Abstract: The invention herein allows for manually positioning telescoping members relative to each other in a variety of positions within a given range of motion such as for movable chair backs or arms. A strut is engaged with and telescopically slides in a mounting member while deformable guide members provide for frictional engagement of the strut within the mounting member. A détente limits the range of motion of the strut relative to the mounting member. The détente comprises a stud or tab which engages a slot in the mounting member.

Abstract: A height adjusting device for manually positioning and automatically locking in place a chair backrest relative to a chair seat, or any other elements requiring relative positioning comprises a track member engaged with and telescoping from a support member, a lock pin and a spring. The track member is provided with guide members internally and axially disposed within the lateral faces of a cavity in the track member, so as to provide for firm yet tolerant and slideable engagement with the support member. The lock pin is trapped, yet free to move, responsive to gravity, along a cam slot in the support member, and, responsive to a spring retained on the support member produces an audible "click" when moved to a position of engagement with notches along a slot on the track member. The device is particularly tolerant where the engagement of the support member and the track member is concerned, so as to facilitate manufacture, and is therefore economical and highly reliable.

Abstract: An adjustment device for chair arms and the like allows releasable adjustment by the user without the necessity of tools or levers. A mounting member is provided with an elongated slot for engaging and limiting the travel of guide posts which are affixed to a structural member. The adjustment device is generally attached to the underside of a chair seat and includes disk-shaped springs which provide sufficient compression to allow manual movement yet maintain the selected position when the manual force is terminated.

Abstract: An adjustment device is provided for selectively positioning a structural member as for example, an office chair arm relative to the seat. The device includes a planar support member and a retaining member which are joined to encase a bearing through which a slidable structural member is adjusted. A detente element in the bearing engages one of a plurality of apertures in the structural member to allow the structural member to be releasably locked in a selected position. The adjustment device can be used on other members which slide for ease and convenience during positioning.

Abstract: A manually operated mechanism for relatively engaging and locking two structural members in a number of positions. One member includes a shroud slideably surrounding a second structural member. The shroud has a locking device for selectively engaging any of a plurality of notches on a notched member that is rigidly affixed to the structural member. Another member, such as an armrest, may be affixed to the telescoping shroud.

Abstract: A lever operated clamping mechanism for adjustably engaging and locking in position structural members comprising two shoulder bolts and a disk spring for attaching and slidably guiding a slotted structure member relative to a fixed support structure. A threaded lever engages one of the shoulder bolts for frictionally locking the position of the structural member relative to the support structure. The device acts as a positional clutch permitting substantially firm frictional engagement of structural members when the lever is in one position and firm yet slidable engagement of the structural members when the lever is in another position.

Abstract: A height adjusting device for manually locating and automatically locking a movable structure such as a chair backrest at a desired vertical or angular position relative to a fixed structure such as the chair seat. The device comprises two guided and slidably interlocking plates and one lock pin. A first plate is provided with peripheral apertures, a symmetrically disposed first set of hinge members is provided for fixed engagement in said apertures, said first set of hinged members provided with a cylindrical opening for receiving a mating and symmetrically disposed second set of hinge members which are fixedly mounted on the chair backrest. A second plate is mounted on the "J-bar" or "back-upright" of the chair seat and both plates are engaged so as to slide one relative to the other and provide vertical and angular positioning of the chair backrest relative to the chair seat.

Abstract: A height adjusting device for manually locating and automatically locking a chair backrest at a desired vertical position relative to the chair seat. The device comprises two guided and slidably interlocking plates and one lock pin. Optionally, one plate may itself be the backrest support or "J" bar. One plate is mounted on the chair backrest and one plate is mounted on the "J" bar or support frame and engaged so as to slide one relative to the other. The lock pin is free to move within the slotted track of one plate and forced therewith from one locked position to a standby position or to an unlocked position by the cam action of any of a plurality of notches and inclined surfaces of a slotted cam contained on the other plate. The device is characterized by the absence of springs or other supplementary biasing means and by virtue of its simplicity it is highly reliable and economical to manufacture.

Abstract: A seat is provided with a downwardly depending tubular casing having a generally open bottom except for a retainer therein. The base includes an open top support cylinder which receives the tubular casing therein. The piston of a gas or hydrapneumatic spring cartridge is mounted at the lower end of the support cylinder in axially and radially fixed relation thereto. Even though the gas spring (cartridge and piston) is capable of swiveling about its longitudinal axis relative to the support cylinder, the longitudinal axis of the gas spring (cartridge and piston) remains substantially vertical at all times. The casing is loosely received or floats within the support cylinder and loosely surrounds the cartridge. Near the upper end of the casing an internal wall operatively engages the upper end of the cartridge in such manner that movement of the cartridge along the piston rod causes a corresponding movement of the casing.

Abstract: A hydropneumatic spring in which a casing filled with fluid under pressure is selectively movable with respect to a piston contained within the casing and mounted on a stationary hollow support rod. The piston divides the casing into an upper and lower chamber. When the fluid path is unlocked or opened and the casing is subjected to axial pressure, fluid passes from one chamber to the other through the hollow support rod and axially through the piston.

Abstract: An adjustable support column for chairs, stools, tables or other furniture items in which a support tube telescopically receives a mounting cylinder. The mounting cylinder is seated on a diamond threaded support rod in the support tube by means of one or more drive nuts and a locking nut. A clutch selectively releases the locking nut to permit longitudinal adjustment of the mounting cylinder relative to the support tube. The diamond threaded support rod is connected to a power spring which stores energy as the support rod is rotated in one direction to cause a return of the support rod to its initial position when the locking nut is released.