FIELD
The subject disclosure relates to furniture, and more particularly, to a multiple sitting position chair.
BACKGROUND
Chairs generally have static elements. Conventional chairs generally have only one sitting position, with no real adjustment capabilities other than to raise and lower the height of the seat or control lumbar support. However, the person sits in the same general position even with adjustments to these features. Sitting in the same positions for extended periods of time negatively impacts each person's comfort and performance.
SUMMARY
In one aspect of the disclosure, a reconfigurable chair is disclosed. The reconfigurable chair includes a base and a support housing coupled to the base. A first seat is coupled to the support housing. A post is coupled to the support housing. A first hinge is coupled to the support housing and to a bottom end of the post. A backrest is coupled to a top end of the post via a second hinge. The backrest is configured to slide vertically relative to the base. The backrest is configured to rotate backward and away from the seat, via the first hinge. In addition, the backrest is configured to rotate around the second hinge from a first, upright position, into a second, flat position as a second seat.
In another aspect, a reconfigurable chair is disclosed which includes a base and a plurality of seat surfaces. The plurality of seat surfaces include: a first seat surface coupled to the base. The first seat surface is positioned parallel to a ground surface. A second seat surface is coupled to a rear side of the first seat surface. The second seat surface is positioned parallel with the first seat surface.
It is understood that other configurations of the subject technology will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein various configurations of the subject technology are shown and described by way of illustration. As will be realized, the subject technology is capable of other and different configurations and its several details are capable of modification in various other respects, all without departing from the scope of the subject technology. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front view of a reconfigurable chair in accordance with an aspect of the subject technology showing a hinge feature for lateral wing portions of the chair.
FIG. 2 is a left side view of the chair of FIG. 1 showing elements for adjusting a height of the back rest in accordance with embodiments.
FIG. 3 is a left side view of the chair of FIG. 1 showing elements for tilting a back rest in accordance with embodiments.
FIG. 4 is a left side view of the chair of FIG. 1 showing elements for rotating the back rest in accordance with embodiments.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged, partial side view of the back rest of FIG. 4 according to an embodiment.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged, internal, side view of an adjustment and locking mechanism for the back rest of FIG. 5, in a locked position, in accordance with embodiments.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged, internal, side view of an adjustment and locking mechanism for the back rest of FIG. 5, in an unlocked position, in accordance with embodiments.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged, partial front view of a right side lateral rest pad according to embodiments.
FIG. 9 is an enlarged, internal, front view of an adjustment and locking mechanism for the lateral rest pad of FIG. 8, in a locked position, in accordance with embodiments.
FIG. 10 is an enlarged, internal, front view of an adjustment and locking mechanism for the lateral rest pad of FIG. 8, in an unlocked position, in accordance with embodiments.
FIG. 11 is a partial, perspective, right side view of the chair of FIG. 1 showing elements for tilting a back rest in accordance with embodiments according to embodiments.
FIG. 12 is a right side view of internal elements in FIG. 11, for adjusting the tilt of the chair, when the chair is in a tilted position, according to an embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a right side view of internal elements in FIG. 11, for adjusting the tilt of the chair, when the chair is in a default or un-tilted position, according to an embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a front view of a reconfigurable chair in accordance with another embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a left side view of the chair of FIG. 14 showing elements for adjusting a height of the back rest in accordance with embodiments.
FIG. 16 is a left side view of the chair of FIG. 14 showing elements for tilting a back rest in accordance with embodiments.
FIG. 17 is a left side view of the chair of FIG. 14 showing elements for rotating the back rest in accordance with embodiments.
FIG. 18 is an enlarged, partial side view of the back rest of FIG. 17 according to an embodiment.
FIG. 19 is an enlarged, internal, side view of an adjustment and locking mechanism for the back rest of FIG. 18, in a locked position, in accordance with embodiments.
FIG. 20 is an enlarged, internal front view of a right side lateral rest pad in an upright position according to embodiments.
FIG. 21 is an enlarged, internal, front view of the lateral rest pad of FIG. 20, in a flat position, in accordance with embodiments.
FIG. 22 is a partial side view of the chair of FIG. 14, depicting an internal adjustment system for tilting a backrest, in accordance with embodiments.
FIG. 23 is a partial, internal side view of an adjustment mechanism for a backrest, tilted back, in accordance with embodiments.
FIG. 24 is a partial, internal side view of the adjustment mechanism of FIG. 23, tilted forward, in accordance with embodiments.
FIG. 25 is a side view of the chair of FIG. 14, showing an internal view of a height adjustment mechanism for a backrest, in a default, retracted state, according to an embodiment.
FIG. 26 is a side view of the chair of FIG. 25, with the height adjustment mechanism in an extended state, according to an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of various configurations of the subject technology and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the subject technology may be practiced. The appended drawings are incorporated herein and constitute a part of the detailed description. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the subject technology. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the subject technology may be practiced without these specific details. Like or similar components are labeled with identical element numbers for ease of understanding.
In general, and referring to the Figures, exemplary embodiments of the subject technology comprise a reconfigurable chair, which includes aspects that provide multiple sitting positions for the user. As will be appreciated, features of the subject chair provide various modes of comfort for users. Users may enjoy sitting in different positions rather than a static position that is restricted by the design of conventional chairs. More than ten different sitting and resting positions become available through repositioning of the elements of the chair. Thus, the user is no longer restricted to the conventional feet on the ground and back against the backrest position.
As shown in FIGS. 1-13, a reconfigurable chair 100 is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. The reconfigurable chair 100 generally includes a base 110, a central seat 140, a back rest 150, and a pair of side mounted rests 160a and 160b (referred to generally sometimes as “the side mounted rests 160” or “rests 160”), according to an exemplary embodiment. One or more of the seat 140, the backrest 150, and/or side mounted rests 160 may include a padding or cushion 105. In some embodiments, the top surface of the seat 140 may include a curve or contour that gradually rises from the seat's center to the seat edges. Some embodiments may include a telescoping post 120 connecting the base 110 to the seat 140. Embodiments may include a support frame housing 130 for holding the seat 140 and the side mounted rests 160. The seat 140 may be supported by a central frame support 132. In an exemplary embodiment, the backrest 150 and rests 160 have rotatable features which open up new positions for sitting/resting in a single chair that is unavailable in other chairs.
Referring to FIGS. 1-7, the reconfigurable chair 100 is shown with features that make the backrest 150 adjustable into various configurations that a user will find convenient for different modes of sitting and resting.
FIG. 2 shows an embodiment with features that permit height adjustment of the backrest 150. Embodiments may generally include a post 156 supporting the backrest 150. Height adjustment of the backrest 150 may occur along the line of the post 156. The backrest 150 may include an upper housing 152, to which the post 156 is attached. The housing 152 may be enclosed or have an open back or top (for example, as in a clamp). In enclosed housing embodiments, the height of the housing 152 may define the range of height adjustment. In some embodiments, the housing 152 together with the post 156 slide down through the lower support frame 157 (which may be an enclosure or partially open housing such as a bracket). The lower support frame 157 is connected to support frame housing 130. A trigger or action button 151 may be positioned on the post 156. Operation of the trigger button 151 may actuate movement of the post 156 to move up and down (by a spring, set screw release, or other locking mechanism).
Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 11-13, an embodiment of the reconfigurable chair 100 with a tilt adjustment feature is shown. In some embodiments, the post 156 may tilt forward or backward within the support frame housing 130 by control of an action handle 137. FIGS. 11-13 show the internal features within the support frame housing 130 that are connected to the action handle 137. Embodiments may include a support frame 157 that holds the bottom end of the post 156. The support frame 157 may be connected to a hinge 175, which in turn may be connected to an end of a gas piston 178 (housed with piston casing 177). Actuating the handle 137 operates the gas piston 178 to extend or retract. Support frame 157 rotates around hinge 135. Hinge 135 is the rotation center for the tilting mechanism. Some embodiments include hinge 175 as a secondary pivot point that translates the linear motion of gas piston 178 into rotational motion of the support frame 157. An example range of rotation for tilting of the backrest 150 is shown in FIG. 3.
Referring now to FIGS. 4-7, features providing a rotatable backrest 150 are shown according to an exemplary embodiment. It will be appreciated that the backrest 150 may be rotated from a default upright position (against which a user may support their back or in some configurations of the reconfigurable chair 100, their side), to a flat (horizontal with respect to the underlying floor or parallel to the seat 140) position. FIG. 4 shows the default position in broken lines (which is the same position shown in FIGS. 1-3). In solid lines, the backrest 150 is depicted having been rotated into the flat position. The upper housing 152 may include a hinge 155. When the user wishes to rotate the backrest 150, the user may grasp a handle 154, and releases a lock pin 153 which secures the position of the backrest 150 into place. The handle 154 may be pulled to rotate the backrest 150 around the axis defined by the hinge 155 until the front surface of the backrest 150 is facing upward. FIGS. 5-7 show the internal elements of the housing 152 which control the rotation of the backrest 150.
In some embodiments, the handle 154 may be connected to the lock pin 153 by a sliding (or push/pull) cam 158. Some embodiments may include a flat spring 159 connecting one end of the sliding cam 158 to the lock pin 153. The lock pin 153 may travel within a slot 149 of the housing 152. When the user pulls on the handle 154, the sliding cam 158 pulls on the spring 159. The end of the spring 159 connected to the lock pin 153 pulls the lock pin 153 within the slot 149 to release from engagement with the post 156. The backrest 150 may then rotate around the axis of hinge 155. In some embodiments, the backrest 150 may be rotated into multiple positions between upright and fully flat within, for example, the range shown in FIG. 4.
It will be appreciated that rotation of the backrest 150 provides an unexpected new configuration for sitting and resting. The features connected to the backrest 150 provide sufficient strength for supporting the weight of a person. In the flat position, the user may sit on the backrest 150 for an elevated seating position. In another exemplary use, the backrest 150 may be used as an arm rest or support for a device when the user sits sideways on the seat 140 or on one of the side mounted rests 160 (discussed further below). The user may also sit backwards on the seat 140 making the backrest 150 in the flat state, a support for their arms or other object. In addition, by making the range of rotation for the backrest 150 adjustable, the backrest 150 may be converted into various positions of use and comfort. For example, in one application, by adjusting the height of the backrest 150, the tilt angle, and the magnitude of rotation, the back rest 150 may become another type of support including for example, a head rest of various tilted positions. Accordingly, a variety of new seating/resting alternatives to sitting on the center of a chair becomes available to end users.
Referring now to FIGS. 1-4 and 8-10, features providing rotatable side mounted rests 160 are shown according to an exemplary embodiment. The side mounted rests 160 of the subject chair 100 generate additional new configurations for sitting and resting. FIG. 1 shows a front view of the reconfigurable chair 100 in an embodiment that includes a pair of side mounted rests 160a (left side from the perspective of the viewer) and 160b (right side from the perspective of the viewer). FIGS. 8-10 show an enlarged view of a single, side mounted rest 160b. For sake of illustration the details of side mounted rest are not shown enlarged, but it will be understood that in embodiments, the features of side mounted rest 160a mirror the features of side mounted rest 160b. Accordingly, the side mounted rest 160b will be referred to generally or interchangeably as the “side mounted rest 160”.
In some embodiments, an inside edge of the side mounted rest 160 may be coupled to an outside edge of the seat 140. For example, the side mounted rest may be supported by a lateral frame support 165b. The lateral frame support 165b may be connected to the central frame support 132. In an exemplary embodiment, a hinge 161 connects the lateral frame support 165b to the central frame support 132. The hinge 165b defines an axis of rotation for moving the side mounted rest 160 from a default, generally flat position, to an upright position.
The generally flat position is shown in FIG. 1. The flat position is defined as the bottom surface of the side mounted rest 160 (for example, a top surface of the lateral frame support 165b) being at an obtuse angle from the bottom surface of the seat 140 (for example, a top surface of the central frame support 132). In an exemplary embodiment, the side mounted rest 160 may not necessarily be completely parallel to the ground. For example, in some embodiments, the side mounted rests may be aligned with or follow a slope that originated from the seat 140 and gradually rises from the connection of the side mounted rest 160 to the seat 140 and continues to slope upward to the outer edge of the side mounted rest 160. See FIG. 1. The slope may be defined by the configuration of the underlying central frame support 132 and lateral frame support 165b. As will be appreciated, the contour or slope of the side mounted rest 160 adds to comfort and ergonomics for the user when the user is supported by the side mounted rest 160. In embodiments with a pair of side mounted rests 160, a user may lay across the span of the side mounted rests 160 and seat 140.
The generally upright position is shown in broken lines in FIG. 1 and in solid lines in FIG. 8. In the upright position (or any position between flat and upright), the side mounted rest may provide back support for the user as an alternative to the backrest 150. In some embodiments, the lateral frame support 165b may include on its distal edge, a handle 163.
The range of rotation between flat and upright may be controlled by the user so that intermediate positions of rotation for the side mounted rest 160 are possible. The position of the side mounted rest 160 may be controlled by actuation of a lock pin 167 in the lateral frame support 165b. The internal elements within the lateral frame support 165b are shown in FIGS. 9-10 according to an exemplary embodiment. The handle 163 may be connected to the lock pin 167 through a sliding cam (or push/pull) 164. The cam 164 may be connected to a flat spring 166 which may be connected to the lock pin 167. Pulling on the handle 163 may actuate the cam spring 166 to move within the cam 164, disengaging the lock pin from a locked position into an unlocked position, freeing the lateral frame support 165b to rotate around the axis of the hinge 161.
Referring temporarily back to FIGS. 1, 2, and 12, it can be seen that the reconfigurable chair 100 has hinges (135, 155, and 161) arranged along different axes. The hinge 161 is positioned to rotate around an axis that points from the front of the chair to the rear of the chair. The hinges 155 and 135 are positioned to rotate around axes that point from a left side of the chair to the right side of the chair or vice versa. Relative to each other, the axis for hinge 161 may be transverse to the axis for hinge 155 and may be transverse to the axis for hinge 135. The axis for hinge 155 may be parallel to the axis for hinge 135.
FIGS. 14-26 show a reconfigurable chair 200 similar to the reconfigurable chair 100 except that some of the adjustment features are replaced with gas piston elements for better precision in providing the end user with a controlled level of adjustment. The previous enumerated elements described will not be repeated and are structurally and operationally the same as disclosed in FIGS. 1-13 unless otherwise noted.
FIGS. 14-17 and 20-22 show an embodiment that includes a piston operated adjustment for the side mounted rests 160. Some embodiments may include a push handle 207 positioned proximate an edge of each side mounted rest 160. The push handle 207 may be located on an underside of the side mounted rest 160 for ease of operation by the end user who may find it easier to grasp the edge of the side mounted rest 160 and depress the push handle 207 where the user's fingertips naturally grab onto the rest 160. Referring particularly now to FIGS. 20 and 21 which show the internal elements of the adjustment mechanism for the side mounted rests 160, by depressing the push handle 207, a gas piston lever action mechanism 211 coupled to the push handle 207 actuates a gas piston 215. The gas piston 215 may be in a locked state as its default setting. When the end user wants the side mounted rest 160 to raise or lower, the gas piston 215 releases in its cartridge (for example, by slightly extending) in response to the push handle 207 being depressed to allow for rotation around a gas piston axis 217. Letting go of the push handle 207 releases the gas piston 215 (which may cause the gas piston to retract back to its default position), securing the side mounted rest in the position desired by the end user. As may be appreciated, the gas piston 215 provides the end user with an infinite number of user-controlled positions to set the side mounted rests 160 within the range of motion.
FIGS. 15, 16, 25, and 26 show an embodiment of the reconfigurable chair 200 that provides user-controlled adjustment of the height for the backrest 150. In the chair 200, the post 156 may be fixed to the backrest 150. The height adjustment of the backrest 150 may be performed by lifting a flip lock 250 up to unlock a damper system 255 housed inside the post 156. The damper system 255 supports the weight of the backrest 150 when maneuvering the backrest and post 156 up and down the support frame 157. The damper system 255 resists backsliding of the backrest 150 downward and helps the user adjust the height of the backrest 150 very easily by pushing the backrest 150 up or down when the flip lock 250 is released. When the backrest 150 is at the desired height, the flip lock 250 may be closed to lock the post 156 to the support frame 157 and prevent the damper system 255 from moving along the support frame 157. Some embodiments may include a plastic cover 251 at the back of the chair (for example, surrounding the rear of the frame support 132), to prevent potential injury.
Referring now to FIGS. 18 and 19, a rotation adjustment system for the backrest 150 is shown according to another embodiment. The rotation adjustment system for the backrest 150 may include a gas piston 275 coupled to a trigger 272 (which may be for example, a pull handle). In an embodiment, a cable 273 connects the trigger 272 to an actuator 274 on an end of the gas piston 275. Activating the trigger 272 controllably releases the actuator 274 so that the gas piston 275 controllably unlocks and locks a gas piston hinge 276 in rotation. When the end user operates the trigger 272, the gas piston 275 allows backrest 150 to rotate around the piston hinge 276 until the trigger 272 is released, which causes the gas piston 275 to lock, securing the piston hinge 276 from further rotation. As such, the user may rotate the backrest 150 into an infinite number of positions within the range of rotation of the backrest 150 (for example, as shown in FIG. 17).
Those of skill in the art would appreciate that various components may be arranged differently (e.g., arranged in a different order, or partitioned in a different way) all without departing from the scope of the subject technology.
The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. The previous description provides various examples of the subject technology, and the subject technology is not limited to these examples. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. Pronouns in the masculine (e.g., his) include the feminine and neuter gender (e.g., her and its) and vice versa. Headings and subheadings, if any, are used for convenience only and do not limit the invention.
Terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “above,” “below” and the like as used in this disclosure should be understood as referring to an arbitrary frame of reference, rather than to the ordinary gravitational frame of reference. Thus, a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, and a rear surface may extend upwardly, downwardly, diagonally, or horizontally in a gravitational frame of reference. Similarly, an item disposed above another item may be located above or below the other item along a vertical, horizontal or diagonal direction; and an item disposed below another item may be located below or above the other item along a vertical, horizontal or diagonal direction.
A phrase such as an “aspect” does not imply that such aspect is essential to the subject technology or that such aspect applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to an aspect may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. An aspect may provide one or more examples. A phrase such as an aspect may refer to one or more aspects and vice versa. A phrase such as an “embodiment” does not imply that such embodiment is essential to the subject technology or that such embodiment applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to an embodiment may apply to all embodiments, or one or more embodiments. An embodiment may provide one or more examples. A phrase such an embodiment may refer to one or more embodiments and vice versa. A phrase such as a “configuration” does not imply that such configuration is essential to the subject technology or that such configuration applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to a configuration may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A configuration may provide one or more examples. A phrase such a configuration may refer to one or more configurations and vice versa.
The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example or illustration.” Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs.
All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or, in the case of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase “step for.” Furthermore, to the extent that the term “include,” “have,” or the like is used in the description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprise” as “comprise” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
Patent Application
20230329440
