Chairs and seats – Movable bottom – Tiltable
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-11
2001-12-04
Barfield, Anthony D. (Department: 3636)
Chairs and seats
Movable bottom
Tiltable
C297S328000, C297S282000, C297S423260
Reexamination Certificate
active
06325455
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to reclining chairs having a base to which the frame of the reclining chair may be locked at a desired angle of inclination.
BACKGROUND ART
Reclining chairs provide a comfortable seating alternative that may permit a person to raise and hold their legs above their heart to provide therapeutic benefits.
Many different types of reclining chairs have been developed with different features and different levels of complexity. One example of a reclining chair is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,961 that has a positionable footrest with a complex linkage mechanism . This type of reclining chair utilizes an extensive linkage having multiple parts and must be assembled together in precise alignment. Improper use or unbalanced loading can cause this type of reclining chair to become misaligned or wear out over time.
Another example of a reclining chair is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,790,599. This type of pivoting recliner utilizes curved guide members having curved slots, that form a part of the base frame of the chair. This chair is supported on elongated bars that pivot within limits defined by arcuate slots in the curved guide members. While this structure is somewhat simplified compared to multilink structures described above, it is still unduly complex. The pivot mechanism disclosed in this patent has pinch points between the arm members and the frame that can result in a user suffering a painful injury when the angle of inclination of the seat is adjusted. In addition, the footrest is connected to the seat portion of the seat in a rigid non-adjustable manner. The adjustment nob is also difficult to use because it pivots with the seat instead of remaining stationary relative to the base.
These and other problems are addressed by the invention as summarized below.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
According to the present invention, a reclining chair is provided that comprises a seat frame including a seat back, a seat base, and footrest, that are supported by a base including right and left side stand members. The side stand members each have a brace located below the top of the side stand member. Pivot connectors connect right and left side stand members to the seat frame in a range of angular orientations. Each of the pivot connectors comprise a plate that is fixedly secured to one side of the seat frame and extends vertically upwardly from the seat frame. Each plate is connected by a fixed pivot connection to one of the side stand members. Each plate also has an arcuate slot spaced below the fixed pivot connection. The locking members are secured to the braces and extend through the arcuate slot in the plate. The locking members may be released to allow the seat frame to pivot on the side stand members with the plate moving relative to the locking members and with the arcuate slot guiding and limiting the movement of the plate relative to the locking members. The locking members may be engaged to lock the seat frame to the side stand members.
According to another aspect of the invention a reclining chair is provided that has a footrest connected to the seat base by means of a pivot connection. The footrest may be locked within a range of angular positions relative to the seat base in a desired position. In this way, the reclining chair may be used as a conventional chair by folding the footrest to a position substantially perpendicular to the frame of the seat base.
According to further aspect of the invention, a handle is provided for manually locking and unlocking the locking members. The locking members include a threaded shaft that is received by a threaded member that is turned in one direction to loosen the locking member in the opposite direction to tighten the locking member.
According yet another aspect of the invention, the plate is secured to a reinforcement that connects that seat back and seat base together in a fixed relationship.
According to one form of the invention, a spring is connected between a seat frame and base or brace connected to the base. The spring biases the seat frame to move towards an upright position by exerting a biasing force between the seat frame and base. While one spring may be used to provide the biasing force, to provide a balanced biasing force two springs may be provided with one spring being provided on each side of the seat frame.
These and other objects and advantages in the present invention will be better understood in view of the attached drawings and following detailed description of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 825984 (1906-07-01), Schmershal
patent: 4790599 (1988-12-01), Goldman
patent: 5110179 (1992-05-01), Rogers
patent: 5120107 (1992-06-01), Rogers, Jr.
patent: 5143055 (1992-09-01), Eakin
patent: 5156441 (1992-10-01), Byersmith et al.
patent: 5244252 (1993-09-01), Serber
patent: 5249838 (1993-10-01), Kulpa et al.
patent: 5261725 (1993-11-01), Rudolph
patent: 5388886 (1995-02-01), LaPointe et al.
patent: 5460427 (1995-10-01), Serber
patent: 5498055 (1996-03-01), Goldman
patent: 5582457 (1996-12-01), Komorowski et al.
patent: 5605372 (1997-02-01), Al-Abdullateef
patent: 5845961 (1998-12-01), LaPointe et al.
patent: 5984409 (1999-11-01), Eakin et al.
Paradiso Relax—und Massagesessel, HMF Heddernheimer Metallwarenfabrik GmbH.
Relaxing & Massage Chair, Hardness Co., Limited.
Barfield Anthony D.
Brooks & Kushman P.C.
HoMedics, Inc.
LandOfFree
Reclining chair does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Reclining chair, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Reclining chair will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2598620