GB2402612A

GB2402612A - Reclining chair with removable and numbered squab and backrest cushions

Info

Publication number: GB2402612A
Application number: GB0312678A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Matt Connah
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-06-03
Filing date: 2003-06-03
Publication date: 2004-12-15
Anticipated expiration: 2023-06-03
Also published as: GB2402612B; GB0312678D0

Abstract

An adjustable reclining chair is provided having a moulded one piece curved body (1). The seat is movable with respect to wedge supports (7). Removable head and foot supports (2 and 3) are made from a plurality of foam inserts. Changing the number of the inserts used, alters the angle of the head and or footrest. The foam inserts may be either colour coded or numbered to promote adjustment ( see figs 5 and 6 ) In a second embodiment the cushions may be filled with air or gel (see fig 7). In a third embodiment the seat base is mounted on a gas suspension device ( see fig 8). In a fourth embodiment the seat rails are slidably located within bearings (see item 28 fig 9).

Description

1 240261 2 Chair This invention relates to a chair. More particular but

not exclusively this invention relates to

an adjustable chair.

Commonly, chairs are designed to be suitable for differing heights and weights of users although car seats are to some extent adjustable. 'Zero gravity' chairs are known to work by evenly distributing the weight of the whole body thereby relieving the pressure from the spine and legs and allowing the muscles to relax. This system was originally designed for astronauts to relieve pressure during take off, however they are now popular for personal use in the home.

Although the aforementioned chairs are known to have some form of adjustment there is a requirement for a chair which is fully adjustable to suit the individual requirements of each user. Known adjustable chairs have expensive adjustment apparatus.

According to the present invention there is provided an adjustable chair comprising a plurality of removable support members said support members being positioned so as to provide adjustment to the chair suitable to an individual user's requirements The support members may be positioned underneath the leg rest portion of the chair.

The support members may be positioned at the head rest portion of the chair.

The support members may comprise elongate flexible strips of material.

The support members may be coded to allow an individual to easily identify the required support members and their required position on the chair.

The support members may extend across the width of the leg rest or head rest portion of the chair.

The chair may be coded to allow accurate positioning of the support members.

The support members may be manufactured from high density foam.

The adjustable chair may comprise a substantially curved base portion and may be mounted on wedge shape support members so as to allow adjustment of the seating or lying position of a user.

Also according to the present invention there is provided an adjustable chair comprising a plurality of adjustable sections operable by hand to fit an individual users desired seating position.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of a chair.

Figure 2 shows the angle of recline of the chair.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the chair.

Figure 4 is a side view of the chair indicating the adjustments which can be made.

Figure 5 is a side view of the chair indicating the adjustments which can be made to the leg position of a user.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the chair indicating the adjustments which can be made to the head rest portion.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a chair according to another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 8 is a side view of a chair according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a chair according to a further embodiment of the invention.

Referring to figure 1, the chair 1 comprises hard, high density foam although any suitable material may be employed. The general shape of the underside of the chair is curved and is positioned on wedge shaped support members 7. Modular sections of foam 2 are inserted behind the headrest 5 and can alter the angle of the headrest in accordance with the user's requirements.

Further sections of modular foam 3 are positioned underneath the leg rest portion 4 of the chair 1. A further hard foam section 6 is provided at the base or foot portion of the chair and is substantially perpendicular to the remainder to the leg portion. This section 6 provides a support platform for the user's feet and is removable or adjustable according to the size of user's feet.

Now referring to figure 2 hard foam wedges 7 support the chair. The chair is located on the wedges 7 at different positions depending on the user's requirements. The wedge shape of the support members 7 is designed to allow the chair 1 to be angled forward or backwards according to requirements of the user.

Now referring to figure 3, arm rests 8 are formed from hard foam or other suitable materials. The arm rests are attached to the chair 1 by Velcro or other suitable temporary fixing devices such that the position of the arm rests is adjustable so as to be adjustable to suit the user's requirements.

In use, the chair can be adjusted to suit user's requirements by inserting modular foam portions 3 underneath the leg rest portion of the chair 1. These portions 3 increase the length allowed for the lower leg to rest comfortably in position against the leg rest. The head support can be positioned higher or lower according to the back height of the user.

These sections of foam match the contours of the chair can be added to or removed from the main body of the chair in layers to exactly match the requirements of the individual's leg length.

The foot rest 6 is alterable to be positioned either higher or lower on the foot section of the chair according to individual's lower leg length.

Now referring to figures 4, 5 and 6 the foam strips which are added or removed from the chair according to the user's requirements are numbered or colour coded. The soft foam seat cushion and its cover are provided with lines at the top and bottom. These lines may be either numbered or colour coded. The user provides key measurements of leg length 8, thigh length 10 and back and head length 12.

Once an individual user has their three key measurements, a chart is provided with the chair. The foam support members 3 are provided with numbers or other suitable codes and the user accesses his chart which allows a user to quickly note which numbers of foam inserts he will need to use to provide a chair suitable for his needs. This allows the chair to provide an individual fit for each user.

Similarly the position of the head rest 2 can be altered by referring to numbered position lines 14.

Now referring to figure 7, individual cushions 16 are provided within the body of the chair.

Each individual cushion is filled with air or gel and evenly distributes pressure around the user's body.

Referring to figure 8, a further embodiment of the invention is illustrated by the chair 20.

which is provided with a number of adjustable mechanisms to allow an individual seating position according to the user's requirements.

The back 22 of the chair can be lowered or raised to change the recline angle and also provide gentle suspension bounce by a gas suspension device 24. The arrows indicate the full range of adjustments available.

Similarly figure 9 shows a further embodiment of the present invention. Again the arrows show the full range of adjustments available for this chair. In this embodiment the chair base 26 is a curved plate mounted within bearings 28 on two angled support units. The foot rest 32, arm rests 34, and head rest 36 are all adjustable via lever mechanisms 38, 40 and 42. Similarly the thigh length position is adjustable via lever 44.

Measurement codes 46 are provided such that an individual user can refer to a chart to set' the chair positions to his requirements.

The chair according to the present invention provides improved comfort and assists in providing improved breathing by the user.

It is to be understood that the foam inserts could be manufactured from any suitable material.

Claims

1. An adjustable reclining chair for relaxation, comprising of a moulded main body with curved underside,two wedges,movabie head and foot supports and a plurality of removable foam inserts, which allow simple adjustments to be made to suit the individual size requirements of the user and a multitude of reclining angle to be obtained without the need for complex or expensive adjustment mechanism's.

2. An adjustable reclining chair for relaxation as claimed in claim 1 wherein particulars of the chair exactly match the users size requirement in three key areas, a) heel to knee b)knee to base of spine c)base of spine to head thereby offering the fit and comfort advantages of a custom measured chair,whilst being able to adapt to different user requirements.

3.An adjustable reclining chair for relaxation as claimed in claim 2 wherein foam inserts are colour or number coded and colour or numbered lines are provided on the head and base of the seating area, so allowing individual users to adjust the chair quickly to a predetermined position, according to their size requirement, and to easily readjust to chair back after use by a different individual.

4.An adjustable reclining chair for relaxation as claimed in claim 3 whereby once the chair has been adjusted and reclined it offers a fully supported seating position ideally suited the the individual users body size allowing pressure to be evenly distributed.

5.An adjustable reclining chair for relaxation as claimed in claims 2 and 4 whereby the exacting fit to the individual, reclining ability and the specific posture shape of the chair all combine to promote and facilitate increased levels of physical relaxation and deeper, natural deep breathing.