EP2755526A1 - Device for an adjustable chair - Google Patents

Device for an adjustable chair

Info

Publication number
EP2755526A1
EP2755526A1 EP20120830977 EP12830977A EP2755526A1 EP 2755526 A1 EP2755526 A1 EP 2755526A1 EP 20120830977 EP20120830977 EP 20120830977 EP 12830977 A EP12830977 A EP 12830977A EP 2755526 A1 EP2755526 A1 EP 2755526A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
chair
seat
backrest
frame
footrest
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP20120830977
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2755526A4 (en
Inventor
Hans J. Kotthaus
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.)
Ccd As
Original Assignee
Ccd As
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 Ccd As filed Critical Ccd As
Publication of EP2755526A1 publication Critical patent/EP2755526A1/en
Publication of EP2755526A4 publication Critical patent/EP2755526A4/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47CCHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C1/00Chairs adapted for special purposes
    • A47C1/02Reclining or easy chairs
    • A47C1/031Reclining or easy chairs having coupled concurrently adjustable supporting parts
    • A47C1/034Reclining or easy chairs having coupled concurrently adjustable supporting parts the parts including a leg-rest or foot-rest
    • A47C1/035Reclining or easy chairs having coupled concurrently adjustable supporting parts the parts including a leg-rest or foot-rest in combination with movably coupled seat and back-rest, i.e. the seat and back-rest being movably coupled in such a way that the extension mechanism of the foot-rest is actuated at least by the relative movements of seat and backrest
    • A47C1/0352Reclining or easy chairs having coupled concurrently adjustable supporting parts the parts including a leg-rest or foot-rest in combination with movably coupled seat and back-rest, i.e. the seat and back-rest being movably coupled in such a way that the extension mechanism of the foot-rest is actuated at least by the relative movements of seat and backrest characterised by coupled seat and back-rest slidingly movable in the base frame, e.g. by rollers
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47CCHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C1/00Chairs adapted for special purposes
    • A47C1/02Reclining or easy chairs
    • A47C1/031Reclining or easy chairs having coupled concurrently adjustable supporting parts
    • A47C1/032Reclining or easy chairs having coupled concurrently adjustable supporting parts the parts being movably-coupled seat and back-rest
    • A47C1/03261Reclining or easy chairs having coupled concurrently adjustable supporting parts the parts being movably-coupled seat and back-rest characterised by elastic means
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47CCHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C1/00Chairs adapted for special purposes
    • A47C1/02Reclining or easy chairs
    • A47C1/031Reclining or easy chairs having coupled concurrently adjustable supporting parts
    • A47C1/034Reclining or easy chairs having coupled concurrently adjustable supporting parts the parts including a leg-rest or foot-rest
    • A47C1/035Reclining or easy chairs having coupled concurrently adjustable supporting parts the parts including a leg-rest or foot-rest in combination with movably coupled seat and back-rest, i.e. the seat and back-rest being movably coupled in such a way that the extension mechanism of the foot-rest is actuated at least by the relative movements of seat and backrest

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for an adjustable chair. More specifically, the invention relates to a chair which can be adjusted between at least a first, upright position and a second, reclined position by a backrest and a footrest being pivotably connected to a frame, whereas a chair seat is suspended from the backrest and from the footrest.
  • the adjustable chair further includes at least one resistance device arranged to resist adjustment of the chair from at least one of said first and second positions.
  • the present invention relates to a device for chairs intended for use in, for example, cinema, concert, theatre and auditorium halls, on decks in ships, on board aeroplanes or the like.
  • the chairs may also be used as garden chairs, children's chairs, wheelchairs, office chairs or as comfort chairs, among other things.
  • the device could also be used in prams and hospital beds. Said chairs may be fixed to a surface, or they may be free-standing, either directly or on wheels, on the surface.
  • An adjustable chair in accordance with the invention will be comfortable in use while, at the same time, it meets a possible requirement for a free escape route in case of an emergency, for example when it is fixedly installed, together with other chairs in accordance with the invention, in a line of chairs in one of the rooms of application mentioned above.
  • the invention will be exemplified by a chair intended for use in a cinema hall or the like, even though the invention is not limited to this.
  • Adjustable chairs that imitate the functionality of the human body in the form of positioning rotatable joints to increase a user's comfort are known.
  • Self-balancing chairs are also known that are rotatable around the centre of mass of the chair, so that a user experiences an approximately weightless state in the chair.
  • a self-balancing chair is disclosed in the patent document WO 92/03950.
  • the chair stands on or is attached to a surface by means of a base.
  • a backrest and a footrest are rotatably connected to an armrest, whereas the seat section itself is not attached to the armrest, but suspended from the backrest and the footrest.
  • the seat, backrest, footrest and armrest are interconnected at four pivot points which together extend a parallelogram.
  • the whole parallelogram is further pivotably connected to the base at a fifth pivot point on the armrest.
  • chairs are known that are provided with one or more spring devices arranged to retract a footrest and/or put a backrest upright when the user leaves the chair.
  • the utility model publication DE 202007008981 describes an armchair in which a frame is placed on a surface. To the frame, a backrest, a footrest and an armrest portion are attached. The backrest and the footrest are pivotably attached to the frame and to each other. Further, the backrest is connected to the frame with a spring of a mechanical or pneumatic type, the spring being arranged to put the backrest upright and retract the footrest as the user leaves the chair.
  • a self-balancing chair which is not provided with one or more devices giving resistance against adjustment of the chair may be difficult to control during use.
  • the chair balances around a centre of mass small, often unintentional, movements and positional changes by the user may result in large changes in the position of the chair.
  • Such chairs often have the purpose of bringing the feet to a higher position than that of the head, which will not be practical in a cinema hall or the like, where a free view ahead is desired.
  • Armchairs that also include footrests (and calf rests) are generally not used in cinema halls or the like for safety reasons. In an emergency, backrests and footrests in a folded-out position could be a hindrance to free escape routes.
  • the prior art thus does not present satisfactory solutions for cinema chairs with footrests that work without the supply of electrical or pneumatic power and that satisfy the requirements for reliable functioning and aesthetics.
  • Resistance devices arranged to hold a chair in at least one of its extreme positions until a force is provided that is great enough to adjust the chair out of one of said extreme positions are not known either.
  • the invention has for its object to remedy or reduce at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art or at least provide a useful alternative to the prior art.
  • a footrest is meant, in what follows, a device arranged to relieve feet and/or calves.
  • connecting elements such as a hinge, a fitting, a bracket or the like.
  • Said connecting elements may be rigid or elastic.
  • the invention relates to a device for an adjustable chair, the chair being adjustable between at least a first position and a second position, and the chair comprising :
  • the chair further including at least one resistance device arranged to resist the adjustment of the chair from at least one of said first position and second position.
  • the first position of the chair may be an upright position in which the backrest is upright and the footrest is folded in.
  • the second position of the chair may be a reclined position, in which the backrest is reclined and the footrest has been folded out. Be- tween said two first and second positions, the chair may preferably be infinitely adjustable by means of weight distribution.
  • the frame of the chair may include or be connected to an armrest.
  • the frame may include intermediate side panels, shared by two chairs in the row of chairs, and end side panels at either end of the row of chairs.
  • the pivot points may be fixed. This means that the pivot points are not displaceable with or relative to the frame.
  • Rotary connections are mechanically more robust in use than connections including linear movements, and the construction of the chair will thus be more robust. This will be a great advantage for chairs intended for mass use, as in a cinema hall, for example, as it may considerably increase the life of the chair.
  • the resistance device includes at least one or the other of a resistance element and a holding mechanism.
  • the resistance element may be, for example, various types of springs of mechanical or pneumatic types, providing resistance against the adjustment though all or parts of the adjustment between the first and second positions of the chair.
  • a resistance element in addition to providing resistance, may also provide a push force acting in the direction of adjustment in a portion of the adjustment range.
  • the holding mechanism may be a device that provides a retaining force that resists adjustment of the chair, the retaining force substantially being effective when the chair is in the first or second position.
  • the at least one resistance device may include a resistance element which is a compression spring.
  • the compression spring may be of a mechanical or pneumatic type, for example.
  • a compression spring could be used to press against at least a portion of the chair, so that the chair is forced towards at least one of the first and second positions.
  • the spring works against a force that is trying to adjust the chair away from the first and/or second position(s), at least when the chair is substantially near the first and/or the second position(s). This will be particularly appropriate for a chair that moves around a centre of mass, in which small movements by a user could give large, often undesired, changes in the position of the chair.
  • the compression spring may be connected between the seat and the frame, preferably in such a way that the compression spring is pivotable around the attachment point on the frame. In this way, the compression spring may push the seat towards the first seat position when the seat is substantially near the first seat position, and towards the second seat position when the seat is substantially near the second seat position.
  • This will have the advantage of one and the same spring being usable for pushing the seat towards both the first and the second seat positions, so that one and the same compression spring also resists adjustment of the chair both from the first position and from the second position.
  • the compression spring will also have the advantage of no release mechanism, such as a lever, a button or the like, being necessary to adjust the chair from one position to another.
  • the chair By pushing against an armrest or the like, so that the seat is moved forwards, and/or by putting weight on the backrest, the chair may be adjusted from the first position to the second position. By pulling on the same armrest or the like and/or by putting the body weight forwards, the chair may be adjusted from the second position to the first position.
  • the at least one resistance device may include a holding mechanism arranged to hold the chair in at least one of the first and second positions with a predetermined force, so that a releasing force that is greater than said holding force must be provided to adjust the chair away from the first and/or second posi- tion(s).
  • a holding mechanism arranged to hold the chair in at least one of the first and second positions with a predetermined force, so that a releasing force that is greater than said holding force must be provided to adjust the chair away from the first and/or second posi- tion(s).
  • the holding mechanism will also be advantageous, as mentioned above, as small movements by a user will not lead to unintended adjustments of the position of the chair, both from a first, for example upright, position and from a second, for example reclined, position.
  • the holding mechanism may be used instead of or in addition to said resistance element.
  • the holding mechanism provides a greater holding force in the first position of the chair than in the second position of the chair. This could have the advantage of a smaller force, for example a force that is only slightly larger than the force from the weight of the footrest, being required in order to put the chair upright, whereas a somewhat larger force is required in order to adjust the chair away from the upright position.
  • the holding mechanism may be releasable in one or both of the first and second positions of the chair by means of a release mechanism.
  • the release mechanism which may be of a type known per se, may be activatable by means of, for example, a button, a lever or the like. A release mechanism could be particularly appropriate when a chair in accordance with the in- vention is used in a room of application or a place where the safety requirements previously mentioned do not apply.
  • the backrest may be rotatably connected to the frame at a first pivot point
  • the footrest may be rotatably connected to the frame at a second pivot point, the second pivot point being positioned at a distance from the first pivot point on the frame.
  • the seat may be connected to the backrest at a first displacement point and to the footrest at a second displacement point, the second displacement point being positioned at a distance from the first displacement point on the seat.
  • the seat may be connected to a rail which is guided through a set of wheels, roller bolts or the like on the frame, for the displacement of the seat.
  • the seat will not float freely, but will be guided linearly by means of the rail and the wheels.
  • said wheels, roller bolts or the like may be connected to the seat, whereas the rail is connected to the frame.
  • the distance between the first pivot point and the first displacement point may be larger than the distance between the second pivot point and the second displacement point. This will have the effect of the footrest, which is connected to the frame at the second pivot point and to the seat at the second displacement point, being pivoted, when the seat is displaced, through a larger angle around the second pivot point than the backrest is, in the opposite angular direction, around the first pivot point. This will be important with respect to a user's comfort as a more relaxing and appropriate position may be taken in a reclined chair position.
  • the at least one resistance device may include an elastic resistance element arranged to pull the backrest and the footrest in towards the first backrest and footrest positions, respectively.
  • the elastic resistance element may for example be a spring of a mechanical or pneumatic type.
  • the elastic resistance element may be connected between the backrest and the seat.
  • the elastic resistance element may be connected between at least two of the parts backrest, seat, frame, footrest, armrest and surface. The dimensioning of the resistance element is done on the basis of the weight of the individual, movable chair components.
  • Figure 1 shows, in a side view, a sketch of an adjustable chair in accordance with the invention in a first position
  • Figure 2 shows, in a side view, a sketch of the same chair as that of figure 1 in a second position
  • Figure 3 shows, in a perspective view, a simplified sketch of the same chair as that of figure 1 in the first position
  • Figure 4 shows, in a side view, a sketch of an adjustable chair, in which the chair is shown in both the first and the second positions, and in which the radii of rotation of the backrest and footrests around their respective pivot points are indicated;
  • Figure 5 shows, in a side view, a sketch of an adjustable chair in accordance with the invention in the first position
  • Figure 6 shows, in a side view, a sketch of the same chair as that of figure 5 in the second position
  • Figure 7 shows, in a side view, a sketch of a chair in accordance with the invention in the first position
  • Figure 8 shows an enlarged section of a portion of the chair of figure 7;
  • Figure 9 shows, in a side view, a sketch of the same chair as that of figure 7 in the second position
  • Figure 10 shows an enlarged section of a portion of the chair of figure 9
  • Figure 11 shows a chair in accordance with the invention in the first position
  • Figure 12 shows, in perspective and on a smaller scale, a row of chairs made up of chairs in accordance with the invention
  • Figure 13 shows, in a side view, a simplified sketch of an adjustable chair in accordance with the invention in the first position, in which a person is sitting in the chair;
  • Figure 14 shows, in a side view, a simplified sketch of the same chair as that of figure 13 in the second position, in which a person is lying in the chair;
  • Figure 15 shows, in a side view, a simplified sketch of an adjustable chair in accordance with the invention in the first position
  • Figure 16 shows, in a side view, a simplified sketch of the same chair as that of figure 15 in the second position
  • Figure 17 shows, in a perspective view, a sketch of the same chair as that of figure 15 in the first position.
  • Figure 18 shows, in a perspective view, a sketch of the same chair as that of figure 15 in the second position.
  • the reference numeral 1 indicates an adjustable chair in accordance with the invention, the chair 1 being placed on a surface 2.
  • the adjustable chair 1 includes a frame 3, the frame 3 being formed with a T-shaped side panel 35.
  • the side panel 35 stands on the surface 2 supported by a base 37, the base 37 being formed with bores 371 for the attachment of the frame 3 to the surface 2 by means of a technique known per se (not shown).
  • a backrest 11 is pivotably connected to the frame 3 by a backrest fitting 115, attached to the side of the backrest 11, being attached in a manner known per se to the side panel 35 at a first pivot point 31.
  • a footrest 13 is connected in a corresponding manner to the frame 3 at a second pivot point 33 by a footrest fitting 135, attached to one side of the footrest 13, being attached to the side panel 35.
  • the seat 15 is not connected directly to the frame 3, but is suspended from the backrest 11 and from the footrest 13 by a seat fitting 155, which is attached to the seat 15, being attached to the backrest fitting 115 of the backrest 11 and to the footrest fitting 135 of the footrest 13 at, respectively, a first displacement point 151 and a second displacement point 153.
  • a dog 157 on the seat fitting 155 prevents the footrest 13 from being folded further back than to its first, folded-in position, and thereby the backrest 11 from being leaned forwards and the seat 15 from being moved further back than to the first seat position.
  • the adjustable chair 1 shown is intended to be put together with more chairs 1 in accordance with the invention into a row of chairs in a cinema or the like.
  • the side panel 35 shown only on one side of the chair 1, will be shared by two chairs 1 in the row of chairs and thus function as an intermediate side panel.
  • the symmetry of the chair 1 is therefore shown in such a way that the side panel 35 and the fittings 115, 135, 155 with the associated mechanics for the adjustment of the chair 1 are attached only on one side of the chair 1, even though, in use, the chair will be provided with a frame 3, fittings 115, 135, 155 and said mechanics on both sides.
  • the different figures show the frame 3, fittings 115, 135, 155 and said mechanics on the right or left side of the chair 1.
  • Figure 1 shows the adjustable chair 1 in a first, upright position A.
  • the seat 15 is in the first seat position, corresponding to the first position A of the chair, whereas the backrest 11 and the footrest 13 are correspondingly in a first backrest and footrest position, respectively.
  • an armrest 39 which is attached to the frame 3, and/or placing body weight against the backrest 11, a person 5, see figures 13 and 14, sitting in the chair 1 will move the seat 15 forwards relative to the frame 3 in the position of application of the chair.
  • the displacement of the seat 15 makes the backrest fitting 115, as it is attached to the seat fitting 155 of the seat 15 at the first displacement point 151, and thereby the whole backrest 11 be pivoted around the first pivot point 31 on the frame 3, so that the backrest 11 is pivoted towards a second, reclined position. Since the seat fitting 155 is also attached to the footrest fitting 135 at the second displacement point 153, the footrest fitting 135 will be pivoted around the second pivot point 33 on the frame 3 towards a second, projecting footrest position.
  • the pivot axes associated with the pivot points 31, 33 are normal to the paper plane.
  • the distances of displacement of the first 151 and the second 153 displacement points in the direction of displacement of the chair seat 15 are the same.
  • the respective pivot angles of the backrest 11 and the footrest 13 around, respectively, the first pivot point 31 and the second pivot point 33 on the frame 3 will thus depend on the distance between the pivot point 31, 33 and the associated displacement point 151, 153 as explained in further detail below.
  • the chair 1 is thereby, by the seat 15 being moved forwards, adjusted from the first, upright position A towards a second, reclined position B, as shown in figure 2.
  • Figures 1, 2, and 4 show the adjustable chair 1 including a resistance device in the form of a pneumatic compression spring 41 connected between the frame 3 on the side panel 35 of the frame and the seat fitting 155 of the seat 15.
  • the compression spring 41 is pivotably attached to the frame 3 at a pivot point 36 and to an attachment point 156 on the seat fitting 155 of the seat 15.
  • the compression spring 41 will have the effect of the seat 15 being forced backwards towards the first seat position, and the chair thereby being held in or forced towards the first, upright position A by a force from the compression spring 41.
  • the person 5 sitting in the chair 1 will have to provide a push force for the seat 15, for example by pushing against the armrest 39 and thereby forcing the backrest 11 backwards, in the direction of displacement of the seat 15, which is greater than and of opposite direction to the component of the compressive force of the compression spring 41 working against the displacement of the seat 15, in order to adjust the chair 1 away from the first position A.
  • the compression spring 41 will be pivoted around the attachment point 36 on the frame 3.
  • the component of force of the compression spring 41 acting backwards, against the displacement of the seat 15 in towards the first seat position, will decrease as the seat is displaced forward from the first seat position until the compression spring 41 is standing normal to the direction of displacement of the seat 15, so that said component of force is zero.
  • the component of force of the compression spring 41 in the direction of displacement of the seat 15 will act forwards, so that the compression spring 41 has the effect of making the seat 15 be moved towards the second seat position, and the chair 1 thereby being adjusted towards the second, reclined position B.
  • the chair may be adjusted from the second position B to the first position A, wherein the compression spring 41 is working against the adjustment when the chair 1 is substantially near the second position B, whereas the compression spring 41 is working with the adjustment when the chair is substantially near the first position A, so that the compression spring 41 forces the chair 1 in towards the first position A.
  • Figure 3 shows a simplified perspective sketch of the chair 1 of figures 1 and 2, without the armrest 39 and compression spring 41 for the sake of exposition.
  • a distance R between the first pivot point 31 and the first displacement point 151 and a distance r between the second pivot point 33 and the second displacement point 153 are shown as the radii of two different circles having their centres at the first pivot point 31 and the second pivot point 33, respectively.
  • a displacement of the seat 15 will entail a displacement of the first displacement point 151 and the second displacement point 153 along the circumferences of their respective circles.
  • the distance R is larger than the distance r, a corresponding displacement of both displacement points 151, 153 will correspond to a larger pivot angle around the second pivot point 33 than around the first pivot point 31.
  • FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the adjustable chair 1, the chair 1 being shown without the armrest 39 for the sake of exposition.
  • the resistance device is shown here as an elastic resistance element 43 in the form of a mechanical draw- spring 43 attached between the backrest fitting 115 of the backrest 11 and the seat fitting 155 of the seat 15.
  • the draw-spring 43 together with the dog 157, makes the backrest 11 stand in its first, upright position, the seat 15 stand in its first seat position and thereby the chair 1 stand in its first, upright position A.
  • the draw-spring 43 acts on the chair 1 all the time with a pulling force that seeks to raise the chair 1 towards the first, upright position A of the chair 1 by pulling the backrest 11 and the seat 15 together.
  • the chair 1 is therefore adjusted automatically back into its first, upright position A as a person 5 leaves the chair 1.
  • Figure 6 shows the chair 1 of figure 5 in the second, reclined position B.
  • the draw- spring 43 is here in an extended position, but still within its limit of elasticity.
  • FIG 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the adjustable chair 1, without the seat 15 for the sake of exposition, the resistance device being constituted by a holding mechanism 45.
  • the holding mechanism includes an arm 451 pivotably connected to the frame 3 at a pivot point 34.
  • the arm 451 is connected to the frame 3 by means of a draw-spring 452 which is attached, in a lower draw-spring portion, to the frame 3 and, in an upper draw-spring portion, to a projection 455 on the arm 451.
  • the arm 451 is formed with a recess 454 between elevations 456.
  • the backrest fitting 115 of the backrest 11 is provided with a roller bolt 453 arranged to engage the recess 454.
  • the draw-spring 452 has the effect of making the chair 1 be pulled in towards the first position A, in which the roller bolt 453 is engaged in the recess 454, and enabling several chairs 1 in accordance with the invention, which are positioned at the same place, to be in exactly the same position when not in use.
  • a force which is greater than a given retaining force, will have to be provided in order for the chair 1 to be adjusted away from the first, upright position A.
  • the retaining force will depend on the construction of the spring 452, the depth of the recess 454 and the rotational resistance of the arm 451 at the pivot point 34, among other things.
  • Figure 8 shows an enlarged section of the holding mechanism 45 at the upper portion of the arm 451 near the pivot point 34, with the roller bolt 453 of the backrest fitting 115 of the backrest 11 engaged in the recess 454 between the elevations 456 on the arm 451 when the chair is in the first, upright position A.
  • Figure 9 shows the chair of figure 7 in the second, reclined position B, without the seat 15 here as well, for the sake of exposition.
  • the roller bolt 453 is outside the recess 454 on the outside of the elevations 456.
  • the elevations 456 provide a retaining force which is greater than the force from the weight of the footrest 13, so that, in the embodiment shown, the holding device 45 can also hold the chair 1 in the second, reclined position B. This may be appropriate both with a view to comfort and for demonstration purposes, as the chair 1 may be shown in a reclined position B without a person 5 having to sit in the chair 1.
  • Figure 10 shows an enlarged section of the holding mechanism 45 at the upper portion of the arm 451 near the pivot point 34, with the roller bolt 453 on the backrest fitting 115 of the backrest 11 outside the recess 454 and on the outside of the elevation 456 of the arm 451 when the chair 1 is in the second, reclined position B.
  • FIG 11 shows another alternative embodiment of the adjustable chair 1, without the seat 15 for the sake of exposition.
  • the embodiment resembles the one shown in figures 7 and 9, but in this embodiment, a holding mechanism 45' is provided with a compression spring 457 instead of the draw-spring 452, the compression spring 457 being attached by a lower compression-spring portion to the arm 451 at an attachment point 458 on the lower portion of the arm 451 and to the frame 3 by an upper compression-spring portion.
  • the holding mechanism 45' provides resistance to adjustment of the chair 1 both from the first, upright position A and from the second, reclined position B.
  • Figure 12 shows several chairs 1 in accordance with the invention put together, by means of a technique known per se, into a continuous row of chairs.
  • the row of chairs includes chairs 1 in accordance with the invention interconnected by means of side panels 35, which are shared by two chairs 1 in the row, and end side panels 38 at either end of the row of chairs.
  • FIG 13 shows a simplified sketch of an embodiment of the adjustable chair 1 in the first upright position A.
  • a person 5 is shown sitting in the chair 1.
  • the chair 1 is sketched without a resistance device (41, 43, 45, 45') for the sake of exposition.
  • the frame 3 is provided with several wheels 32 spaced apart, between which a rail 152 attached to the seat fitting 155 of the seat 15 is guided when the seat 15 is displaced between the first and second seat positions.
  • the direction of displacement of the seat 15 is thus linear in this embodiment.
  • the seat 15 is connected to the backrest 11 by means of a roller bolt 154a on a modified seat fitting 155 which is guided in a long hole 112 on the backrest fitting 115.
  • the seat 15 is connected to the footrest 13 by means of a roller bolt 154b on the modified seat fitting 155 guided in a long hole 132 on the footrest fitting 135.
  • Figure 14 shows the adjustable chair 1 of figure 13 in the second, reclined position B.
  • the rail 152 on the seat fitting 155 of the seat 15 has been guided through the wheels 32 of the frame, so that the seat 15 has been displaced to the second seat position.
  • the backrest 11 and the footrest 13 have correspondingly been pivoted to their second backrest and footrest positions, respectively.
  • the roller bolts 154a, 154b have been displaced in their respective long holes 112, 132 to compensate for the linear displacement of the seat 15.
  • the figures 15, 16, 17 and 18 show yet another embodiment of the adjustable chair 1.
  • the backrest 11 may be reclined further and the footrest 13 be raised higher up than in the other embodiments shown, so that an even more relaxing position may be taken.
  • the frame 3 is shown in an alternative design and the chair 1 is provided with a draw-spring 43 connected between the frame and the chair seat 15, the draw-spring 43 being arranged to position the backrest 11 upright and retract the footrest 13 as a person 5 leaves the chair 1.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Dentistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Chairs For Special Purposes, Such As Reclining Chairs (AREA)

Abstract

A device for an adjustable chair (1), the chair (1) being adjustable between at least a first position (A) and a second position (B), and the chair (1) including : - a frame (3) placed on a surface (2); - a backrest (11) pivotably connected to the frame (3) at a first pivot point (31); - a footrest (13) pivotably connected to the frame (3) at a second pivot point (33); and - a seat (15) connected to the backrest (11) and to the footrest (13), the seat (15) being displaceable relative to the frame (3) between at least a first seat position and a second seat position corresponding to, respectively, the first position (A) and the second position (B) of the chair, and the backrest (11) and the footrest (13) being adjusted, when the seat (15) is being displaced between said first and second seat positions, between a corresponding first and second backrest position and footrest position, respectively, characterized by the chair (1) further including at least one resistance device (41, 43, 45, 45') arranged to resist the adjustment of the chair (1) from at least one of said first position (A) and second position (B).

Description

DEVICE FOR AN ADJUSTABLE CHAIR
The invention relates to a device for an adjustable chair. More specifically, the invention relates to a chair which can be adjusted between at least a first, upright position and a second, reclined position by a backrest and a footrest being pivotably connected to a frame, whereas a chair seat is suspended from the backrest and from the footrest. The adjustable chair further includes at least one resistance device arranged to resist adjustment of the chair from at least one of said first and second positions.
The present invention relates to a device for chairs intended for use in, for example, cinema, concert, theatre and auditorium halls, on decks in ships, on board aeroplanes or the like. The chairs may also be used as garden chairs, children's chairs, wheelchairs, office chairs or as comfort chairs, among other things. The device could also be used in prams and hospital beds. Said chairs may be fixed to a surface, or they may be free-standing, either directly or on wheels, on the surface. An adjustable chair in accordance with the invention will be comfortable in use while, at the same time, it meets a possible requirement for a free escape route in case of an emergency, for example when it is fixedly installed, together with other chairs in accordance with the invention, in a line of chairs in one of the rooms of application mentioned above. In what follows, the invention will be exemplified by a chair intended for use in a cinema hall or the like, even though the invention is not limited to this.
Adjustable chairs that imitate the functionality of the human body in the form of positioning rotatable joints to increase a user's comfort are known. Self-balancing chairs are also known that are rotatable around the centre of mass of the chair, so that a user experiences an approximately weightless state in the chair.
A self-balancing chair is disclosed in the patent document WO 92/03950. The chair stands on or is attached to a surface by means of a base. A backrest and a footrest are rotatably connected to an armrest, whereas the seat section itself is not attached to the armrest, but suspended from the backrest and the footrest. The seat, backrest, footrest and armrest are interconnected at four pivot points which together extend a parallelogram. The whole parallelogram is further pivotably connected to the base at a fifth pivot point on the armrest. By way of its construction, the centre of mass of the chair balances around the pivot points. At the same time, the functionality of the chair, resembling that of the human body, makes the user's centre of mass not move relative to the centre of mass of the chair when the user is sitting or lying in the chair. Another "zero-gravity chair" is disclosed in the patent document US 7311359.
It is also known to provide the chair with one or more spring devices to resist or assist rotation around one or more pivot points. Further, chairs are known that are provided with one or more spring devices arranged to retract a footrest and/or put a backrest upright when the user leaves the chair.
The utility model publication DE 202007008981 describes an armchair in which a frame is placed on a surface. To the frame, a backrest, a footrest and an armrest portion are attached. The backrest and the footrest are pivotably attached to the frame and to each other. Further, the backrest is connected to the frame with a spring of a mechanical or pneumatic type, the spring being arranged to put the backrest upright and retract the footrest as the user leaves the chair.
Common to the known solutions, some of which are mentioned in the above, is that they have one or more of the drawbacks that will be mentioned in what follows.
A self-balancing chair which is not provided with one or more devices giving resistance against adjustment of the chair may be difficult to control during use. As the chair balances around a centre of mass, small, often unintentional, movements and positional changes by the user may result in large changes in the position of the chair. Further, such chairs often have the purpose of bringing the feet to a higher position than that of the head, which will not be practical in a cinema hall or the like, where a free view ahead is desired. Armchairs that also include footrests (and calf rests) are generally not used in cinema halls or the like for safety reasons. In an emergency, backrests and footrests in a folded-out position could be a hindrance to free escape routes. For that reason, a prior-art armchair would have to occupy a very large space in a cinema hall or the like in order to satisfy the requirement for safety, and thereby not be appropriate for economic reasons. Known solutions with self-returning backrests and footrests often require the manual activation of a lever, a button or the like to recline the chair or put it upright. The adjustment usually requires an electrical or pneumatic power supply for the operation of an actuator or the like, which does not meet the requirements for safety, as, in an emergency, it will not be sufficient to base the returning of the chair to the upright position on said activating mechanisms. In a cinema hall it is also important, for aesthetical reasons, that all chairs are in one and the same position as the audience enters the hall before a show starts. The prior art thus does not present satisfactory solutions for cinema chairs with footrests that work without the supply of electrical or pneumatic power and that satisfy the requirements for reliable functioning and aesthetics. Resistance devices arranged to hold a chair in at least one of its extreme positions until a force is provided that is great enough to adjust the chair out of one of said extreme positions are not known either. The invention has for its object to remedy or reduce at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art or at least provide a useful alternative to the prior art.
The object is achieved through features which are specified in the description below and in the claims that follow.
By a footrest is meant, in what follows, a device arranged to relieve feet and/or calves.
By "connected to" is meant, in what follows, directly attached to or attached to by means of one or more connecting elements such as a hinge, a fitting, a bracket or the like. Said connecting elements may be rigid or elastic.
In a first aspect, the invention relates to a device for an adjustable chair, the chair being adjustable between at least a first position and a second position, and the chair comprising :
- a frame placed on a surface;
- a backrest pivotably connected to the frame at a first pivot point;
- a footrest pivotably connected to the frame at a second pivot point; and
- a seat connected to the backrest and to the footrest, the seat being movable relative to the frame between at least a first seat position and a second seat position corresponding to the first and second positions, respectively, of the chair, and the backrest and the footrest being adjusted, as the seat is moved between said first and second seat positions, between corresponding first and second backrest and footrest positions, respectively, characterized by the chair further including at least one resistance device arranged to resist the adjustment of the chair from at least one of said first position and second position.
The first position of the chair may be an upright position in which the backrest is upright and the footrest is folded in. The second position of the chair may be a reclined position, in which the backrest is reclined and the footrest has been folded out. Be- tween said two first and second positions, the chair may preferably be infinitely adjustable by means of weight distribution.
The frame of the chair may include or be connected to an armrest. In a case in which the chair is intended for use in a continuous row of chairs together with other chairs in accordance with the invention, the frame may include intermediate side panels, shared by two chairs in the row of chairs, and end side panels at either end of the row of chairs.
In a preferred embodiment, the pivot points may be fixed. This means that the pivot points are not displaceable with or relative to the frame. Rotary connections are mechanically more robust in use than connections including linear movements, and the construction of the chair will thus be more robust. This will be a great advantage for chairs intended for mass use, as in a cinema hall, for example, as it may considerably increase the life of the chair.
It may be an advantage if the resistance device includes at least one or the other of a resistance element and a holding mechanism. The resistance element may be, for example, various types of springs of mechanical or pneumatic types, providing resistance against the adjustment though all or parts of the adjustment between the first and second positions of the chair. In some embodiments, in addition to providing resistance, a resistance element may also provide a push force acting in the direction of adjustment in a portion of the adjustment range. The holding mechanism may be a device that provides a retaining force that resists adjustment of the chair, the retaining force substantially being effective when the chair is in the first or second position.
In a first embodiment, the at least one resistance device may include a resistance element which is a compression spring. The compression spring may be of a mechanical or pneumatic type, for example. A compression spring could be used to press against at least a portion of the chair, so that the chair is forced towards at least one of the first and second positions. Thus, the spring works against a force that is trying to adjust the chair away from the first and/or second position(s), at least when the chair is substantially near the first and/or the second position(s). This will be particularly appropriate for a chair that moves around a centre of mass, in which small movements by a user could give large, often undesired, changes in the position of the chair.
In a preferred embodiment, the compression spring may be connected between the seat and the frame, preferably in such a way that the compression spring is pivotable around the attachment point on the frame. In this way, the compression spring may push the seat towards the first seat position when the seat is substantially near the first seat position, and towards the second seat position when the seat is substantially near the second seat position. This will have the advantage of one and the same spring being usable for pushing the seat towards both the first and the second seat positions, so that one and the same compression spring also resists adjustment of the chair both from the first position and from the second position. The compression spring will also have the advantage of no release mechanism, such as a lever, a button or the like, being necessary to adjust the chair from one position to another. This will be favourable with a view to both user friendliness, reduced mechanical complexity, increased robustness and improved aesthetics. By pushing against an armrest or the like, so that the seat is moved forwards, and/or by putting weight on the backrest, the chair may be adjusted from the first position to the second position. By pulling on the same armrest or the like and/or by putting the body weight forwards, the chair may be adjusted from the second position to the first position.
In another embodiment, the at least one resistance device may include a holding mechanism arranged to hold the chair in at least one of the first and second positions with a predetermined force, so that a releasing force that is greater than said holding force must be provided to adjust the chair away from the first and/or second posi- tion(s). This could also be important for aesthetical reasons if the chair is used in a cinema hall or the like, as it is important that all chairs are in the same position as the audience enters the hall. The holding mechanism will also be advantageous, as mentioned above, as small movements by a user will not lead to unintended adjustments of the position of the chair, both from a first, for example upright, position and from a second, for example reclined, position. The holding mechanism may be used instead of or in addition to said resistance element.
It may be advantageous if the holding mechanism provides a greater holding force in the first position of the chair than in the second position of the chair. This could have the advantage of a smaller force, for example a force that is only slightly larger than the force from the weight of the footrest, being required in order to put the chair upright, whereas a somewhat larger force is required in order to adjust the chair away from the upright position. In an alternative embodiment, the holding mechanism may be releasable in one or both of the first and second positions of the chair by means of a release mechanism. The release mechanism, which may be of a type known per se, may be activatable by means of, for example, a button, a lever or the like. A release mechanism could be particularly appropriate when a chair in accordance with the in- vention is used in a room of application or a place where the safety requirements previously mentioned do not apply.
In one embodiment, the backrest may be rotatably connected to the frame at a first pivot point, and the footrest may be rotatably connected to the frame at a second pivot point, the second pivot point being positioned at a distance from the first pivot point on the frame. Further, the seat may be connected to the backrest at a first displacement point and to the footrest at a second displacement point, the second displacement point being positioned at a distance from the first displacement point on the seat. This will have the advantage of the seat being able to "float" freely without being attached to the frame, and the backrest and footrest pivoting as the seat is being displaced. The backrest and/or footrest may, but do/does not have to, be non- pivotably connected to the seat at their respective displacement points. In an alternative embodiment, the seat may be connected to a rail which is guided through a set of wheels, roller bolts or the like on the frame, for the displacement of the seat. Thus, the seat will not float freely, but will be guided linearly by means of the rail and the wheels. Alternatively, said wheels, roller bolts or the like may be connected to the seat, whereas the rail is connected to the frame.
In a preferred embodiment, the distance between the first pivot point and the first displacement point may be larger than the distance between the second pivot point and the second displacement point. This will have the effect of the footrest, which is connected to the frame at the second pivot point and to the seat at the second displacement point, being pivoted, when the seat is displaced, through a larger angle around the second pivot point than the backrest is, in the opposite angular direction, around the first pivot point. This will be important with respect to a user's comfort as a more relaxing and appropriate position may be taken in a reclined chair position.
In one embodiment, the at least one resistance device may include an elastic resistance element arranged to pull the backrest and the footrest in towards the first backrest and footrest positions, respectively. Thus, the elastic resistance element will work against the adjustment of the chair from the first into the second position, whereas the elastic resistance element will work with the adjustment of the chair from the second into the first position. This could be important with a view to user comfort as a user may be helped up towards the upright position after a show or the like. It could also be important for safety reasons as the chair is automatically put upright as a person leaves it. The elastic resistance element may for example be a spring of a mechanical or pneumatic type. In a preferred embodiment, the elastic resistance element may be connected between the backrest and the seat. In alternative embodiments, the elastic resistance element may be connected between at least two of the parts backrest, seat, frame, footrest, armrest and surface. The dimensioning of the resistance element is done on the basis of the weight of the individual, movable chair components.
In what follows, a non-limiting example of a preferred embodiment is described, which is visualized on the accompanying drawings, in which :
Figure 1 shows, in a side view, a sketch of an adjustable chair in accordance with the invention in a first position;
Figure 2 shows, in a side view, a sketch of the same chair as that of figure 1 in a second position;
Figure 3 shows, in a perspective view, a simplified sketch of the same chair as that of figure 1 in the first position;
Figure 4 shows, in a side view, a sketch of an adjustable chair, in which the chair is shown in both the first and the second positions, and in which the radii of rotation of the backrest and footrests around their respective pivot points are indicated;
Figure 5 shows, in a side view, a sketch of an adjustable chair in accordance with the invention in the first position;
Figure 6 shows, in a side view, a sketch of the same chair as that of figure 5 in the second position;
Figure 7 shows, in a side view, a sketch of a chair in accordance with the invention in the first position;
Figure 8 shows an enlarged section of a portion of the chair of figure 7;
Figure 9 shows, in a side view, a sketch of the same chair as that of figure 7 in the second position;
Figure 10 shows an enlarged section of a portion of the chair of figure 9;
Figure 11 shows a chair in accordance with the invention in the first position; Figure 12 shows, in perspective and on a smaller scale, a row of chairs made up of chairs in accordance with the invention;
Figure 13 shows, in a side view, a simplified sketch of an adjustable chair in accordance with the invention in the first position, in which a person is sitting in the chair;
Figure 14 shows, in a side view, a simplified sketch of the same chair as that of figure 13 in the second position, in which a person is lying in the chair;
Figure 15 shows, in a side view, a simplified sketch of an adjustable chair in accordance with the invention in the first position;
Figure 16 shows, in a side view, a simplified sketch of the same chair as that of figure 15 in the second position;
Figure 17 shows, in a perspective view, a sketch of the same chair as that of figure 15 in the first position; and
Figure 18 shows, in a perspective view, a sketch of the same chair as that of figure 15 in the second position.
In what follows, the reference numeral 1 indicates an adjustable chair in accordance with the invention, the chair 1 being placed on a surface 2. The adjustable chair 1 includes a frame 3, the frame 3 being formed with a T-shaped side panel 35. The side panel 35 stands on the surface 2 supported by a base 37, the base 37 being formed with bores 371 for the attachment of the frame 3 to the surface 2 by means of a technique known per se (not shown). A backrest 11 is pivotably connected to the frame 3 by a backrest fitting 115, attached to the side of the backrest 11, being attached in a manner known per se to the side panel 35 at a first pivot point 31. A footrest 13 is connected in a corresponding manner to the frame 3 at a second pivot point 33 by a footrest fitting 135, attached to one side of the footrest 13, being attached to the side panel 35. The seat 15 is not connected directly to the frame 3, but is suspended from the backrest 11 and from the footrest 13 by a seat fitting 155, which is attached to the seat 15, being attached to the backrest fitting 115 of the backrest 11 and to the footrest fitting 135 of the footrest 13 at, respectively, a first displacement point 151 and a second displacement point 153. A dog 157 on the seat fitting 155 prevents the footrest 13 from being folded further back than to its first, folded-in position, and thereby the backrest 11 from being leaned forwards and the seat 15 from being moved further back than to the first seat position. The adjustable chair 1 shown is intended to be put together with more chairs 1 in accordance with the invention into a row of chairs in a cinema or the like. The side panel 35, shown only on one side of the chair 1, will be shared by two chairs 1 in the row of chairs and thus function as an intermediate side panel. The symmetry of the chair 1 is therefore shown in such a way that the side panel 35 and the fittings 115, 135, 155 with the associated mechanics for the adjustment of the chair 1 are attached only on one side of the chair 1, even though, in use, the chair will be provided with a frame 3, fittings 115, 135, 155 and said mechanics on both sides. The different figures show the frame 3, fittings 115, 135, 155 and said mechanics on the right or left side of the chair 1.
Figure 1 shows the adjustable chair 1 in a first, upright position A. The seat 15 is in the first seat position, corresponding to the first position A of the chair, whereas the backrest 11 and the footrest 13 are correspondingly in a first backrest and footrest position, respectively. By pushing with a sufficiently great push force against an armrest 39, which is attached to the frame 3, and/or placing body weight against the backrest 11, a person 5, see figures 13 and 14, sitting in the chair 1 will move the seat 15 forwards relative to the frame 3 in the position of application of the chair. The displacement of the seat 15 makes the backrest fitting 115, as it is attached to the seat fitting 155 of the seat 15 at the first displacement point 151, and thereby the whole backrest 11 be pivoted around the first pivot point 31 on the frame 3, so that the backrest 11 is pivoted towards a second, reclined position. Since the seat fitting 155 is also attached to the footrest fitting 135 at the second displacement point 153, the footrest fitting 135 will be pivoted around the second pivot point 33 on the frame 3 towards a second, projecting footrest position. The pivot axes associated with the pivot points 31, 33 are normal to the paper plane. The distances of displacement of the first 151 and the second 153 displacement points in the direction of displacement of the chair seat 15 are the same. The respective pivot angles of the backrest 11 and the footrest 13 around, respectively, the first pivot point 31 and the second pivot point 33 on the frame 3 will thus depend on the distance between the pivot point 31, 33 and the associated displacement point 151, 153 as explained in further detail below. The chair 1 is thereby, by the seat 15 being moved forwards, adjusted from the first, upright position A towards a second, reclined position B, as shown in figure 2.
Figures 1, 2, and 4 show the adjustable chair 1 including a resistance device in the form of a pneumatic compression spring 41 connected between the frame 3 on the side panel 35 of the frame and the seat fitting 155 of the seat 15. The compression spring 41 is pivotably attached to the frame 3 at a pivot point 36 and to an attachment point 156 on the seat fitting 155 of the seat 15. When the chair 1 is in the first upright position A, or is substantially near the first, upright position A, the compression spring 41 will have the effect of the seat 15 being forced backwards towards the first seat position, and the chair thereby being held in or forced towards the first, upright position A by a force from the compression spring 41. The person 5 sitting in the chair 1 will have to provide a push force for the seat 15, for example by pushing against the armrest 39 and thereby forcing the backrest 11 backwards, in the direction of displacement of the seat 15, which is greater than and of opposite direction to the component of the compressive force of the compression spring 41 working against the displacement of the seat 15, in order to adjust the chair 1 away from the first position A. When the seat 15, after having had a sufficiently great push force applied to it, is moved away from the first position A, the compression spring 41 will be pivoted around the attachment point 36 on the frame 3. The component of force of the compression spring 41 acting backwards, against the displacement of the seat 15 in towards the first seat position, will decrease as the seat is displaced forward from the first seat position until the compression spring 41 is standing normal to the direction of displacement of the seat 15, so that said component of force is zero. By further displacement of the seat in the same direction, the component of force of the compression spring 41 in the direction of displacement of the seat 15 will act forwards, so that the compression spring 41 has the effect of making the seat 15 be moved towards the second seat position, and the chair 1 thereby being adjusted towards the second, reclined position B. In a corresponding way, by means of a push force from said user, the chair may be adjusted from the second position B to the first position A, wherein the compression spring 41 is working against the adjustment when the chair 1 is substantially near the second position B, whereas the compression spring 41 is working with the adjustment when the chair is substantially near the first position A, so that the compression spring 41 forces the chair 1 in towards the first position A.
Figure 3 shows a simplified perspective sketch of the chair 1 of figures 1 and 2, without the armrest 39 and compression spring 41 for the sake of exposition.
In figure 4, a distance R between the first pivot point 31 and the first displacement point 151 and a distance r between the second pivot point 33 and the second displacement point 153 are shown as the radii of two different circles having their centres at the first pivot point 31 and the second pivot point 33, respectively. A displacement of the seat 15 will entail a displacement of the first displacement point 151 and the second displacement point 153 along the circumferences of their respective circles. As the distance R is larger than the distance r, a corresponding displacement of both displacement points 151, 153 will correspond to a larger pivot angle around the second pivot point 33 than around the first pivot point 31. This will have the effect of the angular deflection of the footrest 13, during the displacement of the seat 15, being larger than the angular deflection of the backrest 11. Since the seat 15 is displaced along the circumferences of said two circles, the position of the seat 15 will also change from the first into the second seat position.
Figure 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the adjustable chair 1, the chair 1 being shown without the armrest 39 for the sake of exposition. The resistance device is shown here as an elastic resistance element 43 in the form of a mechanical draw- spring 43 attached between the backrest fitting 115 of the backrest 11 and the seat fitting 155 of the seat 15. When the chair 1 is not being used, the draw-spring 43, together with the dog 157, makes the backrest 11 stand in its first, upright position, the seat 15 stand in its first seat position and thereby the chair 1 stand in its first, upright position A. The draw-spring 43 acts on the chair 1 all the time with a pulling force that seeks to raise the chair 1 towards the first, upright position A of the chair 1 by pulling the backrest 11 and the seat 15 together. The chair 1 is therefore adjusted automatically back into its first, upright position A as a person 5 leaves the chair 1.
Figure 6 shows the chair 1 of figure 5 in the second, reclined position B. The draw- spring 43 is here in an extended position, but still within its limit of elasticity.
Figure 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the adjustable chair 1, without the seat 15 for the sake of exposition, the resistance device being constituted by a holding mechanism 45. The holding mechanism includes an arm 451 pivotably connected to the frame 3 at a pivot point 34. The arm 451 is connected to the frame 3 by means of a draw-spring 452 which is attached, in a lower draw-spring portion, to the frame 3 and, in an upper draw-spring portion, to a projection 455 on the arm 451. Further, the arm 451 is formed with a recess 454 between elevations 456. In this embodiment, the backrest fitting 115 of the backrest 11 is provided with a roller bolt 453 arranged to engage the recess 454. When the chair 1 is in its first, upright position A, the roller bolt 453 is engaged in the recess 454 of the arm 451. The draw-spring 452 has the effect of making the chair 1 be pulled in towards the first position A, in which the roller bolt 453 is engaged in the recess 454, and enabling several chairs 1 in accordance with the invention, which are positioned at the same place, to be in exactly the same position when not in use. A force, which is greater than a given retaining force, will have to be provided in order for the chair 1 to be adjusted away from the first, upright position A. The retaining force will depend on the construction of the spring 452, the depth of the recess 454 and the rotational resistance of the arm 451 at the pivot point 34, among other things.
Figure 8 shows an enlarged section of the holding mechanism 45 at the upper portion of the arm 451 near the pivot point 34, with the roller bolt 453 of the backrest fitting 115 of the backrest 11 engaged in the recess 454 between the elevations 456 on the arm 451 when the chair is in the first, upright position A.
Figure 9 shows the chair of figure 7 in the second, reclined position B, without the seat 15 here as well, for the sake of exposition. The roller bolt 453 is outside the recess 454 on the outside of the elevations 456. The elevations 456 provide a retaining force which is greater than the force from the weight of the footrest 13, so that, in the embodiment shown, the holding device 45 can also hold the chair 1 in the second, reclined position B. This may be appropriate both with a view to comfort and for demonstration purposes, as the chair 1 may be shown in a reclined position B without a person 5 having to sit in the chair 1.
Figure 10 shows an enlarged section of the holding mechanism 45 at the upper portion of the arm 451 near the pivot point 34, with the roller bolt 453 on the backrest fitting 115 of the backrest 11 outside the recess 454 and on the outside of the elevation 456 of the arm 451 when the chair 1 is in the second, reclined position B.
Figure 11 shows another alternative embodiment of the adjustable chair 1, without the seat 15 for the sake of exposition. The embodiment resembles the one shown in figures 7 and 9, but in this embodiment, a holding mechanism 45' is provided with a compression spring 457 instead of the draw-spring 452, the compression spring 457 being attached by a lower compression-spring portion to the arm 451 at an attachment point 458 on the lower portion of the arm 451 and to the frame 3 by an upper compression-spring portion. The holding mechanism 45' provides resistance to adjustment of the chair 1 both from the first, upright position A and from the second, reclined position B.
Figure 12 shows several chairs 1 in accordance with the invention put together, by means of a technique known per se, into a continuous row of chairs. The row of chairs includes chairs 1 in accordance with the invention interconnected by means of side panels 35, which are shared by two chairs 1 in the row, and end side panels 38 at either end of the row of chairs.
Figure 13 shows a simplified sketch of an embodiment of the adjustable chair 1 in the first upright position A. A person 5 is shown sitting in the chair 1. The chair 1 is sketched without a resistance device (41, 43, 45, 45') for the sake of exposition. The frame 3 is provided with several wheels 32 spaced apart, between which a rail 152 attached to the seat fitting 155 of the seat 15 is guided when the seat 15 is displaced between the first and second seat positions. The direction of displacement of the seat 15 is thus linear in this embodiment. The seat 15 is connected to the backrest 11 by means of a roller bolt 154a on a modified seat fitting 155 which is guided in a long hole 112 on the backrest fitting 115. Correspondingly, the seat 15 is connected to the footrest 13 by means of a roller bolt 154b on the modified seat fitting 155 guided in a long hole 132 on the footrest fitting 135.
Figure 14 shows the adjustable chair 1 of figure 13 in the second, reclined position B. The rail 152 on the seat fitting 155 of the seat 15 has been guided through the wheels 32 of the frame, so that the seat 15 has been displaced to the second seat position. The backrest 11 and the footrest 13 have correspondingly been pivoted to their second backrest and footrest positions, respectively. The roller bolts 154a, 154b have been displaced in their respective long holes 112, 132 to compensate for the linear displacement of the seat 15.
The figures 15, 16, 17 and 18 show yet another embodiment of the adjustable chair 1. In the second, reclined position B, the backrest 11 may be reclined further and the footrest 13 be raised higher up than in the other embodiments shown, so that an even more relaxing position may be taken. The frame 3 is shown in an alternative design and the chair 1 is provided with a draw-spring 43 connected between the frame and the chair seat 15, the draw-spring 43 being arranged to position the backrest 11 upright and retract the footrest 13 as a person 5 leaves the chair 1.

Claims

C l a i m s
1. A device for an adjustable chair (1), the chair (1) being adjustable between at least a first position (A) and a second position (B), and the chair (1) including :
- a frame (3) placed on a surface (2);
- a backrest (11) pivotably connected to the frame (3) at a first pivot point (31);
- a footrest (13) pivotably connected to the frame (3) at a second pivot point (33); and
- a seat (15) connected to the backrest (11) and to the footrest (13), the seat (15) being displaceable relative to the frame (3) between at least a first seat position and a second seat position corresponding to, respectively, the first position (A) and the second position (B) of the chair, and the backrest (11) and the footrest (13) being adjusted, when the seat (15) is being displaced between said first and second seat positions, between a corresponding first and second backrest position and footrest position, respectively, and the chair (1) further including at least one resistance device (41, 43, 45, 45') arranged to resist the adjustment of the chair (1) from at least one of said first position (A) and second position (B), c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the backrest (11) is pivotably connected to the frame (3) via a fitting (115), so that the first pivot point (31) is at a distance from the backrest (11), whereby the entire backrest (11) is pivotable around the frame (3).
2. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the footrest (13) is pivotably connected to the frame via a fitting (135), so that the second pivot point (33) is at a distance from the footrest (13), whereby the entire footrest (13) is pivotable around the frame (3).
3. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the pivot points (31, 33) are spatially fixed.
4. The device in accordance with claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one resistance device (41, 43, 45, 45') includes at least one of the parts resistance element (41, 43) and holding mechanism (45, 45').
5. The device in accordance with claim 3, wherein the at least one resistance device (41, 43, 45, 45') includes a resistance element (41, 43) which is a compression spring (41).
6. The device in accordance with claim 4, wherein the compression spring (41) is connected between the seat (15) and the frame (3), and wherein the compression spring (41) is pivotable around an attachment point (36) on the frame (3), so that the compression spring (41) pushes the seat (15) towards the first seat position when the seat (15) is substantially near the first seat position, and that the compression spring (41) pushes the seat (15) towards the second seat position when the seat (15) is substantially near the second seat position.
7. The device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one resistance device (41, 43, 45, 45') includes a holding mechanism (45, 45') arranged to retain the chair (1) in at least one of the first position (A) and the second position (B) with a predetermined force, so that a releasing force which is greater than said retaining force will have to be provided to adjust the chair (1) away from at least one of said first position (A) and second position (B).
8. The device in accordance with claim 6, wherein the holding mechanism (45, 45') provides a greater retaining force in the first position (A) of the chair (1) than in the second position (B) of the chair.
9. The device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the backrest (11) is pivotably connected to the frame (3) at a first pivot point (31), and the footrest (13) is pivotably connected to the frame (3) at a second pivot point (33), and wherein the second pivot point (33) is positioned at a distance from the first pivot point (31) on the frame (3).
10. The device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the seat (15) is connected to the backrest (11) at a first displacement point (151) and to the footrest (13) at a second displacement point (153), the second displacement point (153) being positioned at a distance from the first displacement point (151) on the seat (15).
11. The device in accordance with claims 8 and 9, wherein the distance between the first pivot point (31) and the first displacement point (151) is larger than the distance between the second pivot point (33) and the second displacement point (153).
12. The device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one resistance device (41, 43, 45, 45') includes an elastic resistance element (43) arranged to pull the backrest (11) and the footrest (13) in towards the first backrest and footrest positions, respectively.
13. The device in accordance with claim 11, wherein the elastic resistance element (43) connects the backrest (11) and the seat (15).
14. The device in accordance with claim 11 or 12, wherein the elastic resistance element (43) is a mechanical element.
15. The device in accordance with claim 11 or 12, wherein the elastic resistance element (43) is a pneumatic element.
16. The device in accordance with claim 4, wherein the compression spring (41) is a mechanical spring.
17. The device in accordance with claim 4, wherein the compression spring (41) is a pneumatic spring.
EP12830977.0A 2011-09-15 2012-09-12 Device for an adjustable chair Withdrawn EP2755526A4 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NO20111259A NO20111259A1 (en) 2011-09-15 2011-09-15 Adjustable chair arrangement
PCT/NO2012/050175 WO2013039405A1 (en) 2011-09-15 2012-09-12 Device for an adjustable chair

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2755526A1 true EP2755526A1 (en) 2014-07-23
EP2755526A4 EP2755526A4 (en) 2015-05-13

Family

ID=47883517

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP12830977.0A Withdrawn EP2755526A4 (en) 2011-09-15 2012-09-12 Device for an adjustable chair

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2755526A4 (en)
NO (1) NO20111259A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2013039405A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN114343366A (en) * 2022-01-11 2022-04-15 邓昭前 Row chair capable of adjusting chair seat self-starting turnover speed
CN114617381A (en) * 2022-04-28 2022-06-14 叶龙华 Balance chair with backrest

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US2617471A (en) * 1946-04-19 1952-11-11 Lorenz Anton Reclining article of furniture
US2857954A (en) * 1951-04-04 1958-10-28 Inventors Entpr Inc Adjustable chair
US4533177A (en) * 1979-06-06 1985-08-06 Knoll International, Inc. Reclining chair
FR2618657A1 (en) * 1987-07-27 1989-02-03 Benarous Emile Reclining armchair
US4877291A (en) * 1987-12-14 1989-10-31 Taylor William P Reclining chair
US5108148A (en) * 1990-09-07 1992-04-28 Henke Franz J Reclining chair mechanism having sole support pivot
US5246266A (en) * 1990-09-18 1993-09-21 Chairworks Taiwan Limited Chair
US5348367A (en) * 1991-07-01 1994-09-20 Lumex, Inc. Reclining chair mechanism
BE1008373A3 (en) * 1994-04-21 1996-04-02 Jori Zitmeubelen Nv Mechanism for a relax seat.
US7134713B1 (en) * 2005-05-10 2006-11-14 Taiwan Shin Yen Enterprise Co., Ltd. Chair with a footrest turnable relative to a chair seat frame
DE202007008981U1 (en) * 2007-06-27 2007-09-13 Lin, Chang Chen, Kuanmiao Improved reclining seat
CA2671669A1 (en) * 2009-07-10 2011-01-10 Taiwan Shin Yeh Enterprise Co., Ltd. Foldable chair frame

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2755526A4 (en) 2015-05-13
WO2013039405A1 (en) 2013-03-21
NO20111259A1 (en) 2013-03-18

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