CA2239737A1

CA2239737A1 - Multi-position recliner chair

Info

Publication number: CA2239737A1
Application number: CA002239737A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Howard L. Loewenthal
Original assignee: Invacare Corp
Current assignee: Invacare Corp
Priority date: 1997-10-06
Filing date: 1998-06-05
Publication date: 1999-04-06
Also published as: EP0908163A2; EP0908163A3

Abstract

An attended chair may include a recline or tilt arrangement by which gas cylinders disposed beneath the seat allow the seat back to recline relative to the seat or permit the seat back and seat to tilt as a unit relative to the frame. The chair has a simplified construction including a generally U-shaped, open center rigid frame spanned by a series of straps. In one version of the chair, the straps may be individually adjusted for comfort of the user.
Additionally, an open-pore liner having a pocket configuration is received over the frame and straps, and, likewise, an upholstery portion is slipped over the frame in the same fashion. A rigid seat pan accommodates a customized seat cushion and cooperates with an extendable leg rest that is pivotally mounted to the front edge of the seat. Clothing guards are provided beneath arm rests, which in selected embodiments may also be selectively raised and lowered relative to the frame as desired.

Description

CA 02239737 1998-06-0~

MULTI-POSITION RECLINER CHAIR

Background of the Invention This application is directed to a chair that is preferably used as (I) a standard chair, (ii) a recliner in which a seat back pivots relative to a seat, (iii) a tilt chair where the seat and seat back pivot as an integral unit relative to the frame, or (iv) a chair that includes both tilt and recline functions. These various types of chairs are desired for use in an institutional setting such as a health care facility, nursing home, or the like. The chair typically includes small diameter caster wheels that allow the occupant to remain seated in the chair while being transported from one location to another.
An increasing emphasis on rising health care costs demands that these chairs be manufactured and sold with a variety of options and at a low cost. Thus, continuing development seeks a less expensive chair that still offers all of the comforts and benefits of prior arrangements, or additional advantages that allow the chair to be manufactured in a variety of styles by using a large number of identical structural components.
Comfort to the user/patient is a primary concern.
The user often spends extended periods of time in these chairs so that the chair must be adapted to different uses CA 02239737 1998-06-0~

and long-term comfort. Although the prior art has presented a number of different chair configurations, there is still a demand for a simple, economical product that is easily serviced or maintained, is durable, offers a wide variety of options, and is comfortable to use.
The present invention is deemed to meet all of these objectives by providing a new and improved chair that can recline, tilt, include an ottoman or leg rest, and be easily transported -- all in an economical manner.

Summary of the Invention According to a more limited aspect of the invention, a seat back of the chair has an open-center, generally U-shaped frame over which a breathable liner extends for supporting the user.
According to another aspect of the invention, the liner may be adjusted for altering the tension. In a preferred embodiment, straps secure the liner to the chair and the straps may be individually adjusted by through a closable opening in the upholstery.
According to another aspect of the invention, the seat includes a rigid pan adapted to receive a custom cushion beneath the upholstery.
According to another aspect of the invention, guards are provided beneath the arm rests, which may be CA 02239737 1998-06-0~

adjustable, and the guards aid in supporting the user in a lateral direction and prevent clothing from interfering with the reclining and tilt mechanisms.
A principal advantage of the invention is the provision of a comfortable recliner that is easily and economically manufactured and provides a number of beneficial features.
Yet another advantage is the breathability of the chair material which provides ventilation to the user.
Still another advantage of the invention resides in the adjustability of the chair to the individual user.
Still other advantages and benefits of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed description.

srief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment.
Figure 2 is an elevational view of the chair in an upright position with the ottoman extended and tilt and recline positions of the chair being illustrated in phantom.
Figures 3A-3D are partial elevational views illustrating closed to full open posltions of the leg rest.
Figure 4A is an exploded perspective view of the individual components of the seat back.

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Figure 4s is a perspective view of an alternative tensioned liner that may be used in the seat back.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the seat and leg rest, with a leg rest liner shown in a disassembled position.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of an arm rest particularly showing the adjustable nature thereof.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of the chair showing the use of various bolsters with the chair.
Figure 8 is a view of a rear of the seat back illustrating the mounting assembly for storing the tray.

.Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Reference may be made to the drawings, the showings of which are for illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention only and not intended to limit the scope of the invention. More particularly, the Figures show a chair A
that may selectively reclined or tilted and a leg rest selectively extended as desired. Other models of this chair, though, do not employ all of these features and instead may include only selected ones.
Turning first to Figures 1 and 2, the chair A
includes a seat 10 and a seat back 12 received on a generally rigid frame 14. The frame, for example, is a metal tubular construction defined by a pair of mirror-image side frame assemblies 16, 18 that are interconnected by cross members 20. Front and rear portions of the side frame assemblies include small diameter wheels, preferably caster wheels 30, CA 02239737 1998-06-0~

32, that can rotate through 360~. In a preferred arrangement, the front caster wheels 30 include a steering locking member 34 so that the casters can be locked against rotation about a vertical axis. The rear caster wheels 32, on the other hand, preferably have a brake locking member 36 associated therewith so that an attendant can use his foot to selectively depress member 36 and lock the rear wheels against rotation. It will be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to wheels that may be selectively locked for braking or steering purposes.
Arm rests 40 extend from the side frame assemblies on opposite sides of the seat 10. As will be appreciated, the arm rests are identical in structure so that description of one is applicable to the other, unless particularly noted otherwise. In one embodiment (not shown), the arm rests are fixed structures that form an integral part of the side frame assemblies. In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, each arm rest includes a pair of posts 42 that are telescopically received within upstanding sleeves formed on the side frame assemblies 16, 18. With additional reference to Figure 6, it is evident that each post 42 includes a series of spaced openings 44 that advantageously allow for selective height adjustment of the arm rest relative to the frame. An arm rest release lever 46 is provided on one of the sleeves of each side frame assembly and the lever extends through one of the adjustment openings 44 in the post to lock the arm rest at a desired height. By CA 02239737 1998-06-0~

releasing the lever, the height of the arm rest can be selectively raised and lowered as desired.
Figure 2 illustrates the reclining and tilt features associated with the chair. As will become more evident below, the tilt and recline features may be provided as options to a standard chair (i.e. one in which the seat and seat back are in a fixed, upright relationship) either individually or in combination. Particularly, a pair of release handles 50a, 50b are mounted on a push bar 52 secured to the seat back 12. The push bar 52 is a separate component bolted on to the seat back frame that allows an attendant to easily push and maneuver the chair, a feature that is notably lacking in many prior art arrangements. Associated with each handle 50 is a cable or wire that extends to an expansible chamber device, such as a gas cylinder 54, 56, disposed beneath the seat. The cylinders are of conventional structure and are schematically represented in Figure 2.
The.first cylinder 54 is used with the reclining function of the chair. Particularly, a first end 54a of the cylinder is mounted to a bracket associated with a lower end of the seat back 12. A second end 54b of the cylinder is secured to a bracket preferably located underneath the seat 10 adjacent the front edge thereof. The cylinder counterbalances the weight associated with the occupant so that an attendant can easily recline the seat back relative to the seat merely by actuating the handle 50a.

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The second cylinder 56 includes a first end 56a secured to a bracket that extends from underneath a rear portion of the seat 10. A second end 56b is secured to a bracket associated with the frame, for example, a cross member 20. By operating the release handle 50b associated with the tilt mechanism, the combined seat and seat back are free to tilt as a unit relative to the frame to a desired position. As will be understood, the recline position, i.e., the relative position between the seat back and seat, may remain fixed during the tilting action. By providing separate release handles for the recline and tilt features, an attendant can position the seated occupant in any one of a number of comfortable positions. Thus, the chair is available in different models that have no tilt nor recline operations, only one of these functions, or both.
Figures 3A-3D illustrate operation of a leg rest or ottoman 60 associated with the chair. The leg rest 60 is pivotally connected to a bracket 62 depending downwardly from and disposed under a front edge of the seat. By securing the leg rest to the bracket 62, the leg rest travels with the seat throughout its range of tilting movement. A series of links work together as a scissors-type assembly 64 to selectively extend and retract the leg rest between a storage position (Fig. 3A), a one-quarter open position (Fig. 3B), a three-quarter open position (Fig. 3C), and a fully open position (Fig. 3D). The scissors-type geometry of the linkage assembly effects a constant chord length across the ottoman that keeps the upholstery tensioned, i.e., the CA 02239737 1998-06-0~

upholstery does not sag, when the mechanism is selectively extended. Reference may also be made to Figure 5 which illustrates the linkage assembly 64 in greater detail. It includes a ratchet-type slot 66 at an end of the linkage assembly opposite that of actuating handle 68 to provide discrete, selective extension to the positions shown in Figures 3A-3D.
Figure 4A shows the preferred seat back construction in which a generally U-shaped frame 80 having an open center is used. Particularly, the rigid frame 80 includes first and second side portions 82, 84 that are interconnected at a first or upper end by upper frame portion 86. Preferably, the frame portions are integrally formed from a single component that is bent in the designed configuration. Alternatively, structural separate elements could be secured together to define, in combination, a generally U-shaped rigid frame that has an open center. The frame 80 is also preferably closed at its second or lower end by a cross member 88 for strength purposes. Moreover, as best illustrated in Figure 4, the U-shaped member has a contoured portion that provides an angle or slope to the seat back for comfort.
Received over the rigid frame is a tensioned, open pore or mesh liner 92. The liner has a generally planar first or front portion and a second or rear portion that are interconnected along three peripheral edges of the rectangular conformation to define a pocket structure. This CA 02239737 1998-06-0~

pocket structure permits the liner to be easily slid over the frame and straps in a direction from the frame portion 86 toward the cross member 88. Hand straps 94 are provided adjacent the open base of the liner to facilitate advancing the liner over the seat back frame.
The liner provides breathability to the chair, allowing air circulation to the user in a manner akin to a rope hammock. The breathable nature of the liner is particularly desired when used in conjunction with a breathable upholstery, since it adds an additional aspect of comfort heretofore unavailable in chairs of this type. The tensioned liner, though, still provides a comfortable surface without using foam that distributes the weight of the user over the entire surface and eliminates pressure points. In an alternative configuration, the liner includes straps 96 that may be individually adjusted to alter the tension of the liner (Figure 4B).
An upholstery portion 98 has a similar configuration to that of the liner. That is, planar front and rear portions are connected along three edges to define a pocket configuration that is easily slid over the top of the frame and urged toward the cross member 88. Any suitable upholstery material can be used and it is preferably formed of a breathable material to take advantage of the breathable tensioned liner. Alternatively, the upholstery includes padding incorporated into the front portion to provide a cushioning effect for the user.

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The upholstered member 98 also includes a closable opening 100 that can be used in conjunction with the alternative liner of Figure 4B. The opening 100 provides selective access to the straps for desired adjustment, i.e., tightening or loosening of the individual straps, to alter the firmness at selected locations along the seat back without having to remove the seat back from the chair.
A pair of openings 102a, 102b are also provided in the rear face of the upholstery. The openings 102a, 102b receive cables associated with the tilt and recline cylinders. That is, the individual wires extend from the actuating handles 50a, 50b, through the openings 102a, 102b, respectively, beneath the remainder of the upholstery and exit the open base end of the upholstery before proceeding to the cylinders mounted beneath the seat.
Details of the seat are shown in Figure 5. The seat includes a rigid pan, such as a planar metal pan 110 having upturned edges, that defines a shallow cavity. The cavity is adapted to receive a custom cushion 112, such as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,513,899. Because an occupant may spend extended periods of time in the chair, incorporating a custom cushion into the chair is preferred.
Moreover, with this structural arrangement, the upholstery for the seat and leg rest is easily received over the cushion 112 and leg rest 60 as one continuous piece 114. Thus, the upholstery can be quickly removed from the seat and a different cushion placed on the pan 110.

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Just as the seat back has a breathable liner, the leg rest also includes a tensioned open pore or mesh liner 116. The liner is received over a generally U-shaped leg rest frame 118 prior to positioning the upholstery over the seat and leg rest. The tensioned nature of the liner provides sufficient support for the open center leg rest frame and the breathable material used for the liner and the upholstery provides a comfortable chair for the user.
Occasionally, users of these types of chairs require additional, specialized pads or supports. As mentioned above, the custom seat cushion accommodates some of these concerns. However, there is also a need for additional pads or bolsters with some chair users. Representative bolsters are shown in Figure 7, such as a head bolster 120 that may be filled with a foam or styrene bead material.
Straps 122 secure the head bolster to the seat back.
Similarly, a body bolster 124 includes straps 126 that uses a hook and loop-type fastener to secure the body bolster to the seat back. In addition, pelvic bolsters 128 may be required for other users. These bolsters are typically situated adjacent rear portions of the arm rests. Thus, and for reasons to be described further below, a guard is provided beneath each arm rest to maintain adequate support for the bolsters.
The guards or clothing guards 130 are preferably secured to the underside of the adjustable arm rests and extend in a vertical plane between the seat and side frame assemblies. As will be appreciated, the guards may be formed CA 02239737 1998-06-0~

of a material such as plastic sheet that prevents the user's clothing from falling beneath the seat and inadvertently becoming tangled in the recline and tilt mechanism. Since the guards are secured to the underside of the adjustable arm rests, the clothing guard must be sized to accommodate the various heights of the arm rests. It is also envisioned that the guards extend rearwardly a sufficient amount so that if the seat back is reclined or the seat is tilted relative to the frame in the different styles of chairs, clothing still is maintained inboard of the seat and cannot pass between the seat/seat back and the clothing guard.
Figure 8 illustrates a mounting assembly for storing a tray. Trays are typically provided with these types of chairs, again, for the convenience of the user. The details of the tray and its connection to the underside of the arm rests is well known in the art so that further discussion is deemed unnecessary. The mounting assembly includes a bracket 140 secured to cross member 88 of the seat back frame. The bracket has a free end 142 that pivots outwardly so that the tray is received between the bracket and the seat back. Additionally, an adjustable support strap 144 having an adjustable buckle 146 is provided adjacent the push handle to secure an upper portion of the tray against the seat back.
Still another feature associated with the chair is the swaged ends 150 of the push handle. The handle ends have a reduced cross-section that allows a conventional grip to be pushed onto the handle from either end. This eliminates the CA 02239737 1998-06-0~

need to provide a telescoping assembly defined by cooperating tubular portions that is often used for the push handle.
Moreover, the individual grips have an ergonomic effect of suggesting proper placement of the hands on the grip, as opposed to a grip that extends over the entire length of the push handle.
The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of the specification. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims and the equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. In an institutional recliner chair having a seat and seat back connected thereto, the seat back comprising:
an open-centered substantially U-shaped frame including first and second side frame portions and an interconnecting top frame portion; and a tensioned breathable material spanning the open-centered frame between the side frame portions; and

2. The chair of claim 1 wherein the material has a front and back layer secured along opposite edges and along the top to define an open bottom assembly that can be slipped over the seat back.

3. The chair of claim 1 wherein the breathable material includes a mesh liner and a back upholstery having front and rear portions that are secured along opposite edges and along the top to define an open bottom assembly that can be slipped over the frame and the liner.

4. The chair of claim 1 further comprising straps secured to opposite edges of the material for individual adjustment to vary the tension thereof for desired comfort of a user.

5. The chair of claim 4 wherein the material includes an upholstery that has a selectively openable/closable region allowing access to the adjustable straps.

6. The chair of claim 1 wherein the upholstery includes a cushion member disposed on the front portion to provide comfort to the user and ease of maintenance.

7. An institutional chair comprising:
a frame;
a seat and a seat back connected to the frame;
adjustable height arm rests on opposite sides of the frame; and a guard extending below the arm rests adjacent the seat to contain clothing within the seat and defining a surface against which seating and positioning products can abut.

8. The chair of claim 7 wherein the guard is disposed in a substantially vertical plane and includes fasteners for securing the seating and positioning products thereto.

9. The chair of claim 7 further comprising an ottoman extending from the seat for selective extension and retraction via an actuation handle.

10. The chair of claim 7 further comprising a pair of front casters that swivel through 360° and each include a steering locking member for selectively locking the front casters from swiveling.

11. The chair of claim 7 further comprising a pair of rear casters each having a locking member for preventing rotation of the rear casters.

12. An institutional recliner chair comprising:
a frame including a substantially seat back portion having a substantially open-center conformation;
a seat mounted on the frame defined by a substantially rigid pan that receives a custom seat cushion insert; and a seat back pivotally mounted to the seat; and upholstery on the seat back and the seat.

13. The chair of claim 12 further comprising a reclining mechanism for selectively reclining the seat relative to the seat back.

14. The chair of claim 12 further comprising a tilt mechanism for selectively tilting the seat and seat back as a unit relative to the frame.

15. The chair of claim 14 further comprising a mesh liner received over the seat back frame and beneath the upholstery.

16. The chair of claim 15 wherein the mesh liner includes adjustable straps on opposite edges thereof for selectively changing the tension of the seat back and the upholstery includes an opening for allowing access to the tension of the straps.

17. The chair of claim 14 further comprising arm rests on opposite sides of the seat and a skirt guard disposed in a generally vertical plane beneath each arm rest for preventing clothing from interfering with the reclining chair and allowing seat positioning bolsters to be abutted thereagainst.

18. The chair of claim 14 further comprising arm rests on opposite sides of the seat that are adjustable relative to one of the frame and the seat.