EP4388940B1 - Sitzmöbelstück - Google Patents

Sitzmöbelstück

Info

Publication number
EP4388940B1
EP4388940B1 EP23216122.4A EP23216122A EP4388940B1 EP 4388940 B1 EP4388940 B1 EP 4388940B1 EP 23216122 A EP23216122 A EP 23216122A EP 4388940 B1 EP4388940 B1 EP 4388940B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
legrest
piece
seating furniture
seat
folded
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.)
Active
Application number
EP23216122.4A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP4388940C0 (de
EP4388940A1 (de
Inventor
Vincent Haelvoet
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP4388940A1 publication Critical patent/EP4388940A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP4388940C0 publication Critical patent/EP4388940C0/de
Publication of EP4388940B1 publication Critical patent/EP4388940B1/de
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C1/00—Chairs adapted for special purposes
    • A47C1/02—Reclining or easy chairs
    • A47C1/031—Reclining or easy chairs having coupled concurrently adjustable supporting parts
    • A47C1/034—Reclining or easy chairs having coupled concurrently adjustable supporting parts the parts including a leg-rest or foot-rest
    • A47C1/0342—Reclining or easy chairs having coupled concurrently adjustable supporting parts the parts including a leg-rest or foot-rest in combination with movable backrest-seat unit or back-rest
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C31/00—Details or accessories for chairs, beds, or the like, not provided for in other groups of this subclass, e.g. upholstery fasteners, mattress protectors, stretching devices for mattress nets
    • A47C31/02—Upholstery attaching means
    • A47C31/023—Upholstery attaching means connecting upholstery to frames, e.g. by hooks, clips, snap fasteners, clamping means or the like

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a piece of seating furniture comprising a seat portion, a backrest which is movable between a sitting position and a reclining position, and a legrest which can be placed in a folded-in position and a folded-out position, wherein the piece of seating furniture comprises an adjustment mechanism which is configured to bring the legrest from the folded-in position to the folded-out position, and vice versa.
  • the present patent application relates in particular to a relaxation armchair.
  • the scope of the present invention also encompasses armchairs or chairs intended for use in a consumer environment or in the care sector (retirement homes, hospitals and the like) or for use in connection with a medical or paramedical profession or for installation in a means of transport (for example buses, trains, aircraft and the like).
  • the expression piece of seating furniture is used in the broadest sense to mean any device on which a person can sit and/or lie.
  • chairs, benches and beds also fall within the scope of the present invention.
  • Relaxation armchairs are generally known. On a large scale, there are two systems, synchronous and asynchronous systems. In asynchronous systems, the folding-out of the legrest will take place independently of the movement of the backrest to the reclining position. In the relaxation armchairs with a synchronous system, there is a direct mechanical connection between the backrest and the legrest in order for the folding-out of the legrest to be realized as a consequence of the movement of the backrest to the reclining position.
  • the relaxation armchair according to the present invention is suitable for both synchronous systems and asynchronous systems.
  • each relaxation armchair comprises an adjustment mechanism which is configured to move the legrest between its folded-in position and its folded-out position.
  • the adjustment mechanism is situated mainly below the seat portion.
  • the footrest frame may include one or two ottoman boards which are mounted on a footrest linkage, whereby an ottoman board will pull the covering layer taut.
  • a pair of locking links are mounted on the footrest linkage and connected to one another for releasably holding the footrest linkage in the retracted position.
  • two pairs of conventional four-bar linkages may be accommodated in the footrest-linkage mechanism without sacrificing the desired contours of the covering.
  • US 2014/070588 A1 discloses a method of converting a recliner from manual actuation to powered actuation that includes providing a recliner having a frame, a recliner mechanism with a base coupled to the frame and a hinged linkage movably coupled to the base, and a manual actuator that releases the hinged linkage to move under an occupant-applied force.
  • the method also includes disconnecting and removing the manual actuator from the recliner and, without disassembly of the recliner mechanism from the frame, removing a spring assist device extending between the hinged linkage and the base, installing a drive unit to the recliner mechanism, installing a power actuator on the frame with electrical communication to the drive unit, and establishing electrical communication between the drive unit and a source of electrical power, so that activation of the power actuator causes the drive unit to move the hinged linkage under powered actuation.
  • Other recliners which are considered as useful for understanding the invention are disclosed in US 2017/295934A1 and US 2017/332787A1 .
  • the object of the present invention is then also to overcome the disadvantages indicated above by providing a piece of seating furniture from which the seat portion and legrest can be removed in a simple and user-friendly manner.
  • the fact that the seat and legrest unit is decouplable means that it can be easily removed in order, for example, to be cleaned.
  • the decoupling preferably occurs by way of sliding, in particular by the seat and legrest unit being slid off the adjustment mechanism.
  • the decoupling may also occur by means of a clip connection or click-fit connection. No tool is required for the decoupling.
  • An additional advantage is that the seat portion and the legrest can be upholstered (provided with covering material) all the way round.
  • the coupling member is preferably fastened against the covering material at the position of the second part.
  • the covering material forms the casing of the seat and legrest unit.
  • Leather, imitation leather and fabric are typical covering materials. Preference is given to a material which is easy to clean.
  • the interior space is filled with a fill material.
  • the fill material is preferably a foamed material, more particularly a viscoelastic foam, which offers the advantage that it will prevent bedsores.
  • the fill material will form a one-part structure, which structure comprises said first part, which forms the legrest, and said second part, which forms the seat portion.
  • the fill material is selected such that the legrest is movable in relation to the seat portion such that the legrest can extend when the legrest will be brought from the folded-in position to the folded-out position.
  • the seat portion is preferably movable between a horizontal (sitting) position and an inclined position. In the sitting position, the seat portion is in its horizontal position and, in the reclining position, it is in an inclined position.
  • the adjustment mechanism is configured to transmit the movements of the seat portion to the legrest such that, whenever the seat portion is brought to an inclined position, the legrest is brought from the folded-in position to the folded-out position.
  • the adjustment mechanism is configured to transmit the movements of the backrest to the legrest such that, whenever the backrest is brought to the reclining position, the legrest is brought from the folded-in position to the folded-out position.
  • the piece of seating furniture comprises a transmission mechanism for bringing the backrest from the sitting position to the reclining position, and vice versa.
  • Said transmission mechanism may be mechanically connected to the adjustment mechanism in order to thus form a synchronous system such that, whenever the backrest is brought from the sitting position to the reclining position, the seat portion is brought into an inclined position and the legrest is brought from the folded-in position to the folded-out position.
  • the transmission mechanism may also be an independent mechanism (asynchronous system) which is not connected to the adjustment mechanism and is provided only for moving the backrest between the sitting position and the reclining position.
  • Such a transmission mechanism is then preferably designed as a spring, preferably a gas spring, or a motor.
  • the legrest can then also be moved between folded-out position and folded-in position independently by means of a spring, preferably a gas spring.
  • the adjustment mechanism comprises a seat frame and a fastening structure which is pivotably connected to the seat frame and to which the coupling member is fastenable in a slidable manner.
  • the fastening structure is in this case pivotable about a hinge axis. Said hinge axis extends below the seat and legrest unit.
  • Said fastening structure comprises at least one fastening bar
  • the coupling member comprises a housing with at least one receiving channel suitable for at least partially receiving said fastening bar.
  • said fastening structure comprises three fastening bars which extend parallel to one another, and the housing of the coupling member comprises three receiving channels suitable for at least partially receiving said fastening bars.
  • the fastening bars are preferably made of metal. This offers the advantage that they are sufficiently strong to adequately support the seat and legrest unit.
  • the fastening bars are of tubular form.
  • said coupling member comprises a resilient element which, in the folded-out position of the legrest, exerts a force on the covering material.
  • the resilient element is preferably a spiral spring. Other types of suitable resilient elements may also be considered, however.
  • the resilient element is placed in such a way that it continuously exerts a force on the end of the casing at the position of the legrest. In this way, the encasing covering material remains nicely taut at all times and wrinkle formation in the covering material is avoided. Moreover, the legs are given extra support in the folded-out position of the legrest.
  • the piece of seating furniture according to the present invention is preferably a relaxation armchair or an armchair or chair for use as garden furniture, generally in a domestic environment, or for use in the care sector or for use in connection with a medical or paramedical profession or for installation in a means of transport for persons.
  • the present invention provides a piece of seating furniture (1), in particular a piece of furniture (1) which is intended for use in a B2C setting or in the care sector (retirement homes, hospitals and the like), of which the seat portion and the legrest can be easily decoupled from the rest of the piece of seating furniture in order, for example, to replace or clean these.
  • the piece of seating furniture (1) comprises a seat portion (2), a backrest (3) which is movable between a sitting position (see Figure 5 ) and a reclining position (see Figure 6 ), and a legrest (4) which can be placed in a folded-in position and a folded-out position.
  • a special feature of the piece of seating furniture (1) according to the invention is that the seat portion (2) and the legrest (4) form part of a so-called seat and legrest unit (6).
  • a seat and legrest unit (6) is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 and comprises covering material which forms a casing.
  • the covering material is preferably a material that is durable and easy to maintain. It is often the case that the same covering material as the material with which the backrest is covered is opted for.
  • the interior space of the casing formed is filled with a fill material (12).
  • the fill material (12) is preferably a foamed material, more particularly a viscoelastic foam, which offers the advantage that it will prevent bedsores.
  • the fill material will form a one-part structure.
  • Said structure comprises a first part, which forms the legrest (4), and a second part, which forms the seat portion (2).
  • the fill material is selected such that the legrest (4) is movable in relation to the seat portion (2) such that the legrest can be brought from the folded-in position (illustrated in Figure 1 ) to the folded-out position (illustrated in Figure 2 ).
  • the piece of seating furniture comprises an adjustment mechanism (5).
  • the adjustment mechanism (5) comprises a seat frame (8) and a fastening structure (9), or fastening frame, which is pivotably connected to the seat frame (8).
  • the fastening structure is pivotable about a hinge axis which extends below the seat and legrest unit.
  • said fastening structure (9) comprises three fastening bars (10), preferably in the form of tubes, which extend parallel to one another and at the same height and over which the above-described seat and legrest unit (6) can be pushed.
  • the coupling member (7) comprises a housing, preferably composed of plastic and having three receiving channels suitable for at least partially receiving above-described fastening bars (10) of the fastening structure (9).
  • the two outer tubes serve primarily for supporting said seat and legrest unit (6), while the middle tube will ensure that said seat and legrest unit (6) is subjected to stress by means of a resilient element (11), preferably a spiral spring.
  • the seat and legrest unit (6) is connected to the fastening structure (9) by the coupling member (7) being pushed over the respective fastening bars (10), the seat portion thereof is click-fitted by means of hook-shaped fastening elements (13) (see Figure 4 ).
  • the fastening structure (9) will pivot in relation to the seat frame (8).
  • the legrest (4) will be brought from a folded-in position to a folded-out position by moving, preferably by rotating, in relation to the seat portion (2).
  • the resilient element will press onto a zone of covering material, which zone is situated at the end of the legrest (4).
  • the legrest will extend.
  • the maximum extension will in this case be determined by the position of the hinge axis in relation to the legrest and the volume of the encasing covering material.
  • the piece of seating furniture comprises, in a preferred embodiment, a transmission mechanism for bringing the backrest from the sitting position to the reclining position, and vice versa.
  • Said transmission mechanism may be mechanically connected to the adjustment mechanism (5) in order to thus form a synchronous system such that, whenever the backrest is brought from the sitting position to the reclining position, the seat frame is brought into an inclined position and the fastening structure (9) pivots in relation to the seat frame (8) such that the legrest is brought from the folded-in position to the folded-out position by moving, preferably by rotating, in relation to the seat portion (2).
  • the transmission mechanism may also be an independent mechanism (asynchronous system) which is not connected to the adjustment mechanism and is provided only for moving the backrest between the sitting position and the reclining position.
  • a transmission mechanism is then preferably designed as a spring, preferably a gas spring, or a motor.
  • a second independent part of the mechanism inclines the legrest by means of a motor or a spring, preferably a gas spring.
  • the mechanism for coupling the seat portion and the legrest to the adjustment mechanism is situated completely outside the upholstery (covering material) of the seat and legrest unit, which makes it easily removable (decouplable). This has various advantages:

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Dentistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Passenger Equipment (AREA)
  • Chair Legs, Seat Parts, And Backrests (AREA)
  • Special Chairs (AREA)

Claims (6)

  1. Sitzmöbelstück (1), umfassend einen Sitzteil (2), eine Rückenlehne (3), die zwischen einer Sitzposition und einer Liegeposition bewegbar ist, und eine Beinstütze (4), die in eine eingeklappte Position und eine ausgeklappte Position platziert werden kann, wobei das Sitzmöbelstück (1) einen Verstellmechanismus (5) umfasst, der dazu ausgestaltet ist, die Beinstütze (4) aus der eingeklappten Position in die ausgeklappte Position und umgekehrt zu bringen, wobei das Sitzmöbelstück (1) eine von einem Abdeckmaterial umgebene Sitz- und Beinstützeneinheit (6) umfasst, von der ein erster Teil die Beinstütze (4) bildet, die bezüglich eines zweiten Teils der Sitz- und Beinstützeneinheit (6) beweglich ist, wobei der zweite Teil den Sitzteil (2) bildet, und wobei das Sitzmöbelstück (1) ferner ein Kopplungsglied (7) umfasst, das an der Außenseite der Einheit (6) befestigt ist, wobei das Kopplungsglied (7) dazu ausgestaltet ist, die Sitz- und Beinstützeneinheit (6) auf entkoppelbare Weise mit dem Verstellmechanismus (5) zu verbinden, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Verstellmechanismus (5) einen Sitzrahmen (8) und eine Befestigungsstruktur (9) umfasst, die schwenkbar mit dem Sitzrahmen (8) verbunden ist und an der das Kopplungsglied (7) verschiebbar befestigt werden kann, wobei die Befestigungsstruktur (9) mindestens eine Befestigungsstange (10) umfasst, und dass das Kopplungsglied (7) ein Gehäuse mit mindestens einem Aufnahmekanal umfasst, der geeignet ist, die Befestigungsstange (10) mindestens teilweise aufzunehmen.
  2. Sitzmöbelstück (1) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Kopplungsglied (7) an der Position des zweiten Teils an dem Abdeckmaterial befestigt ist.
  3. Sitzmöbelstück (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Befestigungsstruktur (9) drei sich parallel zueinander erstreckende Befestigungsstangen (10) umfasst und dass das Gehäuse des Kopplungsglieds (7) drei Aufnahmekanäle umfasst, die geeignet sind, die Befestigungsstangen (10) mindestens teilweise aufzunehmen.
  4. Sitzmöbelstück (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Kopplungsglied (7) ein federndes Element (11) umfasst, das in der ausgeklappten Position der Beinstütze (4) eine Kraft auf das Abdeckmaterial ausübt.
  5. Sitzmöbelstück (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Sitz- und Beinstützeneinheit (6) ein viskoelastisches Material umfasst.
  6. Sitzmöbelstück (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass es sich bei dem Sitzmöbelstück (1) um einen Entspannungssessel oder um einen Sessel oder Stuhl zur Verwendung als Gartenmöbel oder zur Verwendung in einer häuslichen Umgebung oder im Pflegebereich oder zur Verwendung in Verbindung mit einem medizinischen oder hilfsmedizinischen Beruf oder zum Einbau in einem Personenbeförderungsmittel handelt.
EP23216122.4A 2022-12-23 2023-12-13 Sitzmöbelstück Active EP4388940B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
BE20226083A BE1031188B1 (nl) 2022-12-23 2022-12-23 Vernieuwd zitmeubel

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4388940A1 EP4388940A1 (de) 2024-06-26
EP4388940C0 EP4388940C0 (de) 2025-11-26
EP4388940B1 true EP4388940B1 (de) 2025-11-26

Family

ID=85158367

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP23216122.4A Active EP4388940B1 (de) 2022-12-23 2023-12-13 Sitzmöbelstück

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4388940B1 (de)
BE (1) BE1031188B1 (de)

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2254466A (en) * 1938-04-15 1941-09-02 Albert Lisa High-chair pad
US5087094A (en) * 1989-06-05 1992-02-11 Rogers Jr Walter C Recliner chair
US5664832A (en) * 1996-07-01 1997-09-09 Prescient Partners, L.P. Semi-fitted single piece recliner cover
US9113712B2 (en) * 2012-09-12 2015-08-25 Klaussner Furniture Industries, Inc. Method and system for converting a recliner from manual actuation to powered actuation
DE102016106477A1 (de) * 2016-04-08 2017-10-12 himolla Polstermöbel GmbH Sitz-/liegemöbel
US20170295934A1 (en) * 2016-04-18 2017-10-19 Camatic Pty Ltd Reclinable seat

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP4388940C0 (de) 2025-11-26
EP4388940A1 (de) 2024-06-26
BE1031188A1 (nl) 2024-07-16
BE1031188B1 (nl) 2024-07-22

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