CA2239650A1 - Extendable seat - Google Patents
Extendable seat Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2239650A1 CA2239650A1 CA 2239650 CA2239650A CA2239650A1 CA 2239650 A1 CA2239650 A1 CA 2239650A1 CA 2239650 CA2239650 CA 2239650 CA 2239650 A CA2239650 A CA 2239650A CA 2239650 A1 CA2239650 A1 CA 2239650A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- seat
- seat pan
- preferred
- cushion
- extendable
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C1/00—Chairs adapted for special purposes
- A47C1/02—Reclining or easy chairs
- A47C1/022—Reclining or easy chairs having independently-adjustable supporting parts
- A47C1/023—Reclining or easy chairs having independently-adjustable supporting parts the parts being horizontally-adjustable seats ; Expandable seats or the like, e.g. seats with horizontally adjustable parts
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Dentistry (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Chair Legs, Seat Parts, And Backrests (AREA)
- Chairs For Special Purposes, Such As Reclining Chairs (AREA)
Description
Title: EXTENDABLE SEAT
Applicant: Keilhauer Industries Limited Inventor: Ron J. Keilhauer BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention This invention relates to a seat, and in particular, to an extendable seat for a chair.
Description of the Prior Art ~o Chairs with adjustable seat portions are well known, especially in the field of office furniture. An office environment, where the user sits in the same position for many hours, requires a chair which is comfortable and encourages a healthy posture. Chairs which do not encourage healthy posture may lead to various health problems for the user, such as back or neck pain. Accordingly, office chairs are often provided with seats which are adjustable and correspond to the position of the user's buttocks and thighs. One of the ways these prior art chairs may be adjusted, is by horizontally translating the seat closer to or further from the back support in a generally perpendicular direction therefrom, in order to provide optimal support for the upper legs (up to the knee) of the user.
However, adjusting a seat in this manner may affect the posture of the user by 2o forcing his/her buttocks further away from the back of the chair.
Accordingly, there is a need for a chair with a seat, where the area beneath the buttocks does not move in a direction perpendicular to the back in order to maintain a desirable posture, and yet is able to adjust in length to accommodate varying leg lengths.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide an extendable seat which does not change shape or position beneath the buttocks of a user, but which can be lengthened or shortened to provide support for the upper legs up to the back of the knees.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, the preferred embodiment thereof will now be described in detail by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an extendable seat cushion according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the seat cushion of the preferred embodiment in the extended position;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a support assembly and an actuating assembly of ~5 the preferred embodiment;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the support and actuating assemblies of the preferred embodiment showing the hidden lines;
Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a support assembly and an actuating assembly of the preferred embodiment;
2o Fig. 6 is a schematic view of the actuating assembly of the preferred embodiment showing the seat in the unextended position; and Fig. 7 is a schematic view of the actuating assembly of the preferred embodiment showing the seat in the extended position.
Applicant: Keilhauer Industries Limited Inventor: Ron J. Keilhauer BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention This invention relates to a seat, and in particular, to an extendable seat for a chair.
Description of the Prior Art ~o Chairs with adjustable seat portions are well known, especially in the field of office furniture. An office environment, where the user sits in the same position for many hours, requires a chair which is comfortable and encourages a healthy posture. Chairs which do not encourage healthy posture may lead to various health problems for the user, such as back or neck pain. Accordingly, office chairs are often provided with seats which are adjustable and correspond to the position of the user's buttocks and thighs. One of the ways these prior art chairs may be adjusted, is by horizontally translating the seat closer to or further from the back support in a generally perpendicular direction therefrom, in order to provide optimal support for the upper legs (up to the knee) of the user.
However, adjusting a seat in this manner may affect the posture of the user by 2o forcing his/her buttocks further away from the back of the chair.
Accordingly, there is a need for a chair with a seat, where the area beneath the buttocks does not move in a direction perpendicular to the back in order to maintain a desirable posture, and yet is able to adjust in length to accommodate varying leg lengths.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide an extendable seat which does not change shape or position beneath the buttocks of a user, but which can be lengthened or shortened to provide support for the upper legs up to the back of the knees.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, the preferred embodiment thereof will now be described in detail by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an extendable seat cushion according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the seat cushion of the preferred embodiment in the extended position;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a support assembly and an actuating assembly of ~5 the preferred embodiment;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the support and actuating assemblies of the preferred embodiment showing the hidden lines;
Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a support assembly and an actuating assembly of the preferred embodiment;
2o Fig. 6 is a schematic view of the actuating assembly of the preferred embodiment showing the seat in the unextended position; and Fig. 7 is a schematic view of the actuating assembly of the preferred embodiment showing the seat in the extended position.
-2-DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Figs. 1 and 2 show the extendable seat cushion 1, which is made from any suitable resilient and expandable material, such as an expandable foam.
Preferably, the foam s is a conventional two-component urethane foam, such as a non-CFC producing flexible polyurethane, based on a polyol blend and diphenylmethane. This foam is commonly referred to as MDI foam.
As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the cushion 1 includes, at least a first portion 2 adjacent to the back of the chair (not shown), which is preferably fixed in the horizontal direction. The cushion also includes an extendable and preferably integral second portion 3 located forward of the first portion. The first portion is preferably formed to conform to the shape of a users buttock and legs in order to promote proper posture.
Referring again to Figs. 1 and 2, the second portion includes an extending section 4 which has a plurality of transverse slits 5 cut through the entire thickness of the ~5 cushion. The slits are preferably formed by a conventional cutting die and are preferably arranged in rows. The actual number of rows of slits can vary depending on the size of the seat, but is preferably an even number. The location, shape, and orientation of the slits 5 preferably allows the foam to be extended only within the extending section 4 of the second portion 3. Preferably, an integral front section 6, which is moved by the extending section, but 2o which does not include the slits, is positioned forward of the first section.
The cushion 1 may be supported by any suitable support assembly. Figures 3-5 show a preferred support assembly. A first seat pan 10 is secured to the first portion 2 of the cushion 1 (shown in Figs. 1 and 2) by any conventional means, such as an adhesive. The first
Figs. 1 and 2 show the extendable seat cushion 1, which is made from any suitable resilient and expandable material, such as an expandable foam.
Preferably, the foam s is a conventional two-component urethane foam, such as a non-CFC producing flexible polyurethane, based on a polyol blend and diphenylmethane. This foam is commonly referred to as MDI foam.
As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the cushion 1 includes, at least a first portion 2 adjacent to the back of the chair (not shown), which is preferably fixed in the horizontal direction. The cushion also includes an extendable and preferably integral second portion 3 located forward of the first portion. The first portion is preferably formed to conform to the shape of a users buttock and legs in order to promote proper posture.
Referring again to Figs. 1 and 2, the second portion includes an extending section 4 which has a plurality of transverse slits 5 cut through the entire thickness of the ~5 cushion. The slits are preferably formed by a conventional cutting die and are preferably arranged in rows. The actual number of rows of slits can vary depending on the size of the seat, but is preferably an even number. The location, shape, and orientation of the slits 5 preferably allows the foam to be extended only within the extending section 4 of the second portion 3. Preferably, an integral front section 6, which is moved by the extending section, but 2o which does not include the slits, is positioned forward of the first section.
The cushion 1 may be supported by any suitable support assembly. Figures 3-5 show a preferred support assembly. A first seat pan 10 is secured to the first portion 2 of the cushion 1 (shown in Figs. 1 and 2) by any conventional means, such as an adhesive. The first
-3-seat pan is preferably fixed in the horizontal direction. Two longitudinally running roller bearing rails 11 are secured to a recessed front portion 12 of the first seat pan by screws. A second seat pan 13 is secured to the front section 6 of the second portion 3 (shown in Figs. 1 and 2) by any conventional means, such as screws. The second seat pan is slidably received within the s recessed front portion of the first seat pan. Two longitudinally running sliding members 14 are received within the rails, and are secured to the underside of the second seat pan by screws.
The seat pans can be made from any suitable material such as, for example, a hard plastic or wood.
The cushion 1 may be extended by any suitable actuating structure. Figures 5-7 show a preferred actuating structure. A first end 20 of an L-shaped lever 21 is pivotally connected to the first seat pan 10 by any suitable means, such as a pin. A
vertex 22 of the lever is secured to the second seat pan 13 by a bolt 34. A second end 23 of the lever is pinned to a slide block 24 by a slide pivot pin 25. A channel 26 is defined in the slide block, in which a threaded slide nut 27 is secured. A correspondingly threaded rod 28 is received within the nut ~s and is positioned in the channel. The threaded rod projects transversely from the side of the second seat pan 13 through a an opening 29. An adjustment knob 30 is secured to the projecting end of the threaded rod by a knob locking pin 31. A lock washer 32 is secured within a groove 33 defined in the threaded rod. The lock washer abuts against the edge of the opening 29 in the side of the second seat pan 13.
2o Figures 1, 3, and 4 show the seat in the unextended position. The second seat pan 13 is fully received within the recessed portion 12 of the first seat pan 10 such that the second seat pan abuts and is flush with a ridge 40. A user can extend the seat by rotating the adjustment knob 30 on the threaded rod 28. The threaded rod is prevented from transverse
The seat pans can be made from any suitable material such as, for example, a hard plastic or wood.
The cushion 1 may be extended by any suitable actuating structure. Figures 5-7 show a preferred actuating structure. A first end 20 of an L-shaped lever 21 is pivotally connected to the first seat pan 10 by any suitable means, such as a pin. A
vertex 22 of the lever is secured to the second seat pan 13 by a bolt 34. A second end 23 of the lever is pinned to a slide block 24 by a slide pivot pin 25. A channel 26 is defined in the slide block, in which a threaded slide nut 27 is secured. A correspondingly threaded rod 28 is received within the nut ~s and is positioned in the channel. The threaded rod projects transversely from the side of the second seat pan 13 through a an opening 29. An adjustment knob 30 is secured to the projecting end of the threaded rod by a knob locking pin 31. A lock washer 32 is secured within a groove 33 defined in the threaded rod. The lock washer abuts against the edge of the opening 29 in the side of the second seat pan 13.
2o Figures 1, 3, and 4 show the seat in the unextended position. The second seat pan 13 is fully received within the recessed portion 12 of the first seat pan 10 such that the second seat pan abuts and is flush with a ridge 40. A user can extend the seat by rotating the adjustment knob 30 on the threaded rod 28. The threaded rod is prevented from transverse
-4-movement relative to the second seat pan 13 by the lock washer 32 (shown in Fig. 5) which abuts against the side of the second seat pan. The rotation of the threaded rod within the threaded slide nut 27 causes the slide block 24 to travel transversely along the threaded rod away from the side of the second seat pan 13. The movement of the slide block causes the s lever 21 to pivot, which in turn causes the sliding members 14 of the second seat pan to slide forward on the rails 11, and slide away from the first seat pan 10. The moving seat pan pulls the forward section 6 of the second portion 3 of the cushion 1 forward, causing the slits 5 in the extending section 4 to open, and the seat to extend.
Figures 2 and 7 show the seat in the extended position. The seat can be returned to the unextended position by rotating the adjustment knob 30 in the opposite direction, which reverses the process described above.
It will be appreciated that the above description relates to the preferred embodiment by way of example only. Many variations on the invention will be obvious to those knowledgeable in the field, and such obvious variations are within the scope of the invention, whether or not expressly described.
Figures 2 and 7 show the seat in the extended position. The seat can be returned to the unextended position by rotating the adjustment knob 30 in the opposite direction, which reverses the process described above.
It will be appreciated that the above description relates to the preferred embodiment by way of example only. Many variations on the invention will be obvious to those knowledgeable in the field, and such obvious variations are within the scope of the invention, whether or not expressly described.
-5-
Claims
Priority Applications (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2239650 CA2239650A1 (en) | 1998-06-04 | 1998-06-04 | Extendable seat |
| CA 2273709 CA2273709A1 (en) | 1998-06-04 | 1999-06-03 | Extendable seat |
| EP99650045A EP0962170A3 (en) | 1998-06-04 | 1999-06-03 | Extendable seat |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2239650 CA2239650A1 (en) | 1998-06-04 | 1998-06-04 | Extendable seat |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2239650A1 true CA2239650A1 (en) | 1999-12-04 |
Family
ID=4162517
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2239650 Abandoned CA2239650A1 (en) | 1998-06-04 | 1998-06-04 | Extendable seat |
| CA 2273709 Abandoned CA2273709A1 (en) | 1998-06-04 | 1999-06-03 | Extendable seat |
Family Applications After (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2273709 Abandoned CA2273709A1 (en) | 1998-06-04 | 1999-06-03 | Extendable seat |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0962170A3 (en) |
| CA (2) | CA2239650A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE10038414A1 (en) * | 2000-08-07 | 2002-02-21 | Dauphin Friedrich W Gmbh | Chair with seat whose height can be adjusted has cushion which is attached at back to seat support and which overlaps it at front, front edge of cushion being fixed to underside of support |
| DE10048898A1 (en) * | 2000-10-02 | 2002-05-08 | Stoll Sedus Ag | Chair with adjustable seat-depth has rigid support plate, upholstered plate, with flexible part, side guide tracks, ridges, tenon blocks and domes. |
| DE10249335A1 (en) * | 2002-10-22 | 2004-05-06 | Interstuhl Büromöbel GmbH & Co. KG | Device for adjusting the seat depth of a chair |
| DE102007041222A1 (en) | 2007-08-31 | 2009-03-05 | Lear Corp., Southfield | Vehicle seat composite frame |
| DE102008004121B4 (en) * | 2008-01-11 | 2011-04-14 | Johnson Controls Gmbh | Vehicle seat with a seat-depth-adjustable seat part and method for seat depth adjustment of a vehicle seat |
| US8991921B2 (en) | 2012-07-20 | 2015-03-31 | Steelcase Inc. | Seating unit with seat position and depth adjustment assembly |
| US9902293B2 (en) | 2013-01-24 | 2018-02-27 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Independent cushion extension with optimized leg-splay angle |
| US11319075B1 (en) * | 2021-03-10 | 2022-05-03 | B/E Aerospace, Inc. | Compressible cushion for an aircraft seat |
| DE102021116551A1 (en) | 2021-06-25 | 2022-12-29 | Grammer Aktiengesellschaft | Vehicle seat with seat depth adjustment |
| DE102021124331A1 (en) | 2021-09-21 | 2023-03-23 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft | Seat device for a vehicle and vehicle with such a seat device |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE3631872C1 (en) | 1986-09-19 | 1987-10-01 | Daimler Benz Ag | Vehicle seat |
| US4915447A (en) * | 1989-03-13 | 1990-04-10 | Sears Manufacturing Company | Vehicle seat with adjustable thigh support |
| US5370444A (en) | 1992-09-11 | 1994-12-06 | Sears Manufacturing Company | Adjustable cushion |
-
1998
- 1998-06-04 CA CA 2239650 patent/CA2239650A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
1999
- 1999-06-03 EP EP99650045A patent/EP0962170A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1999-06-03 CA CA 2273709 patent/CA2273709A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0962170A2 (en) | 1999-12-08 |
| CA2273709A1 (en) | 1999-12-04 |
| EP0962170A3 (en) | 2001-02-07 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |