EP0689784B1 - Relax-chair - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to a relaxation chair, more precisely of the type comprising a backrest and a legrest, reclining and folding for easy transport and storage.

Prior art

This type of armchair is widely used for the exterior (garden, camping ...) or as an auxiliary armchair. It is not useful to describe it in detail.

These armchairs generally consist of a base cooperating with three elements, namely a backrest, a seat and a legrest, on which a canvas is stretched. The articulation mechanism causes the inclination of the backrest to cause a similar inclination for the footrest, so that the inclination in the lying position allows the legs to be raised for better comfort (see for example the document US- A-2 195 091).

However, in this solution, the armrest is rigidly fixed to the base, and the transmission of movement between the backrest and the legrest is done by a sliding tube under the armrest, also sometimes called armrest. It follows that the armrest remains fixed whatever the inclination of the seat and does not accompany the user's arm in this inclination. This drawback detracts from comfort. In addition, the commonly chosen mechanical joints are bulky, and the folding and unfolding maneuvers are difficult, especially by children, since they require numerous movements. They are even dangerous in the areas of articulation, responsible for pinching.

In an embodiment widely used by the Applicant, the upper end of the legs is integral with a sliding tube under the armrest, the position of which is adjusted by means of an adjustment screw. However, this solution has the drawback of having the blocking member which is difficult to access and whose position relative to the user varies as a function of the inclination of the seat. In addition, the actuation of the locking member cannot be done in the same movement as the inclination of the chair.

Furthermore, document CA-B-492 371 describes a relaxation chair having a frame forming a backrest, parallel side members forming a seat, two armrests articulated on the backrest, a frame forming a leg rest articulated at the end of the side members a base formed of front and rear legs. However, these beams are articulated, at their rear end on the rear legs of the base by means of a fixed hinge pin. Thus, during the folding maneuvers, these beams are positioned substantially parallel, and in the extension of the rear legs of the base. It follows that in the fully folded position, the final height of the chair is equal to the sum of the length of the spar and the part of the rear leg of the base located below the hinge axis. It is easily understood that such a folding kinematics leads to a relatively large bulk and therefore results in difficulties in storing the folded chair.

The invention overcomes these drawbacks. It is aimed at a folding relaxation chair of the type in question, which is easy to unfold and fold, even by children, which presents no risk of pinching and is easy to lock in position, and provides certain comfort.

Statement of the invention

• . un cadre formant dossier,
• . deux longerons parallèles formant assise, articulés au voisinage de l'extrémité inférieure du cadre dossier ;
• . deux accotoirs parallèles entre eux et parallèles aux longerons d'assise, articulés sur les cadres dossiers, chaque accotoirs présentant un axe de coulissement parallèle aux longerons ;
• . un cadre en U formant repose-jambes, dont les deux branches sont articulées à l'extrémité des longerons, sur lesquels est tendue une toile accrochée au cadre et aux longerons par des moyens élastiques, l'extrémité supérieure des branches du cadre reposejambes étant articulée à l'extrémité des accotoirs ;
• . un piètement formé de deux jambages, respectivement avant et arrière, formés chacun de deux jambes parallèles solidaires des longerons, lesdits jambages étant articulés entre eux autour d'une chape, l'extrémité de chaque jambe à l'avant présentant une chape apte à coulisser sur ledit axe de coulissement et un moyen de blocage en position.

In general, the invention relates to a relaxation chair of the type comprising:

• . a frame forming a file,
• . two parallel side members forming a seat, articulated in the vicinity of the lower end of the backrest frame;
• . two armrests parallel to each other and parallel to the seat rails, articulated on the back frames, each armrest having a sliding axis parallel to the rails;
• . a U-shaped frame forming a legrest, the two branches of which are articulated at the end of the side members, on which is stretched a canvas attached to the frame and to the side members by elastic means, the upper end of the legs of the leg rest frame being articulated at the end of the armrests;
• . a base formed of two legs, respectively front and rear, each formed of two parallel legs integral with the side members, said legs being hinged together around a yoke, the end of each leg at the front having a yoke capable of sliding on said sliding axis and a locking means in position.

This chair is characterized in that the legs of the legs are connected together by an articulated rod, respectively on the front leg and on a yoke fixed to the rear of the side members, capable of allowing the sliding of each rear leg.

In other words, during folding maneuvers, the point of articulation of the side members with the rear leg slides on this same leg in the direction of the bottom. It follows that in the folded position a large part of the spar is located opposite the rear jamb, which greatly improves the compactness of the folded chair, and this in particular compared to patent CA-B-492,371.

In an aesthetic and more comfortable embodiment, the backrest frame is closed and ergonomically curved.

• les longerons et les cadres sont en tube métallique;
• les jambages épousent la forme d'un U dirigé vers le haut et la portion de raccordement comporte des patins; autrement dit, les deux jambes avant et les deux jambes arrière du fauteuil sont reliées entre elles, ce qui augmente sa stabilité;
• les chapes caractéristiques de coulissement sont en matière plastique, notamment en polyacétal ou en polyamide;
• l'organe de blocage du fauteuil en position, est une came à excentrique.

Advantageously, in practice:

• the side members and the frames are made of metal tube;
• the legs follow the shape of an U directed upwards and the connection portion comprises pads; in other words, the two front legs and the two rear legs of the chair are interconnected, which increases its stability;
• the characteristic sliding yokes are made of plastic, in particular polyacetal or polyamide;
• the locking member of the chair in position is an eccentric cam.

• d'une première rotule proprement dite dans laquelle s'engage l'extrémité du tube coulissant de l'accotoir;
• et d'une seconde rotule, généralement dirigée vers l'intérieur, dans laquelle s'engage l'extrémité du repose-jambes,
  ces deux rotules étant articulées autour d'un même axe transversal.

In a practical embodiment, the axis of articulation of the legs of the legs on the end of the armrest, consists of a ball joint composed:

• a first ball itself in which engages the end of the sliding tube of the armrest;
• and a second ball joint, generally directed inwards, into which the end of the legrest engages,
  these two ball joints being articulated around the same transverse axis.

Brief description of the drawings

The manner in which the invention can be implemented and the advantages which result therefrom will emerge more clearly from the embodiment which follows, with the support of the appended figures.

Figure 1 is a side view of the chair in the sitting position.

Figure 2 is a view of the same chair in the fully folded position.

Figure 3 is a detail view of the sliding member at the armrest.

Figure 4 is a detailed view of the articulation of the legrest with the armrests.

Way of realizing the invention

The armchair as presented in the seated position in FIG. 1, is made up of two sets having distinct functions, namely on the one hand, a base composed of two legs (35,36), articulated in (23) in the manner a trestle, and on the other hand, an assembly intended to receive a seated person and consisting of a backrest (1), a seat (2), a legrest (3), and two armrests (4).

The backrest (1) is a closed frame, generally rectangular in shape and slightly curved to match the curve of the back.

The seat rails (2) each consist of a metal tube, articulated rearwards at (22) on the vertical side of the backrest (1). The articulation takes place near the lower end of the side of the backrest (1), by means of a conventional U-shaped yoke (22) the bottom of which accommodates the beam (2) and to which it is welded, and the branches of which support an axis which crosses the side of the backrest (1). The position of these beams (2) is slightly inclined towards the rear.

The two armrests (4) are articulated respectively at (24) and (20) on the one hand in the backrest (1) and on the other hand, in the leg rest (3). They are substantially parallel to the side members (2). Each armrest (4) comprises, under its lower face, a sliding rod (5) capable of being translated into the yoke (7) secured to the upper end of the front leg (36) of the base.

The leg rest is formed by a U-shaped frame connected to the seat rails (2) and to the armrests (4). The articulation with the armrests (4) is done (see Figure 4) by means of ball joints (20) connecting the ends of the armrests (4) and the ends of the legrest frame (3). The connection between the legrest (3) and the side members (2) is made by means of a conventional yoke (21) and this at a height making it possible to respect the parallelism between the armrests (4) and the side members (2).

The surface generated by firstly the backrest (1), secondly the seat rails (2), and finally the part of the leg rest (3) located below the yokes (21), receives a stretched fabric. In known manner, this fabric is attached to these elements by an elastic cord passing alternately through eyelets of the fabric and in metallic corrugations welded to said elements.

The base consists of two U-shaped legs (35,36). The two ends of the rear leg include welded yokes (23) in which the upper part of the front leg (36) is articulated.

In addition, the front jamb (36) receives about halfway up a connecting rod (39) articulated around the rod (25) capable of pivoting in a vertical plane. The other end of this connecting rod is articulated on the yoke (10).

Conventionally, the horizontal connecting parts of the legs (35,36) are equipped with non-slip pads (30,31).

The base and the seat have two contact points, namely on the one hand the yoke (10) and on the other hand, the sliding yoke (7). The yoke (10) is integral with the seat spar (2) and allows the leg (35) to slide relative to this spar (2). The sliding yoke (7) is fixed to the upper end of the front leg (36) of the base. It allows the armrest rod (5) to slide relative to the base.

The armrest (4) is connected to the leg rest (2) by a ball joint (20), a detail of which is presented in FIG. 4. The sliding rod (5) is housed in the front end of the armrest (4 ). This cylindrical end (50), of axis (51) perpendicular to the plane of symmetry of the chair, is extended towards the inside of the chair by another cylinder (52) of the same radius in receiving the upper end (53) of the legrest (3). The pivoting between these two pivoting cylinders about the same axis can be ensured by a friction washer (54). In a variant, this washer (54) is eliminated.

The inclination is maintained by blocking the sliding rod (5) in the yoke (7), which blocking is ensured by the eccentric (8). This eccentric (8) is integral with the sliding yoke (7) and can pivot around an axis parallel to the sliding axis. This eccentric (8) includes a hole with a diameter close to that of the sliding rod (5), but the center of which is slightly offset from the pivot axis.

• l'articulation (24) entre le dossier (1) et l'accotoir (4),
• la rotule (20) d'articulation entre l'accotoir (4) et le repose-jambes (3),
• la chape (21) d'articulation entre le repose-jambes et le longeron d'assise (2),
• la chape (22) d'articulation entre le dossier (1) et le longeron d'assise (2).

The zone intended to receive the user, includes a deformable quadrilateral, locatable between the various articulations of the elements composing it. The four vertices of this quadrilateral are:

• the articulation (24) between the backrest (1) and the armrest (4),
• the ball joint (20) of articulation between the armrest (4) and the legrest (3),
• the yoke (21) of articulation between the legrest and the seat spar (2),
• the yoke (22) of articulation between the backrest (1) and the seat spar (2).

In this way, when the backrest is tilted back, the articulation (24) is found further back than the yoke (22). This movement pulls the sliding rod (5) backwards, while the spar (2), integral with the base, remains fixed. In this way, the ball joint (20) moves back relative to the yoke (21) and the legrest (3) is found in a position approaching the horizontal.

When tilting forward, the deformation of the quadrilateral is reversed.

In other words, during the tilting of the chair, the base remains fixed, and therefore the seat rails (2) are also stationary. The two yokes (21) and (22) are therefore fixed points too. The backrest and the legrest will therefore pivot around (21) and (22) following the front or rear movement of the rod (5) of the armrest.

When sliding is authorized, that is to say when you want to change the inclination of the chair, the eccentric is pivoted so that the hole in the eccentric (8) is aligned with the sliding rod. Conversely, when you want to block the inclination and keep the chair in the chosen position, you rotate the eccentric (8) so that the hole no longer coincides with the sliding rod (5). In this way, the inner edge of the eccentric hole (8) comes into contact with the sliding rod (5) and by friction prevents it from sliding.

When folding the assembly, the rod (5) is left free to slide inside the yoke (7). When the two legs (35) and (36) of the base are brought together, the connecting rod (39) being articulated around the front leg (36) by a pivot (25), the yoke (10) is pushed towards the bottom of the leg rear (35). As this yoke (10) is integral with the seat spar (2), it carries it with it in its downward movement. At the same time, the yoke (7) finds itself pushed forward of the rod (5). When this yoke (7) comes into abutment at the level of the ball joint (20), the movement continues with the deformation of the quadrilateral previously described, the yoke (22) and the ball joint (20) moving apart. It finally leads to the crushing of this quadrilateral and the tilting of the backrest (1) towards the front, and of the legrest (3) towards the rear. The result is illustrated in Figure 2 in which we observe the chair completely folded.

The unfolding of the chair is obtained by the reverse approach.

One of the advantages of the invention lies in the fact that the armrest is integral with the backrest. In this way, the seated person can benefit from the support of the armrest whatever the inclination of the seat. In addition, access to the locking member (8) is easy, because it is directly located under the cover of the armrest (4).

• d'une part, l'inclinaison du fauteuil se fait d'une manière aisée et confortable. Quelle que soit la position du fauteuil, l'accotoir est toujours positionné sous le bras de l'utilisateur. De plus, le verrouillage en position se fait par un mouvement très simple et efficace, en agissant sur une seule pièce (8) placée à proximité de la main, quelle que soit l'inclinaison du fauteuil ;
• d'autre part, le pliage et le dépliage de ce fauteuil sont d'une simplicité appréciable. En effet, par le jeu de pièces coulissantes, un seul mouvement est nécessaire pour plier ou déplier le fauteuil.

It appears from the description of the above example that the invention has several significant advantages, in particular:

• on the one hand, the inclination of the armchair is done in an easy and comfortable way. Whatever the position of the chair, the armrest is always positioned under the user's arm. In addition, the locking in position is done by a very simple and effective movement, acting on a single piece (8) placed close to the hand, whatever the inclination of the chair;
• on the other hand, the folding and unfolding of this chair are appreciably simple. Indeed, by the set of sliding parts, a single movement is necessary to fold or unfold the chair.

Claims (7)

1. An easychair of the type comprising :

   • a frame forming the back (1) ;

   • two parallel side members (2) forming the seat which are articulated in the vicinity of the lower end of the back frame (1) ;

   • two armrests (4) which are parallel with each other and with the side members (2) of the seat and are articulated to the back frame (1), each armrest having a sliding rod (5) which is parallel with the side members (2) ;

   • a U-shaped frame (3) forming the legrest, the two branches of the U being articulated to the ends of the side members (2) and having a piece of fabric stretched over them, the fabric being fastened to the frames (1,3) and to the side members (2) by elastic means, the top ends of the branches of the legrest frame (3) being articulated to the ends of the armrests (4) ;

   • a base formed by two leg units, a front leg unit (36) and a rear leg unit (35) respectively, each leg unit being formed by two parallel legs secured to the side members (2), said leg units (35,36) being articulated together about a forked yoke (23), the end of each front leg unit (36) having a forked yoke (7) designed to slide along said sliding rod (5), and a means (8) for locking the chair into position ;

   characterized in that the legs of the leg units are connected together by an articulated link (39) which is attached respectively to the front leg unit (36) and to a forked yoke (10) fixed on the rear end of the side member (2), and is designed to allow each rear leg unit (35) to slide.
2. The easychair according to claim 1, wherein the frame forming the back (1) is closed and curved.
3. The easychair according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the side members (2) and the frames (1,3) are made of tubular metal.
4. The easychair according to any claims 1 to 3, wherein the leg units (35,36) follow the shape if a U and the connecting portion has shoes.
5. The easychair according to any claims 1 to 4, wherein the sliding forked yokes (7,10) are made of plastic, in particular of polyacetal.
6. The easychair according to any claims 1 to 5, wherein the member (8) for locking the easychair into position is an eccentric-type cam.
7. The easychair according to any claims 1 to 6, wherein the articulation via which the branches of the legrest (3) are articulated to the ends of the armrests (4) is formed by a hinge joint (20) consisting :

   - of a first hinge joint (50) proper in which the end (55) of the sliding rod (5) of the armrest engages ;

   - and of a second hinge joint (52) in which the end (53) of the legrest (3) engages ;

   these two hinge joints being articulated about the same transverse pin (51).

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