EP1520494B1 - Mechanism for adjusting a sofa-bed - Google Patents

Abstract

A dual-purpose sofa/bed has a horizontal seat and an upright backrest which pivots against the seat between an upright seating position and a horizontal sleeping position. The movement is facilitated by a three-point hinge and lock mechanism with upper and lower locking positions and esp. an intermediate part-reclining 'relaxing' position.

Description

The invention relates to a device for adjusting a sofa bed according to the preamble of claim 1 and of claim 2.

In addition to the well-known function of sofa beds for unfolding a lying surface is increasingly a need to support that the sofa bed next to the sitting position should also have a so-called. Relax position, which is a little flatter than the sitting position with respect to the position of the backrest relative to the horizontal. Such a relaxation position is used for relaxing and is realized as an additional function to the known basic functions of a sofa bed.

Known fittings for sofa beds of such types have the disadvantage that the hinge mechanism between the backrest frame and the seat frame forming components of the sofa bed has a relatively large height and protrudes into that portion of the sofa bed that is needed for the upholstery. To make room for this towering hinge mechanism, the upholstery is usually composed of two parts, one part covering the bed or the lying surface forming the seat frame and the other covering the back frame forming the backrest.

It has also been proposed in EP 0 380 156 B1 that, in order to reduce the height of the hinge joint and thus to reduce the overlap of the joint in the area of the upholstery in a fitting for a sofa bed, the pivot point is set as low as possible and extra stop elements in the area the articulated connection of the back frame and seat frame are provided, which allow a secure support of the back frame in the sitting and in the relaxed position. For this purpose, a finger-like lever is provided as part of the stop, which occurs at two different sections along its extension once in the relaxed position and once in the sitting position with a unitary stop in conjunction. As a result, a slightly upwardly projecting formation of the hinge joint and also arranged there latching is possible, which form a support of the seat frame and backrest frame each other and ensure the use of one-piece or multi-part, interconnected mattress parts. The disadvantage, however, is that the shape and the support of the finger on the stop require a fairly complex movement mechanics and in particular the support of the finger to the stop in the relaxed position by a shape-dependent support of the finger on a bolt is only relatively uncertain.

From DE 198 28 224 C1 a device for adjusting a sofa bed in a bed, a sofa and a relax position is known, comprising a back frame or the like. The sofa bed associated backrest portion and a seat frame or the like. Sofabette associated seat portion, wherein the backrest portion and the seat portion pivotally connected to one another via a pawl mechanism in position at least in the sitting position and the relaxed position of the sofa bed are fixed to a base or the like. Sofabette associated base part, backrest portion and seat portion with the base over a link assembly are hingedly connected and are supported in the sofa position and the relaxed position of the sofa bed via anchor devices to each other. Here, in the relaxed position of the sofa bed, a first stop means is formed as a finger-like lever which is arranged on the backrest portion or seat portion and is supported on a arranged on the base stop, and the link assembly between seat portion or backrest portion and base member is formed of two handlebar lugs , which are supported in the sitting position of the sofa bed together and a stop device form for the sitting position. This device has the disadvantage that the finger-like lever and the stop are each formed as additional parts and not negligible increase the size of the device. In addition, it can happen in this device that the finger-like lever slips off the stop when lateral loads act on the device.

Object of the present invention is therefore to develop a device for adjusting a sofa bed of the generic type such that the construction of a generic device is simplified, without the function is thereby deteriorated and at the same time the safety of the device against inadmissible loads is improved.

The solution of the object according to the invention results from the characterizing features of claim 1 and of claim 2 in cooperation with the features of the preamble. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

The invention relates to a generic device for adjusting a sofa bed in a bed, a sitting and a relaxation position, comprising a back frame of the sofa bed associated backrest portion and a seat frame of the sofa bed associated seat portion, backrest portion and seat portion pivotally connected to each other via a hinge connected and a pawl mechanism in their position at least in the sitting position and the relaxed position of the sofa bed are fixed to each other, and a base of the sofa bed associated base part, backrest section and seat portion are hingedly connected to the base part via handlebars and in the sitting position and the relaxed position of the sofa bed support each other via stop devices. This generic device is further developed in that a first stop means is formed as a finger-like lever which is arranged on one of the handlebar lugs and is supported when setting a relaxing position associated pivot angle between seat portion and backrest portion on the pawl of the pawl mechanism, whereas the finger-like lever and the pawl upon adjustment of the seating position associated pivoting angle change their spatial assignment such that finger-like lever and pawl no longer interact with each other and the handlebar lugs thereby reach a position in which they form a stop device for sitting position. As a result, the construction of the device according to the invention is substantially simplified, comes with fewer separate parts and still ensures safe the necessary function for adjusting the various positions and in particular the relaxed position and sitting position. Together with the pawl mechanism, the operation and the achievement of the sitting position or relaxing position by the user is simple and targeted possible. Due to the sequence of pivoting movements due to the operation of the parts of the sofa bed when unfolding or folding and when setting relax position or sitting position of the finger-like lever is applied with its cooperating with the pawl end to reach the relaxed position on the pawl and otherwise passed by this pawl , In the latter case, the pawl is inactive in this regard and instead of the relaxed position, the sitting position is set. As a result, the pawl mechanism receives a double function, whereby a further simplification of the device according to the invention is achieved. Thus, the device combines a high operating safety with great ease of use, without affecting the advantages of the generic fittings with respect to the one-piece or multi-part related padding.

It goes without saying that the device according to the invention can be applied both to sofa beds and to sitting and lying furniture or the like with similar requirements for the kinematics of the sitting and lying furniture or similar user requirements. Therefore, in the present invention is spoken by a sofa bed, this always refers to sofa beds in use or similar kinematics seating and reclining furniture of any kind, the terms back frame, seat frame and base are to be understood functionally and depending on the design of the sofa bed structurally designed differently.

The invention further describes another arrangement of finger-like lever and pawl, wherein the finger-like lever is arranged on the pawl itself and is supported on a stop arranged on one of the handlebar lugs. This is virtually the kinematic reversal of the arrangement described above and also has all the advantages and properties mentioned.

It is advantageous if the finger-like lever with its end facing the stop is bent out of the pivot plane between the seat portion and backrest portion and arranged that he touches the pawl at least partially when pivoting in a relaxation position associated pivot angle between seat portion and backrest portion, whereas he slides past the pawl without touching in a pivoting angle assigned between the seat portion and the backrest portion in one of the sitting position. As a result, it can be ensured automatically and without further operation of the device by the user of the sofa bed that can achieve a corresponding position of the sofa bed alone by changing the seat portion. Also, this must be done no additional movement or additional mechanisms are provided on the device.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the finger-like lever is cranked out at least with its pawl associated portion so from the pivoting plane between the seat portion and backrest section that he laterally offset with this section seat portion or backrest portion and engage in the relaxed position with the pawl into engagement is. As a result, the device according to the invention can be constructed in a particularly space-saving manner.

The assignment of the finger-like lever to the pawl can be improved if the finger-like lever is formed bent in the direction of the pawl. As a result, the pivoting of the lever relative to the pawl is easier, since the bending of the lever can be aligned relative to the path of the finger-like lever relative to the pawl. This can be a short and structurally optimized arrangement of the finger-like lever reach. This results in a further with respect to the burden of the finger-like lever particularly favorable contact between the finger-like lever and the pawl.

In a first embodiment, the finger-like lever can be formed from a tab cut out of the handlebar strap or from the seat section / backrest section and exposed vertically from the pivoting plane between the seat section and the backrest section. This makes it easy to manufacture the required contact points to the finger-like lever without any installation steps required and thus achieve cost-effective. Of course, it is also possible in another embodiment that the finger-like lever from a separate and perpendicular from the pivot plane between the handlebar lug or seat portion / backrest portion hervororkragend arranged tab is formed. For this purpose, then a separate assembly of the finger-like lever is necessary. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the stop at least with its stop surface protrudes approximately perpendicularly from the pivot plane between the seat portion and backrest portion to interact with a hervororkragend trained finger-like lever.

In a further embodiment, the pawl may be designed such that it comes to lie in the relaxed position with at least one section in the path of movement of the finger-like lever, whereas the pawl comes to lie completely outside the path of movement of the finger-like lever in the sitting position. Due to the anyway in the adjustment of the device in the various positions accompanying change in the spatial position of the pawl can be easily realized the assignment of finger-like lever and pawl in the various positions and thus the fixation of the relaxed position and the sitting position can be ensured. For this purpose, in a further embodiment of the pawl mechanism have a gate-like opening into which the finger-like lever in the sitting position without contact with the pawl dips. Thus, the pawl mechanism does not hinder the movement of the finger-like lever in the sitting position and it can be adjusted to the sitting position associated pivot angle between the backrest portion and seat portion. In addition, it is ensured that even with lateral loads of the device slipping of the finger-like lever is reliably prevented by the pawl.

To assist the operator in unfolding the sofa bed, it helps when the first handlebar strap is biased by a tension spring against the base so that the association of backrest portion and seat portion must be swung against the spring force from the extended lying position. As a result, the folding is supported spring-actuated in a basically known manner.

A particularly preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention for adjusting a sofa bed is shown in the drawing.

Figur 1a-1b -

die Sitzstellung der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zur Verstellung eines Sofabettes mit Anschlag der ersten Lenkerlasche an der Ausnehmung der zweiten Lenkerlasche bei in den Sperrklinkenmechanismus eingetauchten fingerartigen Hebel in der Seitenansicht und in der Rückansicht,

Figur 2a-2b -

die Relaxstellung der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung gemäß Figur 1 a, 1b mit Anschlag des fingerartigen Hebels an dem Sperrklinkenmechanismus in der Seitenansicht und in der Rückansicht,

Figur 3 -

Liegestellung der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung gemäß Figur 1 a, 1b mit angedeutetem Untergestell sowie ausgeklappter Polsterung durch Lehnenrahmen und Sitzrahmen,

Figur 4a-4d -

Stadienplan einer Verstellung der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung von der Relaxstellung in die Sitzstellung mit unterschiedlicher Zuordnung von fingerartigem Hebel und Sperrklinkenmechanismus.

Show it:

FIGS. 1a-1b

the sitting position of the device according to the invention for adjusting a sofa bed with stop of the first link plate on the recess of the second link plate in the pawl mechanism immersed finger-like lever in the side view and in the rear view,

FIGS. 2a-2b

the relaxation position of the device according to the invention according to FIG. 1a, 1b with stop of the finger-like lever on the pawl mechanism in the side view and in the rear view,

FIG. 3 -

Lying position of the device according to the invention according to FIG. 1 a, 1 b with an indicated underframe as well as unfolded upholstery by backrest frame and seat frame,

FIGS. 4a-4d

Stadiumsplan an adjustment of the device of the invention from the relaxed position in the sitting position with different assignment of finger-like lever and pawl mechanism.

In the figures 1a, 1b and 2a, 2b, the device according to the invention is shown once in the sitting position (Figure 1a, 1b) and once in the relaxed position (Figure 2a, 2b), wherein the construction of the device according to the invention substantially with reference to Figures 1a and 1b is to be shown. The relaxation position then differs essentially only in terms of the stop actuation, these differences being explained essentially these differences. The description of Figures 1a and 1b applies mutatis mutandis. The functional parts of the sofa bed, such as upholstery 20, 21 and frame 23, have been omitted in FIGS. 1a, 1b and 2a, 2b for reasons of greater clarity. Also, only one side of the arranged in a known manner on both sides of a sofa bed devices for adjustment is shown, which are required in total for swinging a sofa bed. The device on the other side of the sofa bed is provided in basically the same, but mirror-image design on the sofa bed. In the figures, moreover, the parts of the device are mainly represented in their contour edges, the disregarding of parts by other parts disposed in the respective view in front of other parts is not taken into account.

Figures 1 a and 1b show a first position of the device according to the invention for adjusting a sofa bed in the sitting position with stop of the first link plate 4 on the recess 8 of the second link plate 5. The device is in this case formed from a seat portion 1, with the aid of the support bracket 17 not shown here padding parts 21 of the seat or receiving the padding of the seat supporting frame. Furthermore, an articulated with the seat portion 1 via the hinge 6 Lehnenabschnitt 2 can be seen, which also carries with the help of a support bracket 18, also not shown here frame parts of the backrest or the backrest upholstery 20. Below the backrest section 2 and the seat section 1 shown in FIG. 1, the base part 3 which can not be attached to the frame 23 of the sofa bed can be seen, which is fastened to the underframe 23 of the sofa bed with fastening devices, for example screw connections or the like, which are not explained in more detail can.

Between the base part 3 and the backrest portion 2 are each provided with hinges 13 at its two ends to the base part 3 and backrest portion 2 provided link plates 4 and 5, which allow pivotal movement of the backrest portion 2 relative to the base part 3 and lead. By this pivoting movement and the seat portion 1, which in turn is connected via the hinge point 6 with the backrest portion 2, also swung. Seat section 1, backrest section 2, handlebar lugs 4, 5 and base part 3 form a kinematic pivoting device basically known to the person skilled in the art in order to unfold sofa beds, so that the peculiarities of the design of the device according to the invention should be emphasized here.

The handlebar lugs 4, 5 guide the backrest portion 2 due to their different articulations along a defined path, wherein the end position of the unfolded state of the seat cushion 21 and backrest cushion 20 at least partially formed lying surface is shown in Figure 3 and described in more detail there.

Near the other end position of the possible pivoting of the backrest section 2, the device according to the invention should now assume two different positions relative to a relatively small pivoting angle, one of which positions a relatively steep employment of the backrest portion 2 and thus ultimately the backrest cushion 20 causes. This sitting position is shown in the figure 1, wherein the corresponding end position is determined by applying the first link plate 4 to a recess 8 of the second link plate 5 in more detail described manner.

The link plates 4, 5 are in this case designed as substantially flat sheet-metal parts, which are, however, at least on one side cranked due to the need for a pivoting and its articulation of the base part 3 and backrest section 2, a free unobstructed pivoting at least over the relevant pivoting range relative to the base part. 3 and Lehnenabschnitt 2 to allow. The hinge points 13 are in this case in a manner known in the art executable by bolt or rivet, not shown, any other suitable in the fitting technique equivalent effective connection technique can also be used.

In the illustrated in Figure 1 end position of the pivoting of the second link plate 5, this extends almost parallel to the support bracket 18 of the backrest section 2. In the same position, the first link plate 4 relative to the second link plate 5 is an acute angle, as they pass through their lower hinge point 13 is articulated accordingly. Further pivoting of the link plates 4, 5 in a flatter position of the backrest portion 2 is achieved by striking the rounded end 19 of the first link plate 4 at a recess 8, which is formed in the first link plate 4 facing edge of the second link plate 5. As a result, the two handlebars 4, 5 are supported in the sitting position from each other and prevent safe and with a correspondingly shaped support surface between them a further pivoting of the backrest section 2. It goes without saying that depending on the desired positions, associated angles and present dimensions of Parts of a striking the first handlebar lug 4 does not necessarily have to be in the illustrated recess 8, but can also be done directly on a straight section of the second link plate 5 or even on a protruding portion of the second link plate 5. It is particularly important here that is achieved by the approximately parallel arrangement of the two handlebar lugs 4, 5 and their substantially extended position relative to the backrest portion 2 a safe end position for the sitting position.

The recess 8 shown in Figure 1 is in this case approximately ramp-shaped formed to the upper end of the second link plate 5 and has approximately matching the rounding of the associated end 19 of the first link plate 4 also a rounding. By appropriate choice of the ramp angle and the depth of the recess 8, the attachment point for the sitting position can be influenced. The recess 8 itself can be easily in the production of the second link plate 5, which can be preferably produced as a sheet metal part, punched with the same and therefore causes only a small cost in the production.

The seat portion 1 in turn is connected on the one hand via the common pivot point 6 with the backrest portion 2, on the other hand, its position relative to the backrest portion 2 is determined by a generally designated 10 pawl mechanism whose pawl 24 is pivotally attached to the seat portion 1 via a pin 14 is and cooperates in a basically known manner with a total of two notches, which are integrally formed on the backrest portion 2 or arranged on the backrest portion 2. The pawl mechanism 10 in this case has a detent position for the sitting position and a detent position for the relaxed position of the sofa bed and is operated against the force of a spring 16 in a likewise basically known manner by the pivoting of the parts of the sofa bed. As a result, a defined assignment of backrest section 2 and seat section 1 is ensured in each of the two positions according to Figures 1 and 2, wherein the selected dimensions make the pivoting angle of backrest portion 2 and seat portion 1 adaptable.

The first link plate 4 is supported to improve the operation when re-folding the sofa bed by the force of a tension spring 11, which pulls the first link bar 4 to the right in Figure 1 a and thus simplifies the provision.

Figures 2a and 2b now show a second position of the device according to the invention for adjusting a sofa bed in the relaxed position with stop of a finger-like lever 9 on the pawl 24. The only differing from the sitting position 1 by a small swing angle relaxation position, in the substantially Lehnenabschnitt 2 is set flat, now requires a further stop, which together with the pawl mechanism 10, which also the other detent occupies the pivot position of backrest section 2 and seat section 1 determines. For this purpose, the finger-like lever 9 is arranged on the device according to the invention, which defines the relax position with the pawl 24. The finger-like lever 9 is formed as a slightly bent trained lever which is fixed to the handlebar lever 5 and is pivoted with this. The finger-like lever 9 is further formed as a sheet metal part, wherein the pawl 24 facing the end of the finger-like lever 9 is cranked relative to the pivoting plane of the device so that it can engage over the handlebar lever 4 and the seat portion 1 and thereby not with the seat portion 1 at a pivoting collides. Furthermore, the pawl 24 facing the end of the finger-like lever 9 is formed so that it is passed on the zurückzulegenden to achieve the sitting position of the sofa bed path without touching the pawl 24 in the stop area 15 and touches only when pivoting in the relaxed position this pawl 24.

For this purpose, the pawl mechanism 10 can be formed, for example, so that a bracket 7 between the joint 6 and joint 14 overhangs the region of the pawl mechanism 10 while a top-like opening between pawl 24 and hinge 6 top side, in which the finger-like lever 9 in the sitting position can dive without touching the pawl 24 or the joint 6. This position of the device shown in Figure 1 a, therefore, allows the attainment of the sitting position, in the manner already described above, the handlebar lugs form the stop for the seat portion and the backrest portion.

In the relaxed position shown in Figure 2a, however, is ensured by the other position of the pawl mechanism 10, so the assignment of the pawl 24 to the notches that the finger-like lever 9 is not formed by the bracket 7, the joint 6 and the pawl 24th Opening can occur, but strikes the pawl 24 in the stop area 15 and thus the movement of the finger-like lever 9 is limited in the achievement of the relaxation position. As a result, the angular position between the backrest portion 2 and seat portion 1 is fixed and also particularly well secured against eg lateral loads. It is of course also conceivable that another portion of the components in the hinge region between backrest portion 2 and seat portion 1 a stop area 15 for the finger-like lever 9 and thus can form a boundary for the relaxation position. Of course, changes in the relaxed position can be achieved again here by appropriate change in the dimensions and arrangements of the involved stop partners finger-like lever 9 and pawl 24.

Furthermore, it is also conceivable that in another embodiment, a kinematic reversal between finger-like lever 9 and pawl 24 can take place. For this purpose, it would be conceivable if the finger-like lever 9 is arranged on the pawl 24 and the stop is located on one of the two handlebar lugs 4, 5.

3 shows a third position of the device according to the invention for adjusting a sofa bed in the lying position with indicated base 23 and padding on back frame 20 and seat frame 21. This reclining position is in connection with the present invention only marginally interesting. It is also indicated how a subframe 23 of the sofa bed shown only in the outbreak can be arranged relative to the base part 3. Since these arrangements are otherwise generally known for generic sofa beds, it should only be noted at this point. It should also be noted that the use of a device according to the invention a one-piece or on the item number 22 multi-part contiguous padding can be found on the sofa bed use.

In the figures 4a to 4d is the process of switching the device according to the invention in the relaxed position (Figure 4a shortly before reaching the stop and Figure 4b with the pawl 24 adjacent finger-like lever 9) and in the sitting position (Figure 4c shortly before the immersion of the finger-like lever 9 in the gate-like opening between pawl 24, bracket 7, joint 6 and joint 14 and Figure 4d with the immersed in the gate-like opening finger-like lever 9 shortly before reaching the sitting position shown). The assignment of the individual components to each other and the resulting function of the device are described in detail above, so that reference may be made to this point.

Part number list

1 -

seat section

2 -

back portion

3 -

base

4 -

first handlebar strap

5 -

second handlebar strap

6 -

joint

7 -

hanger

8th -

recess

9 -

finger-like lever

10 -

Ratchet mechanism

11 -

feather

13 -

swivel

14 -

bolt

15 -

Stop area finger-like lever

16 -

Spring pawl mechanism

17 -

Support angle seat frame

18 -

Support angle backrest frame

19 -

rounded end first handlebar strap

20 -

backrest upholstery

21 -

seat upholstery

22 -

Connection backrest upholstery and seat upholstery

23 -

undercarriage

24 -

pawl

Claims (12)

1. Apparatus for adjusting a sofa bed into a bed, a seat and a relaxing position, comprising
   a backrest portion (2) associated with a backrest frame (20) of the sofa bed and a seat portion (1) associated with a seat frame (21) of the sofa bed, wherein the backrest portion (2) and the seat portion (1) are pivotably connected together by way of a hinge (6) and by way of a locking pawl mechanism (10) can be fixed in their position relative to each other at least in the seat position and the relaxing position of the sofa bed, and
   a base portion (3) associated with a support substructure (23) of the sofa bed, wherein the backrest portion (2) and the seat portion (1) are hingedly connected to the base portion (3) by way of link bars (4, 5) and bear against each other in the seat position and the relaxing position of the sofa bed by way of abutment devices (8, 19; 24, 9), wherein a first abutment device is in the form of a finger-like lever (9),
   characterised in that
   the finger-like lever (9) is arranged at one of the link bars (4, 5) and bears against the locking pawl (24) of the locking pawl mechanism (10) when setting a pivotal angle, associated with the relaxing position, between the seat portion (1) and the backrest portion (2), whereas the finger-like lever (9) and the locking pawl (21), when setting a pivotal angle associated with the seat position, change their spatial association in such a way that the finger-like lever (9) and the locking pawl (24) no longer interact with each other and thereby the link bars (4, 5) can reach a position in which they form an abutment device (8, 19) for the seat position.
2. Apparatus for adjusting a sofa bed into a bed, a seat and a relaxing position, comprising
   a backrest portion (2) associated with a backrest frame (20) of the sofa bed and a seat portion (1) associated with a seat frame (21) of the sofa bed, wherein the backrest portion (2) and the seat portion (1) are pivotably connected together by way of a hinge (6) and by way of a locking pawl mechanism (10) can be fixed in their position relative to each other at least in the seat position and the relaxing position of the sofa bed, and
   a base portion (3) associated with a support substructure (23) of the sofa bed, wherein the backrest portion (2) and the seat portion (1) are hingedly connected to the base portion (3) by way of link bars (4, 5) and bear against each other in the seat position and the relaxing position of the sofa bed by way of abutment devices (8, 19; 24, 9), wherein a first abutment device is in the form of a finger-like lever (9),
   characterised in that
   the finger-like lever (9) is arranged at the locking pawl (24) of the locking pawl mechanism (10) and bears against an abutment arranged at one of the link bars (4, 5) when setting a pivotal angle, associated with the relaxing position, between the seat portion (1) and the backrest portion (2), whereas the finger-like lever (9) and the abutment, when setting a pivotal angle associated with the seat position, change their spatial association in such a way that the finger-like lever (9) and the abutment no longer interact with each other and thereby the link bars (4, 5) can reach a position in which they form an abutment device (8, 19) for the seat position.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterised in that the finger-like lever (9) is angled with its end facing towards the locking pawl (24) out of the pivotal plane between the seat portion (1) and the backrest portion (2) and arranged in such a way that upon pivotal movement into a pivotal angle between the seat portion (1) and the backrest portion (2), which is associated with the relaxing position, it contacts the locking pawl (21) at least in portion-wise manner (15) whereas upon pivotal movement into a pivotal angle between the seat portion (1) and the backrest portion (2), which is associated with the seat position, it slides past the locking pawl (24) without contact.
4. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 and 3 characterised in that the finger-like lever (9) is cranked at least with its portion associated with the locking pawl (24) out of the pivotal plane between the seat portion (1) and the backrest portion (2) in such a way that it can engage with said portion in laterally displaced relationship over the seat portion (1) or the backrest portion (2) and in the relaxing position can be brought into engagement with the locking pawl (24).
5. Apparatus according to one of claims 1, 3 and 4 characterised in that the finger-like lever (9) is of a curved configuration towards the locking pawl (24).
6. Apparatus according to one of preceding claims 1 and 3 to 5 characterised in that the finger-like lever (9) is formed by a bar which is cut out of the link bar (4, 5) or seat portion (1) or backrest portion (2) and set perpendicularly out of the pivotal plane between the seat portion (1) and the backrest portion (2).
7. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 5 characterised in that the finger-like lever (9) is formed from a separate bar which is arranged projecting perpendicularly out of the pivotal plane between the seat portion (1) and the backrest portion (2).
8. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims characterised in that the locking pawl (24) projects at least with its abutment surface approximately perpendicularly out of the pivotal plane between the seat portion (1) and the backrest portion (2).
9. Apparatus according to one of preceding claims 1 and 3 to 8 characterised in that the locking pawl (24) is of such a configuration that in the relaxing position it comes to lie with at least a partial portion in the path of movement of the finger-like lever (9) whereas in the seat position the locking pawl (24) comes to lie completely outside the path of movement of the finger-like lever (9).
10. Apparatus according to claim 9 characterised in that formed in the region of the locking pawl mechanism (10) is a gate-like opening into which the finger-like lever (9) passes in the seat position without contact with the locking pawl (24) or adjacently arranged components (6).
11. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims characterised in that in the seat position the end (19) of the first link bar (4), which end is remote from the base portion (3), engages into an opening (8) provided in the second link bar and is supported at the second link bar (5).
12. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims characterised in that the first link bar (4) is biased towards the base portion (3) by way of a tension spring (11) in such a way that the assembly of the backrest portion (2) and the seat portion (1) must be pivoted against the spring force out of the straight lying position.

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