초록 ▼

A horizontal adjustment mechanism for use with a chair having a base, a seat supported on the base and a seat back. The mechanism includes a first plate that is to be coupled to the base and a second plate that is coupled to the seat. The second plate includes a mating portion. The second plate is s

A horizontal adjustment mechanism for use with a chair having a base, a seat supported on the base and a seat back. The mechanism includes a first plate that is to be coupled to the base and a second plate that is coupled to the seat. The second plate includes a mating portion. The second plate is slidably coupled to the first plate such that the second plate can move relative to the first plate. The mechanism also includes a lever mechanism. The lever mechanism includes a mating portion that selectively disengages from the mating portion of the second plate to allow the second plate to move relative to the first plate.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A horizontal adjustment mechanism for use with a chair having a base, a seat supported on the base and defining a fore-to-aft longitudinal axis, and a seat back, the mechanism comprising: a first plate adapted to be coupled to the base; a second plate adapted to be coupled to

What is claimed is: 1. A horizontal adjustment mechanism for use with a chair having a base, a seat supported on the base and defining a fore-to-aft longitudinal axis, and a seat back, the mechanism comprising: a first plate adapted to be coupled to the base; a second plate adapted to be coupled to the seat, the second plate having a mating portion and being slidably coupled to the first plate such that the second plate can move relative to the first plate along the longitudinal axis of the seat; and a lever mechanism rotatably coupled to the first plate, said lever mechanism having a lever arm, a cam linkage rotatably coupled to the lever arm and slidingly coupled to the first plate, and a mating portion adapted to be releasably received in the mating portion of the second plate, wherein rotation of the lever arm translates into linear movement of the cam linkage in a direction generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of the seat to selectively disengage the mating portion of the lever mechanism from the mating portion of the second plate to allow the second plate to move relative to the first plate. 2. The adjustment mechanism as recited in claim 1, wherein the mating portion of the lever mechanism includes at least one downwardly protruding member. 3. The adjustment mechanism as recited in claim 2, wherein the cam linkage includes a cam surface, the cam surface being adapted to engage the downwardly protruding member to selectively disengage the mating portion of the lever mechanism with the mating portion of the second plate. 4. The adjustment mechanism as recited in claim 3, wherein the at least one downwardly protruding member includes a pair of downwardly protruding members. 5. The adjustment mechanism as recited in claim 4, wherein the cam surface includes a pair of cam surfaces. 6. The adjustment mechanism as recited in claim 5, wherein the mating portion of the second plate includes an opening and a rack having at least one notch adjacent the opening. 7. The adjustment mechanism as recited in claim 6, wherein the mating portion of the lever mechanism includes a raised portion with at least one projection. 8. The adjustment mechanism as recited in claim 7, wherein the raised portion includes a plurality of projections. 9. The adjustment mechanism as recited in claim 8, wherein at least one notch includes a plurality of notches. 10. The adjustment mechanism as recited in claim 9, wherein the mating portion of the lever mechanism includes a downwardly depending block member, the block member being adapted to slidably engage an aperture located in the first plate, whereby the member and aperture guide the mating portion. 11. The adjustment mechanism as recited in claim 10, wherein the mating portion of the lever mechanism is biased into engagement with the mating portion of the first plate by a spring. 12. The adjustment mechanism as recited in claim 11, wherein an intermediate element is positioned between said first and second plates for facilitating relative sliding movement therebetween. 13. An adjustment mechanism for use in a chair having a seat defining a fore-to-aft longitudinal axis, a base on which the seat is supported, a seat back, and a tilt control mechanism which allows the seat to be tilted relative to the base, the mechanism comprising: a first plate adapted to be coupled to the tilt control mechanism; a second plate adapted to be coupled to a bottom surface of the seat, the second plate being slidably coupled to said first plate such that said first and second plates can move relative to one another along the longitudinal axis of the seat and the second plate having a centrally located mating portion including an opening with a plurality of notches; and a lever mechanism rotatably coupled to the first plate, said lever mechanism having a lever arm, a cam linkage rotatably coupled to the lever arm and slidingly coupled to the first plate, and a mating portion having a raised portion with a plurality of projections, the plurality of projections being adapted to be releasably received in the plurality of notches, wherein rotation of the lever arm translates into linear movement of the cam linkage in a direction generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of the seat to selectively disengage the projections from the notches to allow the second plate to move relative to the first plate. 14. The adjustment mechanism as recited in claim 13, wherein the mating portion of the lever mechanism includes at least one downwardly protruding member. 15. The adjustment mechanism as recited in claim 14, wherein the cam linkage includes a cam surface, the cam surface being adapted to engage the downwardly protruding member to selectively disengage the mating portion of the lever mechanism with the mating portion of the second plate. 16. The adjustment mechanism as recited in claim 15, wherein the at least one downwardly protruding member includes a pair of downwardly protruding members. 17. The adjustment mechanism as recited in claim 15, wherein the cam surface includes a pair of cam surfaces. 18. The adjustment mechanism as recited in claim 17, wherein the mating portion of the lever mechanism is biased into engagement with the mating portion of the first plate by a spring. 19. The adjustment mechanism as recited in claim 18, wherein the mating portion of the lever mechanism includes a downwardly depending block member, the block member being adapted to slidably engage an aperture located in the first plate, whereby the member and aperture guide the mating portion. 20. The adjustment mechanism as recited in claim 19, wherein an intermediate element is positioned between said first and second plates for facilitating relative sliding movement therebetween.