Upper sliding arm portion of a lounger chair, and a motorized mechanism for moving the upper sliding arm portion forwardly so as to cover a storage receptacle defined within a lower fixed arm portion of the chair, and for moving the upper sliding arm portion rearwardly so as to uncover the storage receptacle

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to furniture, and more particularly to a chair, particularly a lounger chair, wherein at least one side arm portion of the chair is provided with a lower fixed arm segment, and an upper slidably movable arm segment. A storage receptacle for holding various devices, such as, for example, a book, magazine, remote control devices, a wireless charging pad, a dock, is fixedly secured within the lower fixed arm segment. Alternatively, the storage receptacle can comprise at least one cup holder for holding a beverage. The upper slidably movable arm segment is fixably mounted upon a slidable rail member, and a motorized mechanism is operatively connected to the slidable rail member for moving the slidable rail member and the upper arm segment fixedly secured thereto between a first forward position at which the upper arm segment is CLOSED so as to cover the storage receptacle or cup holder such that, for example, the storage receptacle or at least one cup holder is hidden from view, and a second rearward position at which the upper arm segment is OPEN so as to uncover the storage receptacle or cup holder such that access to the storage receptacle or at least one cup holder is permitted.

Claims

1. An article of furniture, comprising: a framework; at least one arm fixedly mounted upon said framework, wherein said arm comprises a lower fixed arm segment having a storage receptacle/cup holder disposed therein, and an upper arm segment slidably mounted only in a linear horizontal plane upon said lower fixed arm segment so as to be movable between a first forward position at which said upper slidably movable arm segment moves to a CLOSED position at which said upper slidably movable arm segment covers said storage receptacle/cup holder disposed within said lower fixed arm segment such that said storage receptacle/cup holder is hidden from view and is rendered inaccessible while said upper arm segment also serves as an arm rest, and a second rearward position at which said upper slidably movable arm segment moves rearwardly to an OPEN position at which said upper slidably movable arm segment uncovers said storage receptacle/cup holder disposed within said lower fixed arm segment such that said storage receptacle/cup holder is rendered accessible; and a motorized mechanism operatively connected to said upper slidably movable arm segment for moving said upper slidably movable arm segment from said first CLOSED position at which said storage receptacle/cup holder is hidden from view within said lower fixed arm segment, to said second OPEN position at which said upper slidably movable arm segment uncovers said storage receptacle/cup holder such that said storage receptacle/cup holder is accessible.

2. The article of furniture as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said cup holder is provided for holding at least one beverage.

3. The article of furniture as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said motorized mechanism comprises a linear actuator.

4. The article of furniture console as set forth in claim 3, wherein: said linear actuator comprises a bi-directional drive motor.

5. The article of furniture as set forth in claim 4, wherein: a mounting bracket is fixedly secured to said upper slidably movable arm segment; one end of said linear actuator is operatively connected to said mounting bracket so as to cause said compartment door to be moved to said OPEN position and back to said CLOSED position; and a power control unit operatively connected to said drive motor so as to limit the power generated by said drive motor if said compartment door becomes jammed so as not to burn out said drive motor.

6. The article of furniture as set forth in claim 3, wherein: a mounting bracket is fixedly secured to said upper slidably movable arm segment; one end of said linear actuator is adapted to engage said mounting bracket so as to cause said upper slidably movable arm segment to be moved to said CLOSED position; and a return spring operatively connected to said mounting bracket so as to return said compartment door from said CLOSED position to said OPEN position.

7. The article of furniture as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: a mounting plate upon which said upper slidably movable arm segment is fixedly attached; a slidable rail member to which said mounting plate is fixedly attached; and a support plate mounted upon said lower fixed arm segment of said arm rest and upon which said slidable rail member slides when said upper slidably movable arm segment is moved between said first forward CLOSED position and said second rearward OPEN position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Various other features and attendant advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a lounger chair wherein it can be seen that an upper slidably movable arm segment of one side arm of the lounger chair has been moved forwardly to its CLOSED position at which the upper slidably movable arm segment of the one side arm of the lounger chair covers a storage receptacle or cup holder formed within a forward end portion of a lower fixed arm segment of the one side arm of the lounger chair such that the storage receptacle or cup holder is hidden from view;

(3) FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a lounger chair, similar to that of FIG. 1, wherein it can be seen that the upper slidably movable arm segment of the one side arm of the lounger chair has been moved rearwardly to its OPEN position at which the upper slidably movable arm segment of the one side arm of the lounger chair uncovers the storage receptacle or cup holder formed within the forward end portion of the lower fixed arm segment of the one side arm of the lounger chair such that the storage receptacle or cup holder is readily accessible;

(4) FIG. 3a is a schematic cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of an actuating mechanism to be utilized in conjunction with the lounger chairs as disclosed within FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein the upper slidably movable arm segment, fixedly secured to the slidably movable rail member, is moved rearwardly by the return spring of the actuating mechanism such that the upper movable arm segment uncovers the storage receptacle or cup holder and is disposed at its normally OPEN position at which the storage receptacle or cup holder are accessible;

(5) FIG. 3b is a schematic cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the actuating mechanism to be utilized in conjunction with the lounger chairs as disclosed within FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein the actuating mechanism is similar to that as illustrated within FIG. 3a except for the fact that the actuating mechanism has moved the upper slidable arm segment forwardly to its CLOSED position at which the upper slidable arm segment covers the storage receptacle or cup holder such that the storage receptacle or cup holder are hidden from view and are therefore inaccessible;

(6) FIG. 4a is a schematic cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the actuating mechanism to be utilized in conjunction with the lounger chairs as disclosed within FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein the upper slidably movable arm segment, fixedly secured to the slidably movable rail member, is moved rearwardly by a linear actuator of the actuating mechanism such that the upper movable arm segment uncovers the storage receptacle or cup holder and is disposed at its normally OPEN position at which the storage receptacle or cup holder are accessible; and

(7) FIG. 4b is a schematic cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the actuating mechanism to be utilized in conjunction with the lounger chairs as disclosed within FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein the actuating mechanism is similar to that as illustrated within FIG. 3a except for the fact that the actuating mechanism has moved the upper slidable arm segment forwardly to its CLOSED position at which the upper slidable arm segment covers the storage receptacle or cup holder such that the storage receptacle or cup holder are hidden from view and are therefore inaccessible;

(8) FIG. 5a is a schematic right side, front, top perspective view of the lounger chair as disclosed within FIGS. 4a and 4b, wherein the actuating mechanism, as disclosed within FIGS. 3a and 3b, is illustrated as being operatively connected to the slidable rail member so as to move the same, along with the upper slidably movable arm section, rearwardly such that the upper slidably movable arm section is disposed at its OPEN position at which the storage receptacle or cup holder is uncovered and accessible; and

(9) FIG. 5b is a schematic right side, front, top perspective view of the lounger chair as disclosed within FIGS. 4a and 4b, wherein the actuating mechanism, as disclosed within FIGS. 4a and 4b, is illustrated as being operatively connected to the slidable rail member so as to move the same, along with the upper slidably movable arm section, forwardly such that the upper slidably movable arm section is disposed at its CLOSED position at which the storage receptacle or cup holder is covered and inaccessible.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

(10) Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, a first embodiment of a new and improved furniture piece which comprises, for example, a lounger chair, is disclosed and is generally indicated by the reference character 100. As is conventional with such lounger chairs 100, the typical lounger chair 100 comprises a backrest cushion 102, at least one side wall portion 104 of the lounger chair frame 106, and at least one arm rest 108 formed upon an upper region of the at least one side wall portion 104 and upon which a person 110, seated within the lounger chair 100, can rest his or her arm 112. More particularly, in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, it is to be appreciated that the arm rest 108 actually comprises a lower fixed arm segment 114, and an upper slidably movable arm segment 116. The upper slidably movable arm segment 116 is adapted to be moved rearwardly to a first normally OPEN position, as illustrated within FIG. 1, at which it can be seen to uncover a storage receptacle or cup holder 118 formed within the lower fixed arm segment 114 so as to render the storage receptacle or cup holder 118 readily accessible, and to be moved forwardly to a second CLOSED position, as illustrated within FIG. 2, at which it can be seen that the storage receptacle or cup holder 118 formed within the lower fixed arm segment 114 are now covered and rendered inaccessible. It is also to be noted that the rear end portion 120 of the upper slidably movable arm segment 116 has a height or thickness dimension which is relatively smaller than the height or thickness dimension of the forward end portion of the upper slidably movable arm segment 116. In this manner, the forward end portion of the upper slidably movable arm section 116 is provided with an enhanced amount of padding so as to provide a sufficient amount of comfort for the arm 112 of the person 110 seated in the lounger chair 100. Still further, it is also noted that the side wall portion 104 of the lounger chair 100 is provided with a rearwardly disposed, upstanding stop member 122 which effectively serves as a limit stop with respect to how far the upper slidably movable arm segment 116 can be moved to its rearwardmost position, as well as an opening, recess, or socket portion 124 for accommodating the rear end portion of the upper slidably movable arm segment 116 when the same is moved to its rearwardmost position.

(11) With reference now being made to FIGS. 3a-4b, actuating mechanisms for moving the upper slidably movable arms from their OPEN positions to their CLOSED positions and back to the OPEN positions will now be described. The actuating mechanisms may comprise one of two different embodiments. In accordance with a first embodiment of a suitable actuating mechanism, as disclosed within FIGS. 3a and 3b and as generally indicated by the reference character 200, the actuating mechanism 200 may comprise a linear actuator which may be, for example, a rotary driven screw-threaded actuator mechanism 202 comprising an actuator housing 204 from which a threaded rod 206 is extended or retracted axially when the actuator mechanism 200 is rotated in first and second directions by means of a bi-directional drive motor 208, and wherein the distal end portion of the threaded rod 206 engages a dependent mounting bracket 210 which is fixedly attached to an upper mounting plate 212 upon which the upper slidably movable arm segment is fixedly mounted. The upper mounting plate 212 is, in turn, fixedly mounted to a slidably movable rail member 214 which is sliably disposed atop a fixed support plate 216. Accordingly, when the threaded rod 206 of the actuator mechanism 202 is extended as disclosed within FIG. 3b, the distal end portion of the threaded rod 206 will engage the mounting bracket 210 such that the upper slidably movable arm segment, attached to the upper mounting plate 212, will be moved forwardly so as to be disposed at its fully CLOSED position at which time, for example, the at least one cup holder 118, disposed within the lower, fixed arm segment 114 will be covered, hidden, and rendered inaccessible.

(12) A biasing spring 218 is fixedly secured at one end thereof to the actuator housing 204 and is likewise fixedly secured at its opposite end to the mounting bracket 210. Accordingly, when the bi-directional drive motor 208 is rotated in the opposite direction, the threaded rod 206 will be retracted into the actuator housing 204, thereby permitting the biasing spring 218 to return the upper slidably movable arm segment to its rearward OPEN position at which time the storage receptacle or cup holder 118 will be uncovered and readily accessible. Safety is inherently built into this system in view of the fact that if some foreign object becomes interposed between the rear end portion of the upper slidably movable arm segment 116, and any component part of the lounger chair housing or chassis 102, such as, for example, if a foreign object becomes disposed within the space, recess, or socket 124 into which the rear end portion of the upper slidably movable arm segment 116 is to be disposed when the upper slidably movable arm segment 116 is moved rearwardly, the threaded rod 206 will continue to be retracted into the actuator housing 204, however, the return spring 218 is not strong enough to overcome the interdisposition of the foreign object between the rear end portion of the upper slidably movable arm segment 116 and the space, recess, or socket 124 into which the rear end portion of the upper slidably movable arm segment 116 is to be disposed, so as to forcefully return the upper slidably movable arm segment 116 to its rearwardmost position at which the storage receptacle or cup holder are fully OPEN and uncovered. This safety feature prevents any harm being done to the foreign object, which could be animate or inanimate, until the same is removed from its obstructive disposition between the rear end portion of the upper slidably movable arm segment 116 and the space, recess, or socket 124 into which the rear end portion of the upper slidably movable arm segment 116 is to be disposed. It is lastly noted that the drive motor 208 is controlled by means of a portable, hand-held remote-control unit 220.

(13) With reference lastly being made to FIGS. 4a-5b a second embodiment of a suitable actuating mechanism is disclosed and is generally indicated by the reference character 300. The actuating mechanism 300 may comprise a linear actuator which may be, for example, a rotary driven screw-threaded actuator mechanism 302 comprising an actuator housing 304 from which a threaded rod 306 is extended or retracted axially when the actuator mechanism 300 is rotated in first and second directions by means of a bi-directional drive motor 308, and wherein the distal end portion of the threaded rod 306 is operatively connected to a dependent mounting bracket 310 which is fixedly attached to an upper mounting plate 312 upon which the upper slidably movable arm segment is fixedly mounted. The upper mounting plate 312 is, in turn, fixedly mounted to a slidably movable rail member 314 which is sliably disposed atop a fixed support plate 316. Accordingly, when the threaded rod 306 of the actuator mechanism 302 is extended as disclosed within FIG. 3b, the distal end portion of the threaded rod 306, which is connected to the dependent mounting bracket 310, will move the same such that the upper slidably movable arm segment, attached to the upper mounting plate 312, will be moved forwardly so as to be disposed at its fully CLOSED position at which time, for example, the at least one cup holder 118, disposed within the lower, fixed arm segment 114 will be covered, hidden, and rendered inaccessible.

(14) It is to be noted that the first and second embodiments of the actuating mechanisms 200,300 are substantially the same with three exceptions. The first exception is that within the second actuating system 300, the return biasing spring 218 has been eliminated. The second exception is that a power control unit 322 has been electronically interposed between the remote control 320 and the drive motor 308. The third exception, as has been noted, is that the threaded rod 306 of the second actuating mechanism 300 is fixedly connected to the mounting bracket 310 as opposed to simply engaging the mounting bracket 310 as was the case of the first embodiment actuating system 200. Accordingly, when the drive motor 308 is driven in the reverse direction, it will directly pull upon the mounting bracket 310. Therefore, if a foreign object becomes interposed between rear end portion of the upper slidably movable arm segment 116, and any component part of the lounger chair housing or chassis 102, such as, for example, if a foreign object becomes disposed within the space, recess, or socket 124 into which the rear end portion of the upper slidably movable arm segment 116 is to be disposed when the upper slidably movable arm segment 116 is moved rearwardly, continued operation of the drive motor 308 can be dangerous.

(15) Therefore, the drive motor 308 is electronically monitored by means of the power control unit 322 which monitors the RPM of the drive motor 308 as well as the amperage drawn by the drive motor 308. If either of these parameters exceeds the limits pre-programmed into the power control unit 322, which would indicate that the rotary drive motor 308 is attempting to drive the threaded rod with greater power than is normal so as to, for example, overcome an obstacle that may have become interposed between the rear end portion of the upper slidably movable arm segment 116 the space, recess, or socket 124 into which the rear end portion of the upper slidably movable arm segment 116 is to be disposed when the upper slidably movable arm segment 116 is moved rearwardly, the rotary drive of the drive motor 308 is immediately reversed or terminated until the foreign object has been removed. This safety feature therefore operates in a similar manner so as to prevent the drive motor 308 from being burned out due to excessive operation beyond acceptable power limits, and also prevents any harm being done to the foreign object, which could be animate or inanimate, until the same is removed from its obstructive disposition between the rear end portion of the upper slidably movable arm segment 116 the space, recess, or socket 124 into which the rear end portion of the upper slidably movable arm segment 116 is to be disposed when the upper slidably movable arm segment 116 is moved rearwardly.

(16) Obviously, many variations and modifications of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, while the disclosure has been directed toward lounger chairs, the principles and teachings of the present invention are likewise applicable to other chairs or other furniture pieces. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

REFERENCE NUMBER KEY

(17) 100Lounger chair 102Backrest cushion of lounger chair 104Side wall portion of lounger chair framework 106Lounger chair framework 108Arm rest 110Person sitting in lounger chair 112Arm of person sitting in chair and resting upon either arm rest segment 114Lower fixed arm rest segment 116Upper slidably movable arm rest segment 118Cup holder formed within lower fixed arm rest segment 120Rear end portion of upper slidably movable arm rest segment 122Rear stop member of side wall portion of lounger chair framework 124Recess or socket space for accommodating rear end portion of 116 200First embodiment actuating mechanism 202First embodiment linear actuator 204Housing of linear actuator 206Extensible/retractable threaded rod of linear actuator 208Drive motor for linear actuator 210Dependent mounting bracket 212Upper mounting plate upon which upper arm segment is fixedly secured 214Slidable rail member 216Fixed support plate upon which slidable rail member is movable 218Biasing return spring 220Portable hand-held remote control for lounger chair 300Second embodiment actuating mechanism 202Second embodiment linear actuator 304Housing of linear actuator 306Extensible/retractable threaded rod of linear actuator 308Drive motor for linear actuator 310Dependent mounting bracket 312Upper mounting plate upon which upper arm segment is fixedly secured 314Slidable rail member 316Fixed support plate upon which slidable rail member is movable 320Portable hand-held remote control for lounger chair 322Power control unit