GB2340740A

GB2340740A - Chair raising support arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2340740A
Application number: GB9818028A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keith Willans
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-08-19
Filing date: 1998-08-19
Publication date: 2000-03-01
Anticipated expiration: 2018-08-19
Also published as: GB9818028D0; GB2340740B

Abstract

A chair raising support arrangement has four ground supports (1) which are recessed (2) to accommodate and capture the legs or castors of a chair. The supports are each connected to a centrally orientated plate (7) by bar connectors (6) and connecting pieces (11). Each connecting piece can pivot relative to its respective bar connector and each bar connector can pivot at connection (8) within a range limited by slot (9). In use, with the chair legs in the ground supports, the apparatus is coiled inwards to arrest the legs with the bar connectors and connecting pieces then being secured in position by tightening bolts at one or more of the slots 9. The plate, which may be supported by a castor, is used to control the spread and configuration of the supports.

Description

2340740 Chair-Raising SuPport Arrangement

This invention relates to a support and more particularly to such an arrangement to support a chair or bed in a raised position which better enables a person to rise to a standing position. In this specification the term chair should be taken to include many forms of seating such as chairs, armchairs, bed-settees, sofa-beds, etc, which stand on legs or castors.

Older persons and those suffering from weakness in the lower limbs have great difficulty in rising from some chairs or beds without possible danger to themselves or without safe assistance from another person. This difficulty is more pronounced the lower the actual seating surface.

In many instances safer rising for a person would be greatly improved if the chair or bed had a higher seating surface.

According to the present invention there is provided support arrangement for use under a chair Or bed comprising a set of supports with slightly cambered bases to facilitate easier slide and where each cup, arrests and supports in a particularly shaped recess a leg or castor to a pre-determined height. The raising supports are tied together by means of conventional arms via a centrally orientated connecting plate which crucially controls movement to allow a variation of spread. I Such an arrangement would enable many more persons to enjoy the comfort of a low design chair or bed in keeping with other furnishings. The user would be able to sit and rise to a standing position with less direct assistance.

The invention will now be described in more detail. The description makes reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figure I shows a support member according to the present invention viewed from above.

Figure 2 shows a support member having a slightly cambered base viewed from the side.

Figure 3 shows the figure 2 support member viewed from the side at rightangles.

Figure 4 shows a modified version of the support member viewed from above.

Figure 5 shows a support member having a connecting bar member viewed from above.

Figure 6 shows the figure 5 support members viewed from the side and in section.

Figure 7 shows a modified version of the figure 5 support members viewed from the side.

Figure 8 shows the modified version of the figure 5 support members viewed from above.

Figure 9 shows the modified version of the figure 5 support members viewed from above.

Figure 10 shows a crucial support member spread variation control plate member viewed from above.

Figure 11 shows the crucial support member spread variation control plate member viewed from the side.

Figure 12 shows the support arrangement according to figures 1, 2, 5, 9 and 10 viewed from the underside.

Figure 13 illustrates the support arrangement according to figure 12 in perspective and in use on the underside of a chair.

Referring to figures 1,2 and 3 there is shown a support member 1 which may vary in the vertical plane 3 to accord with a process of manufacture and having a recess of vital ovoid shape 2 in plan.

2 Referring to figure 4 there is shown a modified support member I having a circular outer profile 4 and an inner recess of important elliptical shape in plan 5.

Referring to figures 5 and 6 there is shown a support member I securely fixed to the end of a connecting bar member 6 which is fastened to the spread variation control plate member 7 by means of bolts or rivets to hole 8 and slot 9.

Referring to figures 7, 8 and 9 there is shown a support member 1 fastended via the connecting piece 11 to the connecting bar member 6 by means of bolts or rivets in either of two positions to holes 10 one of which ensures capture by the mortice 12.

Referring to figures 10 and 11 there is shown a crucial spread variation control plate member 7 supported centrally on a castor 13 and having a connecting bar 6 attached by means of bolts or rivets to hole 8 and curved slot 9.

Referring to figure 12 there is shown an assembled chair raising support configuration in a maximum spread orientation comprising support members 1 attached to allow a pivotal movement to connecting bars 6 by means of holes 10 at one end and at the other end to the spread variation control plate 7 by means of holes 8 and slots 9.

In figure 12 there is shown an outline of the chair support arrangement wound-closed into the minimum spread orientation and with some typical movement variations indicated by arrows 15.

In figure 13 there is shown a chair 14 which stands on the assembled chair raising support arrangement which has the crucial spread variation plate member 7 placed uppermost for the most pleasing aesthetic appearance. The apparatus is coiled inwards to arrest the legs then further movement is restricted by tightening the bolt at one or more of the slots 9. The arrangement will allow a chair to be safely supported in a higher position than was originally intended.

3 4

Claims

1. A chair raising arrangement comprising four support members inter connected with bars/arms via a centrally orientated control plate, means for varying the orientation and spread of the of the supports, means of arresting the supports in position.

2. A chair raising arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein catchment means are provided in the support members to accommodate a chair leg, castor or slider.

3. A chair raising arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein catchment means are provided between the support members and bar connectors for arresting a pivotal movement.

4. A chair raising arrangement as claimed in claim 2 or 3 wherein catchment means are provided between the bar connectors and centrally orientated control plate for arresting a pivotal movement.

5. A chair raising arrangement as claimed in claim 4 wherein means are provided on the control plate co-operable with the bar members to permit or arrest the spread and orientation configuration of the support members.

6. A chair raising arrangement as claimed in claim 5 wherein means for the control plate to rotate about its centre, means for a limited orbital movement, means to prevent sagging.

7. A chair raising arrangement as claimed in any proceeding claim which is made from wood, wood/paper-fibre compositions, fibreglass, or plastics material, or from a combination of these materials.

8. A chair raising arrangement substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-13 of the accompanying drawings.