WO1994028769A1

WO1994028769A1 - Device for varying the limits of movement of a moving part

Info

Publication number: WO1994028769A1
Application number: PCT/EP1994/001782
Authority: WO
Inventors: Erich Becker; Gerhard Lowitz
Original assignee: Wilkhahn Wilkening & Hahne Gmbh & Co.
Priority date: 1993-06-03
Filing date: 1994-06-01
Publication date: 1994-12-22
Also published as: JP2900191B2; JPH07509646A; AU6998994A; DE4318516C2; DE4318516A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a chair with a pivoting part and a device for varying the limits of movement of the pivoting part. This device includes at least one locking element (23) which can move relative to the pivoting part and which can be brought into and out of engagement with the pivoting part by means of an actuating element (29). The invention calls for a first elastic element (30) to be fitted between the locking element and a fixed block in such a way that it tends to disengage the locking element (23) and the pivoting part. In addition, a second elastic element (33) is fitted between the locking element (23) and the actuating element (29).

Description

Device for changing the range of motion of a movable component

The invention relates to a chair with a swivel

< _* 5 movable component and with a device for changing the range of motion of the pivotable component according to the preamble of claim 1.

In such a device, at least one locking element that is movable relative to the component is provided, which can be brought into or out of engagement with the component by means of an actuating element.

The standardization for chairs with pivotable seat 15 stipulates that the seat can be locked in at least one position. In order to meet this requirement, a locking element that can be displaced in the longitudinal direction on the pivotable seat is arranged, for example, which can be inserted into a corresponding recess on the base of the chair in order to lock the seat. Such a locking element can only be inserted into the recess when the seat is pivoted into the position to be locked.

25 DE-A-33 33 056 discloses a device for changing the angle of inclination between the backrest and lower seat part of a car seat. This device has a pawl provided with a toothed segment, which with a corresponding toothed segment in

30 or can be brought out of engagement in order in this way to make it possible to lock or pivot the backrest relative to the lower seat part. Between this pawl and a stationary abutment, a spiral spring is provided such that it In order to remove the engagement connection of the two tooth segments. The pawl is moved by an actuating cam in direct contact with it, the actuating cam being adjustable via a Bowden cable. The actuating cam is biased by a second spiral spring in such a way that it acts on the pawl in the sense of establishing the engagement connection. However, this known device for changing the freedom of movement of a movable component is relatively complicated and requires a relatively large amount of space.

The invention is therefore based on the object of further developing the device for changing the range of motion of a pivotable component for a chair in accordance with the preamble of claim 1 in such a way that the device is of simple construction

This object is achieved in that the second elastic element is provided between the locking element and the actuating element.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking element is designed as a cylindrical bolt, the first elastic element being arranged concentrically around the bolt and being supported on a protruding edge of the bolt. At the end facing away from the component, the bolt also has a recess in which the second elastic element is provided. Such a device is structurally relatively simple on the one hand and extremely compact on the other hand.

REPLACEMENT BLAπ (RULE 26) In the case of a chair with such a device, an adjustment of the actuating element according to the invention is also possible if the locking element cannot be moved immediately in accordance with the force caused by the actuating element.

If an engagement connection between the locking element and the component is to be brought about with the adjustment of the actuating element, and a displacement of the locking element is not possible due to the current position of the movable component, the force necessary for the displacement is "temporarily stored" in the second elastic element. As soon as an engagement position of the locking element with the movable component is possible, the movement of the locking element is carried out by the prestressed second elastic element. It is therefore possible to preselect the engagement connection between the locking element and the component.

The opposite process, in which the movable locking element is to be disengaged from the component, can also be preselected by the actuating element. Even if the locking element cannot immediately follow this movement due to a frictional connection to the component, the force required for the movement is "temporarily stored" in the first elastic element. As soon as the force of the prestressed first elastic element becomes greater than the frictional force, the locking element releases the movable component.

In one embodiment of the invention, the device has a further one that is movable relative to the component.

REPLACEMENT BLADE (RULE 26) Ches locking element is provided, which accordingly has a first and second elastic element and can be brought into or out of engagement with the component by a further actuating element. This makes it possible, for example, that the component can be locked in at least one position with one locking element and that the freedom of movement of the movable component can only be partially limited with the other locking element.

The two locking elements are expediently actuated with only one adjusting element.

If a device of this type is provided with two locking elements which can be actuated by an adjusting element, it is possible, for example, to release the entire pivoting range in a first position, only the restricted pivoting range in a second position, and in one third position to lock the chair.

Further embodiments and advantages of the invention are the subject of the subclaims and are explained in more detail with reference to some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the drawing and the description below.

The drawing shows:

Fig.la a partially sectioned side view of a first exemplary embodiment,

Fig. Lb is a partially sectioned top view of the first embodiment,

REPLACEMENT BLAπ (RULE 26) 2a to 2c are sectional side views of a second exemplary embodiment in different positions,

Fig.2d is a sectional plan view of the second

Embodiment,

3 a chair,

4 shows a schematic illustration of different positions of an adjusting element,

5 shows a top view of a third exemplary embodiment,

6a to 8b are sectional side views of the third exemplary embodiment in different positions,

9 shows a sectional illustration of the arrangement of the adjusting element and two actuating elements.

A first exemplary embodiment of a device for changing the range of motion of a pivotable component 1 is shown in FIGS. 1b and 1b. It contains at least one locking element 2 which is movable relative to the component 1 and which can be brought into or out of engagement with the component by means of an actuating element 3. A first elastic element 5 is provided between the locking element 2 and a stationary winter bearing 4 in such a way that it acts to cancel the engagement connection between the locking element 2 and the component 1. Furthermore, a second elastic element 6 is provided between the locking element 2 and the actuating element 3.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the movable component is formed by an unspecified shaft la and a gearwheel lb connected to it in a rotationally fixed manner. The locking element 2 is designed as a flat steel segment which has corresponding teeth or recesses corresponding to the gearwheel at its end which comes into contact with the movable component 1.

At the opposite end of the locking element 2, a carrier 7 extending transversely thereto is provided on both sides. On one side the carrier 7 is connected to a pin 8 which is slidably mounted in the abutment 4. The first elastic element 5, which is preferably formed by a spiral spring, is pushed onto the pin 8 and is supported on the one hand on the abutment 4 and on the other hand on the support 7 of a locking element 2. On the other side of the carrier 7 there is a sleeve 9 connected to the latter, in which a piston 10 is movably supported. At its end not engaging in the sleeve 9, this piston 10 has a head which corresponds in diameter to the diameter of the sleeve 9. The second elastic element 6, which is supported on the one hand on the edge of the sleeve 9 and on the other hand on the head of the piston 10, is pushed onto the piston 10. The sleeve 9, the second elastic element 6 and piston 10 existing unit is mounted in a bearing 11 to be longitudinally displaceable.

The actuating element 3, formed for example by a lever, is rotatably supported at one end about an axis 3a and can be connected at its other end to the head _(of the piston 10).

If the actuating element 3 does not exert any force on the piston 10, the second elastic element 6 is completely relaxed. The first elastic element 5 also relaxes by bringing the locking element 2 into a position, not shown in FIGS. 1b and 1b, in which it is out of engagement with the component 1.

The locking element 2 is displaceable with its carrier 7 together with the pin 8 and the sleeve 9 in the direction of the double arrow 12. This displacement is achieved by the actuating element 3 in that it exerts a force on the head of the piston 10.

This force acts on the carrier 7 via the second elastic element 6 and the sleeve 9 and acts in the sense of establishing the engagement connection between the locking element 2 and the component 1.

However, the displacement of the locking element 2 counteracts the first elastic element 5.

In order to effect a displacement of the locking element 2 in the sense of establishing the engagement connection by means of the smallest possible adjustment path of the actuating element 3 about its axis 3a, it is expedient that

REPLACEMENT BLADE (RULE 26) Guide size or spring constant of the first elastic element 5 to be smaller than the guide size of the second elastic element 6. When establishing the engagement connection between the locking element 2 and the component 1, the force exerted by the second elastic element 6 on the locking element 2 is therefore greater than the counteracting force of the first elastic element 5.

Under certain circumstances, however, due to the position of the component 1, no engagement connection is possible at the moment, for example by the engagement teeth of the component 1 and the locking element 2 directly abutting one another. In this case, the force necessary for the further displacement of the locking element 2 is temporarily stored in the second elastic element by compression. The next time the movable component 1 moves about its shaft 1 a, the locking element 2 snaps into the corresponding counterpart on the component 1.

As long as the engagement connection is to be maintained, the force exerted on the locking element 2 by the second elastic element 6 must be greater than that of the first elastic element 5.

To release the engagement connection, the force exerted by the actuating element 3 on the second elastic element 6 is released. As a result, the force exerted on the second elastic element 6 is reduced, so that from a certain point in time the force of the first elastic element 5 predominates and causes a displacement of the locking element 2 in the sense of canceling the engagement connection. The actuating element 3 can can also be adjusted if the force of the spring of the first elastic element 5 is currently not sufficient to remove any frictional forces that may arise between the component 1 and the locking element 2. As soon as this force of the first elastic element 5 predominates, the engagement connection is automatically canceled.

The actuating element 3 can thus be adjusted at any time and thereby causes a displacement of the locking element 2 with respect to the movable component 1. Even if the desired displacement of the locking element 2 cannot be carried out immediately, it can in any case be done by the position of the actuating element 3 are preselected in such a way that the desired shift is carried out automatically as soon as possible.

2a to 2d show a second embodiment of the invention. 1 in turn describes a movable component which is mounted in a frame 13 between a first and a second stop 13a, 13b so as to be rotatable about an axis 13c.

In turn, a locking element 2 'is slidably mounted in the frame 13 and can be brought into or out of engagement with the component 1 by means of an actuating element 3'. In the engaged position, in turn, a plurality of teeth provided on component 1 and on locking element 2 interlock.

In this exemplary embodiment, the locking element 2 'is designed as a cylindrical bolt, which has a central recess at the end 2a facing away from the component 1

REPLACEMENT BLAπ (RULE 26) 2'b. Furthermore, the locking element 2 'has at this end an edge 2'c projecting beyond the peripheral surface.

A first elastic element 5 'is arranged concentrically around the locking element 2' designed as a bolt in such a way that its one end is supported on the frame 13 and the other end on the edge 2'c of the locking element 2 '.

Between the first elastic element 5 'and the edge 2'c there is also a ring 14 which is movable on the outer circumferential surface of the locking element 2'.

The recess 2'b of the locking element 2 'is designed as a blind bore and contains a second elastic element 6'. It is supported on the one hand on the bottom of the recess 2 ^, b and on the other hand on an adjustment part 15 which is displaceable in the recess 2 ^, b. This adjustment part 15 is provided with an adjustment pin 16, which extends transversely to the central axis of the recess 2 b and is guided out of the latter by two grooves in the locking element 2 '. The grooves, not shown in the drawing, allow the adjusting part 15 to be displaced together with the adjusting pin 16 in the recess 2 ^/ b. The adjusting pin 16 is also passed through the ring 14 on both sides, so that a displacement of the adjusting part 15 causes a simultaneous displacement of the ring 14 on the outer peripheral surface of the locking element 2 '.

REPLACEMENT BUTT (RULE 26 As can be seen in particular from FIG. 2D, a lever arm 3 ′ εx of an actuating element 3 ′ engages on both sides of the adjusting pin 16.

The locking element 2 'is mounted for its displacement relative to the component 1 at two points 13d and 13e on the frame 13.

In order to bring the locking element 2 'into engagement with the component 1, the actuating element 3' is adjusted such that the two levers 3'a shift the ring 14 and thus also the adjusting part 15 in the sense of compressing the two elastic elements 5 ', 6' effect.

While the second elastic element 6 'generates a force in the sense of establishing an engagement connection, the first elastic element 5' acts in the opposite direction in the sense of removing the engagement connection. Due to the actuating element 3 'and the displacement of the ring 14 and the adjusting part 15 caused thereby, both elastic elements are compressed by the same adjustment path. If the spring constant of the second elastic element 6 'is therefore chosen to be greater than the spring constant of the first elastic element 5', a total force component is generated from a certain spring travel in the sense of producing the engagement connection. As a result, the locking element 2 '. Shifts in order to come into engagement with the component 1.

As in FIG. 2a, the engagement connection cannot be established immediately because the teeth of the component 1 and the locking element 2 'do not mesh with one another but stand on top of each other, the locking element 2 'is in turn biased by a second elastic element 6'. The locking element 2 'will automatically be pushed into the engagement position with the component 1 by a second elastic element 6' as soon as this is possible by a corresponding movement of the component.

To release the engagement connection, the force exerted on the adjusting pin 16 by the lever 3a is removed. As a result, the ring 14 moves through the first elastic element 5 'to the edge 2'a of the locking element 2', see FIG. 2b. The second elastic element 6 'is substantially relieved in this position. However, the first elastic element 5 'is still compressed and acts in the sense of removing the engagement connection between the locking element 2' and the movable component 1. The locking element 2 'accordingly becomes the position shown in FIG. 2c take in.

However, this shift is currently not carried out if correspondingly high frictional forces occur in the engagement connection. With the next slight movement of the component 1, however, these frictional forces are released and the locking element 2 'assumes the position shown in FIG. 2c.

FIG. 3 shows a chair which essentially has a base frame 20 and a seat 22 which can be pivoted about an axis 21 and which comprises a seat surface 22a and a backrest 22b. The device connected to the chair 19 for changing the range of motion of the seat 22 enables, for example, the functions shown in FIG. 3:

In a first function, the entire swiveling range α of the seat 22 should be available. In a second function, only a restricted swivel range β is made available. Finally, in a third function, the seat 22 should be lockable in at least one position, for example in the middle position shown in FIG.

For this purpose, a second locking element 24 is provided in addition to a first locking element 23. The two locking elements 23, 24 are arranged, for example, on the underside of the seat surface 22a and interact with the axis 21 of the chair 10, see FIG. 5.

The two locking elements 23, 24 correspondingly have two actuating elements which can be actuated by an adjusting element; In order to be able to carry out the three different functions according to FIG. 3, the adjusting element is adjusted between three positions 25a, 25b and 25c. The various positions are shown schematically in FIG. 4, the position 25a corresponding approximately to the entire swivel range α, the position 25b the restricted swivel range β and the position 25c corresponding to a locked position.

The different positions of the two locking elements 23, 24 in the positions 25a, 25b and 25c are shown in FIGS. Position 25a in FIGS. 6a and 6b, position 25b in FIGS

ERSÄΓZBLÄΓT (RULE 26) Fig.7a and 7b and the position 25c in Fig.8a and 8b illustrated.

The device for changing the range of motion of a pivotable component according to a third exemplary embodiment is first described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 6a and 6b in terms of structure and function:

In Figure 6a, the first locking element 23 is slidably mounted in a frame 26. The movable component, which is formed, for example, according to FIG. 3 by a seat 22 which can be pivoted about an axis 21, has a first arm 27 on which a first limiting element 28 is provided. The first locking element 23 is movable relative to the component such that it can be brought into or out of engagement with the first limiting element 28 of the component by means of a first actuating element 29.

In this exemplary embodiment, the first locking element 23 is in turn formed by a cylindrical bolt which has a recess 23b at the end 23a facing away from the component. Concentrically around the first locking element 23 there is in turn a spiral spring as the first elastic element 30, which is located on the one hand on the frame 26 designed as an abutment and on the other hand on an edge 23c which is at the end 23a of the locking element 23 is trained. The recess 23b is formed by a first central blind bore and a second central blind bore which is somewhat larger in diameter. The second blind bore is less deep than the first, so that a shoulder 23d forms in the interior of the locking element 23. In the out Take 23b a piston 31 is movable, which is formed by a sleeve which is slightly smaller in diameter than the diameter of the first blind bore. In the area of the second blind bore there is therefore an intermediate space between the first locking element 23 and the piston 31.

In this intermediate space, a second elastic element 33 designed as a spiral spring is provided, which is supported on the one hand on the shoulder 23d and on the other hand on a head 31a of the piston 31.

In order to ensure proper guidance of the piston 31 in the recess 23b, a central guide pin 32 is provided in the recess, the diameter of which is somewhat smaller than the inside diameter of the sleeve forming the piston 31.

The first actuating element 29 acts on the head 31a of the piston 31 and is formed, for example, by a lever which can be pivoted about a shaft 40a.

The arrangement described above is preferably accommodated in a housing 34.

The first arm 27 is movable between a first and a second stop 35, 36 provided on the housing 34 or on the frame 26. The first limiting element 28 arranged on the first arm 27 is designed such that it locks the first arm 27 of the movable component in the engagement position with the first locking element 23. This engagement position is shown in FIG. 8a, while FIGS. 6a and 7a show the non-engagement positions.

SPARE BLADE (RULE 26) In this exemplary embodiment, the first limiting element 28 is designed such that it only allows the movable component to be locked. In the context of the invention, however, it is also possible to design the first limiting element 28 in accordance with the first and second exemplary embodiments. With a corresponding adjustment of the first locking element 23, several locking positions would then also be possible.

6b, 7b and 8b show the second locking element 24, which accordingly has a first and second elastic element 30, 33 and can be brought into or out of engagement with the movable component by a second actuating element 37.

The movable component is in turn formed by the seat 22 which can be pivoted about the axis 21. The part of the movable component which engages with the second locking element 24 is formed here by a second arm 38.

In the engaged position, the second locking element 24 comes into contact with a second limiting element 39 arranged on the second arm 38. The second limiting element 39 is designed in such a way that it only limits the freedom of movement of the second arm 38 in the engagement position with the second locking element 24 in one direction.

The engagement position is shown in Fig.7b. The range of motion of the second arm 38 is restricted to the extent that only a swivel range between the first stop 35 and the one shown in FIG. th engagement position with the second locking element 24 is possible.

In order to bring one of the two locking elements 23, 24 with the corresponding actuating element 29, 37 into an engagement position with the respective limiting element 28, 39, a corresponding force is exerted on the piston 31. This brings about a corresponding compression of the second and first elastic element 30. In order to get as little adjustment as possible of the actuating elements 29, 37 in order to bring the two locking elements into the engagement position, it is expedient to adjust the guide variable or spring constant of the first elastic element 30 to be smaller than the guide size of the second elastic element.

As soon as the pressure of the actuating element in the engagement position on the piston 31 decreases, the second elastic element relaxes accordingly. The force stored in the first elastic element 30 disengages the locking element from the component.

As with the previous exemplary embodiments, it is also possible to adjust the actuating element when the corresponding locking element cannot immediately follow the desired movement.

The interaction of the two actuating elements 29, 37 with the two locking elements 23, 24 is explained in more detail below.

The two actuating elements 29, 37 are connected by a common adjusting element shown in more detail in FIG.

ERSAΓZBLÄΓT (RULE 26) - lδ -

ment 40 operable. The adjusting element 40 essentially has a shaft 40a, which is connected to the two actuating elements 29, 37, and a switch 40b. The switch 40b is adjustable between the positions 25a, 25b and 25c of FIG. 4, with correspondingly arranged latching cams 40c defining the respective position. The various switch positions are transmitted by a corresponding rotation of the shaft 40a to the two actuating elements 29, 37 in accordance with the following explanations:

In Figures 6a and 6b the switch is in position 25a. In this position, the two actuating elements 29, 37 are only in contact with the corresponding pistons 31, without causing a displacement of the locking elements in the sense of establishing the engagement connection. The two arms 27, 38, which can be moved synchronously with one another, have the entire range of movement available between the first stop 35 and the second stop 36, so that the seat 22 can be moved α according to FIG.

If the switch 40b is moved into the position 25b, this causes an adjustment of the second actuating element 37 according to FIG. 7b. The pressure exerted on the piston 31 causes a displacement of the second locking element 24 in the sense of establishing the engagement connection with the second limiting element 39. The first actuating element 29 is not adjusted by an appropriately arranged free-wheel. As a result, the first locking element 23 is also not displaced. The engagement connection of the second locking element 24 with the second limiting element 39 results in a restricted freedom of movement of the second arm 38. The seat 22 is therefore only available with the restricted pivoting range β. The pivoting of the seat 22 is transmitted synchronously to the first and second arms. The second arm 38, and thus also the first arm 27, can only be moved back and forth between the upper stop 35 and the second locking element 34.

If the switch 40b is set to the position 25c, this causes a further adjustment in the second actuating element 37, by means of which the spring pressure on the two elastic elements is increased. However, the freedom of movement of the second arm 38 is not further restricted thereby.

In this switch position, however, the first actuating element 29 is also adjusted and thereby causes the first locking element 23 to be displaced in the sense of establishing the engagement connection with the first limiting element 28. In the engagement position, the first arm 27 is completely locked, so that pivoting also occurs the seat 22 is no longer possible.

Of course, the switch 40b can also be immediately moved from its position 25a to the position 25c. Even if the corresponding locking elements 23, 24 cannot immediately follow the forces acting on them due to the actuating elements and the elastic elements, the manufacture or cancellation is carried out the interventional connection is carried out automatically at the next opportunity.

In this way it is possible that the user of a chair can change the pivoting range of the seat at any time with such a device. This is particularly advantageous when the seat is locked in a certain position, since the seat does not first have to be brought into the desired position before the corresponding locking element can be actuated.

Claims

1. Chair with a pivotable component (seat 22) and with a device for changing the range of motion of the pivotable component

(1, 22), containing:

a) at least one locking element (2; 2 '; 23, 24) which is movable relative to the component and which can be brought into or out of engagement with the component by means of an actuating element (3; 3'; 29, 37),

b) a first elastic element (5; 5 "; 30) which is provided between the locking element and a stationary abutment (4; 13; 26) and which in

Effective to abolish the engagement connection between the locking element and the component,

c) and a second elastic element (6; 6 ';

33), which can act in the sense of establishing the engagement connection between the locking element and the component,

characterized in that

d) the second elastic element (6; 6 '; 33) is provided between the locking element and the actuating element.

Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide size or spring constant of the first elastic element is smaller than the guide size of the second elastic element.

SPARE BLADE (RULE 26) 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the first and / or second elastic element is formed by a spring element, in particular a spiral spring.

4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking element (2 '; 23, 24) is designed as a cylindri¬ cal bolt, the recess facing away from the component (2'a; 23a) has a recess (2'b ; 23b).

5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the first elastic element (5 '; 30) is arranged concentrically around the bolt and is supported on a protruding edge (2'c; 23c) of the bolt and that the second elastic element (6- ^* ; 33) is provided in the recess (2'b; 23b).

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a second relative to the component movable locking element (24) is provided, which accordingly has a first and second elastic element and by a second actuating element (37) in or out of engagement with the movable component can be brought.

7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that the component can be locked by the one locking element (23) in at least one position and by the other locking element (24) in his

Freedom of movement is only partially limited. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the two actuating elements (29, 37) of the two locking elements (23, 24) can be actuated by an adjusting element (40).

ERSÄΓZBLÄΓT (RULE 26)