US20090261642A1 - Hydraulic adjustable seat - Google Patents
Hydraulic adjustable seat Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20090261642A1 US20090261642A1 US12/424,987 US42498709A US2009261642A1 US 20090261642 A1 US20090261642 A1 US 20090261642A1 US 42498709 A US42498709 A US 42498709A US 2009261642 A1 US2009261642 A1 US 2009261642A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- pair
- hydraulic
- seat support
- base
- seat
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- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C3/00—Chairs characterised by structural features; Chairs or stools with rotatable or vertically-adjustable seats
- A47C3/02—Rocking chairs
- A47C3/025—Rocking chairs with seat, or seat and back-rest unit elastically or pivotally mounted in a rigid base frame
- A47C3/026—Rocking chairs with seat, or seat and back-rest unit elastically or pivotally mounted in a rigid base frame with central column, e.g. rocking office chairs; Tilting chairs
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C7/00—Parts, details, or accessories of chairs or stools
- A47C7/02—Seat parts
- A47C7/14—Seat parts of adjustable shape; elastically mounted ; adaptable to a user contour or ergonomic seating positions
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C7/00—Parts, details, or accessories of chairs or stools
- A47C7/36—Support for the head or the back
- A47C7/40—Support for the head or the back for the back
- A47C7/44—Support for the head or the back for the back with elastically-mounted back-rest or backrest-seat unit in the base frame
- A47C7/441—Support for the head or the back for the back with elastically-mounted back-rest or backrest-seat unit in the base frame with adjustable elasticity
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C7/00—Parts, details, or accessories of chairs or stools
- A47C7/36—Support for the head or the back
- A47C7/40—Support for the head or the back for the back
- A47C7/44—Support for the head or the back for the back with elastically-mounted back-rest or backrest-seat unit in the base frame
- A47C7/446—Support for the head or the back for the back with elastically-mounted back-rest or backrest-seat unit in the base frame with fluid springs
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C9/00—Stools for specified purposes
- A47C9/002—Stools for specified purposes with exercising means or having special therapeutic or ergonomic effects
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to adjustable chairs. More particularly, the present invention relates to a tilt assembly which allows the user of the chair to tilt the seat in any direction. Specifically, the present invention relates to such a tilt assembly which utilizes hydraulic systems to provide a selected resistance to the tilting movement as well as to provide a hydraulic lock for securing the seat at a chosen tilted position.
- adjustable chairs While adjustable chairs have been known for some time, ergonomically adjustable seating which is widely available to the public at large is a more recent development which may be due to the use of computers, which has substantially increased the number of office workers who are desk bound. Most of the currently available adjustable chairs are adjusted at a first sitting or early on in the use of the chair such that the chair typically remains in the position set by the user of the chair. While the ability of the user to adjust the chair may be helpful in providing comfort to the user, this fixed position is still generally less than desirable due to the amount of time that the user spends in the chair. Thus, this stationary or sedentary work position is less than desirable in terms of productivity, employee morale, and the minimization of sick days taken by employees.
- the present invention includes an apparatus comprising: a base and a seat support which has a front, a back, and opposed sides, is adapted to mount on the bottom of a seat, and is disposed above and pivotally mounted on the base whereby the seat support is tiltable from side to side relative to the base.
- the present invention also includes an adjustable hydraulic seat comprising: a base; a seat support disposed above the base adapted to mount on a bottom of a seat; a universal joint providing a pivotal connection between the base and seat support whereby the seat support is tiltable relative to the base; and a hydraulic system providing variable tilting resistance to the seat support.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view generally from the bottom of a chair utilizing the tilt assembly of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view generally from the top showing the tilt assembly removed from the chair.
- FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the tilt assembly.
- FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 4 - 4 of FIG. 3 .
- FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 5 - 5 of FIG. 3 .
- FIG. 5A is a sectional view taken on line 5 A- 5 A of FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the base of the tilt assembly.
- FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the base of the tilt assembly.
- FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the hydraulic valves, hydraulic lines and operating lever.
- FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the hydraulic valves, hydraulic lines and operating lever.
- FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view of the hydraulic systems of the tilt assembly.
- FIG. 11 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4 showing the forward and backward tilting of the seat support of the tilt assembly.
- FIG. 12 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 5 showing the side to side tilting of the seat support of the tilt assembly.
- FIG. 13 is an enlarged side elevational view showing the teeth of the control lever engaging the teeth of the base to secure the control lever in a desired position.
- FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of a second embodiment of the tilt assembly.
- FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic view of the hydraulic lines and valves of the second embodiment of FIG. 14 .
- FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of a universal joint for the tilt assembly of FIG. 14 .
- FIG. 17 is a top perspective view of FIG. 16 with the seat support shown in phantom.
- FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the tilt assembly of FIG. 17 with the seat support and base shown in phantom.
- the tilt assembly of the present invention is indicated generally at 10 in FIG. 1 in use with an adjustable chair 12 which includes a chair base 14 , a seat 16 and a backrest 18 .
- Tilt assembly 10 is configured to allow seat 16 to tilt relative to base 14 and backrest 18 in the forward and backward direction as well as in the side to side direction.
- assembly 10 may be used with a variety of chairs, chair 12 in the exemplary embodiment is shown as an office chair which may have various adjustment features other than those provided by tilt assembly 10 .
- chair base 14 includes a generally vertical support post 20 which is secured to and extends upwardly from a set of five legs 22 which project radially outwardly from the lower end of post 20 and are adapted to contact a support surface such as the ground or the floor.
- Support post 20 may be a rigid non-adjustable post, but preferably includes a height adjustment mechanism 24 which typically involves the use of a gas spring.
- Seat 16 is a generally flat structure which is typically oriented horizontally in its home position. Seat 16 has a front 26 , a rear 28 , left and right sides 30 and 32 , a top 34 and a bottom 36 .
- Top 34 typically is formed of a cushion material on which a person may sit while bottom 36 is typically formed of a rigid material to which tilt assembly 10 is secured.
- Backrest 18 has a front 38 typically formed of a cushion material for resting a person's back against and a rear 40 which is typically made of a substantially rigid material.
- Backrest 18 extends upwardly and generally vertically from adjacent rear 28 of seat 16 and is secured to assembly 10 via an L-shaped connector 42 which has an upwardly extending leg secured adjacent the lower end of rear 40 of backrest 18 and a forward extending leg which is secured adjacent its front terminal end to assembly 10 via four nut and bolt fasteners 44 .
- Height adjustment mechanism 24 provides for vertical adjustment as indicated at arrow A in FIG. 1 .
- seat 16 and backrest 18 may be rotated or swiveled about the vertical axis passing through support 20 typically 360 degrees, as indicated at arrow B in FIG. 1 .
- Tilt assembly 10 includes a base 46 which is mounted on the top of support post 20 and on which backrest 18 is mounted via connector 42 at fasteners 44 .
- Assembly 10 further includes a seat support 48 which is secured to bottom 36 of seat 16 via a plurality of fasteners 50 typically in the forms of screws.
- Seat support 48 is configured to tilt relative to base 46 forward and backward and from side to side, and most preferably in any direction.
- Tilt assembly 10 further includes a tilt control which in part controls the direction in which seat 16 and seat support 48 may tilt relative to base 46 . The tilt control also controls the degree of resistance to the tilting movement and thus the amount of force which must be applied to tilt seat support 48 in a given direction, this force being provided in the exemplary embodiment solely by the shifting of the user's weight on seat 16 .
- Support 48 has a front 52 , a back 54 and left and right sides 56 and 58 .
- Support 48 includes a support plate 60 which is generally rectangular and includes left and right generally triangular flanges 62 and 64 extending outwardly opposite one another from the rectangular shape along left and right sides 56 and 58 .
- Support plate 60 has a top 63 in the form of a flat upwardly facing surface and a parallel bottom 65 in the form of a flat downwardly facing surface.
- a set of four left mounting holes 66 A and a set of four right mounting holes 66 B are formed respectively adjacent left and right sides 56 and 58 of plate 60 extending from top 63 to bottom 65 .
- seat support 48 further includes a generally cylindrical collar 68 which is rigidly secured to and extends downwardly from bottom 65 of plate 60 and defines a downwardly opening cavity or socket 70 .
- Collar 68 and socket 70 are centrally located midway between front and back 52 and 54 as well as between left and right sides 56 and 58 .
- Collar 68 defines a partial spherical concave surface 72 which bounds the top or upper portion of socket 70 . In other words, concave surface 72 lies along a portion of a spherical boundary.
- Collar 68 further includes a hexagonal inner perimeter 74 which extends downwardly from concave surface 72 to a bottom entrance opening 76 at the bottom of collar 68 . The hexagonal configuration of perimeter 74 is best shown in FIG. 5A .
- pistons are rigidly mounted on plate 60 and extend downwardly therefrom, including a front piston 80 F adjacent from 52 , a back piston 80 B adjacent back 54 , a left piston 80 L adjacent left side 56 and a right piston 80 R adjacent right side 58 .
- Each of pistons 80 F and 80 B are positioned midway between left and right sides 56 and 58 and are aligned with their respective centers collinear with the center of collar 68 and socket 70 , as shown in FIG. 3 .
- Left and right pistons 80 L and 80 R are mounted on flanges 62 and 64 and also have centers which are aligned collinear with the center of collar 68 and socket 70 along a line which is perpendicular to that along which pistons 80 F and 80 B are aligned.
- each of pistons 80 is substantially identical and thus positioned equidistant from the center of socket 68 along a common circle concentric about the center of socket 68 .
- each of pistons 80 is equidistant from a central vertical axis C ( FIG. 4 ) which passes through the center of collar 68 and socket 70 .
- Pistons 80 are thus circumferentially equidistant from one another with respect to axis C and in the exemplary embodiment each adjacent pair of pistons 80 is equidistant from each other so that pistons 80 lie at the corners of a square as viewed from above.
- Each piston 80 has a neck or shaft 82 which steps radially outwardly at an annular ledge 83 to a head 84 having a diameter greater than shaft 82 .
- An annular groove 86 which is typically circular is formed in head 84 extending inwardly from its outer diameter.
- a coil spring 90 is mounted on each piston 80 circumscribing the respective shaft 82 thereof. Spring 90 extends downwardly from seat support 48 to base 46 .
- Base 46 has a front 92 , a back 94 and left and right sides 96 and 98 which are respectively aligned with front 52 , back 54 and left and right sides 56 and 58 of seat support 48 .
- Base 46 includes a flat and generally square rigid plate 100 which is typically oriented horizontally.
- Plate 100 has a top 102 in the form of a flat upwardly facing surface which faces bottom 65 of plate 60 and a bottom 104 in the form of a flat downwardly facing surface.
- a chair base mounting structure is provided for mounting base 46 on the upper end of support post 20 of chair base 14 .
- This mounting structure in the exemplary embodiment includes a mounting cylinder 106 which defines a downwardly opening cavity 108 which is generally cylindrical and may include an upper section which tapers inwardly below plate 100 .
- Cylinder 106 is rigidly connected to and extends downwardly from bottom 104 of plate 100 and is centrally located so that the center of cylinder 106 and cavity 108 are aligned along vertical axis C when base 46 and seat support 48 are mounted on one another.
- Four braces 110 are rigidly secured to the outer perimeter of cylinder 108 and extend upwardly to a rigid connection with the bottom 104 of plate 100 to provide additional support to cylinder 108 .
- a ball or ball like member 112 is rigidly secured to and extends upwardly from top 102 of plate 100 directly above cavity 108 and is centered about axis C. Ball member 112 is received within socket 70 to provide a ball and socket pivotal connection between base 46 and seat support 48 whereby seat support 48 is tiltable in any direction relative to ball member 112 .
- the cap of ball member 112 defines a partial spherical convex surface 114 having a curvature which mates with the partial spherical concave surface 72 of collar 68 . Surface 72 thus is supported by and slides along surface 114 during the tilting movement of support 48 relative to base 46 .
- Ball member 112 further includes a generally barrel shaped section having a hexagonal outer perimeter 116 formed of eight arcuate facets 118 .
- arcuate facets 118 as seen along a horizontal section are straight and mate with respective facets 78 of collar 68 so that facets 78 slide along respective facets 118 during tilting movement of support 48 .
- the non-circular cross-section and mating configuration of outer perimeter 116 and inner perimeter 74 prevents rotational movement of seat support 48 relative to base 46 about axis C.
- arcuate facets 118 form arcs of respective circles which have a diameter greater than that of the spherical surfaces 114 and 72 .
- cavity 108 includes a wider section 120 defined by cylinder 106 which steps radially inwardly at a step 122 to a narrower section 124 which extends from wider section 120 upwardly into ball member 112 about half way from its bottom to its top.
- a through passage or entrance opening 126 is formed in the sidewall of ball member 112 and extends from its outer perimeter to its inner surface whereby it communicates with narrower section 124 and opens to the side.
- a terminal end of a control lever 128 is received within the narrower section 124 .
- the upper end of support post 20 and height adjustment mechanism 24 (dashed lines in FIG. 4 ) is received within cavity 108 when base 46 is mounted on chair base 14 .
- the gas spring of mechanism 24 includes a depressible activator pin or button 130 at its upper end which may be activated by control lever 128 . More particularly, lever 128 may be operated so that its terminal end within narrower section 124 is moved downwardly to move button 130 downwardly (arrow D in FIG. 4 ) in order to activate the gas spring, that is, to unlock it from a given position and allow the internal pressure to create a lifting motion on tilt assembly 10 and seat 16 .
- This mechanism operates in a standard fashion and thus allows assembly 10 and seat 16 to be raised when the user appropriately operates lever 128 when the user has removed his or her weight from seat 16 . Also in standard fashion, the user may operate lever 128 and apply his or her weight downwardly on seat 16 to lower seat 16 and assembly 10 .
- base 46 includes a front cylinder 132 F, a back cylinder 132 B, and left and right cylinders 132 L and 132 R each of which is rigidly mounted on plate 100 with a portion extending upwardly from top 102 and a portion extending downwardly opposite therefrom from bottom 104 .
- Each cylinder 132 includes a cylindrical sidewall 134 , a circular bottom wall 136 connected to the bottom of sidewall 134 and an annular top wall 138 secured to the top of sidewall 134 whereby walls 134 , 136 and 138 define therewithin a cylindrical interior chamber 140 .
- a single or sole entry/exit port 142 is formed through sidewall 134 adjacent bottom wall 136 and communicates with interior chamber 140 below the bottom of the respective piston 80 which is slidably received within interior chamber 140 .
- annular top wall 138 defines a circular entrance opening 144 at the top of each cylinder 132 so that shaft 82 is slidably received to move in the up and down direction within entrance opening 144 .
- Head 84 of each piston 80 is in its entirety disposed within interior chamber 140 and slidable therein so that seal 88 slides along the cylindrical inner surface of sidewall 134 along a continuous circular interface therewith.
- Entrance opening 144 has a smaller diameter than that of interior chamber 140 , whereby ledge 83 of head 84 may abut the bottom of annular top wall 138 , which serves as a stop to the upward movement of the respective piston 80 and associated portion of seat support 48 during the tilting movement thereof.
- hydraulic fluid 146 is disposed within interior chambers 140 and moves through the associated hydraulic lines and valves which are discussed further below. Any suitable hydraulic fluid may be used although fluid 146 is preferably self-lubricating and non-staining. It has been found that mineral oil fulfills these characteristics although other fluids may be used. Pistons 80 and cylinders 132 thus form respective laterally spaced hydraulic actuators 148 in the form of piston cylinder combinations.
- Front and back actuators 148 F and 148 B are disposed on opposite sides of the ball and socket pivotal connection respectively forward and rearward thereof while left and right actuators 148 L and 148 R are likewise disposed on opposite sides of said pivotal connection respectively to the left and right thereof.
- plate 100 includes a backrest mounting location at a substantially rectangular flange 150 adjacent back 94 which extends outwardly on either side of cylinder 132 B.
- a pair of mounting through holes 152 is formed through flange 150 from top 102 to bottom 104 of plate 100 on either side of cylinder 132 B. Holes 152 are configured for receiving therethrough fasteners 44 ( FIG. 1 ) in order to secure L-shaped connector 42 and backrest 18 on flange 150 .
- Base 46 further includes a mounting area for mounting control lever 128 and the valves of the hydraulic system, which are described further below.
- a pair of horizontally spaced and generally triangular lever-mounting brackets 154 (only one shown in FIG.
- a recessed valve-mounting area 158 ( FIG. 6 ) is formed in plate 100 extending downwardly from top 102 thereof. Area 158 is bounded along its bottom and sides by several valve-supporting walls 160 which are rigidly connected to and extend downwardly from bottom 104 of plate 100 . Three through holes or access openings 162 A-C are formed in walls 160 for receiving therethrough various hydraulic lines.
- a series of one-way ratchet teeth or locking teeth 164 are formed integrally with and extend upwardly from top 102 of plate 100 adjacent recessed area 158 on the opposite side of area 158 from ball member 112 and mounting flanges 154 . Teeth 164 are disposed intermediate and generally midway between cylinders 132 R and 132 B.
- lever 128 has inner and outer terminal ends 166 and 168 and is formed of two pieces in the form of a shorter segment 170 and a longer segment 172 which are pivotally connected to one another about a pivot 174 whereby longer segment 172 is pivotable relative to segment 170 about an axis F ( FIG. 6 ) which is substantially vertical and perpendicular to axis E.
- Pivot 174 extends through respective aligned holes formed in each of segments 170 and 172 . As shown in FIGS.
- pivots 156 are rigidly secured to and extend outwardly from either side of shorter segment 170 .
- a dual-valve activator 176 is mounted on longer segment 172 adjacent its inner end and pivot 174 and includes a rearwardly facing flat vertical engaging surface 178 .
- a single-valve activator 180 is mounted on longer segment 172 just opposite activator 176 and includes a forward facing flat vertical engaging surface 182 .
- Surfaces 178 and 182 are typically parallel to one another.
- a series of one-way ratchet teeth or locking teeth 184 is integrally formed with longer segment 172 and extend downwardly therefrom adjacent and radially outwardly of activators 176 and 180 relative to pivot 174 .
- Teeth 184 are configured to releasably engage teeth 164 on plate 100 so that when teeth 184 and 164 are engaged, lever 128 is secured in a selected secured position and when they are disengaged or released from one another, lever 128 is movable to an unsecured position and in the exemplary embodiment is automatically returned to its home position shown in FIG. 6 as discussed further below.
- the hydraulic system includes a left to right or side to side tilt control valve 186 A, a first front to back tilt control valve 186 B and a second front to back tilt control valve 186 C.
- Each of valves 186 includes a housing defining an interior chamber for slidably receiving therein a depressible piston or plunger 188 A-C along with an internal spring which biases the respective plunger outwardly to its closed position.
- Plungers 188 A and 188 B are configured to be depressed simultaneously by vertical engaging surface 178 of dual valve activator 176
- plunger 188 C is configured to be depressed by vertical engaging surface 182 of activator 180 .
- Side to side tilt valve 186 A includes a pair of entry/exit ports 190 L and 190 R ( FIG. 10 ) which are respectively associated with left and right actuators 148 L and 148 R.
- First front to back valve 186 B likewise has a pair of entry/exit ports 192 F and 192 B respectively associated with actuators 148 F and 148 B.
- second front to back valve 186 C has a pair of entry/exit ports 194 F and 194 B respectively associated with front and back actuators 148 F and 148 B.
- a left hydraulic line 196 L is connected at a first end 198 thereof to port 190 L of the valve 186 A and at a second opposed end 200 thereof to port 142 of left actuator 148 L.
- a right hydraulic line 196 R is connected at a first end 198 thereof to port 190 R of valve 186 A and at an opposed end 200 thereof to right actuator 148 R.
- the interior chambers 140 of left and right actuators 148 L and 148 R are in fluid communication with one another via lines 196 L and 196 R and valve 186 A when plunger 188 A is in an open or partially open position.
- FIG. 10 shows plunger 188 A is slidably moveable as indicated by the double arrow between a closed position shown in solid lines and a fully open position shown in dashed lines. Plunger 188 A increases the size of the passage through which hydraulic fluid may flow through valve 186 A the more it is depressed into the housing of said valve.
- Another separate closed hydraulic system is formed by front and back actuators 148 F and 148 B along with valve 186 B and 186 C and the associated interconnecting hydraulic lines.
- These hydraulic lines include three front hydraulic lines 202 A-C which are interconnected at a T-connector 204 and extend respectively from connector 204 to the respective ports of front actuator 148 F, front port 192 F of valve 186 B and front port 194 F of valve 186 C.
- a rear set of hydraulic lines 206 A-C are interconnected by another T-connector 208 , from which said lines extend respectively to port 142 of back actuator 148 B, back port 192 B of valve 186 B and back port 194 B of valve 186 C.
- Either one of valves 186 B and 186 C may be operated to allow hydraulic fluid to flow therethrough in order to provide for forward and backward tilting of seat support 48 or to prevent such tilting.
- each of valves 186 B and 186 C is a progressive valve configured to either cut off the flow of hydraulic fluid therethrough or to allow hydraulic fluid to flow with differing degrees of resistance depending on the degree to which plunger 188 is depressed to control the size of the passage through which the hydraulic fluid may flow through the respective valve.
- outer end 168 of segment 172 of controller 128 may be pivoted upwardly (arrow G) so that segments 170 and 172 pivot as a unit about axis E and so that the terminal inner end 166 of shorter segment 170 pivots downwardly, which as previously indicated depresses button or pin 130 of the height adjustment mechanism as shown at arrow D in FIG. 4 .
- outer end 168 of segment 162 may be pivoted in the forward direction (arrow H) about axis F relative to shorter segment 170 so that engaging surface 182 of activator 180 depresses plunger 188 C (arrow J) of valve 186 C to partially or fully open said valve.
- valve 186 C allows the user to tilt seat support 48 along with seat 16 in the forward and backward directions only, as indicated in FIG. 11 . More particularly, the user may shift his or her weight forward on seat 16 so that the downward force applied via seat 16 to seat support 48 forward of axis C is greater than the downward force applied rearward of axis C. This forward downward force or weight is indicated at W F in FIG. 11 .
- the downward force or weight W F causes front piston 80 F to move downwardly relative to front cylinder 132 F so that the hydraulic fluid 146 within the interior chamber 140 of cylinder 132 F is pressurized and forced into the interior chamber 140 of back cylinder 132 B via the hydraulic pathway therebetween which includes line 202 A, T-connector 204 , line 202 C, valve 186 C, line 206 C, T-connector 208 and line 206 A.
- the resistance to the force or weight W F will be greater or lesser.
- ledge 83 may come into contact with the lower surface of annular top wall 138 to provide a stop to the tilting movement of support 48 .
- the user desires to tilt seat support 48 rearwardly as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 11 , he or she simply shifts his or her weight rearwardly so that downward force behind axis C is greater than the downward force forward of axis C, the rearward downward force or weight being indicated at arrow W B in FIG. 11 .
- the back 54 of seat support 48 thus tilts downwardly as the front 52 tilts upwardly in this scenario, with back piston 80 B moving downwardly within interior chamber 140 of back cylinder 132 B to force hydraulic fluid 146 along the same path but in the opposite direction.
- angles K F and K B The maximum angle or degree of tilting in the forward and the backward directions is indicated respectively at angles K F and K B in FIG. 11 .
- Said angles are typically equal to one another and preferably at least 5 degrees and more typically 10 degrees. Although an angle of 10 degrees is likely sufficient to meet the needs of anyone sitting on seat 16 in a given position, angles K may be larger than this, for example up to 15 or 20 degrees especially where seat 16 is used for the purpose of exercising as discussed in greater detail further below.
- the user When the user is finished adjusting the forward or backward tilt of seat support 48 , he or she may simply release lever 128 so that outer end 168 thereof is automatically moved back to its neutral position in response to the spring biased movement of plunger 188 C in the direction opposite arrow J of FIG.
- valve 186 C When valve 186 C is closed, hydraulic fluid may not flow therethrough and thus a hydraulic lock is provided which prevents the tilting movement of seat support 48 out of whatever position it is in when control lever 128 reaches its neutral or home position.
- the user may also pivot outer end 168 of segment 172 rearwardly (arrow L in FIG. 6 ) about axis F relative to shorter segment 170 so that engaging surface 178 of activator 176 engages and forces plungers 188 A and 188 B toward respective partial or fully opened positions, as indicated at arrows M and N in FIG. 6 .
- the simultaneous opening of valves 186 A and 186 B allows for the forward and backward tilting of seat support 48 as well as its side to side tilting.
- the forward and backward tilting is achieved in the same manner as described with the use valve 186 C except that hydraulic fluid 146 flows through an alternate path which includes line 202 A, T-connector 204 , line 202 B, valve 186 B, line 206 B, T-connector 208 and line 206 A.
- the side to side tilting of seat support 48 is illustrated in FIG. 12 , with the tilting to the right shown in solid lines and the tilting to the left shown in dashed lines. Again, the user will shift his or her weight on seat 16 so that a greater downward force is applied to the right of axis C than is applied to the left of axis C, as represented by arrow W R .
- Tilting support 48 to the left is likewise achieved by applying a greater downward force to the left of axis C than to the right of axis C, as illustrated by arrow W L in FIG. 12 so that left side 56 tilts downwardly as right side 58 tilts upwardly.
- the force for tilting seat support 48 is in the exemplary embodiment provided solely by the weight of the user on seat 16 , and thus assembly is preferably free of a powered hydraulic pump for powering the flow of hydraulic fluid through its hydraulic systems.
- the respective angles or degrees of tilting to the right and left are respectively represented at angles K R and K L in FIG.
- valves 186 A and 186 B which may be in open positions at the same time via movement of lever segment 172 in one direction and the use of a third valve 186 C which may alternately be in its open position via movement of segment 172 in the opposite direction provides an isolation mechanism which isolates the forward and backward tilting from the side to side tilting.
- the tilting of seat support 48 is limited to forward and backward tilting when segment 172 is operated to open valve 186 C when valves 186 A and 186 B are closed, while forward and backward tilting is alternately combined with side to side tilting to produce omni directional tilting when valves 186 A and 186 B are open and valve 186 C is closed.
- valves 186 A and 186 B in conjunction with the ball and socket pivotal connection between base 46 and seat support 48 allows support 48 not only to tilt directly forward and backward and directly from side to side perpendicular thereto, but also to tilt in any direction relative to axis C.
- the user may rock, for instance, in a circular fashion, thereby shifting his or her weight along a generally circular pattern about axis C so that seat support 48 along with seat 16 may be tilted in any direction and continuously changed depending on where the greater amount of downward force is applied relative to axis C.
- the user may thus shift his or her weight to provide continuous shifting of the tilt angle and/or direction.
- the ability to tilt seat support 48 relative to base 46 especially in any direction provides a convenient way for the user to exercise in addition to the ability to set the angle of support 48 and seat 16 wherever desired. If the user wishes to lock the seat support 48 and seat 16 at a given degree of tilt, the user simply releases control lever 128 so that outer end 168 is automatically pivoted back to its home position in response to the spring biased movement of plungers 188 A and 188 B in the direction opposite arrows M and N in FIG. 6 to the closed position of valves 186 A and 186 B.
- tilt assembly 10 offers the user the ability to exercise or at least continuously shift positions as desired when valves 186 A and 18 B are partially or fully open.
- longer segment 172 of control lever 128 is manipulated so that teeth 184 engage teeth 164 , as shown in FIG. 13 .
- outer end 168 of segment 172 is moved rearwardly as indicated at arrow L in FIG. 6 and then moved downwardly as indicated at arrow T in FIG. 13 .
- the engagement of teeth 184 and 164 thus prevents the forward pivoting movement of outer end 168 , whereby valves 186 A and 186 B are maintained in a partially or fully open position.
- a given tooth 184 may engage any one of teeth 164 depending on the position of lever 128 in order to secure lever 128 and valves 186 A and 186 B in the various positions associated with varying degrees of resistance provided by the flow of hydraulic fluid 146 through said valves.
- the spring bias of plungers 188 A and 188 B to their forward closed positions applies a forward force on surface 178 which is translated to a forward force of teeth 184 on teeth 164 , thus providing a frictional engagement between said teeth which holds longer segment 172 in this latching or securing engagement between teeth 184 and 164 .
- Assembly 10 also provides an automatic leveling mechanism for leveling seat support 48 or returning it to its home or neutral position. More particularly, springs 90 are provided for this purpose. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 , at least one of springs 90 is compressed between annular top walls 138 of the respective cylinder 132 and upper portions of the respective piston 80 or the bottom of plate 60 when the portion of seat support 48 adjacent the compressed spring is moved downwardly relative to the portion of base 46 therebelow. When control lever 128 is in its home position, seat support 48 will be hydraulically locked at a given position which may be a tilted position in which at least one of springs 90 is compressed. The automatic leveling of seat support 48 is achieved by moving outer end 168 of longer segment 172 rearwardly (arrow L in FIG.
- Tilt assembly 10 thus allows a seat such as seat 16 to be tilted in any direction relative to a chair base such as base 14 and relative to a backrest such as backrest 18 .
- assembly 10 provides hydraulic systems which are capable of providing varying degrees of resistance to this tilting movement, which is useful both in providing exercise for the user as well as limiting the rate at which the tilting occurs for a given amount of weight applied at any given point on seat 16 .
- the hydraulic systems further provide a hydraulic lock for securing the seat support and seat in any tilted position while also providing a simple mechanism for automatically leveling the seat support and seat.
- FIGS. 14-18 illustrate a tilt assembly 310 which operates similar in many aspects to the previous embodiment shown in FIG. 1-13 .
- tilt assembly 310 replaces progressively opening valve 186 of the previous embodiment with two separate hydraulic valves, including one valve which controls the rate in which hydraulic fluid flows within the system, and another valve which operates to turn the hydraulic fluid communication on or off within the system.
- Tilt assembly 310 further replaces ball member 112 and cavity 108 of the previous embodiment with a universal joint having a lower profile.
- Hydraulic line 312 containing a hydraulic fluid which allows for fluid communication between pistons 80 F and 80 B.
- Hydraulic line 312 also includes a regulator valve 316 and an adjustment knob 318 operatively connected to regulator valve 316 and movable between a plurality of positions to adjust the opening size of valve 316 .
- Hydraulic line 312 further includes an on/off valve 320 and a control switch 322 operatively connected to on/off valve 320 and movable between an open and closed position to open and close valve 320 .
- a second pair of hydraulic actuators 148 L and 148 R are joined by a hydraulic line 332 containing a hydraulic fluid which allows for fluid communication between pistons 80 L and 80 R.
- Second pair of actuators 148 L and 148 R are substantially similar to first pair of actuators 148 F and 148 B described in the first embodiment, and includes a regulator valve 336 having an operatively connected adjustment knob 338 moveable between a plurality of positions to adjust the opening size of valve 336 , and an on/off valve 340 having an operatively connected control switch 342 moveable between and open and closed position to open and close valve 340 .
- the first pair of actuators 148 F/ 48 B and the second pair of actuators 148 L/ 148 R operate independently from one another.
- a control rod 324 extends from on/off valve 320 and terminates in a switch housing 323 .
- Control switch 322 extends from switch housing 323 and is operatively connected to on/off valve 320 through control rod 324 .
- a control rod 344 extends from on/off valve 340 and terminates in switch housing 323 .
- Control switch 342 extends from switch housing 323 generally parallel to control switch 322 , and is operatively connected to on/off valve 340 through control rod 344 .
- a control lever 346 extends from between base 46 and seat support 48 to actuate a gas pin (not shown) to raise and lower chair 12 .
- Seat support 48 and base 46 are each generally a flat plate having four corners with each hydraulic actuator 148 F, 148 B, 148 L, and 148 R disposed between a corner of seat support 48 and a corresponding corner of base 46 .
- tilt assembly 310 includes base 46 and seat support 48 , which operate substantially similarly to the previous embodiment. However seat support 48 tilts about a universal joint 350 pivotally connected to base 46 and seat support 48 .
- Universal joint 350 includes a pair of upper brackets 351 secured to seat support 48 .
- Each bracket 351 includes a horizontal plate 352 and a vertical plate 354 joined together generally at a right angle.
- Universal joint further includes a pair of lower brackets 371 secured to base 46 .
- Each bracket 371 includes a horizontal plate 372 and a vertical plate 374 joined together generally at a right angle.
- Each vertical plate 354 and 374 includes a bracket aperture 356 and 376 , respectively, extending therethrough.
- Universal joint 350 further includes a coupler 385 having four faces 387 , each face 387 having an aperture 389 extending therethrough.
- a first bolt 358 is sized to extend through a plurality of washers 360 , bracket apertures 356 of upper brackets 351 , and apertures 389 of coupler 385 .
- a second bolt 378 is sized to extend through a plurality of washers 380 , bracket apertures 376 of lower brackets 371 , and apertures 389 of coupler 385 .
- tilt control 310 operates to hydraulically adjust seat 16 in fundamentally the same manner. However, while tilt control 10 combines on/off control of the hydraulic system with the progressive flow control of hydraulic fluid into one progressively opening valve 186 , tilt control 310 separates the two valves. Tilt control 310 separates valves 186 of the previous embodiment into on/off valves 320 and 340 , and regulator valves 316 and 336 . Tilt control 310 further uses universal joint 350 rather than ball member 112 and cavity 108 to pivotally connect seat support 48 with base 46 .
- On/off valve 320 determines if the first pair of hydraulic actuators 148 F and 148 B are in fluid communication with one another, and on/off valve 340 determines if the second pair of hydraulic actuators 148 L and 148 R are in fluid communication with one another.
- closing valve 320 or 340 prevents hydraulic fluid from moving through hydraulic lines 312 or 332 , respectively, which in turn prevents actuation of pistons 80 within hydraulic actuators 148 .
- Valves 320 and 340 may be closed while the user is tilting in any direction, and acts to “freeze” tilt control 310 in the current position for the user. Opening valve 320 or 340 allows hydraulic fluid to move through hydraulic lines 312 or 332 , respectively, restoring fluid communication between hydraulic actuators 148 F/ 148 B, or 148 L/ 148 R, respectively.
- control switch 322 extends from on/off valve 320 and provides a button mechanism to the user for controlling the opening and closing of valve 320 , and more particularly the positioning of tilt control 310 .
- control switch 322 is depressed in the direction of Arrow M, which moves on/off valve 320 into a closed position to stop hydraulic fluid from moving within hydraulic line 312 , interrupting the fluid communication between hydraulic actuators 148 F and 148 B.
- control switch 322 When a user desires to release first pair of actuators 308 from the current position, control switch 322 is released in the direction of Arrow M, which moves on/off valve 320 in an open position to allow hydraulic fluid to move within hydraulic line 312 , establishing fluid communication between hydraulic actuators 148 F and 148 B.
- On/off valve 340 acts in a substantially similar manner, with control switch 342 controlling the open or closed state of on/off valve 340 which enables or disables fluid communication between actuators 148 L and 148 R.
- control rods 324 and 342 extend from on/off valves 320 and 340 , respectively, and terminate in switch housing 323 .
- Control rods 324 and 342 provide an extending control mechanism for on/off valves 320 and 340 , respectively.
- Switch housing 323 offers control switches 322 and 342 to the user in a central interface extending from between base 46 and seat support 48 , and allows a user to easily control on/off valves 320 and 340 .
- Pursuant to the overall objectives of tilt assembly 310 when a user wishes to hold seat 16 in a particular position, the user is typically sitting on seat 16 . From this position, switch housing 323 is easily accessible and a user may manipulate control switches 322 and 342 simply by reaching down with a hand.
- On/off valves 320 and 340 operate independently to control a separate range of motion for tilt assembly 310 .
- hydraulic actuators 148 F and 148 B control the front-to-back tilting of seat 16 and are actuated through hydraulic fluid which flows through line 312 and on/off valve 320 .
- Closing on/off valve 320 stops hydraulic fluid through hydraulic line 312 and in turn, holds seat 16 stationary in the front-to-back range.
- seat 16 is free to move from side-to-side, even while on/off valve 320 is in the closed position, holding seat 16 stationary in the front-to-back range.
- on/off valve 340 a user may restrict the side-to-side range of motion and hold seat 16 stationary with respect to that range by closing on/off valve 340 .
- This independent control of the two ranges within tilt assembly 310 gives a user control over the ultimate position or motion of seat 16 .
- regulator valves 316 and 336 allow the user to adjust the rate of flow therethrough, by progressively opening and closing the valve in hydraulic lines 312 and 332 through manual manipulation of adjustment knobs 318 and 338 , respectively.
- a user moves regulator valve 316 or 336 from a wide opening to a narrow opening to decrease the amount of hydraulic fluid which may pass through. This increases the resistance of hydraulic actuators 148 , in turn requiring the user to apply more force to seat 16 to move it within a particular range of motion.
- a user moves regulator valve 316 or 336 from a narrow opening to a wider opening to increase the rate in which hydraulic fluid flows therethrough, lessening the force a user must exert on seat 16 to move it within a particular range of motion.
- Adjustment knobs 318 and 338 are operatively connected to regulator valves 316 and 336 , respectively, and control the size of the valve opening. As shown in FIG. 14 , adjustment knob 318 is moved in the directions of Arrow P to adjust the flow of hydraulic fluid moving through regulator valve 316 in hydraulic line 312 . Likewise, adjustment knob 338 is moved in the directions of Arrow Q to adjust the flow of hydraulic fluid in hydraulic line 332 . Adjustment knobs 318 and 338 may be adjusted to a plurality of positions, wherein each position corresponds to a different rate of flow of hydraulic fluid through regulator valves 316 and 336 , respectively.
- adjustment knob 318 extends from regulator valve 316 , positioned such that a user may manipulate adjustment knob 318 while resting in a seated position in seat 16 .
- the user When a user wishes to decrease the rate in which hydraulic fluid flows through regulator valve 316 , the user simply reaches down and moves adjustment knob 318 to a new position corresponding with the desired rate of flow of hydraulic fluid. With a decreased rate of flow, it takes more physical pressure from the user to tilt seat 16 in the front-to-back range. Likewise, with an increased rate of flow, it takes less physical pressure from the user to tilt seat 16 in the front-to-back range.
- Adjustment knob 338 and regulator valve 336 work in a substantially similar way to adjust the rate of flow of hydraulic fluid through hydraulic line 332 , allowing a user to adjust the side-to-side resistance of seat 16 .
- tilt assembly 310 utilizes universal joint 350 having two orthogonal pivot joints to allow a user to tilt seat 16 in any direction.
- Universal joint 350 is an improvement over ball member 112 and cavity 108 of tilt assembly 10 of the previous embodiment in that universal joint 350 is smaller in vertical size, which lowers the overall vertical profile of tilt assembly 310 .
- brackets 351 A and 351 B are secured to seat support 48 and spaced to align bracket apertures 356 A and 356 B with opposed face apertures 389 .
- This alignment allows first bolt 358 to extend through brackets 351 and coupler 385 , which enables seat support 48 to tilt relative first bolt 358 .
- First bolt 358 extends through brackets 351 and coupler 385 with the support of corresponding washers 360 which provide a friction reducing buffer between the metallic surfaces of first bolt 358 , upper brackets 351 , and coupler 385 .
- First bolt 358 allows seat support to tilt in a general front-to-back orientation relative the overall tilt assembly 310 .
- Bracket apertures 376 A and 376 B are aligned with opposed face apertures 389 , allowing second bolt 378 to extend perpendicularly relative to first bolt 358 through brackets 371 and coupler 385 .
- Washers 380 provide a friction reducing buffer between the metallic surfaces of second bolt 378 , lower brackets 371 , and coupler 385 .
- Second bolt 378 allows seat support 48 to tilt in a general side-to-side orientation relative the overall tilt assembly 310 .
- any desired tilting orientation is supported by universal joint 350 . If a front-to-back tilt is desired, seat support 48 tilts about first bolt 358 . If a side-to-side tilt is desired, seat support 48 tilts about second bolt 378 . If an intermediate tilt is desired which corresponds to a front-to-back and a side-to-side, in any possible combination, seat support 48 tilts about both first bolt 358 and second bolt 378 .
- the hydraulic system and universal joint 350 of tilt assembly 310 are not limited to combined use, and either may be selectively incorporated into the first embodiment of tilt assembly 10 .
Landscapes
- Chairs Characterized By Structure (AREA)
- Chairs For Special Purposes, Such As Reclining Chairs (AREA)
Abstract
An adjustable chair and a tilt assembly for use therewith typically provides side to side tilting of the chair seat and preferably provides forward and backward tilting of the seat separately or in combination with the side to side tilting. A hydraulic system is provided for controlling the tilting movement. Hydraulic valves having adjustable knobs are used to control the resistance to the tilting movement whereby the chair is useful for exercise while the user is seated and the rate at which the tilting occurs may be controlled. The seat may be locked by closing additional hydraulic valves while the tilt assembly is in any tilted position or the user may shift weight on the seat to provide a continuous shifting of the tilt angle and tilt direction of the seat.
Description
- This application is a Continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/148,425, filed Apr. 18, 2008. The entire specification of this application is incorporated herein by reference.
- 1. Technical Field
- The present invention relates generally to adjustable chairs. More particularly, the present invention relates to a tilt assembly which allows the user of the chair to tilt the seat in any direction. Specifically, the present invention relates to such a tilt assembly which utilizes hydraulic systems to provide a selected resistance to the tilting movement as well as to provide a hydraulic lock for securing the seat at a chosen tilted position.
- 2. Background Information
- While adjustable chairs have been known for some time, ergonomically adjustable seating which is widely available to the public at large is a more recent development which may be due to the use of computers, which has substantially increased the number of office workers who are desk bound. Most of the currently available adjustable chairs are adjusted at a first sitting or early on in the use of the chair such that the chair typically remains in the position set by the user of the chair. While the ability of the user to adjust the chair may be helpful in providing comfort to the user, this fixed position is still generally less than desirable due to the amount of time that the user spends in the chair. Thus, this stationary or sedentary work position is less than desirable in terms of productivity, employee morale, and the minimization of sick days taken by employees. Most of the currently available ergonomic chairs provide for the height adjustment of the seat, (usually by a gas lift strut or mechanical rotary screw), the forward and backward tilting of the seat, and the forward and backward tilting of the backrest. However, to the Applicant's knowledge, current ergonomic chairs do not provide for the side to side tilting of the chair seat nor do they provide a chair seat which may be set for continuous tilting movement in any direction while providing a control for the degree of resistance to the tilting movement, which is useful for controlling the speed at which the tilting movement occurs as well as a mechanism for exercise while the user is seated. The present invention addresses these and other problems in the art.
- The present invention includes an apparatus comprising: a base and a seat support which has a front, a back, and opposed sides, is adapted to mount on the bottom of a seat, and is disposed above and pivotally mounted on the base whereby the seat support is tiltable from side to side relative to the base.
- The present invention also includes an adjustable hydraulic seat comprising: a base; a seat support disposed above the base adapted to mount on a bottom of a seat; a universal joint providing a pivotal connection between the base and seat support whereby the seat support is tiltable relative to the base; and a hydraulic system providing variable tilting resistance to the seat support.
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FIG. 1 is a perspective view generally from the bottom of a chair utilizing the tilt assembly of the present invention. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view generally from the top showing the tilt assembly removed from the chair. -
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the tilt assembly. -
FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 4-4 ofFIG. 3 . -
FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 5-5 ofFIG. 3 . -
FIG. 5A is a sectional view taken online 5A-5A ofFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the base of the tilt assembly. -
FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the base of the tilt assembly. -
FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the hydraulic valves, hydraulic lines and operating lever. -
FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the hydraulic valves, hydraulic lines and operating lever. -
FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view of the hydraulic systems of the tilt assembly. -
FIG. 11 is a sectional view similar toFIG. 4 showing the forward and backward tilting of the seat support of the tilt assembly. -
FIG. 12 is a sectional view similar toFIG. 5 showing the side to side tilting of the seat support of the tilt assembly. -
FIG. 13 is an enlarged side elevational view showing the teeth of the control lever engaging the teeth of the base to secure the control lever in a desired position. -
FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of a second embodiment of the tilt assembly. -
FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic view of the hydraulic lines and valves of the second embodiment ofFIG. 14 . -
FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of a universal joint for the tilt assembly ofFIG. 14 . -
FIG. 17 is a top perspective view ofFIG. 16 with the seat support shown in phantom. -
FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the tilt assembly ofFIG. 17 with the seat support and base shown in phantom. - The tilt assembly of the present invention is indicated generally at 10 in
FIG. 1 in use with anadjustable chair 12 which includes achair base 14, aseat 16 and abackrest 18.Tilt assembly 10 is configured to allowseat 16 to tilt relative tobase 14 andbackrest 18 in the forward and backward direction as well as in the side to side direction. Althoughassembly 10 may be used with a variety of chairs,chair 12 in the exemplary embodiment is shown as an office chair which may have various adjustment features other than those provided bytilt assembly 10. In the exemplary embodiment,chair base 14 includes a generallyvertical support post 20 which is secured to and extends upwardly from a set of fivelegs 22 which project radially outwardly from the lower end ofpost 20 and are adapted to contact a support surface such as the ground or the floor.Legs 22 may include wheels mounted thereon although not shown in the present embodiment.Support post 20 may be a rigid non-adjustable post, but preferably includes aheight adjustment mechanism 24 which typically involves the use of a gas spring. Seat 16 is a generally flat structure which is typically oriented horizontally in its home position.Seat 16 has afront 26, a rear 28, left andright sides top 34 and abottom 36. Top 34 typically is formed of a cushion material on which a person may sit whilebottom 36 is typically formed of a rigid material to whichtilt assembly 10 is secured.Backrest 18 has afront 38 typically formed of a cushion material for resting a person's back against and a rear 40 which is typically made of a substantially rigid material.Backrest 18 extends upwardly and generally vertically from adjacent rear 28 ofseat 16 and is secured toassembly 10 via an L-shaped connector 42 which has an upwardly extending leg secured adjacent the lower end of rear 40 ofbackrest 18 and a forward extending leg which is secured adjacent its front terminal end toassembly 10 via four nut andbolt fasteners 44.Height adjustment mechanism 24 provides for vertical adjustment as indicated at arrow A inFIG. 1 . In addition,seat 16 andbackrest 18 may be rotated or swiveled about the vertical axis passing throughsupport 20 typically 360 degrees, as indicated at arrow B inFIG. 1 . -
Tilt assembly 10 includes abase 46 which is mounted on the top ofsupport post 20 and on whichbackrest 18 is mounted viaconnector 42 atfasteners 44.Assembly 10 further includes aseat support 48 which is secured tobottom 36 ofseat 16 via a plurality offasteners 50 typically in the forms of screws.Seat support 48 is configured to tilt relative tobase 46 forward and backward and from side to side, and most preferably in any direction.Tilt assembly 10 further includes a tilt control which in part controls the direction in whichseat 16 andseat support 48 may tilt relative tobase 46. The tilt control also controls the degree of resistance to the tilting movement and thus the amount of force which must be applied totilt seat support 48 in a given direction, this force being provided in the exemplary embodiment solely by the shifting of the user's weight onseat 16. -
Tilt assembly 10 is described in greater detail beginning withseat support 48 and with primary reference toFIGS. 2-4 .Seat support 48 has afront 52, aback 54 and left andright sides Support 48 includes asupport plate 60 which is generally rectangular and includes left and right generallytriangular flanges right sides Support plate 60 has a top 63 in the form of a flat upwardly facing surface and a parallel bottom 65 in the form of a flat downwardly facing surface. A set of four left mountingholes 66A and a set of four right mountingholes 66B are formed respectively adjacent left andright sides plate 60 extending from top 63 tobottom 65. Through holes 66 are configured to receive therethrough fasteners 50 (FIG. 1 ) for securingplate 60 toseat 16 withtop 63 ofplate 60 abutting theflat bottom 36 ofseat 16. As shown inFIG. 4 ,seat support 48 further includes a generallycylindrical collar 68 which is rigidly secured to and extends downwardly from bottom 65 ofplate 60 and defines a downwardly opening cavity orsocket 70.Collar 68 andsocket 70 are centrally located midway between front and back 52 and 54 as well as between left andright sides Collar 68 defines a partial sphericalconcave surface 72 which bounds the top or upper portion ofsocket 70. In other words,concave surface 72 lies along a portion of a spherical boundary.Collar 68 further includes a hexagonalinner perimeter 74 which extends downwardly fromconcave surface 72 to a bottom entrance opening 76 at the bottom ofcollar 68. The hexagonal configuration ofperimeter 74 is best shown inFIG. 5A . - Four pistons are rigidly mounted on
plate 60 and extend downwardly therefrom, including afront piston 80F adjacent from 52, aback piston 80Badjacent back 54, aleft piston 80L adjacentleft side 56 and aright piston 80R adjacentright side 58. Each ofpistons right sides collar 68 andsocket 70, as shown inFIG. 3 . Left andright pistons flanges collar 68 andsocket 70 along a line which is perpendicular to that along whichpistons socket 68 along a common circle concentric about the center ofsocket 68. In other words, each of pistons 80 is equidistant from a central vertical axis C (FIG. 4 ) which passes through the center ofcollar 68 andsocket 70. Pistons 80 are thus circumferentially equidistant from one another with respect to axis C and in the exemplary embodiment each adjacent pair of pistons 80 is equidistant from each other so that pistons 80 lie at the corners of a square as viewed from above. Each piston 80 has a neck orshaft 82 which steps radially outwardly at anannular ledge 83 to ahead 84 having a diameter greater thanshaft 82. Anannular groove 86 which is typically circular is formed inhead 84 extending inwardly from its outer diameter. An annularflexible seal 88 typically in the form of an O-ring or circular seal formed of an elastomer is disposed ingroove 86 and extends outwardly from the outer perimeter of head 84 a short distance. Acoil spring 90 is mounted on each piston 80 circumscribing therespective shaft 82 thereof.Spring 90 extends downwardly fromseat support 48 tobase 46. -
Base 46 is now described in greater detail with primary reference toFIGS. 4-7 .Base 46 has a front 92, a back 94 and left andright sides front 52, back 54 and left andright sides seat support 48.Base 46 includes a flat and generally squarerigid plate 100 which is typically oriented horizontally.Plate 100 has a top 102 in the form of a flat upwardly facing surface which faces bottom 65 ofplate 60 and a bottom 104 in the form of a flat downwardly facing surface. A chair base mounting structure is provided for mountingbase 46 on the upper end ofsupport post 20 ofchair base 14. This mounting structure in the exemplary embodiment includes a mountingcylinder 106 which defines adownwardly opening cavity 108 which is generally cylindrical and may include an upper section which tapers inwardly belowplate 100.Cylinder 106 is rigidly connected to and extends downwardly frombottom 104 ofplate 100 and is centrally located so that the center ofcylinder 106 andcavity 108 are aligned along vertical axis C whenbase 46 andseat support 48 are mounted on one another. Four braces 110 are rigidly secured to the outer perimeter ofcylinder 108 and extend upwardly to a rigid connection with thebottom 104 ofplate 100 to provide additional support tocylinder 108. A ball or ball likemember 112 is rigidly secured to and extends upwardly from top 102 ofplate 100 directly abovecavity 108 and is centered about axisC. Ball member 112 is received withinsocket 70 to provide a ball and socket pivotal connection betweenbase 46 andseat support 48 wherebyseat support 48 is tiltable in any direction relative toball member 112. The cap ofball member 112 defines a partial sphericalconvex surface 114 having a curvature which mates with the partial sphericalconcave surface 72 ofcollar 68.Surface 72 thus is supported by and slides alongsurface 114 during the tilting movement ofsupport 48 relative tobase 46.Ball member 112 further includes a generally barrel shaped section having a hexagonalouter perimeter 116 formed of eightarcuate facets 118. As shown inFIG. 5A ,arcuate facets 118 as seen along a horizontal section are straight and mate withrespective facets 78 ofcollar 68 so thatfacets 78 slide alongrespective facets 118 during tilting movement ofsupport 48. The non-circular cross-section and mating configuration ofouter perimeter 116 andinner perimeter 74 prevents rotational movement ofseat support 48 relative to base 46 about axis C. As viewed from the side,arcuate facets 118 form arcs of respective circles which have a diameter greater than that of thespherical surfaces - As shown in
FIG. 4 ,cavity 108 includes awider section 120 defined bycylinder 106 which steps radially inwardly at astep 122 to anarrower section 124 which extends fromwider section 120 upwardly intoball member 112 about half way from its bottom to its top. A through passage or entrance opening 126 is formed in the sidewall ofball member 112 and extends from its outer perimeter to its inner surface whereby it communicates withnarrower section 124 and opens to the side. A terminal end of acontrol lever 128 is received within thenarrower section 124. In addition, the upper end ofsupport post 20 and height adjustment mechanism 24 (dashed lines inFIG. 4 ) is received withincavity 108 whenbase 46 is mounted onchair base 14. The gas spring ofmechanism 24 includes a depressible activator pin orbutton 130 at its upper end which may be activated bycontrol lever 128. More particularly,lever 128 may be operated so that its terminal end withinnarrower section 124 is moved downwardly to movebutton 130 downwardly (arrow D inFIG. 4 ) in order to activate the gas spring, that is, to unlock it from a given position and allow the internal pressure to create a lifting motion ontilt assembly 10 andseat 16. This mechanism operates in a standard fashion and thus allowsassembly 10 andseat 16 to be raised when the user appropriately operateslever 128 when the user has removed his or her weight fromseat 16. Also in standard fashion, the user may operatelever 128 and apply his or her weight downwardly onseat 16 tolower seat 16 andassembly 10. - With continued reference to
FIGS. 4-7 ,base 46 includes afront cylinder 132F, aback cylinder 132B, and left andright cylinders plate 100 with a portion extending upwardly from top 102 and a portion extending downwardly opposite therefrom frombottom 104. Each cylinder 132 includes acylindrical sidewall 134, acircular bottom wall 136 connected to the bottom ofsidewall 134 and an annulartop wall 138 secured to the top ofsidewall 134 wherebywalls interior chamber 140. A single or sole entry/exit port 142 is formed throughsidewall 134 adjacentbottom wall 136 and communicates withinterior chamber 140 below the bottom of the respective piston 80 which is slidably received withininterior chamber 140. More particularly, annulartop wall 138 defines a circular entrance opening 144 at the top of each cylinder 132 so thatshaft 82 is slidably received to move in the up and down direction withinentrance opening 144.Head 84 of each piston 80 is in its entirety disposed withininterior chamber 140 and slidable therein so thatseal 88 slides along the cylindrical inner surface ofsidewall 134 along a continuous circular interface therewith.Entrance opening 144 has a smaller diameter than that ofinterior chamber 140, wherebyledge 83 ofhead 84 may abut the bottom of annulartop wall 138, which serves as a stop to the upward movement of the respective piston 80 and associated portion ofseat support 48 during the tilting movement thereof. As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5 ,hydraulic fluid 146 is disposed withininterior chambers 140 and moves through the associated hydraulic lines and valves which are discussed further below. Any suitable hydraulic fluid may be used althoughfluid 146 is preferably self-lubricating and non-staining. It has been found that mineral oil fulfills these characteristics although other fluids may be used. Pistons 80 and cylinders 132 thus form respective laterally spaced hydraulic actuators 148 in the form of piston cylinder combinations. More particularly, these include afront actuator 148F, and backactuator 148B and left andright actuators back actuators right actuators - With reference to
FIGS. 6 and 7 ,plate 100 includes a backrest mounting location at a substantiallyrectangular flange 150 adjacent back 94 which extends outwardly on either side ofcylinder 132B. A pair of mounting throughholes 152 is formed throughflange 150 from top 102 tobottom 104 ofplate 100 on either side ofcylinder 132B.Holes 152 are configured for receiving therethrough fasteners 44 (FIG. 1 ) in order to secure L-shapedconnector 42 andbackrest 18 onflange 150.Base 46 further includes a mounting area for mountingcontrol lever 128 and the valves of the hydraulic system, which are described further below. A pair of horizontally spaced and generally triangular lever-mounting brackets 154 (only one shown inFIG. 6 ) are rigidly secured to and extend upwardly from top 102 ofplate 100 adjacent entrance opening 126 ofball member 112. Through holes are formed in each mountingbracket 154 for receiving therein apivot 156 wherebylever 128 is pivotally mounted onbrackets 154 about a substantially horizontal axis E (FIG. 6 ). A recessed valve-mounting area 158 (FIG. 6 ) is formed inplate 100 extending downwardly from top 102 thereof.Area 158 is bounded along its bottom and sides by several valve-supportingwalls 160 which are rigidly connected to and extend downwardly frombottom 104 ofplate 100. Three through holes oraccess openings 162A-C are formed inwalls 160 for receiving therethrough various hydraulic lines. A series of one-way ratchet teeth or lockingteeth 164 are formed integrally with and extend upwardly from top 102 ofplate 100 adjacent recessedarea 158 on the opposite side ofarea 158 fromball member 112 and mountingflanges 154.Teeth 164 are disposed intermediate and generally midway betweencylinders - Referring now to
FIGS. 7-10 ,control lever 128 and its associated structure, along with the remaining portions of the hydraulic system are now described in greater detail. Referring primarily toFIGS. 8 and 9 ,lever 128 has inner and outer terminal ends 166 and 168 and is formed of two pieces in the form of ashorter segment 170 and alonger segment 172 which are pivotally connected to one another about apivot 174 wherebylonger segment 172 is pivotable relative tosegment 170 about an axis F (FIG. 6 ) which is substantially vertical and perpendicular toaxis E. Pivot 174 extends through respective aligned holes formed in each ofsegments FIGS. 8 and 9 , pivots 156 are rigidly secured to and extend outwardly from either side ofshorter segment 170. A dual-valve activator 176 is mounted onlonger segment 172 adjacent its inner end and pivot 174 and includes a rearwardly facing flat verticalengaging surface 178. Likewise, a single-valve activator 180 is mounted onlonger segment 172 just oppositeactivator 176 and includes a forward facing flat verticalengaging surface 182.Surfaces teeth 184 is integrally formed withlonger segment 172 and extend downwardly therefrom adjacent and radially outwardly ofactivators Teeth 184 are configured to releasably engageteeth 164 onplate 100 so that whenteeth lever 128 is secured in a selected secured position and when they are disengaged or released from one another,lever 128 is movable to an unsecured position and in the exemplary embodiment is automatically returned to its home position shown inFIG. 6 as discussed further below. - With continued reference to
FIGS. 6-10 , the hydraulic system includes a left to right or side to sidetilt control valve 186A, a first front to backtilt control valve 186B and a second front to backtilt control valve 186C. Each of valves 186 includes a housing defining an interior chamber for slidably receiving therein a depressible piston orplunger 188A-C along with an internal spring which biases the respective plunger outwardly to its closed position.Plungers surface 178 ofdual valve activator 176, whileplunger 188C is configured to be depressed by vertical engagingsurface 182 ofactivator 180. Side toside tilt valve 186A includes a pair of entry/exit ports FIG. 10 ) which are respectively associated with left andright actuators valve 186B likewise has a pair of entry/exit ports actuators valve 186C has a pair of entry/exit ports back actuators hydraulic line 196L is connected at afirst end 198 thereof toport 190L of thevalve 186A and at a secondopposed end 200 thereof to port 142 ofleft actuator 148L. Likewise, a righthydraulic line 196R is connected at afirst end 198 thereof toport 190R ofvalve 186A and at anopposed end 200 thereof toright actuator 148R. Thus, theinterior chambers 140 of left andright actuators lines valve 186A whenplunger 188A is in an open or partially open position.FIG. 10 shows plunger 188A is slidably moveable as indicated by the double arrow between a closed position shown in solid lines and a fully open position shown in dashed lines.Plunger 188A increases the size of the passage through which hydraulic fluid may flow throughvalve 186A the more it is depressed into the housing of said valve. Left andright actuators valve 186A andhydraulic lines back actuators valve hydraulic lines 202A-C which are interconnected at a T-connector 204 and extend respectively fromconnector 204 to the respective ports offront actuator 148F,front port 192F ofvalve 186B andfront port 194F ofvalve 186C. Similarly, a rear set ofhydraulic lines 206A-C are interconnected by another T-connector 208, from which said lines extend respectively to port 142 ofback actuator 148B,back port 192B ofvalve 186B andback port 194B ofvalve 186C. Either one ofvalves seat support 48 or to prevent such tilting. Likevalve 186A, each ofvalves - The operation of
tilt assembly 10 is now described. As shown inFIG. 6 ,outer end 168 ofsegment 172 ofcontroller 128 may be pivoted upwardly (arrow G) so thatsegments inner end 166 ofshorter segment 170 pivots downwardly, which as previously indicated depresses button or pin 130 of the height adjustment mechanism as shown at arrow D inFIG. 4 . This allows for the height adjustment previously described. In addition,outer end 168 of segment 162 may be pivoted in the forward direction (arrow H) about axis F relative toshorter segment 170 so that engagingsurface 182 ofactivator 180 depressesplunger 188C (arrow J) ofvalve 186C to partially or fully open said valve. The opening ofvalve 186C allows the user to tiltseat support 48 along withseat 16 in the forward and backward directions only, as indicated inFIG. 11 . More particularly, the user may shift his or her weight forward onseat 16 so that the downward force applied viaseat 16 toseat support 48 forward of axis C is greater than the downward force applied rearward of axis C. This forward downward force or weight is indicated at WF inFIG. 11 . The downward force or weight WF causesfront piston 80F to move downwardly relative tofront cylinder 132F so that thehydraulic fluid 146 within theinterior chamber 140 ofcylinder 132F is pressurized and forced into theinterior chamber 140 ofback cylinder 132B via the hydraulic pathway therebetween which includesline 202A, T-connector 204,line 202C,valve 186C,line 206C, T-connector 208 andline 206A. Depending on how far forwardlonger segment 172 ofcontrol lever 128 is moved forward and thus howfar valve 186C is opened via the corresponding movement ofplunger 188C, the resistance to the force or weight WF will be greater or lesser. As theback 54 ofsupport 48 and backpiston 80B move upwardly,ledge 83 may come into contact with the lower surface of annulartop wall 138 to provide a stop to the tilting movement ofsupport 48. If the user desires to tiltseat support 48 rearwardly as shown in dashed lines inFIG. 11 , he or she simply shifts his or her weight rearwardly so that downward force behind axis C is greater than the downward force forward of axis C, the rearward downward force or weight being indicated at arrow WB inFIG. 11 . Theback 54 ofseat support 48 thus tilts downwardly as the front 52 tilts upwardly in this scenario, withback piston 80B moving downwardly withininterior chamber 140 ofback cylinder 132B to forcehydraulic fluid 146 along the same path but in the opposite direction. - The maximum angle or degree of tilting in the forward and the backward directions is indicated respectively at angles KF and KB in
FIG. 11 . Said angles are typically equal to one another and preferably at least 5 degrees and more typically 10 degrees. Although an angle of 10 degrees is likely sufficient to meet the needs of anyone sitting onseat 16 in a given position, angles K may be larger than this, for example up to 15 or 20 degrees especially whereseat 16 is used for the purpose of exercising as discussed in greater detail further below. When the user is finished adjusting the forward or backward tilt ofseat support 48, he or she may simply releaselever 128 so thatouter end 168 thereof is automatically moved back to its neutral position in response to the spring biased movement ofplunger 188C in the direction opposite arrow J ofFIG. 6 back to the closed position ofvalve 186C. Whenvalve 186C is closed, hydraulic fluid may not flow therethrough and thus a hydraulic lock is provided which prevents the tilting movement ofseat support 48 out of whatever position it is in whencontrol lever 128 reaches its neutral or home position. - The user may also pivot
outer end 168 ofsegment 172 rearwardly (arrow L inFIG. 6 ) about axis F relative toshorter segment 170 so that engagingsurface 178 ofactivator 176 engages andforces plungers FIG. 6 . The simultaneous opening ofvalves seat support 48 as well as its side to side tilting. The forward and backward tilting is achieved in the same manner as described with theuse valve 186C except thathydraulic fluid 146 flows through an alternate path which includesline 202A, T-connector 204,line 202B,valve 186B,line 206B, T-connector 208 andline 206A. The side to side tilting ofseat support 48 is illustrated inFIG. 12 , with the tilting to the right shown in solid lines and the tilting to the left shown in dashed lines. Again, the user will shift his or her weight onseat 16 so that a greater downward force is applied to the right of axis C than is applied to the left of axis C, as represented by arrow WR. Tilting support 48 to the left is likewise achieved by applying a greater downward force to the left of axis C than to the right of axis C, as illustrated by arrow WL inFIG. 12 so thatleft side 56 tilts downwardly asright side 58 tilts upwardly. As previously noted, the force for tiltingseat support 48 is in the exemplary embodiment provided solely by the weight of the user onseat 16, and thus assembly is preferably free of a powered hydraulic pump for powering the flow of hydraulic fluid through its hydraulic systems. The respective angles or degrees of tilting to the right and left are respectively represented at angles KR and KL inFIG. 12 and fall within the same maximum ranges described above with reference to angles KF and KB it is noted that the use of the twovalves lever segment 172 in one direction and the use of athird valve 186C which may alternately be in its open position via movement ofsegment 172 in the opposite direction provides an isolation mechanism which isolates the forward and backward tilting from the side to side tilting. More particularly, the tilting ofseat support 48 is limited to forward and backward tilting whensegment 172 is operated to openvalve 186C whenvalves valves valve 186C is closed. - The simultaneous opening of
valves base 46 andseat support 48 allowssupport 48 not only to tilt directly forward and backward and directly from side to side perpendicular thereto, but also to tilt in any direction relative to axis C. Thus, the user may rock, for instance, in a circular fashion, thereby shifting his or her weight along a generally circular pattern about axis C so thatseat support 48 along withseat 16 may be tilted in any direction and continuously changed depending on where the greater amount of downward force is applied relative to axis C. The user may thus shift his or her weight to provide continuous shifting of the tilt angle and/or direction. In conjunction with the ability to control the degree of resistance provided byhydraulic fluid 146 depending on the extent to whichvalve seat support 48 relative to base 46 especially in any direction provides a convenient way for the user to exercise in addition to the ability to set the angle ofsupport 48 andseat 16 wherever desired. If the user wishes to lock theseat support 48 andseat 16 at a given degree of tilt, the user simply releasescontrol lever 128 so thatouter end 168 is automatically pivoted back to its home position in response to the spring biased movement ofplungers FIG. 6 to the closed position ofvalves - As noted above,
tilt assembly 10 offers the user the ability to exercise or at least continuously shift positions as desired whenvalves 186A and 18B are partially or fully open. In order to maintain said valves in an open position,longer segment 172 ofcontrol lever 128 is manipulated so thatteeth 184 engageteeth 164, as shown inFIG. 13 . To achieve the securing engagement betweenteeth outer end 168 ofsegment 172 is moved rearwardly as indicated at arrow L inFIG. 6 and then moved downwardly as indicated at arrow T inFIG. 13 . The engagement ofteeth outer end 168, wherebyvalves tooth 184 may engage any one ofteeth 164 depending on the position oflever 128 in order to securelever 128 andvalves hydraulic fluid 146 through said valves. The spring bias ofplungers surface 178 which is translated to a forward force ofteeth 184 onteeth 164, thus providing a frictional engagement between said teeth which holdslonger segment 172 in this latching or securing engagement betweenteeth teeth outer end 168 oflonger segment 172 upwardly about axis E, after which the user may simply release manual engagement withsegment 172, which automatically returns to its home position in response to the spring bias ofplungers segment 172 to its home position thus produces a hydraulic lock in each of the hydraulic systems so thatseat support 48 is secured at the position to which it had been tilted at thetime valves -
Assembly 10 also provides an automatic leveling mechanism for levelingseat support 48 or returning it to its home or neutral position. More particularly, springs 90 are provided for this purpose. As shown inFIGS. 11 and 12 , at least one ofsprings 90 is compressed between annulartop walls 138 of the respective cylinder 132 and upper portions of the respective piston 80 or the bottom ofplate 60 when the portion ofseat support 48 adjacent the compressed spring is moved downwardly relative to the portion ofbase 46 therebelow. Whencontrol lever 128 is in its home position,seat support 48 will be hydraulically locked at a given position which may be a tilted position in which at least one ofsprings 90 is compressed. The automatic leveling ofseat support 48 is achieved by movingouter end 168 oflonger segment 172 rearwardly (arrow L inFIG. 6 ) while the user has removed his or her weight from atopseat 16. This movement ofcontrol lever 128 of course opensvalves seat support 48 to raise the downwardly tilted portion back to its home position, thus providing the automatic leveling ofseat support 48. Movement ofouter end 168 forward (arrow H inFIG. 6 ) to depressplunger 188C may likewise lead to a leveling movement via acompressed spring 90 with respect to forward and backward tilting ofsupport 48 without providing side to side leveling. -
Tilt assembly 10 thus allows a seat such asseat 16 to be tilted in any direction relative to a chair base such asbase 14 and relative to a backrest such asbackrest 18. In addition,assembly 10 provides hydraulic systems which are capable of providing varying degrees of resistance to this tilting movement, which is useful both in providing exercise for the user as well as limiting the rate at which the tilting occurs for a given amount of weight applied at any given point onseat 16. The hydraulic systems further provide a hydraulic lock for securing the seat support and seat in any tilted position while also providing a simple mechanism for automatically leveling the seat support and seat. - A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in
FIGS. 14-18 which illustrate atilt assembly 310 which operates similar in many aspects to the previous embodiment shown inFIG. 1-13 . However,tilt assembly 310 replaces progressively opening valve 186 of the previous embodiment with two separate hydraulic valves, including one valve which controls the rate in which hydraulic fluid flows within the system, and another valve which operates to turn the hydraulic fluid communication on or off within the system.Tilt assembly 310 further replacesball member 112 andcavity 108 of the previous embodiment with a universal joint having a lower profile. - Referring particularly to
FIG. 15 , a first pair of the previously describedhydraulic actuators hydraulic line 312 containing a hydraulic fluid which allows for fluid communication betweenpistons Hydraulic line 312 also includes aregulator valve 316 and anadjustment knob 318 operatively connected toregulator valve 316 and movable between a plurality of positions to adjust the opening size ofvalve 316.Hydraulic line 312 further includes an on/offvalve 320 and acontrol switch 322 operatively connected to on/offvalve 320 and movable between an open and closed position to open andclose valve 320. - A second pair of
hydraulic actuators hydraulic line 332 containing a hydraulic fluid which allows for fluid communication betweenpistons actuators actuators regulator valve 336 having an operatively connectedadjustment knob 338 moveable between a plurality of positions to adjust the opening size ofvalve 336, and an on/offvalve 340 having an operatively connectedcontrol switch 342 moveable between and open and closed position to open andclose valve 340. The first pair ofactuators 148F/48B and the second pair ofactuators 148L/148R operate independently from one another. - As shown in
FIG. 14 , acontrol rod 324 extends from on/offvalve 320 and terminates in aswitch housing 323.Control switch 322 extends fromswitch housing 323 and is operatively connected to on/offvalve 320 throughcontrol rod 324. Similarly, acontrol rod 344 extends from on/offvalve 340 and terminates inswitch housing 323.Control switch 342 extends fromswitch housing 323 generally parallel to controlswitch 322, and is operatively connected to on/offvalve 340 throughcontrol rod 344. Similar to the previous embodiment, acontrol lever 346 extends from betweenbase 46 andseat support 48 to actuate a gas pin (not shown) to raise andlower chair 12.Seat support 48 andbase 46 are each generally a flat plate having four corners with eachhydraulic actuator seat support 48 and a corresponding corner ofbase 46. - As shown in
FIGS. 16 and 17 ,tilt assembly 310 includesbase 46 andseat support 48, which operate substantially similarly to the previous embodiment. Howeverseat support 48 tilts about auniversal joint 350 pivotally connected tobase 46 andseat support 48. Universal joint 350 includes a pair of upper brackets 351 secured toseat support 48. Each bracket 351 includes ahorizontal plate 352 and avertical plate 354 joined together generally at a right angle. Universal joint further includes a pair oflower brackets 371 secured tobase 46. Eachbracket 371 includes ahorizontal plate 372 and avertical plate 374 joined together generally at a right angle. Eachvertical plate - Universal joint 350 further includes a
coupler 385 having fourfaces 387, eachface 387 having anaperture 389 extending therethrough. Afirst bolt 358 is sized to extend through a plurality ofwashers 360, bracket apertures 356 of upper brackets 351, andapertures 389 ofcoupler 385. Asecond bolt 378 is sized to extend through a plurality ofwashers 380, bracket apertures 376 oflower brackets 371, andapertures 389 ofcoupler 385. - The operation of
tilt control 310 is now described.Tilt control 310 andtilt control 10 operate to hydraulically adjustseat 16 in fundamentally the same manner. However, whiletilt control 10 combines on/off control of the hydraulic system with the progressive flow control of hydraulic fluid into one progressively opening valve 186,tilt control 310 separates the two valves.Tilt control 310 separates valves 186 of the previous embodiment into on/offvalves regulator valves Tilt control 310 further usesuniversal joint 350 rather thanball member 112 andcavity 108 to pivotally connectseat support 48 withbase 46. - On/off
valve 320 determines if the first pair ofhydraulic actuators valve 340 determines if the second pair ofhydraulic actuators FIG. 15 , closingvalve hydraulic lines Valves tilt control 310 in the current position for the user. Openingvalve hydraulic lines hydraulic actuators 148F/148B, or 148L/148R, respectively. - As shown in
FIGS. 14 and 15 ,control switch 322 extends from on/offvalve 320 and provides a button mechanism to the user for controlling the opening and closing ofvalve 320, and more particularly the positioning oftilt control 310. When a user desires to hold first pair of actuators 308 in the current position,control switch 322 is depressed in the direction of Arrow M, which moves on/offvalve 320 into a closed position to stop hydraulic fluid from moving withinhydraulic line 312, interrupting the fluid communication betweenhydraulic actuators control switch 322 is released in the direction of Arrow M, which moves on/offvalve 320 in an open position to allow hydraulic fluid to move withinhydraulic line 312, establishing fluid communication betweenhydraulic actuators - On/off
valve 340 acts in a substantially similar manner, withcontrol switch 342 controlling the open or closed state of on/offvalve 340 which enables or disables fluid communication betweenactuators - As shown in
FIG. 15 , to provide a central and more ergonomic control forcontrol switches control rods valves switch housing 323.Control rods valves Switch housing 323 offerscontrol switches base 46 andseat support 48, and allows a user to easily control on/offvalves tilt assembly 310, when a user wishes to holdseat 16 in a particular position, the user is typically sitting onseat 16. From this position, switchhousing 323 is easily accessible and a user may manipulatecontrol switches - On/off
valves tilt assembly 310. As discussed previously,hydraulic actuators seat 16 and are actuated through hydraulic fluid which flows throughline 312 and on/offvalve 320. Closing on/offvalve 320 stops hydraulic fluid throughhydraulic line 312 and in turn, holdsseat 16 stationary in the front-to-back range. As on/offvalves seat 16 is free to move from side-to-side, even while on/offvalve 320 is in the closed position, holdingseat 16 stationary in the front-to-back range. Likewise for on/offvalve 340, a user may restrict the side-to-side range of motion and holdseat 16 stationary with respect to that range by closing on/offvalve 340. This independent control of the two ranges withintilt assembly 310 gives a user control over the ultimate position or motion ofseat 16. - As shown in
FIGS. 14 and 15 , the operation ofregulator valves hydraulic lines adjustment knobs regulator valve seat 16 to move it within a particular range of motion. A user movesregulator valve seat 16 to move it within a particular range of motion. - Manipulating
regulator valve adjustment knobs regulator valves FIG. 14 ,adjustment knob 318 is moved in the directions of Arrow P to adjust the flow of hydraulic fluid moving throughregulator valve 316 inhydraulic line 312. Likewise,adjustment knob 338 is moved in the directions of Arrow Q to adjust the flow of hydraulic fluid inhydraulic line 332. Adjustment knobs 318 and 338 may be adjusted to a plurality of positions, wherein each position corresponds to a different rate of flow of hydraulic fluid throughregulator valves - As shown in
FIG. 15 ,adjustment knob 318 extends fromregulator valve 316, positioned such that a user may manipulateadjustment knob 318 while resting in a seated position inseat 16. When a user wishes to decrease the rate in which hydraulic fluid flows throughregulator valve 316, the user simply reaches down and movesadjustment knob 318 to a new position corresponding with the desired rate of flow of hydraulic fluid. With a decreased rate of flow, it takes more physical pressure from the user to tiltseat 16 in the front-to-back range. Likewise, with an increased rate of flow, it takes less physical pressure from the user to tiltseat 16 in the front-to-back range. -
Adjustment knob 338 andregulator valve 336 work in a substantially similar way to adjust the rate of flow of hydraulic fluid throughhydraulic line 332, allowing a user to adjust the side-to-side resistance ofseat 16. - To maintain a universal range of tilting,
tilt assembly 310 utilizesuniversal joint 350 having two orthogonal pivot joints to allow a user to tiltseat 16 in any direction. Universal joint 350 is an improvement overball member 112 andcavity 108 oftilt assembly 10 of the previous embodiment in thatuniversal joint 350 is smaller in vertical size, which lowers the overall vertical profile oftilt assembly 310. - As shown in
FIGS. 16-18 ,upper brackets seat support 48 and spaced to alignbracket apertures opposed face apertures 389. This alignment allowsfirst bolt 358 to extend through brackets 351 andcoupler 385, which enablesseat support 48 to tilt relativefirst bolt 358.First bolt 358 extends through brackets 351 andcoupler 385 with the support of correspondingwashers 360 which provide a friction reducing buffer between the metallic surfaces offirst bolt 358, upper brackets 351, andcoupler 385.First bolt 358 allows seat support to tilt in a general front-to-back orientation relative theoverall tilt assembly 310. -
Seat support 48 tilts relativesecond bolt 378 in a substantially similar way.Bracket apertures opposed face apertures 389, allowingsecond bolt 378 to extend perpendicularly relative tofirst bolt 358 throughbrackets 371 andcoupler 385.Washers 380 provide a friction reducing buffer between the metallic surfaces ofsecond bolt 378,lower brackets 371, andcoupler 385.Second bolt 378 allowsseat support 48 to tilt in a general side-to-side orientation relative theoverall tilt assembly 310. - As a user sits down on
chair 12 resting ontilt assembly 310, any desired tilting orientation is supported byuniversal joint 350. If a front-to-back tilt is desired,seat support 48 tilts aboutfirst bolt 358. If a side-to-side tilt is desired,seat support 48 tilts aboutsecond bolt 378. If an intermediate tilt is desired which corresponds to a front-to-back and a side-to-side, in any possible combination,seat support 48 tilts about bothfirst bolt 358 andsecond bolt 378. - The hydraulic system and
universal joint 350 oftilt assembly 310 are not limited to combined use, and either may be selectively incorporated into the first embodiment oftilt assembly 10. - In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.
- Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.
Claims (20)
1. An adjustable hydraulic tilt assembly for a seat comprising:
a base;
a seat support disposed above the base and adapted to mount on a bottom of the seat;
a universal joint providing a pivotal connection between the base and seat support whereby the seat support is tiltable relative to the base; and
a hydraulic system providing variable tilting resistance to the seat support.
2. The tilt assembly of claim 1 , wherein the universal joint includes a coupler having at least four faces, each face having a face aperture extending therethrough.
3. The tilt assembly of claim 2 , wherein the universal joint further includes a first pair of opposed brackets secured to the seat support and a second pair of opposed brackets secured to the base.
4. The tilt assembly of claim 3 , wherein each bracket includes a horizontal plate and a vertical plate joined generally at a right angle, and wherein each vertical plate includes a bracket aperture extending therethrough.
5. The tilt assembly of claim 4 , wherein each bracket aperture is sized and positioned to align with a corresponding face aperture in the coupler.
6. The tilt assembly of claim 5 , wherein a first bolt extends through the bracket apertures of the first pair of brackets and face apertures, and a second bolt extends through the bracket apertures of the second pair of brackets and face apertures.
7. The tilt assembly of claim 6 , wherein the first and second bolts are positioned perpendicular to one another, and wherein the seat support is tiltable relative to the first and second bolt.
8. The tilt assembly of claim 1 , wherein the hydraulic system includes a first pair of hydraulic actuators in fluid communication with each other through a fluid line, and wherein the hydraulic system further includes a regulator valve in the fluid line for controlling the fluid flow between the first pair of hydraulic actuators.
9. An adjustable hydraulic tilt assembly for a seat comprising:
a base;
a seat support disposed above the base and adapted to mount on a bottom of the seat;
a pivotal connection between the base and seat support whereby the seat support is tiltable relative to the base; and
an adjustable hydraulic system controlling tilting of the seat support relative to the base.
10. The tilt assembly of claim 9 , wherein the hydraulic system includes a first pair of hydraulic actuators in fluid communication with each other through a fluid line.
11. The tilt assembly of claim 10 , wherein the hydraulic system further includes a regulator valve in the fluid line for controlling the fluid flow between the first pair of hydraulic actuators.
12. The tilt assembly of claim 11 , wherein the regulator valve includes an adjustment knob for adjusting the rate of fluid flow between the first pair of hydraulic actuators.
13. The tilt assembly of claim 12 , wherein the hydraulic system further includes an on/off valve in the fluid line to stop and start the fluid communication between the first pair of hydraulic actuators.
14. The tilt assembly of claim 13 , wherein the on/off valve includes a control switch having an open position and a closed position, wherein the open position starts fluid communication between the first pair of hydraulic actuators, and the closed position stops fluid communication between the first pair of hydraulic actuators, and whereby in the open position the seat support is tiltable relative to the base, and in the closed position, the seat support is not tiltable relative to the base.
15. The tilt assembly of claim 14 , wherein the hydraulic system further includes a second pair of hydraulic actuators substantially similar to the first pair of hydraulic actuators, wherein the second pair of hydraulic actuators operate independent from the first pair of hydraulic actuators.
16. The tilt assembly of claim 15 , wherein the first pair of hydraulic actuators and the second pair of hydraulic actuators extend between the base and the seat support.
17. The tilt assembly of claim 16 , further including a first tilt axis intermediate the first pair of hydraulic actuators and a second tilt axis intermediate the second pair of hydraulic actuators, wherein the first and second tilt axis are generally perpendicular to one another and whereby the seat support is rotatable relative to the first tilt axis and to the second tilt axis.
18. The tilt assembly of claim 17 , wherein the seat support is generally a flat plate having four corners, and wherein the base is generally a flat plate having four corners with each corner disposed below a corner of the seat support, and wherein each hydraulic actuator of the first pair and second pair of hydraulic actuators is disposed between a corner of the seat support and a corner of the base, and wherein no two hydraulic actuators are disposed between the same corner of the seat support and corner of the base.
19. An adjustable hydraulic chair comprising:
a base;
a seat support disposed above the base and adapted to mount on a bottom of a seat;
a universal joint for providing a pivotal connection between the base and the seat support whereby the seat support is tiltable relative to the base;
a first pair of hydraulic actuators in fluid communication with each other and a second pair of hydraulic actuators in fluid communication with each other, wherein the first and second pair of hydraulic actuators are disposed between the seat support and the base and provide tilting resistance to the seat support;
a first hydraulic valve system operably connected to the first and second pair of hydraulic actuators, whereby the first hydraulic valve system provides variable tilting resistance to the seat support; and
a second hydraulic valve system operably connected to the first and second pair of hydraulic actuators, whereby the second hydraulic valve system enables and disables fluid communication between the hydraulic actuators in the first pair, and between the hydraulic actuators in the second pair.
20. The adjustable hydraulic chair of claim 19 , further comprising an imaginary central vertical axis passing through centers of the seat support and the base, wherein each hydraulic actuator in the first and second pair of hydraulic actuators are spaced equidistant from the imaginary central vertical axis.
Priority Applications (3)
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US12/424,987 US20090261642A1 (en) | 2008-04-18 | 2009-04-16 | Hydraulic adjustable seat |
PCT/CA2009/000497 WO2009127061A1 (en) | 2008-04-18 | 2009-04-17 | Hydraulic adjustable seat |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US12/148,425 US7922247B2 (en) | 2008-04-18 | 2008-04-18 | Hydraulic adjustable seat |
US12/424,987 US20090261642A1 (en) | 2008-04-18 | 2009-04-16 | Hydraulic adjustable seat |
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US12/148,425 Continuation-In-Part US7922247B2 (en) | 2008-04-18 | 2008-04-18 | Hydraulic adjustable seat |
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US20090261642A1 true US20090261642A1 (en) | 2009-10-22 |
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US12/424,987 Abandoned US20090261642A1 (en) | 2008-04-18 | 2009-04-16 | Hydraulic adjustable seat |
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US12/148,425 Expired - Fee Related US7922247B2 (en) | 2008-04-18 | 2008-04-18 | Hydraulic adjustable seat |
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US20200107978A1 (en) * | 2017-02-06 | 2020-04-09 | Megin Oy | Patient support device and method for adjusting the position of a patient |
US10827842B1 (en) | 2017-10-20 | 2020-11-10 | Ekornes Asa | Seat module |
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US10793042B2 (en) * | 2018-05-25 | 2020-10-06 | Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha | Vehicle seat |
US10736428B2 (en) * | 2018-05-25 | 2020-08-11 | Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha | Vehicle seat |
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Also Published As
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US7922247B2 (en) | 2011-04-12 |
US20090261641A1 (en) | 2009-10-22 |
WO2009127061A1 (en) | 2009-10-22 |
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