GB2292073A

GB2292073A - A draught shield for armchairs

Info

Publication number: GB2292073A
Application number: GB9515752A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Edward Jones
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-08-11
Filing date: 1995-08-01
Publication date: 1996-02-14
Anticipated expiration: 2015-08-01
Also published as: GB2292073B; GB9515752D0; GB9416242D0

Abstract

A draught shield 1 for use with armchairs to protect the occupant from side draughts. The shield comprises a panel 1 which extends upwards from the armrest 2. The shield may be an integral part of the chair or it may be detachable. It may be for example, of plastics or wood and may be a variety of shapes. If the back of the chair is reclinable the shield may be adapted to recline with it. <IMAGE>

Description

TITLE: Improvements in and relating to armchairs, sofas and the like DESCRIPTION This invention concerns improvements in and relating to armchairs, sofas and the like.

It is well known that furniture such as armchairs, sofas and the like can be produced with arm, head and even footrests to enhance their comfort for the user. Often the headrest has protruding wings at either side to allow the occupant of the furniture to rest his or her head against it. Previously, portable headrests with protruding wings have been made available to attach to a variety of armchairs or the like (see GB258350).

However, none of these features completely protect the occupant of the furniture from draughts due to the space between the armrest and wing of the headrest allowing the passage of air to the occupant.

It is an object of the present invention to protect the occupant of an armchair from a draught preferably whilst allowing the occupant to rest his or her lower arm on the armrest of the chair.

According to the present invention there is provided a draught shield for an armchair, sofa or the like having armrests, the shield comprising a panel to extend upwards from the armrest, the arrangement being such that an occupant thereof is protected from side draughts.

The panel is preferably attached to the armchair in such a manner that the occupant of the chair is still able to rest his or her arm on the armrest.

The panel may be constructed in a variety of shapes depending upon the overall design of the chair.

Preferably, the panel should be wide at its base and become narrower as it extends upwards.

The panel may be made of any suitable material, for example, wood or plastics. Padding may be provided on one or both sides of the panel.

The panel may be formed of part of the overall framework of the armchair or means may be provided to allow attachment to and removal of the panel from the chair. The panel may be attached to an armrest or a headrest of the chair. The panel may be attached to protruding wings of the headrest. The panel may be provided with means to enable movement thereof relative to the chair if the back of the chair is reclinable, for example, by means of mutually engageable part of the panel and a part of the chair, such as the arm rest.

Such means may comprise a, preferably threaded, pin engaged in an arcuate slot. The panel may be fixed in a desired position by means of a wing nut on the threaded pin, or the arcuate slot may be provided with notches to retain the pin.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an armchair illustrating a draught shield between an armrest and a headrest of the chair; Figure 2 is a side elevation of an armchair of the type shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan of an armchair of the type shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of an armchair illustrating a draught shield attached to protruding wings of a headrest and the armrest of the chair; Figure 5 is a perspective view of an armchair illustrating a draught shield which forms part of the framework of the chair; Figure 6 is a side elevation of a reclinable chair in the upright position; and Figure 7 is a side elevation of a reclinable chair in the reclined position.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings, a panel 1 is attached to an armrest 2 and a headrest 3 of an armchair to protect the occupant of the chair from draughts to the arms and shoulders. The panel 1 may be attached on the inner side of the armrest, or preferably, on the outer side to allow continued use of the armrest. The draught shield 1 can also be attached to the protruding wings 4 of the headrest, as shown in Figure 4.

It is clear that the panel could be constructed in a wide variety of shapes depending upon the overall design of the armchair. Preferably, the panel is wide at its base and becomes narrower as it extends upwards.

The draught shield can be made of any suitable material, such as wood or plastics, and may be provided with padding on both or either sides to enhance the comfort of the chair.

The draught shield may form part of the overall framework of the armchair, as illustrated in Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings. A chair 10 has a framework 12 including frame members 14 on each side bridging between ends of backrest 16 and arm rests 18, that part of the framework resulting therefrom being covered using suitable materials to produce a draught shield that is a permanent feature of the chair.

Alternatively, the draught shield may be portable so that it can be attached to an armchair, sofa or the like which is situated in a draught and subsequently be removed when no longer required.

Reclinable chairs exist which require the modification of the draught shield to enable it to move relative to the chair as the back of the chair is reclined, as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. This could be accomplished, for example, by use of a, preferably threaded, pin on one component which engages with an arcuate slot on another, to enable the two components to move relative to one another. Preferably, the pin is attached to the side of the chair and engages with the slot which is attached to the shield. Means, such as a wing nut or the like on the pin, may be provided to fix the shield when the back rest of the armchair is in the upright or reclined position. Alternatively, the slot may have notches for incremental adjustment of the back rest of the armchair.

Claims

1. A draught shield for an armchair or the like having armrests, the shield comprising a panel to extend upwards from the armrest, the arrangement being such that an occupant thereof is protected from side draughts.

2. A draught shield as claimed in claim 1, wherein the panel is attached to the armchair in a manner which allows the occupant to rest an arm on the armrest.

3. A draught shield as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the panel becomes narrower as it extends upwards.

4. A draught shield as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the panel is made of wood.

5. A draught shield as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the panel is made of plastics material.

6. A draught shield as chimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein padding is provided on one or both sides of the panel.

7. A draught shield as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the panel is formed of part of the overall framework of the armchair.

8. A draught shield as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein means are provided to allow attachment to and removal of the panel from the armchair.

9. A draught shield as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the panel is attached to an armrest of the armchair.

10. A draught shield as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the panel is attached to a headrest of the armchair.

11. A draught shield as claimed in claim 10, wherein the panel is attached to protruding wings of the headrest.

12. A draught shield as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the panel is provided with means to enable its movement relative to the armchair.

13. A draught shield as claimed in claim 12, wherein engagement of a pin with an arcuate slot enables the panel to move relative to the armchair.

14. A draught shield as claimed in claim 13, wherein the pin is threaded.

15. A draught shield as claimed in claim 14, wherein a wing nut on the pin is provided to fix the panel in position.

16. A draught shield as claimed in claim 12, wherein engagement of a pin with an arcuate slot provided with notches enables the panel to move relative to the armchair and be fixed in position.

17. A draught shield substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 3, Figure 4, Figure 5 and Figures 6 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.