US20100102606A1

US20100102606A1 - Chair Structure

Info

Publication number: US20100102606A1
Application number: US12/258,113
Authority: US
Inventors: Chih Chiang Wang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-10-24
Filing date: 2008-10-24
Publication date: 2010-04-29

Abstract

A chair structure includes a seat unit having a support leg assembly and a seat; a connecting unit having two linking members and movably connected at one linking member to the seat; a backrest unit movably connected to another linking member of the connecting unit and having a supporting member; and at least two armrests movably connected to two lateral sides of the seat and the backrest units. Each of the armrests has a first and a second movable arm, which are pivotally connected at one end to each other, and at the other end to one lateral side of the seat and the backrest unit, respectively. A stop member is connected to at least one of the two armrests. The chair with movably connected seat unit, connecting unit, backrest unit, and armrests can be converted into a lounge providing a curved configuration in compliance with human body's back curve.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a chair structure, and more particularly to a chair structure which can be converted from a chair into a lounge having a curved configuration in compliance with human body's back curve to meet the requirements of body engineering, so that a user can comfortably lie on the lounge on his back.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally, a conventional chair includes a seat, a backrest movably connected to a rear edge of the seat, and four legs perpendicularly connected to a lower side of the seat. A user can sit on the seat with his or her back leaning on the backrest. The backrest can be adjusted in an inclination angle thereof to convert the chair into a lounge for the user to lean thereon.
While the conventional chair allows a user to sit thereon or convert it into a lounge for leaning, the backrest can usually be adjusted to be half inclined relative to the seat because the backrest is directly movably connected to the rear edge of the seat. Moreover, in the conventional chair, the backrest and the seat are not formed with a curved configuration in compliance with human body's back curve to meet the requirements of body engineering, and there would be a gap existed between the backrest and the seat. Therefore, even if the backrest of the conventional chair can be angularly adjusted to a fully horizontal position relative to the seat to convert the chair into a lounge, the fully stretched seat and backrest could not provide a curve meeting the requirements of body engineering to comfortably support the waist of a user lying on the lounge. The user may have a sore waist after lying on the lounge over a long time. Therefore, the conventional chair is not comfortable in practical use thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a chair structure, which includes movably connected parts and can be converted into a lounge having a curved configuration in compliance with human body's back curve to meet the requirements of body engineering, allowing a user to comfortably lie on the lounge.
To achieve the above and other objects, the chair structure according to the present invention includes a seat unit having a support leg assembly and a seat; a connecting unit having at least two linking members and movably connected at one linking member to the seat; a backrest unit movably connected to another linking member of the connecting unit and having a supporting member provided to a rear upper side thereof; and at least two armrests movably connected to two lateral sides of the seat unit and the backrest unit. Each of the armrests has a first and a second movable arm, which are pivotally connected at one end to each other, and at the other end to one lateral side of the seat and the backrest unit, respectively. A stop member is connected to the pivotal joint of the first and second movable arms of at least one of the two armrests.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The structure and the technical means adopted by the present invention to achieve the above and other objects can be best understood by referring to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a chair structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an assembled view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the chair structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention being used as a chair;

FIG. 4 is a side view showing the chair structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention being converted into a lounge for use;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the lounge of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a chair structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an assembled view of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a bed converted from the chair structure of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a chair structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an assembled view of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is an assembled perspective view of a chair structure according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Please refer to FIGS. 1 and 2 that are exploded and assembled perspective views, respectively, of a chair structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the chair structure in the first embodiment of the present invention includes a seat unit 1, a connecting unit 2, a backrest unit 3, and at least two armrests 4.
The seat unit 1 includes a support leg assembly 11 and a seat 12 connected to a top of the support leg assembly 11. The seat 12 of the seat unit 1 can be a one-piece padded seat.
The connecting unit 2 is movably connected to the seat unit 1, and includes at least a first linking member 21 and a second linking member 22. The first linking member 21 and the second linking member 22 are movably connected at a first end to each other via two pivot shafts 221. The first linking member 21 is movably connected at a second to a rear edge of the seat 12 via two pivot shafts 211. The first and the second linking member 21, 22 can be two transversely extended long plates defining a curved upper face 212 and a curved upper face 222, respectively. When the chair structure is set in a state for sitting, the connecting unit 2 is in a folded state and a receiving space 23 is defined between the first and the second linking member 21, 22. Two stop cover plates 24 can be removably connected to two lateral sides of the first and second linking members 21, 22 when the connecting unit 2 is in the folded state.
The backrest unit 3 is movably connected at a lower edge to a second end of the second linking member 22 via two pivot shafts 31, and is provided at a rear upper side with supporting members 33. The backrest unit 3 can be a one-piece padded backrest.
The armrests 4 are movably connected to two lateral sides of the seat unit 1 and the backrest unit 3. Each of the armrests 4 includes a first movable arm 41 and a second movable arm 42. The first and second movable arm 41, 42 are pivotally connected at a first end to each other, with a second end of the first movable arm 41 movably connected to one lateral side of the seat 12 via a pivot shaft 411 and a second end of the second movable arm 42 movably connected to one lateral side of the backrest unit 3 via a pivot shaft 421. At least one of the armrests 4 includes a stop member 43, which is connected to the pivotal joint of the first and the second movable arms 41, 42.
Please now refer to FIGS. 3 and 4 that are two side views showing the chair structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention being set to a chair and a lounge, respectively, for use; and to FIG. 5 that is an assembled perspective view of the lounge of FIG. 4. When the present invention is used as a chair, a user can directly sit on the seat 12 of the seat unit 1 with the user's back and two arms rested on the backrest unit 3 and the armrests 4, respectively. And, at this point, the first and the second linking member 21, 22 of the connecting unit 2 are in a folded state to define the receiving space 23 between them. The user can put a thin quilt or some clothes (not shown) in the receiving space 23 and then connect the stop cover plates 24 to two lateral sides of the first and second linking members 21, 22.
Please also refer to FIG. 2. When it is desired to convert the chair into a lounge for use, the user can loosen the stop member 43 from the armrest 4, allowing the first and the second movable arms 41, 42 to move relative to one another; and then apply a pushing force against the backrest unit 3 for the same to move toward the ground in a direction away from the seat unit 1, until the supporting members 33 on the backrest unit 3 touch the ground to support the backrest unit 3 above the ground. When the backrest unit 3 is moved toward the ground, it brings the first and second linking members 21, 22 of the connecting unit 2 and the first and second movable arms 41, 42 of the armrests 4 to an extended state, and the chair is converted into a lounge. When the first and second linking members 21, 22 of the connecting unit 2, which is located between the seat unit 1 and the backrest unit 3, are moved to a fully extended position, the curved upper faces 212, 222 of the first and second linking members 21, 22 cooperate with the seat unit 1 and the backrest unit 3 to provide a curved configuration in compliance with a human body's back curve, allowing the user to comfortably lie on the lounge with the user's waist and hip fitly resting on the curved upper faces 212, 222 of the linking members 21, 22. Therefore, the lounge converted from the chair structure of the present invention satisfies the requirements of body engineering.
In the illustrated first embodiment of the present invention, the stop member 43 is used to restrict the seat unit 1, the connecting unit 2, the backrest unit 3, and the armrests 4 from moving relative to one another. However, the stop member 43 can be replaced by the stop cover plates 24. That is, the stop cover plates 24 not only close two lateral ends of the receiving space 23, but also restrict the seat unit 1, the connecting unit 2, the backrest unit 3, and the armrests 4 from moving relative to one another. When the user desires to convert the chair structure into a lounge, the user needs only to remove the stop cover plates 24 from the first and second linking members 21, 22, and the seat unit 1, the connecting unit 2, the backrest unit 3, and the armrests 4 can be then moved to convert the chair structure into a lounge.
FIGS. 6 and 7 are exploded and assembled perspective views, respectively, of a chair structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a bed converted from the chair structure of the second embodiment. The second embodiment is generally structurally and functionally similar to the first embodiment, except that the second embodiment includes width-increased seat unit 1 a, connecting unit 2 a, and backrest unit 3 a. A support leg assembly 11 a is movably connected to two lateral sides of a seat 12 a of the seat unit 1 a via two pivot shafts 111 a. A supporting member 33 a is pivotally connected to a rear side of the backrest unit 3 a via a pivot section 32 a provided on the rear side of the backrest unit 3 a. In the illustrated second embodiment, the supporting member 33 a is a substantially U-shaped tubular member. With the above arrangements, the chair structure in the second embodiment can be usually used as a sofa as shown in FIG. 7, and can also be extended and converted into a bed as shown in FIG. 8. When the chair structure of the second embodiment is converted into a bed, the backrest unit 3 a is supported by the supporting member 33 a to locate above the ground. As in the first embodiment, the bed converted from the chair structure of the second embodiment provides a curved configuration in compliance with a human body's back curve to meet the requirements of body engineering, allowing a user to comfortably lie thereon.
FIGS. 9 and 10 are exploded and assembled perspective views, respectively, of a chair structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment is generally structurally and functionally similar to the first and the second embodiment, except that the third embodiment includes a seat unit 1 b having a seat frame 121b and a support leg assembly 11 connected to a bottom of the seat frame 121 b; a connecting unit 2 b including a first linking member 21 b and a second linking member 22 b, each of which includes two slightly curved linking bars; a backrest unit 3 b including a back frame 34 b; and an envelope 5 covering the seat frame 121 b, the back frame 34 b, and the first and second linking members 21 b, 22 b. Again, the linking members 21 b, 22 b in a folded state together with the envelope 5 define a receiving space between them. With the seat frame 121 b and the back frame 34 b covered by the envelope 5, the chair structure according to the third embodiment of the present invention provides good ventilating effect and can be manufactured at reduced cost. The chair structure of the third embodiment can also be converted into a lounge as the first embodiment.
Please now refer to FIG. 11, which is a perspective view of a chair structure according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The fourth embodiment is generally structurally and functionally similar to the previous embodiments, except that it includes two seat units 1, 1 b respectively having a seat 12, 12 b, which are connected to a top of a widened support leg assembly 11 b and arranged side by side; and two backrest units 3, 3 b movably connected to the two seat units 1, 1 b via two connecting units 2, 2 b. The two backrest units 3, 3 b can be simultaneously pushed backward to convert the chair structure into two lounges, or can be differently operated to convert the chair structure into a chair and a lounge, or a double bed.
The chair structure of the present invention effectively eliminates the drawbacks in the conventional chair structure, and has movably connected seat unit, connecting unit, armrests, and backrest unit to allow conversion of a chair into a lounge or a bed having a curved configuration meeting the requirements of body engineering and suitable for a user to comfortably lie thereon on the user's back. Therefore, the present invention is improved, novel, and more practical for use.
The present invention has been described with some preferred embodiments thereof and it is understood that many changes and modifications in the described embodiments can be carried out without departing from the scope and the spirit of the invention that is intended to be limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A chair structure, comprising:

a seat unit including a support leg assembly and a seat connected to the support leg assembly;

a connecting unit including at least a first linking member and a second linking member, the first and the second linking member being pivotally connected at a first end to each other, and the first linking member being movably connected at an opposite second end to a rear edge of the seat;

a backrest unit being movably connected at a lower edge to an opposite second end of the second linking member; and

at least two armrests movably connected to two lateral sides of the seat unit and of the backrest unit; each of the armrests having a first movable arm and a second movable arm, which are pivotally connected at respective first end to each other, and movably connected at respective second end to one lateral side of the seat and the backrest unit, respectively; and at least one of the two armrests having a stop member connected thereto.

2. The chair structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support leg assembly of the seat unit is connected to a bottom of the seat, and the support leg assembly of the seat unit is movably connected to two lateral sides of the seat via pivot shafts.

3. The chair structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seat of the seat unit and the backrest unit are one-piece padded seat and backrest, respectively.

4. The chair structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second linking members are two transversely extended long plates defining a curved upper face each, and a receiving space is defined between the first and the second linking member when the connecting unit is in a folded state.

5. The chair structure as claimed in claim 1, further comprising two stop cover plates being removably connected to two lateral sides of the first and second linking members when the connecting unit is in a folded state.

6. The chair structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the backrest unit is movably provided on a rear upper side with at least one supporting member.

7. The chair structure as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an envelope, and wherein the seat of the seat unit is a seat frame, the backrest unit is a back frame, and the first and the second linking member of the connecting unit each include two substantially curved linking bars; the envelope being covered on the seat frame, the back frame, and the first and second linking members; and the connecting unit in a folded state together with the envelope defining a receiving space between the first and second linking member and the envelope.

8. The chair structure as claimed in claim 6, wherein the backrest unit is provided at a rear side with at least one pivot section, to which the at least one supporting member is pivotally connected.

9. The chair structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second movable arms as well as the first and second linking members are movably connected to the seat and the backrest unit, respectively, via pivot shafts; the first and the second linking members are pivotally connected at respective first ends to each other via pivot shafts; and the first and the second movable arms are pivotally connected at respective first ends to one another via pivot shaft.