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Guide device for the axial sliding of a telescopic element with respect to a fixed element

Guide device for the axial sliding of a telescopic element with respect to a fixed element description/claims

The present invention concerns a guide device for the axial sliding of a telescopic element with respect to a fixed element, in particular for the axial sliding of the upper part, or seat-part, of a seat, such as for example a seat that can be used in the driving seats of public transport means, ships, motor vehicles, in the office, or other. In particular, at least the fixed element comprises a metal profile, advantageously obtained by means of extrusion, inside which longitudinal sliding guides are made, with which interposition means cooperate in order to promote the reciprocal axial sliding of the telescopic element with respect to the fixed element.

It is known to achieve guide devices for the axial sliding of a telescopic element with respect to a fixed element, in particular for the axial sliding of the upper part, or seat-part, of a seat, such as for example a seat that can be used in the driving seats of public transport means, motor vehicles, in the office, or other. Such seats must respect strict regulations concerning safety and ergonomics. For example, the seats have to have the seat-part adjustable in height in a plurality of stable positions. Moreover, in each stable position of the seat-part, the seat-part must be able to spring in a travel of several centimeters and must be rotatable through 360 degrees with respect to the central axis of the seat, irrespective of the adjustment in height and of the springing.

Said seats must also be robust, so as to resist, without bending or getting damaged, considerable transverse or normal thrusts or impacts, particularly in the region which functions as a headrest, in whatever vertical position the seat-part finds itself.

In particular, it is known to make the vertical movement of the seat-part of the seat by means of pantograph-type movement devices, which also allow to adjust the seat-part in height.

However, known pantograph-type movement devices are particularly complicated to make and install, they are also bulky and costly and do not efficiently resist the transverse thrusts and flexions on the seat. Finally, such known devices must be totally redesigned in the event that the size of the seat is changed.

One purpose of the present invention is to achieve a guide device that allows the axial sliding of a telescopic element with respect to a fixed element, which is robust and resistant to flexions, which is simple and economical, which also allows to adjust the seat-part in height, which is easily adaptable in design to any size required and which does not substantially require maintenance.

Another purpose of the present invention is to achieve a guide device that can allow, apart from an adjustment in height, also vertical springing and absorption of vibrations.

Another purpose of the present invention is to achieve a guide device that resists possible transverse impacts or loads on the telescopic element.

The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purposes, a guide device according to the present invention is able to allow the axial sliding of a first telescopic element, in particular connected to the upper part or seat-part of a seat, inside a second vertical fixed element. The fixed element comprises a profile which for example is made of extruded metal material, which is shaped so as to define internally vertical guide means with which interposition means cooperates, positioned between the first telescopic element and the second fixed element, in order to promote the reciprocal axial sliding of the first telescopic element with respect to the second fixed element.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the interposition means is a sliding means, protruding radially from said first telescopic element.

Advantageously, the telescopic element also comprises a profile provided with flat faces that cooperate with other sliding means, protruding radially from said fixed element.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the interposition means is roller means able to slide along suitable metal blades disposed along the first and second telescopic element.

Advantageously, the guide device according to the present invention is thus particularly compact, robust and resistant to flexion, light, economical and easy to produce, advantageously by means of extrusion. Moreover, it can be made to size as desired, constituting a modular system in height, and thus adaptable to various design requirements.

The guide device according to the present invention makes it easy to use rotatable seat-parts, which are effectively integrated with its geometry, and also advantageously allows the adjustment in height of the seat-part and the springing thereof, by means of suitable elastic-type adjustment means.

Advantageously, the guide device according to the present invention does not need maintenance for lubrication of its components and is resistant to corrosion by means of a process to anodize the metal of which it is made.

According to another characteristic of the present invention, in particular in a seat, a springing unit of the first telescopic element is associated with the command device, in this case associated with the seat-part, in order to allow the seat-part to be adjusted in height and vertically sprung with respect to the fixed element. The springing unit is made by means of said elastic-type adjustment means, able to be compressed or extended so as to assume different stable positions in height and to be clamped selectively in each of said stable positions. The adjustment means is disposed parallel to a springing mechanism, axially mobile. The latter consists of springing means and deadening means.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the deadening means is disposed central and the elastic-type adjustment means is disposed at the sides thereof, on diametrically opposite sides. The springing means and the deadening means are thus coaxial with each other and associated by an annular element to support the axial movement, in turn connected to the springing means.

The springing unit is inserted coaxially inside said extruded profiles and is thus advantageously compact and integrated with the guide device.

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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