Device for adjusting the components of a chair

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for adjusting a first component of a chair, in particular an office chair, with respect to a second component of the chair, the said device being provided with a latching unit by means of which one of the two components can be arranged in different positions with respect to the other component. The latching unit has a guide path which is arranged on the first component. A latching element is provided on the other component, it being possible for the latching element to be arranged in the guide path in latching positions which predetermine the positions of one component with respect to the other component. In order to obtain a functionally reliable latching procedure using a device of this type, it is proposed that the guide path ( 40 ) is of essentially groove-shaped design at least in the region of the latching positions, and the latching element ( 45 ) is guided in the groove-shaped guide path ( 40 ).

1 . Device for adjusting a first component of a chair, in particular an office chair, with respect to a second component of the chair, the said device being provided with a latching unit by means of which one of the two components can be arranged in different positions with respect to the other component, the latching unit having a self-contained guide path which is arranged on the first component and on the other component a latching element being provided which has a latching pin ( 47 ) and can be arranged in the guide path in latching positions which predetermine the positions of one component with respect to the other component, the guide path ( 40 ) being of essentially groove-shaped design at least in the region of the latching positions, and the latching pin of the latching element ( 45 ) being guided in the groove-shaped guide path ( 40 ), characterized in that the latching element is a lever ( 45 ) which can pivot freely around a spindle body ( 40 ).  
     
     
         2 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the guidance between the latching element ( 45 ) and the guide path ( 40 ) has just one degree of freedom and the latching positions of the latching element ( 45 ) are arranged in a latching section ( 41 ′) of the guide path ( 40 ), the latching element ( 45 ) beina guided in an essentially form-fitting manner in the latching section ( 41 ′).  
     
     
         3 . Device according to one or both of the preceding claims, characterized in that the groove-shaped guide path ( 40 ) is provided with a return section ( 41 ″) 2nd a latching section ( 41 ′), and the return section ( 41 ″) and the latching section ( 41 ′) are connected to each other by two deflecting paths ( 42 ,  48 ), as a result of which the guide path is self-contained.  
     
     
         4 . Device according to one or more of the preceding  claims 2  to  3 , characterized in that the latching segment ( 41 ′) has a plurality of latching positions of the latching segment, which positions are connected to one another in each case by essentially identical segments of the guide path ( 40 ).  
     
     
         5 . Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide path ( 40 ) is arranged on a guide-path element ( 35 ′) which is connected to one of the components, and this component is guided rectilinearly on the other component of the chair.  
     
     
         6 . Device according to  claim 5 , characterized in that the segments have a doubly curved profile.  
     
     
         7 . Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided for adjusting the height of one component with respect to the other component.  
     
     
         8 . Device according to  claim 7 , characterized in that the latching element ( 45 ) is arranged on a support of the chair and the guide path ( 40 ) is arranged on a backrest which is moveable with respect to the support.  
     
     
         9 . Device according to one or more of  claims 4  to  8 , characterized that the two sections ( 41 ′,  41 ″) are spaced apart from one each other by means or an intermediate piece ( 36 ) which is orientated in the longitudinal direction of the said sections, a plurality of deflecting toes ( 38  and  38 . 1  to  38 . 4 ) which are spaced apart from each other being integrally formed on the intermediate piece ( 36 ) on the side which faces the latching section ( 41 ′).  
     
     
         10 . Device according to  claim 9 , characterized in that the deflecting toes ( 38  and  38 . 1  to  38 . 4 ) are designed and integrally formed on the intermediate piece ( 36 ) in such a manner that the latching pin ( 47 ) can be brought automatically into engagement with the particular latching stop ( 44  and  44 . 1  to  44 . 4 ).  
     
     
         11 . Device according to claims  1  and  5 , characterized in that the spindle body ( 46 ) of the freely pivotable lever ( 45 ) is arranged opposite the guide-path element ( 35 ′).  
     
     
         12 . Device according to claims  1  and  3 , characterized in that the pivotable lever ( 45 ) is substantially shorter than the longitudinal extent of the return section ( 41 ″).