GB2589439A

GB2589439A - Chair with adjustable foot rest

Info

Publication number: GB2589439A
Application number: GB2014198.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Fahy Emma; Forrester Matthew
Original assignee: CAREFLEX Ltd
Current assignee: CAREFLEX Ltd
Priority date: 2019-11-05
Filing date: 2020-09-09
Publication date: 2021-06-02
Anticipated expiration: 2040-09-09
Also published as: GB201916053D0; GB202014198D0; GB2588772A; GB2589439B

Abstract

A chair having a seat 7 and a footrest 11, said footrest being adjustable relative to the seat. A slider assembly 12,15 provides distance adjustment between the footrest and the seat. A pivot assembly 17, independent of said adjustment, provides angular adjustment of the footrest relative to the slider assembly. The slider assembly includes slide element 15 having a straight adjustment axis and guide 13 associated with said element to permit movement along said axis. The slider assembly further comprises a ratchet profile (19, Figure 3) associated with the slide element to extend along the adjustment axis, and a detent (32, Figure 4) associated with the guide to engage the profile whereby the detent prevent sliding movement of the footrest away from the seat. The detent may be a spring-loaded plunger. The pivot assembly may have a pivot axis which extends transverse to the adjustment axis of the slider assembly. The pivot assembly may be carried by a limb (76, Figure 9) which extends from the bottom end of the slide element (75, Figure 9). The pivot assembly may include pivot linkage (110, Figure 12) which connects the limb to a bracket (105, Figure 12) secured to the footrest.

Description

CareFlex Limited

CHAIR WITH ADJUSTABLE FOOT REST

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to chairs with adjustable foot rests, and particularly, but not exclusively, recliner chairs intended for use by the elderly or infirm.

BACKGROUND

In known chairs which have a seat and an adjustable foot rest the foot rest may be adjustable towards and away from the seat as well as providing angular adjustment. A range of positions are therefore provided which can be changed according to the leg length and foot position of the user. In a reclining chair the position of the foot rest may also need to be adjusted depending on whether the user occupies a relined or a more upright position.

Such adjustments are frequently made by a carer or assistant. Often, the adjustment process is not obvious to people unfamiliar with a particular chair and it takes time to find out how to operate the system. Adjustments may therefore take up valuable nursing time. Furthermore, in some circumstances the foot rest may -2 -come into contact with the ground or another object, e.g. when the chair is moved from an inclined to an upright position, which can put the chair into an unexpected or unstable condition. In an extreme case, the user may panic and attempt to get out of the chair, which could risk serious injury.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

When viewed from one aspect the present invention proposes a chair having a seat (7) and a foot rest (11), wherein the foot rest is adjustable relative to the seat by means of (i) a slider assembly (12, 15; 72, 75) which provides distance adjustment between the foot rest and the seat, and (ii) a pivot assembly (17; 77) which, independently of said distance adjustment, provides angular adjustment of the footrest relative to the slider assembly, wherein the slider assembly includes: - a slide element (15; 75) having a straight adjustment axis; - a guide (13; 73) associated with the slide element such as to permit relative movement along said adjustment axis; - a ratchet profile (19; 79) associated with the slide element to extend along the adjustment axis; - a detent (32; 93) associated with the guide to engage the ratchet profile (19; 79) whereby the detent prevents sliding movement of the foot rest away from the seat. -3 -

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of non-limiting example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put into practice. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a general view of a first form of chair with an adjustable foot rest, looking from the front left side of the chair; Fiaure 2 is another general view of the chair looking from below; Figure 3 is a general view of the foot rest and slide elements, including an inset detail; Figure 4 is a general view of the foot rest mount; Figure 5 is an elevation of the foot rest mount as viewed from the rear of the chair; Figure 6 is an end elevation of the foot rest mount as viewed from the right in Fig. 5; Figure 7 is section VII-VII through the foot rest mount at the position indicated in Fig. 5; -4 -Figure 8 is a general view of a second form of chair with an adjustable foot rest, looking from below; Figure 9 is a general view the foot rest removed from the chair of Fig. 8; Figure 10 is an enlarged rear view of the slide element shown in Fig. 9; Figure 11 is an enlarged view of a foot rest mount for the foot rest of Fig. 9; Figure 12 is is an enlarged detail of the pivot assembly of the foot rest of Fig. 9, looking from below; Figure 13 is an enlarged view of part of the pivot assembly of Fig. 12; Figures 14A-E are five side views of the chair of Fig. 8 showing the foot rest in five different pivotal positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring firstly to Fig.s 1 and 2, the chair has a frame 1 supported by four castor wheels 2. Two side cheeks 3 and 4 are secured to opposite sides of the frame 1 each supporting a respective arm rest 5, 6. Between the side cheeks 3 and 4 are a -5 -seat 7, a back 8 and a leg rest 9. In the position shown, the seat 7 occupies a generally horizontal position. The back 8 and leg rest 9 occupy a generally upright position. By releasing a handle 10 on the side of the chair the angle of the leg rest 9 in relation to the seat 7 can be changed. The angle of the chair can also be adjusted relative to the ground using a handle bar 101 at the upper end of the seat back 8. Pulling a release lever on this handle 101 (not shown) allows the tilt angle of the chair to be adjusted from the upright position shown to a reclined position. On a motorised chair there is a handset with four buttons, two of which change the leg rest angle and another two which change the tilt angle of the whole chair. The lower end of the leg rest 9 carries a plate-like foot rest 11 which, with the leg rest substantially vertical as shown, projects from the lower end of the leg rest. The foot rest 11 can be adjusted in two ways. Firstly, it can be moved towards and away from the seat 7 along a straight path indicated by the arrow A. Secondly, the foot rest can be angularly adjusted about a horizontal pivot axis at the rear of the foot rest as indicated by the part-circular arrow B. Referring in particular to Fig. 2, adjustment of the spacing between the foot rest and the seat (arrow A) is provided by a slider assembly which comprises a foot rest mount 12 secured to the rear of the leg rest 9. The mount 12 provides a pair of spaced guides 13 and 14. A pair of parallel slide elements 15 and 16 having respective longitudinally-extending adjustment axes are slidably received in respective tubular guides 13 and 14 to facilitate the linear adjustment A. Forwardly-extending bottom -6 -portions of the slide elements 15 and 16 carry a pivot assembly 17 which facilitates the angular adjustment B. Turning now to Fig. 3, lower ends of the slide elements 15 and 16 are connected together by a strengthening cross-member 18. In addition, one of the slide elements 15 carries an outwardly-extending ratchet formation 19 having a number of ratchet teeth 20 arranged axially of the slide element. The inset detail shows that each ratchet tooth 20 has a sloping upper face 21 and a perpendicular lower face 22, relative to the adjustment axis.

As seen in Fig.s 4-7, the foot rest mount 12 includes a mounting plate 23 which is shaped to provide a central mounting portion 24 and two outer mounting flanges 25 and 26 which are each bolted or otherwise secured to the leg rest 9. These flanges are separated from the central portion 24 by two channel-section ribs 27 and 28. Further channel sections 29 and 30 are joined to the ribs to form the tubular guides 13 and 14, which are thus spaced from the leg rest 9. Inclined tabs 31 are provided at the lower end of the ribs 27 and 28 to assist insertion of the slide elements 15 and 16. It will also be noted that one of the guides 13 is wider than the other guide 14 in order to receive the ratchet formation 19 of the slide element 15. A lower end of the guide 13 receives a detent in the form of a spring loaded plunger assembly 32 incorporating a plunger 33 (Fig. 7), which projects into the guide 13, and an external head 34 forming a handle which can be grasped to withdraw the plunger 32 against its spring loading. -7 -

When the slide elements 15 and 16 are received within the tubular guides 13 and 14 the spring loaded plunger 33 engages the ratchet formation 19. The inclined upper faces 21 of the ratchet teeth 20 allow the slide elements to move in an upward direction relative to the foot rest mount 12, moving the plunger 33 against its spring loading. However, the perpendicular lower faces 22 stop outward movement of the plunger and prevent downward movement of the slide elements unless the plunger in manually withdrawn. An inclined tongue 35 on one side of the channel section 29 ensures that the teeth of the ratchet formation 19 do not catch on the upper end of the guide 13 during downward movement. The spring loaded plunger 33 thus prevents movement of the foot rest away from the seat whilst allowing unimpeded movement of the foot rest towards the seat.

As explained more fully below in relation to the second embodiment, the pivot assembly 17 allows the foot rest 11 to be angularly adjusted about a horizontal pivot axis at the rear of the foot rest, extending transverse to the adjustment axes of the slide elements 15 and 16. The foot rest can be fixed in various angular positions preventing further downward pivotal movement, but in each of those positions the foot rest can pivot freely in upward movement allowing the foot rest to be flipped up into a stowed position against the leg rest 9.

In the first embodiment which has been described the foot rest 11 is connected by two parallel slide elements 15 and 16 which are guided by the foot rest mount 12. This ensures that the foot rest -8 -has good lateral stability, but the use of a single slide element can also provide sufficient stability as in the second embodiment described below.

In the modified chair which is shown in Fig. 8, releasing a handle 10 again allows the angle of the leg rest 9 to be changed in relation to the seat 7. The lower end of the leg rest 9 again carries a foot rest 11 which, as shown, projects forward from the lower end of the leg rest. The foot rest 11 can firstly be moved towards and away from the seat 7 along a straight path. Secondly, the foot rest can be angularly adjusted about a horizontal pivot axis at the rear of the foot rest. The first adjustment is achieved by a slider assembly which includes a foot rest mount 72 secured to the rear of the leg rest 9. The mount 72 provides a single tubular guide 73 in which a single slide element 75 is slidably received. As can be seen more clearly in Fig. 9, the slide element 75 is of channel-section, although it could be a length of box section or other hollow profile. A further channel-section limb 76 extends forwardly from the bottom end of the slide element 75 to carry a pivot assembly 77 (Fig. 8 also) which facilitates the angular adjustment of the foot rest.

Turning now to Fig. 10, the slide element 75 carries a ratchet formation 79 having a number of tabs 80 arranged axially of the slide element. Each tab 80 is pressed inwardly from the wall of the channel-section so that the tab remains joined at its root 81 and slopes inwardly in an upward direction. The free upper end of each tab is disposed behind a respective top edge of the -9 -respective tab cutout.

As seen in Fig. 11, the foot rest mount 72 includes a channel-section mounting portion 83. This mounting portion has a central mounting plate 84, which is bolted or otherwise secured to the leg rest 9, and two outer flanges 85 and 86. A further channel section 89 is joined transversely to the flanges 85 and 86 to form the tubular guide 73, which is thus spaced from the leg rest 9. A lower end of the guide 73 receives a detent in the form of a spring loaded plunger assembly 92 incorporating a plunger 93 which projects into the guide 73, and an external head 94 forming a handle which can be grasped to withdraw the plunger 93 against its spring loading. When the slide element 75 is received within the tubular guide 73 the spring loaded plunger 93 engages the ratchet formation 79. The inclined faces of the ratchet tabs 80 allow the slide elements to move in an upward direction relative to the foot rest mount 72, moving the plunger 93 against its spring loading. However, the top edges 82 prevent downward movement of the slide elements and prevent outward movement of the plunger unless the plunger in manually withdrawn. The spring loaded plunder 93 thus prevents movement of the foot rest away from the seat whilst allowing unimpeded movement of the foot rest towards the seat.

Referring back to Fig. 9, the pivot assembly 77 allows the foot rest 11 to be angularly adjusted about a horizontal pivot axis at the rear of the foot rest, extending transverse to the adjustment axis of the slide element 75. The foot rest can be fixed in various -10 -angular positions preventing further downward pivotal movement, but in each of those positions the foot rest can pivot freely with upward movement allowing the foot rest to flip up into a stowed position against the leg rest 9. Referring now to Fig. 12, the pivot assembly 77 includes a channel-section pivot linkage 110 which connects the limb 76 to a bracket 105 which is in turn bolted or otherwise secured to the underside of the foot rest 11 adjacent to its rear edge. The rear end of the pivot linkage 110 receives the limb 76 and is pivotally connected thereto by a first pivot pin 111. The opposite end of the pivot linkage is connected to the bracket 105 by a second pivot pin 112, the pins 111 and 112 having parallel pivot axes.

The opposite sides of the pivot linkage 110 extend rearward and carry a pair of spring loaded plungers 114 and 115 which can be grasped to withdraw the plungers against their spring loading. When released, the plungers each enter one of a series of four angularly spaced holes 117-120 formed in opposite sides of the limb 76 -see Fig. 13. The lowered position of the foot rest 11 relative to the pivot linkage 110 is determined by contact between the bracket 105 and the adjacent end of the pivot linkage, but the foot rest can also pivot freely in an upward direction about the pin 112 to place the foot rest into a stowed condition, resting against the leg rest 9, as seen in Fig. 14B. If the plungers 114 and 115 are engaged in the respective third holes 119 the foot rest can also be rotated down to a perpendicular position, at 900 to the slide elements,as shown in Fig. 14A, but contact between the bracket 105 and the pivot linkage 110 prevents further downward movement. This can be considered the default position in normal use.

If the spring loaded plungers 114 and 115 are engaged in the pair of second holes 118 the foot rest can be pivoted down by a further 15°, seen in Fig. 14C. Engaging the plungers 114 and 115 with the first holes 117 enables the foot rest to be rotated down by a further 15° until it is 30° below the default position -Fig. 14D.

If the plungers 114, 115 are engaged in the bottom holes 120 the foot rest can be rotated down to a position 15° above the perpendicular position, but no further. See Fig. 14E. In each of the four positions determined by the holes 117-120, upward movement of the foot rest, e.g. due to manual movement or contact with an object, will allow the foot rest to rotate upwards. Provided the foot rest is moved sufficiently it can rotate upwards as far as the stowed position without impediment.

The pivot linkage 110 allows the foot rest to be adjusted through a large range of angles with a compact arrangement of the locating holes 117-120. Although only a single plunger, 114 or 115, could be provided, the requirement to operate both plungers simultaneously reduces the risk of accidental operation.

The foot rest adjustment mechanisms which have been described allow the foot rest to be slid and rotated to a range of positions by pulling the appropriate spring loaded plungers, but in each position the foot rest is free to slide and/or rotate to a raised -12 -position without having to operate any of the plungers.

Whilst the above description places emphasis on the areas which are believed to be new and addresses specific problems which have been identified, it is intended that the features disclosed herein may be used in any combination which is capable of providing a new and useful advance in the art.

Claims

-13 -CLAIMS1. A chair having a seat (7) and a foot rest (11), wherein the foot rest is adjustable relative to the seat by means of (i) a slider assembly (12, 15; 72, 75) which provides distance adjustment between the foot rest and the seat, and (ii) a pivot assembly (17; 77) which, independently of said distance adjustment, provides angular adjustment of the footrest relative to the slider assembly, wherein the slider assembly includes: - a slide element (15; 75) having a straight adjustment axis; - a guide (13; 73) associated with the slide element such as to permit relative movement along said adjustment axis; - a ratchet profile (19; 79) associated with the slide element to extend along the adjustment axis; - a detent (32; 93) associated with the guide to engage the ratchet profile (19; 79) whereby the detent prevents sliding movement of the foot rest away from the seat.
2. A chair according to claim 1 wherein the detent (32; 93) engages the ratchet profile (19; 79) such as to permit movement of the foot rest towards the seat.
3. A chair according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the detent (32; 93) is manually operable to disengage the ratchet profile (19; 79).
4. A chair according to any preceding claim wherein the -14 -detent (32; 93) is a spring-loaded plunger.
5. A chair according to any preceding claim wherein the slide element (75) has a wall with a hollow profile.
6. A chair according to claim 5 wherein the ratchet profile (79) comprises a row of tabs (80) which are inclined with respect to the wall of the hollow profile.
7. A chair according to claim 6 wherein each of the tabs (80) has a root (81) and a free end, the root of each tab is joined to the wall of the hollow profile, and the free end of each tab is disposed behind a respective edge (82) of the said wall.
8. A chair according to any preceding claim wherein the slide element (15; 75) moves with the foot rest.
9. A chair according to any preceding claim wherein the pivot assembly (17; 77) has a pivot axis which extends transverse to the adjustment axis of the slider assembly (12, 15; 72, 75).
10. A chair according to any preceding claim wherein the pivot assembly (77) is carried by a limb (76) which extends from the bottom end of the slide element (75).
11. A chair according to claim 10 wherein the pivot assembly (77) includes a pivot linkage (110) which connects the limb (76) to a bracket (105) secured to the foot rest (11).
-15 - 12. A chair according to claim 11 wherein the pivot linkage (110) is pivotally connected to the limb (76) by a first pivot pin (111).
13. A chair according to claim 11 or 12 wherein the pivot linkage(110) is connected to the bracket (105) by a second pivot pin (112).
14. A chair according to claims 12 and 13 wherein the first and second pivot pins (111, 112) have mutually parallel pivot axes.
15. A chair according to claim 12 wherein opposite sides of the pivot linkage (110) carry a pair of spring loaded plungers (114, 115) which enter a series of angularly spaced holes (117-120) formed in opposite sides of the limb (76).
16. A chair according to any of claims 11 to 15 wherein a lowered position of the foot rest (11) is determined by contact between the bracket (105) and an adjacent end of the pivot linkage (110).
17. A chair according to claim 16 wherein the foot rest (11) can pivot in an upward direction about the second pivot pin (112) to place the foot rest into a stowed position.