CA2787734A1 - Gliding recliner armchair with footrest - Google Patents

Gliding recliner armchair with footrest Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2787734A1
CA2787734A1 CA2787734A CA2787734A CA2787734A1 CA 2787734 A1 CA2787734 A1 CA 2787734A1 CA 2787734 A CA2787734 A CA 2787734A CA 2787734 A CA2787734 A CA 2787734A CA 2787734 A1 CA2787734 A1 CA 2787734A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
gliding
footrest
armchair
backrest
base
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
Application number
CA2787734A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Patrice Pelletier
Gino Pelletier
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to CA2787734A priority Critical patent/CA2787734A1/en
Publication of CA2787734A1 publication Critical patent/CA2787734A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47CCHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C3/00Chairs characterised by structural features; Chairs or stools with rotatable or vertically-adjustable seats
    • A47C3/02Rocking chairs
    • A47C3/025Rocking chairs with seat, or seat and back-rest unit elastically or pivotally mounted in a rigid base frame
    • A47C3/0255Rocking chairs with seat, or seat and back-rest unit elastically or pivotally mounted in a rigid base frame pivotally mounted in the base frame, e.g. swings

Abstract

There is provided a gliding recliner armchair comprising a backrest and a footrest operable between a retracted position and an extended position, a seat extending between first and second vertical side frames, each frame being pivotally connected to a floor-standing base through connecting links, whereby gliding movement of the seat with respect to the base is enabled when the backrest and the footrest adopt any of said retracted position or extended position.

Description

Title: GLIDING RECLINER ARMCHAIR WITH FOOTREST
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the invention:
The present invention relates to glider armchairs, and more particularly contemplates a glider armchair provided with an interlocked backrest reclining and footrest deployment (extension) system that can be safely operated during gliding motion.
2. Brief description of the prior art:
Gliding armchairs have been in use for several years. There also exist armchairs provided with a system that enables synchronized backrest reclining and footrest extension. There are also a few known pieces of furniture integrating a gliding motion and a backrest reclining/footrest extension system. Special devices such as pantographic actuators manufactured by the company Leggett &
Platt, Incorporated (Carthage, MO) are specifically engineered to enable the synchronized motions of backrest reclining and footrest extension, but mounting such a device on glider armchair is challenging if one wishes to preserve safe and user friendly operation. Therefore, no armchair of the prior art allows the gliding action to take place while the backrest is operated in the reclined position and/or when a footrest is operated in the extended (usable) position. A
locking device locks the seat in a predetermined position and prevents gliding when the backrest/footrest system is operated in the extended position. However, it would represent a significant advance in the art if a glider armchair user could pursue the gliding action even though he (she) wishes to set the armchair in a position with a more reclined backrest and an extended footrest for optimal comfort.
There is thus a need for a novel glider armchair providing backrest reclining and footrest deployment (extension) functions operable without preventing gliding motion.
SUMMARY
More specifically, in accordance with the invention as broadly claimed, there is provided a gliding recliner armchair comprising a backrest and a footrest operable between a retracted position and an extended position, a seat extending between first and second vertical side frames, each frame being pivotally connected to a floor-standing base through connecting links, whereby gliding movement of the seat with respect to the base is enabled when the backrest and the footrest adopt any of said retracted position or extended position.
In accordance with a further aspect of the disclosure, the floor-standing base has floor-engaging portions defining a floor engaging planar perimeter having a longitudinal dimension in the direction of the gliding movement, and the normal projection on the perimeter plane of a center of gravity of a mass supported by the links in normal conditions of use lies within the perimeter and generally spaced from the perimeter by a distance of at least about 15% of the longitudinal dimension at any position of the gliding movement and the backrest/footrest.
In accordance with a further aspect of the disclosure, the normal projection on the perimeter plane of a center of a path followed by the center of gravity during gliding with the backrest and footrest in the extended position is substantially in alignment with the center of the longitudinal dimension. Preferably, the perimeter is circular, the longitudinal dimension is equal to the diameter of the perimeter, and the base further comprises a first circular floor-engaging base portion and a second pivoting base portion supporting the links and pivotally assembled at the center of the circular base to enable circular rotation of the armchair about an axis normal to perimeter plane:
As will become more apparent from reading of the following detailed description of an embodiment of the gliding recliner armchair in light of the accompanying drawings, the present invention overcomes the limitations and drawbacks of the prior art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figures la and lb are left side elevation views of a preferred embodiment of the gliding recliner armchair with backrest and footrest in a fully extended position and the gliding system (a) at a foremost position and (b) at a backmost position, with a typical user sitting;
Figures 2a and 2b are partial views of Figures 1 and 2 to better show a path of the center of gravity (chair and user) upon gliding movement between (a) the foremost position and (b) the backmost position;
Figures 3a and 3b are left side elevation views of a preferred embodiment of the gliding recliner armchair with backrest and footrest in a fully extended position and the gliding system (a) at the foremost position and (b) at the backmost position, with no user sitting;
Figures 4a and 4b are left side elevation views of a preferred embodiment of the gliding recliner armchair with backrest and footrest in a fully retracted position and the gliding system (a) at the foremost position and (b) at the backmost position, with a typical user sitting;
Figures 5a and 5b are left side elevation views of a preferred embodiment of the gliding recliner armchair with backrest and footrest in a fully retracted position and the gliding system (a) at the foremost position and (b) at the backmost position, with no user sitting;
Figures 6a and 6b are left side elevation views of a preferred embodiment of the gliding recliner armchair alone in a normal rest position, with backrest and footrest in (a) a fully retracted position and (b) a fully extended position;
Figures 7a to 7e show different views of a preferred embodiment of the gliding recliner armchair with backrest and footrest in an a fully retracted position: (a) left side view, (b) front elevation view, (c) detail of front view, (d) partial isometric view and (e) detail from partial isometric view;
Figures 8a and 8b respectively show a top view and a cross-sectional elevation view of a floor-engaging base according to the embodiment of the gliding recliner armchair of the present invention illustrated at Figure 7;
Figures 9a to 9d show different views of a pivoting base portion according to the embodiment of the gliding recliner armchair illustrated at Figure 7: (a) top side isometric view, (b) top view, (c) front elevation view and (d) cross-sectional view of the left side as viewed from line A-A of Figure 9c.
Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the various Figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A preferred embodiment of the gliding recliner armchair with footrest according to the present invention will now be described in detail referring to the appended drawings.
Referring to Figures 7a-7e, there is illustrated a gliding recliner armchair 100 comprising a seat 10 and backrest 12 assembly mounted on a pair of parallel spaced apart Leggett pantographic backrest/footrest actuators 40a-40b assembled on a cross member 22 extending between and connecting first 20a and second 20b vertical side frames together to form a seating assembly. The actuators enable reclining movement of the backrest synchronized with seat displacement with respect to frames 20a-20b (providing armrests) and extension of a footrest plate 41 (see Figures 1 to 6).
Each of side frames 20a-20b is pivotally connected to a floor-standing base 50 through connecting links 30a-30d to enable gliding movement of the seating assembly with respect to the base 50, as it is known in existing glider armchairs. Front links 30b and 30d are transversely connected together by a rod 31 and links 30a and 30c are transversely connected together by a rod 32 to ensure coordinated movement. The floor-standing base 50 comprises a pivoting base 51 (Figures 9a-9d) assembled on a floor-engaging circular base 58 for pivotal movement about a vertical axis (Figures 8a-8b).
Referring more specifically to Figures 9a-9d, the pivoting base 51 comprises a center post 52 assembled on a cross member 53 for pivotally engaging a bore 57 and bushing (not shown) provided at the center of circular base 58 and defining a pivot axis perpendicular to the plane of the floor-engaging perimeter 59 of the base, i.e. a generally vertical axis. Thereby, thanks to designed symmetry, the armchair 100 may be operated with equal benefits (reclining, gliding) in any radial orientation.
It is worth mentioning that unlike known gliding armchairs, links 30a-30d are mounted on the inside of the pivoting base 51 but outside of the pantographic actuators (between the actuators 40a-40b and the pivoting base 51).
This special feature enables the use of a relatively wider and more comfortable footrest plate 41 extending between the side frames 20a-20b without interfering with the base 51 during gliding when the footrest actuators 40a-40b are retracted.
At least one stop pin 54 (here, one is provided on each side) is provided to define a backmost position of gliding when links 30b and 30d abut thereon. Contact of links 30a-30b with cross member 53 acting as a stop member defines the foremost allowed position of gliding.

Referring to Figures la and lb, the armchair 100 is shown with a user sitting on it and with the actuators 40a-40b extended to provide reclined backrest 12 and deployed footrest 41. The representative user selected for stability studies is 6 foot tall and weights about 180 pounds. In Figure la, the armchair in shown in an attitude corresponding to the foremost position of the gliding movement and in Figure lb the armchair in shown in an attitude corresponding to the backmost position of the gliding movement. Vertical phantom lines are provided: Line C showing the center axis of the pivot shaft 52 and bore 57 supporting the pivoting base 51, line Pb being a normal projection of the backmost end of the floor-engaging perimeter 59 of base 58, and line Pf being a normal projection of the foremost end of the perimeter 59.
Figures 2a and 2b represent the same armchair critical positions but with a partial view to better show the path 90 followed by the center of gravity of the combination armchair+user during gliding. Therefore, Gf indicates the instant position of the center of gravity in the attitude of Figure la (foremost) and Gb indicates its position in the attitude of Figure lb (backmost).
These Figures show that by design, the center of the path 90 is substantially aligned with the center axis C
of the floor-engaging base 58. They further show that at any gliding position, the projection of the combined center of gravity along an axis normal to the plane of the floor-contacting perimeter 59 always falls within the perimeter delimited by lines Pf and Pb. Moreover, one may observe that the projections of Gf and Gb in these critical attitudes are still away from Pf or Pb by about 1/3 of the dimension L
separating these two perimeter limits (substantially equal to the diameter of circular base 58). Given the symmetry of the circular base 58, this holds true for any angular position of the armchair about the central axis C. A ratio higher than about 20% has been found by experience to provide sufficient stability. Therefore, it can be seen that the cross member 53 supporting the upper portion of the armchair 100 on the floor-engaging base 58 is not centered between pivoting points (ex.P1 and P2 on Fig. 9a) of links 30 on base 51 but is rather strategically positioned rearward to enable a stable and safe behaviour of the center of gravity.
Figures 3a and 3b show that without a user sitting on the armchair, the behaviour of the center of gravity of the armchair alone still remains within slightly different and even safer limits. This indicates that the presence of a user has minimal influence on the stability in this situation and that geometric properties and material selection of the armchair 100 would hold safe operation for a very wide range of anthropometric characteristics. For adequate rigidity of the armchair structure and proper balancing, all steel construction is preferred except for cushioning, seat and backrest suspension and cosmetic make up.
Figures 4a-4b and 5a-5b show that stability is also kept within a similar safety range when the footrest 41 and backrest 12 are set in the retracted position, with or without a user sitting. Actually, the most critical position a user may experience is with the footrest 41 retracted when reaching the foremost gliding position.
Still, the projection of Gf in Figure 4a remains inside the perimeter 59 and away from line Pf by about 17% of dimension L. This situation is considered acceptable by experience considering that forward tilting of the armchair doesn't occur without excessive forward projection of the user's body and the user may easily put his feet on the floor and stand up from his position. Therefore, the built-in safety factor is higher for the extended position and backmost gliding attitude since backward tilting theoretically presents a higher risk of injury.
The difference between the normal rest position of the armchair 100, with backrest 12 and footrest 41 in (a) a fully retracted position and (b) a fully extended position is shown at figures 6a and 6b. It can be seen that the reclining actuators 41 do not change the relative angle between the seat 10 and the backrest 12, but cause this assembly to slide and tilt in the backward direction. A user may perform the conversion simply by urging his back against the backrest while pushing forward on the frames 20a-20b and unfolding his legs. At rest, in either position, the center of gravity is very close to the center axis C of the pivot shaft 52 and naturally slightly forward in the reclined position.
One may therefore appreciate that the afore described embodiment of the gliding recliner armchair with footrest provides a safe, reliable and cost effective way of enabling gliding and backrest reclining/footrest deployment operable simultaneously in a same piece of furniture. Therefor, it can be seen that the armchair according to the present invention overcomes the limitations, drawbacks and shortcomings of the prior art devices.
Although the present invention has been described by means of a preferred embodiment thereof, it is contemplated that various modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the embodiment described be considered only as illustrative of the present invention and that the scope thereof should not be limited thereto but be determined by reference to the claims hereinafter provided and their equivalents.

Claims

I claim:
1) A gliding recliner armchair comprising a backrest and a footrest operable between a retracted position and an extended position, a seat extending between first and second vertical side frames, each frame being pivotally connected to a floor-standing base through connecting links, whereby gliding movement of the seat with respect to the base is enabled when the backrest and the footrest adopt any of said retracted position or extended position.
CA2787734A 2012-08-14 2012-08-14 Gliding recliner armchair with footrest Abandoned CA2787734A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA2787734A CA2787734A1 (en) 2012-08-14 2012-08-14 Gliding recliner armchair with footrest

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA2787734A CA2787734A1 (en) 2012-08-14 2012-08-14 Gliding recliner armchair with footrest

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2787734A1 true CA2787734A1 (en) 2014-02-14

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA2787734A Abandoned CA2787734A1 (en) 2012-08-14 2012-08-14 Gliding recliner armchair with footrest

Country Status (1)

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CA (1) CA2787734A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN108835989A (en) * 2018-08-02 2018-11-20 佛山职业技术学院 One kind can lie low couch

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN108835989A (en) * 2018-08-02 2018-11-20 佛山职业技术学院 One kind can lie low couch
CN108835989B (en) * 2018-08-02 2023-10-17 佛山职业技术学院 Sofa chair capable of lying flat

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Effective date: 20180814