US-12616307-B2 - Chair having rear handle assembly

US12616307B2US 12616307 B2US12616307 B2US 12616307B2US-12616307-B2

Abstract

A chair with a vertically oriented handle, or just a handle that is to be installed in a vertical orientation on a chair, is provided. The handle has an ergonomic design and is aesthetically pleasing. The handle shape ergonomically conforms to a natural curve to provide better support and reduce strain during transportation. The handle is located centrally relative to a centerline to maintain or reduce the center of gravity of the chair which provides better stability during transportation.

Inventors

Greg Gasser

Assignees

GASSER CHAIR CO., INC.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20230929

Claims (20)

1 . A chair comprising: a seat adapted to be sit upon; a seat back having an upper end and a lower end defining a vertical direction therebetween, the seat back having a first side and a second side defining a lateral direction therebetween, and the seat back having a front surface and a rear surface defining a transverse direction therebetween; a handle on the rear surface of the seat back, wherein the handle includes a length dimension that is oriented in the vertical direction, a width dimension that is oriented in the lateral direction, a thickness that is oriented in the transverse direction, and the handle including a first end of the handle and a second end of the handle, the first end of the handle and the second end of the handle being located along the length dimension of the handle; and wherein the length of the handle is a maximum dimension of the handle, the length of the handle being vertically oriented on the rear surface of the seat back, the first end of the handle and the second end of the handle are both connected to the rear surface of the seat back; and wherein the handle is configured to facilitate at least one of moving or rearranging of the chair from one location to another.
2 . The chair of claim 1 , further comprising: an imaginary vertical centerline of the seat back that is located centrally between the first side and the second side of the seat back; and wherein the length of the handle is centrally-aligned on the seat back relative to the vertical centerline.
3 . The chair of claim 1 , further comprising: a bar that extends from the first end of the handle to the second end of the handle, wherein the first end of the handle is vertically above the second end of the handle such that the bar is vertically oriented.
4 . The chair of claim 3 , further comprising: wherein a portion of the bar between the first end of the handle and the second end of the handle is spaced apart from the rear surface of the seat back to at least partially define an aperture between the portion of the bar and the rear surface of the seat back.
5 . The chair of claim 4 , wherein the portion of the bar that is spaced apart from the rear surface of the seat back is curved.
6 . The chair of claim 1 , wherein the handle comprises: an upper portion; a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion are located vertically below the upper portion; and a lower portion, wherein the lower portion is located vertically below the first portion and the second portion.
7 . The chair of claim 6 , wherein the handle further comprises: an aperture defined between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the aperture extends through the handle in the lateral direction.
8 . The chair of claim 7 , wherein the handle further comprises: a downwardly facing upper concave edge between the first portion and the second portion; and an upwardly facing lower concave edge between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the lower concave edge is below the upper concave edge.
9 . The chair of claim 8 , wherein the handle further comprises: an aperture first edge on the first portion; an aperture second edge on the second portion; and wherein the aperture is defined by the aperture first edge, the aperture second edge, the downwardly facing upper concave edge, and the upwardly facing lower concave edge.
10 . The chair of claim 8 , wherein the handle further comprises: a radius of curvature of the downwardly facing upper concave edge that is greater than a radius of curvature of the upwardly facing lower concave edge.
11 . The chair of claim 8 , wherein the radius of curvature of the downwardly facing upper concave edge is approximately three times greater than the radius of curvature of the upwardly facing lower concave edge.
12 . The chair of claim 8 , wherein the handle further comprises: an apex of the downwardly facing upper concave edge; a nadir of the upwardly facing lower concave edge; and a vertically oriented length of the aperture measured from the apex to the nadir, wherein the vertically oriented length of the aperture is in a range from about 5 inches to about 10 inches.
13 . The chair of claim 6 , wherein the handle further comprises: a thickness dimension of the first portion that is measured in the transverse direction; and a thickness dimension of the second portion that is measured in the transverse direction; wherein the thickness dimension of first portion is greater than the thickness dimension of the second portion.
14 . The chair of claim 1 , wherein the length dimension of the handle is in a range from about 15 inches to about 30 inches, wherein the width dimension of the handle is in a range from about 0.5 inch to about 3 inches, and wherein the thickness dimension of the handle is in a range from about 1 inch to about 4 inches.
15 . The chair of claim 1 , wherein the handle is the only handle on the seat back of the chair, the handle being ergonomically configured to conform to a natural curve of a hand of a user and thereby to provide better support for the hand during the at least one of moving or rearranging of the chair.
16 . A handle for a chair, the handle comprising: an upper portion; a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion are located vertically below the upper portion; a lower portion, wherein the lower portion is located vertically below the first portion and the second portion, the first portion, the second portion, the upper portion, and the lower portion of the handle together defining a length of the handle; an aperture defined between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the aperture extends through the handle; and wherein the handle includes a first end and a second end, the handle being configured to be installed vertically on a chair such that, when the handle is installed vertically on the chair, a maximum length dimension of the handle is oriented substantially in a vertical direction, the first end and the second end of the handle are both located along the length dimension of the handle and are both connected to a rear surface of the seat, and the aperture extends through the handle in a lateral direction; and wherein the handle is ergonomically configured to conform to a natural curve of a hand of a user and thereby to provide better support for the hand during the at least one of moving or rearranging of the chair.
17 . The handle of claim 16 , further comprising: a downwardly facing upper concave edge between the first portion and the second portion; and an upwardly facing lower concave edge between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the lower concave edge is below the upper concave edge.
18 . The handle of claim 17 , further comprising: an aperture first edge on the first portion; an aperture second edge on the second portion; and wherein the aperture is defined by the aperture first edge, the aperture second edge, the downwardly facing upper concave edge, and the upwardly facing lower concave edge.
19 . The handle of claim 18 , further comprising: a radius of curvature of the downwardly facing upper concave edge that is greater than a radius of curvature of the upwardly facing lower concave edge.
20 . The handle of claim 19 , wherein the radius of curvature of the downwardly facing upper concave edge is approximately three times greater than the radius of curvature of the upwardly facing lower concave edge.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure is directed to a chair having a handle, and a handle for a chair. BACKGROUND ART Handles on chairs serve a practical purpose by providing assistance in moving the chair from one location to another. They are particularly useful in situations where chairs need to be frequently rearranged or transported, such as in conference rooms, event venues, casinos, or dining areas. Generally, the inclusion of handles on chairs offers several benefits. One exemplary benefit is that handles provide easy mobility that allow users to lift and carry the chair. By providing a designated gripping point, handles enable individuals to maintain a secure and comfortable grip and ensuring better control while moving the chair. Another exemplary benefit is that handles allow for efficient transportation inasmuch as chairs with handles can be moved more quickly and efficiently, making it easier for users to set up or rearrange seating arrangements. This is especially valuable in busy environments where time is of the essence, such as during events or in spaces with high turnover. Another exemplary benefit is enhanced safety in that handles on chairs provide a secure gripping point, minimizing the risk of accidental dropping or loss of control during transportation. This helps prevent potential injuries or damage to the chair itself, as a secure hold reduces the chances of the chair slipping or falling. Despite their usefulness, some handles on chairs may be insufficient due to various reasons. For example, regarding ergonomics, some handles that are poorly designed or located in inconvenient positions may cause discomfort or strain when lifting and carrying the chair. If the handle is aligned in a non-ergonomic manner, too small, lacks padding, or has sharp edges, it can result in discomfort, blisters, or even injuries to the user's hands. Regarding durability, some handles may be made from materials that are not sufficiently durable, leading to wear and tear over time. If the handle is not robust enough or poorly attached to the chair frame, it may break or detach, rendering it ineffective and potentially causing accidents. Regarding aesthetics and space considerations, in certain settings, chairs with handles may be preferred to have a more streamlined or aesthetically pleasing appearance. Bulky or protruding handles can detract from the overall design of the chair and make it challenging to stack or store them efficiently. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION What is needed is an chair with a handle that has an ergonomic design and is aesthetically pleasing. The present disclosure addresses this need by providing a chair with a rear handle assembly that is vertically oriented. The vertically oriented handle has a contoured shapes to reduce pressure on the hands and promote a more natural grip. An ergonomic handle shape conforms to the hand's natural curve to provide better support and reduce strain during transportation. The handle may be formed from high-quality, durable materials to ensure that the handle can withstand frequent use and maintain their integrity over time. Strong and resilient materials, such as reinforced plastics or metal alloys, could be utilized to enhance the handle's durability and longevity. In one aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a chair comprising: a seat adapted to be sat upon; a seat back having an upper end and a lower end defining a vertical direction therebetween, and the seat back having a first side and a second side defining a lateral direction therebetween, and the seat back having a front surface and a rear surface defining a transverse direction therebetween; a handle on the rear surface of the seat back, wherein the handle includes a length dimension that is oriented in the vertical direction, a width dimension that is oriented in the lateral direction, and a thickness that is oriented in the transverse direction; wherein the length of the handle is a maximum dimension of the handle to vertically orient the handle on the rear surface of the seat back. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further include an imaginary vertical centerline of the seat back that is located centrally between the first side and the second side of the seat back; wherein the length of the handle extends along the vertical centerline. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further include a first end of the handle; a second end of the handle; and a bar that extends from the first end to the second end, wherein the first end of the handle is vertically above the second end of the handle such that the bar is vertically oriented. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further include a connection of the first end of the handle to the rear surface of the seat back; and a connection of the second end of the handle to the rear surface of the seat back; wherein a portion of the bar between the first