W02002032270. W01996008985 discloses a writing tablet where the movement of the tablet follows a prescribed arc between stowed and deployed positions.

The present invention provides a seating accessory, a seat assembly incorporating the accessory and a method of controlling the movement of the accessory when deploying and/or stowing the accessory according to the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the present invention can be more readily understood, embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a seat assembly embodying the present invention including a seating accessory joint embodying the present invention and a tablet shown in a stowed position in dashed lines; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the seating accessory joint from Figure 1 with a tablet shown in a deployed position and a seating arm and armrest in dashed lines; Figure 3 is an exploded view of parts of the seating accessory joint and a tablet in a deployed position; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the seating accessory joint with a tablet at five positions, i) through v) and a prescribed arc of movement

of the tablet;

Figure 5 is a detailed exploded view of parts of the seating accessory joint; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a part of the seating accessory joint; Figure 7 is another perspective view of the part from Figure 6; Figure 8 is a perspective view of a damper for use in the seating accessory joint; Figure 9 is a perspective view of another damper for use in the seating accessory joint; Figures 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d show damping profiles (damping resistance) provided by the seating accessory joint at various positions; Figures 11a and 11b show further damping profiles (damping resistance) provided by the seating accessory joint at various positions; and Figure 12 is a detailed exploded view of parts of the seating accessory joint J'.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF THE INVENTION

Referring to Figure 1, a seat assembly embodying the present invention comprises a seating base (foot and leg) 100 supporting a seating beam 101. A seating arm 102 with an armrest 103 is mounted on the seating beam 101. A seating accessory joint J embodying the present invention is mounted by one part of the joint J to the seating arm 102 and another part of the joint J is fixed to a small table comprising a writing tablet 9. A seat 104 is mounted on the beam 101. In the Figure 1 example, the seat 104 and the joint J are mounted independently of one another to the same beam 101. In some examples, the seat 104 and joint J are mounted together to the same seat support which may or may not be a beam 101. In some examples, the joint J is mounted on the seat 104 or part of the seat (such as a seat arm 102).

The tablet 9 is shown in dashed lines in Figure 1 and is in a stowed position with respect to the seat 104 and seat arm 102.

The joint J may be secured to, mounted on or be part of the seat 104, the seat base 100 and/or the seat support (the seating beam 101 in Figure 1 is an example of a seat support). The joint J may be part of or secured to a structure independent of the seat 104 and other elements of the seat assembly, for example, the joint may be attached to a lecture room wall adjacent the seat 104.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the seating accessory joint J embodying the present invention is shown together with the tablet 9 and, in the case of Figure 2, with the arm 102 and armrest 103 in dashed lines In Figures 2 and 3, the tablet is shown in a deployed position.

Referring to Figure 4, the joint J enables the tablet 9 to be moved along a prescribed path (two arcs A and B in the example of Figure 4) between the stowed position shown in Figure 1 and the deployed position shown in Figure 2.

When deployed, i.e. when the tablet 9 is in the deployed position, the tablet 9 is in front of a seated person with the main plane of the writing tablet lying substantially horizontally. The tablet 9 can be used to support a laptop, other electronic device(s), a paper pad and/or books so that the user can comfortably type or write. The writing tablet can move from the deployed position to the stowed position in which the main plane of the tablet 9 is substantially vertical lying beside the seat giving access to the seat 104 by a user.

The prescribed path can be determined by the joint J to follow any shape: the shape of the path is determined or dictated by the mechanics of the joint J. Figure 4 shows a point on the leading edge of the tablet at five sequential positions, i) through v). This path is "caused" by the mechanics of the joint J being configured as shown in the particular example configuration of Figures 3, 5, 6 to 9. That joint J will be described in detail below. Other configurations of the joint J can be used to determine a desired path of movement. This particular prescribed path is smooth, elegant, pleasing to the eye and practical for moving the tablet out of the way of the seat to gain access or egress without hindrance by the tablet.

The path may be in a single plane or can be in multiple planes as in Figure 4.

The path may have linear portions, curved portions and combinations thereof.

The path has at least two phases: an A phase -going into and away from the stowed position X; and a B phase -going into and away from the deployed position Z. There are transitions Y when one phase of the prescribed path blends into the next phase. Embodiments of the invention enable the joint J to provide customised movement control of the tablet 9 in one or more of these phases and in dependence on the direction of travel. Being able to select and provide torsional resistance to movement of the tablet 9 (effected by the mechanics of the joint J) allows the movement of the tablet 9 to be controlled in a customisable manner. For example, providing torsional resistance at selected parts (phases) of the prescribed path allows the movement of the tablet 9 to be dampened as it approaches the end points: the deployed and stowed positions.

The mechanics of the joints J can be configured in assembly so that the phases of the prescribed movement path have a respective damping profile which may be dependent on the direction of movement.

Figures 10a-d and 11a-b illustrate six examples of providing the joint J with selected damping profiles over respective phases of movement along the prescribed path. The graphs 10a-d depict the damping profiles for respective phases as the tablet moves: * in a first direction out of the stowed position X -start position of each graph -in the A phase, through the transition Y from the A phase to the B phase and into the deployed position Z; and then, * in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, out of the deployed position Z in the B phase, through the transition Y from the B phase to the A phase and into the stowed position X -end position of each graph.

When there is no movement, for example at the stowed and deployed positions (X,Z), there is zero damping.

In the Figure 10 examples, there are two phases of movement along the prescribed path in each direction so there is one transition where one phase blends into another. In other embodiments of the invention, there are more than two phases along the prescribed path with consequential transitions.

In the Figure 10a example, the movement out of the stowed position X in phase A is damped to a set level and then as the tablet passes through the transition Y from the A phase to the B phase, the joint is damped to a higher level approaching the deployed position Z. In the opposite direction, out of the deployed position Z in the B phase the damping is still at the higher level, through the transition Y from the B phase to the A phase where the damping level steps down as the tablet moves into the stowed position X. The Figure 10b example shows no damping in the A phase in either direction of travel, into and out of the stowed position. For the B phase, into and out of the deployed position, the movement is damped to a set level providing a 30 smooth deployment.

In the Figure 10c example damping (torsional resistance) is only provided in the A phase in a single direction, the direction approaching the stowed position X (the end of graph 10c), so that the tablet's arrival into the stowed position X is softer and creates less noise as the end of travel is reached. Moving in the opposite direction, out of the stowed position X (the start of graph 10c), the same level of damping is not required in the A phase as the tablet moves out of the stowed position X easily, without torsional resistance. In the Figure 10c example, the damping level in the B phase, in both directions, is greater than the damping level in the direction towards the stowed position X in the A phase.

Figure 10d depicts the same damping profile for the same respective phases as Figure 10c except that the damping level in the B phase, in both directions, is less than the damping level in the direction towards the stowed position X in 15 the A phase.

In the Figure 11 a example, the level of damping is at a maximum in the stowed position X -start position of each graph -and decreases through the A phase to zero or near-zero through the transition Y from the A phase to the B phase and then builds up to a level of damping resistance which is at its maximum in the deployed position Z, the maximum damping resistance at the deployed position Z is lower than the maximum damping resistance at the stowed position X; In the opposite direction, the second direction, the damping profiles are the same at the same positions.

The Figure 11b example is the same as Figure 11a except that the second damper is uni-directional incorporating a ratchet or other uni-directional mechanism so that in the first direction from transition Y to the deployed position Z, there is damping but in the second direction, the uni-directional mechanism kicks in and there is no damping moving out of the deployed position Z towards the transition position Y. The selected damping levels may be the same in all directions or customised as required for different applications.

In the joint J, the damping profiles are provided by one or more dampers 6, 7 which provide torsional resistance to the relative motion between the base part 1 and the tablet part 3, the first range of motion A having a first damping profile in one or both directions of movement and the second range of motion B having a second damping profile in one or both directions of movement.

Figures 3 and 5 are exploded views of the joint J in which the mechanics of the joint are configured as below. The mechanics of the joint J can be configured in a variety of other ways to provide movement of the tablet part 3 in a prescribed path between the stowed positon adjacent a seat and the deployed position in front of a seated user.

The mechanics of the joint J uses different dampers 6,7 to deliver different torsional resistances to movement for different movement ranges or phases so that the phases can have customised damping profiles with different damping characteristics (and directionality) from one another.

Examples of the mechanics of the ioint J In the Figure 3 example, the mechanics of the joint J are configured as follows: A base part 1 is attached to the seat arm 102 and has a stop face 1A on the 25 tablet part side adapted to abut a stop face 2B/2C on a pivot block 2. The base part 1 has fixings 11 on the other side to the tablet.

Referring to Figures 6 and 7 show an example of a pivot block 2. An angled face 2A of the pivot block 2 determines the B phase of motion as there is a 180 degree semi-circular groove 20 in angled face 2A which faces the tablet part 3. The B phase is a 180 degree rotation of the tablet part 3 with respect to the pivot block 2. The end faces 2B, 20 of block 2 can act as stops to abut face 1A.

The pivot block 2 is journaled to the base part 1 and can rotate through 90 5 degrees to determine the A phase of motion.

The tablet part or plate has a pin 30 in face 3A which, when assembled, engages in and follows the 180 degree groove 20 in face 2A of the pivot block 2. The tablet part 3 has a stop face 3B which abuts the stop face 1A on the base part 1 when the tablet reaches its end of travel, in the deployed position.

The main faces of the pivot block 2 about which the tablet part 3 and the base part 1 rotate determine the prescribed path. The mechanics of the joint J can be customised or changed in a number of ways: the angle between the faces of the pivot block can be changed, the extent of the 180 degree groove can be changed. The stops at the ends of the ranges of motion or at the transition can be end faces, pins in grooves or other co-operating and/or interfering surfaces or elements and/or combinations of these.

Position/movement End Damper Movement range Stop(s) providing damping Stowed -(X in figures) 2B on 1A No movement End of A Stowed to transition - 6 A Transition -(Y in figures) - 6/7 A/B Transition to Deployed 7 B Deployed -(Z in figures) 20 on 1A No movement End of B Deployed to transition 7 B Transition -(Y in figures) 7/6 B/A Transition to Stowed - 6 A Stowed -(X in figures) 2B on 1A No movement End of A The weight of the tablet 9 keeps the assembly stable in the deployed position and the weight of the tablet keeps the assembly stable in the stowed position.

The pivot block 2 is journaled to the base part 1 by a central axle 4 one end 40 of which is fixed to the pivot block 2 through the base part 1 and the other end terminates in a square key 41 which is received in a central square slot in a circular rotary damper 6 with a pair of lobe fixings 61.

The housing of the damper 6 has lobes 61 which attach to the fixings 11 on the base part 1. The housing contains an elastomeric disc which is attached at its outer diameter to the housing and at its inner diameter to the central square slot in which the square key 41 of the axle 4 engages. Rotation of the pivot block 2 with respect to the damper 6 is resisted by the torsion in the damper 6. The damper 6 delivers maximum torque towards the stowed position (resisting the weight of the tablet 9) so that the tablet stows in a quiet, soft motion. The torque in the damper 6 may be used to assist the user to move the tablet out of the stowed position. Figure 8 shows one example of a damper 6 for use in the joint J. The other face 2A of the pivot block 2 is journaled to the tablet part 3 by a central axle 5 one end of which is fixed to the pivot block 2 through the tablet part 3 and the other end offers a square slot to the damper 7 into which square slot a square key 70 is received. The rotary damper 7 is fixed to the tablet part 3 with a pair of lobe fixings 71. Rotation of the pivot block 2 with respect to the damper 7 is resisted by the torsion in the damper 7. The damper 7 delivers maximum torque towards the deployed position (resisting the weight of the tablet 9) so that the tablet deploys in a quiet, soft motion. The torque in the damper 7 may be used to assist the user to move the tablet out of the deployed position.

The damper 7 has a uni-directional mechanism, a ratchet, so only delivers a damping function in one direction and not the other. The damper 7 provides no damping in the B phase in the direction away from the deployed position. The damper 7 provides damping in the B phase in the direction towards the deployed position. Figure 9 shows another example of a damper 7 for use in the joint J. A closure plate 8 is fixed to the base part 1 by fixings 11 to house the damper 6. The other damper 7 is housed within or between one of or a combination of the tablet part 3 and/or the tablet 9.

In the Figure lla and llb configurations, the A phase damper 6 has a torque which is 4 times greater than the torque provided by the B phase damper 7 so the two dampers deliver different damping profiles to their respective phases.

Figure 12 shows a joint J' which has common features (carrying common reference numerals) to the previously described joint J. In this joint J', the dampers 6,7 are both configured as circular rotary dampers like the damper 6 of figure 5 and the dampers 6,7 receive the central axles 4,5. The central axles 4,5 are adapted to engage within the dampers 6,7. A keyed washer arrangement 10,11,12 is provided between the axle 4 and the damper 6.

The tablet may weigh in the region of 1kg and the damper 6 has a torque in the range of 2-2.5 Nm and the damper 7 has a torque in the range of 0.6 -1.0 Nm.

General When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof. Further, features disclosed in the text and/or drawings of the specification can stand alone or may be combined, in any combination, with one or more other features disclosed in the text and/or drawings of the specification where there is no conflict between those features.

Although certain example embodiments of the invention have been described, the scope of the appended claims is not intended to be limited solely to these embodiments. The claims are to be construed literally, purposively, and/or to 15 encompass equivalents.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A seating accessory joint comprising: a base part;a tablet part;a rotatable joint interconnecting the base part and the tablet part and determining a prescribed path, wherein relative motion between the base part and the tablet part is: over a range of motion between a stowed position, in which the tablet part is in a first orientation with respect to the base part, and a deployed position, in which the tablet part is in a second orientation with respect to the base part, in a first direction from the stowed position to the deployed position and in a second direction from the deployed position to the stowed position, and divided into at least two phases along a prescribed path from a point on the tablet part when in the deployed position to the same point on the tablet part when in the stowed position; and one or more dampers to provide torsional resistance to the relative motion between the base part and the tablet part in accordance with a damping profile for each phase in the range of motion.
2. A joint according to claim 1, wherein the damping profile for a phase is 25 dependent on the direction of movement.
3. A joint according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the damping profile for a phase is different to the damping profile for another phase.
4. A joint according to any preceding claim, wherein the damping profiles are: no torsional resistance; or torsional resistance.
5. A joint according to any preceding claim, wherein the damping profile in a first motion phase in the second direction towards the stowed position X is a first level of torsional resistance, and the damping profile in the first motion phase in the first direction away from the stowed position X is less torsional resistance than the first level of torsional resistance.
6 A joint according to any preceding claim, wherein the damping profile in a second motion phase in the first direction towards the deployed position Z is a second level of torsional resistance, and the damping profile in the second motion phase in the second direction away from the deployed position Z is less than or the same as the torsional resistance of the second level of torsional resistance.
7. A joint according to any preceding claim, wherein the level of torsional resistance remains the same, increases or decreases through a phase.
8. A joint according to any preceding claim, wherein the rotatable joint blends one motion phase into another at a transition between phases.
9. A joint according to any preceding claim, wherein the joint has a first damper with a first damping profile to damp the movement over one phase in one or both directions of movement and a second damper with a second damping profile to damp the movement over another phase in one or both directions of movement.
10. A joint according to any preceding claim, wherein the prescribed path is one or a combination of linear movements and/or movements in an arc or 30 curve.
11. A seating assembly comprising a support structure, a seating accessory joint according to any preceding claim attached to the support structure and a tablet attached to the joint.
12. An assembly according to claim 11, wherein the support structure is a seat, a beam, a seat arm or a wall.
13. A method of controlling movement of a tablet part with respect to a base part connected by a rotatable seating accessory joint to the base part, wherein 10 the method comprises controlling the movement of the joint when deploying and/or stowing the accessory and the movement is: a range of motion between a stowed position, in which the tablet part is in a first orientation with respect to the base part, and a deployed position, in which the tablet part is in a second orientation with respect to the base part, in a first direction from the stowed position to the deployed position and in a second direction from the deployed position to the stowed position, and divided into at least two phases along a prescribed path from a point on the tablet part when in the deployed position to the same point on the tablet part when in the stowed position, the method comprising providing torsional resistance to the relative motion between the base part and the tablet part in accordance with a damping profile for each phase in the range of motion.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the damping profile for a phase is dependent on the direction of movement.
15. The method of claim 13 or 14, wherein the level of torsional resistance 30 remains the same, increases or decreases through a phase.