Two-way actuator for a chair height adjustment mechanism

Abstract

A two-way actuator device having a lever with a handle portion near a first end and a bearing portion near a second, opposing end for applying force to a responsive device. Two pivots are provided on the lever and located on opposing sides of the bearing portion. The pivots are biased so that the bearing portion moves in a direction opposite to the handle portion when the handle portion is moved in a first direction and the bearing portion moves in the same direction as a handle portion when the handle portion is moved in a second direction, opposite to the first direction.

Claims

1. A control actuator for engaging a release member of a chair height adjustment mechanism, said actuator comprising:

an elongated actuator lever, said lever having a handle portion, a bearing portion and an end; and

pivot means for pivoting said bearing portion in a predetermined direction when said handle portion is moved in a first direction and for pivoting said bearing portion in said predetermined direction when said handle portion is moved in a second direction, opposite said first direction.

2. A control actuator as defined by claim 1 wherein said actuator lever includes a generally L-shaped handle portion having a generally horizontal leg joined to a generally vertical leg.

3. A control actuator as defined in claim 2 wherein said lever bearing portion extends generally perpendicular to said vertical leg.

4. A control actuator as defined in claim 3 wherein said pivot means comprises a.Iadd.structural.Iaddend.member defining an aperture, said vertical leg of said lever extending through said aperture, said pivot means further including a pivot.Iadd.member.Iaddend.on said lever which engages said.Iadd.structural.Iaddend.member when said handle portion is moved in said first direction.

6. A control actuator as defined in claim 5 wherein said.Iadd.structural.Iaddend.member defines another aperture and wherein said end of said lever extends into said another aperture and said end is configured to engage said.Iadd.structural.Iaddend.member and define a pivot point therewith when said handle portion moves in a said second direction.

7. A control actuator as defined in claim 6 wherein said handle portion is joined to said bearing portion by a connector block, said block defining said pivot.

8. A two-way actuator device comprising:

an elongated member having first and second opposing ends, a bearing portion near said second end for applying force to a responsive device and a handle portion adjacent said first end;

first pivot means for pivoting said elongated member so that said bearing portion moves in a direction generally opposite to said handle portion when said handle portion is manipulated in a first direction, said first pivot means being located between said handle portion and said bearing portion; and

second pivot means for pivoting said elongated member so that said bearing portion moves in generally the same direction as said handle portion when said handle portion is manipulated in a second direction, said second direction being generally opposite to said first direction, said second pivot means being located opposite said bearing portion from said handle portion.

9. A device as defined by claim 8 wherein said first pivot means includes a first pivot fulcrum and a first pivot seat and wherein said second pivot means includes a second pivot fulcrum and a second pivot seat.

10. A device as defined in claim 9 wherein said elongated member has a neutral position from which it may be manipulated to a first position when said handle portion is manipulated in said first direction and from which it may be manipulated to a second position when said handle portion is manipulated in said second direction.

11. A device as defined in claim 10 wherein:

said first pivot fulcrum is located adjacent to said first pivot seat in said second direction from said first pivot seat when said elongated member is in said neutral position;

said elongated member rotates about a point of contact between said first pivot fulcrum and said first pivot seat when said handle portion is manipulated in said first direction, moving said elongated member to said first position; and

said first pivot fulcrum moves in said second direction, away from said first pivot seat, when said handle portion is manipulated in said second direction, moving said elongated member to said second position, said first pivot fulcrum being spaced from said first pivot seat when said elongated member is in said second position.

12. A device as defined in claim 11 wherein:

said second pivot fulcrum is located adjacent to said second pivot seat in said second direction from said second pivot seat when said elongated member is in said neutral position;

said elongated member rotates about a point of contact between said second pivot fulcrum and said second pivot seat when said handle portion is manipulated in said second direction, moving said elongated member to said second position; and

said second pivot fulcrum moves in said second direction, away from said second pivot seat when said handle portion is manipulated in said first direction, moving said elongated member to said first position, said second pivot fulcrum being spaced from said second pivot seat when said elongated member is in said first position.

13. A pneumatic height control mechanism for a chair, the mechanism being releasable for height adjustment by applying pressure to a control button, said mechanism comprising a bidirectional control actuator for applying pressure to the control button when the control actuator is manipulated in either of two opposing directions, said actuator including:

a lever having a handle portion adjacent a first end and a bearing portion near an opposite, second end;

first pivot means for pivoting said lever so that said bearing portion moves in a direction generally opposite to said handle portion when said handle portion is manipulated in a first direction, said first pivot means being located between said handle portion and said bearing portion; and

second pivot means for pivoting said lever so that said bearing portion moves in generally the same direction as said handle portion when said handle portion is manipulated in a second direction, generally opposite to said first direction, said second pivot means being located opposite said bearing portion from said handle portion.

14. A mechanism as defined by claim 13 wherein said lever includes a first piece defining said handle portion and said first pivot means, a second piece defining said bearing portion and connection means for interconnecting said first pivot means with said bearing portion.

15. A pneumatic height control mechanism for a chair, the mechanism being releasable for height adjustment by applying pressure to a control button, said mechanism comprising a bidirectional control actuator for applying pressure to the control button when said control actuator is manipulated in either of two opposing directions, said actuator including:

a lever having a handle portion adjacent a first end and a bearing portion near an opposite, second end;

first pivot means for pivoting said lever so that said bearing portion moves in a direction generally opposite to said handle portion when said handle portion is manipulated in a first direction, said first pivot means being located between said handle portion and said bearing portion; and

second pivot means for pivoting said lever so that said bearing portion moves in the same general direction as said handle portion when said handle portion is manipulated in a second direction, generally opposite to said first direction, said second pivot means being located opposite said bearing portion from said handle portion;

said lever having a first piece defining said handle portion and said first pivot means, having a second piece defining said bearing portion, and having connection means for interconnecting said first pivot means with said bearing portion, said connection means including a tang projecting from said first pivot means, said tang having a terminal end away from said first pivot means and an exterior surface defining a series of biased teeth formed on at least one side of said tang;

said bearing portion having an aperture for receiving said tang, said aperture having an interior wall with a series of biased teeth formed on at least one side of said wall for cooperating engagement with said teeth formed on said tang, said one side of said wall corresponding to said one side of said tang, said aperture being sized so that said tang is easily inserted therethrough and so that said cooperating teeth engage and prohibit the withdrawal of said tang from said aperture.

16. A mechanism as defined by claim 15 wherein said bearing portion is a generally L-shaped, flat bar member having a long leg extending from said second end to said connector means and having a short leg extending generally perpendicularly from said long leg in said second direction.

17. A mechanism as defined by claim 16 wherein said second pivot means includes a second pivot fulcrum and a second pivot seat.

18. A mechanism as defined by claim 17 wherein:

said second pivot fulcrum is a flange portion extending generally perpendicularly to said short leg at said terminal end;

the chair further includes a base plate through which the height control mechanism control button projects;

the base plate has a first aperture for receiving said flange portion and said short leg therethrough; and

said flange and said short leg extend through said first aperture, said flange engaging said base plate to preclude the withdrawal of said short leg and said flange from said first aperture.

19. A mechanism as defined by claim 17 wherein said first pivot means includes a first pivot fulcrum and a first pivot seat.

20. A mechanism as defined by claim 19 wherein:

said first pivot fulcrum is defined by at least one shoulder portion extending perpendicularly from said tang portion and located away from said terminal end of said tang portion; and

said base plate has a second aperture for slideably receiving said tang portion therethrough, said second aperture being located opposite the control button from said first aperture, said second aperture being sized sufficiently small so that said shoulder portion will not pass therethrough, but will engage the base plate, and said second aperture being sized sufficiently large so that said tang will freely pass therethrough..Iadd.

21. A control actuator as defined in claim 1 wherein said bearing portion includes a bearing surface that contacts the release member..Iaddend..Iadd.22. A control actuator as defined in claim 1 wherein said pivot means includes first and second spaced apart pivot members located on opposing sides of said bearing portion..Iaddend..Iadd.23. A control actuator as defined in claim 8 wherein said bearing portion includes a bearing surface that contacts the responsive device..Iaddend..Iadd.24. A control actuator as defined in claim 13 wherein said bearing portion includes a bearing surface that contacts the control button..Iaddend..Iadd.25. A control actuator as defined in claim 15 wherein said bearing portion includes a bearing surface that contacts the control button..Iaddend..Iadd.26. A control actuator as defined in claim 1 wherein said actuator lever comprises a multi-piece assembly..Iaddend..Iadd.27. A control actuator for actuating a release member of a chair height adjustment mechanism on a chair, said actuator comprising:

an actuator lever having a handle-supporting first end, an intermediate section and a second end;

a first pivot-forming structure on the chair for operably engaging said first end for pivoting said intermediate section in a predetermined direction when said handle-supporting first end is moved in a first direction to operate the release member; and

a second pivot-forming structure on the chair for operably engaging said second end for pivoting said intermediate section in said predetermined direction when said handle-forming first end is moved in a second direction, substantially opposite said first direction, to operate the

release member..Iaddend..Iadd.28. In a chair of the type having a height adjustment mechanism with a release member, the improvement of a control actuator therefore, comprising:

an actuator lever having a handle-supporting first end, an intermediate section and a second end, said first end being operably supported on the chair for pivoting said intermediate section in a predetermined direction when said handle-supporting first end is moved in a first direction to operate the release member, and said second end being operably supported on the chair for pivoting said intermediate section in said predetermined direction when said handle-forming first end is moved in a second direction, substantially opposite said first direction, to operate the

release member..Iaddend..Iadd.29. A control actuator as defined in claim 28 wherein said intermediate section is elongated and extends generally horizontally, and further is configured to move generally vertically when engaging the release member..Iaddend..Iadd.30. In a control actuator for activating a release member of a chair height adjustment mechanism in a chair control of the type having an elongated member extending outwardly from said chair control and terminating in a handle portion, the improvement comprising:

said control actuator being configured to activate said release member when said handle portion is moved in a first direction and also when said handle portion is moved in a second direction substantially opposite said first direction..Iaddend..Iadd.31. A control actuator as defined in claim 30 wherein said elongated member includes a lever configured to actuate the release member..Iaddend..Iadd.32. A control actuator as defined in claim 31 wherein said lever includes an intermediate section, said lever being operably supported on said chair control to move said intermediate section in a predetermined direction to actuate the release member when said handle portion is moved in either of said first and second

directions..Iaddend..Iadd.33. A control actuator as defined in claim 32 wherein said intermediate section includes a bearing surface for applying a force to actuate the release member..Iaddend..Iadd.34. A control actuator as defined in claim 33 wherein said bearing surface is configured to contact the release member..Iaddend..Iadd.35. A control actuator as defined in claim 31 wherein the lever includes a pivot member for pivotally engaging a pivot-forming structure on the chair..Iaddend..Iadd.36. A control actuator as defined in claim 35 wherein said pivot member includes shoulders defining a pivot point..Iaddend..Iadd.37. A control actuator as defined in claim 32 wherein said intermediate section is elongated and extends generally horizontally, and further is configured to move generally vertically when engaging the release member..Iaddend..Iadd.38. A control actuator as defined in claim 30 wherein the release member is actuateable in only one direction, and wherein said elongated member includes a bearing surface configured to actuate the release member in the one direction when said elongated member

is moved in either of said first and second directions..Iaddend..Iadd.39. A control actuator as defined in claim 38 wherein said bearing surface is configured to contact the release button..Iaddend..Iadd.40. A control actuator as defined in claim 31 wherein said lever comprises a multi-piece assembly..Iaddend.