Chair Controls

Abstract

Various chair controls for enabling motion associated with human support surfaces is disclosed. Furthermore, these new structures adjust, at least in part, automatically to a wide variety of users. The way in which this automatic adjustment occurs, is through the generally, at least in part, vertical displacement of an occupant throughout a range of motion, such as recline, and where this generally, at least in part, vertical displacement accounts for the entirety of an occupants mass regardless of degree of motion and thus degree or amount of generally horizontal displacement while maintaining proper ergonomic relationships.

Description

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[Not Applicable]

MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE

[Not Applicable]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to seating structures that move.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed at new and novel support structures where the seat or back may tilt or pivot. Further these may be self-adjusting and/or counterbalencing support structures to dynamically support automatically adjust, at least in part, to the various users that may occupy them.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Unless noted immediately below, the Figures are all called out in the drawing section of this disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 in a second position.

FIG. 5 is a side view of another embodiment of the invention with a tilting seat pan.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 5 in a second position.

FIG. 7 is a side view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 7 in a second position.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 shown as an overlay of two positions.

FIG. 10 is a face view of a schematic mannequin illustrating the issues with a changing center of gravity/CG. It illustrates that raising only/predominantly the seat section of a chair/seating support structure, progressively discounts the weight of the individual occupant as they recline. This is why controls of the type that lift only/predominantly the seat limit the range of motion to in turn limit this effect.

FIG. 11 is a side face view of many of the inventive aspects of some embodiments and serves as a base orientation to the illustration of the invention(s) depicted in the right hand side of FIG. 12.

FIG. 12 is a side face view of a traditional approach (the illustration to the left) to using body weight to effect change to a reclining system, and the novel approach and advantages of one embodiment of the current invention(s) which is depicted to the right in FIG. 12.

FIG. 13 is predominantly similar to that of FIG. 12 however it is isolating and identifying the differences of the inventive approach with regard to back movement when an equivalent ergonomic hip pivot point is used in the two cases. Both of these figures show an equivalent correctly placed hip pivot point, identified as “kinematic pivot point of back”, but the illustration on the right shows the new trajectory with the introduction of the new “pry pivot point” rearward of the ergonomic “kinematic pivot point”.

FIG. 14 is predominantly the same as FIG. 13 with the introduction of the clock face analogy for further explanation/clarification.

FIG. 15 is substantially the same of that of 14 and 13 with the introduction of the new element “the carrier” 4.

FIG. 16 is substantially that of 14 and 13 with the introduction of the new element “a seat” 1.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show a configuration that has; a seat-front only and back lift configuration. The rearward connecting link or arm that forms the/serves as the pry-point is nested into the layers so that only the main input shaft/kinematic pivot of need extend out of the control. This creates a clean aesthetic and reduced potential user “pinch points” for fingers etc.. It should also be noted that the unique selection of pivot point locations here result in a 2:1 proportional control, though other proportions may be geometrically designed in if desired.

FIG. 19 is a side face view of an embodiment of what is termed in the industry as a “knee tilt” employing some of the inventive structures of this disclosure.

FIG. 20 is a side face view of an embodiment of what is termed in the industry as a “center tilt” employing some of the inventive structures of this disclosure.

FIG. 21 is a top view of a complete chair assembly, incorporating one embodiment of the invention, “complete singular assembly” 24. In this case it is a four-legged chair that could be stackable in nature.

FIG. 22 is a trimetric view of the chair of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a side elevation of the chair depicted in FIGS. 21 and 22.

FIG. 24 is a detail area of the chair of FIGS. 21 through 23 taken from an area generally indicated by circle 23 in FIG. 22.

FIG. 25 is substantially a view similar to that of FIG. 22.

FIG. 26 is substantially a view similar to that of FIG. 25 but with the seating surface/seat pan removed for clarity.

FIG. 27 is a top view substantially similar to that of FIG. 21 provided here to help give overall context.

FIG. 28 is a close-up of a “complete singular assembly” 24. It is substantially similar to the detail of FIG. 24.

FIG. 29 is a view substantially similar to that of FIG. 26.

FIG. 30 is a view substantially similar to that of FIG. 28, however in-line form adjacent, shows the control in a second position.

FIG. 31 is a view substantially similar to FIG. 27 but with the seating surface/seat pan removed for clarity and context.

FIG. 32 is a view substantially similar to that of FIG. 30 to give additional clarity and context.

FIGS. 30-35 depict an embodiment where the control is comprised of links and a single slide in the front.

FIG. 36 is a 2D line drawing in trimetric showing the control in a second position.

FIG. 37 is a 3-D trimetric showing an embodiment of the control in a first position.

FIG. 38 is a plan view of FIG. 36.

FIG. 39 is a plan view of FIG. 37.

FIG. 40 is a top view of the control seen in FIGS. 36 through 39, as well as previous figures.

FIG. 41 is a front enlarged view of the control seen in FIG. 40.

FIG. 42 shows how linkages may be overlaid, for and aft, to achieve increased/decreased mechanical advantage/disadvantage necessary and yet save space, by a a linkage-directional reversal.

FIG. 43 is a collection of views of another embodiment of the invention, which shares some similarities to the embodiments of FIGS. 17 and 18.

Also of note is that in any embodiments, any of the pivot slide(s) may be replaced with a link, either consolidated with another link (lifting) or not/dedicated to the kinematic-seat-carrier-back relationships.

REFERENCE CHARACTERS USED

The following reference characters are used in the drawings to refer to the parts of the present invention. Like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts in the respective views.

• • 1—Seat or seat support of control
  • 2—Back or back support of control
  • 3—Pivot or pivot-slide common to Seat and/or seat link and Carrier Structure.
  • 4—Carrier Structure
  • 5—Link(s) common to base 6, and carrier structure 4.
  • 6—Base, or to base to floor structure
  • 7—Pivot Common to Back +Seat
  • 8—Pivot Common to Back and Carrier Structure-also referred to as the “Kinematic pivot of back” or “Ergonomically correct Kinematic pivot of back”.
  • 9—Arc of Back+Seat Point
  • 10—Bearing point, pry-pivot, or cam of some element connected to the base that the Pivot Common to Back 2 and Seat 1, or that a point of the back, or of the seat bears upon.
  • 11—Gear on pivot Common to Back and Carrier Structure
  • 12—Rack Gear on/connected to base structure
  • 13—Sliding connecting interface common to base and carrier structure
  • 14—Slide common to base and carrier structure
  • 15—Roller or cam “assembly” which includes 16. which is rotationally affixed to the ergonomic pivot point of specific embodiment(s).
  • 16—Roller or cam bearing point, or simply “bearing point” also referred to as “rearward pry pivot” or “vertical motion inducing pry pivot” which in all embodiments is rotationally affixed radially “rearward” to the ergonomic pivot point of the specific embodiment.
  • 17—Pivot link common to Seat 1, and Carrier Structure 4.
  • 18—Spring, leaf/compression/Bellville disk/torsion etc.
  • 20—“virtual” “additional” bearing point for illustration.
  • 22—Reference ground plane
  • 21—Line indicating “Final Vertical Position of Seat”
  • 22—Line indicating “Final Vertical Position of Back”
  • 23—Detail area indication of FIG. 24.
  • 24—Complete singular assembly
  • 26—Leaf spring retention feature affixed to base 6.
  • 28—Leaf spring retention feature which is an extension of Pivot-slide 3, which is common to Seat and Carrier Structure 4.
  • 30—Pivot common to back 2, and base 6—Another bearing point form

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the invention will be described in connection with several preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention includes all alternatives, modifications, combinations, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The present invention relates generally to seating structures that adjust to the various users that may occupy them.

Chairs used around the home and office and other areas often by a variety of users with a variety of weights.

It is ergonomically desirable to have a chair properly adjusted for these people.

It is also often a matter of safety to not have a chair adjusted to that for a very light person when a much larger person sits down, this can lead to a dangerous situation of instability.

It is known in the industry to use the users seated weight as a counter-force for reclining in a chair. These heretofore solutions have a back member and a seat pan member and use the rotation or pivoting of the back to lift a portion or all of the seat pan, thus lifting the user, or a portion of the user.

However, there are limitations with all of these known methods.

quoted from U.S. Pat. No. 7,717,515

Saez, et al. May 18, 2010

“Reclining type chairs commonly used in offices typically provide for the back support to recline alone, for the seat and back support to recline as a unit, or for the back support to recline in a coordinated proportion with the seat. If the back support alone pivots, it generally creates a problem known as “shirttail pull.” This problem is particularly acute if the pivot of the chair back support is not coordinated with the natural body action of the occupant. This problem can also be accentuated by the tendency of the hips of the occupant to slide forward as the back support tilts rearward.

In chairs where both the seat and back recline as a unit, in the reclined position there is a tendency to lift the legs of the occupant from the floor, which creates an undue pressure by the forward edge of the seat against the underside of the legs of the occupant immediately above the knee. To overcome this problem, the pivot point of the reclining action may be moved forward sufficiently to permit the occupant's feet to remain on the floor. One undesirable effect of this arrangement is that the body angle between the occupant's torso and his legs is unchanged, and as a result, the occupant's eye level drops undesirably when the chair is reclined.

In any reclining chair, it is desirable that the recline pivot point be at the center of the body or where the occupant's back normally pivots (i.e., an axis through the user's hip joints). However, the pivot point of a reclining chair is normally displaced from the ideal pivot point. It is also desirable to have a chair wherein the angle between the occupant's torso and his legs opens up to relieve internal congestive body pressures. It is further desirable to provide a chair wherein the user's feet remain on the floor and the recline action parallels the natural body action closely enough to avoid the common shirttail pull problem.

Therefore, it is also desirable to provide a chair of simple, economical construction that lends itself to high production manufacturing and fabrication procedures, and yet of clean, pleasing appearance emphasizing the isolated and separate appearance of the seat and back support with respect to the supporting frame and base.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,429,917 to Diffrient allegedly reports a chair with a four bar non-parallel linkage mechanism to obviate many of these problems. Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 4,943,114 to Piretti allegedly reports a chair with a compact backrest linkage mechanism that enables the chair back support and seat to recline. U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,958 to Roericht et al. allegedly reports a chair with a synchronous adjusting device that uses the weight of the user to provide a restoring force to return the chair back support to an upright position after a user has reclined in the chair. U.S. Pat. No. 5,486,035 to Koepke, et al., asserts, without providing any showing, that “[i]n such constructions, the difficulty of reclining the chair, i.e., generating the reclining force, increases the further the chair is reclined, and it is common to employ adjusting apparatus for increasing or decreasing the reclining tension of a chair, such adjusting apparatus changing the tension of a spring, or otherwise modifying the reclining mechanism” (col. 1, 11. 29-34).

Moreover, while it is believed that some reclining chairs heretofore available have had a means to adjust their resistance to reclining, such adjustments have been less than ideal, very cumbersome or not practicable to an occupant. Instead, rather than confront the processes necessary to adjust their chairs to fit the needs of their particular body build, most occupants of chairs use them without making any adjustments. Consequently, any ergonomic advantages that might be delivered by the properly tuned chair are not achieved. Thus, there remains a need for a chair that is adjustable to the needs of the individual chair occupant without requiring any substantial effort on the occupant's part to effect the adjustments—in other words, a substantially self-adjusting ergonomic chair.”

Additionally applicant would like to point that U.S. Pat. No. 4,943,114 to Piretti refers to U.S. Pat. Nos.:

142039	August 1873	Niderkorn
799128	April 1905	Wilmot et al.
1,0455,99	November 1912	Ostendorf
1,149,421	August 1915	Wilmot
1,335,379	March 1920	Lee
1,619,503	March 1927	Furlong
2,083,838	June 1937	Goenen
2,470,364	May 1949	Niederhauser
2,616,483	November 1955	Jensen
3,394,417	July 1968	O'Link
4,761,033	August 1988	Lanuzzi et al.

However none of these disclose the inventive structures in the invention at hand.

One limitation is that it is ergonomically incorrect and disturbing to feel the seat pan rising or angling. This is often due to the fact that these solutions cause the back of the seat pan to lift, and ergonomically, when the back goes into recline, one wants the back of the seat pan to recline as well, which is the exact opposite of these solutions.

Other approaches often result in complicated expensive solutions that don't work.

Another huge limitation is that as the user progressively leans back, their center of gravity changes, causing less and less of their body weight to be exerted on the seat pan. Thus eventually negating any “weighing” or counter weight function.

Other approaches to self weighing mechanisms have tried to use the users weight to alter or pretension the Springs within the system. Because of the amount of spring involved in the range needed to account for IE waits ranging from say 100 pounds to 300+ pounds, These solutions result in spring-heavy and costly and complex systems for the amount of motion achieved.

Here too, as the user progressively leans back, their center of gravity changes, causing less and less of their body weight to be exerted on the seat pan. Thus eventually negating any “weighing” or counter weight function.

The result of this is that these other systems usually limit the total amount of motion/recline etc. possible by the system to accounting for and limit the effects of this back/torso translation.

This is hugely limiting, and further results in an inferior and compromised ride/action, and range of motion/positions available for the user.

The structures disclosed herein do not suffer these compromises.

And still others have tried to alter the fulcrum point within a leaf spring system. This too results in the complex mechanisms and is difficult in a system that is and by design must be pre-biased or pre-sprung in some manner.

Additionally, these systems that are “spring-first” are limited in the percentage/range of people/populace accommodated, and for safety reasons they must be designed/engineered to be on the safe side, which results in too much tension, at least in parts of the units travel, and so the user is left with an inconsistent often “bouncy” situation where they do not have a multitude of sitting/working positions.

Adding to the complexity some of these self weighing mechanisms have tried to account for this by employing a weighing lock that locks the pretension of a spring or system achieved by a users body weight once the back member commences pivoting/movement.

This lock is obviously a complex and expensive option and yet still suffers from the other aforementioned listed limitations.

And so these systems are complex and often spring-heavy, and spatially large.

And so the invention at hand solves these and other problems through a geometrical solution that does not have to rely on altering the brute strength of the biasing/springing members. It is a “geometry-first” solution.

This is not to say that embodiments of this invention(s) may not include springs or other biasing forces, which may be of the biasing sprig types not limited to: coil, -extension, torsion, compression- etc, torsion-bar, cantilevered leaf spring, compressive/elastic elastomeric materials or fluids such as are found in gas-springs etc or torsion spring, torsion bar, leaf, stacked leaves, compression, extension, draw-bar, as well as others not listed here and any or all of these may be made of a variety of materials from metals such as steel to plastics to composites of plastics containing fibers, and a single chair or support control system may use more than one of these various forms concurrently. These springs may be used to create a base level of spring for a) a chair return, and b) as a base level of tension. And so, return springs are usually employed, but do not constitute the total biasing force but are additive or offset a portion of the total biasing force necessary in the disclosed structures. Springs may be biased between a variety of the elements of the mechanism. A spring may bias the back element 2, relative to the base structure, 6. Or A spring may bias the back element 2, relative to the carrier structure, 4. Or a spring may bias the back element 2, relative to the seat structure 1. Alternatively or additionally, a spring may bias the seat structure 1, relative to the base structure, 6. Or a spring may bias the seat structure 1, relative to the carrier structure, 4. Alternatively or additionally a spring may bias the carrier structure, relative to the base structure 6. And a spring may bias 2 elements such as the back and the seat via their common pivot 3, relative to the carrier 4 and/or base 6. Here too is another unique aspect of the invention, the number and versatility of spring types and locations available to the designer/manufacturer.

In some cases a spring is only necessary to provide return of neutral position thus a minimal spring. In other cases, it is desirable to the to incorporate a stronger spring for changed dynamic action. This is easily accomplished in this inventive design by altering the mechanical advantages/relationships to accommodate spring presence, and amount of spring.

As mentioned before, this new configuration accounts for the entirety of the change/differential in weight of different occupants to be accounted for throughout its range of motion.

This versatility of optional spring inclusion or spring type can result in reduced vertical height because the flexibility of resultant geometry.

These inventive principles, geometries, and methods may be used where both the seat and the back move in unison, but at differing rates, often referred to as a

syncrotilt action. In these embodiments, the pivot that ergonomically-kinematically defines the arc between the back and the seat moves vertically with the seat which results in the lack of the feeling of “butt-push-punch” that is often felt in other products. This is due to the back and the seat moving harmoniously.

This is a key differentiator. That every or nearly every embodiment of this/these novel approach(s) employs a complete and correct “ergonomic-kinematic” control or system . . . and then adds a secondary “weight adjusting kinematic” system which induces vertical action based on the newly introduced rearward pry pivot and associated and variable vertical lifting means—slides, links etc. This is in part the structural purpose of the carrier-shuttle structure 4, when employed. It structurally serves the function of an element or elements (ergonomic pivots/slides, spring retention points, tilt locks etc.) that were statically anchored to the ground, but the carrier-shuttle structure now makes them vertically (or generally vertically) dynamic with regard to the ground by way of the generally vertical lifting means, (the “weight adjusting kinematic” system) the pry-pivot and associated guidance means of slides, links etc.

And so, one of many and fundamental, and unique identifiers of many, if not all embodiments of these inventions is the fact that the pry-pivot and/or and associated and variable vertical lifting means—slides, links etc. may actually be removed and the control will still “ergonomically-kinematically” operate as a complete control—though it would not have the proper tension etc. as a significant part of the tension subsystem has been removed.

Contrast this to the traditional weight altering approach taken. The kinematic lifting of the occupant as the weight adjusting component of the control, is an inherent part of the ergonomic-kinemeatic structure. And so, because it is built-in, or baked in, the resultant design is inherently a compromise between these two competing objectives; ergonomic kinematics; and weight adjusting kinematics.

And thus as indicated, in all known cases, no pivots/slides etc. may be removed and still have a similarly functioning ergonomic-kinematic control to that prior to pivot/slide removal.

That said, there are embodiments of the disclosed invention(s) where one or more of the two kinematics, ergonomic and weight adjusting, may share pivots, slides or linkages, yet it should be appreciated that the actions are still distinct and independent, as well as there being other distinctions/structural differences such as a carrier element etc.

And that is a fundamental aspect of the power of this approach is that by de-coupling the two kinematics, the ergomomic and the weight adjusting, each may be optimized, without compromise.

Additionally, this is what makes a singular weight adjusting, kinematic structural approach applicable to a variety of ergonomic kinematic structural configuratiosn including but not limited to; center tilt, Knee tilt design, sychro tilt, or back-flex only.

Alternatively yet to the above described synchronous control applications these unique structure and devices may be employed in a structure where just the back moves/tilts-back flex, or just the seat moves/tips, or the back and the seat both move independently, or both move in unison such as when they are rigidly fixed to one another. In the industry these control types are often referred to as, sycronoous, center-pivot, and knee tilt.

This is another defining aspect as all if not nearly all of the other solutions, a far a the inventor knows of, dictate the ergonomic motion of the seat-back actions of the chair.

This gives the freedom of the designer or manufacturer to use a unified engineering solutions for all applications.

Additionally, these solutions are equally applicable to larger chairs or couches, or light side/stack chairs where a thin profile is desired.

One of the aspects that differentiate this from the prior art, and makes for devices and structures that actually work is that the occupants entire biasing weight is accounted for.

A primary way is in that the entire structure and the occupant is leveraged upwards

As previously stated; “One limitation is that it is ergonomically incorrect and disturbing to feel the seat pan rising or angling.”

More specifically the one of the limitation(s) with previously suggested solutions is that what is disturbing or unergonomic is the feeling of the seat pan rising or angling relative to the back support surface.

Additionally this invention provides the designer/engineer/manufacturer the opportunity to fine tune the settings by changing of various pivot points linkage lengths, bearing points etc. Additionally, unlike “spring-first” systems a full unlimited percentage/range of people/populace are accommodated., and a consistent “ride” or travel that is not “bouncy” and supports a multitude of sitting/working positions.

The inventor refers to this as “Infinate Dwell”, a multitude of sitting/working positions that are easily moved into, maintained, and moved out of.

Referring to the figures; while all embodiments share similarities detailing them gives greater understanding, and the various features of each may be combined and recombined with the others without limitation.

Referring to FIG. 1;

a side schematic of a synchronized tilt chair can be seen. Generally there is a base structure 6, and a carrier structure 4, motionally attached to the base structure 6. There is a seat structure pivotally connected to the carrier structure, 4. And also pivotally connected to the back structure 2. The back structure also has a pivot, and to it in the carrier structure at point 8. There is a bearing point between the pivot of the back and the base generally indicated by 10.

And so the seat back 2, rotates rearward, pivot 7, or other similar structure, bears on bearing point 10, causing the carrier structure, and thus the entirety of the support structure and the entirety of the occupant to move vertically in relationship to the ground plane, while at the same time imparting action to the seat 1.

Thus, even though the back has pivoted down, its occupant-kinemeatic pivot points and thus the total support of the occupant has moved vertically.

While this work performed in the action is in this instance/embodiment vertical in the constant vector/direction, it is also anticipated that any or all of the embodiments may include a lobed cam or roller structure to include work going in two directions (up and down/oscillating) even though the back and the seat are continuing to traverse in a constant velocity/direction. This altering of the work, is to make it possible to not have to have as great a total rise, and yet allow the system to have the work (force × distance) that it needs.

Referring to FIG. 2, another embodiment can be seen. Here the carrier structure is driven or cranked upward via a rack and pinion arrangement. As back, 2, rotates, its gear 11, rotates, thus raising on rack 12. This provides a positive and easily alterable arrangement. In the interest of space and ratio requirements, multiple/cluster gears may be employed.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 another embodiment can be seen. FIG. 3 is the upright position and FIG. 4 is the generally reclined position. In this case, while the back rotates and in sum raises, the seat only raises but does not tilt. A similar cam action to bearing point/platform as has already been described occurs between the back and the base frame, and the seat and back rise via links and slots.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 another embodiment can be seen. FIG. 5 is the upright position and FIG. 6 is the generally reclined position. This is an action similar to the syncrotilt of figures one and 2 but showing how simplified slides and/or linkages and cam-bearing point (which could also be a linkage . . . optionally going into toggle ((Over-center type linkage.)) can be employed in the spirit and scope of the invention at hand.

Additionally, FIGS. 3-6 show how a carrier structure/element is not necessary in some embodiments as individual links/slots or just links and or structural features of the seat, the back and the base support(s) may serve the same structural functionality.

And so the device may be put in various areas of a support structure/chair. I this case it could become part of the side supports of a 4-legged or panel chair etc.

Referring to FIGS. 7 through nine, another embodiment will be described.

In FIG. 7, the carrier structure 4, is vertically adjustable, in this case, slidably adjustable to the base 6. Seat 1, is pivotally and slidably attached to the carrier structure 4 at interface 14. There is a pivot 7, common to the back 2, and seat 1. There is a pivot 8, common to the back 2, and carrier structure 4. There is a roller/cam assembly 15, rotationally affixed to the back structure 2. There is a bearing point 15, connected to the base structure 6, and when the back rotates rearward, the seat follows in a proportional manner, while the roller cam assembly 15, leverages the entire body support structures via carrier structure in a vertical manner. It should be noted that the interface between roller cam assembly 15 and the bearing point 10, could alternatively be a linkage/slide.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the elements of FIG. 7 can be seen in a reclined state.

Referring now to FIG. 9, both of the FIGS. 7 and 8 have been overlaid to show example first and second positions in recline. Note the relative positions of all the various elements with reference to the reference ground plane. Of particular note is that it is not just the seat that has risen relative to the ground plane but the entirety of the support structure, and thus the entirety of the occupant relative to the reference ground plane. A key and critical element to this is the raising of the pivot 8, (and thus the back), that the defines the Arc at the back travels through relative to the reference ground plane.

Referring now to FIG. 10 a face view of a schematic mannequin illustrating the issues with a changing center of gravity/CG. It illustrates that raising only/predominantly the seat section of a chair/seating support structure, progressively discounts the weight of the individual occupant as they recline. This is why controls of the type that lift only/predominantly the seat limit the range of motion to in turn limit this effect.

FIG. 11 shows a side face view of many of the inventive aspects of some embodiments and serves as a base orientation to the illustration of the invention(s) depicted in the right hand side of FIG. 12. Of note in FIG. 11 is the additional “conceptual” bearing point 20, that graphically illustrates how the downward trajectory of backs movement as it is tilting is arrested and upward vertical motion is imparted to the most of the rest of the system.

FIG. 12 shows a side face view of a traditional approach (the illustration to the left) to using body weight to effect change to a reclining system, and the novel approach and advantages of one embodiment of the current invention(s) which is depicted to the right of FIG. 12. Each of the support structures or chairs are shown in their respective first positions in solid line and then in a second position in dotted line. For simplicity, the movement of the seat has been restricted to a purely, simple, vertical movement. And indeed, some embodiments anticipate a back flex and back rise with seat rise, but no seat slant. Note that there is a correct ergonomic kinematic placement of the back pivot is in the same relative position to the back and the seat in the two examples-conventional versus seat and back lift. However, a key difference being that a second pivot or link forward or to the left of the ergonomically kinematicly correct pivot is used to pry the seat vertically in the traditional configuration (the configuration on the left) and the pivot that the back traverses, is vertically static with regard to elevation. Whereas in the invention at hand (the case to the right) a second pivot/pry-point occurs rearward, or to the right of kinematically correct pivot prying both the seat and the kinematically correct pivot that the back traversed in a vertical manner and thus it's point is vertically dynamic with regard to elevation. This pry-pivot may be a true pivot point (fixed) or a as depicted in this illustration a bearing point able to traverse laterally left to right in a slot for example to compensate for linkage arcs etc. as depicted. If it were a true pivot, a pivot-slot or other arc compensating feature may be employed at the backs ergonomic kinematic pivot point common with the carrier/control support structure. Also of note is that the “control support structure” or a part of it or an equivalent is vertically dynamic as well in this embodiment. This enables the correct ergonomic kinematic motional and proportional motions between the seat and the back to be maintained which is lost in the traditional reference example on the left.

Also of note is that the system can be altered in several ways. One such method is the location of the pry-pivot relative to the rest of the system. By moving the pry-pivot, and thus the leverage, greater or less force can realized in addition to the variable weight of the various occupants. Making this point, or other points variable several objectives may be realized. One is that this can be a “factory setting” to custom adjust the control to the various seats and backs that it may be outfitted to, as well as variances in initial setup such as the variable inherent center of gravity of different seats and backs. Another anticipated variant is that the pry-pivot may be movable (or other points may be made variable) relative to the bearing point/surface in (lateral left to right movement in the figure(s)) in response to an input from the occupant. Such an input may be via a knob or lever so that the user may be able to tune or fine tune the system for proper resistance. Alternatively, the input may be the users weight or their position within the chair/seat/support structure. This is important as in initial prototypes, a given geometry responded well to altering the amount of resistance in a very linear way from occupants approximately 150 pounds to in excess of 300 pounds. However, resistance for (women in particular) below 150 pounds at generally 125 and below the linear change in resistance (from occupant weight change) resulted in too much resistance. And so it is anticipated that pry-pivot could be spring loaded, and/or located on an inclined plane or wedge etc. and thus be initially movable relative to the bearing surface etc. and effect an even greater change to the system than just a change in variable loaded weight. This could account and adjust for “outlier” situations or even when a person sits with their initial center of gravity in different positions relative to the rest of the system. Again, the pry-pivot and its associated bearing point/pivot point is but one of the points that could be variable.

FIG. 13 is predominantly similar to that of FIG. 12 however it is isolating and identifying the differences of the inventive approach with regard to back movement when an equivalent ergonomic hip pivot point is used in the two cases. Both of these figures show an equivalent correctly placed hip pivot point, identified as “kinematic pivot point of back”, but the illustration on the right shows the new trajectory with the introduction of the new “pry pivot point” rearward of the ergonomic “kinematic pivot point”.

FIG. 14 is predominantly the same as FIG. 13 with the introduction of the clock face analogy for further explanation/clarification.

FIG. 15 is substantially the same of that of 14 and 13 with the introduction of the new element “the carrier” 4.

FIG. 16 is substantially that of 14 and 13 with the introduction of the new element “a seat” 1.

Also of note is that the preservation of correct ergonomic kinematic motion and lifting results can be seen in FIGS. 12-16, showing the relative first and final positions of the various arrangements, new-the invention at hand, versus a conventional arrangement.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show a configuration that has; a seat-front only and back lift configuration. The rearward connecting link or arm that forms the/serves as the pry-point is nested into the layers so that only the main input shaft/kinematic pivot of need extend out of the control. This creates a clean aesthetic and reduced potential user “pinch points” for fingers etc. And so here too, the weight of a users back is fully accounted for throughout the motion as the back dos not drop as much, and some areas such as the kinematic pivot experience a net vertical rise. It should also be noted that the unique selection of pivot point locations here result in a 2:1 proportional control, though other proportions may be geometrically designed in if desired.

FIG. 19 is a side face view of an embodiment of what is termed in the industry as a “knee tilt” employing some of the inventive structures of this disclosure.

FIG. 20 is a side face view of an embodiment of what is termed in the industry as a “center tilt” employing some of the inventive structures of this disclosure.

Both of these figure illustrate how a known ergonomic kinematic control inventively has a vertical inducing mechanism such as a pry pivot introduced rearward, often rearward from the previously most rearward ergonomic pivot; and then additionally, a vertical guidance mechanism is added through links, generally vertical slides, and a carrier or the like, etc.to create a completely new device, structure and result.

Both of these figures also illustrate how moving the weight-adjusting kinematic pry pivot, 16, relative to the ergonomic kinematic pivot can further adjust the system in addition to the change of occupant “dead weight” to the system. This can be “fixed” into the design, however it is also anticipated that the position of the pry-pivot bearing point 16 could be spring loaded/biased and changed by the dead weight of the individual or by a lever. dial, knob, motor etc.

FIG. 21 is a top view of a complete chair assembly, incorporating one embodiment of the invention, “complete singular assembly” 24. In this case it is a four-legged chair that could be stackable in nature.

FIG. 22 is a trimetric view of the chair of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a side elevation of the chair depicted in FIGS. 21 and 22.

FIG. 24 is a detail area of the chair of FIGS. 21 through 23 taken from an area generally indicated by circle 23 in FIG. 22.

FIG. 25 is substantially a view similar to that of FIG. 22.

FIG. 26 is substantially a view similar to that of FIG. 25 but with the seating surface/seat pan removed for clarity.

FIG. 27 is a top view substantially similar to that of FIG. 21 provided here to help give overall context.

FIG. 28 is a close-up of a “complete singular assembly” 24. It is substantially similar to the detail of FIG. 24.

These views 21 through 28, and embodiments serve to show how the control can be utilized in a wide variety of seating applications. Specifically this is showing several things.

One is a decentralized design that can be used laterally on either side of the seating structure. Most commonly in the industry, a single control is used generally in the center of the seat and back. This shows a decentralized design and how it could accommodate seating of various widths, depths etc.. Additionally, cross brace elements may be incorporated to join the two lateral controls together. Alternatively, the seating members themselves, that which the user sits upon, such as the seat, the back may serve as structural joining/unifying elements. By having decentralized controls, designs not before possible may be realized, such as the use of sling or membrane support surfaces with a functional and visually slim profile as a center control would have to be placed down a much farther distance/closer to the floor as this is the area of greatest curvature of any seat and of deflection with regard to sling or membrane support surfaces.

And so very thin scaled units that could be utilized in stack chairs, lounge chairs, couches etc. and, designs and applications may be realized where proper advanced seating ergonomic motion was not previously possible.

FIG. 29 is a view substantially similar to that of FIG. 26.

FIG. 30 is a view substantially similar to that of FIG. 28, however in-line form adjacent, shows the control in a second position.

FIG. 31 is a view substantially similar to FIG. 27 but with the seating surface/seat pan removed for clarity and context.

FIG. 32 is a view substantially similar to that of FIG. 30 to give additional clarity and context.

Referring now to FIGS. 30-35. FIGS. 30-35 depict an embodiment where the control is comprised of links and a single slide in the front. Of note is that the pry-pivot of the back structure is a true pivot., whereas in other embodiments there is a sliding translation, which may even be oscillating in nature due to the arc(s) struck. Also of note is that there is a consolidation of the kinematic pivot slide of the seat support structure and the front link that is the lifting (generally parellelogramic) aspect. So one pivot rod/joint can perform both the functions of the pivot for the front pivot arm with the carrier and also the pivot slide function for the seat. Alternatively, the pivot slide can be moved (in one case directly up) so that it is only a function of the interaction between the seat support and the carrier. In this way, as in other embodiments, the carrier “carries” the following kinematic points,-the point (slide-pivot) common to the carrier and the seat support, and the point common to the kinematic pivot of the back. The kinematic tilt function is completed with point common to the seat and the back member. And also alternatively, the pry-pivot of the back and the front would solely make up the “lifting” aspect of the seat and the back.

Also of note is that in any embodiments, any of the pivot slide(s) may be replaced with a link, either consolidated with another link (lifting) or not/dedicated to the kinematic-seat-carrier-back relationships.

FIG. 36 is a 2D line drawing in trimetric showing the control in a second position.

FIG. 37 is a 3-D trimetric showing an embodiment of the control in a first position.

FIG. 38 is a plan view of FIG. 36.

FIG. 39 is a plan view of FIG. 37.

FIG. 40 is a top view of the control seen in FIGS. 36 through 39, as well as previous figures.

FIG. 41 is a front enlarged view of the control seen in FIG. 40.

Of note in FIGS. 40 and 41, the back member 2, and the link common to the base/carrier 5, are in line with each other in these views. And it is this link 5, that joins the carrier 4 to the base member 6, along with the back 2, having a pivot common to the base 10/30, which is also the pry-pivot bearing, and the back 2 also having a pivot common to the carrier 5, that thus creates another link, and it is these two links that create the parallelogram that the carrier travels generally vertically upon. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the link formed by the back, is generally equally sized as the link common to the base/carrier 5, and thus the carrier travels in a generally parallel fashion. However, it should be noted that other embodiments alter these relative ratios, thus yielding differeing kinematic, (both ergonomic and weight adjusting) results as desired by the designer/engineer/manufacturer. This is yet another degree of design freedom that these embodiments and structures enable.

Another structural feature to be observed this embodiment is that the pivot slide common to the seat and carrier 3/17, and the pivot common to the carrier 3 and joining link 5, have been combined. And this same point/element is used to bias the spring. As touched upon previously in this disclosure, this consolidation is not a necessity, as there are the two independent kinematics occurring separately but concurrently, i.e. the ergonomic kinemetics, and the weight adjusting kinematics. That said, this embodiment shows how elements may be shared for efficiency in both cost and space, while still marinating their respective independent functions.

FIG. 42 shows how linkages may be overlaid, for and aft, to achieve increased/decreased mechanical advantage/disadvantage necessary and yet save space, by a a linkage-directional reversal. In other words, by using stacked, progressive linkages), instead of the singular roller cam assembly 15, to achieve greater, or lesser leverage force multiples in a given space. This is analogous to using a stacked progressive gear set, instead of the singular gear 11, described in conjunction with rack 12 as seen in FIG. 2. Such a stacked progressive gear set is also anticipated to achieve ratios that would result in excessively large or excessively small single gear structures.

In some figures and embodiments, for example FIGS. 30 through 41, the rear link of the four bar lifting mechanism was defined and created by the main ergonomic pivot/Ergonomically correct Kinematic pivot of back 8, and the pry pivot 10. While this is an efficient use of pivots and materials, in some instances it is not ideal with regard to the “feel” of the seat mechansim due to the user feeling changes in center of gravity etc.

The problem can center on that the ergonomic back pivot 8, should be located at a point that approximates a users hip to preevent what is termed “shirt shear” and thus give proper ergonomic feel. The pry pivot needs to be located a given distance from from the ergonomic back-virtual hip pivot 8, to provide the appropriate leverage to lift the occupant, with not too much force and not too little force. (This distance could be in the range of 0.5″ to 12″ but in the preferred embodiments it is generally 2.25″.) Once this relationship is established, it then drives the front link geometry. For if the lifting component of the menchanism is to be a true parellelogram four bar linkage the front and rear links need to be equal. (Alternatively, the links can be unequal and thus alter the the resutant angle of the carrier and thus the action of the seating surfaces) That said, having the distance between the main back pivot/virtual hip pivot and the pry pivot define or dimensionally drive the front link can be limiting in some versions and/or embodiments.

Thus in another preferred ambodiment, rear link is made up of a seperate link and pry pivot and main back pivot/virtual do not form the rear link of the four bar lifting linkage mechanism but instead still act upon (lift) carrier or seat support if carrier is not present in an embodiment This can be accomplished in one of several ways, one anticipated is link the main pivot 8, to the carrier (or seat support in other embodiments) by way of a pin and generally horizontal slot arrangement.

Of note is that many of the embodiments of the present invention can still work kinematically even if the pry pivot and associated lifting enablers, slides, links, gears etc., are eliminated. These embodiments further define the separate and distinct linkages or structural arrangements and the resultant structural results that are enabled. In several of the preferred embodiments, an ergonomically correct kinematic linkage is created, and then a separate lifting means, links, slides, etc. is created, and a pry pivot is introduced (in some embodiments “rearward” of the last pivot of the, often in many embodiments, independently complete, ergonomically correct kinematic linkage) relative and interactive to the ergonomically correct kinematic linkage thus lifting the entire ergonomically correct kinematic linkage and associated cushions/support surfaces in their entirety.

In some embodiments it is found that at a point approximately 5 to 6 inches forward of the back of the seat the lift for proper weighing adjustments should be approximately 0.800.

Thus, improved devices and methods to adjust seating structures as well as structures and methods to adjust them to the various users that may occupy them has been disclosed.

Claims

1. A chair tilt control assembly to support a potential occupant, the assembly comprising: a) A first structure supported by the ground plane;b) a second structure generally having a front area generally near said potential occupants knees location and a rearward area distal to said front area, where said second structure is vertically translatable relative to said first structure;c) a third structure defining a support for a seat to support said potential occupant having a front area generally near said potential occupants knees and an area rearward of said front area,d) a first pivot coupled generally to said front areas of said second structure and said third structure,e) a fourth structure defining a support for a chair back for supporting a back of said potential occupant,f) a second pivot coupling said fourth back support structure to said vertically translatable second structure,g) a third pivot coupling said fourth structure to said third seat support structureh) and a pry pivot rearward of said first pivot, coupled to said fourth back support structure and said first structure;i) where when said fourth structure pivots, said second structure is translated vertically carrying said first pivot vertically.

2. The structure of claim 1, where the first pivot is a pivot slide.

3. The structure of claim 1, where said second structure is vertically translatable relative to said first structure by way of slides.

4. The structure of claim 1, where said second structure is vertically translatable relative to said first structure by way of links.

5. The structure of 1 further including a spring.

6. The structure of claim 1 where said pry pivot is a pivot-slide.

7. The structure of claim 1, where said chair tilt control exhibits a multitude of dwell positions.

8. The structure of claim 5 where said pry-pivot may be obviated, and the mechanism will still function as a chair tilt control assembly.

9. A chair tilt control assembly, the assembly comprising: a) A first base structure generally coupled to a ground plane;b) a second carrier structure vertically translatable relative to said first structure;c) a third seat support structure pivotally coupled to said second carrier structure;d) a fourth back support structure with a first pry-pivot commonly coupled to said first base structure, a second pivot commonly coupled to said second carrier structure and a third pivot commonly coupled to said third seat support structure,e) where when said fourth back structure pivots, said second structure is translated vertically carrying at least a portion of said third seat support structure vertically.

10. The structure of claim 9, where the first pivot is a pivot slide.

11. The structure of claim 9, where said second structure is vertically translatable relative to said first structure by way of slides.

12. The structure of claim 9, where said second structure is vertically translatable relative to said first structure by way of links.

13. The structure of 9, further including a spring.

14. The structure of claim 9, where said pry pivot is a pivot-slide.

15. The structure of claim 9 where said pry-pivot may be obviated, and the mechanism will still function as a chair tilt control.

16. A chair tilt control assembly to support a potential occupant, the assembly comprising: a) a first structure generally coupled to a ground plane;b) a second structure generally having a front area generally near said potential occupants knees location and a rearward area to said front area defining a back section, where said second structure is vertically translatable relative to said first structure;c) a third structure which is a commonly joined back and seat structure, or is able to support a commonly joined back and seat structure, where said third structure has a front area generally near an occupants knees and a rearward area to support a users buttocks and has a first pivot of said chair tilt control assembly coupled generally to said front area of said second structure and has rearward of said first pivot a second pry-pivot associated with said third structure and said first structure;

17. The structure of claim 16, where said second structure is vertically translatable relative to said first structure by way of slides.

18. The structure of claim 16, where said second structure is vertically translatable relative to said first structure by way of links.

19. The structure of claim 16, where said pry pivot is a pivot-slide.

20. The structure of 16, further including a spring where said pry-pivot may be obviated, and the mechanism will still function as a chair tilt control.