Patent Application
20180206642
The present invention generally relates to chairs, and more particularly relates to zero gravity lounge chair systems and methods.
A variety of chairs are available. Conventional chairs may include fixed seating or lounge type operations. Recliners are common in which the seated occupant may recline the back of the chair and raise a leg support. These recliners are typically manually operated through levers, cams, pinions, and/or pivot pins.
A particular type of reclining chair is a zero gravity chair. In a zero gravity chair, the back reclines and the legs are raised by the chair. Conventional zero gravity chairs have employed cams and pivot point elements for the back and leg support. The conventional zero gravity chairs have been limited in that they employ complex mechanisms for recline and leg support functions. Moreover, the conventional zero gravity chairs have been cumbersome and weighty.
It would therefore be desirable, and a significant improvement in the art and technology, to provide zero gravity chaise chair systems and methods that overcome these deficiencies and provide unique features and operations.
An embodiment of the invention is a device for seating. The device includes a seat frame, a first bow connected to the seat frame, a second bow connected to the seat frame, a first guide slidingly connected to the first bow, a second guide slidingly connected to the second bow, and a base connected to the first guide and the second guide.
Another embodiment of the invention is a method of manufacture of a device. The method of manufacture includes providing a seat frame, providing a first bow connected to the seat frame, providing a second bow connected to the seat frame, providing a first guide slidingly connected to the first bow, providing a second guide slidingly connected to the second bow, and providing a base connected to the first guide and the second guide.
Yet another embodiment of the invention is a zero gravity chair. The chair includes a seat frame providing a head rest, a back, a bottom and a leg rest, a first bow member connected to one side of the seat frame, a second bow member connected to the other side of the seat frame, a first rolling guide connected to the first bow, a second rolling guide connected to the second bow, and a base connected to the first rolling guide and the second rolling guide.
The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the accompanying figures, in which like references indicate similar elements, and in which:
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The base 102 includes a left leg 116a and a right leg 116b connected by cross support members 118a,b. The base 102 is connected to or forms the one or more roller, such as, for example, an upper roller 108b and lower rollers 108a,c of the left leg 116a and an upper roller 110b and lower rollers 110a,c of the right leg 116b. The seat frame 104 forms or is connected to the opposing left and right bow members 106a, 106b. The left and right bow members 106a, 106b, respectively, are slidably engaged to rollers 108a-c and 110a-c, respectively, of each of the legs 116a,b, respectively. The left bow 106a is engaged to lower rollers 108a,c and upper roller 108b, and the right bow 106b is engaged to lower rollers 110a,c and upper roller 110b.
A table arm 120 is rotatably connected to the left bow 106a, for example, at about the intersection of the back 114b and the bottom 114c. The table arm 120 is connected to a table 122. The table 122 is rotatably positionable with respect to the table arm 120. The table arm 120 and table 122 may be raised and located in place during use, or else stowed alongside and beneath the seat frame 104 when not in use.
A brake 124 is connected to the base 112 for engaging one or more of the rollers, such as the roller 108c beneath the left bow 106a. The brake 124 is selectively engageable and disengageable, to respectively restrict and allow sliding movement of the bow 106a with respect to the rollers 108a-c and the base 112 and consequently the bow 106b with respect to the rollers 110a-c and the base 112. When the brake 112 is not engaged, the seat frame 104 rotates via the left and right bows 106a, 106b engaged to the rollers 108a-c and 110a-c, respectively. When the brake 112 is engaged, the seat frame 104 is retained in position with respect to the base 112 along the left and right bow 106a, 106b engaged to rollers 108a-c and 110a-c, respectively.
In operation, a user can position the seat frame 104 via the left and right bow 106a, 106b with respect to the base 112, in a continuous arc of upright, semi-reclined, and fully reclined position, as desired. The user can position the seat frame 104 via the brake 112, when not seated in the seat frame 104 or when seated. The user forces, such as by foot, the brake into engaged or disengaged position as desired, when the seat frame 114 is desirably positioned along the arc of the left and right bows 106a, 106b.
The user can also position the table 122 via movement of the table arm 120 into select relationship with the left side rail 104a. The table 122 folds over on the table arm 120 to position the table in front of the user and otherwise to selectively locate the table 122 below the seat frame 104 when not in use.
The seat frame 104, left and right bows 106a,b, and base 102 are formed of aluminum, metal, steel, composite or other rigid material. The cross bar members 110 are formed of similar tubular material and are bowed in shape to allow a user to sit on the cover 112 of the seat frame 104 without significantly contacting the cross bar members 110. The cover 112 is formed of a cloth, net, webbing, or similar material stretched from the left rail 104a to the right rail 104b. A pad may be included in or placed on the cover 112.
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In certain alternatives, one or more of the rollers 108a-c, 110a-c is equipped with a motor. The motor may be controlled, such as by a programmable chip, to selectively turn the roller to continuously or intermittently, as per the embodiment, vary incline position of the seat frame 104. Such an automatically changing incline of the seat frame 104 may provide therapeutic effects to, over time of occupancy, relieve pressure points of the body of the user against the seat frame 104.
In other certain alternatives, fewer or more rollers or other restraining members are included for guiding the right and left bows. Other alternatives include varied materials, such as wood, plastic, or metal for the frame and bows. A variety of seat cover and cushioning elements are possible. The seat cover may be cloth or webbing. A memory foam or other cushion may be included in or located atop the seat cover.
In yet further certain alternatives, varied shape and curvature of the bows can provide varied incline operations. Also, shape and curvature of the bows may be adjustable for varied body shapes and sizes. Moreover, shape and features of the seat frame may be varied. The motor may be an electric motor or other motor, and the controller may be communicatively connected to the motor by wire or wireless link.
In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.
Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems and device(s), connection(s) and element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or element of any or all the claims. As used herein, the terms “comprises, “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.
