Beds – Invalid bed or surgical support – Sectional user supporting surface
Patent
1995-12-18
1997-10-21
Brown, Peter R.
Beds
Invalid bed or surgical support
Sectional user supporting surface
5617, 29735413, A47C 1716
Patent
active
056782640
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention concerns a counterpoise recliner.
Known such recliners, for example, garden chairs, sun loungers and the like, require considerable shifting of an occupants body weight before the position of the recliner may be adjusted.
In articulated beds, for example, as used in nursing homes for infirm patients who are unable to lift themselves from a lying to a sitting position, this problem is overcome by having the moveable parts of the bed power controlled, for example, by electric motors. Although saving on nursing staff suffering from back injuries due to strenuous lifting operations, the powered beds have a number of drawbacks. Firstly, the beds are expensive to purchase and operate. They require maintianance of the electrical parts, and if those parts should fail, reduce the bed to a normal `static` bed wherein the nursing staff have to lift patients manually to change their position. Also hospitals are unlikely to use such electrically powered beds in the same vicinity as oxygen cylinders and the like where they are likely to be a hazard.
The present invention provides a recliner which addresses these problems.
According to the present invention there is provided a recliner having back and seat portions connected by a hinge and supported on a base for progressive relative adjustment between a bed configuration in which back and seat portions are substantially aligned and horizontal and a chair configuration in which the back is raised and the hinge drops during the progressive adjustment so as to maintain the centre of gravity of recliner and occupant substantially at constant height whereby to facilitate adjustment by an occupant.
The recliner may comprise a locking member locking the recliner at a desired position.
The locking member may be pivotally mounted on the base and may comprise a strut telescopically connecting the hinge and having a plurality of stops releasably engageable with a sprung pin.
The locking member may comprise a handle located on the recliner and adjacent the hinge which operates the sprung pin.
The recliner may comprise a leg rest portion which may be hingedly connected to the seat portion.
The leg rest portion my be supported by a double link assembly mounted to the base.
The double link assembly may comprise a parallel link assembly, or at least one link of the double link assembly may be adjustable in height. Such a link may comprise a series of notches and pegs for adjusting the height thereof.
The back of the recliner may be pivoted on the base at a pivot position spaced from the hinge.
The pivot position may be moveable towards and away from the hinge, such movement being capable of accomodating different body weights of occupant to maintain the centre of gravity aforementioned at substantially constant height during adjustment of the recliner.
The recliner may also comprise a sprung member pivotally connecting the recliner and base so as to provide damping or assistance to the movement of the recliner.
The invention will be further apparent from the following description with reference to the several figures of the accompanying drawings, which show, by way of example only, one form of the recliner embodying same.
FIG. 1 shows the recliner in a `bed` position; and
FIG. 2 shows the recliner in a `chair` position.
Referring now to the drawings, it will be seen that the recliner 11 comprises a back portion 12, seat portion 13 with a leg rest portion 14. The back and seat portions 12, 13 are connected by a hinge 15. A two part hinged mattress 17 covers the recliner 11. Portions 12, 13 and 14 are supported on a stationary base 18 for progressive relative adjustment between a bed configuration in which the back 12, and seat and leg rest portions 13, 14 are substantially aligned and horizontal, as shown in FIG. 1, and a chair configuration in which the back 12 is raised, as shown in FIG. 2, and the hinge 15 drops during the progressive adjustment so as to maintain the centre of gravity of recliner and occupant substantially at constant height whereby to facilitate adjus
REFERENCES:
patent: 3261639 (1966-07-01), Phillips
patent: 3289222 (1966-12-01), Nielsen
patent: 3854154 (1974-12-01), Degen
patent: 5315726 (1994-05-01), Borenstein
patent: 5404604 (1995-04-01), Has et al.
Brown Charles J.
Brown Peter R.
Comfort & Care Limited
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