Patent Description:
Common adjustments for chairs, in particular office-type chairs, may include a height adjustment of the chair seat, an adjustment of an inclination of the chair seat and the chair back as well as an arrangement of the chair seat with respect to the chair back. These chair adjustments allow users to change their sitting position in the chair as desired such that fatigue may be minimized during long sitting periods.

For adjusting the height of the chair seat, a gas spring may be provided between a pedestal and a base support. The pedestal may comprise a plurality of feet extending in radial directions, which are often wheeled with casters at distal ends. For example, the pedestal may be a <NUM>-star base. The base support may support the chair seat directly or via an intermediate seat support. The base support may further support the chair back and may comprise a mechanism for adjustment of inclination of the chair seat and the chair back. The gas spring, also called gas lift, commonly comprises a cylinder, a piston which is movable within the cylinder, and a piston rod extending from and coupled to the piston. The gas spring may be arranged in a vertical direction between the pedestal and the base support. For example, a lower end of the cylinder may be mounted at the pedestal and an upper end of the piston rod may be mounted at a lower side of the base support. Upon moving of the piston within the cylinder, a height of the base support with respect to the pedestal may be adjusted.

The upper end of the piston rod may have a conical shape which may be inserted in a conical hole in the base support. Likewise, the lower end of the cylinder may have a conical shape which may be inserted in a conical hole in the pedestal. This tapered interference fit is very reliable and easy to make, but is very difficult to separate once installed. One option is to hammer out the gas spring, which can cause irreversible damage. Another option is to use special tools. Neither option is suitable for an end user without technical training and experience and without the risk of damaging the product or injuring themselves.

Document <CIT> discloses a chair component according to the state of the art.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a chair which addresses some of the above problems. In particular, it is an object to provide a mechanism for easily removing a gas spring from a height adjustable chair. Removing the gas spring should be possible for a user with minimal effort, without technical experience and without risk of damaging the product or getting injured.

This object is achieved by a chair component and a chair comprising the chair component as defined in the independent claims. The dependent claims define embodiments.

A chair component for a chair is provided. The chair may be a height adjustable chair, for example an office chair, a home chair, or an industrial chair. The chair component is provided with a gas spring receiving hole into which an end of a gas spring of the chair is insertable. For example, the chair component may be a base support of the chair configured to support a chair seat. In other examples, the chair component may be a pedestal of the chair. The chair component comprises a removal mechanism for removing the gas spring from the chair component. The removal mechanism comprises a threaded bolt arranged in a threaded hole in the chair component. The threaded hole is arranged adjacent to the gas spring receiving hole. A longitudinal axis of the threaded hole is essentially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the gas spring receiving hole. A screw drive is provided at a first end of the threaded bolt for turning the threaded bolt in the threaded hole. An overlap element is provided at a second end of the threaded bolt opposing the first end. The overlap element extends in a radial direction beyond an outer circumference of the thread of the threaded bolt to such an extent that the overlap element at least partially overlaps the gas spring receiving hole.

It is to be understood that the terms "up", "down", "upwards", "downwards", "upper side" and "lower side", as used herein, each have a particular meaning that is defined in relation to a flat support surface beneath the chair, for example in relation to a floor on which the chair rests and in relation to an occupant sitting in a usual seated position on the chair. The terms "down", "downwards" and "lower side" refer to the side facing to the flat support surface beneath the chair, and the terms "up", "upwards" and "upper side" refer to the side facing away from the flat support surface beneath the chair.

In various examples, the threaded hole and the gas spring receiving hole each extend from a first surface of the chair component to an opposing second surface of the chair component. For example, when the chair component is a base support, the first surface may be a lower side of the base support and the second surface may be an upper side of the base support. When the chair component is a pedestal, the first surface may be an upper side of the pedestal and the second surface may be a lower side of the pedestal. The threaded bolt is screwed into the threaded hole from the second surface. The gas spring receiving hole has a conical shape with a first diameter at the first surface and a second diameter at the second surface. The second diameter is smaller than the first diameter. In other words, the gas spring may be inserted in the gas spring receiving hole from the first side. For example, a piston rod of the gas spring may be inserted from the lower side into the gas spring receiving hole of the base support. Likewise a cylinder of the gas spring may be inserted from the upper side into the gas spring receiving hole of the pedestal.

The threaded bolt may be positioned by turning the threaded bolt within the threaded hole between a mounting position and a removal position. In the mounting position, the gas spring can be mounted at the chair component. In the removal position, the gas spring is removed from the chair component by the removal mechanism. This may be achieved by adjusting a distance between the overlap element and the second surface: A distance between the overlap element and the second surface in the mounting position is larger than a distance between the overlap element and the second surface in the removal position.

For example, the chair component may be configured such that, when the gas spring is mounted to the chair component, an end of the gas spring protrudes from the second surface of the chair component. The overlap element is arranged and configured such that, when the gas spring is mounted to the chair component and the threaded bolt is moved from the mounting position to the removal position, the overlap element urges the end of the gas spring to reduce an amount by which the end of the gas spring protrudes beyond the second surface of the chair component.

For example, the upper end of the piston rod may have conical shape configured such that when the piston rod is inserted from the lower side (first surface) in the gas spring receiving hole of the base support, the upper end of the piston rod at least partially extends beyond the upper side (second surface) of the base support. As long as the threaded bolt is in the mounting position, the gap between the overlap element and the upper surface of the base support is large enough to allow the piston rod to protrude beyond the upper surface of the base support without being obstructed by the overlap element. Due to the force of gravity in the downward direction exerted by a user sitting on the chair, the conical shape of the gas spring receiving hole and the conical shape of the piston rod engage with each other. When the threaded bolt is moved to the removal position, the distance between the overlap element and the upper side of the base support decreases, and the overlap element contacts the upper end of the piston rod and urges the upper end of the piston rod in the downward direction. This separates the piston rod from the base support.

By turning the threaded bolt, a relatively small torque can be used to exert a very large force on the gas spring (e.g. upper side of the piston rod) via the overlap element, which enables to separate the connection between the conical shape of the gas spring receiving hole and the conical shape of the gas spring. The turning of the threaded bolt can be performed by a user without specific knowledge, without great effort and without risk of injury.

According to various examples, the overlap element has a circular outer shape coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the threaded bolt. Thus, while turning the threaded bolt, the overlap element continuously overlaps a same area of the gas spring receiving hole. For example, the overlap element may comprise a screw head and washer. The washer defines the area which is overlapped by the overlap element. A traditional screw may be used as the threaded bolt. The washer may reduce friction. For example, the screw head may rotate with respect to the washer while the washer urges the gas spring without rotating.

In further examples, the overlap element may comprise a screw head and a washer with a rectangular outer shape. For example, the washer may be a flat rectangular plate with a bore or hole. The threaded bolt may extend through the bore or hole. The rectangular outer shaped may prevent rotation of the washer and may optimize utilization of the available space. The washer may have any other outer shape as appropriate, e.g. a square shape, a triangular shape or a combination of a rectangular shape and a semicircular shape at one side of the rectangular shape.

In further examples, an outer diameter of the screw drive at the first end is smaller than an outer diameter of the thread of the threaded bolt. For example, the screw drive at the first end may comprise a hex key, which is also known as Allen key, or a hexalobular internal, which is also known as star drive or Torx drive. Using a screw drive with a diameter which is smaller than an outer diameter of the threat of the threaded bolt enables insertion of the threaded bolt from the second side, i.e. the threaded bolt enters the threaded hole with the first end. A hex wrench or Torx wrench may be inserted at the first surface of the chair component into the screw drive for turning the threaded bolt. Even when the threaded bolt is turned in the threaded hole to such an extent that it does not protrude at the first surface, it still can be actuated using the hex-wrench or Torx wrench due to the smaller diameter.

A chair comprises a pedestal, a gas spring, a base support, and a chair seat. At least one of the pedestal and the base support comprises the chair component as described above. The chair seat may be arranged on an upper side of the base support. The gas spring may be provided between a lower side of the base support and an upper side of the pedestal. For removing the gas spring from the base support, the base support may be provided with the above described removal mechanism. Likewise, for removing the gas spring from the pedestal, the pedestal may be provided with the above described removal mechanism.

Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. While some embodiments will be described in the context of specific fields of application, such as in the context of an office type chair, home chair or industrial chair, the embodiments are not limited to this field of application. The features of the various embodiments may be combined with each other unless specifically noted otherwise. Same reference signs in the various drawings refer to similar or identical components.

<FIG> shows a chair <NUM> which includes a pedestal <NUM>, a gas spring <NUM>, a base support <NUM>, a chair seat <NUM> and a chair back <NUM>. As an example, the chair <NUM> is illustrated to be a height adjustable chair. The base support <NUM> may comprise a motion mechanism. The base support <NUM> may connect the chair seat <NUM>, the chair back <NUM> and the gas spring <NUM>. The motion mechanism may effect a coordinated motion of the chair back <NUM> and the chair seat <NUM>. The pedestal <NUM> includes a number of support feet extending radially from a center of the pedestal <NUM> and a corresponding number of casters supported on the outer ends of the support feet. The gas spring <NUM>, also known as gas cylinder or lifting mechanism, may be mounted at the center of the pedestal <NUM> to enable the height of the chair seat <NUM> to be adjusted by an occupant.

The gas spring <NUM> comprises a cylinder <NUM>, a piston within the cylinder <NUM>, and a piston rod <NUM>. The gas spring <NUM> may comprise further components, for example a piston rod guide bushing, a piston rod seal, one or more valves and a coil spring. The piston is movable in the up and down directions. A lower end of the piston rod <NUM> is coupled to the piston within the cylinder <NUM> and an upper end of the piston rod <NUM> is coupled to the base support <NUM>. For coupling the piston rod <NUM> to the base support <NUM>, the base support may provide a gas spring receiving hole into which the upper end of the piston rod <NUM> is inserted. The upper end of the piston rod <NUM> may have a conical shape that tapers further upward. The gas spring receiving hole may have a matching conical shape that tapers further upward also.

The lower end of the cylinder <NUM> is coupled to the pedestal <NUM>. The pedestal <NUM> may have a central hole into which the lower end of the cylinder <NUM> may be inserted. The lower end of the cylinder <NUM> may have a conical shape that tapers further downward. The central hole may have a matching conical shape that tapers further downward also.

In this way, a strong and reliable connection is made between the upper end of the piston rod <NUM> and the base support <NUM>, and between the lower end of the cylinder <NUM> and pedestal <NUM>. The connection may strengthen when a user sits on the chair and presses the conical surfaces against each other. However, separating the gas spring from the base support <NUM> or pedestal <NUM> may be difficult and may require large forces.

Separating the gas spring from the base support <NUM> or the pedestal <NUM> may be necessary for replacement of the gas spring or for stowing the chair in a space-saving manner. In order to achieve this without requiring large forces to be applied by an operator, a removal mechanism can be provided, which will be described below using the base support <NUM> as an example. <FIG> is an isometric view from below of the chair of <FIG> and indicates a suitable position of the removal mechanism <NUM> at the base support <NUM>. It is obvious for a person skilled in the art that is such a removal mechanism can be provided in the same way at the pedestal <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic isometric view of the base support <NUM> in connection with the gas spring <NUM>. The base support <NUM> includes a removal mechanism <NUM>. In <FIG>, the pedestal <NUM>, the chair seat <NUM> and a chair back <NUM> are not shown for clarity reasons. <FIG> show a schematic isometric cross-sectional view of the base support <NUM> of <FIG>, and <FIG> shows a schematic cross-sectional side view of the base support <NUM> of <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the conical upper end of the piston rod <NUM> is inserted in a matching conical gas spring receiving hole <NUM> of the base support <NUM>. The conical shapes of the upper end of the piston rod <NUM> and the matching hole <NUM> have a decreasing diameter in the upward direction. The upper end of the piston rod <NUM> protrudes slightly beyond the upper edge of the hole <NUM>, for example by a few millimeters, for example <NUM> to <NUM>. In other words, when the piston rod <NUM> is inserted at a first lower surface <NUM> of the base support <NUM> in the upwards direction, the upwards movement of the piston rod <NUM> is limited by the engagement of the conical shape of the piston rod <NUM> with the matching conical shape of the hole <NUM>. In the engaged position, the upper end of the piston rod <NUM> protrudes slightly beyond a second upper surface <NUM> of the base support <NUM> in the upwards direction.

The removal mechanism <NUM> comprises a threaded bolt <NUM> which is arranged in a matching threaded hole <NUM> in the base support <NUM>. The threaded hole <NUM> is arranged adjacent to the gas spring receiving hole <NUM>. Preferably, a longitudinal axis of the threaded hole <NUM> and a longitudinal axis of the gas spring receiving hole <NUM> are parallel. A distance <NUM> between the threaded hole <NUM> and the gas spring receiving hole <NUM> may be small, for example a few millimeters, for example <NUM> to <NUM>. A diameter of the threaded hole <NUM> may be a few millimeters. For example, the threaded bolt <NUM> and the threaded hole <NUM> may have matching metric threads, such as in the range of M4 to M10, preferably M6. In other examples the threaded bolt <NUM> and the threaded hole <NUM> may have matching imperial threads.

At a first end at the lower side of the threaded bolt <NUM> a screw drive <NUM> is provided for turning the threaded bolt <NUM> in the threaded hole <NUM>. The screw drive <NUM> may be a set of shaped cavities and protrusions on first end at the lower side of the threaded bolt <NUM> that allows torque to be applied to the threaded bolt <NUM>. The screw drive <NUM> may comprise for example a hex key, also known as Allen key, or a hexalobular internal, also known as star drive or Torx. For example the screw drive <NUM> may comprise a hex key with a size in the range of <NUM> to <NUM>, or a hexalobular internal with a size in the range of T10 to T40. In particular, the first end of the threaded bolt <NUM> is headless such that the first end of the threaded bolt <NUM> may be completely screwed in and through the threaded hole <NUM>. In other words, the screw drive at the first end may be smaller than an outer diameter of the thread of the threaded bolt <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the screw drive <NUM> within the threaded hole <NUM> in an isometric view from below the base support <NUM>.

At a second end at the upper side of the threaded bolt <NUM> an overlap element <NUM> is provided. The overlap element <NUM> may comprise for example a screw head <NUM> in combination with a washer <NUM>. The overlap element <NUM> may extend in a radial direction from a longitudinal axis of the threaded bolt <NUM> beyond an outer circumference of the threaded hole <NUM> to such an extent that the overlap element <NUM> at least partially overlaps the gas spring hole <NUM>. As a result, the overlap element <NUM> also at least partially overlaps the upper and of the piston rod <NUM>.

The overlap element <NUM> may have a circular outer shape. For example, the outer shape of the screw head <NUM> and/or the outer shape of the washer <NUM> may be circular. In other examples, the screw head <NUM> may have a non-circular out shape, e.g. a hexagonal shape as shown in <FIG>, and the washer <NUM> may have a circular outer shape.

A position of the threaded bolt <NUM> in the up/down and direction is adjustable by turning the threaded bolt <NUM> within the threaded hole with <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the threaded bolt <NUM> is in a position in which the piston rod <NUM> can extend beyond the upper edge of the gas spring receiving hole <NUM>, i.e. the upper end of the piston rod <NUM> can extend beyond the upper surface <NUM>. In this position, the gas spring <NUM> can be mounted at the base support <NUM>. Therefore, this position is called the "mounting position". In the mounting position, a distance between the lower side of the overlap element <NUM>, for example the lower side of the washer <NUM>, and the upper edge of the spring receiving hole <NUM> is at least the amount by which the upper end of the piston rod <NUM> protrudes beyond the upper edge of the gas spring receiving hole <NUM>. The distance in the mounting position may be in the range of a few millimeters, for example <NUM> to <NUM>.

By turning the threaded bolt <NUM> in the threaded hole <NUM>, the threaded bolt <NUM> can be moved in the downward direction. For example, the threaded bolt <NUM> can be turned in the threaded hole <NUM> by applying a corresponding Allen key or Torx wrench to the screw drive <NUM>. The screw drive <NUM> may be accessible even in an assembled state of the chair <NUM>, i.e. the screw drive <NUM> is accessible without removing the chair seat <NUM> from the base support <NUM>.

The rotation of the threaded bolt <NUM> causes a downward movement of the threaded bolt <NUM> such that a large force can be generated by applying a small torque on the screw drive <NUM>. The small torque can be easily applied by an operator using a corresponding simple and inexpensive tool, for example an Allen key or Torx tool. The resulting large force presses the piston rod <NUM> out of the gas spring receiving hole <NUM>. No complex special tools are required to press out the piston rod <NUM>. Hammering out the piston rod <NUM> can be avoided, preventing damage to the piston rod <NUM> and base support <NUM>.

<FIG> show the threaded bolt <NUM> in a position in which the piston rod <NUM> has been urged in the downward direction such that engagement between the conical shape of the upper end of the piston rod <NUM> and the conical shape of the gas spring receiving hole <NUM> is released. In this position, the gas spring <NUM> can be removed from the base support <NUM>. Therefore, this position is called the "removal position". As can be seen in particular in <FIG>, in the removal position, the distance between the lower side of the overlap element <NUM>, in particular the lower side of the washer <NUM>, and the upper edge of the spring receiving hole <NUM> has been reduced compared to the corresponding distance in the above described mounting position. The distance in the removal position may be close to zero, for example less than <NUM>, in particular less than <NUM>.

As discussed above, a similar removal mechanism may be provided at pedestal <NUM> for removing the cylinder <NUM> from a corresponding cylinder receiving hole in the pedestal <NUM>. A threaded hole may be provided in the pedestal <NUM> parallel to and close by the cylinder receiving hole. The overlap element of a corresponding threaded bolt may be provided at the lower side whereas the drive screw of the threaded bolt is at an upper side of the pedestal <NUM> and accessible from the upper side.

Claim 1:
A chair component for a chair, wherein the chair component (<NUM>, <NUM>) is provided with a gas spring receiving hole (<NUM>) into which an end of a gas spring (<NUM>) of the chair (<NUM>) is insertable, and a removal mechanism (<NUM>) for removing the gas spring (<NUM>) from the chair component (<NUM>, <NUM>),
wherein the removal mechanism (<NUM>) comprises a threaded bolt (<NUM>) arranged in a threaded hole (<NUM>) in the chair component (<NUM>, <NUM>),
wherein the threaded hole (<NUM>) is arranged adjacent to the gas spring receiving hole (<NUM>),
wherein a longitudinal axis of the threaded hole (<NUM>) is essentially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the gas spring receiving hole (<NUM>),
wherein a screw drive (<NUM>) is provided at a first end of the threaded bolt (<NUM>) for turning the threaded bolt (<NUM>) in the threaded hole (<NUM>), and
wherein an overlap element (<NUM>) is provided at a second end of the threaded bolt (<NUM>), the overlap element (<NUM>) extending in a radial direction beyond an outer circumference of the thread of the threaded bolt (<NUM>) to such an extent that the overlap element (<NUM>) at least partially overlaps the gas spring receiving hole (<NUM>).