EP4062800A1

EP4062800A1 - Device for moving the backrest of a seating furniture

Info

Publication number: EP4062800A1
Application number: EP21382945.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Felix Lopez Gil
Original assignee: Fama Sofas SL
Current assignee: Fama Sofas SL
Priority date: 2021-03-23
Filing date: 2021-10-21
Publication date: 2022-09-28
Anticipated expiration: 2041-10-21
Also published as: EP4062800B1; EP4062800C0

Abstract

A piece of furniture for sitting on comprising a backrest support (4), a backrest structure (5), and a backrest displacement device; wherein the backrest displacement device comprises, in turn, a first plate (1) attached to the backrest support (4) and a second plate (2) attached to the backrest structure (5), as well as two pairs of braces (3) that attach in an articulated manner the first plate (1) to the second plate (2) at their ends.

Description

Technical field

This invention refers to a device for moving the headrest of a piece of furniture for sitting on, such as, for example, a sofa, a module or an armchair. In general, the invention is applicable in the industrial furniture manufacturing sector and, more specifically, to furniture with seats, especially in the production of sofas and the like.

State of the art

In the state of the art there are devices that enable the position of the backrest to be modified with respect to the seat, by moving either the backrest and/or the seat.
In this sense, the Spanish utility model with application number U200401812 , which describes a horizontally movable frame on which the seat of a sofa rests, allowing it to move transversely between predetermined limits, is worth mentioning. Furthermore, the frame is linked to an inner back support panel, which can be folded elastically against the backrest of the sofa when the frame has been moved forward, so as to allow an upper portion of the backrest to be folded in order to move it closer to, or further away, from the user.
Also worth mentioning is the Spanish utility model U201431313 , which consists of a sofa with a backrest provided with a movable section located above a fixed section that is solidly attached to the seat of the sofa, such that the movable section coincides with the neck and upper back of a user. The movable section is attached to the fixed section of the backrest by means of a cushioned articulation, which can be actuated by the user exerting pressure on the backrest, causing an oscillating movement around the fixed section.
None of the above documents enables the whole backrest to move, in such a way as to modify the ergonomics or the way in which it is used, by increasing the depth of the seat. Nor do any of these documents enable easy access to both the backrest and seat for cleaning or handling operations.
The above problems are solved in the state of the art by the use of articulated mechanisms which are attached to the lower part of the backrest, so that the mechanism can pivot forwards or backwards, moving the backrest and modifying the depth of the seat. To do so, the mechanisms of the state of the art comprise a pair of arms, in the form of a parallelogram and located in the same plane, one next to the other, so that they occupy a width that is the sum of the widths of each of the arms, which determines an increase in volume that compromises the aesthetics of the sofa. Furthermore, this configuration has the disadvantage that the seat must be divided into two parts to allow the mechanism to pass when moving forwards or backwards.
Another example of a document known in the state of the art is the German utility model DE1794880 (U ), which refers to an angled accessory for a sofa bed with an uninterrupted surface for lying on. Notwithstanding, this fitting is not suitable for integration with the structural parts of the backrest, which results in an increase in the volume of the backrest, comprising its aesthetics.

Explanation of the invention

An object of this invention is a device configured to modify the distance between the front of the seat and the backrest. A second object of the invention is a device configured to be integrated into the structural parts of the backrest, preventing it from causing an increase in the volume of the backrest that compromises its aesthetics so that, in the folded position, it is completely hidden. It also avoids the need to divide the seat into two parts to insert the device.
Finally, another object of the invention is to enable the backrest of a piece of furniture for sitting on to be moved backwards/forwards horizontally with respect to the user and simultaneously to be moved upwards/downwards vertically in order to improve the ergonomics of the sofa and to facilitate access to both the backrest and the seat of the piece of furniture for cleaning or handling operations.
These objects are achieved with the device of claim 1. The dependent claims describe particular embodiments of the invention. More specifically, the device that is the object of this invention is characterised because it comprises a first plate, which is fastened to a backrest support, and a second plate, which is fastened to the backrest structure. Furthermore, the first and second plates are attached in an articulated manner by means of two pairs of braces, each arranged in the form of a parallelogram, and all this in such a way that each pair of braces is arranged in different parallel planes, in order to move the backrest structure horizontally and vertically from a first front and lower position, in which the braces are extended, to a second back and raised position, in which the braces are folded, arranged parallel and facing each other in the different parallel planes, with the device occupying a minimal width.
This minimal width is achieved thanks to the fact that the articulation of the two pairs of braces on the first and second plates is carried out in such a way that when they are folded in the second back and raised position, they do not remain coplanar or in contact with each other, but remain parallel, occupying the same space, but in different planes. This configuration has the great advantage that, as the device occupies a minimal space, when the braces are folded in parallel, said braces remain hidden in the backrest, and perfectly integrated in the structural parts of the backrest without causing an increase in volume that compromises the aesthetics.
In addition, the device has been fitted with a reinforcing crossbar that joins the braces provided in the inner parallel plane of each pair of braces, in a way that gives the device greater consistency and enables the same inclination of the backrest structure at all times during its movement.
In a particular embodiment of the invention, the first and second plates comprise two orthogonal sections at their ends, to which the braces are attached in an articulated manner, where one of the braces of each pair is attached to the inner face of the orthogonal section of the plates and the other two braces of each pair are attached to the outer face of the orthogonal sections of the plates, in such a way that they occupy the minimal space already mentioned. The width of the orthogonal sections is the same as that of the braces, so that, in the second back and raised position of the backrest, these orthogonal sections are arranged parallel to the braces in different planes, occupying minimal space.
It has been envisaged that the invention comprises stops for the angular displacement of the braces to limit the angular displacement of the backrest in both directions. In the case in which the backrest is moved from the first to the second position, it is the first and second plates themselves that determine the brace stops, and when the backrest is moved from the second to the first position, the stops are determined by protrusions provided in the orthogonal sections and are arranged between each pair of braces. Furthermore, the location and arrangement of the braces enables the backrest structure to be moved forwards or folded backwards by exerting hand pressure from either side or top of the backrest, as it prevents the movement from being blocked by exerting any asymmetrical pressure, i.e., by pulling on only one of its sides. This advantage is favoured by the arrangement of the reinforcing crossbar already mentioned, so that the backrest structure does not lock, jam or sway when the backrest structure is moved.
The configuration of the device described enables the depth of the seat to be modified easily by moving the backrest horizontally from the first position, closer to the user, to the second position, further away from the user, either to modify the ergonomics or the way it is used or to have easier access to the backrest for cleaning or handling operations.

Brief description of the drawings

To complete the description and in order to help with a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, this descriptive report is accompanied by, as an integral part of the same, a set of drawings in which the following has been represented for illustrative and non-limiting purposes:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the device, independent of a sofa, and in which the braces are extended.
Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the device of the preceding figure in the position in which the braces are folded.
Figure 3 shows a schematic rear perspective view of a sofa with the device represented in the preceding figures mounted on the sofa. In this figure the backrest structure is located in the first front and lower position.
Figure 4 shows a schematic side view of the sofa of the preceding figure in which the different positions that the backrest structure can adopt as it moves from the second to the first position, or vice versa, is represented using dashed lines.
Figure 5 shows a detail of what is represented in figure 3.
Figure 6 shows a perspective side view of a sofa, with the backrest structure located in the second position.
Figure 7 shows the preceding figure of the sofa, but, in this case, with the backrest structure located in the first position.
Figure 8 shows a rear perspective view of a detail of another way of attaching the device to the backrest structure, equivalent to figure 5.

Detailed explanation of one embodiment of the invention

The following is a description of the device of the invention with the help of the aforementioned figures, which comprises a first plate 1 and a second plate 2, attached, in an articulated manner, by means of two pairs of braces 3, each in the form of a parallelogram. In the example embodiment, the first plate 1 and the second plate 2 comprise orthogonal sections 6 at their ends, through which the two pairs of braces 3 are attached to both plates 1,2, but, obviously, this attachment could be made in any other way, such as, for example, by means of extensions in the form of lug nuts.
Each pair of braces 3 is formed by an upper and a lower brace, so that the upper and lower braces of each pair of braces 3 are attached differently to the orthogonal sections 6. Thus, in figure 1, it can be seen in detail how the upper braces of each pair of braces 3 are attached to the outer face of the orthogonal sections 6, while the lower braces of each pair of braces 3 are attached to the inner face of said orthogonal sections 6, in such a way that the upper and lower braces of the brace sections 3 are in different vertical planes.
The first plate 1 is attached to the backrest support 4, and the second plate 2 is attached to the backrest structure 5 of a sofa. This attachment is made, for example, by means of screws that pass through holes 7 provided in the first and second plates (1,2).
Figures 1 to 7 show an example in which the backrest structure 5 comprises a board to the rear face of which the second plate 2 is attached, in contrast to figure 8 in which the second plate 2 is attached to the rear face of the board, as described below.
In any of the cases, the configuration described enables the backrest structure to be moved simultaneously, horizontally and vertically, from a first front and lower position, in which the braces 3 are extended, to a second back and raised position in which the pairs of braces 3 are folded, and arranged parallel and facing each other, so that they occupy a minimal width. Moreover, for this purpose, the orthogonal sections 6 have the same width as the braces 3.
It is envisaged that the device comprises stops for the angular displacement of the backrest in both directions, so that the stop that holds the device in the second position is determined by the plates 1 and 2 themselves, and the stop that holds the device in the first position is determined by protrusions 9 arranged in the orthogonal sections 6, and between each pair of braces 3.
Furthermore, the device comprises a reinforcing crossbar 8, which attaches the braces provided on the inner parallel plane of each pair of braces, so that it strengthens and gives rigidity to the structure of the device, giving it greater solidity, which facilitates the movement of the backrest.
In the example of figure 8, as already indicated, the second plate 2 is attached to the front face of the board of the backrest structure, for which said board is provided with an inverted "U-shaped" groove 10, through the horizontal branch of which the second plate can be inserted to position it on the front face, in which position the second plate is fastened, by means of screws for example, the pairs of braces 3 being located through the vertical branches of the inverted "U-shaped" groove 10.
This fastening is more effective in preventing the mechanism from locking, jamming or swaying during the movement of the backrest structure, when said movement is performed with only one hand, acting on any of its side or upper sides, especially when acting on its upper side. This is due to the fact that the second plate is fastened to the backrest structure more securely, as the two pairs of braces 3 pass through the board.
In this example, the support 4 and the backrest structure 5 are arranged parallel and leaning slightly backwards, forming an acute angle with the vertical. For this purpose, in the rear face of the board and as an extension of the vertical branches of the groove, recesses 11 have been provided, which are defined by an inclined bottom 12, which form the same angle as the support and the board, but with the difference that this inclined bottom 12 is directed forwards, instead of backwards, so that the pairs of braces, in the folded position, are housed in said recess 11, enabling the backrest structure to be reduced to the minimum expression, occupying the minimal space.
In the preceding embodiments, the board constitutes a support element for a cushion 13, although it could also be attached to the board, provided that its weight does not cause the mechanism to move to the deployed position due to the action of gravity.

Claims

A piece of furniture for sitting on comprising a backrest support (4), a backrest structure (5), and a backrest displacement device; wherein the backrest displacement device comprises, in turn, a first plate (1) attached to the backrest support (4) and a second plate (2) attached to the backrest structure (5), as well as two pairs of braces (3), which attach the first plate (1) to the second plate (2) in an articulated manner at their ends; and wherein the piece of furniture for sitting on is characterised in that each pair of braces (3) comprises an upper brace and a lower brace in such a way that the upper braces of each pair of braces (3) are attached to the inner or outer face of an orthogonal section (6), which originates from each of the ends of the plates (1,2); while the lower braces of each pair of braces (3) are attached to the inner or outer face of the orthogonal sections (6) that is the inverse of that of the upper braces, in such a way that the backrest structure (5) can be moved simultaneously horizontally and vertically, from a first front and lower position, in which the braces (3) are extended, to a second back and raised position in which the pairs of braces (3) are folded, in parallel and facing each other in two different parallel planes.
The piece of furniture according to claim 1 wherein the orthogonal sections (6) are of a width equal to that of the braces.
The piece of furniture according to claim 1 or 2 comprising a reinforcing crossbar (8) that attaches the braces provided in the inner parallel plane of each pair of braces (3).
The piece of furniture of any one of claims 1 to 3 comprising angular displacement stops of the braces configured to limit the movement of the backrest in both directions.
The piece of furniture of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the first and second plates constitute the stop of the pairs of braces when it is moved from the first to the second position, and wherein the backrest displacement stops from the second to the first stops comprise protrusions (9) provided in the orthogonal sections (6), and arranged between each pair of braces (3).