GB2331007A

GB2331007A - A reclining chair with a seat back portion not extending backwards when tilted

Info

Publication number: GB2331007A
Application number: GB9721604A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Neville Clifford Alderson
Original assignee: NIAGARA MANUFACTURING Ltd
Current assignee: NIAGARA MANUFACTURING Ltd
Priority date: 1997-10-10
Filing date: 1997-10-10
Publication date: 1999-05-12
Also published as: WO1999018822A2; GB9721604D0; WO1999018822A3; AU9359098A

Abstract

A reclining chair 10 has a chassis 11; a seating portion comprising a seat section 60 and a back section 20; and a seat actuator 30 for moving the seat and back sections relative to one another and to the chassis, so that the back section reclines and the seat section moves forwards relative to the back of the chair, the movement being characterised by the free end of the back section moving substantially vertically. The chair also includes a lift mechanism for lifting and tilting the chassis forwards, comprising a lift base (80,fig. 3); a lifting linkage (85,86, fig. 3) connecting the lift base to the chassis; and a lift actuator (87, fig. 3) and a footrest 70 mounted on the seating portion with a footrest actuator 72 for raising and lowering it.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO CHAIRS The invention relates to reclining chairs.

It is known to have reclining chairs which have their motion controlled by actuators operating on a mechanism which supports various parts of the chair. For example, in airline seats, which generally have a seat section, back section and a footrest, the seat section remains stationary and the backrest reclines by pivoting towards the horizontal, and a separate mechanism raises and lowers the footrest.

In the home, particularly in a small room, it is desirable to have furniture with its back near a wall. A simple reclining chair with a fixed seat section would have to be pulled away from the wall to give room to allow the back section to recline, and it has been proposed, therefore, to have chairs in which the mechanism moves the seat section forwards as the back section reclines so that the top of the back section moves vertically or substantially vertically. Such movement will be referred to as vertical movement of the back section.

It is desirable also to have a mechanism for lifting the seat portion and back portion together to allow an occupant to get out of the chair easily. This is particularly important for elderly users.

A footrest is also a useful feature.

To provide in one chair power operated mechanisms for vertical movement of the back section, lifting of the chair frame and independent operation of the footrest in a chair with adequate strength poses problems.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a reclining chair comprising a chassis, a seating portion including a seat section and a back section, means for supporting the seating portion on the chassis, and a seat actuator for moving the seat section and the back section relative to one another and to the chassis to recline the back section and move the seat section forwards relative to the back of the chair such that the free end of the back section moves substantially vertically, a footrest mounted on the seating portion and a footrest actuator for raising and lowering the footrest, and a lift mechanism for lifting and tilting the chassis forwards, the lift mechanism comprising a lift base, a lifting linkage connecting the lift base to the chassis and a lift actuator for altering the lifting linkage configuration to lift or lower the chassis.

The seat actuator, the footrest actuator and the lift actuator preferably operate in different, parallel, vertical planes. The lift actuator preferably operates in a vertical plane lying centrally with respect to the chair portion, with the seat actuator lying nearer one side and the footrest actuator lying nearer the other side of the chair.

Turning to another aspect of the invention, involving the 1,vertical movement", the traditional way of providing such movement, for example in beds, has been by an inverted Y-frame mechanism where a backrest is linked to a base frame by a link pivotally connected both to the base frame and a central point on the backrest, the length of the link and the length of the backrest above the pivotal connection to the link being equal; this sort of mechanism requires sliding support for the bottom of the backrest along the base frame. Normally in chairs with'vertical movement, the chair has arms which move with the seat section, the seat section normally being associated with the main structural strength of the chair. The sliding movement referred to above is undesirable, and movement of the arms with the seat section means that the arms of an occupant are being moved relative to the shoulders of the occupant during reclining or raising of the back section. This can cause discomfort, or can mean that controls, if in the arm, could not be in easy reach in some chair positions.

In another aspect of the invention, a different approach is adopted, in accordance with which there is provided a reclining chair comprising a chassis, a back section, linkage means movably supporting the back section on the chassis at four horizontal connection axes, two on the chassis and two on the back section, and an actuator pivotally connected between adjacent members to control the position of the back section relative to the chassis, the length of the linkage means and the back section being so as to provide vertical movement of the upper end of the back section, arm means on each side of the chair pivotally connected to the back section and supported by pivotally mounted arm support links extending between the chassis and the arm means, and a seat section pivotally connected to the back section and supported further by drop links extending between and pivotally connected to the arm means and the seat section, whereby operation of the actuator causes vertical movement of the upper end of the back section and consequent movement of the seat section.

The arm means are preferably pivotally connected to the back section at the lower of the two horizontal axes on the back section.

The pivotal connection axes of the arm means with the back section, the drop links and the arm support links are preferably coplanar.

More specifically, the invention further provides a reclining chair comprising a chassis, a back section and a pair of link means movably supporting the back section on the chassis, one of the link means being connected to the chassis for pivoting about a first horizontal axis on the chassis and connected to the back section for pivoting about a first horizontal axis on the backrest, and the other link means being connected to the chassis for pivoting about a second horizontal axis on the chassis and connected to the back section for pivoting about a second horizontal axis on the back section, all the axes being spaced apart with the first link means being of a length substantially the same as the distance of the free end of the backrest beyond the first horizontal axis, an actuator pivotally connected between the chassis and an intermediate point on one of the link means such that variation, by operation of the actuator, of length between the actuator connection points alters the position of the back section relative to the chassis with vertical movement of the free end of the back section, arm means on each side of the chair pivotally connected to the back section at the second horizontal axis on the back section, which arm means are each further supported by an arm support link extending between and pivotally connected to the chassis and the respective arm means, and a seat section supported by the back section by pivotal connection at a third back section horizontal axis and by drop links pivotally connected one between each arm means, about a horizontal axis between the third back section horizontal axis and the axis of connection between the arm means and the arm support links, and the seat section.

The chair preferably comprises a footrest supported by the seat section. The footrest is preferably retractable and extendable by an actuator.

The chair preferably comprises a lifting mechanism for lifting the chassis relative to the floor. The lifting mechanism preferably comprises a lift base, a lift linkage connecting the base to the chassis and an actuator for altering the configuration of the lift linkage to lift or lower the chassis.

Each arm means preferably includes means at its lower forward end for contacting the floor when the chair is in a reclined configuration to prevent tipping. The antitipping means of each arm means preferably comprises a roller which comes into contact with the floor as the reclining position is approached.

The seat section preferably includes a support frame which is L-shaped when viewed from the side, the shorter position being connected to the back section and the longer portion being to support an occupant, the arrangement providing additional lumbar support as the back section moves towards the reclined position.

By way of example, one embodiment of a reclining chair will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a reclining chair mechanism in an upright position, all upholstery and one arm being omitted to illustrate the mechanism more clearly; Figure 2 shows the mechanism of Figure 1 in a fully reclined position, with the footrest raised; Figure 3 shows the mechanism of Figure 1 and 2 in a lifted position, with the footrest fully retracted; and Figure 4 is a plan view of the mechanism of Figures 1 to 3 in an upright position with the footrest extended.

A reclining chair 10 is shown with all upholstery omitted. The chair would have, in its finished state comfortable upholstery, and a backrest which extends significantly higher than the framework shown, as will be discussed later.

The chair has a framework which includes a chassis 11 of tubular steel, or other suitably rigid material, provided with feet 12,13 (omitted in Figure 1). The chassis 11 has a horizontal framework portion 14 and an upwardly extending framework portion 15.

A back section of the chair 10 has a back support 20, again of steel or other suitable material. In a finished chair, the back support 20 would support an upholstered back extending as far as point 21 (Figure 2) which is substantially above the rear end of the chassis 11.

The back support 20 is movably supported on the chassis 11 by a pair of upper links 22 (of steel or other suitable material) pivotally connected to the chassis at axis 23 and to the back support at axis 24, and a pair of lower links 25 pivotally connected to the chassis at axis 26 and to the back support at axis 27. The lower links 25 form part of an H-frame which includes a structural cross bar 28 (Figure 4).

An electrical actuator 30 is pivotally connected to the chassis 11 at a stub 31 and to the H-frame bar 28 by means of a pair of lugs 32 rigidly connected to the bar 28.

The actuator has an electric motor which turns on a screw to slide a movable element 33 between end positions, one of which is shown in Figures 1 and 3 (back section in an upright position) and the other of which is shown in Figure 2 (back section in reclined position).

The geometry of the linkage formed between the axes 23,24,26 and 27, controlled by the actuator 30, is such that the top of the seat, in use, will describe movement essentially along a vertical line 34, shown in chain lines in Figure 2 between an upright position and a reclined position.

The chair has two arms 40, only one of which is shown in the drawings. The arms 40 are each load bearing parts of the chair and constructed of plywood sheet of satisfactory rigidity, or of other suitable sheet material, secured together to form a box structure, seen best in Figure 4.

Alternatively, the arms may be moulded or blown of plastics material.

To an inside sheet 41 of each arm 40 is secured a shoulder joint 42, coaxial with the axis 27, which provides a pivotal connection between the arm 40, the back support 20 and the H-frame 25,28.

Each arm 40 also supports a drop link pivot 45, from which depends pivotally an associated drop link 46 which rotates about a horizontal axis 47 fixed relative to the arms 40.

The arms 40 are each supported by an arm support link 48, the arm support links 48 being part of a U-frame comprising a base 49 and two arm support links 48, the base 49 being pivotally connected to the chassis 11 for rotation about axis 50. Each arm support link is pivotally connected to its respective arm by a pivot pin 51 for rotation about and axis 52.

Each arm 40 is provided with a roller 53 at its front lower end to prevent tipping when the chair is in a reclined position.

A seat section has a seat frame 60 for supporting an upholstered seat base in a finished chair. The seat frame has L-shaped side bars 61 (of steel or other rigid material, as is the case with other structural, elongate parts of the chair frame) and a seat cross member 62 secured under the side bars 61. The side bars are pivotally connected to the back support 20 for rotation about an axis 63 and pivotally connected to the drop links 46 for rotation about an axis 64.

As can be seen best by comparing Figures 1 and 2, the aforementioned mechanism provides for recline control using one actuator 30 operated by an occupant through a controller (hand held or on the chair) interfaced through a set of electronics (not shown, but of conventional nature). To recline the chair, the occupant will press a "recline" button and this will start to move the actuator elements and hence the lower links 25 about the axis 26. The back support 20 and hence the seat frame 60 start to move forward. The drop links 46 and the arm support links 48 control the inclination of the seat frame 60, whereby the angle of inclination of the seat frame increases as the frame moves forward. At the same time, the upper links 22 causes the back support 20 to recline and constrains the outer extremity of the seat back 21 to follow the substantially vertical path 34.

The three pivot axes 27,47 and 52 are a set distance apart, since all are fixed relative to the arms 40, and in a straight line. This ensures that the arms 40 move forward as the back support 20 reclines, the pivot point 27 being positioned in a finished chair to provide that the elbow of an occupant is positioned adjacent the pivot point 27 so that the arms of the occupant can stay in the same position on the arms 40 of the chair whatever the angle of recline.

The seat frame 60 moves forward more than the arms 40 and increasing protrudes from the arms as recline increases.

The geometry of the arrangement is that the roller 53 contacts the floor as full recline is approached, or permanently if the feet 13 are omitted (Figure 1).

The chair 10 has a lifting mechanism which allows the entire chassis 11, and the chair mounted on the chassis 11 to be lifted and tilted to allow an occupant to leave easily; this is of particular importance to the elderly or infirm.

The lifting mechanism has a lift base 80 of steel or other suitable material supported on feet 81 and rollers 82.

The base 80 has side members 83 and a cross members 84 and 88 which fit inside the chassis 11. A lift frame 85 connects the base 80 with the lift cross member 84 and upper links 86 are pivotally connected to the cross member 84. A lift actuator 87 is pivotally connected centrally between the base cross members 84 and 88, via a lever 89. The geometry of the lifting mechanism is such that the chair is lifted and the seat angle is rotated to incline downwardly to help straightening of an occupant's legs into a standing position.

The chair 10 also has a footrest 70 connected to the seat frame 60 by a double linkage generally indicated at 71.

The double linkage is conventional in nature and will not be described in detail. A footrest actuator 72 acts between the seat cross member 62 and a lug 73 on a cross member 75 between arms 74 of the linkage 71. Extension of the actuator 72 extends the footrest 70 to the Figure 2 position and retraction of the actuator draws the footrest into the Figure 3 position. In Figure 1, the footrest is shown in an intermediate position.

The control system is such that if the lift mechanism is operated, the electronics of the chair retract the footrest 70 and move the backrest to an upright position before the chair has risen significantly.

It will be appreciated that this description is by way of example only, any may be altered or modified without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A reclining chair comprising a chassis, a seating portion including a seat section and a back section, means for supporting the seating portion on the chassis, and a seat actuator for moving the seat section and the back section relative to one another and to the chassis to recline the back section and move the seat section forwards relative to the back of the chair such that the free end of the back section moves substantially vertically, a footrest mounted on the seating portion and a footrest actuator for raising and lowering the footrest, and a lift mechanism for lifting and tilting the chassis forwards, the lift mechanism comprising a lift base, a lifting linkage connecting the lift base to the chassis and a lift actuator for altering the lifting linkage configuration to lift or lower the chassis.
2. A chair as claimed in claim 1 wherein the seat actuator, the footrest actuator and the lift actuator operate in different, parallel, vertical planes.
3. A chair as claimed in claim 2 wherein the lift actuator operates in a vertical plane lying centrally with respect to the chair portion, with the seat actuator lying nearer one side and the footrest actuator lying nearer the other side of the chair.
4. A reclining chair comprising a chassis, a back section, linkage means movably supporting the back section on the chassis at four horizontal connection axes, two on the chassis and two on the back section, and an actuator pivotally connected between adjacent members to control the position of the back section relative to the chassis, the length of the linkage means and the back section being so as to provide vertical movement of the upper end of the back section, arm means on each side of the chair pivotally connected to the back section and supported by pivotally mounted arm support links extending between the chassis and the arm means, and a seat section pivotally connected to the back section and supported further by drop links extending between and pivotally connected to the arm means and the seat section, whereby operation of the actuator causes vertical movement of the upper end of the back section and consequent movement of the seat section.
5. A chair as claimed in claim 4 wherein the arm means are pivotally connected to the back section at the lower of the two horizontal axes on the back section.
6. A chair as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the pivotal connection axes of the arm means with the back section, the drop links and the arm support links are coplanar.
7. A reclining chair comprising a chassis, a back section and a pair of link means movably supporting the back section on the chassis, one of the link means being connected to the chassis for pivoting about a first horizontal axis on the chassis and connected to the back section for pivoting about a first horizontal axis on the backrest, and the other link means being connected to the chassis for pivoting about a second horizontal axis on the chassis and connected to the back section for pivoting about a second horizontal axis on the back section, all the axes being spaced apart with the first link means being of a length substantially the same as the distance of the free end of the backrest beyond the first horizontal axis, an actuator pivotally connected between the chassis and an intermediate point on one of the link means such that variation, by operation of the actuator, of length between the actuator connection points alters the position of the back section relative to the chassis with vertical movement of the free end of the back section, arm means on each side of the chair pivotally connected to the back section at the second horizontal axis on the back section, which arm means are each further supported by an arm support link extending between and pivotally connected to the chassis and the respective arm means, and a seat section supported by the back section by pivotal connection at a third back section horizontal axis and by drop links pivotally connected one between each arm means, about a horizontal axis between the third back section horizontal axis and the axis of connection between the arm means and the arm support links, and the seat section.
8. A chair as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 7 comprising a footrest supported by the seat section.
9. A chair as claimed in claim 8 wherein the footrest is retractable and extendable by an actuator.
10. A chair as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 9 comprising a lifting mechanism for lifting the chassis relative to the floor.
11. A chair as claimed in claim 10 wherein the lifting mechanism comprises a lift base, a lift linkage connecting the base to the chassis and an actuator for altering the configuration of the lift linkage to lift or lower the chassis.
12. A chair as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 11 including means at its lower forward end for contacting the floor where the chair is in a reclined configuration, to prevent tipping.
13. A chair as claimed in claim 12 wherein the antitipping means of each arm means comprises a roller which comes into contact with the floor as the reclining position is approached.
14. A chair as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the seat section includes a support frame which is L-shaped when viewed from the side, the shorter position being connected to the back section and the longer portion being to support an occupant, the arrangement providing additional lumbar support as the back section moves towards the reclined position.
15. A reclining chair substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.