Abstract:
A chair with a chair back pivotally attached to a seat. The chair back can be moved from a collapsed position located directly adjacent the seat to an upright position. When in the upright position, a spring biased latch assembly attached to chair seat allows engagement with the chair back and can be adjusted to several, adjustable positions selected by the user. In addition to providing a range of adjustment, this latch system also provides structural integrity to the design of the pivoting chair invention.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The field of this invention relates to a chair where the back of the chair can be pivoted from a fully collapsed position, for packing and shipping purposes, located directly against the seat of the chair to an upright, adjustable position, that is within the normal position of usage. The nature of this invention allows the chair to have armrests attached or not attached. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A typical chair has a seat and a back rest. This configuration of a chair is not conducive to shipping after being manufactured for the reason that an assembled chair inherently occupies a substantial amount of space. It is common for chairs to be manufactured in overseas manufacturing facilities meaning that the chairs are required to be put into cartons and then shipped by shipping containers to the United States or their final destination. The size of the shipping carton for a chair, which contains a back fastened to a seat in the normal upright manner, is of a significant size and therefore limits the number of shipping cartons that can be placed within a shipping container. This increased carton size directly correlates with the shipping cost and results in significantly higher cost per chair. 
         [0003]    In today&#39;s manufacturing environment, it is common practice to detach the chair back from the seat. The back can then be placed against the seat and packaged with the other chair components with the resulting in a significantly more compact unit for purposes of shipping. Once the disassembled chair reaches the retailer or end user, either the retailer or the consumer is required to then assemble the chair. Assembly usually requires properly positioning the chair components and using several bolt type fasteners to be installed and tightened. End users find this process to be undesirable, time consuming and even difficult for those certain individuals that have a minimal amount of mechanical aptitude. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention pertains to an office chair. The chair comprises a seat. The chair comprises a back that is attached to the seat which is foldable from essentially an open vertical position to a collapsed horizontal position relative to the seat and the back defines a plane. The chair comprises a foldable armrests attached to the seat and the back that move with the back between the open position and the collapsed position as the back moves between the open position and the collapsed position and the armrests are below the plane in the collapsed position. 
         [0005]    The present invention pertains a method for moving an office chair. The method comprises the steps of folding a back from essentially an open vertical position to a collapsed horizontal position relative to a seat that is attached to the back. There is the step of folding armrests attached to the seat and the back that move with the back between the open position and the collapsed position as the back moves between the open position and the collapsed position. 
         [0006]    One armrest option allows the armrests to attach independently of the pivoting mechanism and allow the design to have a range of flexibility as it applies to the armrest style and functionality. 
         [0007]    Another armrest option allows the armrests to attach to the backrest and seat bottom in a fashion similar to most chair armrests. The uniqueness of this armrest design provides a pivot point on the inside surface of the armrest that allows the armrest to fold to a completely collapsed form and open into a fully usable position in one fluid motion. This armrest design automatically accommodates the adjustability feature of this chair design by allowing the backrest to adjust to several recline positions without any consumer adjustment. Since the armrests are attached to the backrest and seat, this design also provides structural integrity to the overall chair design. 
         [0008]    The invention creates a solution to a common shipping issue by reducing its shipping cube size and more importantly provides a quick, easy and time saving method for the consumer to set up the chair without the use of tools or fasteners. This is a very desirable product attribute for the consumer and an advantageous feature for the manufacturing facility and retailer. 
         [0009]    Both the trade and consumer benefits substantially from this chair design. 
         [0010]    The trade/Retailer benefits from attractive manufacturing and shipping cost structures.
       The trade/Retailer can offer an easy to set up chair to the consumer—a benefit that is very appealing and offers a unique marketing appeal.   The trade/ Retailer benefits from reduced inventory space requirements for this style chair.   The consumer can quickly and easily assemble the chair without the need for tools or fasteners. This design allows the user to begin its use very quickly and easily.   The consumer has the ability through this invention to pivot the backrest to a position that is conducive to their work environment and comfort range.   The consumer benefits from a chair design that has the flexibility to add armrests in a range of styles.   The Foldable Style armrests allow the chair to have a traditional design and appearance yet have the ability to fold and adjust with the movement features of the chair.       
 
         [0017]    The primary objectives of this invention is to construct a chair that is collapsible for purposes of shipping, but upon reaching the retailer or end user, the chair can be moved from its collapsed position to a normal usage position without requiring the using of any fasteners or the use of any tools. The user then can adjust the position of the backrest to a position most comfortable for their body and usage environment. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0018]    In the accompanying drawings, the preferred embodiment of the invention and preferred methods of practicing the invention are illustrated in which: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a view showing the chair with pivotable back  1  of the present invention and the pivotable arms  2  in the fully engaged, upright position. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a view similar to  FIG. 1  but with the chair with pivotable back of this invention and the pivotable arms with a closer view of the ornamental detail of the upper arm and lower arm. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a view of the collapsible arms in a partly folded position 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a view of the chair with pivotable back and pivotable armrests in the collapsed position; armrests are fully collapsed for compact shipment. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a schematic representation of the upper and lower armrests. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  shows armrests in an upright position. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  shows armrests in a collapsed position. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  shows an underside perspective view of the seat and back. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0027]    Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to similar or identical parts throughout the several views, and more specifically to  FIGS. 1-7  thereof, there is shown an office chair  100 . The chair  100  comprises a seat  10 . The chair  100  comprises a back  29  that is attached to the seat  10  which is foldable from essentially an open vertical position to a collapsed horizontal position relative to the seat  10  and the back  29  defines a plane  60 . The chair  100  comprises foldable armrests  18  attached to the seat  10  and the back  29  that move with the back  29  between the open position and the collapsed position as the back  29  moves between the open position and the collapsed position and the armrests  18  are below the plane  60  in the collapsed position. 
         [0028]    Preferably, the chair  100  includes a pedestal  50  upon which the seat  10  is disposed. The base preferably has wheels  72  upon which the chair  100  can be moved around. Preferably, each armrest  18  includes a lower armrest pivot bracket  70  engaged with the seat  10  and an upper arm rest portion pivotally connected with the lower armrest pivot bracket  70 . The upper armrest  18  portion preferably includes a flange  62  with a flange opening  64  and the lower armrest pivot bracket  70  has a top  66  with a bracket opening  68 , and including a pivot pin  8  that extends through the flange opening  64  and the bracket opening  68  pivotally connecting the lower armrest pivot bracket  70  with the upper armrest  18  portion. 
         [0029]    Preferably, the lower armrest pivot bracket  70  and the upper armrest  18  portion each have a J-shape. The chair  100  preferably includes a first support bracket  13  and a second support bracket  14  attached on either side of the seat  10  used for pivoting the seat  10 . Preferably, the chair  100  includes a pivot assembly  40  used to interconnect the seat  10  and back  29  via the support brackets. Preferably, the pivot assembly  40  includes a spring biased latch assembly  28  mounted on the seat  10  and a receiving bracket located on the back  29  that engages with the latch assembly  28  allowing the user to position the back  29  in several adjustable upright positions. Each armrest  18  preferably has a cushioned pad  22 . The back  29  and seat  10  are preferably cushioned. 
         [0030]    The present invention pertains a method for moving an office chair  100 . The method comprises the steps of folding a back  29  from essentially an open vertical position to a collapsed horizontal position relative to a seat  10  that is attached to the back  29 . There is the step of folding armrests  18  attached to the seat  10  and the back  29  that move with the back  29  between the open position and the collapsed position as the back  29  moves between the open position and the collapsed position. 
         [0031]    Preferably, there is the step of moving a base upon which the seat  10  is disposed on wheels  72  of the base. Preferably, the folding armrest  18  step preferably includes the step of pivoting an upper armrest  18  portion of the armrest  18  relative to a lower armrest pivot bracket  70  of the armrest  18 . The step of pivoting the upper armrest pivot portion includes the step of pivoting the upper armrest portion relative to the lower armrest pivot bracket  70  of a pivot pin  8  that extends to a flange  62  of the upper armrest portion  61  and a hole at the top of the lower armrest pivot bracket  70 . 
         [0032]    The invention provides a very simple, easy to use solution for building a chair that commonly requires full assembly by the user. The support brackets mount to the underside of the seat  10  surface in several points and are constructed separately from the armrests  18 . The armrests  18  are fully foldable and pivotable. They move in relation to the backrest and fold for shipment. The armrests  18  automatically adjust in connection with the adjustable backrest movement without any need for the consumer to use tools or make additional adjustments. 
         [0033]    The armrest  18  design allows for armrest  18  to adjust in conjunction with several user adjustable positions and also in a fully collapsed position that allows for a very compact shipping cube. The top of the armrest  18  positions in its fully collapsed state, at the level or lower than the seat  10  back in its fully collapsed state as seen in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0034]    The invention provides a very simple, easy to use solution for building a chair that commonly requires full assembly by the user. The Pivot Brackets mount to the underside of the seat  10  surface in several points and are constructed separately from the armrests  18 . The armrests  18  are fully foldable and pivotable. They move in relation to the backrest and fold completely flat for shipment. The armrests  18  automatically adjust in connection with the adjustable backrest movement without any need for the consumer to use tools or make additional adjustments. 
         [0035]      FIG. 3  is a view of the collapsible arms in a partly folded position. The arms move in relation to the folding of the backrest. There are two pivot points  4  and  5  in this armrest  18  design that allow the armrest  18  to move in such a manner. Pivot point  3  located on the inside surface of the upper armrest part  6  and the upper edge of the lower armrest part  7  allows the armrest  18  to hinge and move with the foldable backrest. Hinge point  3  allows arm to collapse and fold for minimal shipping cube as well as open for quick assembly. Hinge point  3  also allows adjustable back repositioning for 2-3 angles. 
         [0036]    The armrest  18  design allows for armrest  18  to adjust in conjunction with several user adjustable positions and also in a fully collapsed position that allows for a very compact shipping cube. The top of the armrest  18  positions in its fully collapsed state, at the level or lower than the seat  10  back in its fully collapsed state as seen in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0000]    Patent References, all of which are incorporated by reference herein.
   Grove—No. 6,786,553 Chair with Pivotable Back   Grove—No. 6,464,300 Collapsible Chair   
 
         [0039]    U.S. provisional patent application 60/722,265 filed Sep. 30, 2005, now U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/529,832, which describes the operation of the back relative to the seat. 
         [0040]    Although the invention has been described in detail in the foregoing embodiments for the purpose of illustration, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that variations can be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention except as it may be described by the following claims.