CA2202596A1 - Multi-direction reclining and stretching chair - Google Patents

Abstract

A multiple position, reclining and stretching chair includes a base assembly having side walls with corral openings into which the ends of an axle extend. The base may alternatively support a spring member to which the axle is attached. The axle is rotatably secured to a lumbar platform that is a part of a multi-panel body support platform assembly. The body support platform assembly is positioned above an arcuate, adjustable, lockable, roller support assembly that pivots forward and rearward about a pivot member that that is substantially attached to the base assembly. Also disclosed is an embodiment wherein the arcuate roller assembly rolls back and forth about the surface of a horizontal cross support member of the base assembly.

Description

CA 02202~96 1997-04-14 APPLICATION FOR PATENT

INVENTOR: Scott C. Erb TITLE: Multi-Direction Reclining and Stretching Chair SPECIFICATION
Cross Reference to Related Application This application claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application No. 60/017,282 filed May 13, 1996.
Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to the field of multi-direction reclining and stretching chairs.
Background of the Invention Reclining and stretching chairs are not new per se.
Chairs that recline have been manufactured for many years. With the development of anatomical and ergonomic engineering, reclining chairs have evolved to be more comfortable and more versatile.
Various chairs have been designed that provide the capability to stretch and strengthen muscles. For example, U.S. Patent 3,561,772 discloses a lightweight, reclining and exercising device that includes pivoting panels that are connected with a fixed pivot member. The chair is specifically designed to stretch and strengthen the back muscles. U.S. Patent 3,641,995 shows an CA 02202~96 1997-04-14 exercising chair that also includes a fixed pivot axle between a seat and a back section and is used to exercise the back and leg muscles.
There are also numerous chairs manufactured that are primarily designed to recline and be comfortable. Many of the existing recliners include interconnected platform members that are adjustable in different ways. In U.S.
Patent 3,934,932 the angle between an interconnected seat and back platform is adjusted with a frictional coupler that is attached to the seat platform and a tubular portion of the base. U.S. Patent 4,790,599 shows a chair having a fixed angle between the chair and the seat platform. The combined chair and seat platform swings about a raised pivot point and is adjusted along a fixed track positioned on the base of the chair.
What is needed is a chair that can be moved by the user through a range of different therapeutic and generally comfortabLe motions including tilting, rocking and angular changing between platform components on the body platform assembly. The chair should allow the person sitting, reclining or stretching in the chair to be able to change the angular position of the platform components freely by shifting their weight. Ideally, the chair should be easy to lock in any desired position.

Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a new and improved chair design that allows interconnected seat and back platform members to move freely relative to the confines of corrals. The corrals are defined by openings or indentations in the side walls of the base of the chair.
Each end of an axle member that is rotatably attached to the center portion of the body support platform extends beyond each side of the body support platform and into the corrals in the side walls of the base. The chair includes a roller assembly that is positioned between the base and the interconnected body support platform. In the first preferred embodiment, the roller assembly includes support members that can pivot and lock relative to the base. One roller is attached to one end of the support members and a second roller is attached to the other end of the support members. An optional leg platform can be interconnected to the seat platform and an optional head platform can be attached to the back platform. An additional pivoting section can be formed as a part of the back section to create a section localized to the lumbar portion of the back.

CA 02202~96 1997-04-14 In a second preferred embodiment the arcuate roller support assembly rolls back and forth on the upper surface of a horizontal base member.
In a third preferred embodiment, a spring member is substantially attached to the base assembly. The spring member extends between the horizontal support member and an upper position. An axle member is attached to the spring at the upper portion of the spring member. The axle is rotatably attached to at least one section of the body support platform. The geometry and construction of the spring allows the axle to move within a predetermined area that defines a generally annular shaped corral.
Because the axle is attached to a section of the body support platform assembly, the section of the body support assembly is allowed to move about the motion of the spring. The spring may be constructed of a variety of materials including but not limited to tempered steel or graphite reinforced carbon fiber or other resilient, supportive materials.
The resulting construction in any of the preferred embodiments provides a wide range of comfortable seating, reclining and stretching positions. Because the body platform is free to move on the axle within the annular corral, the chair provides the user with the capability CA 02202~96 1997-04-14 to stretch their back whether they are sitting, reclining or fully stretching out in a prone position. The chair in the first preferred embodiment can be positioned in a conventional upright orientation. The chair can be entered in the conventional manner and reclined if the person in the chair leans back by pushing back on the armrests and tilting the roller support assembly on its pivot. The roller support assembly can be fixed at any desired position by securing the control rod within the guide tracks that are located on each side of the base assembly. As the user leans further back in the chair and approaches a horizontal reclined position, the user's weight becomes nearly equally distributed and balanced between the two rollers, and simultaneously centered over the corral. With or without the roller assembly in a secured position, the user can then arch his or her back which lifts the axle within the corrals. In any position, the user can relax and the chair will stay in position even with the axle "free floating" within the corrals.
This unexpected and surprising advantage is caused by the frictional interface between the roller members and the body support platform assembly. The body support platform assembly includes a back, seat, lumbar and optional head and leg platforms. Each of the body platform sections can CA 02202~96 1997-04-14 be interconnected with resilient, locking, spring connections. The body support platform assembly allows the user to flex his or her body into any position while simultaneously providing support for all parts of the body in all positions. The body support platform can be urged into the desired position and it will stay in place until the user moves. The user is free to move, stretch or resituate into any desired position on the chair.
The chair provides several additional surprising and unexpected advantages. For example, when the user is near the reclined (or horizontal) position, the user can lie on his or her side or stomach and the chair will move as required to accommodate the user's movements. The user can also rock back and forth on the roller support pivot and flex up and down within the corral. The two combined motions can create a therapeutic circular rolling effect.
The user can also pull down on the arms of the chair to cause the chair to float down into the conventional upright position and then easily get out of the chair.
Brief Description of the Drawings For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which CA 02202~96 1997-04-14 like parts are given like reference numerals and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the chair shown in a seated position with optional head and leg platforms.
FIG. 2 is an axonometric view of the chair in a seated position.
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the chair showing movement of the pivoted roller support.
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the chair in the fully reclined position and showing the optional head and leg platforms.
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the chair showing the effect of shifting body weight on the body support platform assembly and the axle member.
FIG. 6 is an axonometric view of the chair in a reclined and flexed position.
FIG. 7 is an axonometric view of the chair in a reclined, flexed and bent position showing the effect of a relatively sharp upward angle between the back section and the lumbar section.
FIG. 8 is a longitudinal section view of the chair showing the roller support assembly in rolling contact with the horizontal cross support member.

CA 02202~96 1997-04-14 FIG. 9 is an axonometric view of the chair showing an embodiment having a spring component that is used to support the axle.
Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiment The following table lists the part numbers and part descriptions as used herein and in the drawings attached hereto:
Part Description:
Number:
A Base Assembly B Roller Support Assembly C Body Support Platform Assembly 20a, 20b Roller Support Members - First Side and Second Side 22 Roller Support Pivot 24 Front Roller 26 Rear Roller 30a, 30b Corrals - First Side and Second Side 32 Axle 33 Shortened Axle 28 Control Rod 29a, 29b Guide Tracks - First Side and Second Side 12 Arm Rest - First Side CA 02202~96 1997-04-14 14 Arm Rest - Second Side 16 Vertical Wall - First Side 18 Vertical Wall - Second Side 17 Horizontal Cross Support Member l9a, l9b First and Second Vertical Cross Support Members Head Platform 42 Back Platform 44 Lumbar Platform 46 Seat Platform 48 Leg Platform 49 Connector Bracket D,E,F Several Possible Positions of Roller Support Assembly G,H,I Several Possible Positions of Body Support Platform Assembly Angular Position of Control Rod 51a, 51b First and Second Lower Support Slots Spring Member 62 Range of Motion of Spring Member Overall Construction:
Refer now to FIGS.-1 and 2, which show the first preferred embodiment of the multiple direction, reclining CA 02202~96 1997-04-14 and stretching chair including the base assembly A, the roller support assembly B and the body support platform assembly C, The base assembly A includes a first vertical wall 16 that is attached to a second vertical wall 18 with a first vertical cross support member l9a, a second vertical cross support member l9b and a horizontal cross support member 17. A first arm rest 12 is attached to the top of the first vertical wall 16 and a second arm rest 14 is attached to the top of the second vertical wall 18.
Each of the vertical walls 16, 18 includes a corral defined by the oval shaped holes 30a, 30b. Typically, the corrals 30a and 30b are the same size and shape.
The roller support assembly B includes a first arcuate shaped roller support member 20a and a second arcuate shaped roller support member 20b. A front roller 24 is positioned at the front between the two roller support members 20a, 20b and a rear roller 26 is positioned at the rear between the two roller support members 20a, 20b. It is contemplated that the roller support assembly B could engage the body support platform assembly C with a set of linear contacts rather than with rollers. A cylindrically shaped roller support pivot 22 extends through each of the two roller support members 20a, 20b and through each vertical wall 16, 18 of the CA 02202~96 1997-04-14 base assembly A. Refer to FIG. 3 which shows the control rod 28 positioned in the center of the front roller 24.
The control rod 28 follows the guide tracks 29a, 29b. The guide tracks 29a, 29b can include cutouts that allow the control rod to be locked into position in any of a multiple number of locations along the guide tracks 29a, 29b. A control knob can be attached to the end of the control rod 28 to secure and lock the roller support assembly into any of the possible positions along the length of the guide tracks 29a, 29b.
The body support assembly C includes a back platform 42 that is pivotally connected to a lumbar platform 44.
The lumbar platform 44 is pivotally connected to the seat platform 46. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the body support assembly C may optionally include a head platform 40, pivotally connected to the back platform 42. In addition, an optional leg platform 48 may be pivotally connected to the seat platform 46. The pivotal connections used on the body support platform members may also include spring biased members at the pivotal connections. The pivotal connections may also include adjustable tensioning means for adjusting variable tension between the individual platform elements. The variable tension can be fixed to CA 02202~96 1997-04-14 lock the relative position between individual platform elements.
An axle 32 is shown rotatably attached to the lumbar platform 44 with two connector brackets 49. Each end of the axle 32 extends beyond each outer edge of the lumbar platform 44 and into each corral 30a and 30b.
FIG. 8 illustrates a second preferred embodiment wherein the roller support assembly B rolls on the top of the horizontal cross support member 17.
In FIG. 9 a third preferred embodiment is illustrated. The lower portion of the spring member 60 is attached to the horizontal cross support member 17.
Connector brackets 49 are attached to the upper portion of the spring member 60. One or more of the connector brackets 49 may be used. The axle 33 is rotatably attached to the connector brackets 49. The upper portion of the spring member 60 is free to move within a range of motion that is shown with arrow 62. The range of motion defines a generally annular shaped corral. The axle is thereby also given free motion within the corral shaped area. The motion of the spring member creates a free motion effect on the axle 33 similar to the effect created by forming annular corrals 30a, 30b as described structurally above and operationally below. Although not CA 02202~96 1997-04-14 shown in FIG. 9, the body support platform assembly C is positioned on top of the roller support assembly B. The roller support assembly B is mounted on the roller support pivot 22 that allows the roller support assembly to pivot forward and rearward about the roller support pivot 22.
Operation:
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the reclining and stretching chair includes a base assembly A, a roller support assembly B and a body support platform assembly C. The first and second vertical walls 16, 18 are structurally supported by first and second vertical cross support member l9a, l9b and by the horizontal cross support member 17. It is contemplated that alternative cross support members may be used to support the vertical walls 16, 18. It is also contemplated that alternative structural vertical members other than wall members that include the corrals may be substituted for the vertical wall members.
The roller support assembly B pivots forward and rearward between the vertical walls 16, 18 about the roller support pivot 22. The roller support pivot 22 extends beyond the end o~ the first and the second side roller support members 20a, 20b and into the CA 02202~96 1997-04-14 corresponding holes in the vertical walls 16, 18. In its rearmost position the roller support engages the upper surface of the horizontal cross support member 17. The rearward motion may be extended as shown in FIG. 3 by removing a section of the cross support member identified as the lower support slots 51a, 51b. The roller support members 2Oa, 2Ob can then extend through lower support slots 51a, 51b to increase the overall rearward motion of the roller support assembly A. A control rod 28 is positioned at the center of the front roller 24. The control rod 28 may include nuts or other fastening means for securing the front roller within the slots 29a and 29b.
The body support platform assembly C is comprised of multiple articulating panels that include a lumbar platform 44, a back platform 42 and a seat platform 46.
The body support platform can optionally include a head platform 40 or a leg platform 48; or both. The angular position of the lumbar platform 44 can also be fixed to be parallel to the back platform 42 thereby creating a singular back platform. An axle 32 is allowed to rotate about the back side of the lumbar platform within connector brackets 49. Alternative means of attaching an axle 32 may also be used. The axle extends beyond each outer edge of the lumbar platform 44 into corrals 30a, 30b. The corrals are generally oval shaped openings positioned in the first and second walls 16, 18 of the base assembly A. Alternatively shaped or configured corrals may also be used without departing from the inventive concept disclosed herein. Although the corrals are shown extending through the entire thickness of the vertical wall members 16, 18, it is possible to use corrals that do not extend completely through the thickness of the wall members. It is also possible to use a single corral in one of the walls of the base or attached near the center of the axle rather than using a corral in each of the walls. Yet further, it is possible to attach corrals to one or more of the substantially vertical wall members.
Because the corrals 30a, 30b are larger in diameter than the outer diameter of the axle 32, the axle 32 is free to rotate within the corral. In addition, the axle 32 is free to move in a horizontal or a vertical direction between the corral walls.
As the person sitting in the chair shifts their body weight, the body support platform assembly C moves.
Because the axle 32 is attached to the body support platform assembly C and the axle 32 moves relative to the CA 02202~96 1997-04-14 corrals 30a, 30b, the body support platform assembly C
also moves relative to the corrals 30a, 30b and relative to the base assembly A. Because the back platform 42 is rotatably attached to the top of the lumbar platform 44, the back platform 42 moves when the lumbar platform 44 moves. When the lumbar platform moves up or down, the back platform 42 also moves up or down. As the back platform moves up or down, it can also move across the freely rotating rear roller 26.
Similarly, because the seat platform 46 is rotatably attached to the bottom of the lumbar platform 44, the seat platform 46 moves when the lumbar platform 44 moves.
When the lumbar platform 46 moves forward or backward, the seat platform 46 also moves forward or backward. As the seat platform moves forward or backward, it moves across the rotating front roller 24.
The body support platform assembly B can be moved from a generally upright position as shown in FIG. 1 to a reclined position as shown is FIG. 4. In FIG. 1 the roller support assembly B is in the forward position while in FIG. 4, the roller support assembly B is in the rearward position. AS a result of the geometry and dynamic relationship between the roller support assembly CA 02202~96 1997-04-14 B and the body support platform assembly C, the body support platform assembly B remains stable throughout the range of forward or rearward positions of the roller support assembly B. This allows a person to sit comfortably in the chair as the body support platform assembly C and the roller support assembly remain in a state of equilibrium. It is also possible for a person to sit in the chair with the axle floating freely within the corrals. This surprising and unexpected advantage is caused by the effect of friction acting upon the roller support assembly B, which acts as a fulcrum. If desired, the position of the roller support assembly B can be fixed by securing the control handle or other retaining means on the control rod 28 (Shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5). The angular position of the control rod is shown as ~ in FIGS. 1 and 4.
When the body support platform assembly C is in an inclined position as shown in FIG. 4, the body support platform assembly C can move dynamically with the corresponding motion of the roller support assembly B.
Regardless of whether or not the roller support assembly B is secured, the body support platform assembly C can move relative to the movement of the axle 32 within the corrals 30a, 30b. In FIG. 6 the lumbar platform 44 is CA 02202~96 1997-04-14 shown in an upward, flexed position relative to the corrals 30a, 30b. The lumbar platform 44 can be placed in the upward, flexed position by the person who is sitting in the chair by extending their back when they are inclined on the body support platform C. If the person sitting in the chair continues to arch their back, they can create an extreme reverse angle between the lumbar platform 44 and the back platform 42 as shown as back platform assembly C in position G in FIG. 5. This extreme reverse angle can be effective to isolate, sooth and relax sore, fatigued or cramped muscles in a person's back while sitting or reclining in the chair.
As the lumbar platform 44 extends upward relative to the corrals 30a, 30b, a reverse angle is formed between the back platform 42 and the seat platform 46 as shown in FIG. 6. Wide ranges of angles can be formed between the interconnected back platform 42, lumbar platform 44 and seat platform 46. The variation in possible angles creates a very effective mechanism for stretching, strengthening and relieving tension in back muscles. In FIG. 5, for example the body support platform C is shown in the inclined position as I when the axle 32 and lumbar platform 44 are positioned at the bottom of the corrals 30a, 30b. As the axle 32 and lumbar platform 44 are moved CA 02202~96 1997-04-14 upward within the corrals 30a, 30b, the body platform C
forms a generally flat profile illustrated as position H.
Position G shows the bent, reverse angle configuration of the body support platform assembly B when the axle 32 and lumbar platform 44 are positioned at the top of the corrals 30a, 30b and the back platform 92 is moved forward along the rear roller 26 (also refer to FIG. 7) .
The back platform 42 can also be moved forward and backward to increase the changing angle between the back platform 42 and the lumbar platform 44. This rocking motion and variation in angle between the back platform 42 and lumbar platform 44 creates a soothing, stretching effect on the back muscles.
The operation of the embodiment illustrated in FIG.
9 is similar to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-7.
Instead of moving freely within the confines of annular corrals 30a, 30b, the axle 32 moves about the motion of the upper portion of the spring member 60. Because the axle 32 does not contact the inner edges of the corrals 30a, 30b, the body support platform assembly C feels as if it is suspended freely by the spring member 60.
Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept herein taught, and because many modifications may be made in the CA 02202~96 1997-04-14 embodiments herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The inventor also foresees applications for the mechanism including, but not limited to: passenger seating, beds, and specialty medical equipment such as wheelchairs, examination tables and the like.

Claims (15)

1. A multiple direction, reclining and stretching chair comprising:
a.a base structure, a body platform and a contact support structure;
b.said contact support structure having at least two contact members positioned substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of said contact support structure;
c.said body platform having at least two interconnecting planar members;
d.an axle member having two ends extending transverse to and substantially attached to at least one of said planar members, said axle member extending beyond at least one edge of said at least one planar member;
e.said body platform being positioned on said at least two contact members wherein said two contact members substantially engage said at least two planar members and said contact support being positioned between said body platform and said base structure;
f.said base structure having at least two side members wherein at least one of said side members has a corral defined by an annulus therein;
g.at least one end of said axle member extends into the corral of said at least one side member of said base;
h.wherein the minimum distance measured across the annulus of said at least one corral is at least approximately one and one-half times the diameter of said axle member, whereby said axle is free to move within said corral in a vertical and a horizontal direction, resulting in relatively free motion between said body platform and said base.

2. A multiple direction, reclining and stretching chair as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said wall members of said base includes a corral therein and wherein each end of said axle extends into each of said corrals.

3. A multiple direction, reclining and stretching chair as claimed in claim 1 wherein said corrals extend through the entire thickness of said at least two side members.

4. A multiple direction, reclining and stretching chair as claimed in claim 1 wherein said contact members are substantially cylindrically shaped rollers.

5. The multiple direction, reclining and stretching chair as claimed in claim 1 wherein said contact support pivots relative to said base structure about a pivot member, said pivot member has at least two ends that extend to either side of said contact support structure and is substantially attached to said base structure.

6. The multiple direction, reclining and stretching chair as claimed in claim 1 wherein said contact support structure comprises at least one arcuate member having an outer edge about the periphery of said arcuate member and wherein said outer edge contacts a substantially horizontal member extending between said at least two side members of said base whereby said contact support structure rocks relative to said base structure.

7. The multiple direction, reclining and stretching chair as claimed in claim 5 wherein an adjustment means is formed on a portion of said side walls of said base whereby said adjustment means can selectively adjust the position of said contact support structure relative to said base structure.

8. A rocking, reclining and stretching chair as claimed in claim 1 wherein said articulated body platform is covered with a resilient material substantially about the planar surface thereof.

9. A rocking, reclining and stretching chair comprising:
a. a base structure, a contact support structure and an articulated body support platform;

b.said contact support structure having at least two contact means for engaging said articulated body platform;
c.said articulated body support platform having an axle member rotatably attached to said body support platform;
d.said base structure having at least two vertical wall members, each of said wall members having a corral means for controlling the overall movement of said axle member;
e.said axle member having at least two ends wherein each of said ends extends into an opening in each of said corrals means, thereby allowing said axle and said body platform to move relative to the openings in said corral means.

10. A rocking, reclining and stretching chair as claimed in claim 9 wherein said contact means are substantially cylindrically shaped rollers.

11. A rocking, reclining and stretching chair as claimed in claim 9 wherein said contact support structure is connected to a pivot means for allowing said roller support structure to pivot forward and rearward relative to said base structure.

12. A rocking, reclining and stretching chair as claimed in claim 11 wherein said base includes an adjustment means on at least one of said walls for selectively securing said roller support structure within said base.

13. A rocking, reclining and stretching chair as claimed in claim 9 wherein said articulated body platform is covered with a resilient material substantially about the planar surface thereof.

14. A rocking, reclining and stretching chair as claimed in claim 9 wherein said articulated body support platform includes multiple platforms, each of said multiple platforms having an adjustable tensioning means whereby the angular position between each of said multiple platforms can be selectively changed.

15. A multiple direction, reclining and stretching chair comprising:
a. a base structure, a body platform and a contact support structure;

b.said contact support structure having at least two contact members positioned substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of said contact support structure;
c.said body platform having at least two interconnecting planar members;
d.an axle member having two ends extending transverse to and substantially attached to at least one of said planar members, said axle member extending beyond at least one edge of said at least one planar member;
e.said body platform being positioned on said at least two contact members wherein said two contact members substantially engage said at least two planar members and said contact support being positioned between said body platform and said base structure;
f.said base structure including a resilient spring member removably attached to said axle member and said base member wherein said spring member allows said axle to move about a predefined area.