GB2308060A - A recliner chair - Google Patents

Description

A Recliner Chair This invention relates to recliner chairs and in particular, but not exclusively to motorised recliner chairs of the type in which parts of the chair may be moved relative to each other to take up different configurations, or the chair reorientated by means of a controllable mechanism.

Mechanized recliner chairs are well known and typically comprise a traditional wooden chair frame having a complicated mechanical structure of pivotally interconnected bar linkages and tubular steel sub-frames mounted therein for movement of the chair parts. The tubular steel sub-f rames typically form a frame sub-assembly having a base frame that carries adjustable feet so that the base frame may rest on the floor.

It is the relative movement of parts of the sub-frame assembly which drives the recliner chair to different orientations and configurations. A wooden frame is used for upholstery purposes but has disadvantages. The frame typically comprises sides which incorporate the arms of the chair and which are interconnected by cross-members. The movement of the subframe assembly during operation of the chair requires that the wooden chair frame is kept as open as possible at its front end rear ends. This in turn requires that the two sides are interconnected only by cross-members extending between the bottom portions of the sides. Hence the frame is inherently weak and there can be large amounts of movement between the tops of the sides when subject to a spreading load such as might be exerted by a person pushing himself/herself out of a chair.

Attempts have been made to solve this problem by also interconnecting the sides at either one or both ends higher up spaced from the bottom portions using small diameter steel (or other metal) rods that are sufficiently small that they do not interfere with the movement of the chair mechanism but add rigidity to the structure.

Yet another disadvantage of the prior art chair is that all the mechanisms for operation of the chair, such as the subframe assembly and a bar linkage system for movement of the foot rest, have to be secured to the wooden frame after location therein. This can be extremely awkward and sometimes results in fixings such as screws not being as firm or as well placed as they might be.

The present invention seeks to overcome the above disadvantage.

Accordingly there is provided a recliner chair having a metal framework sub-frame assembly with a pair of side panels which are independent of each other and which are mounted on the sub-assembly.

One advantage of this type of chair is that the side panels may be upholstered prior to attachment to the sub-frame assembly.

Also there is provided a recliner chair having a metal subframe assembly comprising pivotally linked sub-frames, and side panels which are fixed to one of said sub-frames, each side panel being fixed to said frame at at least three spaced locations defining a polygon and holding the side panel substantially rigid to the sub-frame.

Preferably said one sub-frame is attached to each side panel at two spaced locations in the lower portion of the side panel and a third location at a mid-height portion of the side panel.

Preferably each side panel is a wooden structure and is fixed to the sub-frame of the sub-assembly by two fixings which are attached to the bottom surface of the panel at each end portion thereof, and a third fixing attached at the mid-length portion of the side panel. Alternatively the side panels could each be formed of a metal frame with wooden portions attached thereto to facilitate upholstering of the side panels.

Preferably the side panels are detachably mounted to the subframe assembly allowing each side frame to be removed independently for replacement or access to the interior of the frame.

This gives an advantage that the arm of a chair which includes the side panel may be replaced on-site in the event of breakage without return to the factory for a re-build.

Also according to the invention there is provided a method of manufacture of a recliner chair in which the chair includes side panels and a metal framework sub-frame assembly wherein the side panels are independently secured to sub-frame assembly.

Preferably when the chair further includes a foot rest mechanism for movement and orientation of a foot rest, the parts of the foot rest mechanism are fixed to a respective side panel before the side panel is fixed to the sub-frame assembly.

Another advantage of the method of manufacture is that the wooden components of the chair can be delivered to an assembly point as a flat pack whereas at present the wooden components are delivered in the form of a pre-assembled frame plus back, cushion frame, and foot rest.

The invention will be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a typical sub-frame sub-assembly for a recliner chair, Fig. 2 is a side view of side panel mounted on a sub frame of the assembly, Fig. 3 is a rear end view of the other side panel fixed to the sub-frame as shown in Fig. 2.

With reference to Fig. 1 there is shown a known prior art subframe assembly 10 comprising a base frame 11 which in use may carry adjustable feet for standing on a supporting surface e.g. the floor, an upper frame 12, and struts (included generally) 13 pivotally interconnecting the upper frame 12 to the base frame 13. In use an actuator acts between brackets 14 to operate the chair.

The upper frame 12 has on each side thereof a pair of spaced apart brackets 16 and 17 to which side panels 21 (see Fig. 2) can be attached.

The cushion or squab of the chair is mounted on a wooden frame (not shown) which is attached to the bar and pivoting struts indicated generally at 18.

The sub-frame assembly is generally fabricated from metal (steel) tubes and sheet or plate.

A chair side panel 21 as shown in Fig. 2 and 3 is made from wood in various guises including plywood, blockboard, chipboard and medium density fibre board. The side panel 21 is formed with an integral arm 22 and if desired may be upholstered.

The side panel 21 is preferably built with an outer frame 24 of lengths of wood which may be braced with cruciform wooden struts and with a flat panel 23 at the centre. The inside surface (that with respect to the chair) of the panel has a wooden block 25 affixed thereto by any suitable method e.g.

adhesive, screws, staples, etc. The block has at least one insert 26 set therein which includes a captive nut.

As can be seen the wooden side panel 21 is located on the brackets 16 and 17 of the upper sub-frame 12 so that the bottom surface of the wooden frame 24 rests on the brackets and the wooden block 25 lies adjacent the steel tubular member 12A of the sub-frame. The side panel is secured in position along its bottom surface to the brackets 16 & 17 by sets of screws 27 which pass through the brackets 16 and 17 into the wood. There could be between 2 - 4 screws 27 in each set.

The side panel 21 is also secured to the upper frame 12 by at least one bolt 28 which passes through the tubular frame and screws into the captive nut 26 within the wooden block 25.

In an alternative embodiment ( not shown) the side panels could be fixed to a third bracket exytending from the tubular frame but spaced above the other two brackets 16 & 17.

Thus each side panel 21 is rigidly held to the frame in spaced locations that define a polygon, in this case a triangle as there is only one captive nut 26. In the case of two spaced captive nuts in the wooden block 25 the anchorage points would define a quadrilateral.

Because of the triangulation of anchorage points the side panels are rigidly secured to the upper sub-frame 12. Further since the bolt anchorage is a mid-height location the arms are more securely prevented from being pushed apart.

The side panels 21 may also have a bar linkage type mechanism 29 mounted thereon (see Fig. 2). The scissor mechanism is generally used for mounting a seat cushion frame within the chair and for mounting moveable foot rests to the chair so that the seat cushion and foot rests can move relative to the side panels. A typical foot rest operating mechanism is disclosed in British Patent GB 2281 197. The mechanism may be mounted on a side panel before the side panel is secured in position on the sub-frame. This makes the securing of the mechanism easier and allows for more accurate location of mechanism on the side panel 21 and more accurate location of the securing screws.

In yet another embodiment (not shown) a bracket could be fixed to the panel , preferably securing the bar linkage mechanism in place, prior to attaching the side panel to the sub-frame assembly 10. The bracket is then fixed to the tubular frame 12 when the side panels are attached.

Claims (12)

Claims

1. A recliner chair having a metal framework sub-frame assembly with a pair of side panels which are independent of each other and which are mounted on the sub-assembly.

2. A recliner chair having a metal sub-frame assembly comprising pivotally linked sub-frames, and side panels which are fixed to one of said sub-frames, each side panel being fixed to said frame at at least three spaced locations defining a polygon and holding the side panel substantially rigid to the sub-frame.

3. A chair as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said one sub-frame is attached to each side panel at two spaced locations in the lower portion of the side panel and a third location at a midheight portion of the side panel.

4. A chair as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 3, wherein each side panel is fixed to the sub-frame of the sub-assembly by two fixings which are attached to the bottom surface of the panel at each end portion thereof, and a third fixing attached at the mid-length portion of the side panel.

5. A recliner chair as claimed in Claim 4, wherein said third fixing comprises a nut held captive in the side panel, and a bolt which passes through the sub-frame to clamp the side panel to the sub-frame.

6. A recliner chair as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, in which said sub-frame assembly comprises a base frame, an upper frame, and struts pivotally inter-connected therebetween, wherein the side panels are fixed to the upper frame.

7. A recliner chair comprising as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the side panels are each secured to the metal sub-frame assembly at three locations forming a triangulated fixing.

8. A recliner chair as Claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7 wherein the side panels are detachably mounted to the subframe assembly allowing each side frame to be removed independently for replacement or access to the interior of the frame.

9. A recliner chair as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the side panel is a wooden structre and the third fixing is a nut held in a block , preferably of wood, mounted on the side panel.

10. A method of manufacture of a recliner chair in which the chair includes side panels and a sub-frame assembly wherein the side panels are independently secured to sub-frame assembly.

11. A method as claimed in Claim 10, in which the chair further includes a foot rest mechanism for movement and orientation of a foot rest, wherein the parts of the foot rest mechanism are fixed to a respective side panel before the side panel is fixed to the sub-frame assembly.

12. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 10 - 12 wherein the side panels include wood portions and are upholstered prior to fitting to the sub-assembly.

12. A method as claimed in Claim 10 or Claim 11, wherein the side panels are each detachably mounted to the sub frame assembly.