ASSEMBLAGE FOR FORMING A TREATMENT CHAIR

Abstract

An assemblage (10) is disclosed for assembling into a treatment chair for seating a subject undergoing a personal treatment, and subsequently disassembling for reassembly. The assemblage comprises a seat and backrest assembly (20), and a stand (assembly 50) for rotatably supporting the seat and backrest assembly. The seat and backrest assembly comprises a seat (21) and a (backrest 22), the seat comprising an upper side (23) on which the subject sits in use, and an underside (24) comprising a stand assembly mounting means (25) for releasably mounting the stand assembly. The backrest engages with the seat so as to be independently reclinable with respect to the seat, and is detachable from the seat and/or foldable onto the upper side of the seat so as to lie substantially flat therewith. The stand assembly comprises seat engagement means (51) for releasably engaging with the underside of the seat, hydraulic height adjustment (means 53) for hydraulically raising and lowering the height of the seat and backrest assembly in use, and legs (56) which are foldable between an extended position in which the legs extend laterally from the stand assembly to support the treatment chair in use, and a folded position in which they lie against or adjacent the hydraulic height adjustment means.

Claims

1. An assemblage for assembling into a treatment chair for seating a subject undergoing a personal treatment and subsequently disassembling for reassembly, the assemblage comprising a seat and backrest assembly, and a stand assembly for rotatably supporting the seat and backrest assembly; wherein the seat and backrest assembly comprises a seat and a backrest; the seat comprising an upper side on which the subject sits in use, and an underside comprising a stand assembly mounting means for releasably mounting the stand assembly; the backrest engaging with the seat so as to be independently reclinable with respect to the seat, and being detachable from the seat and/or foldable onto the upper side of the seat so as to lie substantially flat therewith; wherein the stand assembly comprises seat engagement means for releasably engaging with the underside of the seat; hydraulic height adjustment means for hydraulically raising and lowering the height of the seat and backrest assembly in use, and legs which are foldable between an extended position in which the legs extend laterally from the stand assembly to support the treatment chair in use, and a folded position in which they lie against or adjacent the hydraulic height adjustment means.

2. An assemblage according to claim 1 wherein the backrest is reclinable through a reclinement adjustment means.

3. An assemblage according to claim 2 wherein the reclinement adjustment means comprises a gas spring.

4. An assemblage according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the reclinement adjustment means allows the backrest to be releasably locked at different angles of inclination relative to the seat.

5. An assemblage according to any preceding claim wherein the seat and backrest assembly comprises a releasable stop for preventing the backrest from being foldable onto the upper side of the seat when the treatment chair is assembled for use.

6. An assemblage according to any preceding claim wherein the seat engagement means comprises an engagement member which slides and releasably locks into a corresponding receiver on the underside of the seat.

7. An assemblage according to claim 6 wherein the engagement member and receiver are configured to intimately cooperate to substantially prevent relative movement therebetween when engaged.

8. An assemblage according to claim 6 or 7 wherein the engagement member comprises one or more guide slots or recesses which are configured to receive one or more correspondingly shaped projections of the receiver, or vice versa.

9. An assemblage according to any preceding claim wherein the hydraulic height adjustment means comprises an outer member, an inner member telescopically slidable and rotatable within the outer member, a reservoir for hydraulic fluid in fluid communication with the outer member and a pump for pumping hydraulic fluid into and out of the outer member so as to telescopically move the inner member relative to the outer member.

10. An assemblage according to any preceding claim wherein the hydraulic height adjustment means comprises releasable locking means for releasably locking the amount of telescopic extension of the inner member from the outer member.

11. An assemblage according to any preceding claim wherein the legs are pivotally attached to the lower end in use of the hydraulic height adjustment means at proximal ends, and are be lockable in the extended and folded positions.

12. An assemblage according to any preceding claim wherein the legs comprise feet at distal ends to support the treatment chair in use, the feet being either fixed in position relative to the legs, or foldable between extended and folded positions relative to the legs.

13. An assemblage according to any preceding claim which further comprises armrest mounting means for releasably mounting arm rests, and/or a footrest mounting means for releasably mounting a footrest, and/or a headrest mounting means for releasably mounting a headrest.

14. An assemblage according to claim 13 wherein the armrest mounting means and/or the footrest mounting means are located on the underside of the seat, and/or the headrest mounting means is located on the rear of the backrest.

15. An assemblage according to claim 13 or 14 which further comprises armrests, for releasably mounting to the armrest mounting means.

16. An assemblage according to claim 15 wherein each of the armrests comprises an elongate member, a proximal end of which is slideable into the armrest mounting means, and at a distal end of which there is attached an armrest pad.

17. An assemblage according to claim 16 wherein each armrest pad is foldable between an extended position, for supporting the arms of a subject occupying the chair in use, and a folded position, in which the armrest pad lies substantially parallel with or adjacent the elongate member.

18. An assemblage according to any one of claims 13 to 17 which further comprises a footrest for releasably mounting to the footrest mounting means.

19. An assemblage according to claim 18 wherein the footrest comprises an elongate member, a proximal end of which is slideable into the footrest mounting means, and at a distal end of which there is attached a foot support.

20. An assemblage according to claim 19 wherein the foot support is either fixed in position relative to the elongate member, or is foldable between an extended position, for supporting the feet of a subject occupying the chair in use, and a folded position, in which the footrest pad lies substantially parallel with or adjacent the elongate member.

21. An assemblage according to anyone of claims 18 to 20 which comprises a stop to limit the relative maximum angle between the foot support and the elongate member in the extended position.

22. An assemblage according to any one of claims 13 to 21 which further comprises a headrest for releasably mounting to the headrest mounting means.

23. An assemblage according to claim 22 wherein the headrest comprises an elongate member having a proximal end which is slideable into the headrest mounting means, and at a distal end has attached a headrest pad for supporting the head of a subject occupying the chair in use.

24. An assemblage according to claim 23 wherein the distance between the headrest pad and the backrest is adjustable in use by sliding the elongate member into and out of the mounting means.

25. An assemblage according to any preceding claim which weighs 25 kg or less.

26. An assemblage according to any preceding claim which can be assembled and disassembled by hand without the use of tools.

27. An assemblage according to any preceding claim wherein, when assembled as a treatment chair, the seat and backrest assembly is rotatable on and height adjustable with respect to the stand assembly and the backrest is reclinable relative to the seat with an adult human subject occupying the treatment chair.

28. An assemblage according to claim 27 wherein the subject weighs up to 120 kg.

29. An assemblage according to any preceding claim which further comprises carrying and/or storage means.

30. An assemblage according to claim 29 wherein the carrying and/or storage means comprises one or more foam-containing cases, wherein the foam comprises recesses into which the different component parts of the assemblage may be placed.

31. A method of assembling an assemblage according to any preceding claim into a treatment chair which comprises the following steps, performed in any order: the legs are unfolded from the folded position to the extended position and optionally feet are attached to the legs or unfolded from the legs; the stand assembly seat engagement means is engaged with the stand assembly mounting means; the backrest is attached to the seat, or unfolded from a position substantially flat on the upper side of the seat to an upright position; optionally, armrests, headrest and/or footrest are attached to the armrest, headrest and footrest mounting means respectively; optionally, armrests, headrest and/or footrest are unfolded.

32. A method of disassembling an assemblage according to any one of claims 1 to 30 assembled into a treatment chair which comprises the following steps, performed in any order: optionally folding and removing armrests, headrest and/or footrest from the armrest, headrest and footrest mounting means respectively; optionally lowering the seat and backrest assembly to the minimum height using the hydraulic height adjustment means; detaching the backrest from the seat, or folding the backrest on to the upper side of the seat so as to lie substantially flat therewith; disengaging the stand assembly from the stand assembly mounting means; optionally folding the feet into the folded position, or detaching the feet from the legs, and folding the legs into the folded position.

Description

[0029] An embodiment of the assemblage of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

[0030] FIGS. 1A and 1B are front and rear perspective views respectively of an embodiment of an assemblage of the present invention assembled into a treatment chair;

[0031] FIGS. 2A and 2B are side views of the assemblage of FIGS. 1A and 1B showing the minimum and maximum backrest recline angles respectively;

[0032] FIGS. 3A and 3B are side views of the assemblage of FIGS. 1A and 1B showing maximum and minimum height adjustment respectively;

[0033] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the assemblage of FIGS. 1A and 1B disassembled for storage and transport;

[0034] FIGS. 5A and 5B are side views of the stand assembly of the assemblage of FIGS. 1A and 1B in open and folded positions respectively;

[0035] FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views of the front and rear respectively of the seat of the assemblage shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B;

[0036] FIGS. 7A and 7B are perspective views of the upper side and underside respectively of the backrest of the assemblage shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B;

[0037] FIGS. 8A and 8B are side views of an armrest of the assemblage shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B in open and folded positions respectively;

[0038] FIGS. 9A and 9B are side views of a footrest of the assemblage shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B in open and folded positions respectively; and

[0039] FIGS. 10A and 10B are perspective views of the front and rear respectively of the headrest of the assemblage shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B in open and folded positions respectively.

[0040] Thus, referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B and 4, an embodiment of an assemblage 10 of the present invention is shown assembled into a treatment chair in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B, and disassembled in FIG. 4. It is to be noted that not all of the features of the assemblage are shown in each of the Figures.

[0041] The assemblage 10 comprises a seat and backrest assembly 20 and a stand assembly 50.

[0042] The seat and backrest assembly 20 comprises a seat 21 and a backrest 22. The seat 21 is shown separately in more detail in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the backrest 22 in FIGS. 7A and 7B, and the stand assembly 50 in FIGS. 5A and 5B respectively). The seat 21 comprises an upper side 23 on which the subject sits in use, and an underside 24 comprising a stand mounting means 25 for mounting the stand assembly 50. The underside 24 of the seat 21 also comprises armrest mounting means 26 and footrest mounting means 27.

[0043] The backrest 22 engages with the seat 21 so as to be independently reclinable with respect to the seat 21 and detachable from the seat 21, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The backrest 22 also comprises a headrest mounting means 28 on the rear. The backrest 22 is hinged to the seat by hinge 29 and is reclinable through a gas spring 30.

[0044] The stand assembly 50 comprises seat engagement means in the form of an engagement member 51 which slides and releasably locks in a corresponding receiver 31 on the underside 24 of the seat 21. The engagement member 51 and receiver 31 are configured to intimately cooperate to substantially prevent relative movement therebetween when engaged. Thus, the receiver 31 comprises projections 32 having a substantially triangular cross-section which are received by the corresponding grooves (not shown) in the engagement member 51. The engagement member 51 releasably locks into the receiver 31 by a locking pin (not shown).

[0045] The stand assembly 50 comprises hydraulic height adjustment means 53. The hydraulic height adjustment means 53 comprises an outer member 54, and inner member 55 telescopically slidable and rotatable within the outer member 54. The inner member 55 is moved hydraulically telescopically in and out of the outer member 54 by pumping hydraulic fluid into and out of the outer member 54, using lever 71. The seat engagement member 51 is located at the free end of the inner member 55. The hydraulic height adjustment means 53 may comprise releasable locking means (not shown) for releasably locking the amount of telescopic extension of the inner member 55 from the outer member 54 by preventing ingress and egress of hydraulic fluid, whilst leaving the inner member 55 free to rotate within the outer member 54. FIGS. 3A and 3B show the maximum and minimum height adjustments respectively of the assemblage 10.

[0046] The stand assembly 50 also comprises legs 56 for supporting the chair in use (for ease of reference, only one leg 56 is identified as appropriate in the Figures). The legs 56 are foldable from an extended position (as shown in Figures FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B) in which they extend laterally from the stand assembly 50 to support the chair in use, and a folded position (as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5B) in which they lie against the outer member 54 of the hydraulic height adjustment means 53. The legs 56 are pivotally attached to the lower (closed) end of the outer member 54 at their proximal ends 57, and are lockable in the extended and folded positions by locking pins (not shown). The legs 56 comprise feet 58 at their distal ends to support the chair in use, which screw into the distal ends of the legs 56. This allows for depth adjustment of the feet 58 relative to the legs 56 for levelling the height of the chair. The number of legs 56 is not critical but must be sufficient to provide the chair with sufficient stability in use. The embodiment shown in the Figures comprises six legs 56, but other embodiments may have more or fewer legs 56.

[0047] The assemblage 10 comprises a headrest 78 (shown separately in FIGS. 10A and 10B) which in use is releasably mounted to the headrest mounting means 28 on the backrest 22. The headrest 78 comprises an elongate member 59 the proximal end of which can slide into the headrest mounting means 28 and be held in position by a thumbscrew 60. At the distal end of the elongate member 59 there is a headrest pad 61 for supporting the head of a subject occupying the chair in use. The distance between the headrest pad 61 and the backrest 22 can be adjusted by sliding the elongate member 59 into and out of the headrest mounting means 28 and locking in position with the thumbscrew 60.

[0048] The assemblage 10 further comprises armrests 62 (shown separately in FIGS. 8A and 8B), in use releasably mounted to the armrest mounting means 26 on the underside 24 of the seat 21. Each of the armrests 62 comprises an elongate member 63 which curves through substantially a right-angle, a proximal end of which slides into the armrest mounting means 26, and is held in position by for example a locking pin or thumbscrew (not shown). At a distal end of each elongate member 63 there is attached an armrest pad 64, which is foldable between an extended position (shown in shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B), for supporting the arms of a subject occupying the chair in use, and a folded position (shown in FIGS. 4 and 8B), in which the armrest pad 64 lies substantially parallel with the elongate member 63. The armrest pad 64 is attached to the distal end of the elongate member 63 by a hinge 65, and is lockable in position a locking pin 66. The assemblage 10 embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B and 4 comprises two arm rests, positioned in use laterally on either side of the seat 21.

[0049] The assemblage 10 further comprises a footrest 67 (shown separately in FIGS. 9A and 9B), in use releasably mounted to the footrest mounting means 27 on the underside 24 of the seat 21. The footrest 67 comprises an elongate member 68 which curves through substantially a right-angle, a proximal end of which slides into the footrest mounting means 27, and is held in position by for example a locking pin or thumbscrew (not shown). At a distal end of the elongate member 68 there is attached a foot support 69, which is foldable between an extended position (shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B), for supporting the feet of a subject occupying the chair in use, and a folded position (shown in FIGS. 4 and 9B), in which the foot support 69 lies up against the elongate member 68. The foot support 69 is attached to the distal end of the elongate member 68 by a hinge 70, and preferably comprises a stop to limit the relative maximum angle between the foot support 69 and the elongate member 68 in the extended position, for example to prevent the foot support 69 from unfolding beyond substantially a right-angle.

[0050] The embodiment of the assemblage 10 shown assembled in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B can be disassembled as follows, although the various disassembly steps need not be performed in the particular order described.

[0051] Headrest 78 can be removed by releasing the elongate member 59 from the headrest mounting means 28 using thumbscrew 60. Armrests 62 can be removed by releasing the elongate members 63 from the armrest mounting means 26. The armrest pads 64 can then be folded into the folded position by releasing the locking pin 66. The footrest 67 can be removed by releasing the elongate member 68 from the footrest mounting means 27. The foot support 69 can then be folded into the folded position through hinge 70. The backrest 22 can be detached from the seat and backrest assembly 20. The stand assembly 50 can be disengaged from the seat 21 by releasing the engagement member 51 from release member 31 by releasing the locking pin (not shown), firstly lowering the seat 21 to the minimum height if necessary using the hydraulic height adjustment means 53. The feet 58 can be detached (by unscrewing) if necessary, and the legs 56 can then be folded into the folded position. The disassembled assemblage can then be packed into a carry case or bag (not shown), stowed in the boot of a car, and transported to a different location for reassembly.

[0052] It will be appreciated that the specific embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only, and that further modifications and variations of the embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.