GB2159704A - A chair - Google Patents

Abstract

A chair designed particularly as an orthopaedic chair has a leg or legs, and preferably four legs (1,1',2,2'), a seat (3) supported by the legs, and a backrest (4). The chair is characterised by the backrest having an upper backrest part (5) and a lower backrest part (6), at least one of which, and preferably both, is adjustable in position to enable its angle of inclination relative to the seat to be altered. This enables the contour of the backrest (4) to be altered to suit the back of the usual occupant of the chair. The extension of the front edge of the seat may be adjustable as may be the length of the legs so that the chair can be altered in these respects to suit the usual occupant. The chair can be provided with a headrest, side wings, and a tray. The seat may be reversible end for end and may be tapered so that on reversal the angle of its upper surface changes. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A chair This invention relates to a chair. While the chair can be used in situations where chairs are usually used, it has been designed particularly for use as an orthopaedic chair. Therefore it is envisaged thatthe chair will be particularlysuitableforuse in institutions and in the home by the elderly, the infirm, the frail and the hemiplegic. Also the chair may be suitable for use by persons who have dfficulty, because of weight or other characteristics, in using an upholstered chair of conventional height.

The present invention broadly consists in a chair comprising: a leg or legs; a seat supported by the leg or legs; and a backrest upstanding from the back ofthe seat; the chair being characterised by the backrest having an upper backrest part and a lower backrest part, at least one of which is adjustable in position to enable its angle of inclination relative to the seatto be altered.

Preferably each ofthe backrest parts is indepen dentlyangularlyadjustable relative to the seat.

Preferably the backrest has a backrest side frame at each side ofthe chair and each backrest part is located between these backrest side frames and the one or both backrest parts which are angularly adjustable are pivotally mounted thereto.

Preferably the one or both backrest parts which are angularly adjustable are adjustable between two angular dispositions.

Preferablythefront edge ofthe seat is adjustable in position, being extendable forwardly or retractable rearwardly.

Preferably the seat is reversible end for end.

Preferably on reversing the seat the position of its front edge changes to provide said adjustability in position.

Preferably the length ofthe leg or legs of the chair is adjustable.

Preferably the chair has four legs.

Preferablythe chair has an arm rest at each side.

Preferablythechair has two sideframes each of which incorporates two legs, a seat supporting means, and one of the backrestsideframes, and, optionally, an arm rest.

Preferablythe sideframes are joined together by transverse members.

Preferably the chair has a knock-down construction.

Preferably the chair has a detachable head rest.

Preferably the chair has a fixed or detachable wing at each side ofthe backrest and/or ofthe head rest if present.

Preferably the height ofthe backrest can be increased.

Preferably the chair has a fixed or detachable tray. A preferred tray is detachably mountabletothe arm rests ofthe chair.

The above gives a broad description of the present invention, some preferred forms of which will now be described with reference to the accompanying draw- ings in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of a first preferred embodiment of the chair, Figure 2 shows a front view of the chair, Figure 3 shows a top view of the backrest ofthe chair, Figure 4 shows a partfrontview of the backrest of the chair showing the attachment of a wing and an increased seat back height, Figure 5 shows a cross-section on V-V of Figure4, Figure 6 shows a perspective view from the back of the chair, Figure 7 shows a perspective view from the front of the chair, Figure 8 shows a side view of a second preferred embodiment of the chair, Figure 9 shows a front view of the second embodiment with a partly shown tray fitted to the chair, Figure 10 shows a view ofthe backrest on X-X of Figure 9, this showing the upper backrest part, Figure 11 shows a view ofthe backrest on Xl-Xl of Figure 9, this showing the lower backrest part, Figure 12 shows the preferred frameforthe lower backrest part, and Figure 13 shows a plan view of the lumbar support rail used in the lower backrest partframe.

The preferred chair has four legs comprising two front legs 1 and 1' and two back legs 2 and 2'. These legs directly or indirectly support seat 3. Upstanding from the back of the seat is a backrest 4. The backrest can be attached at the back ofthe seat, to the back legs ofthe chair orto some other part ofthe chair frame.

The chair is characterised by having the backrest formed with an upper backrest part 5 and a lower backrest part 6. At least one of these is: adjustable in position to enable its angle of inclination relative to the seat to be altered. This enables it be angularly adjusted to suit the back of the person who usually uses the chair. The preferred chair has each ofthe backrest parts 5 and 6 independently angularly adjustable relative to the seatto provide even greater control overthe contour of the backrestforthe benefit of the usual occupant.

The backrest has backrest side frames 7 and 8, there being one at each side of the chair. Each backrest part 5 and 6 is located between these backrest side frames and is attached thereto, for example by screws. The one or both backrest parts which are angularly adjustable are pivotally mounted to the backrest side frames, and in the preferred embodiments shown in the drawings, the pivotal axes ofthe upper and lower backrest parts are shown at 9 and 10 respectively, these being nearthe mid-height ofthe backrest.

Each backrest part which is angularly adjustable is preferably adjustable between only two angular dispositions for it has been found thatthe four possible contours ofthe backrest offered by this provides sufficient contour variation to suit most users. For each adjustable backrest part 5 and 6 there is therefore provided in each backrest side frame 7 and 8two adjacent but spaced screw holes 11 through either one of which a screw may be passed to engage in a single screw hole (not shown) provided in that side of the backrest part 5 or 6. It is not envisaged that the chair backrest contour should be adjusted frequently. In fact the contour of the backrest may be adjusted only onceto suit its regular occupant.Of course, it will be appreciated that the chair can be modified to provide morethan two possible angular dispositions of either one orboth ofthe backrest parts and in such a case the construction can be such that a backrest part may be continuously adjustable between two extreme angular dispositions ratherthan discretely adjustable as is the case with the preferred chair.

In the preferred construction of the chair it hastwo side frames 12 and 13 each of which incorporates one front leg 1 or 1 ' and one back leg 2 or 2' and one ofthe backrestside supports 7 or8which ismadecon- tinuous with the back leg. The chair is preferably provided with an arm rest 19 at each side and when so provided each arm rest may be incorporated in a respective side frame, for example, being attached between the top end ofthefront leg and the top end of the back leg or the lower end of the backrest side support on the one side ofthe chair this being the arrangement illustrated in the drawings.Each side frame 12 and 13 shown in the drawings incorporates upperand lower horizontal members 14and 15 between the front and back legs which reinforce the side frames and the upper horizontal members 14 also provide seat supporting means. The side frames 12 and 13 arejoinedtogetherbytransverse members at front and back (as well as by the two backrest parts 5 and 6) such asthetransverse member 16 betweenthe front legs 1 and land the transverse member 16' between the back legs 2 and 2'.The components of each side frame 12 and 13 are preferablyjoined together by gluing and dowelling but are connected togetherviathetransverse membes 16 and 16' and the backrest parts 5 and 6 preferably by knock-down fittings so thatthe chairis a whole can be knocked down forstorage ortransportation and assembled where required. Screws having a hexagonal socket with which an Allen key can be used are particularly suitable, the heads ofthe screws being countersunk in the components ofthe chain When the chair has a knock-down construction, and even ifthe side frames should be permanently connected together, it is preferred that the chair has a detachable seat3.In this case the seat may be made to be reversible end for end and,further, on reversing the seat and re-engaging itwith the seat supporting means it is preferred that the position of the front edge ofthe seat changes, being extended forwardly or being retracted rearwardly, so that some adjustment is provided to suit people having different lengths of leg between knee and thigh. The seat may also be made reversibletopforbottom,sothatwhen one surface becomes worn the othercan be used.

The seat 3, whetherfixed or detachable, can comprise a high-densityfoam cushion supported on non-sag strings,these being attached between the horizontal members 14, and/or, between the transverse members 16 and 16'. A seat safety cleat 24 can befitted to each horizontal member 14 to prevent the seat dropping if fitted incorrectly. This also can apply when the seat has a solid frame and is supported by the horizontal members directly or indirectly. A direct attachment of the seat to the horizontal members 14 could have screws passing through these into the seat frame.A plurality ofscrewholes in the horizontal members and/or the seat frame could provide for the differing positions ofthe front edge of the seat on its reversal end forend, oreven without having to reverse the seat. In another arrangement the seat support could comprise a solid base attached between the horizontal members 14 on which base a seat cushion could be placed.

It is envisaged that the chair will have mainly wooden construction, though it may be made of other materials such as plastics materials, or metals, or combinations of these. The legs may be made relatively long, for example, 450 to 480 mm in length and cut to a shorter length if necessary, to provide for adjustment to suit people having different lengths of leg between foot and knee.

The chair may be provided with accessories, for example, it may be provided with means for increasing the height ofthe backrest, and/or a head rest, and/or a wing at each side of the backrest and/or the head rest, if provided. These accessories may be permanently attached or made detachable as desired.

Figures 4 and 5 showthe backrest of the chair having its height increased by a backrest extension 17 to each end ofwhich is attached a side wing 18. These may be attached permanently or detachably attached by any suitable means, for example, pin and socketconnections or push-on fittings can be used.

Anotheraccessorythatthe chair may have is afixed or detachable tray. In either case the tray may be fixedly oradjustablysupporteddd on one or both arm rests. In Figures 9, a part of a detachable tray 20 is shown, this having at each side a runner 21. The inside of each runner has a groove 22 which slideably engages with the outer edge of an armrest 19.

The chair is preferablyfully upholstered with the seat and backrest parts being padded. Separate cushions may be used with the chair. It is desirable that cushion covers or covers ofthe seat and backrest parts be removable for cleaning. Figure 12 shows the internal frame forthe lower backrest part 6. The internal frame for the upper backrest part 5 is the same except that the lumber support 23 (shown in plan view in Figure 13) is absent.

The embodiment of Figures 8 to 13, compared with the embodiment of Figures 1 to 7, has a reduced backrest height, and increased rearward slope ofthe upper backrest part 5, and a reduced curvature of the upper backrest part cushion (compare Figures 3 and 10 forthis difference).

The above describes the preferred form of the invention and indicates some possible modifications but various other modifications can be made without departing from the scope ofthe invention as has been broadly defined. For example, the connection between the seat and the seat supporting means may provide for more than two degrees of extension ofthe front edge ofthe seat from the rest of the chair, and such adjustments may be discrete in nature, as has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment, orthe seat may be continuously adjustable between two extreme positions, that is fuliy extended and fully retracted positions. Once the legs ofthe chair have been cut to a particular length, they are not readily made longer again. To overcome this problem the legs ofthe chair may be made adjustable in length,for example, each leg may be telescopic in nature with the telescopic sections being lockable at two or more different lengths. The preferred chair has four legsforstability but in other embodiments ofthe invention it can have other types of leg construction and otherthan four legs.

Thus, the chair ofthe present invention provides considerableversatility in a basic design which enables the chair to be made suitable for many different end users who may differ considerably in size, weight, posture and ability to get into and out of chairs.

In another variation, the seat is reversible end for end, and is also tapered from one end to the other. The height of the seat from the floor is then changed by the reversal ofthe seat. In other words, the angle of the upper surface relative to the rest of the seat is changed.

Claims (22)

CLAIMS:

1. Achaircomprising: a leg or legs; a seat supported by the leg or legs; and a backrest upstanding from the back ofthe seat; the chair being characterised by the backrest having an upper backrest part and a lower backrest part, at least one of which is adjustable in position to enable its angle of inclination relative to the seat to be altered.

2. A chair as claimed in claim 1 wherein each ofthe backrest parts is independently angularly adjustable relative to the seat.

3. A chair as claimed in claim 2 wherein the backrest has a backrest side frame at each side of the chair and each backrest part is located between these backrest side frames and the one or both backrest parts which are angularly adjustable are pivotably mounted thereto.

4. A chair as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the one or both backrest parts which are angularly adjustable are adjustable between two angular dispositions.

5. A chair as claimed in any one ofthe preceding claims wherein the front edge ofthe seat is adjustable in position, being extendable forwardly or retractable rearwardly.

6. A chair as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the seat is reversible end for end.

7. A chair as claimed in claim 6, when dependent on claimS, wherein on reversing the seatthe position of its front edge changes to provide said adjustability in position.

8. Achair as claimed in any one ofthe preceding claims wherein the length ofthe leg or legs of the chair isadjustable.

9. A chair as claimed in any one ofthe preceding claims wherein the chair has four legs.

10. A chair as claimed in any one ofthe preceding claims wherein the chair has an arm rest at each side.

11. Achairasclaimed in claim 3 or any one of the preceding claims 4to 10, when dependent on claim 3, wherein the chair has two side frames each of which incorporates two legs, a seat supporting means, and one ofthe backrest side frames, and, optionally, an arm rest.

12. A chair as claimed in claim 11 wherein the side frames are joined together by transverse members.

13. A chair as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the chair has a knock-down construction.

14. A chair as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the chair has a detachable head rest.

15. Achairasclaimed in anyone ofclaims 1 to 13 wherein the chair has a fixed ordetachablewing at each side ofthe backrest and/or of a head rest if present.

16. A chair as claimed in any one ofthe preceding claims wherein the height ofthe backrest can be increased by attaching a height extension member to it.

17. A chair as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the chair has a fixed or detachable tray.

18. A chair as claimed in claim 17, when dependent on claim 10, wherein the tray is detachably mountable to the armrests of the chair.

19. A chair substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 3.6 and 7 ofthe accompanying drawings.

20. Achairsubstantiallyas herein described with referenceto Figures 1 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.

21. Achairsubstantiallyas herein described with referenceto Figures 8to 1 3 of the accompanying drawings.

22. A chair as claimed in claim 6, or in any one of claims 7 to 18 when dependent upon claim 6, wherein the seat is so tapered from one end to the other that, on its reversal end-for-end, the angle of its upper surfacerelativetothe rest of the chair changes.