CHAIR

The present invention relates to a chair, to a method for assembling thereof, and to a method for disassembling thereof.

Numerous chairs have been designed over the years which can be disassembled so that they can for instance be easily transported and/or stored. In the known types of chair however, one or more of the components of the chair are fixed to each other using special fastening elements such as screws, nuts, clips or the like. These fastening elements must then be released one by one before the chair can be disassembled. Furthermore, this often means that separate fastening elements are required which can easily be lost, for instance when the chair is stored in disassembled state. Special tools such as a screwdriver, an Allen key, an open- end spanner or the like are sometimes necessary for assembling or disassembling the various components of the chair. A further drawback of the known disassembling chairs is that the fastening components often have an adverse effect on the appearance of the chair.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved chair in which the above stated drawbacks are obviated.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a method with which assembling or disassembling of the chair can take place in rapid and efficient manner.

A further object of the invention is to provide a chair with an attractive appearance.

A further object of the invention is to provide a chair with an appearance which can be adapted easily and quickly. According to a first aspect of the invention, at least

one of the above stated objects is achieved in a disassembling chair, comprising:

- a standing left side panel;

- a standing right side panel; - a lying top panel forming the chair seat;

- a lying bottom panel;

- a standing rear panel forming the chair back; wherein lying panels are provided with protrusions which are embodied for sliding into and out of corresponding recesses for the purpose of respectively assembling and disassembling the chair; wherein at least one of the protrusions of one of the lying panels is provided with a locking opening in which, in assembled state, a locking element is slidable for the purpose of locking the lying and standing panels to each other, wherein the locking element comprises a locking panel slidable behind the rear panel.

The chair can be put together and taken apart in simple manner by sliding the various components thereof. Locking of the chair in assembled state takes place by sliding the locking element into said locking opening, while unlocking takes place by removing the locking element from the locking opening. It is hereby possible to assemble and disassemble the chair in simple manner without special tools being required for the purpose. According to the invention the locking element comprises a locking panel slidable behind the rear panel. The panel herein preferably extends parallel to the seat back so that a flat rear side or seat back of minimal thickness can be realized. According to a preferred embodiment, the chair is provided with a holder which is slidable behind the rear panel and in which a graphic image element can be arranged, wherein the holder is adapted to position the image element

behind a viewing opening provided in the rear panel for making the image visible from the front side of the chair. In a particularly advantageous embodiment the holder is formed by the locking panel which slidable behind the rear panel. In this preferred embodiment the appearance of the chair is embellished by adjusting the appearance of the seat back using an image which can be placed in the holder. In a further embodiment the image can be formed by an electronic screen, such as an LCD screen, on which the still or moving image is shown.

When the chair is for instance a child's chair, a photograph of a child can be arranged in the holder so that the whole chair acquires an appearance specific to the child in question. If the chairs are being used for instance in a classroom, each child can thus have a chair personalized to its own appearance.

In the above stated, particularly advantageous embodiment the above mentioned locking element is formed by the holder. The holder hereby has a dual function, i.e. the function of carrying the image and the function of locking the chair.

In a further preferred embodiment each of the side panels is provided with an upright recess into which both the rear panel and the locking panel are slidable. The upright recess is moreover preferably formed such that the image element is received, preferably clamped, in the intermediate space between the rear panel and the locking panel. In this way the image element can be positioned quickly and easily without additional fastening means being necessary. According to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, two mutually opposite edges of a lying panel are provided with first protrusions over which recesses in the side panels are laterally slidable. In assembled state, i.e.

when the side panels have been pushed over the protrusions, the lying panel absorbs the laterally inward directed forces on the chair, and the panel holds the side panels, the top sides of which preferably serve as armrests, in the correct straight position.

According to a further preferred embodiment, two opposite edges of the lying panel are provided with hook-like second protrusions for hooking onto the side panels. In assembled state, i.e. in a situation in which the protrusions hook onto the side panels, such a lying panel can absorb the laterally outward directed forces on the side panels. This prevents the side panels moving outward when a person sits on the chair.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the bottom panel is provided with first protrusions and the top panel is provided with second protrusions. Since a person will sit on the top lying panel, the greatest forces on the top lying panel will in most cases be directed laterally outward. In order to absorb these forces it is therefore recommended to embody the top lying panel, i.e. the panel on which the person sits, with the above stated measures for absorbing the outward directed forces, so that a more stable construction can be realized.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the panel with the protrusion provided with a locking opening is also provided with the second, hook-like protrusions. Such a lying panel can be pushed beforehand between the side panels. When the lying panel provided with the hook-like protrusions is pushed in such that the protrusions hook around the side panels, in this embodiment other protrusions simultaneously slide into the recess in the back panel. This means that in a single movement the lying panel hooks onto the side panels and provides a locking option for all other components of the

chair, i.e. the side panels and the rear panel.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the side panels are provided with recesses at different heights for height-adjustment of at least the top lying panel. For people of different height it is important to be able to change the height of the seat of the chair. In this embodiment this can be realized by arranging the top lying panel and, optionally although not necessarily, also the bottom lying panel in the correct recess. According to a further preferred embodiment, the hook- like, second protrusion can be partially received in a recess provided in an edge of a standing side panel, whereby the protrusion is as it were at least partially taken up in the recess when the chair is in the position of use. This enhances the appearance of the chair. This construction moreover provides the option of arranging a locking element in a manner to be described hereinbelow.

According to a further embodiment, the protrusion provided with a locking opening is slidable into a recess provided in the rear panel as discussed above. In the placed situation the locking opening is herein positioned on the rear side of the rear panel, wherein a part of the locking element extends through the locking opening. This provides the option of arranging the locking element on the rear side of the seat back, whereby the chair can be locked in assembled state. Although arranging of the locking mechanism is not strictly necessary, since the chair is in many cases sufficiently stable without locking mechanism, a quick and efficient locking can be effected in this manner. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a chair comprising a standing left side panel, a standing right side panel, a lying panel forming the chair seat and a standing rear panel forming the chair back, in

addition to a holder in which an image element such as a graphic image can be arranged, wherein the holder is adapted to be positioned behind a viewing opening provided in the rear panel for making the image visible from the front side of the chair. In a preferred embodiment the holder comprises a panel slidable behind the rear panel, wherein the image element can be held fast between said slidable panel and the rear panel. This slidable panel can be the above mentioned locking element, but can also be formed by a separate plate. Using the image element, the appearance of the chair can be changed quickly and easily due to the construction according to the invention, so that it can be individualized as desired.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for assembling the chair as described herein, comprising of:

- sliding the standing side panels in lateral direction over the protrusions of one of the lying panels;

- sliding protrusions of the other lying panel in rearward direction into the recesses in the standing side panels and sliding a protrusion positioned on the rear edge of the lying panel and provided with a locking opening into a recess in the rear panel;

- sliding a locking element into the locking opening for locking the lying and standing panels relative to each other.

In this manner a chair can be put together and locked quickly and efficiently without special tools being required for this purpose. Furthermore, each panel can hereby be supplied separately and in different embodiments, for instance different colours, so that the chair can be assembled in accordance with personal taste.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for disassembling a chair as

described herein, comprising of:

- sliding a locking element out of the locking opening;

- sliding the lying panel, which is provided with a protrusion with a locking opening, in rearward direction; - sliding the standing side panels laterally outward.

In this manner a chair can be unlocked and taken apart quickly and efficiently without special tools being required for this purpose.

Further advantages, features and details of the present invention will be elucidated on the basis of the following description of several preferred embodiments thereof. Reference is made in the description to the figures, in which: figures IA and IB are respective perspective front views of a first preferred embodiment which show the fastening of the seat panel to a side panel; figures 1C and ID are respective perspective front views of the first preferred embodiment which show the fastening of the seat panel at a higher position to a side panel; figures 2A and 2B are perspective front views of the preferred embodiment of figures 1A-1B which show the fastening of the rear panel; figure 3A is a perspective front view of said embodiment, in which the top panel is shown being fastened to the side panels and the rear panel; figure 3B shows a front view in fastened state; figure 3C is a rear view of the embodiment in the state shown in figure 3A; figures 4A and 4B are a rear and side view of the preferred embodiment in which the manner of locking is shown; figure 4C shows a rear view of the preferred embodiment in locked state; figures 5A-5B are respectively a front and side view

which show the manner of arranging of image; figure 5C is a front view in the situation of use; and figures 5D1-5D2 show the various steps for positioning the image . Figure IA shows a number of separate components of a first preferred embodiment of a child's chair 1. A left-hand standing side panel 2, a right-hand standing side panel 3 and a lying panel 4 are shown. The lying panel is provided on either side with protrusions 5 which fit into corresponding openings 6 provided in respective side panels 2 and 3. During assembly of the chair the lying panel 4 is first displaced to the left (direction P ₁ ) so that protrusion 5 comes to lie in the opening 6 of left panel 2 corresponding therewith, as shown in figure IB. The unit of side panel 2 and lying panel 4 is then displaced laterally to the right (direction P ₂ ) so that protrusion 5 comes to lie in recess 6 of right-hand panel 3.

In a subsequent assembly step a standing back panel 10 is fastened to the respective side panels 2 and 3. Back panel 10 is provided for this purpose with elongate recesses 11, while side panels 2,3 are provided with recesses 12 (see figures IA, IB and 2A) . Seat back 10 is pushed downward (direction P ₃ ) into recesses 12, as shown in figures 2A and 2B. Recesses 11 hereby ensure that side panels 2,3 remain upright. Recesses 11 have a length and width such that seat back 10 can be arranged fitting round the underside of side panels 2,3. Recesses 12 have a width and length such that, in addition to the seat back, a locking element can also be arranged fitting therein, as will be set forth below. The situation in which the lying panel and the back panel are arranged on the side panels is shown in figure 3A.

Once the seat back has been fastened to side panels 2,3 in the above described manner, a second lying panel 15 is

arranged on side panels 2,3 and on rear panel 10. The second lying panel 15 is provided for this purpose with two protrusions 16,17 which can engage round the edge of the respective side panels 2,3, as shown in figure 3A. In the shown embodiment the edges of panels 2,3 are provided with recesses 17, 18 respectively so that, in assembled state, protrusions 16,17 can as it were be partially taken up in the edges of panels 2,3. Recesses 17 also have the function of supporting the front part of lying panel 15. During the sliding-in movement (direction P ₄ , figure 3A) a protrusion 20 provided on the rear side 19 of lying panel 15 is also pushed into recess 21 provided in seat back 10, this being clearly shown in figure 3A. In the final situation as shown in figures 3B and 3C, protrusion 20 is placed through opening 21 and protrudes so far on the rear side that opening 21 provided in protrusion 20 is freely accessible (figure 3C) .

After the chair has been assembled in this manner, it still has to be locked. The locking steps are further shown in figures 4A-4C. Figures 4A and 4B show the chair at the initial stage as shown in figure 3C. A plate-like element or panel 22 is then pushed downward from above (direction P ₅ ) . Panel 22 is provided on the underside with a protrusion 23, the dimensions of which are just slightly smaller than the dimensions of said opening 21 in protrusion 20 of lying panel 15. As shown in figure 4C, panel 22 has a shape and dimensions (particularly thickness) such that panel 22 can be pushed into recess 12 of side panels 2,3, more specifically into the intermediate space 25 between the seat back 10 pushed into recess 12 and the opposite edge of recess 12 in each of the panels 2,3, and can be received therebetween. By now sliding panel 22 further downward the protrusion 23 comes to lie in opening 21 in protrusion 20, whereby locking is

effected (figure 4C) . The various components of the chair, i.e. seat back 10, side panels 2,3, lying panels 4,15 and panel 22, are locked relative to each other in the position shown in figure 4C without the use of any form of fixing parts or fixing materials. Because locking panel 22 is moreover received in recess 12 and is preferably clamped fixedly therein, locking panel 22 is prevented from starting to slide in undesirable manner and possibly unlocking the chair. Because the locking element is formed in this embodiment by a plate, the dimensions thereof can be chosen such that the locking element cannot result in any danger to children.

From the above description of the method of assembly of the chair a skilled person will immediately appreciate the manner in which the chair can be disassembled. For this purpose panel 22 is displaced upward, whereby unlocking occurs. After pushing panel 15 forward and removing it from the chair, back panel 10 is no longer held in place by protrusion 20 and back panel 10 can therefore be displaced upward. Finally, the lying panel 4 is pulled out of both side panels 2,3.

Figure IA shows how lying panel 4 is pushed with protrusions 5 into recesses 6 in side panels 2,3. When a greater seat height is however required, protrusions 5 can be pushed in wholly analogous manner into openings 7 provided at a greater height in side panel 2,3. This situation is shown in figures 1C and ID.

In a particularly advantageous preferred embodiment, as shown in figures 5A-5D, locking plate 22 is embodied such that an image, for instance a photograph (F) , can be arranged on the visual side thereof, for instance by clamping the photograph fixedly to plate 22 or by clamping the photograph fixedly between plate 22 and back panel 10.

Figure 5Dl shows a photograph F (or any other random graphic image, an electronic display for showing still and/or moving images, etc.) which is arranged against plate 22 (figure 5D2, figure 5D3) . The assembly of plate 22 and photograph F is now pushed downward in the above described manner, as shown in figures 5A and 5B. The shape and dimensions of recess 12, seat back 10 and plate 22 are herein chosen such that photograph F is herein enclosed between plate 22 and seat back 10, this being shown particularly well in figure 5B. When the assembly of plate 22 and photograph F has been displaced fully downward and a large central viewing opening 26 has been arranged in seat back 10 of the chair, the photograph (F) comes to lie directly behind viewing opening 26 so that it becomes visible via seat back 10 from the front side of the chair. This situation is shown in figure 5C. Owing to the shown construction it is possible to provide the graphic image element in simple manner, without special fastening means such as clamps, screws and the like being required, so that the chair can remain simple in structure and retains a smoothly finished appearance. The chair can hereby also be individualized in simple manner, wherein use can be made of plate 22 which is already required and present for locking purposes.

In the above described embodiment the plate 22 fulfills a dual function: on the one hand the plate provides locking of the chair, on the other it provides a holder in which a graphic image can be held. In other embodiments (not shown) plate 22 fulfills only the function of providing a holder for the graphic image element, and use is made of a separate locking element to lock the chair.

It will be apparent that the described construction of the holder in which an image can be placed can also be applied to other chairs, such as for instance non-

disassembling chairs. As long as the seat back of the chair is provided with a viewing window and the image arranged in the holder can be positioned behind the window, the appearance of the chair can be modified in specific manner. The present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiment described herein; the rights sought are rather defined by the following claims, within the scope of which further modifications can be envisaged.