US20090015050A1 - Articulating chair - Google Patents
Articulating chair Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20090015050A1 US20090015050A1 US12/178,047 US17804708A US2009015050A1 US 20090015050 A1 US20090015050 A1 US 20090015050A1 US 17804708 A US17804708 A US 17804708A US 2009015050 A1 US2009015050 A1 US 2009015050A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- backrest
- seat
- chair
- support frame
- articulating
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002452 interceptive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C1/00—Chairs adapted for special purposes
- A47C1/02—Reclining or easy chairs
- A47C1/031—Reclining or easy chairs having coupled concurrently adjustable supporting parts
- A47C1/032—Reclining or easy chairs having coupled concurrently adjustable supporting parts the parts being movably-coupled seat and back-rest
- A47C1/03261—Reclining or easy chairs having coupled concurrently adjustable supporting parts the parts being movably-coupled seat and back-rest characterised by elastic means
- A47C1/03283—Reclining or easy chairs having coupled concurrently adjustable supporting parts the parts being movably-coupled seat and back-rest characterised by elastic means with fluid springs
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C7/00—Parts, details, or accessories of chairs or stools
- A47C7/02—Seat parts
- A47C7/28—Seat parts with tensioned springs, e.g. of flat type
- A47C7/30—Seat parts with tensioned springs, e.g. of flat type with springs meandering in a flat plane
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to an articulating chair having a seat and a backrest that are each rotatably mounted to a chair support frame, and specifically to an articulating chair having a seat and a backrest that rotate at different rates of rotation and/or over different angular ranges of rotation.
- reclining chairs have a seat and a reclining backrest that may be reclined to position a user in a more prone position for increased user comfort.
- Such reclining is particularly useful when the chair is a massage chair having one or more massaging devices.
- the chair is a massage chair having one or more massaging devices.
- massaging effect that is felt by the user.
- a massaging force transferred from a massaging device in the backrest to the user is increased.
- the seat of such reclining chairs is generally horizontally positioned, approximately parallel to a ground surface, and is not angularly movable. Accordingly, a need exists for an improved reclining or articulating chair having a seat and a backrest that are each rotatable for increased user comfort.
- a generally horizontal seat of a chair rotates towards a more inclined position during a rotation of a backrest from a generally vertical position to a more prone position.
- This motion allows a user's legs to be rotated towards the backrest of the chair, causing the user's back to be less stretched out when the backrest is rotated to a more prone position, thus increasing user comfort.
- the rotation of both the seat and the backrest allows for an altering of the weight distribution of the user against the chair and hence an altering of the massaging force transferred from the chair to the user.
- the present invention is an articulating massaging chair that includes a support frame; a seat pivotally connected to the support frame by a seat pivot; and a backrest pivotally connected to the support frame by a backrest pivot.
- the present invention is an articulating massaging chair that is movable between an upright position and a reclined position and includes a support frame; a seat pivotally connected to the support frame by a seat pivot; and a backrest pivotally connected to the support frame by a backrest pivot.
- the articulating massaging chair also includes a mounting bracket connecting to the backrest and having a slot that receives a pin, wherein the pin pivotally connects the seat to the backrest.
- the articulating massaging chair also includes at least one massaging device connected to at least one of the seat and the backrest.
- an articulating chair in yet another embodiment, includes a support frame; a seat connected to and rotatable relative to the support frame; a backrest connected to and rotatable relative to the support frame; and a linking arm having a first end connected to the backrest and a second end connected to the seat; wherein the backrest and the seat are rotatable relative to the support frame in the same angular direction, and the backrest is rotatable relative to the seat.
- an articulating chair in still another embodiment, includes a support frame; a seat pivotally connected to the support frame by a seat pivot; a backrest pivotally connected to the support frame by a backrest pivot; a linking arm having a first end connected to the backrest and a second end connected to the seat; and at least one massaging device connected to at least one of the seat and the backrest; wherein the backrest and the seat are rotatable relative to the support frame in the same angular direction, and the backrest is rotatable relative to the seat.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an articulating chair according to the present invention in an upright position, showing a seat in a generally horizontal position and a backrest in a generally vertical position;
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the articulating chair of FIG. 1 in an intermediate position, showing the seat rotated upwards from the generally horizontal position and the backrest rotated backwards from the generally vertical position;
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the articulating chair of FIG. 1 in a reclined position, showing the seat rotated further upwards from the generally horizontal position to an inclined position and the backrest rotated further backwards from the generally vertical position to a generally horizontal position;
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the articulating chair of FIG. 1 , showing a bracket attached to the seat and the backrest that allows for a simultaneous rotation of the seat and the backrest;
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bracket of FIG. 4 , showing the articulating chair in the upright position of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the bracket of FIG. 4 , showing the articulating chair in the intermediate position of FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the bracket of FIG. 4 , showing the articulating chair in the reclined position of FIG. 3 ;
- FIG. 8 is a side view of the articulating chair of FIG. 1 in the upright position, showing a biasing member in an extended position;
- FIG. 9 is a side view of the articulating chair of FIG. 1 in the intermediate position, showing the biasing member in a retracted position;
- FIG. 10 is a side view of the articulating chair of FIG. 1 in the reclined position, showing the biasing member in a fully retracted position;
- FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of the articulating chair of FIG. 1 used as a framework for a massaging chair;
- FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a bracket and a linking arm of an articulating chair according to an embodiment of the present invention, the articulating chair in an upright position;
- FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the bracket and the linking arm of FIG. 12 , the articulating chair in an intermediate position;
- FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the bracket and the linking arm of FIG. 12 , the articulating chair in a reclined position.
- the present invention is directed to an articulating chair having a seat and a backrest that are each rotatably mounted to a chair support frame.
- the seat and backrest of the articulating chair rotate at different rates of rotation and over different angular ranges of rotation at a predetermined angle ratio.
- FIGS. 1-3 show an exemplary embodiment of an articulating chair 10 according to the present invention.
- the articulating chair 10 includes a seat 12 and a backrest 14 , which are each supported by a support frame 16 .
- the articulating chair 10 is in an upright position.
- the seat 12 In the upright position, the seat 12 is in a generally horizontal position and the backrest 14 is in a generally vertical position.
- the articulating chair 10 is in an intermediate position.
- the seat 12 is rotated upwards from the generally horizontal position of FIG. 1 to a more inclined position
- the backrest 14 is rotated backwards from the generally vertical position of FIG. 1 to a more reclined position.
- the articulating chair 10 is in a reclined position.
- the seat 12 is rotated further upwards from the inclined position of FIG. 2 to a fully inclined position and the backrest 14 is rotated further backwards from the reclined position of FIG. 2 to a generally horizontal position.
- the backrest 14 includes mounting brackets 18 for connection to the support frame 16 .
- the backrest 14 includes a rectangularly shaped support structure 19 that defines an outer periphery of the backrest 14 .
- the support structure 19 includes a U-shaped bar 20 connected to a connecting bar 22 , such as by a weld, to form the rectangular outer shape of the support structure 19 .
- the mounting brackets 18 extend from a lower portion of the support structure 19 adjacent to the connection of the U-shaped bar 20 to the connecting bar 22 .
- the mounting brackets 18 are mounted to the support structure 19 by a mechanical fastener, such as a weld.
- Mounted to the U-shaped bar 20 are a plurality of springs 21 for user comfort.
- the seat 12 includes side arms 15 and a connecting bar 17 (see FIGS. 2 and 4 for clarity.) Similar to the backrest 14 , a plurality of springs 23 are mounted between the side arms 15 of the seat 12 for user comfort.
- the support frame 16 includes an upper support 24 , a lower support 26 and a base 28 .
- the upper support 24 and the lower support 26 are each U-shaped, with the closed ends of each U-shape being mechanically fastened together, such as by nut and bolt connections, such that the open ends of each U-shape are oppositely directed, together forming a truss-like structure, or an X-shape.
- the lower support 26 is connected to a rectangularly shaped support frame base 28 , which supports the weight of the articulating chair 10 .
- the mounting brackets 18 of the backrest 14 are pivotally connected to the upper support 24 by the pivots 30 , such as nut and bolt connections, allowing the backrest 14 to rotate relative to the support frame 16 .
- the seat 12 is similarly pivotally connected to the upper support 24 by the pivots 32 , which may also be nut and bolt connections, allowing the seat 12 to rotate relative to the support frame 16 .
- the seat 12 is also pivotally connected to the mounting brackets 18 by pins 34 , such as nut and bolt connections. As shown in FIGS. 5-7 , each pin 34 rides within a slot 36 of a corresponding one of the mounting brackets 18 .
- the slots 36 define the angular rotation of the seat 12 and the backrest 14 relative to the support frame 16 .
- FIG. 5 shows the articulating chair 10 in the upright position.
- the pins 34 are disposed at a first end 38 of the slots 36 .
- the seat 12 rotates relative to the support frame 16 about the pivots 32
- the backrest 14 rotates relative to the support frame 16 about the pivots 30 .
- the pins 34 start to slide from the first end 38 of the slots 36 towards a second end 40 of the slots 36 .
- the seat 12 rotates relative to the support frame 16 about the pivots 32 and the backrest 14 rotates relative to the support frame 16 about the pivots 30 , while the pins 34 slide along slots 36 from the first end 38 of the slots 36 to the second end 40 of the slots 36 .
- the pins 34 slide along slots 36
- the backrest 14 pivots relative to the seat 12 , causing the backrest 14 to rotate at a faster rate of rotation than the seat 12 .
- This movement of the pins 34 also allows the backrest 14 to rotate over a larger angular range of rotation than that of the seat 12 .
- the seat 12 when the articulating chair 10 is in the upright position, the seat 12 forms an angle ⁇ with a ground surface of approximately 15°, and the backrest 14 forms an angle ⁇ with the ground surface of approximately 105° (see FIG. 1 ), while in the reclined position, the seat 12 forms an angle ⁇ ′ with the ground surface of approximately 40°, and the backrest 14 forms an angle ⁇ ′ with the ground surface of approximately 155° (see FIG. 3 .)
- the seat 12 has an angular range of approximately 15° to approximately 40° and the backrest 14 has an angular range of approximately 105° to approximately 155°.
- angles described above can be modified to meet any desired angular range for the seat 12 and any desired angular range for the backrest 14 . These angular ranges can be modified for user comfort to meet desired positionings of the user's hip and back when the articulating chair 10 is in use.
- the seat 12 when the articulating chair 10 is moved between the upright position and the reclined position, the seat 12 begins and ends anywhere in the angular range of approximately 0° to approximately 45°, and the backrest 14 begins and ends anywhere in the angular range of approximately 90° to approximately 180°.
- these ranges are merely exemplary and can be modified as desired.
- the angular range of rotation of the seat 12 , the rate of rotation of the seat 12 , the angular rotation of the backrest 14 , the rate of rotation of the backrest 14 , and/or the ratio of the angular range of rotation of the backrest 14 compared to the angular range of rotation of the seat 12 can be modified by changing the position of the pivots 30 , the position of the pivots 32 , the geometry of the mounting bracket slots 36 , and/or the length of the mounting bracket slots 36 .
- the articulating chair 10 includes a biasing member 42 (see FIGS. 8-10 ) for biasing the articulating chair 10 towards the upright position.
- the biasing member 42 is a gas spring.
- the gas spring includes a piston 45 and a gas cylinder 48 .
- the piston 45 is moveable within the gas cylinder 48 between an extended position ( FIG. 8 ) and a retracted position ( FIG. 10 .)
- the gas cylinder 48 contains a gas (not shown).
- the piston 45 is moved from the expanded position towards the retracted position, the gas in the gas cylinder 48 is compressed and consequently applies a force against the piston 45 resisting the compression. As such, the piston 45 of the gas spring is continually biased toward the expanded position.
- a first mounting flange 44 is mounted to the connecting bar 22 of the support structure 19 of the backrest 14
- a second mounting flange 46 is mounted to the upper support 24 of the support frame 16 .
- the piston 45 is mounted to the first mounting flange 44 of the backrest 14
- the gas cylinder 48 is mounted to the second mounting flange 46 of the support frame 16 . Since the piston 45 is mounted to the backrest 14 and the piston 45 is biased towards the expanded position, the backrest 14 is biased toward the upright position. Since the seat is connected to the backrest 14 , the seat 12 is also biased toward the upright position.
- the gas spring applies a constant force that provides little resistance to an average person who leans against the backrest 14 when moving the articulating chair 10 from the upright position to the reclined position, but provides a sufficient force to automatically return the articulating chair 10 to the upright position when the user's weight is removed from the backrest 14 .
- the force required from the gas spring is dependent on the weight of the chair and the force required to move the articulating chair 10 , when unoccupied, from the reclined position to the upright position.
- the gas spring has been described as being connected between the support frame 16 and the backrest 14 , in an alternative embodiment, the gas spring may be connected between the support frame 16 and the seat 12 .
- the biasing member 42 has been described as a gas spring, the biasing member 42 may be any suitable biasing member, such as a gas damper, a linear actuator, a power drive, a motor drive, or an electric screw drive, among other appropriate biasing members.
- the articulating chair 10 provides the framework for a massaging chair 50 .
- the massaging chair 50 includes a cover 52 and padded sections 54 and 56 over the seat 12 and backrest 14 for user comfort.
- the massaging chair 50 also includes one or more massage devices 58 in the area of the backrest 14 and one or more massage devices 58 in the area of the seat 12 .
- the massage devices 58 may be any one of a variety of massage devices known in the art.
- FIGS. 12-14 Another embodiment of an articulating chair according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. 12-14 .
- the articulating chair is shown in FIG. 12 in an upright position, in an intermediate position in FIG. 13 , and in a reclined position in FIG. 14 .
- an articulating chair 11 includes many of the same components and features described above with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-11 .
- Like reference numbers will be used to identify like parts.
- the articulating chair 11 of FIGS. 12-14 includes a seat 12 and a backrest 14 , which are each supported by a support frame 16 .
- the backrest 14 of the articulating chair 11 includes a support structure 19 and mounting brackets 18 connected to the support structure 19 .
- the articulating chair 11 has two mounting brackets 18 , one on each side of the backrest 14 .
- the backrest 14 pivots with respect to the support frame 16 about a pivot 30
- the seat 12 pivots with respect to the support frame 16 about a pivot 32 .
- the articulating chair 11 may also include other components described above with respect to the articulating chair 10 , such as the biasing member 42 and one or more massage devices 58 .
- the articulating chair 11 also includes a linking arm 60 which connects the seat 12 to the backrest 14 .
- the articulating chair 11 has two linking arms 60 , one on each side of the articulating chair 11 .
- Each of the linking arms 60 is connected at a first end 62 to one of the mounting brackets 18 of the backrest 14 by a fastener 66 , such as a bolt and nut, or any other suitable fastener.
- each of the linking arms 60 is connected at a second end 64 to a rearward end 15 a of a side arm 15 of the seat 12 by a fastener 68 , such as a bolt and nut, or any other suitable fastener.
- the linking arms 60 may be formed of a material having high strength and rigidity, such as steel. Alternatively, the linking arms 60 may be formed of any other suitable material. Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 12-14 , the linking arms 60 , according to the present embodiment, have a curved or “C” shape to prevent interference with the pivots 30 . Alternatively, the linking arms 60 may have any other suitable shape for connecting the backrest 14 to the seat 12 to apply a moment to the seat 12 , as described below.
- the articulating chair 11 does not include the pins 34 and the slots 36 of the articulating chair 10 of FIGS. 1-11 . Instead, the linking arms 60 of the articulating chair 11 provide the connection between the backrest 14 and the seat 12 . As a user pushes back on the backrest 14 to recline the articulating chair 11 , the user pushes back and down on the brackets 18 to rotate the backrest 14 about the pivots 30 . As the brackets 18 move down, the linking arms 60 pull down on the side arms 15 of the seat 12 at the fasteners 68 . The seat 12 then pivots about the pivots 32 .
- the linking arms 60 transfer a rotation force from the backrest 14 to the seat 12 as the backrest 14 is reclined.
- a front edge of the seat 12 rotates up as the backrest 14 is reclined.
- an angular range and/or rate of rotation of the backrest 14 relative to the support frame 16 may be greater than an angular range and/or rate of rotation of the seat 12 relative to the support frame 16 .
- the backrest 14 can be made to rotate through a greater angular range than the seat 12 by adjusting a distance d 1 between the fastener 66 and the pivot 30 and a distance d 2 between the fastener 68 and the pivot 32 , the distances d 1 and d 2 shown in FIG. 12 .
- the first end 62 of the linking arm 60 will move down a distance H 1 according to the distance d 1 . Because the first end 62 of the linking arm 60 is rigidly connected to the second end 64 of the linking arm 60 , the second end 64 will also move down a corresponding distance H 2 . The difference between the distances H 1 and H 2 will depend on the geometry of the linking arm 60 and locations of the fasteners 66 , 68 . When the second end 64 of the linking arm 60 pulls the rearward end 15 a of the side arms 15 of the seat 12 down by the distance H 2 , the front edge of the seat 12 will rotate up about the pivot 32 according to the distance d 2 .
- the angles of rotation of the backrest 14 and the seat 12 can be controlled, for example, by adjusting the distances d 1 and d 2 and the geometry of the linking arm 60 .
- the distance d 1 is not equal to the distance d 2 .
- the distance d 1 is relatively small, then the movement of the fastener 66 through the distance H 1 when the user reclines the backrest 14 will cause a relatively large angular rotation of the backrest 14 about the pivot 30 .
- the first end 62 of the linking arm 60 will pull down on the second end 64 of the linking arm 60 , causing the fastener 68 to move through the distance H 2 .
- the angular rotations of the backrest 14 and the seat 12 can be controlled by adjusting the geometries between the fasteners 66 , 68 and the pivots 30 , 32 .
- FIG. 12 shows the articulating chair 11 in an upright position. In the upright position, the fasteners 66 are below the pivots 30 . Also, the fasteners 68 are below the pivots 32 .
- the seat 12 rotates relative to the support frame 16 about the pivots 32
- the backrest 14 rotates relative to the support frame 16 about the pivots 30 .
- the fasteners 66 are farther below the pivots 30 than they were in the upright position, as the fasteners 66 move through the distance H 1 .
- the linking arms 60 pull the rearward ends 15 a of the arms 15 of the seat 12 down such that the fasteners 68 are moved farther below the pivots 32 , as the fasteners 68 move through the distance H 2 .
- the seat 12 rotates relative to the support frame 16 about the pivots 32
- the backrest 14 rotates relative to the support frame 16 about the pivots 30 .
- the fasteners 68 have moved farther below the pivots 32
- the fasteners 66 have moved farther below the pivots 30 .
- the geometry of the linking arms 60 and the positions of the fasteners 66 and 68 relative to the pivots 30 and 32 define the ratio of the angular range and rate of rotation of the backrest 14 to those of the seat 12 .
- the side arms 15 of the seat 12 may be shorter in length.
- the shorter side arms 15 of the articulating chair 11 allow the side arms 15 and the mounting brackets 18 to be in substantially the same plane without interfering with each other while the articulating chair 11 reclines, providing improved accessibility to the fasteners 66 , 68 and the pivots 30 , 32 .
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Abstract
Description
- This application is a continuation-in-part of pending application Ser. No. 11/078,574, filed on Mar. 11, 2005, the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. Pending application Ser. No. 11/078,574 claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/553,092, filed Mar. 13, 2004, the disclosure of which is fully incorporated by reference therein.
- The present invention relates generally to an articulating chair having a seat and a backrest that are each rotatably mounted to a chair support frame, and specifically to an articulating chair having a seat and a backrest that rotate at different rates of rotation and/or over different angular ranges of rotation.
- Many “reclining” chairs have a seat and a reclining backrest that may be reclined to position a user in a more prone position for increased user comfort. Such reclining is particularly useful when the chair is a massage chair having one or more massaging devices. In such a case, when a user reclines the backrest of the chair, the user's weight distribution against the chair is altered, thus altering the massaging effect that is felt by the user. When so positioned, a larger portion of the user's weight is supported by the backrest and hence a massaging force transferred from a massaging device in the backrest to the user is increased.
- However, typically the seat of such reclining chairs is generally horizontally positioned, approximately parallel to a ground surface, and is not angularly movable. Accordingly, a need exists for an improved reclining or articulating chair having a seat and a backrest that are each rotatable for increased user comfort.
- In one embodiment according to the present invention, a generally horizontal seat of a chair rotates towards a more inclined position during a rotation of a backrest from a generally vertical position to a more prone position. This motion allows a user's legs to be rotated towards the backrest of the chair, causing the user's back to be less stretched out when the backrest is rotated to a more prone position, thus increasing user comfort. In addition, when such a chair is a massage chair the rotation of both the seat and the backrest allows for an altering of the weight distribution of the user against the chair and hence an altering of the massaging force transferred from the chair to the user.
- In one embodiment, the present invention is an articulating massaging chair that includes a support frame; a seat pivotally connected to the support frame by a seat pivot; and a backrest pivotally connected to the support frame by a backrest pivot.
- In another embodiment, the present invention is an articulating massaging chair that is movable between an upright position and a reclined position and includes a support frame; a seat pivotally connected to the support frame by a seat pivot; and a backrest pivotally connected to the support frame by a backrest pivot. The articulating massaging chair also includes a mounting bracket connecting to the backrest and having a slot that receives a pin, wherein the pin pivotally connects the seat to the backrest. The articulating massaging chair also includes at least one massaging device connected to at least one of the seat and the backrest.
- In yet another embodiment, an articulating chair includes a support frame; a seat connected to and rotatable relative to the support frame; a backrest connected to and rotatable relative to the support frame; and a linking arm having a first end connected to the backrest and a second end connected to the seat; wherein the backrest and the seat are rotatable relative to the support frame in the same angular direction, and the backrest is rotatable relative to the seat.
- In still another embodiment, an articulating chair includes a support frame; a seat pivotally connected to the support frame by a seat pivot; a backrest pivotally connected to the support frame by a backrest pivot; a linking arm having a first end connected to the backrest and a second end connected to the seat; and at least one massaging device connected to at least one of the seat and the backrest; wherein the backrest and the seat are rotatable relative to the support frame in the same angular direction, and the backrest is rotatable relative to the seat.
- Novel features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an articulating chair according to the present invention in an upright position, showing a seat in a generally horizontal position and a backrest in a generally vertical position; -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the articulating chair ofFIG. 1 in an intermediate position, showing the seat rotated upwards from the generally horizontal position and the backrest rotated backwards from the generally vertical position; -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the articulating chair ofFIG. 1 in a reclined position, showing the seat rotated further upwards from the generally horizontal position to an inclined position and the backrest rotated further backwards from the generally vertical position to a generally horizontal position; -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the articulating chair ofFIG. 1 , showing a bracket attached to the seat and the backrest that allows for a simultaneous rotation of the seat and the backrest; -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bracket ofFIG. 4 , showing the articulating chair in the upright position ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the bracket ofFIG. 4 , showing the articulating chair in the intermediate position ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the bracket ofFIG. 4 , showing the articulating chair in the reclined position ofFIG. 3 ; -
FIG. 8 is a side view of the articulating chair ofFIG. 1 in the upright position, showing a biasing member in an extended position; -
FIG. 9 is a side view of the articulating chair ofFIG. 1 in the intermediate position, showing the biasing member in a retracted position; -
FIG. 10 is a side view of the articulating chair ofFIG. 1 in the reclined position, showing the biasing member in a fully retracted position; -
FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of the articulating chair ofFIG. 1 used as a framework for a massaging chair; -
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a bracket and a linking arm of an articulating chair according to an embodiment of the present invention, the articulating chair in an upright position; -
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the bracket and the linking arm ofFIG. 12 , the articulating chair in an intermediate position; and -
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the bracket and the linking arm ofFIG. 12 , the articulating chair in a reclined position. - As shown in
FIGS. 1-14 , the present invention is directed to an articulating chair having a seat and a backrest that are each rotatably mounted to a chair support frame. In one embodiment, the seat and backrest of the articulating chair rotate at different rates of rotation and over different angular ranges of rotation at a predetermined angle ratio. -
FIGS. 1-3 show an exemplary embodiment of an articulatingchair 10 according to the present invention. As shown, the articulatingchair 10 includes aseat 12 and abackrest 14, which are each supported by asupport frame 16. - In
FIG. 1 , the articulatingchair 10 is in an upright position. In the upright position, theseat 12 is in a generally horizontal position and thebackrest 14 is in a generally vertical position. - In
FIG. 2 , the articulatingchair 10 is in an intermediate position. In the intermediate position, theseat 12 is rotated upwards from the generally horizontal position ofFIG. 1 to a more inclined position, and thebackrest 14 is rotated backwards from the generally vertical position ofFIG. 1 to a more reclined position. - In
FIG. 3 , the articulatingchair 10 is in a reclined position. In the reclined position, theseat 12 is rotated further upwards from the inclined position ofFIG. 2 to a fully inclined position and thebackrest 14 is rotated further backwards from the reclined position ofFIG. 2 to a generally horizontal position. - Viewing
FIGS. 1 and 4 together, thebackrest 14 includesmounting brackets 18 for connection to thesupport frame 16. For example, in the depicted embodiment, thebackrest 14 includes a rectangularlyshaped support structure 19 that defines an outer periphery of thebackrest 14. Thesupport structure 19 includes aU-shaped bar 20 connected to a connectingbar 22, such as by a weld, to form the rectangular outer shape of thesupport structure 19. Themounting brackets 18 extend from a lower portion of thesupport structure 19 adjacent to the connection of the U-shapedbar 20 to the connectingbar 22. Themounting brackets 18 are mounted to thesupport structure 19 by a mechanical fastener, such as a weld. Mounted to the U-shapedbar 20 are a plurality ofsprings 21 for user comfort. - The
seat 12 includesside arms 15 and a connecting bar 17 (seeFIGS. 2 and 4 for clarity.) Similar to thebackrest 14, a plurality ofsprings 23 are mounted between theside arms 15 of theseat 12 for user comfort. Thesupport frame 16 includes anupper support 24, alower support 26 and abase 28. Theupper support 24 and thelower support 26 are each U-shaped, with the closed ends of each U-shape being mechanically fastened together, such as by nut and bolt connections, such that the open ends of each U-shape are oppositely directed, together forming a truss-like structure, or an X-shape. Thelower support 26 is connected to a rectangularly shapedsupport frame base 28, which supports the weight of the articulatingchair 10. - The
mounting brackets 18 of thebackrest 14 are pivotally connected to theupper support 24 by thepivots 30, such as nut and bolt connections, allowing thebackrest 14 to rotate relative to thesupport frame 16. Theseat 12 is similarly pivotally connected to theupper support 24 by thepivots 32, which may also be nut and bolt connections, allowing theseat 12 to rotate relative to thesupport frame 16. - The
seat 12 is also pivotally connected to themounting brackets 18 bypins 34, such as nut and bolt connections. As shown inFIGS. 5-7 , eachpin 34 rides within aslot 36 of a corresponding one of the mountingbrackets 18. Theslots 36 define the angular rotation of theseat 12 and thebackrest 14 relative to thesupport frame 16. -
FIG. 5 shows the articulatingchair 10 in the upright position. In the upright position, thepins 34 are disposed at afirst end 38 of theslots 36. As the articulatingchair 10 rotates backwards from the upright position ofFIG. 5 to the intermediate position ofFIG. 6 , theseat 12 rotates relative to thesupport frame 16 about thepivots 32, while thebackrest 14 rotates relative to thesupport frame 16 about thepivots 30. At the intermediate position, thepins 34 start to slide from thefirst end 38 of theslots 36 towards asecond end 40 of theslots 36. - As the articulating
chair 10 rotates backwards from the intermediate position ofFIG. 6 to the reclined position ofFIG. 7 , theseat 12 rotates relative to thesupport frame 16 about thepivots 32 and thebackrest 14 rotates relative to thesupport frame 16 about thepivots 30, while thepins 34 slide alongslots 36 from thefirst end 38 of theslots 36 to thesecond end 40 of theslots 36. As thepins 34 slide alongslots 36, thebackrest 14 pivots relative to theseat 12, causing thebackrest 14 to rotate at a faster rate of rotation than theseat 12. This movement of thepins 34 also allows thebackrest 14 to rotate over a larger angular range of rotation than that of theseat 12. - For example, in the depicted embodiment, when the articulating
chair 10 is in the upright position, theseat 12 forms an angle α with a ground surface of approximately 15°, and thebackrest 14 forms an angle β with the ground surface of approximately 105° (seeFIG. 1 ), while in the reclined position, theseat 12 forms an angle α′ with the ground surface of approximately 40°, and thebackrest 14 forms an angle β′ with the ground surface of approximately 155° (seeFIG. 3 .) As such, in this embodiment, theseat 12 has an angular range of approximately 15° to approximately 40° and thebackrest 14 has an angular range of approximately 105° to approximately 155°. - However, it is important to note that angles described above can be modified to meet any desired angular range for the
seat 12 and any desired angular range for thebackrest 14. These angular ranges can be modified for user comfort to meet desired positionings of the user's hip and back when the articulatingchair 10 is in use. - For example, in alternative embodiments, when the articulating
chair 10 is moved between the upright position and the reclined position, theseat 12 begins and ends anywhere in the angular range of approximately 0° to approximately 45°, and thebackrest 14 begins and ends anywhere in the angular range of approximately 90° to approximately 180°. However, it is to be understood that these ranges are merely exemplary and can be modified as desired. For example, the angular range of rotation of theseat 12, the rate of rotation of theseat 12, the angular rotation of thebackrest 14, the rate of rotation of thebackrest 14, and/or the ratio of the angular range of rotation of thebackrest 14 compared to the angular range of rotation of theseat 12, can be modified by changing the position of thepivots 30, the position of thepivots 32, the geometry of the mountingbracket slots 36, and/or the length of the mountingbracket slots 36. - In one embodiment, the articulating
chair 10 includes a biasing member 42 (seeFIGS. 8-10 ) for biasing the articulatingchair 10 towards the upright position. For example, in the depicted embodiment, the biasingmember 42 is a gas spring. The gas spring includes apiston 45 and agas cylinder 48. Thepiston 45 is moveable within thegas cylinder 48 between an extended position (FIG. 8 ) and a retracted position (FIG. 10 .) Thegas cylinder 48 contains a gas (not shown). When thepiston 45 is moved from the expanded position towards the retracted position, the gas in thegas cylinder 48 is compressed and consequently applies a force against thepiston 45 resisting the compression. As such, thepiston 45 of the gas spring is continually biased toward the expanded position. - For clarity, the gas spring has been omitted from
FIG. 4 to more clearly show the mounting flanges used to mount the gas spring to the articulatingchair 10. As shown, a first mountingflange 44 is mounted to the connectingbar 22 of thesupport structure 19 of thebackrest 14, and a second mountingflange 46 is mounted to theupper support 24 of thesupport frame 16. Thepiston 45 is mounted to the first mountingflange 44 of thebackrest 14, and thegas cylinder 48 is mounted to the second mountingflange 46 of thesupport frame 16. Since thepiston 45 is mounted to thebackrest 14 and thepiston 45 is biased towards the expanded position, thebackrest 14 is biased toward the upright position. Since the seat is connected to thebackrest 14, theseat 12 is also biased toward the upright position. - In one embodiment, the gas spring applies a constant force that provides little resistance to an average person who leans against the
backrest 14 when moving the articulatingchair 10 from the upright position to the reclined position, but provides a sufficient force to automatically return the articulatingchair 10 to the upright position when the user's weight is removed from thebackrest 14. As such, the force required from the gas spring is dependent on the weight of the chair and the force required to move the articulatingchair 10, when unoccupied, from the reclined position to the upright position. - Although the gas spring has been described as being connected between the
support frame 16 and thebackrest 14, in an alternative embodiment, the gas spring may be connected between thesupport frame 16 and theseat 12. In addition, although the biasingmember 42 has been described as a gas spring, the biasingmember 42 may be any suitable biasing member, such as a gas damper, a linear actuator, a power drive, a motor drive, or an electric screw drive, among other appropriate biasing members. - In one embodiment, as shown in
FIG. 11 , the articulatingchair 10 provides the framework for a massagingchair 50. The massagingchair 50 includes acover 52 and paddedsections seat 12 andbackrest 14 for user comfort. The massagingchair 50 also includes one ormore massage devices 58 in the area of thebackrest 14 and one ormore massage devices 58 in the area of theseat 12. Themassage devices 58 may be any one of a variety of massage devices known in the art. - Another embodiment of an articulating chair according to the present invention is shown in
FIGS. 12-14 . The articulating chair is shown inFIG. 12 in an upright position, in an intermediate position inFIG. 13 , and in a reclined position inFIG. 14 . In this embodiment, an articulatingchair 11 includes many of the same components and features described above with respect to the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-11 . Like reference numbers will be used to identify like parts. The articulatingchair 11 ofFIGS. 12-14 includes aseat 12 and abackrest 14, which are each supported by asupport frame 16. As in the previously described embodiments, thebackrest 14 of the articulatingchair 11 includes asupport structure 19 and mountingbrackets 18 connected to thesupport structure 19. The articulatingchair 11, according to the present embodiment, has two mountingbrackets 18, one on each side of thebackrest 14. Thebackrest 14 pivots with respect to thesupport frame 16 about apivot 30, and theseat 12 pivots with respect to thesupport frame 16 about apivot 32. The articulatingchair 11 may also include other components described above with respect to the articulatingchair 10, such as the biasingmember 42 and one ormore massage devices 58. - The articulating
chair 11 also includes a linkingarm 60 which connects theseat 12 to thebackrest 14. The articulatingchair 11, according to the present embodiment, has two linkingarms 60, one on each side of the articulatingchair 11. Each of the linkingarms 60 is connected at afirst end 62 to one of the mountingbrackets 18 of thebackrest 14 by afastener 66, such as a bolt and nut, or any other suitable fastener. Also, each of the linkingarms 60 is connected at asecond end 64 to arearward end 15 a of aside arm 15 of theseat 12 by afastener 68, such as a bolt and nut, or any other suitable fastener. The linkingarms 60 may be formed of a material having high strength and rigidity, such as steel. Alternatively, the linkingarms 60 may be formed of any other suitable material. Additionally, as shown inFIGS. 12-14 , the linkingarms 60, according to the present embodiment, have a curved or “C” shape to prevent interference with thepivots 30. Alternatively, the linkingarms 60 may have any other suitable shape for connecting thebackrest 14 to theseat 12 to apply a moment to theseat 12, as described below. - The articulating
chair 11, shown inFIGS. 12-14 , does not include thepins 34 and theslots 36 of the articulatingchair 10 ofFIGS. 1-11 . Instead, the linkingarms 60 of the articulatingchair 11 provide the connection between thebackrest 14 and theseat 12. As a user pushes back on thebackrest 14 to recline the articulatingchair 11, the user pushes back and down on thebrackets 18 to rotate thebackrest 14 about thepivots 30. As thebrackets 18 move down, the linkingarms 60 pull down on theside arms 15 of theseat 12 at thefasteners 68. Theseat 12 then pivots about thepivots 32. As the rearward ends 15 a of theside arms 15 are pulled down by the linkingarms 60, a front edge of theseat 12 rotates up. Thus, the linkingarms 60 transfer a rotation force from thebackrest 14 to theseat 12 as thebackrest 14 is reclined. As a result, a front edge of theseat 12 rotates up as thebackrest 14 is reclined. - Moreover, by adjusting the geometry of the linking
arms 60, the position of thepivots 30 relative to thefasteners 66, and/or the position of thepivots 32 relative to thefasteners 68, an angular range and/or rate of rotation of thebackrest 14 relative to thesupport frame 16 may be greater than an angular range and/or rate of rotation of theseat 12 relative to thesupport frame 16. For example, thebackrest 14 can be made to rotate through a greater angular range than theseat 12 by adjusting a distance d1 between thefastener 66 and thepivot 30 and a distance d2 between thefastener 68 and thepivot 32, the distances d1 and d2 shown inFIG. 12 . If the user reclines the articulatingchair 11 by rotating thebackrest 14 and thebracket 18 about thepivot 30, thefirst end 62 of the linkingarm 60 will move down a distance H1 according to the distance d1. Because thefirst end 62 of the linkingarm 60 is rigidly connected to thesecond end 64 of the linkingarm 60, thesecond end 64 will also move down a corresponding distance H2. The difference between the distances H1 and H2 will depend on the geometry of the linkingarm 60 and locations of thefasteners second end 64 of the linkingarm 60 pulls therearward end 15 a of theside arms 15 of theseat 12 down by the distance H2, the front edge of theseat 12 will rotate up about thepivot 32 according to the distance d2. - The angles of rotation of the
backrest 14 and theseat 12 can be controlled, for example, by adjusting the distances d1 and d2 and the geometry of the linkingarm 60. In some embodiments, the distance d1 is not equal to the distance d2. For example, if the distance d1 is relatively small, then the movement of thefastener 66 through the distance H1 when the user reclines thebackrest 14 will cause a relatively large angular rotation of thebackrest 14 about thepivot 30. Thefirst end 62 of the linkingarm 60 will pull down on thesecond end 64 of the linkingarm 60, causing thefastener 68 to move through the distance H2. If the distance d2 is relatively large, then the movement of thefastener 68 and therearward end 15 a of theside arm 15 of theseat 12 through the distance H2 will cause only a small angular rotation of theseat 12 aboutpivot 32. Thus, the angular rotations of thebackrest 14 and theseat 12 can be controlled by adjusting the geometries between thefasteners pivots - The backward rotation of the articulating
chair 11 is shown sequentially inFIGS. 12-14 .FIG. 12 shows the articulatingchair 11 in an upright position. In the upright position, thefasteners 66 are below thepivots 30. Also, thefasteners 68 are below thepivots 32. As the articulatingchair 11 rotates backward from the upright position ofFIG. 12 to the intermediate position ofFIG. 13 , theseat 12 rotates relative to thesupport frame 16 about thepivots 32, while thebackrest 14 rotates relative to thesupport frame 16 about thepivots 30. In the intermediate position, thefasteners 66 are farther below thepivots 30 than they were in the upright position, as thefasteners 66 move through the distance H1. Also, the linkingarms 60 pull the rearward ends 15 a of thearms 15 of theseat 12 down such that thefasteners 68 are moved farther below thepivots 32, as thefasteners 68 move through the distance H2. - As the articulating
chair 11 rotates further backward from the intermediate position ofFIG. 13 to the reclined position ofFIG. 14 , theseat 12 rotates relative to thesupport frame 16 about thepivots 32, and thebackrest 14 rotates relative to thesupport frame 16 about thepivots 30. In the reclined position ofFIG. 14 , thefasteners 68 have moved farther below thepivots 32, and thefasteners 66 have moved farther below thepivots 30. As described above, the geometry of the linkingarms 60 and the positions of thefasteners pivots backrest 14 to those of theseat 12. - Notably, by transferring the rotation force via the linking
arms 60 of the articulatingchair 11, rather than via pins and slots (such as thepins 34 and theslots 36 of the articulating chair 10), theside arms 15 of theseat 12 may be shorter in length. Theshorter side arms 15 of the articulatingchair 11 allow theside arms 15 and the mountingbrackets 18 to be in substantially the same plane without interfering with each other while the articulatingchair 11 reclines, providing improved accessibility to thefasteners pivots - The preceding description has been presented with references to presently preferred embodiments of the invention. Persons skilled in the art and technology to which this invention pertains will appreciate that alterations and changes in the described structures and methods of operation can be practiced without meaningfully departing from the principle, spirit, and scope of this invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description should not be read as pertaining only to the precise structures described and shown in the accompanying drawings.
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/178,047 US20090015050A1 (en) | 2004-03-13 | 2008-07-23 | Articulating chair |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US55309204P | 2004-03-13 | 2004-03-13 | |
US11/078,574 US7410215B2 (en) | 2004-03-13 | 2005-03-11 | Articulating chair |
US12/178,047 US20090015050A1 (en) | 2004-03-13 | 2008-07-23 | Articulating chair |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/078,574 Continuation-In-Part US7410215B2 (en) | 2004-03-13 | 2005-03-11 | Articulating chair |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20090015050A1 true US20090015050A1 (en) | 2009-01-15 |
Family
ID=40252487
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/178,047 Abandoned US20090015050A1 (en) | 2004-03-13 | 2008-07-23 | Articulating chair |
Country Status (1)
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US (1) | US20090015050A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
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---|---|---|---|---|
WO2012024315A1 (en) * | 2010-08-16 | 2012-02-23 | Lajobi, Inc. | Gliding rocking chair and ottoman |
US10906440B2 (en) * | 2018-07-18 | 2021-02-02 | Tachi-S Co., Ltd. | Vehicle seat |
CN114712144A (en) * | 2022-06-10 | 2022-07-08 | 潍坊护理职业学院 | Operation chair |
US20230157452A1 (en) * | 2020-04-28 | 2023-05-25 | H2 Norway As | Seating device with a reclining function |
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