GB2255006A

GB2255006A - Adjustable chair having swing-out foot rest

Info

Publication number: GB2255006A
Application number: GB9118847A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gerhard Geisler; Klaus Hausherr
Original assignee: Stanzwerk Wetter Sichelschmidt GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Stanzwerk Wetter Sichelschmidt GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 1991-04-24
Filing date: 1991-09-02
Publication date: 1992-10-28
Anticipated expiration: 2011-09-02
Also published as: ES2044771A2; DE9105037U1; GB2255006B; GB9118847D0; ES2044771B1; ES2044771R; FR2675673A1

Abstract

In order to provide an adjustable chair having a swing-out foot rest, the foot rest being actuated by means of a scissor-type linkage, the arms of which are hinged, on the one hand, on to the chair or chair frame and, on the other hand, on to the foot rest member, a member (10) of an additional foot rest (11) is hinged on to the foot rest member (9) via link chains (12, 13) which are positively controlled by hinged levers (14) hinged on to each arm (e.g. 3) of the linkage of the foot rest (2), such that when the foot rest (2) is in the swung-in position, the additional foot rest (11) is swung in a concealed manner by the foot rest (2) and, when the foot rest (2) is in the swung-out position, the additional foot rest (11) is swung out, so that it projects out with respect to the edge of the foot rest (2) remote from the seat of the chair and forms a stepped support therewith. <IMAGE>

Description

Adjustable chair having swing-out foot rest The invention relates to an adjustable chair having a swing-out foot rest, the foot rest being actuated by means of a scissortype linkage, the arms of which are hinged, on the one hand, on to the chair or chair frame and, on the other hand, on to the foot rest member.

An adjustable chair of this kind is known, e.g. from DE 28 11 360 Al. In a chair located in the normal sitting position, the foot rest is swung in and via its outer surface substantially forms the front vertical limit of the chair below the seat.

The foot rest can be swung out of this position, so that it forms a bearing surface for the legs or feet of the user as an extension of the seat. In a further angular position of the adjustable chair, the back rest can be swivelled into an almost horizontal position, so that the person using the chair can arrange himself in the chair in an almost horizontal position.

In particular, this position has proven to be disadvantageous in that the foot rest only supports the legs of the user in the lower leg region, while the heel region of the feet cannot be supported by the foot rest. Although it would be conceivable to make the swinging out movement of the foot rest so great that the heel region of the user could also be supported, on the one hand, the distance between the foot rest and the bearing surface would then be very great, resulting in the risk of the user's limbs jamming there and, on the other hand, sufficient support of the leg of the user in the lower leg region would-not then be possible. The heel region of the user projects out with respect to the lower leg region.

Departing from this prior art, the object of the invention is to provide an adjustable chair of the type specified, in which it is possible, without increasing the gap between the foot rest and the seat of the chair (when the foot rest is swung out) and without increasing the length of the foot rest (viewed in the longitudinal direction of the bearing surface of the chair), to achieve improved support of the legs and/or feet of the user in the semi-horizontal and in the horizontal position.

In order to solve this problem, the invention proposes that a member of an additional foot rest is hinged on to the foot rest member via link chains and that the link chains are positively controlled by hinged levers hinged on to each arm of the linkage of the foot rest, wherein, when the foot rest is in the swung-in position, the additional foot rest is swung in in a concealed manner by the foot rest and, when the foot rest is in the swung-out position, the additional foot rest is swung out, so that it projects out with respect to the edge of the foot rest remote from the seat of the chair and forms a stepped support therewith.

This arrangement provides an adjustable chair which, in addition to the actual foot rest, also has an additional foot rest which can be moved in and out in parallel with the main foot rest, wherein, in the moved-in position, the additional foot rest is moved in behind the foot rest forming the front stop of the chair and, when the foot rest is in the swung-out position, the additional foot rest forms an additional supporting surface as an extension of the bearing surface, on which the heel region of the user can be supported, in particular, again as a result of the stepped arrangement.

A preferred embodiment consists in that two four-bar chains are hinged on to each side edge of the foot rest member and the additional foot rest member, acting as link chains, the members each forming a connecting rod for the two rockers of a four-bar chain and the ends of the rockers of the two four-bar chains remote from the members being movably coupled together by a connecting rod.

Furthermore, the rockers of the two four-bar chains are preferably aligned in pairs approximately in a V-shape.

When the foot rest is actuated, the sequence of movements is such that, during the swinging out movement of the foot rests, the rockers of the two four-bar chains aligned approximately in a V-shape when the foot rest and the additional foot rest are in the swung-in position are swivelled in the opposite direction about an angle of approximately 900, so that the rockers are temporarily aligned so that they overlap one another and then in the final position they are aligned once again in a V-shape, although of course in the opposite angular direction.

A preferred development consists in that the two ends of the rocker of one four-bar chain arranged remote from the front edge of the foot rest and the additional foot rest are extended beyond their hinge points on the member of the foot rest and on the connecting rod, the hinged lever hinged on to the arm of the linkage being hinged on to the end of the rocker projecting at the member side and one end of a control rod being hinged on to the end projecting at the connecting rod side, the other end thereof being hinged on to the rocker of the other four-bar chain directed towards the front edge of the foot rest and the additional foot rest, between the two connecting rods close to the connecting rod hinge point.

Furthermore, on the arm, in particular, the arm remote from the front edge of the foot rest, the hinge point for the hinged lever is preferably formed by a flat bar having a shackle toggle joint and which can be secured to the arm.

This securing can be effected, e.g. by means of bolts, so that the subsequent arrangement of the additional foot rest is also possible, simply provided that the corresponding location holes for the fastening means (e.g. bolts) are arranged on the arm of the foot rest.

For the same reason, it is advantageous for a plate acting as a connecting rod for the rockers of one four-bar chain hinged on to the member side to be secured to the foot rest member on the side remote from the bearing surface.

The plate serving as a connecting rod can also be applied subsequently to the underside of the foot rest member, e.g. by means of bolts, so that the additional foot rest can be retrofitted in a simple manner.

Furthermore, a swivel limit stop is preferably arranged on the member or on the plate, against which an extension of the respective front rocker of the four-bar chain hinged thereto is placed in the swung-out position.

Furthermore, all of the rockers of all of the four-bar chains preferably have the same working length.

Finally, the rockers of each individual four-bar chain are preferably aligned parallel to one another.

One embodiment of the invention is illustrated in diagrammatic form in the drawing and will now be described in more detail.

The single drawing shows, in the right-hand region, a portion of the frame of the adjustable chair having a swung-in foot rest and, in the left-hand region, the positioning when the foot rests are swung out.

A foot rest 2 is swivel-mounted on frame portions 1 of the adjustable chair not shown in detail, the foot rest 2 being actuated by means of a scissor-type linkage 3, 4, 5, 6. A spring 8 is arranged between the arms and a connecting rod 7, said spring being increasingly tensioned when the foot rest is swung up. The arms are hinged, on the one hand, on to the chair frame 1 and, on the other hand, on to the foot rest member 9. The upholstery of the foot rest 2 is not shown in the drawing. A member 10 of an additional foot rest 11 is hinged on to the foot rest member 9 via link chains 12, 13.

All of the fittings are arranged in pairs in the direction of the seat on the right and left side edges of the chair or foot rest. The link chains 12, 13 are positively controlled by hinged levers 14 hinged on to each arm 3 of the linkage of the foot rest 2. In the swung-in position, shown on the right in the drawing, the foot rest 2 is swung in, as is the foot rest 11. The additional foot rest 11 is arranged in such a manner that it is concealed behind the foot rest 2. The foot rest 2 forms the front stop of the chair below the seat. There is sufficient room in the space located behind for the arrangement of the movable links, and the additional foot rest 11.

In the swung-out position, shown on the left in the drawing, the foot rest 2 is arranged almost horizontally and the additional foot rest 11 is positively controlled by means of the link chains and is swung out so that it projects out with respect to the edge of the foot rest 2 remote from the seat of the chair and forms a stepped support therewith.

In the embodiment, two four-bar chains 12 , 13 are hinged on to each side edge of the foot rest member 9 and the additional foot rest member 10, acting as link chains, the members 9, 10 each forming a connecting rod for the two rockers 15, 16 and 17, 18 of each four-bar chain. The ends of the rockers 15 to 18 of the two four-bar chains 12, 13 remote from the members 9, 10 are movable coupled together by a connecting rod 19. The hinge points are designated by the reference numerals 20 and 21.The rockers 15 and 18 and 16 and 17 of the two four-bar chains 12 and 13 are aligned in pairs approximately in a Vshape, wherein, in the swung-out position, the rockers 15, 16 of the four-bar chain 12 are inclined relative to the front edge of the additional foot rest 11, while the rockers 17, 18 of the four-bar chain 13 are inclined, viewed from the perpendicular, relative to the rear edge of the foot rest, i.e.

towards the right in the drawing. In the swung-in position, as shown on the right in the drawing, the directional arrangement of the rockers 15, 16 relative to the rockers 17, 18 is reversed, with a total swivelling angle of approximately 900.

The two ends of the rocker 17 arranged remote from the front edge of the -foot rest 2 and the additional foot rest 11 are extended beyond their hinge points 21 and 22 on the member 9 of the foot rest 2 and on the connecting rod 19. The hinged lever 14 hinged on to the arm is hinged at 25 on to the end 23 of the rocker 13 projecting at the member side, while one end (at 27) of a control rod 28 is hinged on to the end 26 projecting at the connecting rod side, the other end thereof (at 29) being hinged on to the rocker 15 of the other four-bar chain 12 directed towards the front edge of the foot rest 2 and the additional foot rest 11. The hinge point 29 is located between the two connecting rods (10 and 19) close to the hinge point 20 of the connecting rod 19.

At the arm 3, in particular, the arm remote from the front edge of the foot rest, the hinge point 30 for the hinged lever 14 is formed by a flat bar 31 having a shackle toggle joint 33 and which can be secured to the arm by means of bolts 31. A plate 34 acting as a connecting rod for the rockers 17, 18 of one four-bar chain 13 hinged on to the member side is secured to the foot rest member 9 on the side remote from the bearing surface by means of a bolt 35 and a retaining pin 36. By virtue of this arrangement, it is possible either to equip the corresponding adjustable chair with only the foot rest 2 or, by securing the components 34 and 32 to the arm 3 and the member 9, also to arrange the additional foot rest 11 together with a control linkage system.

A swivel limit stop 37 is arranged on the plate 34, against which an extension 38 of the respective front rocker 18 of the four-bar chain 13 hinged thereto is placed in the swung-out position, as can be seen from the left portion of the drawing.

All of the rockers 15 to 18 of the four-bar chains 12 and 13 have the same working length, the rockers 15, 16 and 17, 18 of each four-bar chain 12 and 13 being aligned parallel to one another.

The invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be modified in many ways within the scope of the disclosure.

All of the new individual and combination features disclosed in the description and/or in the drawings are regarded as essential for the invention.

Claims

CLAINS

1. Adjustable chair having a swing-out foot rest, the foot rest being actuated by means of a scissor-type linkage, the arms of which are hinged, on the one hand, on to the chair or chair frame and, on the other hand, on to the foot rest member, characterised in that a member (10) of an additional foot rest (11) is hinged on to the foot rest member (9) via link chains (12, 13) and that the link chains (12, 13) are positively controlled by hinged levers (14) hinged on to each arm (e.g. 3) of the linkage of the foot rest (2), wherein, when the foot rest (2) is in the swung-in position, the additional foot rest (11) is swung in in a concealed manner by the foot rest (2) and, when the foot rest (2) is in the swung-out position, the additional foot rest (11) is swung out, so that it projects out with respect to the edge of the foot rest (2) remote from the seat of the chair and forms a stepped support therewith.

2. Adjustable chair according to claim 1, characterised in that two four-bar chains (12, 13) are hinged on to each side edge of the foot rest member (9) and the additional foot rest member (10), acting as link chains (12, 13), the members each forming a connecting rod for the two rockers (15, 16 and 17, 18) of a four-bar chain and the ends of the rockers (15 to 18) of the two four-bar chains (12, 13) remote from the members (9, 10) being movably coupled together by a connecting rod (19).

3. Adjustable chair according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the rockers (15, 18 and 16, 17) of the two four-bar chains (12, 13) are aligned in pairs approximately in a V-shape.

4. Adjustable chair according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the two ends of the rocker (17) of one four-bar chain (13) arranged remote from the front edge of the foot rest (2) and the additional foot rest (11) are extended beyond their hinge points (21, 22) on the member (9) of the foot rest (2) and on the connecting rod (19), the hinged lever (14) hinged on to the arm (3) of the linkage being hinged on to the end (23) of the rocker (17) projecting at the member side and one end of a control rod (28) being hinged on to the end (26) projecting at the connecting rod side, the other end thereof being hinged on to the rocker (15) of the other four-bar chain (12) directed towards the front edge of the foot rest (2) and the additional foot rest (11), between the two connecting rods (10, 19) close to the connecting rod hinge point (20).

5. Adjustable chair according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that on the arm, in particular, the arm (3) remote from the front edge of the foot rest, the hinge point (30) for the hinged lever (14) is formed by a flat bar (32) having a shackle toggle joint (33) and which can be secured to the arm (3).

6. Adjustable chair according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that a plate (34) acting as a connecting rod for the rockers (17, 18) of one four-bar chain (13) hinged on to the member side is secured to the foot rest member (9) on the side remote from the bearing surface.

7. Adjustable chair according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that a swivel limit stop (37) is arranged on the member (9) or on the plate (34), against which an extension (38) of the respective front rocker (18) of the four-bar chain (13) hinged thereto is placed in the swung out position.

8. Adjustable chair according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that all of the rockers (15 to 18) of all of the four-bar chains (12, 13) have the same working length.

9. Adjustable chair according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the rockers (15, 16 and 17, 18) of each individual four-bar chain (12 and 13) are aligned parallel to one another.

10. An adjustable chair substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.