Patent ID: 12185840

According to one embodiment of the invention (FIG.1to3), the reference sign1is intended to indicate, as a whole, a support base for a seat, such as a stool, a chair or an armchair.

The support base1comprises a support body2, for example in the shape of a truncated cone, which has an upper face4and a lower face6which faces a support plane T on which the support base1is supported.

The support body2comprises a central portion2awhich has a passage8which extends from the upper face4to the lower face6along a main axis X and is open at said faces4,6. The main axis X is vertical, i.e. orthogonal to the ground plane T.

The passage8has a lateral surface10, which is for example cylindrical.

The support body2also comprises at least one protrusion12, which is integral with the central portion2aand protrudes radially inside from the lateral surface10of the passage8.

According to one preferred embodiment, the protrusion12consists of a single element which extends circumferentially in a continuous manner.

According to further embodiments, a plurality of protrusions is provided which are circumferentially separated.

Said at least one protrusion12is preferably made in a single piece, for example by means of molding or injection molding, with the central portion2a.

According to one embodiment, said at least one protrusion is in itself an element which is separate from the central portion, applied to the central portion and made integral therewith.

Said at least one protrusion12has an upper face12aand a lower face12bwhich is axially opposite the upper face12a.

Said at least one protrusion12preferably comprises an upper projection14a, protruding axially from the upper face12a, and/or a lower projection14b, protruding axially from the lower face12b.

The support base1also comprises a plurality of flexible components20, which are in themselves structurally separable, arranged in the passage8of the support body2, arranged circumferentially, and preferably spaced from one another. Each flexible component20is engaged with the protrusion12of the support body2.

Each flexible component20comprises a first block22, which consists for example of a single body made of an elastic material, typically in the shape of a prism; for example, the first block22is engaged with the upper projection14aof the protrusion12.

The first block22has an upper face22aand a lower face22bwhich is axially opposite the upper face22a.

The first block22preferably has an upper protuberance24a, protruding from the upper face22a, and/or a lower recess26bmade in the lower face22b.

The first block22is engaged with the protrusion12as a result of the engagement between the upper projection14aof the protrusion12and the lower recess26bof the first block22.

Moreover, the flexible component20preferably comprises a second block32, which consists for example of a single body made of an elastic material, typically in the shape of a prism; for example, the second block32is engaged with the lower projection14bof the protrusion12.

The second block32is spaced axially from the first block22.

The second block32has an upper face32aand a lower face32bwhich is axially opposite the upper face32a.

The second block32preferably has a lower protuberance34b, protruding from the lower face32b, and/or an upper recess36amade in the upper face32a.

The second block32is engaged with the protrusion12as a result of the engagement between the lower projection14bof the protrusion12and the upper recess36aof the second block32.

Moreover, the flexible component20preferably comprises a connecting portion40, for example in the form of a thin plate, which connects the first block22to the second block32.

Consequently, the flexible component20has a C-shape which is open towards the protrusion12such that the connecting portion40is arranged radially inside with respect to the protrusion12.

Said connecting portion40is preferably made of an elastic material.

The flexible component20is preferably made in a single piece, for example by means of molding or injection molding, in an elastic material, for example SBR rubber (styrene-butadiene rubber).

The support body1also comprises a coupling body50which extends axially between an upper end50aand a lower end50bwhich is closed.

The coupling body50preferably comprises a coupling portion54, provided on the upper end50aof the opening of a rod seat52for coupling a piston rod of the seat, and an engagement portion56which terminates at the lower end50b, is contained in the passage8of the support body2and is engaged with the flexible components20.

The engagement portion56has a notch which is radial with respect to the coupling body54, has a notch surface58, and lies on an imaginary plane which is orthogonal with respect to the main axis X, in which coupling body a notch recess60is made.

The notch recess60receives the upper protuberance24aof the flexible components20, thereby assuring the engagement, according to one embodiment, between the coupling body50and the flexible components20, and in particular with each first block22.

Moreover, the support base1comprises an engagement plate70provided with a plurality of first holes72and a plurality of second holes74.

Said first holes72are preferably arranged such that the respective centers are arranged on an imaginary circumference and receive the lower protuberance34bof the second block32of each flexible component20.

Screws76which fix the engagement plate70to the lower end50bof the coupling body50pass through said second holes74, the centers of which are preferably arranged inside said imaginary circumference.

This produces the engagement, according to one embodiment, between the coupling body50and the flexible components20, and in particular with each second block32.

The engagement portion56also has a lateral surface62which extends axially.

The lateral surface63preferably has a plurality of axial grooves64which succeed one another circumferentially. Each axial groove64receives the connecting portion40of the relevant flexible component20.

According to a further embodiment of the invention (FIG.4to6), a support base1′ comprises a support body2′ which consists of a plurality of spokes3′, for example five in number.

The spokes3′ converge towards a central portion2a′, where a passage8′ is made which has a main axis X, in which passage a piston rod S′ of the seat is inserted.

The support base1′ also comprises a coupling body50′ provided with a through-hole in the shape of a truncated cone, which is tapered towards the base, for insertion and engagement with a truncated cone-shaped portion C′ of the piston rod S′.

The coupling body50′ comprises a first body84provided with the axial hole82, and a flange86protruding radially outside from the first body84, with which said flange is integral.

For example, the flange86is made in a single piece with the first body84, for example in aluminum, for example by means of die-casting.

The flange86comprises a crown88, protruding radially outside from the first body84, and a plurality of axial baffles90, also protruding radially outside from the first body8, above and below the crown.

The baffles90divide the crown88into sectors; in each sector an upper seat92is provided, which is recessed with respect to the upper surface of the crown86, and a lower seat94is provided, which is recessed with respect to the lower surface of the crown86.

According to one preferred embodiment, the flange86consists of a single element which extends circumferentially in a continuous manner. According to further embodiments, a plurality of flange parts is provided which are separated circumferentially.

The support base1′ also comprises a plurality of flexible components20′, which are in themselves structurally separable, contained inside the passage8′, arranged circumferentially around the coupling body50′, preferably spaced from one another, and engaged with said coupling body50′.

Each flexible component20′ according to the present embodiment is structurally analogous to the flexible component20described for the previous embodiment.

Said flexible component20′ therefore has a first block22′, an upper protuberance24a′ and/or a lower protuberance24b′.

The lower protuberance24b′ is inserted into the upper seat92of the flange86, whereas the upper protuberance24a′ is inserted into an internal seat96made inside the central portion2a′ of the support body2′.

The flexible component also comprises a second block32′, a lower protuberance34b′ and/or an upper protuberance34a′.

The upper protuberance34a′ is inserted into a lower seat94of the flange86.

The support base1′ also comprises an engagement plate70′ provided with a plurality of first holes72′ and a plurality of second holes74′.

Said first holes72′ are preferably arranged such that the respective centers are arranged on an imaginary circumference and receive the lower protuberance34b′ of the second block32′ of each flexible component20′.

Screws76′ which fix the engagement plate70′ to the central portion2a′ of the support body2′ pass through said second holes74′, the centers of which are preferably arranged outside said imaginary circumference.

This produces the engagement, according to one embodiment, between the central portion2a′ of the support body2′ and the flexible components20′, and in particular with each second block32′.

Moreover, the flexible component20′ preferably comprises a connecting portion40′, for example in the form of a thin plate, which connects the first block22′ to the second block32′.

Consequently, the flexible component20′ has a C-shape which is open towards the flange86such that the connecting portion40′ is arranged radially outside with respect to the flange86.

According to the invention, the piston rod S, S′ of the seat can cause an oscillation about the main axis, in any direction. This consequently oscillates the coupling body, thus causing a selective compression of the flexible elements against the central portion of the support body of the base.

In summary, according to the invention, a support base1,1′ for a tilting seat, such as a stool, a chair or an armchair, comprises:a coupling body50,50′ provided with a rod seat52,52′ for engagement with a piston rod S, S′ of the seat;a support body2,2′ having a central portion2a,2a′ provided with a passage8,8′ with a main axis X;a plurality of flexible components20,20′, structurally separable and elastically yielding, each made in a single piece, arranged circumferentially around the coupling body50,50′, arranged between the coupling body50,50′ and the central portion2a,2a′, suitable to meet in compression according to the oscillations of the piston rod S, S′,wherein each flexible component20,20′ comprises a first elastically yielding block22,22′, a second elastically yielding block32,32′ spaced axially from the first block22,22′, and a connecting portion40,40′ connecting said blocks22,22′;32,32′,wherein the central portion2acomprises a protrusion12protruding radially inside the passage8or the coupling body50′ comprises a flange86protruding radially outside,wherein each flexible component20is applied to the protrusion12of the central portion2aor each flexible component20′ is applied to the flange86of the coupling body50′;and wherein the first block22,22′ of each flexible component20,20′ is positioned above the protrusion12or the flange86, and the second block32,32′ of each flexible component20,20′ is positioned below the protrusion12or the flange86.

Innovatively, the support assembly of the piston rod according to the present invention satisfies the needs of the field since it allows a tilting seat to be provided, and simultaneously overcomes the disadvantages described with reference to the prior art since assembly is very simple.

It is clear that a person skilled in the art, in order to satisfy current needs, could modify the support base described above entirely within the scope of protection as defined in the following claims.