Patent Application
20240341477
The present disclosure relates to furniture, more specifically, to chairs which recline from an upright position to a fully reclined position.
Shoppers for home furnishing have traditionally been provided with three principal options when in search of upholstered seating. The first type is stationary seating. Stationary chairs have been known for centuries and have been designed in a vast array of styles to meet the owner's preferred aesthetic. Stationary chairs, however, often do not meet more modern desires for comfort when used continuously for a long period of time.
The second and third types of upholstered chairs, gliders, and recliners respectively, may be combined into the category of motion seating, which is seating designed to be capable of achieving at least two distinct positions. Gliders, which can include rocking chairs, are designed to receive the user, and are capable of forward and backward oscillating motion. Typically, the angle between the seat cushion and the back cushion is fixed in a glider or rocker style chair. Rocking motion has been shown to provide several physical and mental health benefits, including increased balance, improved muscle tone, and pain management/reduction. Rocking is also well-known to help sooth colic in babies.
Reclining furniture, on the other hand, is able to adjust the angle between the seat cushion and the back cushion to allow the user to assume a reclined position, often with the assistance of a footrest extending from below a recliner style chair. Reclining reduces the load on the spine and surrounding musculature. This enables the human back to rest, invoking general physical and mental relaxation.
Compared to stationary furniture, motion furniture introduces more complexity and cost to the manufacture of seating. Traditionally, motion furniture utilizes a system of linkage to achieve motion of the seat cushion and the back cushion. The more adjustable and the more motion of the seating, for example rocking and reclining, the more complex the linkage system. The linkages can be difficult and costly to design and manufacture, ultimately increasing the cost of motion furniture to shoppers.
There is a desire to create motion furniture, particularly an upholstered chair for furnishing a home or hospitality environment, without the need for complex and expensive linkages.
This disclosure relates generally to reclining chairs configured to move between an upright position and a fully reclined position. Specifically, the reclining chairs disclosed herein move between the upright and the fully reclined positions without the use of complex linkage systems. For example, movement of a reclining chair may consist of a combination of a single pivot connection with the frame, a pivot or rotary connection between the seat and the backrest, and a sliding track between the seat and the frame.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a reclining chair includes a backrest, a seat, and a frame. The backrest includes a top rail, a bottom rail, and a pair of backrest side rails extending between the top rail and the bottom rail. The backrest also includes a pivot pin that extends outward from each of the backrest side rails. The seat includes a front rail a real rail, and a pair of seat side rails extending outward from each of the backrest side rails. The seat also includes a slide extending outward from each of the seat side rail. The seat rotatably couples to the bottom rail of the backrest to define a floating axis between the seat and the backrest. The frame includes a pair of opposing panels. Each of the panels defines a track. Each slide of the seat is slidingly received in a respective track of the frame. Each pivot pin of the backrest pivotally couples to a respective panel of the frame to define a fixed axis between the backrest and the frame. The fixed axis is fixed relative to the frame and the floating axis is moveable relative to the frame.
In embodiments, the seat and the backrest rotate relative to one another about the floating axis in a single degree of freedom. The slides extending from each of the seat side rails may form a single pair of slides. The seat may couple to the frame by the single pair of slides. The seat may move relative to the frame in two degrees of freedom.
In some embodiments, the floating axis moves in an arc relative to the frame as the backrest pivots about the fixed axis between an upright position and a fully reclined position. The arc may be centered at the fixed axis. The track may guide the seat forward and upward as the floating axis moves forward. The track may be an arcuate track.
In certain embodiments, the reclining chair includes a base and a chassis. The chassis may attach to each panel of the frame. The base may attach to the chassis. The base may define a swivel axis and the chassis may attach the frame to the base such that the frame can rotate about the swivel axis.
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a reclining chair has an upright position and a fully reclined position. The reclining chair includes a backrest, a seat, and a frame. The backrest pivotally couples to the frame about a fixed axis. The seat slidingly couples to the frame. The backrest and the seat rotatably couple together about a floating axis. As the reclining chair moves between the upright position to the fully reclined position the backrest urges the seat forward and upwards relative to the frame.
In embodiments, the backrest moves relative to the frame in a single degree of freedom. The seat may move relative to the frame in two degrees of freedom. The fixed axis may be fixed relative to frame and the floating axis may be moveable relative to the frame.
In some embodiments, the seat defines a seat axis such that moving the reclining chair from the upright position to the fully reclined position translates the seat axis and revolves the seat about the seat axis. The frame may define a track including a first end and a second end. The track may be configured to limit the movement of the reclining chair between the upright position and the fully reclined position. When the reclining chair is in the upright position the seat axis is within the track and adjacent to the first end of the track. When the reclining chair is in the fully reclined position the seat axis is within the track adjacent to the second end of the track. The track may be configured to guide the seat forward and upward as the reclining chair moves from the upright position to the fully reclined position. The track may be an arcuate track.
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the reclining chair has an upright position and a fully reclined position. The reclining chair includes a backrest, a seat, and a frame. The backrest includes a top rail, a bottom rail, and a pair of backrest side rails extending between the top rail and the bottom rail. The backrest also includes a pivot pin that extends outward from each of the backrest side rails. The seat includes a front rail, a rear rail, and a pair of seat side rails extending between the from rail and the rear rail. The seat also includes a slide extending outward from each of the seat side rails. The rear rail of the seat rotatably couples to the bottom rail of the backrest to define a floating axis between the seat and the backrest. The frame includes a pair of opposing panels. Each of the panels defines a track. Each slide of the seat is slidingly received in a respective track of the frame. Each pivot pin of the backrest pivotally couples to a respective panel of the frame to define a fixed axis between the backrest and the frame. The fixed axis is fixed relative to the frame and the floating axis is moveable relative to the frame. As the reclining chair moves from the upright from the upright position to the fully reclined position, the backrest urges the seat forward and upward relative to the frame.
In embodiments, the backrest couples to the frame only by pivot pins extending therefrom, and the seat couples to the frame only by the slides extending therefrom. The backrest may move relative to the frame with a single degree of freedom, and the seat may move relative to the frame with two degrees of freedom.
Further, to the extent consistent, any of the embodiments or aspects described herein may be used in conjunction with any or all of the other embodiments or aspects described herein.
Various aspects of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, wherein:
The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to example embodiments thereof with reference to the drawings in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. These example embodiments are described so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Features from one embodiment or aspect can be combined with features from any other embodiment or aspect in any appropriate combination. For example, any individual or collective features of method aspects or embodiments can be applied to apparatus, product, or component aspects or embodiments and vice versa. The disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” “the,” and the like include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, while reference may be made herein to quantitative measures, values, geometric relationships or the like, unless otherwise stated, any one or more if not all of these may be absolute or approximate to account for acceptable variations that may occur, such as those due to manufacturing or engineering tolerances or the like.
Referring to
The backrest 20 and the seat 40 attach to the frame 60 and are moveable relative to the frame 60. The backrest 20 is pivotally coupled to the frame 60 about a fixed axis X-X and the seat 40 is coupled to the frame 60 about a seat axis S-S such that the seat 40 may revolve about the seat axis S-S relative to the frame 60. In addition, the backrest 20 and the seat 40 are rotatably coupled to one another about a floating axis F-F.
Referring now to
Between the upright position and the fully reclined position of the reclining chair 10, the seat 40 may revolve relative to the frame 60 about the seat axis S-S. The seat axis S-S may translate relative to frame 60 along a translation path defined by the frame 60. The seat 40 may move relative to the frame 60 with two degrees of freedom relative to the frame 60. For example, the seat 40 may translate relative to the frame 60 along the translation path followed by the seat axis S-S and the seat 40 may revolve relative to the frame 60 about the seat axis S-S.
The frame 60 defines a track 150 that constrains the translation of the seat axis S-S such that the track 150 defines the translation path followed by the seat axis S-S. The track 150 includes a first end 152 and a second end 154. In the upright position, the seat axis S-S is positioned within the track 150 adjacent the first end 152 thereof. In the fully reclined position, the seat axis S-S is positioned within the track 150 adjacent the second end 154 thereof.
The backrest 20 and the seat 40 are coupled to one another about the floating axis F-F such that the seat 40 rotates relative to the backrest 20 about the floating axis F-F. The floating axis F-F moves relative to the frame 60 in an arc centered at the fixed axis X-X in response to the backrest 20 pivoting about the fixed axis X-X.
Continuing to refer to
With reference to
The seat 40 includes a front rail 42, a rear rail 44, and a pair of seat side rails 46. The seat side rails 46 extend between the front rail 42 and the rear rail 44, connecting the front rail 42 and the rear rail 44 and define a seat plane therewith. Each seat side rail 46 includes a slide 50 extending therefrom, each slide 50 is configured to slidingly couple the seat to the frame 60. The slides 50 define the seat axis S-S. The seat 40 may revolve about the seat axis S-S as the seat 40 moves between the upright position and the fully reclined position. The seat axis S-S translates relative the frame 60 as the seat 40 moves between the upright position and the fully reclined position.
With additional reference to
The backrest 20 couples to the panels 62 by the pivot pins 30. The pivot pins are received in the fixed joints 130 such that the backrest 20 pivots about the fixed axis X-X relative to the frame 60. The pivot pins 30 and the fixed joints 130 may selectively assemble and disassemble. Each pivot pin 30 has a first diameter D1 and may include a flat 32. The flat 32 lessens the first diameter D1 of the pivot pin 30 along one side of the pivot pin 30 and defines a second, reduced diameter D2. The flat 32 and the resulting second diameter D2 allow the backrest 20 to selectively assemble with each fixed joint 130. The fixed joint 130 may be in the form of a fork with two tines 134 spaced apart from one another to define a passage 136 therebetween. The tines 134 of the fixed joint 130 are sized and shaped to receive and retain the pivot pin 30 in a receiver 132 thereof. The first diameter D1 of the pivot pin 30 may be greater than the width of the passage 136 such that the pivot pin 30 may not be received or withdrawn from the fixed joint 130. The second diameter D2 may be less than the width of the passage 136 such that the pivot pin 30 may be received or withdrawn from the fixed joint 130.
In selectively assembling the backrest 20 with fixed joints 130, the backrest 20 may be rotated such that the flat 32, and the reduced second diameter D2, of each pivot pin 30 aligns with the passage 136 of each fixed joint 130. Aligning each flat 32 with each passage 136 aligns the reduced, second diameter D2 of each pivot pin 30 such that each pivot pin 30 may be received within the fixed joint 130. With each pivot pin 30 received in a respective fixed joint 130, the backrest 20 may pivot relative to the frame 60 such that the flat 32 is substantially perpendicular to the one of the tines 134 defining the passage 136 of each fixed joint 130. With the flat 32 substantially perpendicular to one of the tines 134, the first diameter D1 of the pivot pins 30 engages the receiver 132 and prevents the pivot pins 30 from withdrawing through the passage 136. Once the backrest 20 pivotally couples to the seat 40, the flat 32 remains substantially perpendicular to one of the tines 134 during movement of the reclining chair 10 between the upright position and the fully reclined position.
Referring to
Referring back to
The reclining chair 10 may include cushions or padding attached to the backrest 20 and the seat 40. The cushions or padding may be provided for the comfort of a user. The cushions or padding may be covered by upholstery such as fabric, leather, or other suitable covering for interior or exterior use. The cushions and/or the upholstery may protect the backrest, seat, frame, base, or chassis from an environment surrounding the reclining chair 10. For example, the upholstery may protect moving parts from dust and debris.
In some embodiments, the reclining chair 10 may include a base 12 or a chassis 14. The chassis 14 may attach to the frame 60. The chassis 14 may attach to each panel 62 of the pair of panels 62 of the frame 60 at a respective end of the chassis 14 with a suitable fastener, for example screws or bolts. The chassis 14 may attach to the frame 60 prior to the attachment of the backrest 20 or the seat 40 to the frame 60, as described above. Once the chassis 14 is attached to the frame 60, the chassis 14 may attach to the base 12 about the swivel axis W-W such that the frame 60 may swivel or rotate about the swivel axis W-W. With the chassis 14 and the frame 60 attached to the base 12, the backrest 20 and the seat 40 may attach to the frame 60 as described above.
Referring to the reclining chair 10 of
The method includes pivotally coupling the backrest 20 to the frame 60. The backrest 20 may pivot about the fixed axis X-X to align the reduced, second diameter D2 of each pivot pin 30 with one of the tines 134 of each fixed joint 130. With the second diameter D2 aligned with one of the tines 134, each pivot pin 30 passes through the passage 136 and into the receiver 132 of the respective fixed joint 130. The backrest 20 may pivot about fixed axis X-X with each pivot pin 30 within the receiver 134 of a respective fixed joint 130 such that the first diameter D1 resists withdrawal of the pivot pin 30 from the fixed joint 130.
The method includes rotatably coupling the backrest 20 and the seat 40 to one another about the floating axis F-F. The backrest 20 couples to the seat 40 at or adjacent the bottom rail 24 and the seat 40 couples to the backrest 20 at or adjacent the rear rail 44. The backrest 20 and seat 40 may be rotatably coupled by a pair of pins and/or bolts. The pair of pins and/or bolts may define the floating axis F-F. In some embodiments, the backrest 20 and the seat 40 may be rotatably coupled by a single pin and/or bolt that extends along a portion of the bottom rail 24 and the rear rail 44. In some embodiments, the pin and/or bolt may be in single shear. In some embodiments, the pin and/or bolt may be in double shear.
The method is complete when the seat 40 is slidingly attached to the frame 60, the backrest 20 is pivotally attached to the frame 60, and the backrest 20 and the seat 40 are rotatably attached to one another such that the reclining chair 10 may move between the upright position and the fully reclined position. The steps of the method may be completed in the order detailed above or in any suitable order. For example, the backrest may be attached to the frame before or after the seat is attached to the frame and the backrest may be coupled to the seat before or after the backrest is attached to the frame.
While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in the drawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Any combination of the above embodiments is also envisioned and is within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope of the claims appended hereto.
