CA2095295A1

CA2095295A1 - Ergonomic lounge chair

Info

Publication number: CA2095295A1
Application number: CA 2095295
Authority: CA
Inventors: Marc Jacques; Alain Gauthier; Audrey Lalumiere; David R. Moore
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-04-30
Filing date: 1993-04-30
Publication date: 1994-10-31

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

An ergonomic lounge chair comprises a backrest portion, a seat portion and a legrest portion mounted on a wheeled support frame. The backrest, seat and legrest portions are articulated with respect to each other and adjustable in position. The backrest portion comprises a distal end provided with a headrest formed with a hole therein to define a contour on which a user can place his face when lying on the chest on the lounge chair. Finally, the headrest is adjustable longitudinally on the backrest.

Description

209~29~

~ . . - -BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
"' ' ' ' ' 1. Field of the invention~

The present invention relates to a spinal guard ergonomic lounge chair comprising a headrest formed with a hole therein to define a contour on which a user can place his face when lying on the chest on the lounge chair. - ~ `

2. Brief description of the prior art~
United States patent N 3,897,102 granted to Gérald Lemaire on July 29, 1975, and United States patent N4,606,086 (Rowland) issued on August 19, 1986 both describe and illustrate a lounge chair comprising 25 a backrest portion formed with a hole therein to ~-receive the face of a user. Therefore the user can lie on the chest on the lounge chair without having to turn the head.

30The design of the lounge chairs of Lemaire and Rowland is however primitive and lacks comfort.
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OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is therefore to provide an improved, ergonomic lounge '~''~ '' 2~9~295 chair that increases the level of comfort of the users.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an ergonomic lounge chair comprising a backrest portion, a seat portion, a legrest portion and means for supporting these articulated backrest, seat and legrest portions above the ground. The backrest, seat and legrest portions are articulated with respect to each other and adjustable in position.
The backrest portion comprises a distal end provided with a headrest formed with a hole therein to define a contour on which a user can place his face when lying on the chest on the lounge chair, this haadrest being adjustable longitudinally on the backrest.

The objects, advantages and other features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the follow;ng non restrictive description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the appended drawings: -~9~2~

':~ ; '.:" . ,:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the lounge chair in accordance :~
¦ with the present invention;

5Figure 2 is a top plan view of the lounge ;~
chair of Figure 1; and :~

Figures 3, 4 and 5 are side elevational views, partially cross-sectional, of the lounge chair of Figures 1 and 2, in different positions.
~ ' DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMEN~

15The preferred embodiment of the lounge ;
chair in accordance with the present invention is generally identified by the reference 10 in the ~:
accompanying drawings. :~ ~
-- . : :
20As illustrated in Figure 1, the lounge chair 10 comprises a support frame ll, a backrest 12, - :
a seat 13, and a legrest 14.

Referring now to Figures 1 to 5, the support frame 11 comprises two parallel, longitudinal and generally flat side members 15 and 16 :
interconnected though two underneath cross-members 17 ~:
and 18 (Figure 3).

30The front end of the longitudinal members 15 and 16 are supported on the ground by means of respective vertical legs 19 and 20 (Figures l and 3) secured at their upper end to the inner face of the ~ ~

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, :,",, ~ ,"",, ,. "

2 ~ ~
,i 4 longitudinal members 15 and 16, respectively. A
cross-member 21 interconnects the legs 19 and 20 to form a rigid leg assembly.
.j The rear end of the longitudinal members .~; 15 and 16 are supported on the ground through a pair .¦ of large diameter wheels 22 and 23. The longitudinal l members 15 and 16 are cut at 31 and 32, respectively, ~-i to provide the clearance required for rotation of the , 10 wheels 22 and 23. The axle 24 of these wheels 22 and 23 is mounted on the longitudinal members 15 and 16 through respective vertical members such as 25. The upper ends of the vertical members 25 are secured to the inner face of the longitudinal members 15 and 16, respectively, while the axle 24 passes through the lower end of these members 25. A cross-member 26 interconnects the vertical members 25 to ensure strength and rigidity of the support frame 11.
Strength and rigidity is also improved by generally flat reinforcing members 27 and 28. On each side of the lounge chair 10, the corresponding reinforcing member 27,28 has its front end connected to the cross-member 18 and its rear end conn~cted to the inner face of the corresponding member 25. Each reinforcing member 27 and 28 is cut (see 30 in Figure 3j to enable .-passage of the cross-member 26.

I A further cross-member 33 interconnects ',~ the reinforcing members 27 and 28. Two flat and 1 30 horizontal armrests 34 and 35 have their proximate ends connected to the underside of the cross-member 33. These armrests 34 and 35, used when the person is :''' ~' :, . ' 2~9~29~

:

¦lying on the chest, are preferably removable to facilitate transport of the lounge chair 10.

The backrest 12 is divided into three 5 distinct portions: a headrest 36, an upper bacXrest ~ :
portion 37 and a lower backrest portion 38.

The lower backrest portion 38 is formed of parallel, longitudinal flat members 39 - 44 (Figure 2) assembled together through arcuate cross-members 45 - 48 (Figure 2).

The upper backrest portion 37 is narrower than the lower backrest portion 38 and comprises three longitudinal flat members 49, 50 and 51 (Figure 1) --:
interconnected through two arcuate cross-members 52 and 53 (Figure 2). The upper backrest portion 37 is mounted on the lower backrest portion 38 through two longitudinal tubes 54 and 55 secured in holes made in the arcuate cross-members 52 and 53 and mounted slidable into holes made in the cross-members 45 - 47.
The adjustment of longitudinal position of the upper backrest portion 37 with respect to the lower backrest portion 38 is made by sliding the tubes 54 and 55 in : .
the holes of the cross members 45 - 47. After the longitudinal position of the upper backrest portion 37 has been carried out, the tubes 54 and 55 are blocked on the lower backrest portion 38 by means of locking ~::
mechanisms 58 and 59 installed in slots 56 and 57, 30 respectively. ~ :~
,, The headrest 36 is arcuate and is formed with a hole 60 of which the contour is chosen to 209~29~
, 6 , receive the face of a user lying on the chest on the lounge chair. The contour of the hole 60 is designed to improve the ergonomics of the lounge chair 10 and therefore the comfort of the user. The contour of the hole 60 is also designed to prevent twisting and torsion of the neck and upper back of the user, to thereby prevent problems of the related vertebrae or aggravation of those problems.

, 10 The headrest 36 comprises two arcuate, f underneath cross-members 61 and 62 and is mounted on the upper and lower backrest portions 37 and 38 through two longitudinal tubes 63 and 64 secured in holes made through the arcuate cross-members 61 and 62. The longitudinal tubes 63 and 64 are also mounted slidable into holes made in cross-mem~ers 52 and 53 of ¦ the upper backrest portion 37 and in cross-members 45 - 47 of the lower backrest portion 38. The longitudinal position of the headrest 36 is adjusted by sliding the longitudinal tubes 63 and 64 in the holes of the cross-members 52, 53 and 45 - 47. After the longitudinal position of the headrest 36 has been carried out, the tubes 63 and 64 are blocked on the upper backrest portion 37 by means of locking mechanisms 67 and 68 installed in slots 65 and 66, respectively.

Therefore, the position of the upper ¦ backrest portion 37 and the headrest 36 can be adjusted to adapt to the particular morphology of the user.

. ~

i, 2~2~

-The lower end of the lower backrest 3 portion 38 is connected on each side of the lounge chair 10 to the longitudinal side members 15 and 16 through respective pivots such as 69 (Figure 3) 5 whereby the backrest 12 pivots on the support frame ~¦ 11. On both sides of the lounge chair 10 are provided ratchet mechanisms each comprising an arcuate plate 72,73 mounted on the lower backrest portion 38 through a pivot such as 74 and formed with a series of teeth 'i 10 75 to engage a pin 76 mounted perpendicular to the inner face of the member 15,16. By selecting the :-~i appropriate tooth 75, the backrest 12 can be adjusted as desired, in the sitting (Figure 3), prone (Figure ~i 5) or lounging (Figure 4) position. A transversal rod 15 77, square in cross section, interconnects the arcuate plates 72 and 73.

A left armrest 86 (Figure 1) has its rear end pivotally connected to the :left side of the lower backrest portion 38 (see 87). An elongated member 88 -~
has its two ends pivotally connected to the armrest 86 and the side member 15, respectively. As can be appreciated, the armrest 86 will follow the movement 1 of the backrest 12 upon pivotal movement thereof about ¦ 25 the pivots such as 69.

A right armrest 89 (Figures 1 and 3) has its rear end pivotally connected to the right side of the lower backrest portion 38 (see 90). An elongated member 91 has its two ends pivotally connected to the armrest 89 (see 92) and the side member 16 (see 93), respectively. Again, the armrest 89 will follow the .~

: ' ~; '~:: ..' 209~295 movement of the backrest 12 upon pivotal movement thereof about the pivots such as 69.

The seat 13 is formed of parallel, longitudinal flat members 77 - 81 (Figure 2) assembled together through arcuate cross-members 82 - 85 (Figure 3). In the same manner, the legrest 14 is formed of parallel, longitudinal flat members 94 - 98 (Figures 1 and 2) assembled together through arcuate cross-10 members 99 - 102.

The seat 13 and the legrest 14 are interconnected on the left and right sides of the lounge chair 10 through left 103 and right 104 pivots (Figure l) comprising respective extensions to engage L-shaped grooves such as 105 made in the inner face of the side members 15 and 16, respectively.

The end of the seat 13 adjacent the 20 backrest 12 comprises left and right pins such as 130 (Figure 3) adapted to engage vertical grooves such as 131 made in the inner face of the members 15 and 16, respectively. This end of the seat 13 is also connected to the longitudinal members 15 and 16 through ratchet mechanisms. The left and right ratchet mechanisms comprises left (not shown) and right 106 arcuate plates mounted on the seat 13 through a pivot such as 107 and formed with a series of teeth 108 to engage a pin such as 109 mounted perpendicular to the inner face of the members 15 and 16, respectively. A transversal rod 110, square in cross section, interconnects the left and right arcuate plates such as 106.

. ~. ~ ~ , . . .

-`~ 209~29~ ~ ~
~' 9 The end of the legrest 14 adjacent the seat 13 is connected to the longitudinal members 15 ¦and 16 through ratchet mechanisms. The left and right ¦ratchet mechanisms comprises left 111 and right 112 ¦5 arcuate plates (Figures 1 and 3) mounted on the legrest 14 through pivots 113 and 114, and formed with a series of teeth such as 115 to engage a pin such as 116 mounted perpendicular to the inner face of the members 15 and 16, respectively. A transversal rod 117, square in cross section, interconnects the left and right arcuate plates 111 and 112.

The free end of the legrest 14 is disposed either on a transverse rod 118 interconnecting the front ends of the longitudinal side members 15 and 16, or on a transverse rod 119 interconnecting the two front legs 19 and 20.

Finally, the lounge chair 10 includes a 20 footrest 120 (Figures 1 and 3) in the form of a transverse rod. The left end of the footrest 120 is connected to the lounge chair lO through a first tube 121 mounted slidable into a longitudinal groove 122 made in the outer face of the side member 15. In the same manner, the right end of the footrest 120 is connected to the lounge chair 10 through a tube 124 mounted slidable in a longitudinal groove 125 made in the outer face of the side member 16. Longitudinal adjustment of the footrest 120 is therefore carried 30 out by sliding the tubes 121 and 124 longitudinally in the grooves 122 and 125, respectively. After longitudinal adjustment of the footrest 120 has been made, the tubes 121 and 124 are blocked in the -~ 209~2~

respective grooves 122 and 125 by means of suitable locking mechanisms such as 126 mounted in the slot 127 of a piece 128 retaining the rod 121,124 in the groove 122,125. The footrest 120 can be used as a handle to roll the lounge chair 10 into position, on the wheels 22 and 23.

Figure 3 illustrates the lounge chair 10 in the sitting position. In this case, the pins such as 130 are positioned in the vertical grooves such as 131, and the transverse rod 118 supports the distal end of the legrest 14. The intersection between the seat 13 and the legrest 14 is raised by means of the arcuate plates 111 and 112 of which the teeth are engaged with the pins such as 116.
,.
In the lounging position of Figure 4, the seat 13 and legrest 14 are maintained in an horizontal position by means of the rod 118, the pins 103 and 104 engaging the L-shaped grooves such as 105, the pins such as 130 engaging the vertical grooves such as 131.

In the prone position (Figure 5) the seat 13 and legrest 14 are inclined and supported in this position through the rod ll9, and the arcuate plates 111, 112 and 106 engaging the pins 109 and 116. The prone position of Figure 5 is particularly useful when a pregnant woman or an obese person is lying on the chest. The person then places his abdomen on the lower backrest portion 38 at the end of the seat 13.

As can be seen in Figure 2, the smaller width of the upper backrest portion 37 and of the 2~9~29~
. ,. :

headrest 36 enables a person lying on the chest to pass and place his arms on the armrests 34 and 35.

As can be appreciated upon reading of the foregoing description, the backrest 12, the headrest 36, the upper backrest portion 37, the seat 13, the legrest 14, and the footrest 120 are adjustable at a plurality of different angles and/or positions within relatively wide ranges. Accordingly, the user can adjust the lounge chair lO as desired and according to his preferences and morphology, whereby a lounge chair, both ergonomic and comfortable, is provided. :

Although the present invention has been 15 described hereinabove by way of a preferred embodiment ; ~:
thereof, this embodiment can be modified at will, -~.
within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit and nature of the present invention. : :~

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. An ergonomic lounge chair comprising:
a backrest portion, a seat portion and a legrest portion, said backrest, seat and legrest portions being articulated with respect to each other and adjustable in position; and means for supporting said articulated backrest, seat and legrest portions above the ground;
wherein said backrest portion comprises a distal end provided with a headrest formed with a hole therein to define a contour on which a user can place his face when lying on the chest on the lounge chair, said headrest being adjustable longitudinally on said backrest.