초록 ▼

A first chair part may be fixed relative to a second chair part by way of a sliding member attached to the first part which slides in a body attached to the second chair part. The chair parts are fixed relative to each other when a pin associated with the body engages in one of several apertures in

A first chair part may be fixed relative to a second chair part by way of a sliding member attached to the first part which slides in a body attached to the second chair part. The chair parts are fixed relative to each other when a pin associated with the body engages in one of several apertures in the sliding member to fix the chair parts. A bent leaf spring may have an end engaging a collar on the pin. The other end of the leaf spring may be pulled to urge the leaf spring to pivot about a fulcrum created by the bend. However, if there is a force trying to move the sliding member with respect to the body (as may result from a spring between the two chair parts), a consequent shear force on the pin may be sufficiently strong to resist the urging of the leaf spring. In such case, the leaf spring will simply bend when its other end is pulled until the force between the body member and slider is relieved. The other end of the leaf spring may be pulled with an actuator device having a track bearing member with a closed loop track. An actuator member is linked to the other end of the leaf spring and has a track follower received by the track. The actuator member may be pushed against the urging of a spring to move the track follower between first and second locating positions on the track. Movement of the track follower from the first to the second locating position and back again causes no net rotation of the actuator member relative to the track bearing member.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A device for adjusting the relative positions of first and second parts of a chair, the device comprising:a body member adapted to be fixed relative to the first part of the chair and having at least one aperture therethrough; a sliding member having a plurality of engaging locations and adapted

1. A device for adjusting the relative positions of first and second parts of a chair, the device comprising:a body member adapted to be fixed relative to the first part of the chair and having at least one aperture therethrough; a sliding member having a plurality of engaging locations and adapted to be fixed relative to the second part of the chair and to slide relative to the body member; at least one engaging member adapted to pass through a respective said aperture in said body member and engage a said engaging location to fix said first and second parts relative to each other in one of a plurality of positions; a biasing member for urging the or each engaging member into engagement with a said engaging location; and an actuator for disengaging the or each said engaging member from a said engaging location, wherein the actuator is prevented from disengaging the or each said engaging member when a force between said body member and sliding member exceeds a predetermined amount, said actuator comprising at least one flexible member adapted to pivot relative to said body member to disengage the or each said engaging member and to flex to prevent pivoting thereof when the force between said body member and sliding member exceeds said predetermined amount. 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the or each said flexible member comprises a first portion for displacing a respective engaging member when said flexible member pivots relative to said body member, and a second portion adapted to flex when the force between said body member and sliding member exceeds said predetermined amount.3. A device according to claim 2, wherein each said engaging location comprises a respective aperture at least partially extending into said sliding member.4. A device according to claim 3, wherein said at least one aperture extends through said sliding member.5. A device according to claim 4, further comprising a support for the or each said engaging member, and said biasing member comprises at least one respective spring acting between said support and a said engaging member.6. The device of claim 5, wherein said engaging member comprises a pin reciprocally mounted in said body member and wherein said support comprises a collar on said pin.7. A device for adjusting the relative positions of first and second parts of a chair, the device comprising:a body member adapted to be fixed relative to the first part of the chair and having at least one aperture therethrough; a sliding member having a plurality of engaging locations and adapted to be fixed relative to the second part of the chair and to slide relative to the body member; at least one engaging member adapted to pass through a respective said aperture in said body member and engage a said engaging location to fix said first and second parts relative to each other in one of a plurality of positions; a biasing member for urging the or each engaging member into engagement with a said engaging location; and an actuator for disengaging the or each said engaging member from a said engaging location, wherein the actuator is prevented from disengaging the or each said engaging member when a force between said body member and sliding member exceeds a predetermined amount, said actuator comprising a leaf spring having a medial bend to form a fulcrum such that levering one end of said actuator applies a disengaging force to the or each said engaging member. 8. An actuator device for adjusting the position of an elongated member relative to a component, the device comprising:a track bearing member adapted to be fixed relative to the component, the track bearing member having a track in the form of a closed loop, wherein the track is adapted to receive a track follower and has first and second locating positions for said track follower; an actuator member connected to an end of the elongate member and slidably located with respect to the track bearing member, and comprising said track follower to be received in the track; and a biasing member for urging the actuator member outwardly with respect to the track bearing member and to urge said track follower into said first or second locating positions; wherein said actuator member is adapted to be pushed inwardly with respect to the track bearing member against said biasing member to move said track follower between said first and second locating positions, and movement of said track follower from said first locating position to said second locating position and back to said first locating position causes no net rotation of said actuator member relative to the track bearing member. 9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the track bearing member is a casing and the actuator member comprises a hand operated button slidably received by said casing.10. A device according to claim 9, wherein said track is a groove cut into the inner surface of said casing.11. The device of claim 10 wherein said casing slidably receives an end of the elongate member.12. A device according to claim 11, wherein said biasing member comprises at least one spring.13. The actuator device of claim 8 wherein said track comprises a first segment for directing said track follower from said first locating position to a first limit stop, a second segment for directing said track follower from said first limit stop to said second locating position, a third segment for directing said track follower from said second locating position to a second limit stop, and a fourth segment for directing said track follower from said second limit stop to said first locating position.14. A chair adjustment mechanism, comprising:a body member adapted to be fixed relative to a first part of a chair; a sliding member having a plurality of engaging locations and adapted to be fixed relative to a second part of the chair and to slide relative to the body member; an engaging member associated with the body member for movement between an engaging position engaging at least one of said engaging locations to fix said first part with respect to said second part and a disengaging position out of engagement with said plurality of engaging locations; an actuator operable to move said engaging member to said disengaging position wherein said actuator is prevented from disengaging said engaging member only when a force between said body member and said sliding member exceeds a predetermined amount; and a flexible member adapted to pivot relative said body member to disengage said engaging member and to flex to prevent pivoting thereof when said force between said body member and sliding member exceeds said predetermined amount. 15. The mechanism of claim 14 further comprising a biasing member for biasing said engaging member toward said engaging position.16. The mechanism of claim 14 wherein said actuator comprises:a track bearing member adapted to be fixed relative to said body member, said track bearing member having a track formed as a closed loop, said track adapted to receive a track follower, said track having first and second locating positions for said track follower; an actuator member connected to an end of said actuator and slidably located with respect to said track bearing member, said actuator member supporting said track follower; a biasing member for urging said actuator member outwardly with respect to said track bearing member to urge said track follower into said first or second locating position; wherein said actuator member is adapted to be pushed inwardly with respect to said track bearing member against said biasing member to move said track follower between said first and second locating positions, and movement of said track follower from said first locating position to said second locating position and back to said first locating position causes no net rotation of said actuator member relative to said track bearing member. 17. A chair adjustment mechanism comprising:a body member adapted to be fixed relative to a first part of a chair; a sliding member having a plurality of engaging locations and adapted to be fixed relative to a second part of the chair and to slide relative to the body member; an engaging member associated with the body member for movement between an engaging position engaging at least one of said engaging locations to fix said first part with respect to said second part and a disengaging position out of engagement with said plurality of engaging locations; an actuator having a flexible member arranged such that when said engaging member is in said engaging position and said actuator is actuated, if a force between said body member and said sliding member does not exceed a predetermined amount, said actuator pivots relative to said body member to move said engaging member to said disengaging position and, if said force exceeds said predetermined amount, said actuator flexes and does not pivot such that said engaging member remains in said engaging position.