Chairs and seats – Movable bottom – Tiltable
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-27
2001-03-27
Cuomo, Peter M. (Department: 3636)
Chairs and seats
Movable bottom
Tiltable
C297S310000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06206472
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates particularly to reclining mechanisms for chairs and seating for both indoor and outdoor use.
2. Background Information
Prior to the present invention, reclinable types of chairs were usually equipped with a movable joint located at the union of the seat with the back, thus permitting the back to be inclined rearwardly. They usually consisted of an interlocking system composed of notches that permit the back to be placed in a certain set number of positions, generally from four to eight. However, this kind of mechanism is generally complicated, costly and susceptible to wear, corrosion fatigue and failure causing injury to the user. These chairs also normally had to have a thick, awkward cushion on them to be comfortable. Prior reclinable armchairs, having a number of positions for inclination, were usually of heavy steel and equipped with a series of spring and counterweights which made them heavy, complicated and costly. U.S. Pat. No. 3,870,364 discloses a more complicated padded upholstered arm chair with an internal reclining apparatus having a metal base frame pivotably mounted to a seat frame, at or near the front of the seat frame. The very old wooden designs, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,525,726, were typically just straight legged wooden chairs that tilted back only about 20-25°. Because of their high center of gravity and straight line design, they were very unstable and unsafe in the tilt back position.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to make a reclining chair that is balance designed. Another object of the present invention is to make such a chair inexpensive and simple. Another object of the present invention is to make a reclining chair that rests firmly and securely (safely) in both the upright and reclined positions. Any other object of this invention will be apparent from the following descriptions. Furthermore, this invention has the health advantage of lifting the occupant's legs to the level of the heart for increased circulation to the legs and feet. A major advantage of the present invention lies in the comfortable contour of the seat, back and location of the headrest for body support.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A simplified and inexpensive, 2 position reclining chair, for example, a wooden lawn and patio chair is herein described. The balanced contoured design with no moving parts is an integral part of the chair or seat. The low center of gravity and the placement of the balance pivotal point allows the chair to set firmly in both the upright and reclined positions.
In the upright position, the chair can sit on a flat spot at the bottom of each of the center pivotal legs. This flat spot can be approximately 2″ in length. The weight and balance of the chair combined with occupant's weight, sitting just ahead of a front pivot point, can hold the chair firmly in the upright position, supported by the center pivotal legs and the front legs of the chair. That is to say, in the upright position, the occupant's center of gravity can be located toward the center of the chair, at a point forward from a front pivot point on the chair. This can allow the inventive chair to move easily from the sitting to the reclining position under the influence of the occupant shifting or slightly throwing his or her weight backwards, thereby pivoting, or rocking, the chair along a pivot point or area into a reclined position. In at least one embodiment, the occupant can also push their feet against the ground to also exert a force in the backward direction to thus aid in the pivoting of the chair.
In at least one embodiment, a possible degree of angling of the seat arms is also possible, wherein the chair back and arms can have, for example, a comfortable 5° of lean backwards so the chair does not feel stiff or uncomfortable. However, this angle of lean may be different. Further, it is within the scope of the invention that various lengths, widths and heights of the chair can vary, depending upon a variety of variables, for example, the height or weight of the individual or child for which the chair is designed.
In at least one embodiment, in the reclined position the chair can sit on another flat or substantially flat spot at the bottom of each of the center pivotal legs, as well as two back legs. The chair can be extremely steady in this position, and almost impossible for the occupant to tip. The occupant's approximate position and center of gravity can shift backwards from the upright position, wherein the occupant's center of gravity can be lowered and occupant's weight can sit essentially just behind a back pivot point. To bring the chair back to the upright position, essentially all the occupant has to do is bend and lean forward, shifting his or her weight forward, and the chair will pivot back to the upright position because of the redistribution of weight.
In another possible embodiment of the present invention, the inventive chair can be designed to accommodate more than one person. This can be accomplished, for example, by varying the width of the chair. The chair would then be operated in essentially the same manner, however, some coordination between the occupants would facilitate the reclining and uprighting of the chair.
A possible degree angle of the seat arms is also possible in the reclined position. For example, the arm of the chair may be reclined to an approximate 40° angle if, in the upright position, the chair and arms has an approximate 5° lean backwards. However, this angle may vary if, for example, the angle of the chair and arms are different in the upright position.
In one possible embodiment of the chair, the chair can be constructed of wooden board slats in the seating area and have arm rests with triangular arm block supports. The length of board slats in the seating area can vary, depending upon the desired overall size of the chair, or the number of persons it is configured to seat. The widths of the slats can also vary, but should be of a dimension sufficient to provide both adequate support and comfort to the user. That is to say, the slats must be wide enough to support the weight of the user, but narrow enough to allow the shape of the chair to be contoured, to provide a more comfortable seating area for the chair's occupant or occupants.
In one embodiment of the center/back support leg, or legs (i.e., the center pivotal legs), of the reclined chair, the center/back support legs can be made of any resistant material for durability and strength, ¾″ thick wolminized wood for example. The overall length, width, bottom flat spot and various cut degree angles for this center/back support leg can vary. This leg can also have a metal wear guard on the bottom to give added protection to the wood.
In at least one embodiment a rear leg, or legs, of the chair in the seated or upright position can be made of any resistant material for durability and strength, ¾″ thick wolminized wood for example. Possible overall length, width and cut degree angles can vary.
The front leg, or legs, can also be made of ¾″ wolminized wood for durability and strength, or any other resistant material, and their lengths and widths can also vary.
In one possible embodiment, the arms of the chair, may be made of ¾″ white pine. White pine may be used because it comes into contact with the occupant of the chair. Wolminized wood can have arsenic and other harsh chemicals as a preservative that can be health hazards, thereby making it less desirable for an arm rest. However, any other non hazardous material may be used. Length, width and various other angles of this piece may also vary.
In at least one embodiments slats are used along the seat and back of the chair. These slats are securely attached in place, for example, by being nailed into the chair. These slats may be made of any non hazardous material, such as ¾″ white pine for example, because they also can c
Cuomo Peter M.
Nils H. Ljungman & Associates
Vu Stephen
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