Patent Publication Number: US-6986550-B2

Title: Seat slide assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to fixed seating arrangements, and more particularly to a seat slide assembly for a fixed seating arrangement. 
     Fixed seating arrangements are commonly employed in classrooms, lecture halls, laboratories, restaurants and other areas. In one common arrangement seen in the prior art, a fixed seating arrangement includes a stationary base member mounted to a floor surface and connected to an upwardly extending table support pedestal. The pedestal is then typically connected to a horizontal seat support. Several such fixed seating arrangements utilize a cantilevered swing arm connected to the pedestal to support a seat member. In these cantilevered assemblies, a pivot member attached to the swing arm near the pedestal facilitates horizontal adjustment of the seat in relation to a table surface by a user. This horizontal adjustment is desirable for obvious reasons in that it is intended to allow for comfort, as well as ease of entry into and exit from the seating assembly. 
     Although swing arm assemblies are designed to allow individuals to enter and exit the attached seat with ease, they are limited in their ability to enable individuals of extreme height and weight to attain a fixed comfortable range from the desk, table or countertop. Most known swing arm assemblies simply freely pivot between an open position, wherein the seat is away from the desk or table, and a closed position, in which the seat is stationary under the table. The traditional swing arm arrangement does not allow different individuals to incrementally adjust their seat in relation to the table or lock in a comfortable distance from the table. This is problematic for individuals at the extremes of the typical weight and height standards. For these individuals, the prior art swing arm assemblies may position them in awkward uncomfortable positions either too close or too far from the table. 
     As an alternative to the cantilevered swing arm assemblies, fixed seating arrangments have developed to include seating assemblies wherein the seat is attached directly to a separate seat base member secured to the floor, as opposed to a swing arm attached to a pedestal. Although these alternative fixed seating arrangements provide a stable chair, they do not allow for the motion of the chair as in the prior art swing arm assemblies, and thus do not allow for horizontal adjustment of the chair in relation to the desk or table. Therefore, despite the advantages of these fixed seating arrangements, one of the shortcomings of these arrangements is that the seat is always located at a predetermined fixed distance from the front of the table or countertop. Usually, this predetermined distance is chosen to reflect the size of the average individual. As can readily be appreciated, because of the different physical characteristics of different people, this fixed distance is often uncomfortable to many individuals. That is, because of the limitations of the prior art fixed seating arrangements, an individual&#39;s height, physical stature or other physical characteristics may make it difficult and uncomfortable for them to sit comfortably at a table, desk or counter utilizing a fixed seating arrangement. The individual may not be able to comfortably work at a table assembly for extended periods of time. Accordingly, it has been found that some individuals, sitting at fixed seating arrangements in an educational environment, lose focus and attention when they are distracted by their discomfort as a result of a particular fixed seating arrangement, thereby resulting in a less than optimal learning environment. 
     A variety of seat slides and other means of lateral adjustment for seating assemblies are shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,785,700 to Kubo, U.S. Pat. No. 4,086,676 to Arruza, U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,718 to Cooper, U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,641 to Infanti, U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,786 to Kirkland et al. all of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Despite these references, problems and disadvantages exist with such prior art designs. In some prior designs, the devices include complex mechanisms for rotation and translation operations. Several of these mechanisms are often difficult to operate, are expensive to construct due to a large number of components and are often not compact, rendering them impractical for many potential applications. Furthermore, many of these designs do not provide a cover over the translation mechanism, thus resulting in a cluttered and unsightly appearance beneath the chair. 
     In view of the foregoing, it is one object of the present invention to provide a seat slide assembly for a fixed seating arrangement that may be adjusted in a horizontal forward and backward direction so as to be, respectively, moved closer to or further away from a table, desk or work surface in order to comfortably accommodate individuals of various physical characteristics. 
     It is another object of the subject invention to provide a safe and easy-to-operate seat slide assembly wherein an attached seat may be readily moved away from or towards a table or work surface. 
     It is yet another object of the subject invention to provide a seat slide assembly including a readily accessible handle for actuating adjustment of the seat towards and away from the table or work surface, thereby facilitating ease of entry and exit as well as comfort for seated individuals of different physical characteristics. A still further object of the invention is to provide a method of assembling a seat slide using a cover, to hide components of the seat slide assembly. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a seat slide system that uses fewer materials, and provides a more finished look than existing seat slides. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method of assembly that can be used to relatively inexpensively manufacture a seat slide system. Still another object of the invention is to provide a seat slide which provides adequate structural support yet is economical to manufacture and easy to install using existing equipment. 
     Consistent with the foregoing objects, the present invention contemplates a seat slide for a fixed seating arrangement that allows for controlled horizontal movement in relation to a vertical seat post, as well as a method of assembling a seat slide. 
     In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a seat slide includes a cover defining an upper and a lower attachment surface. The upper attachment surface is configured for attachment to the bottom of a seat, and a seat slide top member is attached to the lower attachment surface. Opposed sides of a bearing member are attached to the seat slide top member and to a seat base located below the seat slide top member. A seat slide handle connected to the seat slide top member is selectively engageable with the base, to allow for incremental adjustment of the slide top member. The seat slide further includes one or more bearing stress relief members attached to the seat base, which are configured to receive and support the bearing member. In one form, each stress relief member is in the form of a bracket attached to the seat base. The seat slide handle may be formed to include a tab configured to selectively engage openings formed in a side plate extension associated with the base, for selectively fixing the position of the seat. 
     The invention further contemplates a method of assembling a seat slide. This aspect of the invention includes the acts of providing a seat slide comprising a cover defining upper and lower attachment surfaces, a seat slide top member configured to be attached to the lower attachment surface, at least one bearing member configured to be attached to the seat slide top member and a seat base, and a seat slide handle configured to be connected to the seat slide top member. The method further includes the acts of providing a seat base and a chair having a seat mounting member attached beneath. In addition, the method contemplates the steps of attaching the bearing member to the seat base and attaching a handle to the seat slide top member, as well as attaching the bearing member to the seat slide top member and to the cover. 
     Another aspect of the invention contemplates a seat slide assembly, including a pair of bearings attached to a seat base which defines a side member having a plurality of adjustment slots. A seat slide plate is attached to the bearings, and a control member is attached to the seat slide plate. The control member is engageable with the adjustment slots on the seat base, thereby allowing for selective lateral adjustment of the seat slide plate in relation to the base. 
     These, and other aspects and objects of the present invention will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following description, while indicating a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such changes and modifications. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a fixed seating arrangement incorporating the seat slide of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a partially exploded isometric view illustrating the attachment of the seat slide to a seat mounting member and a seat base; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded isometric view illustrating the components of the seat slide incorporated in the seating arrangement of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a section view of an assembled seat slide taken along lines  4 — 4  of  FIG. 3 , illustrating the slide handle in its locked position; 
         FIG. 5  is a partial section view of a portion of the seat slide of  FIG. 4 , showing the slide handle in its unlocked position; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial section view of an assembled seat slide taken along lines  6 — 6  of  FIG. 4 , illustrating the seat slide in a first position; and 
         FIG. 7  is a partial section view similar to  FIG. 6 , illustrating the seat slide in a second forward position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In describing the preferred embodiments of the invention which are illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific terms so selected and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. For example, the word “connected” or terms similar thereto are often used. Such terms are not limited to direct connection but include connection through other elements where such connection is recognized as being equivalent by those skilled in the art. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a fixed seating arrangement  10  incorporating a seat slide assembly  12  of the present invention includes a seat base  14  that includes a base plate  16  secured to a floor surface by a series of bolts or other securing means  17 . Fixed seating arrangement  10  is designed to be used in conjunction with a wide variety of desks, tables, countertops or other work surfaces (not shown) by positioning the fixed seating arrangement  10  at a desired distance from the facing edge of the desk, table, etc. Furthermore, it should be understood that, although described in reference to a separate seat base  14 , the inventive aspects of seat slide assembly  12  could be utilized in conjunction with many prior art swing arm assemblies as well and the exemplary seat base  14  illustrated is in no way limiting of the specific application of seat slide assembly  12  as shown and described. 
     Seat base  14  is known in the art and can take a variety of known configurations. In the illustrated embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , base plate  16  defines an opening  18  configured for use in mounting a seat post receiving tube  20 . Receiving tube  20  can also take a variety of configurations, and is configured to receive a seat slide support post  22  of seat slide assembly  12 . In the preferred embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the receiving tube  20  includes inner  23  and outer  24  tubes. Inner tube  23  receives support post  22 . 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the fixed seating arrangement  10  includes a seat  26  defining an upper surface  27  for supporting an individual, and a bottom surface  28 . The bottom surface  28  of the seat  26  is attached to a seat mounting member  30 . It is understood that both the seat  26  and the seat mounting member  30  are illustrated by way of example and are no way limiting on the inventive seat slide assembly  12 . The inventive seat slide assembly  12  can be used with a wide variety of alternative seats and mounting members. In the illustrated embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , mounting member  30  is comprised of two seat attachment flanges  31   a,    31   b,  two angled support plates  32   a,    32   b  and a flat attachment plate  33 . The attachment plate  33  of the mounting member  30  is connected through cover  74  of the seat slide assembly  12  to a seat slide top member  54 , using screws or other attachment means  38  inserted through attachment plate holes  29   a–d  and cover holes  123   a–d.    
       FIG. 3  illustrates the seat slide assembly  12  that is incorporated into the fixed seating arrangement  10 . The seat slide assembly  12  includes a seat slide base  40  attached to an upper end of the support post  22 . Base  40  includes a rectangular support plate  42  configured to support seat  26  and seat slide assembly  12 . Extending downwardly from three edges of the support plate  42  are end flanges  13   a–c.  On a fourth edge of the support plate  42  is a downwardly extending slide adjustment flange  44 . The slide adjustment flange  44  defines a series of spaced apart rectangular slots  46  configured to engage and retain a tab  48  of a seat slide handle assembly  50 , as will be discussed in greater detail below. It is understood that the rectangular openings can take a wide variety of shapes and need not necessarily be rectangular as long as they are engageable with the seat slide handle tab  48 . 
     A pair of ball bearing assemblies  52   a  and  52   b  are secured to opposed sides of the support plate  42 . In the illustrated embodiment, ball bearing assemblies  52   a,    52   b  are engaged with support plate  42  via by screws  49   a–d,  which are inserted through openings  59   a–   59   d  formed in the fixed bottom members of bearing assemblies  52   a,    52   b  into engagement with aligned threaded openings formed in the upwardly facing surface of support plate  42  through holes  51   a–   51   d.    FIG. 4  illustrates each bearing assembly  52   a  and  52   b  in cross section, and it can be appreciated that each bearing assembly includes a fixed bottom member  120 , through which screws  49   a–   49   d  extend, in combination with a movable top member  122 . Bearings  52   a,    52   b  can be of the conventional telescoping drawer slide roller type or other known bearing, and are configured to allow for ease of sliding of seat slide top member  54  relative to the support plate  42 . In the illustrated embodiment, bearings  52   a,    52   b  include a series of balls  55  that are trapped between facing surfaces of each bottom member  120  and top member  122 , to provide smooth telescoping movement of top member  122  relative to bottom member  120 . Screws  49   a–d  can be accessed and are inserted through slots  59   a–d  formed in top members  122  of bearings  52   a,    52   b.    
     In order to provide vertical strain relief for the bearings  52   a,    52   b,  a pair of brackets  56   a,    56   b  are secured to the support plate  42  by screws  154   a–d  inserted through holes  55   a–d.  The brackets  56   a,    56   b  define lower flanges that engage support plate  42 , and are configured to fit around bearing assemblies  52   a,    52   b  so as to define an upper flange that overlies each bearing  52   a,    52   b.  With this construction, brackets  56   a,    56   b  do not impede horizontal movement of the bearings  52   a,    52   b,  and function to prevent upward movement of bearings  52   a,    52   b,  which may be caused by application of an upward force to seat  26 , e.g. by a user leaning back on chair  26 . The free ends of brackets  56   a,    56   b  extend through aligned top member slots  78   a,    78   b  and cover slots  106   a,    106   b  thereby avoiding any interference with the sliding of the top member  54  across support plate  42 . 
     Seat slide top member  54  is secured to the slidable top member  122  of the bearings  52   a,    52   b.  Top member  54  is secured by nut and bolt assemblies  62   a–d  or other securing means, which extend through aligned openings in seat slide top member  54  and bearing top members  122 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the nut and bolt assemblies  62   a–d  extend through bearing holes  65   a–d  and seat slide top member holes  67   a–d,  as well as through cover holes  69   a–d  formed in cover member  74 . Therefore, nut and bolt assemblies  62   a–d  effectively secure the slidable top members  122  of the bearings  52   a,    52   b,  top member  54  and cover  74  to each other. The upper flange of each bracket  56   a,    56   b  overlies the area of cover member  74  that overlies the respective bearing  52   a,    52   b.  As noted above, bearings  52   a,    52   b  allow top member  54  and attached cover  74  to slide across support plate  42 . 
     Top member  54  includes downwardly extending side flanges  64   a–d  configured to substantially align with the end flanges  13   a–c  of the support plate  42 , and with front flange  165 . Top member  54  also includes access holes  76   a–d  that allow access to screws  154   a–d  securing brackets  56   a,    56   b  to support plate  42 , as well as access slots  78   a,    78   b  that allow access to bearing screws  49   a–d  during assembly or repair. 
     Top member  54  further includes a seat slide handle extension  80  extending from one side. Handle extension  80  is a generally rectangular shaped plate including a centrally located spring engagement tab  82  projecting downwardly therefrom. Spring engagement tab  82  is configured to receive one end of a spring  88 , which is configured to bias handle assembly  50  away from handle extension  80 . The spring biasing of handle assembly  50  facilitates controlled incremental sliding movement of the seat slide assembly  12 , as will be discussed below. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , handle assembly  50  includes a rectangular handle member  121  defining an inner side  83  and an outer side  84 . Outer side  84  of handle  121  is configured to be accessible and manipulated by a user&#39;s hand. Outer side  84  of handle  121  may include such features as ergonomic grooves or recesses  85  configured to comfortably engage the fingers of a user. Inner side  83  of handle  121  defines a spring receiving cavity  86  configured to receive one end of coil spring  88 . Extending from the handle  121  is an extension  110  connected to a pivot member  90  having a circular cross section. Pivot member  90  further includes a downwardly projecting slot engagement flange  92  that includes rectangular tab  48  at its distal end. Handle assembly  50  is attached to top member  54  via a mounting bracket  100 , which includes ears  101  having arcuate recesses configured to fit over pivot member  90  while allowing for pivotal movement therein. Brackets  100  are secured to top member  54  via screws  102  inserted through holes  103 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4–6 , movement of pivot member  90  is operable to move integral flange  92  and attached tab  48  away from or toward adjustment flange  44 . Under normal operating conditions as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , when no upward pressure is applied to handle assembly  50 , the top member  54  and thus attached seat  26  are fixed in a stationary position due to engagement of tab  48  within one of slots  46 . In a fixed stationary position, spring  88  is biased between top member  54  via spring engagement tab  82 , and handle assembly  50  via spring receiving cavity  86 . Spring  88  exerts sufficient pressure on integral handle  121 , attached extension  110  and pivot member  90  to forceably maintain tab  48  within the rectangular slot  46  on the adjustment flange  44 . When tab  48  is fixed within rectangular slot  46 , horizontal sliding movement of top member  54  on support plate  42  via bearings  52   a,    52   b  is prevented. When a user desires to adjust the seat configuration, upward pressure is applied to the handle assembly  50  to move it in an upward direction towards the top member  54 , in the direction indicated by the arrow  126  shown in  FIG. 5 . Upon application of such upward pressure, the biasing force of spring  88  is overcome, and tab  48  is withdrawn from the rectangular slot  46 . Top member  54  is then free to slide over support plate  42  along bearings  52   a,    52   b,  to enable a user to position seat  26  in a desired position. When the upward pressure is released, spring  88  biases handle assembly  50  downwardly, thereby causing pivot member  90  and tab  48  to move towards adjustment flange  44  such that tab  48  engages the aligned rectangular slot  46  on the adjustment flange  44 . If necessary, the user moves seat  26  slightly so as to ensure that tab  48  is moved into engagement with one of slots  46 . It should be understood that spring  88  may be replace with a torsion spring, or any other satisfactory biasing arrangement, for urging tab  48  toward slots  46 . It should also be understood that the location of tab  48  and slots  46  may be reversed, in that handle assembly  50  may have a recess and adjustment flange  44  may have a series of projections configure to receive the recess, to selectively maintain seat  26  in position. 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  further illustrate the horizontal sliding motion of the seat slide assembly  12 .  FIG. 6  illustrates the seat slide assembly  12  having the tab  48  engaged in the second rectangular slot  46 . Upon actuation of the handle  121 , tab  48  is disengaged from the rectangular slot  46  as discussed above, and top member  54  and attached cover  74  slide along bearings  52   a,    52   b  in a direction chosen by a user. For example the top member  54  may move in the direction indicated by the arrow  134  shown in  FIG. 6 . As illustrated by  FIG. 7 , top member  54  and cover  74  may be moved to any desired position, e.g. a distance of two rectangular slots  46 . As noted above, when top member  54  and cover  74  slide, brackets  56   a,    56   b  do not impede travel by virtue of the aligned slots  106   a,    106   b  and  78   a,    78   b  discussed above. Upon release of the handle assembly  50 , spring will bias handle assembly  50  back and attached tab  48  back into a new rectangular slot  46  on adjustment flange  44 . In addition to tabs  48 , sliding is limited by bearing stops  134   a,    134   b.    
     In operation, a user approaches the fixed seating arrangement  10 , which is usually mounted in combination with a table, desk, countertop or other worksurface (not shown). If, for example, the seat  26  was left in a position too close to a table, an individual can actuate the handle assembly  50  and slide the seat  26  away from the table edge to allow for ease of entry. Once seated, a user can then actuate the handle assembly  50  and slide toward the table to a distance that is comfortable for the intended use. 
     With the construction as shown and described, all of the components associated with the seat slide assembly are hidden from view by cover  74 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 4-7 , cover sides  132  define an inner cavity  130  in which a majority of the components of the seat slide assembly  12  are housed. Thus, when one looks at the seat side assembly  12  from a horizontal or vertical view, the components of the seat slide assembly are hidden. Therefore, not only does cover  74  provide a more finished look than prior art seat slide arrangements, it also serves to prevent exposure of the slide assembly  12  components to moisture, dirt, dust or other contaminants. This is a significant advantage over the prior art both functionally and aesthetically, in which the component parts of the seat slide are often exposed. This construction further provides the advantage of a lightweight, strong and low profile slide that requires fewer component parts than many of the prior art assemblies 
     While the above description is given by way of example, it is recognized that numerous other configurations could be utilized with the inventive aspects of the seat slide assembly  12  and are included in the present invention. Although the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out the present invention is disclosed above, practice of the present invention is not limited thereto. As noted throughout the application, numerous alternative configurations of seats could be used with the seat slide assembly  12 . It will be manifest that various additions, modifications and rearrangements of the features of the present invention may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept. Moreover, the individual components need not be formed in the disclosed shapes, or assembled in the disclosed configuration, but could be provided in a variety of shapes, and assembled in a variety of configurations. 
     All such alternatives, additions, modifications and rearrangements are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.