AU646675B2 - Lifting chair - Google Patents

Description

64 6675

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 CO0MP L ET E SPECIFI CATITON FOR A STANDARD PATENT O RI GI NA L 0* Se

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N Tame of Applicant: *90-1ctual Inventor: Address for Service: InetonTte BARRY DAVID GILES Barry David Giles SHELSTON WATERS Clarence Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 "LIFTING CHAIR" The following atatement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- The present invention relates to furniture and more particularly to seating units and armchairs which are capable of elevation.

Armchairs capable of elevation are known. However these chairs, for example as described in New Zealand Patent No.

190130/191133, also either tilt forward or include elements permitting the back of the chair to tilt back whilst the seat of the chair slides forward. For some elderly persons, invalids or handicapped persons (who require assistance to full standing position), it may be a serious disadvantage to use a seat that tilts (in whatever manner) as well as elevates.

An object of the present invention is the provision of V a chair or seating unit which incorporates a mechanism for elevating the chair or seating unit without tilting it.

The present invention provides a freestanding chair or seating unit having a seat frame, a seat, a back; and a base mounting assembly; said seat frame including an inner frame, two sides; a front and arms and wherein said inner frame includes two front uprights; two uprights which are connected one on each side of the back of the base mounting assembly; two

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cross bar members on each side of said inner frame which are pivotally connected each at one end to one upright and pivotally connected each at the second end to one said front upright; wherein the base mounting assembly includes: means to connect said assembly to said seat frame such that said seat frame can move relative to said assembly; and an elevating mechanism operable by a motor, the construction and arrangement of said mechanism including at least one hydraulically 2 n jr l operated, reciprocating ram connected between said seat frame and said base mounting assembly and is operated by said motor, such that the chair or seating unit is movable between a first lower position and a second upper position wherein said second position is immediately above said first position.

Preferably also, with the addition of a circular support plate, on the base, and other bearings of known type, the chair or seating unit can be made to be capable of rotation in either position and also capable of forward and backward motion.

By way of example only preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to an upholstered chair and to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a side view of the chair and a base assembly of the present invention with all upholstery removed; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the chair of the present invention in the upper position; and Fig. 3 is a plan view of an additional base of the chair of the present invention.

:4i Referring to the Figs. 1 and 2, a chair 2 includes a seat S•3, back 4, arms 5, base 6, sides 7 and an inner frame 12. The cbase 6 is a rectangle or square of iron or steel that is dimensioned to fit within the dimensions of the lower parts of the sides 7 and front 8 and bacik 9 of the chair 2. The iron or steel of the base 6 may be of any suitable shape in crosssection, for example, rectangular tube.

Two uprights 10 are connected one on each side of the back of the base 6. On each side of the chair 2 two cross bar 3 members 11 are pivotally connected at one end to one upright and pivotally connected at the second end to one of two front uprights 13 of the inner frame 12. Thus on each side of the chair 2 there are two vertically spaced apart cross bar members 11.

The inner frame 12 further includes base members 14, back members 15 and arm members 16. These are arranged in known manner as part of the frame of the chair 2 and are rigidly secured together in an appropriate manner.

A reciprocating pneumatic ram 17 is secured between a brace support 18 and a cross bar (not shown). The brace support 18 is rigidly secured to the inner frame 12 between the back members 15 and adjacent the top thereof. The means of V. securement permits a small degree of rotational freedom. The "lq4 cross bar (not shown) is secured between the two uprights and the lower pair of cross bar members 3.1.

Referring to Fig. 1, as the ram 17 reciprocates the chair 2 moves between a first lower position (shown in outline form, 19) and a second, upper position (shown in part in outline "0 form, 24). The motion of the chair 2 as it moves between the S• first and the second positions is shown by the arrow A. By reason of the position and manner of movement of the cross bar

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members 11, the second position 24 can be arranged to be exactly above the first position 19.

A known motor (not shown) can be inserted in the space 24 provided within the base 6 and inner frame 12, when the chair 2 is in the first position 19. The ram 17 is thus operable by known means by the motor and known circuitry. For example, r switch can be secured to the exterior of the chair 2 at a position convenient to the user thereof for operating the elevating mechanism.

The above mechanism has been described with reference to a pneumatic ram 17. If so desired the ram 17 may be hydraulically operated.

Alternatively an electric compressor of known type can be used in place of the motor.

If so desired, additional support struts (not shown) may be secured on a diagonal between each upright 10 and the connected cross bar member 11. Likewise, if so desired, additional struts 21 may be added on a diagonal between each arm member 16 and the adjacent attached front upright 13.

S. S The inner frame 12 may include such other members as may

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i' be required for the upholstering of the chair 2, as is required or desired. The inner frame 12 may be made from any suitable metal or wood, or a combination thereof, as is desired. The base frame 6 may be covered with material 22 for the finished

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appearance when the chair 2 is in the second position 24, if desired.

•Referring to Fig. 3, the chair 2 can be made to be capable of rotation and forward and backward motion with the addition of a further base 25. In Fig. 3 two sides of the rectangular base 6 are shown in dotted outline. The further base 25 is thus of dimensions larger than those of the width and depth of the chair 2.

The base 25 includes a rectangular frame 26 to which is secured in known manner, a circular support plate 27. The circular support plate 27 includes a flat circular flange 28.

A central bush 29 and cross frame 30 are positioned within the support plate 27. A ball race bearing 31 is rotatably secured at each end of the cross frame 30. The bearings 31 run on the flange 28 about the central bush 29. The rectangular base 6 is secured by known means (eg. welding) to the cross frame The circular support plate 27 may, if desired, be secured by known means to said bush 29 in order to facilitate the easy rotation of the chair 2 about the base It will be apparent from this arrangement that the chair 2 is capable of rotation relative to the base 25 in either position (19 or 24, Fig. 1).

A small air ram (not shown) of known type may be secured to the base 25 and used to lock the chair 2 to prevent ~nesired or inadvertent rotation of the chair 2. The ram can o: be controlled by switching controls positioned with the said a.

motor switch at a position convenient for the user of the chair 2.

The chair 2 may also, if desired, include four further bearings 32 (or small wheels) positioned one on each end of the side members of the base 25. These bearings 32 may run on a .4 smooth rigid floor surface or in tracks 33 set on the floor.

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The tracks 33 may be made of any suitable metal eg. stainless steel. The chair 2 can thus be manually moved forward and backward relative to the floor.

If so desired, if the arms of the chair 2 are upholstered, they may also be adapted to swivel or pivot at one end.

Thus the chair 2 with bearings 32 may be slid under a table or desk.

Whilst the invention has been described with reference to an upholstered chair, other types of seating units may also be made in accordance with the present invention.

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Claims (12)

1. A freestanding chair or seating unit having a seat frame, a seat, a back; and a base mounting assembly; said seat frame including an inner frame, two sides; a front and arms and wherein said inner frame includes two front uprights; two uprights which are connected one on each side of the back of the base mounting assembly; two cross bar members on each side of said inner frame which are pivotally connected each at one end to one upright and pivotally connected each at the second end to one said front upright; wherein the base mounting assembly includes: means to connect said assembly to said seat frame such that said seat frame can move relative to said assembly; and an elevating mechanism operable by a motor, the construction and arrangement of said mechanism including at least one hydraulically operated, reciprocating ram connected between said seat frame and said base mounting assembly and is rC, operated by said motor, such that the chair or seating unit is movable between a first lower position and a second upper position wherein said second position is immediately above said first position.

2. A chair or seating unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein i said base mounting assembly is dimensioned so as to fit within the sides, front and back of the chair or seating unit.

3. A chair or seating unit as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said ram is a reciprocating ram, causing the chair or seating unit to move between said first and second positions.

4. A chair or seating unit as claimed in any one of the 8 Or~0', preceding claims wherein said chair or seating unit is capable of rotation in either said first or second position. A chair or seating unit as claimed in claim 4 wherein said chair or seating unit includes an additional base, said base including: a rectangular frame; a circular support plate rigidly secured to said rectangular frame, said plate including a flat circular flange therein; a cross frame; and four bearings, one rotatably secured to each end of said cross frame and capable of motion on said flange; said cross frame having said base mounting assembly secured thereto such that said chair rotates about the centre point of said circular support plate.

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6. A chair or seating unit as claimed in either claim 4 or claim 5 wherein said chair further includes locking means to prevent the chair or seating unit from rotating.

7. A chair or seating unit as claimed in either claim 0 5 or claim 6 wherein said additional base further 20 includes four bearings or wheels rotatably secured one to each end of each side of said rectangular frame such that '0 0said chair or seating unit is capable of horizontal e movement relative to the floo-.

8. A chair or seating unit as claimed in claim 7 wherein said four bearings or wheels run in tracks positioned on said floor.

9. A chair or seating unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said motor is positioned in A'I -9 s a space provided within the base mouinting assembly and seat frame.

A chair or seating unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said motor is replaced by an electric compressor.

11. A chair or seating unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said chair or seating unit is upholstered.

12. A chair or seating unit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 or Figs. 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings. DATED this 24th Day of November, 1993 BARRY DAVID ILES Attorney: LEON K. ALLEN Fellow Institute of Patent Attorneys of Australia of SHELSTON WATERS a** *Q S ee/- ABSTRACT A chair or seating unit which includes a base assembly (12) with means (10, 11, 12, 13) to movably connect the assembly to the seat, and an elevating mechanism (17, 18) for raising and lowering the chair between two positions (19, 20) one of which is below the second. An optional additional base (25) permits the chair to be capable of rotation and forward motion. *12 t