Nut plate retainer

#Not Applicable

#The present invention relates to a mechanism used in the manufacture of chairs. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a retainer plate for nuts that are used to connect a chair back support to a tilt mechanism for the chair.

#Chairs, particularly office-type chairs, typically have both a seat and a back. The seat and back may be coupled to a chair tilt mechanism. The tilt mechanism controls the tilting of the chair seat and chair back. The seat and back may tilt together, or may tilt relative to one another. The back of the chair is connected to the tilt mechanism, as is the seat, so that, as forces are applied to the back and seat, the chair tilt mechanism allows the back and seat to move or tilt.

#In the accompanying drawings which form a part of the specification and which are to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views:

#FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a partial J-back, tilt mechanism and nut plate retainer according to the principles of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the nut plate retainer shown in FIG. 1;

#Referring initially to FIG. 1, a nut plate retainer according to the principles of the present invention is designated generally by the number 10. Retainer 10 is used to efficiently couple a J-back 12 to a tilt mechanism 14. Although not shown, a chair back can be coupled to the J-back 12 and a chair seat can be coupled to the tilt mechanism 14, as will be readily understood by those of skill in the art. The tilt mechanism 14 is also coupled to a support pedestal 16, shown partially in FIG. 1. Pedestal 16 supports the tilt mechanism, chair seat and chair back at a desired height above the floor.

#As best seen in FIG. 1, the tilt mechanism 14 has a mounting area 18 that is used to mount the J-back 12 to the mechanism 14. Mounting area 18 has mounting holes 20 extending therethrough. Holes 20 are typically provided in an overall triangular pattern.

#J-back 12 has a longer support 22 and a shorter support 24. Support 22 is coupled to the chair back and support 24 is coupled to the tilt mechanism 14. The overall shape and configuration of the J-back 12 can vary greatly depending upon the design of the chair. Importantly, support 24 has a pattern of mounting holes 26. As best seen in FIG. 1, holes 26 are located to align with holes 20 in tilt mechanism 14. In the prior art method, J-back 12 is bolted to tilt mechanism 14. This process can be cumbersome, as described above.