Folding Chair with Back Angle Adjustment Structure

Abstract

A chair has a backrest assembly, a foot tube assembly, and an armrest assembly. The armrest assembly comprises an armrest slidably connected with an armrest base. The armrest base is operatively connected to an upper portion of the foot tube assembly. A back end of the armrest is operatively hingedly connected to the backrest assembly. An elastic member is operatively connected to the armrest and the armrest base. The elastic member extends in a direction of sliding of the armrest relative to the armrest base. A lock is moveable between an engagement position wherein the armrest is fixed to the armrest base and a disengagement position wherein the armrest is slidable relative to the armrest base under bias from the elastic member. The chair may be foldable.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application claims priority benefit to Chinese utility model patent application serial no. CN 202323014058.5, filed Nov. 8, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure belongs to the technical field of chairs, and specifically relates to a folding chair and a back angle adjustment structure that allows positioning of the backrest relative to the seat.

BACKGROUND ART

Folding chairs on the market may be divided into two types: those with an adjustable backrest and those with a non-adjustable backrest. The angle of the backrest angle may be adjusted by an angle adjuster between the backrest and the seat tube or is realized by changing a gear position of the armrest relative to the front foot tube.

In the prior art, the solution of adjusting the backrest angle by using the angle adjustor is generally cumbersome to operate, which results in an inconvenient operation when sitting on the chair. In the case of adjusting the gear position of the armrest relative to the front foot tube, the gear position is generally limited, which causes the backrest to be only adjustable in a limited number of angles. The adjustment angle cannot meet requirements of users due to the limitation from the chair structure. Further, the armrest needs to be manually lifted up to be out of the gear position when adjusted, and the armrest needs to fall into the next gear position. The adjustment is more cumbersome, and the structure stability is poor.

In summary, solving the problem of how to provide a folding chair with an adjustable back rest with the convenient adjustment process is an urgent need in the field and addressed by the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

In order to solve the above technical problems, the present disclosure provides a folding chair with a back angle adjustment structure that has a wide adjustment range, easy operation, and stable structure.

The chair has a back angle adjustment structure, a backrest assembly, an armrest assembly, and a foot tube assembly. The armrest assembly includes an armrest and an armrest base that are arranged slidably each other. A back end of the armrest is hinged to the backrest assembly. The armrest base is fixed to an upper part of the foot tube assembly. An elastic member is further arranged between the armrest and the armrest base in a sliding direction of the armrest. The armrest base is further provided with a locking member to keep the position of the armrest and the armrest base fixed at a desired position.

As a preferred solution, opposite ends of the elastic member are fixed to the armrest and the armrest base respectively. The elastic member may be a spring, an elastic rope, or a gas strut.

As a preferred solution, the armrest includes a top panel and side panels that form a hollow interior. An inner tube may be fixed to the armrest within the hollows interior. The inner tube may have a length that passes through the armrest base and is slidably arranged with the armrest base.

As a preferred solution, a long-strip-shaped through hole is arranged on a top and bottom wall of the inner tube. It should be appreciated that the long-strip shaped hole may also be arranged on only the bottom wall of the inner tube or a structure similar to the disclosed inner tube, or may be on opposite side walls or on only one side wall on the inner tube or a structure similar to the disclosed inner tube. A first fastener is fixed in the armrest base and may pass through the long-strip-shaped through hole. The first fastener may slide in the long-strip-shaped through hole when the armrest slides. One end of the elastic member may be fixed to the first fastener

As a preferred solution, a second fastener is fixed in the inner tube, and the other end of the elastic member is fixed to the second fastener.

As a preferred solution, the first and second fasteners may be pins, bolts, rivets, or fixed posts, and the elastic member may be a compression spring, a gas strut, or a tension spring.

As a preferred solution, when the second fastener is arranged away from the first fastener and toward the back end of the armrest, tension in the elastic member may be increased; and when the second fastener is arranged toward the first fastener and toward from the front end of the armrest, tension in the elastic member may be released or decreased.

As a preferred solution, the elastic member is a spring, and the spring and the inner tube are sleeved to each other wherein the opposite ends of the spring are fixed to the armrest and the armrest base respectively.

As a preferred solution, the locking member includes a lever and a clamping block arranged in the armrest base, wherein the clamping block abuts against or detaches from the inner tube by turning the lever, and thereby the armrest and the armrest base remain fixed or slidable.

In the folding chair, a lower part of the backrest assembly is connected to the foot tube assembly. The backrest assembly and the foot tube assembly are both folding assemblies. The backrest assembly and the foot tube assembly are both provided with soft or pliable surfaces.

Compared with the prior art, the present disclosure includes the following beneficial effects. In the present disclosure, the armrest assembly includes an armrest and an armrest base that are slidable relative to each other, wherein the armrest slides to drive the change in an angle of the back rest, and the angle is locked by using the locking member. At the same time the elastic member is arranged between the armrest and the armrest base, which has the advantage that the backrest position can be adjusted by the user's own weight when adjusting the chair back. Meanwhile, when the chair back is adjusted forward, the elastic member will release the elastic force, which plays a role of assisting the adjustment. The adjustable resilient armrest structure provided by the present disclosure has a multiple positions, high universality among many users, stable structure, a favorable use experience, and a high level of comfort.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The drawings of the specification consisting of a part of the present disclosure are used to provide a further understanding for the present disclosure, and schematic embodiments of the present disclosure and their description are used to illustrate the present disclosure and do not constitute a limitation of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 shows an overall structure schematic diagram of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a (sectional) structure schematic diagram of a backrest assembly and an armrest assembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows a sectional side structure schematic diagram (the elastic member is not stretched) of an armrest assembly of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 4 shows a sectional side structure schematic diagram (the elastic member is stretched) of an armrest assembly of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of the right arm rest in phantom with additional detail of the chair back adjustment structure.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of the right arm rest in phantom with additional detail of an alternate configuration of the chair back adjustment structure.

Reference numbers: 100—chair; 1—armrest assembly; 2—armrest base; 3, fastener A; 4—elastic member; 5—second fastener; 6—back end of the armrest; 7—backrest tube; 8—locking member; 10—backrest assembly; 11—armrest; 12—inner tube; 13—strip long slot; 20—foot tube assembly; and 22—clamping block.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

It should be noted that the following detailed descriptions are all illustrative and intend to provide a further specification for the present disclosure. Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those ordinarily skilled belonging to the technical field of the present disclosure.

It is to be noted that the terms used herein are intended only to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to the present disclosure. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form also intends to include the plural form. Further, it should also be understood that when the terms “include” and/or “comprise” are used in the specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and/or combinations therefrom.

Additionally, in the description of the present disclosure, it is to be understood that orientation or positional relationships indicated by terms, such as “center”, “longitudinal”, “transverse”, “length”, “width”, “thickness”, “up”, “down”, “front”, “back”, “left”, “right”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom” “inside”, “clockwise”, and “counterclockwise” are the orientations or positional relationships based on the drawings, which are only to facilitate the description of the present disclosure and simplify the description, and are not to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation, or be constructed and operated with a particular orientation, and are not to be understood as limitations of the present disclosure.

Additionally, the terms of “first” and “second” are used only for descriptions and are not to be understood as indicating or implying a relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined by “first” or “second” can expressly or implicitly include one or more such features. In the description of the present disclosure, “plurality” means two or more, unless otherwise expressly limited.

In the present disclosure, unless other expressly specifications and limitations, the terms “mount”, “connect”, and “link” are to be understood in a broad sense, e.g. it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; and it can be a direct connection, an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or a communication inside two components. For a person of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present disclosure may be understood according to specific situations.

In the present disclosure, unless otherwise expressly stated and limited, a first feature being “up” or “under” a second feature may include that the first feature is directly in contact with the second feature, or may include that the first feature and second feature does not contact directly but contacts by other features between them. Moreover, the first feature being “above”, “over”, and “on top of” the second feature includes that the first feature is directly above and diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is higher in horizontal height than the second feature. The first feature “under”, “below”, and “beneath” the second feature includes that first feature directly below and diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is smaller in horizontal height than the second feature.

As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, a chair 100 with a back angle adjustment structure includes armrest assembly 1, a backrest assembly 10, and a foot tube assembly 20, of which the front foot tube assembly may be adjustable (e.g., via telescopically arranged spring loaded tubes). The armrest assembly 1 includes an armrest 11 and an armrest base 2 that are arranged slidably with each other. A back end 6 of the armrest assembly 1 is hinged to a respective left and right backrest tube 7 of the backrest assembly 10. The armrest base 2 is fixed to an upper part of the foot tube assembly 20. An elastic member 4 is arranged between the armrest 11 and the armrest base 2 in the direction of sliding of the armrest with the armrest base. One end of the elastic member 4 is fixed to the armrest 11 and the opposite end of the elastic member is fixed to the armrest base 2. The elastic member 4 may be a spring, an elastic rope, or a gas strut. The elastic member 4 may be provided in an inner tube 12 disposed within a hollow interior defined by the armrest 11 (e.g., FIG. 5), or a portion of the elastic member 4 may be provided in the inner tube 12 disposed within a hollow interior defined by the armrest 11 (e.g., FIG. 6).

The armrest base 2 is further provided with a locking member 8 to keep the position of the armrest 11 and the armrest base 2 fixed. The locking member 8 may include a lever and a clamping block 22 arranged in the armrest base 2. The clamping block 22 may be actuated by the lever to abut against or detach from the armrest 11 or the inner tube 12 of the armrest 11 by turning the lever, and thereby the armrest 11 and the armrest base 2 remain fixed or slidable. For instance, the clamping block 22 may have a bore with a slit through one side of the block into the bore. The diameter of the bore may be varied by motion of the lever to allow engagement and disengagement with the inner tube 12 of the armrest 11.

The sliding structure for the armrest 11 and the armrest base 2 may be a sliding groove arranged in one component of the armrest 11 and the armrest base 2, and a matching geometry on the other of the armrest 11 and the armrest base 2, so as to maintain engagement and position during relative sliding. For instance, the armrest base and clamping block may have a bore and the inner tube may be configured to slide within the bore. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the armrest 11 has a top panel with side panels that define a hollow interior of the armrest 11. Below the top panel and within the side panels within the hollow interior of the armrest 11, the inner tube 12 may be disposed. The inner tube 12 may extend the length of the armrest 11 and form the support for the armrest 11 including the connection location at the back end 6 of the armrest for connection to the backrest tube 7. The armrest 11 and the inner tube 12 may be fixed to each other. The inner tube 12 may pass through the armrest base 2 and the clamping block 22 of the armrest base and may be slidably disposed therewith. A long-strip-shaped 13 (FIG. 5) through hole may be arranged on a top and bottom side of the wall of the inner tube 12. A first fastener 3 may be fixed in the armrest base 2 and arranged in the long-strip-shaped through hole 13. The first fastener 3 may slide in the long-strip-shaped through hole 13 when the armrest 11 slides relative to the armrest base 2. One end of the elastic member 4 may be fixed to the first fastener 3. A second fastener 5 may be fixed in the inner tube 12. The other end of the elastic member 4 may be fixed to the second fastener 5. In an alternate embodiment, the other end of the elastic member may be fixed to the hinge connection 6 between the armrest 11 and the backrest tube 7 (FIG. 6).

The fasteners 3, 5 may be pins, bolts, or fixed posts, and the ends of the elastic member 4 may be connected thereto in a conventional way based upon the configuration of the elastic member as a compression spring, a gas strut, or a tension spring. The elastic member may be arranged so as to have some amount of tension regardless of the position of the armrest 11 relative to the base. When the armrest 11 is positioned relative to the base 2 in a manner such that the fastener 5 is moved away from the fastener 3, for instance, as shown in FIG. 4, tension in the elastic member may increase; and vice versa, when the armrest 11 is positioned relative to the base 2 in a manner such that the fastener 5 is moved toward the fastener 3, for instance, as shown in FIG. 3, tension in the elastic member may decrease.

In the drawings, the elastic member 4 is a spring, and the structure of the armrest assembly 1 can be simplified by having the spring and the inner tube are sleeved to each other with one end of the spring fixed to the armrest 11 via the second fastener 5 and other opposite end of the spring fixed to the armrest base 2 via the first fastener. It should be appreciated the same arrangement may be used when the elastic member is an elastic cord or rope or a gas strut. When the elastic member is a spring, the spring may sleeved around the outer wall of the inner tube. Also, while the drawings shown the entirety of the spring disposed in inner tube, at least a portion of the elastic member 4, whether a spring, elastic cord or gas strut, may be arranged in the inner tube, or the inner tube may be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 4, when a user adjusts the chair back backward, the use can give the backrest tube 7 a backward force relying on the user's own weight. The backrest tube 7 will drive the armrest 11 to slide backward, and the elastic member 4 will be stretched and placed under tension. When the user adjusts the chair back to the user's desired angle, the user can lock the armrest 11 to the armrest base 2 by the locking member 8 at a side of the armrest base below or under the armrest 11. When the user wishes to adjust the chair back forward, the locking member may be unlocked, and the tension in the elastic member will provide spring force to move the chair back with forward.

The new structure adopted by the present disclosure provides an elastic member in the armrest assembly that provides endless adjustable positions for the armrest and chair back. The arrangement allows the user to adjust the angle of the chair back relying on the user's own weight, and the arrangement assists the user in the adjustment when the chair back is adjusted forward. The overall structure is stable and easy to operate, and provides the user with a beneficial use experience and high comfort.

The folding chair 100 includes the chair-back angle adjustment structure described above. The lower part of the backrest assembly 10 is connected to the foot tube assembly 20. The backrest assembly 10 and the foot tube assembly 20 may be both folding assemblies. The backrest assembly 10 and the foot tube assembly 20 are both provided with soft or pliable surfaces for supporting the back and hip of the user during sitting.

In the description of the present specification, the description of reference terms, such as “an embodiment”, “some embodiments”, “example”, “specific example”, or “some examples”, means that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present disclosure. In the specification, the schematic expressions for the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments or examples. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined suitably in any one or more embodiments or examples.

Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described above, it can be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and cannot be understood as a limitation of the present disclosure. A person of ordinary skill in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations for the above embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure without departing from the principle and purpose of the present disclosure. Any simple modifications, equivalent variations, and modifications for the above embodiments according to the technical substance of the present disclosure will still belong to the scope of the technical solutions of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A chair comprising a backrest assembly, a foot tube assembly, and an armrest assembly, the armrest assembly comprising an armrest slidably connected with an armrest base, the armrest base being operatively connected to an upper portion of the foot tube assembly, a back end of the armrest being operatively hingedly connected to the backrest assembly, the armrest assembly further comprising an elastic member operatively connected to the armrest and the armrest base, the elastic member extending in a direction of sliding of the armrest relative to the armrest base, the armrest assembly further comprising a lock, the lock being moveable between an engagement position wherein the armrest is fixed to the armrest base and a disengagement position wherein the armrest is slidable relative to the armrest base under bias from the elastic member.

2. The chair according to claim 1, wherein one end of the elastic member is operatively connected to the armrest and an opposite end of the elastic member is operatively connected to the armrest base.

3. The chair according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is one of a spring, an elastic rope, or a gas strut.

4. The chair according to claim 1, wherein the armrest comprises a top panel with opposite side panels defining a hollow interior of the armrest, and an inner tube is disposed within the hollow interior of the arm rest.

5. The chair according to claim 4, wherein the inner tube is slidably arranged with the armrest base.

6. The chair according to claim 5, wherein the inner tube has a long-strip-shaped through hole, the armrest base has a fastener that is fixed in the armrest base and extends into the long-strip-shaped through hole, the fastener of the armrest base is configured to slide in the long-strip-shaped through hole when the armrest slides relative to the armrest base.

7. The chair according to claim 6, wherein one end of the elastic member is operatively connected to the fastener of the armrest base.

8. The chair according to claim 7, wherein the inner tube has a fastener, an opposite end of the elastic member is operatively connected the fastener of the inner tube.

9. The chair according to claim 6, wherein the fastener of the armrest base is one of a pin, bolt, or post.

10. The chair according to claim 7, wherein the fastener of the inner tube is one of a pin, bolt, or post.

11. The chair according to claim 1 wherein, when the backrest assembly is moved away from the armrest base, tension in the elastic member increases; and when the backrest assembly is moved toward the armrest base, tension in the elastic member decreases.

12. The chair according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is a spring, and opposite ends of the spring are operatively connected to the armrest and the armrest base, respectively.

13. The chair according to claim 1, wherein the lock comprises a lever and a clamping block arranged in the armrest base, the lever actuates the clamping block to engage the armrest when the lock is the engagement position, the lever actuates the clamping block to release from the armrest, when the lock is the disengagement position.

14. The chair according to claim 5, wherein the lock comprises a lever and a clamping block arranged in the armrest base, the lever actuates the clamping block to engage the innertube when the lock is the engagement position, the lever actuates the clamping block to release from the innertube, when the lock is the disengagement position.

15. The chair according to claim 1, wherein the backrest assembly is foldable between a folded configuration and an expanded configuration.

16. The chair according to claim 1, wherein the foot tube assembly is foldable between a folded configuration and an expanded configuration.