GB2164249A

GB2164249A - A lounger

Info

Publication number: GB2164249A
Application number: GB08423047A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Norman Crow
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-09-12
Filing date: 1984-09-12
Publication date: 1986-03-19
Also published as: GB2164249B; GB8423047D0

Abstract

A lounger comprises a supporting frame generally indicated at 1 which carries a cover 2 of a suitable fabric which forms the lounging surface on which a person may recline. The frame 1 is itself supported by means of two generally U-shaped side members 4 which each have an upper limb 4a attached to the frame, one at either side thereof, and a lower limb 4b which rests on the ground and extends rearwardly to a connecting transverse member 6 located beneath the upwardly-inclined portion of the frame. The spring characteristics of these side members in conjunction with the length of the cantilever limbs 4a supporting the frame are selected such that when an adult person is resting on the lounger its natural frequency of bounce is approximate to that of the human pulse rate e.g. 50 to 90 times per minute. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in furniture The present invention relates to an article of furniture and more particularly to a lounger on which a person can rest in a reclined position.

Loungers are commonly used as items of garden furniture, and also in other venues such as in sun lounges, on patios, beside swimming pools and in health centres, where people wish to rest and relax.

As at present constructed such loungers generally comprise a rigid frame, for example of metal or cane, on which is carried a covering which may or may not be upholstered.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved construction of lounger which may give better rest, relaxation and more enjoyment to a user.

From one aspect the present invention provides a lounger comprising a frame and a lounging surface on which a person may rest in a reclined position, wherein the frame is so constructed and arranged that when the lounger is supporting an adult person the frame can be caused to oscillate up and down or bounce at a rate approximating to the pulse rate of a person when resting.

From another aspect the invention provides a lounger comprising a supporting frame and a lounging surface wherein the supporting frame includes resilient elements having a rate of vibration such that when a person is resting on the lounger it can be caused to bounce up and down at a rate approximating to the pulse rate of a person when resting.

More specifically the lounger is designed to oscillate up and down or bounce at a rate within the range of 50 to 90 times per minute and preferably 60 to 80 times per minute when supporting a person thereon having a weight within the range of approximately 100 to 200 pounds.

According to a preferred embodiment the supporting frame of the lounger comprises two resilient longitudinally extending side members each of generally hairpin shape in a vertical plane, having one limb adapted to rest on the ground and the other limb adapted to support the lounging surface of the lounger in a cantilever fashion. The two resilient side members act as undamped springs having a rate within the range 50 to 90 oscillations per minute when the lounger is supporting a body within the range 100 to 200 pounds. With such a construction the spring rate or rate of bouncing of the lounger is determined by a combination of the springiness of the material forming the hairpin shaped side members and the length of the arm of the hairpin which supports the lounging surface in a cantilever fashion.

The invention will now be further described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of lounger according to the invention, and Figure 2 is a similar view of the frame of the lounger with the lounging surface or cover removed.

Referring to the drawings, the lounger comprises a supporting framework generally indicated at 1 which carries a cover2 of a suitablefabricwhich forms the lounging surface on which a person may recline. The cover may be a simple fabric cover or may be upholstered, as desired, and may of course be coloured and patterned as desired.

As shown more clearly in Figure 2, the framework 1 comprises a generally rectangular frame 3 over which the cover 2 is fitted and which is made up of a generally horizontal seating portion 3a, a downwardly-inclined leg supporting portion 3b, and an upwardly-inclined back supporting portion 3c.

This frame 3 which defines and supports the lounging surface formed by the cover 2, is itself supported by means of two generally hairpin shaped or U-shaped side members 4 which each have an upper limb 4a attached by coupling means 5 to the centre portion 3a of the frame 3, one at either side thereof, and a lower limb 4b which rests on the ground and extends rearwardly to a connecting transverse member 6 located beneath the upwardly-inclined portion 3c of the frame. The framework 1 is made of steel and whereas the upper generally rectangular portion of the frame 3 is preferably formed of hollow steel tubing, the Ushaped side members 4 are made of solid spring steel and constitute undamped spring members.

The spring characteristics of these side members in conjunction with the length of the cantilever limbs 4a supporting the frame 3 are selected such that when an adult person is resting on the lounger its natural frequency of bounce is approximate to that of the human pulse rate. Preferably the bounce rate is within the range of 60 to 80 times per minute when the lounger is supporting a person having a weight between 100 and 200 pounds.

The lower limbs 4b of the side members 4 are fitted with tubular feet 7, for example made of a plastics material, in order both to protect the metal and to prevent the loungerfrom slipping about.

The framework 1 is preferably made up of interfitting sections so that it can be readily disassembled into various components part for ease of storage.

It has been found that a lounger constructed in accordance with the present invention may provide increased relaxation and enjoyment to a person reclining thereon since its bouncing action at about the human pulse rate can have a relaxing and therapeutic effect. Since the side members form undamped springs, once the lounger has been set bouncing it will tend to continue to bound for some time and can easily be again set bouncing by a simple joggle or movement of a person thereon.

Whilst a particular embodiment has been described, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of this invention. Thus, the side members may be of other than U-shape provided that they constitute undamped springs and support the lounging surface in a fashion to give the desired range of bounce rates.

The framework 1 may also be made so that it is foldable in order that it can be stored in a collapsed condition.

Claims

1. A lounger comprising a frame and a lounging surface on which a person may rest in a reclined position, wherein the frame is so constructed and arranged that when the lounger is supporting an adult person the frame can be caused to oscillate up and down or bounce at a rate approximating to the pulse rate of a person when resting.

2. A lounger comprising a supporting frame and a lounging surface wherein the supporting frame includes resilient elements having a rate of vibration such that when a person is resting on the lounger it can be caused to bounce up and down at a rate approximating to the pulse rate of a person when resting.

3. A lounger as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said lounger is designed to oscillate up and down or bounce at a rate within the range of 50 to 90 times per minute.

4. A lounger as claimed in claim 3, wherein said lounger is designed to oscillate up and down or bounce at a rate within the range of 60 to 80 times per minute when supporting a person thereon having a weight within the range of approximately 100 to 200 pounds.

5. A lounger according to any preceding claim, wherein the supporting frame of the lounger comprises two resilient longitudinally extending side members each of generally hairpin shape in a vertical plane, having one limb adapted to rest on the ground and the other limb adapted to support the lounging surface of the lounger in a cantilever fashion.

6. A lounger as claimed in claim 5, wherein the two resilient side members act as undamped springs having a rate within the range 50 to 90 oscillations per minute when the lounger is supporting a body within the range 100 to 200 pounds.

7. A lounger as claimed in claim 6, wherein the lower limbs of the side members are fitted with tubuiar feet, for example made of a plastics material, in order both to protect the metal and to prevent the lounger from slipping about.

8. A lounger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the frame is made up of interfitting sections so that it can be readily disassembled into various components parts for ease of storage.

9. A lounger as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the frame is made so that it is foldable in order that it can be stored in a collapsed condition.

10. A lounger substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.