Furniture stabilizing device

The present disclosure is generally directed to a system that may be coupled to and is compatible with various sizes and types of furniture including chairs and stools with individual legs, to help stabilize such furniture by outwardly expanding at least a portion of the footprint of the furniture to which the system is coupled, by separating the tipping axes of the furniture and the system coupled to the furniture, and/or by increasing the tip resistance of the chair by coupling it to the system.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates in general to furniture with individual legs, such as chairs and stools, and more particularly, to a system that helps stabilize furniture with individual legs, such as a chair or stool with individual legs. Most chairs, and especially dining room, kitchen, patio, and other types of chairs and stools, such as those for sitting at a kitchen countertop, breakfast bar, or other bar area, are prone to tipping and/or tipping over. In some cases, when a chair is slid, one or more of the ends or feet of the chair legs has a tendency to catch (e.g., on an uneven surface) and cause or encourage the chair to tip. In addition, children and others who occupy such chairs will at times lean back or push away from another object (e.g., a fixture such as a cabinet, countertop, or wall) which can also cause or encourage the chairs to tip. The occupants of such chairs can be injured when the chairs tip over. In addition, the chairs and/or the area surrounding the chair can be damaged.

A few devices for improving the stability of chairs or the like are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,513,900 to Iglesias discloses a set of chair stabilizing devices for rotatable attachment to the base of a lawn or beach chair to prevent sinking in sand or tipping over in sand or uneven surfaces. However, the operation, structure, and mechanism involved with this set of devices is different from the present invention. For example, a gripping member included with each device in the set appears designed to receive a horizontally extending leg member portion of that particular type of chair.

U.S. Pub. No. 2007/0170760 to Peterson discloses a device for preventing tipping over of a chair that includes individual legs. More specifically, the device appears to include a leg member, a support foot attached at an angle to the leg member, and clamps to secure the device on the back legs of the chair with individual legs. The leg member appears to be secured such that when the chair is tilted back the bottom portion of the support foot will prevent the chair from tipping further. However, the operation, structure, and mechanism involved in this device are different than the present invention. While devices, such as those described above, have been developed for increasing the stability of chairs, a solution for preventing tipping over of existing chairs still needs to be provided. There is a need to provide a device or system that stabilizes furniture, including chairs, with individual leg members to make the furniture less likely to tip over when a lateral force is applied. There is also a need to provide a stabilizing device that can be retrofitted to myriad shapes and sizes of furniture with legs. There is also a need to provide a simple, aesthetically pleasing solution for preventing tipping of such furniture and chairs. In addition, there is a need for a stabilizing device that prevents tipping of furniture and chairs without creating a substantial trip hazard. In addition, there is a need for such a device that is removable, easily installed, and easily retrofitted to furniture, including chairs, without the need for tools.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a furniture stabilizing system, the system comprising a base having a first planar surface adapted to support a piece of furniture having multiple feet provided on the base; and a first strap operatively coupled to the base and adapted to be removably provided at least partially around at least one component of the piece of furniture.

The present disclosure further relates to a device for preventing furniture from tipping over, the device comprising a base having a base footprint dimension and adapted to be coupled to a piece of furniture having a furniture footprint and a furniture footprint dimension; and a first strap operatively coupled to the base and adapted to be provided around at least one component of the piece of furniture; wherein the base footprint dimension is greater than the furniture footprint dimension.

The present disclosure further relates to a chair comprising a plurality of leg members provided on a first planar surface of a substantially planar base coupled to the chair, wherein the base has a thickness less than one inch.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described below in detail. For example, any numbers, measurements, and/or dimensions illustrated in the Figures are for purposes of example only. Any number, measurement or dimension suitable for the purposes provided herein may be acceptable. It should be understood that the description of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the disclosure from covering all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, example embodiments of a furniture stabilization system and device that prevents tipping of furniture, such as a chair with four individual legs, is illustrated. Referring toFIGS. 1-4, a furniture stabilization system100coupled to a chair or stool10is shown.

In various embodiments, furniture stabilization system100is adapted to be removably coupled, removably fastened, and/or removably mounted to a chair or stool10, as shown by way of example in the Figures. For example, the Figures illustrate a kitchen chair or stool10having a number of components including a seatback member20, a seat member30, multiple leg members40, and one or more rungs50, fastened otherwise coupled together to form chair or stool10. The chair or stool may also include arm rests, coupled to the seat member and/or seatback member. As shown in the Figures, leg members40include a proximate section end or section60provided near (or, in some cases, above) seat member30and a distal end or foot70. While the figures illustrate the utilization of the system with chair or stool10, it should be appreciated that the system may be utilized with other types of chairs or stools (e.g., movable seating typically used in kitchens, dining rooms, classrooms, audience seating, whether for indoor, outdoor, household or commercial use, or other types of furniture).

Furniture stabilization system100includes a base110. In various embodiments, furniture stabilization system100also includes a first strap120operatively coupled to base110and adapted to be removably threaded or otherwise provided around or through a portion of stool or chair10. In various embodiments, furniture stabilization system100includes a second strap130adapted to be removably threaded or otherwise provided or through around a portion of chair10. In various embodiments, furniture chair stabilization system100further includes pads140(e.g., rubber pads) provided between and/or adapted to be provided between distal end70of one or more leg members40and base110. In various embodiments, pads140are adhesive backed rubber pads to help prevent distal end or foot70from slipping or sliding relative to base110when base110is supporting chair or stool10.

Referring now toFIGS. 5-9, in various embodiments, base110is fabricated from a rigid or substantially rigid material, and may be resistant to impact and deformation. Examples of suitable materials for fabrication of the base include various grades of wood plywood, composite material, plastic, metal, and/or combinations thereof. In various embodiments, the base may be manufactured through a variety of known methods, including injection molding, CNC machining, and/or metal stamping. While shown as a single piece of material, the base may be fabricated by multiple materials or pieces. For example, the base may include two pieces coupled by hardware such as a hinge such that the base can be folded or otherwise broken down for ease of shipping and/or storage.

In various embodiments, base110includes a top surface150(e.g., a planar top surface) and a bottom surface160(e.g., a planar bottom surface), and a thickness or height “T.” Thickness or height T (e.g., average thickness or height or maximum thickness or height) of base110depends in part on the innate rigidity and/or weight of the material or materials of base110. In various embodiments, thickness or height T of base110is selected to provide a suitable or desired balance between the rigidity and thickness or height T of base110. In various embodiments, base110is less than about one inch in thickness or height T. In various embodiments, base110is about three quarters of an inch in thickness or height T. In various embodiments, the height or thickness T of base110is intended to be less than one inch to help minimize any increase in height on a typical chair10, stool, or other furniture, coupled to furniture stabilization system100. The height or thickness T of base110may be less than one inch to prevent base110from being a tripping hazard. In various embodiments, however, thickness or height T may be more than one inch (e.g., to help boost height of furniture coupled to the base).

In various embodiments, base110includes an upper edge170and a lower edge180. In various embodiments, upper edge170is a perimeter of top surface150, and/or lower edge is a perimeter of bottom surface160. In various embodiments, base110tapers from or between lower edge180to upper edge170to help prevent base110from being a tripping hazard. In various embodiments, any corners of base110are rounded or otherwise softened (e.g., to reduce tripping risk and/or injury).

In various embodiments, base110defines one or more slots, slits, or other apertures190adapted to receive at least a portion of the first strap and/or the second strap. In various embodiments, base110further defines a recess200, around one or more slots190, that is sized and adapted to receive a slide (not shown) of a strap assembly (not shown) to help prevent the slide from contacting a floor surface on which base110is provided. In various embodiments, each recess200and/or slot190are sized and/or shaped to allow a slide to be positioned and/or provided anywhere along slot190to better align with the strap the slide is adapted to receive and/or a point near a distal end of a leg member. In various embodiments, bottom surface160and/or base110defines one or more pad recesses210. In various embodiments, pad recesses210are adapted to partially receive one or more pads or gliders (not shown) that may be coupled or adhered to bottom surface160.

Referring again toFIGS. 3-4, in various embodiments, furniture stabilization system100includes one or more pads or gliders220provided near one or more margins of base110(e.g., in recesses in bottom surface160). The pads may be made of any material, but, in various embodiments, pads320are made of felt, or the like, to protect (e.g., from scratches) a floor on which base110sits or is otherwise provided and/or to allow system100and base110to slide along the floor, instead of tipping, when the system or the chair are subjected to a lateral force.

In various embodiments, the one or more pads220have a relatively low profile beyond the bottom surface160. For example, a pad220may protrude beyond bottom surface160from about one thirty-secondth to about one-eighth of an inch. In various embodiments, pads220may protrude beyond bottom surface160approximately one sixteenth of an inch.

In one or more examples of embodiments, the furniture stabilization system may include one or more wings that may be coupled and extend from the base (e.g., to the rear, to one or both sides, etc.) to further stabilize a piece of furniture coupled to the furniture stabilization system.

Referring again toFIGS. 1-4, in various embodiments, first strap120and/or second strap130are flexible (e.g., to allow one or both straps120/130to conform to a chosen installation route) and are low profile to minimally protrude above or beyond seat member30when the system is installed or otherwise coupled to chair or stool10. It should be appreciated that other types of tension-carrying materials including webbing, rope, and the like, may be used in place of any strap.

In various embodiments, first strap120and/or second strap130are part of a first strap assembly230and/or second strap assembly240, respectively. In various embodiments, first strap assembly230and/or second strap assembly240include a buckle250to help facilitate the adjustment and/or tensioning of first and/or second strap120/130to various pieces of furniture, chairs, seat base heights, and/or installations. It should be appreciated, however, that any device or mechanism for coupling (e.g., removably, releasably, or slidably coupling) portions of first strap120together and/or portions of second strap130together, including strap adjusters, buckles, side release buckles, cam buckles, center release buckles, slides, etc., may be used. As shown inFIGS. 3-4, in various embodiments, first strap assembly230and/or second strap assembly240, also include a slide260or other buckle or device for receiving first and/or second straps120/130and helping operatively couple or otherwise secure first and/or second straps120/130to base110.

As shown inFIGS. 3-4and10-11, in operation, chair10is provided on top surface150of base110. In various embodiments, first strap120is threaded through slide260over or at least partially a top surface80of seat member30through another slide260and back over at least partially around a top surface80of seat member30. In various embodiments, ends of first strap120are threaded into buckle250and tensioned to help hold base110to stool or chair10. In various embodiments, second strap130is threaded through slide260over or at least partially around top surface80of seat member30through another slide260and back over or at least partially around top surface80of seat member30. In various embodiments, ends of second strap130are threaded into buckle250and tensioned to help hold base110to chair or stool10.

While shown as provided over top surface80or seat member30, it should be appreciated that first and/or second straps120/130may be provided under or below seat member30. For example, in various embodiments, first and/or second straps120/130may be provided through hardware (e.g., brackets) removably secured (e.g., using screws or other fasteners) or otherwise provided under seat member30. In various embodiments, first and/or second straps120/130may be provided over, under, through or at least partially around one or more rungs50, especially in cases where one or more of the rungs are structural.

In various embodiments, one or more pads140are provided between distal ends or feet70of one or more of the leg members40and top surface150of base110. In one or more examples of embodiments, members are provided between the distal ends or feet of the leg members and the top surface of the base to raise the height of the chair to a desired or predetermined height. In various embodiments, first and/or second straps120/130may be routed or threaded behind and/or inside one or more rungs50(e.g., to help hide straps120/130and/or help keep straps120/130in an installed and/or more secure position). However, one or more of the straps may be routed outside the rungs. As illustrated inFIG. 11, at least one end of one or more straps120/130may hang downward from buckle250to allow downward force to be applied to the straps120/130. However, a loose end of one or both of the straps may be provided such that an upward force may be applied to tighten the straps. In various embodiments, one or more ends of straps120/130may be trimmed after installation (e.g., for a cleaner appearance).

While the Figures show straps for coupling (e.g., operatively coupling) base110and chair10, it should be appreciated that there are a number of other ways for coupling the base and the chair. For example, the leg members may clamped or otherwise fastened or removably fastened to the base using fasteners such as screws or bolts and/or using clamps or other hardware.

In various embodiments, margins of base110define or help define a base footprint270as shown in broken lines inFIG. 12, and distal ends or feet70of each leg member40of chair10define or help define a chair footprint90as shown in broken lines running between distal ends70inFIG. 12. In various embodiments, base footprint270has a length “BL”, a width “BW”, and/or a diagonal length “BDL.” In various embodiments, one or more of length BL, width BW, and/or diagonal length BDL is greater than one or more of a length “CL”, a first (e.g., maximum) width “CW”, and/or a diagonal length “CDL” of a chair footprint90. In various embodiments, length BL is from about four to about twelve inches greater than length CL. In various embodiments, length BL is from about four to about six inches greater in dimension than length CL. In various embodiments, width BW is from about four to about eight inches greater than width CW. In various embodiments, width BW is approximately six inches greater than width CW.

In various embodiments, lower edge180of base110defines base perimeter280. In various embodiments, base perimeter280is larger or longer than a perimeter of chair footprint90. While base perimeter280is shown inFIG. 12in the shape of an “X” (or elongated “X”), base perimeter280can be a variety of shapes, including, a “Y” (e.g., for furniture having three legs), a rectangle, a square, a circle, an oval, etc.

In various embodiments, base perimeter280may not identically align with base footprint270. For example, as shown inFIG. 2, base perimeter280may define a concave or scalloped features or profile at one or more of the sides of base110. Such concave or scalloped features defined at one or more of the sides of base110provide a number of advantages. For example, such features or profile may help a user to place their foot in contact with the floor, while moving in or out of a chair operatively coupled to system100. In addition, these features or profile also reduce the amount of material necessary for manufacturing base110.

As shown in the Figures, when system100is coupled (e.g., removed by and or operatively) to chair10, chair footprint90may not be exactly centered over base footprint270. For example, in various embodiments, chair footprint90may be closer to a first side of base footprint270and further from an opposing second side of base footprint270, for example, to make it less easy and/or more difficult to tip the chair around the opposing second side of base footprint270, relative to the first side of base footprint270.

In various embodiments, and as shown inFIG. 12, when coupled to furniture, system100outwardly extends, and/or effectively extends outwardly one of more tipping axes of the furniture. In various embodiments, margins of base110help define base tipping axes272274,276and278, and distal ends or feet70of chair10help define chair tipping axes92,94,96,98. In various embodiments, one or more of base tipping axes272,274,276and/or278is farther from center290of base110than one or more chair tipping axes92,94,96,98. For example, in various embodiments, base tipping axis272is farther from center290than chair tipping axis92, base tipping axis274is farther from center290than chair tipping axis94, base tipping axis276is farther from center290than chair tipping axis96, and/or base tipping axis278is farther from center290than chair tipping axis98.

In various embodiments, and as shown inFIG. 13, furniture stabilization system100increases resistance angle of stool or chair10coupled to the system. For example, chair10may have a tip resistance angle α. In various embodiments, base110of furniture stabilization system100is dimensioned to increase tip resistance angle α by angle β. In various embodiments, angle β is in a range of about four to about fifteen degrees. In various embodiments, angle β is in a range of about five to about eleven degrees. In various embodiments, angle β is in a range from about six to about nine degrees. In various embodiments, angle β is approximately seven degrees.

It should be noted that references to relative positions (e.g., “top” and “bottom”) in this description are merely used to identify various elements as are oriented in the Figures. It should be recognized that the orientation of particular components may vary greatly depending on the application in which they are used.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the system, methods, and devices as shown in the various examples of embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements show as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied (e.g. by variations in the number of engagement slots or size of the engagement slots or type of engagement). The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various examples of embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present inventions.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with the examples of embodiments outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalents, whether known or that are or may be presently foreseen, may become apparent to those having at least ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, the examples of embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is intended to embrace all known or earlier developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalents.