SEAT FITTING

Abstract

A seat fitting for seating furniture is provided, including a base frame, a sliding frame movably arranged relative to the base frame, and at least one linear drive which acts on a paired drive shaft in order to move a component or an assembly of the seat fitting, e.g., a foot part, a backrest part, or a stand-up aid, back and forth between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the base frame and/or the sliding frame. This allows a variable design and a retroactively simple adaptation on demand because the base frame, the sliding frame, the drive shaft, and the linear drive form a functional base unit which can be assembled in a modular manner to form a complete seat fitting with a foot part, a backrest part, a stand-up aid, and/or a seat frame provided for the sliding frame.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A seat fitting for an article of seating furniture (1) comprising: a base frame (21); a sliding frame (22) moveably arranged relative to the base frame (21); and at least one linear drive (6) which acts on an associated drive shaft (5) for reciprocal movement of a component or assembly of the seat fitting (3) including at least one of a foot portion (41), a backrest portion (42) or a stand-up assist (43) between an extended position and a retracted position relative to at least one of the base frame (21) and the sliding frame (22), wherein the base frame (21), the sliding frame (22), the drive shaft (5) and the linear drive (6) form a functional base unit (2) modularly assembled into a complete seat fitting (3) having at least one of the foot portion (41), the backrest portion (42), the stand-up assist (43) and a seat frame (44) provided for the sliding frame (22).

17. The seat fitting of claim 16, wherein the drive shaft (5) serves as a transverse brace of at least one of the base and sliding frames (21, 22) of the base unit (2), and wherein the drive shaft (5) is rotatably mounted to said at least one of the base and sliding frames (21, 22).

18. The seat fitting of claim 16, wherein the base frame (21) has two base frame side portions (23) and a transverse reinforcement arranged therebetween, and the sliding frame (22) includes two sliding frame side portions (25) each movably mounted relative to the corresponding base frame (21) side portion.

19. The seat fitting of claim 18, wherein at least one of the base frame side portions (23) and the sliding frame side portions (25) are of a plate-shaped configuration defining a plane which extends transversely relative to a plane (S) of the article of seating furniture.

20. The seat fitting of claim 16, wherein the at least one linear drive (6) has a housing (61) through which the associated drive shaft (5) is guided and radially mounted, the housing (61) being configured to carry bending moments exerted on the drive shaft (5) by the linear drive (6).

21. The seat fitting of claim 18, wherein the at least one linear drive comprises at least one of: a sliding frame linear drive (62) associated with the foot portion (41), acting on a sliding frame drive shaft (51), a backrest linear drive (63) associated with the backrest portion (42), acting on a backrest drive shaft (52), and a stand-up assist linear drive (64) associated with the stand-up assist (43), acting on a stand-up assist drive shaft (53).

22. The seat fitting of claim 21, wherein the sliding frame (22) is held pivotably to the base frame (21) at the sliding frame side portions (25) thereof by way of pivot levers (71).

23. The seat fitting of claim 22, wherein two pivot levers (71) are provided for each sliding frame side portion (25), the pivot levers (71), the sliding frame drive shaft (51) and the base frame side portion (23) forming a first coupling transmission (721) driven by the sliding frame drive shaft (51).

24. The seat fitting of claim 16, wherein the foot portion (41) is connected on one hand to the sliding frame (22) and on another hand to the base frame (21) via a scissor-like lever arrangement (73) at a first side (281) of the base unit (2), adjacent to the foot portion (41).

25. The seat fitting of claim 21, wherein the backrest drive shaft (52) of the backrest portion (42) is arranged at a second side (282) of the sliding frame (22), remote from the foot portion (41), the backrest portion (42) being non-rotatably connected to the backrest portion drive shaft (52).

26. The seat fitting of claim 16, wherein the stand-up assist (43) comprises a base support (45) which is arranged mounted in posterior relationship with the sliding frame (22) relative to the base frame (21), and that for extension and retraction of the base frame (21) together with the sliding frame (22) arranged between the base support (45) is a lever arrangement (73) for relative pivotal movement thereof.

27. The seat fitting of claim 26, wherein the lever arrangement (73) comprises a multi-member second coupling transmission (722).

28. The seat fitting of claim 16, wherein the base frame (21) defines a receiving space (26) in which at least one of the sliding frame (22) and the at least one linear drive (6) is arranged.

29. The seat fitting of claim 16, wherein the seat frame (44) defines a seat plane (S), and the seat frame (44) is arranged mounted to the sliding frame (22) above the sliding frame (22) in a heightwise direction (h).

30. The seat fitting of claim 29, wherein the seat plane (S) is at least one of pivoted and displaced by at least one of extension of the seat frame (44) which is connected to the sliding frame (22) and by way of the stand-up assist (43) about a pivot axis (s) which is arranged parallel to the transverse direction (q) of the seat fitting (3) and in a central region with respect to a longitudinal direction (l).

31. The seat fitting of claim 18, wherein the transverse reinforcement comprises one of a transverse member (24) or a transverse strut means.

32. The seat fitting of claim 19, wherein the plane of the at least one of the base frame side portions (23) and the sliding frame side portions (25) extends perpendicularly relative to the plane (S) of the article of seating furniture.

33. The seat fitting of claim 20, wherein the drive shaft (5) is radially-axially mounted through the housing (61).

34. The seat fitting of claim 27, wherein the multi-member second coupling transmission (722) is a seven-member second coupling transmission.

Description

[0054] In the drawings:

[0055] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first configuration of an article of seating furniture with a seat fitting having a base unit, in a retracted position,

[0056] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the article of seating furniture in an extended position,

[0057] FIG. 2A shows a portion IIa as shown in FIG. 2,

[0058] FIGS. 3A and 3B respectively show a perspective view of the base unit of FIG. 1 with connecting means on a backrest portion drive shaft in the retracted position and in an extended position,

[0059] FIGS. 4A and 4B each show a perspective view of a base unit having a stand-up assist in the retracted position,

[0060] FIGS. 5A and 5B each show a perspective view of the enlarged base unit of FIGS. 4A and 4B with the stand-up assist in the extended position, and

[0061] FIGS. 6A and 6B each show an identical view of a further embodiment with the enlarged base unit of FIGS. 5A and 5B but with components being omitted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0062] FIGS. 1, 2 and 6 respectively show a view of an embodiment of an article of seating furniture 1 comprising a seat fitting 3 having a functional base unit 4, but without upholstery, while FIGS. 3 through 5 each show a perspective view of an embodiment of the base unit 2 in part with attached further modules 4.

[0063] The base unit 2 has a base frame 21, a sliding frame 22 arranged moveably relative to the base frame 21 and at least one linear drive 6 acting on an associated drive shaft 4 for reciprocating movement of a component or a assembly of the seat fitting 3 such as a foot portion 41, a backrest portion 42 and a stand-up assist 43, between an extended position (FIGS. 2, 3B and 5) and a retracted position (FIGS. 1, 3A and 4) relative to the frame 21, 22. The movement of the components or assemblies and that of the sliding frame relative to the base frame 21 respectively is effected here exclusively in a plane of movement B perpendicularly to a transverse direction q of the seat fitting 3. The base frame 21, the sliding frame 22, the drive shaft 5 and the linear drive 6 form the functional base unit 2. As shown hereinafter the base unit 2 can be assembled in a modular structure to afford a complete seat fitting having foot portion 41, backrest portion 42, stand-up assist 43 and/or a seat frame 44 which is arranged above the sliding frame 22 and has a seat plane S. No dismantling, even only partial, of the base unit 2 is required for that assembly operation.

[0064] The base frame 21 has two base frame side portions 23 and transversely thereto a transverse member 24 which connects the base frame side portions 23 together in mutually spaced relationship. The sliding frame 22 is made up of two sliding frame side portions 25 which are mounted moveably relative to the base frame 21 to the base frame, whereby the base frame 21 is mechanically stabilized and reinforced.

[0065] The base frame 21 defines a receiving space 26 in which the sliding frame side portions 25 are arranged laterally at the base frame side portions and at the inside thereof the linear drive or drives 6.

[0066] The linear drives 6 each have a respective housing 61, through which or on which the respectively associated drive shaft 5 is guided or mounted non-displaceably axially and radially in a radial-axial mounting. In addition the drive shaft 5 or drive shafts 5 extends or extend in the transverse direction q through the receiving space 26, being respectively mounted rotatably to one of the frames 21, 22. The linear drives 6 respectively engage with a drive end at the associated drive shaft 5 and are respectively mounted pivotably to the base frame 21 by way of their housing 61. That provides a particularly compact structure for the base unit 2. In addition drive shafts 5 and linear drives 6 enhance the strength, in particular the torsional strength of the base frame 21 and thus that of the base unit 2. The housing 61 of the linear drives 6 is also reinforced insofar as it has as reinforcement means additional lateral stiffening flanges 65 (FIG. 3B). Those lateral stiffening flanges 65 reinforce the wall of the housing 61 in particular at the locations at which the drive shaft 5 is guided through the housing 61 and mounted to the housing 61. That makes it possible for the drive shaft 5 to be so mounted in the radial-axial mounting that by way thereof flexural forces which due to conversion of the linear movement of the linear drive 6 into a rotary movement act substantially perpendicularly on the drive shaft 5 are at least predominantly carried by the housing 61. That means that substantially a pure torque is transmitted by the drive shaft 5 so that, in contrast to the state of the art, the respective frame 21, 22 to which the drive shaft 5 is mounted is only slightly loaded as only slight flexural moments are transmitted to the frame 21, 22, if at all, by way of the mounting of the drive shaft 5. Accordingly the drive shaft 5 can be mounted with a low level of friction in a plain bearing (not further shown here) with a sliding bearing sleeve on the frame 21, 22. That further contributes to the base unit 2, in spite of its very simple structure with few elements, enjoying a strength which is sufficient for operation of the arrangement, in particular flexural stiffness and torsional stiffness.

[0067] The base frame side portions 23 and the sliding frame side portions 25 are of a plate-shaped configuration, wherein they extend with their planes here approximately perpendicularly to the seat plane S and perpendicularly to the transverse direction q and the longitudinal direction l of the respectively associated frame 21, 22. As can also be clearly seen in particular from FIGS. 3 through 6 the plate-shaped base frame side portions 23 and sliding frame side portions 25 are respectively designed in the form of an assembly plate insofar as all openings and mountings required for assembly of the individual modules 4 are already provided in the plate. This means that, for final assembly of the seat fitting, there is no need for any further operations on the frame side portions 23, 25.

[0068] Insofar as a foot portion 41, a backrest portion 42 and/or a stand-up assist 43 are provided in the complete seat fitting 3, in general terms a linear drive 6 in the form of a sliding frame linear drive 62 is associated with the foot portion 41, which drive exerts a torque on a drive shaft 5 in the form of a sliding frame drive shaft 51. In addition, associated with the backrest portion 42 is a linear drive 6 in the form of a backrest portion linear drive 63, which acts on a drive shaft 5 in the form of a backrest portion drive shaft 53. Finally, associated with the stand-up assist 43 is a linear drive which is in the form of a stand-up assist linear drive 64 and which acts on a drive shaft 5 in the form of a stand-up assist drive shaft 53. As a simplification in the base unit 2 however all linear drives 6 are of an identical structure in the embodiments of the seat fitting 3 which are shown here.

[0069] In contrast, in the embodiments of the seat fitting 3 shown here the drive shafts 5 are of differing configurations: the sliding frame drive shaft 51 and the backrest portion drive shaft 52 are respectively in the form of solid shafts which are rotatably mounted in a latching mounting means 27 in the respectively associated frame 21, 22, wherein the latching mounting means 27 is of an open configuration substantially in a heightwise direction h. In this case the drive shaft 5 respectively projects laterally outwardly beyond the associated frame 21, 22 (see FIG. 3). In contrast, as can be seen from FIG. 5A, the stand-up assist drive shaft 53 is of a two-part configuration insofar as it has an inner support axis member 54 which is fixedly connected to at least one base frame side portion 23. A hollow shaft 55 is radially-axially mounted on the support axis member 54 between the base frame side portions 23 and is driven by the stand-up assist linear drive 64.

[0070] For final assembly the modules 4 are here respectively provided with the connecting means 7 necessary for connection to the base unit 2, wherein the connecting means 7 are of differing configurations in dependence on their function.

[0071] In detail the sliding frame 22 is held at the sliding frame side portions 25 pivotably relative to the base frame 21 by way of pivot levers 71. Provided for each sliding frame side portion 25 is a pair of levers comprising two pivot levers 71 which together with the sliding frame drive shaft 51 and the associated base frame side portion 23 form a four-member first coupling transmission 721, which here is planar, having four joint points G1-G4 (see FIG. 3B, wherein for greater clarity of illustrating the structure a pivot lever at the front between G1 and G2 has been omitted). That first coupling transmission 721 is driven by way of the sliding frame drive shaft 51. A base frame side portion 23 is associated with each sliding frame side portion 25. Accordingly the seat fitting 3 here has two first coupling transmissions 721 which are of an identical configuration and are driven by way of the same sliding frame drive shaft 51. Accordingly the pivotal movement of the sliding frame side portions 51 relative to the base frame side portions 23 is effected in identical, uniform and synchronous fashion.

[0072] The two pivot levers 71 of a pair of levers diverge upwardly. That therefore affords a rocker structure, in accordance with which, in the extended position of the foot portion 41 (FIG. 2), the first side 281 of the sliding frame 22, that is adjacent to the foot portion 41, is set higher relative to the base frame 21 in the retracted position (FIG. 1) as in the extended position the pivot lever 71 associated with the first side 281 is disposed vertically.

[0073] The foot portion 41 is pivotably connected by way of a scissor-like lever arrangement 73 at the first side 281 of the base unit 2 on the one hand to the sliding frame 22 and on the other hand to the base frame 21. As can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2 the foot portion 41 in the extended position is disposed approximately at the height of the seat plane S while in the retracted position it is arranged displaced under the base frame 21. For each side portion 23, 25 there is a scissor-like lever arrangement 73 which are arranged in mutually spaced relationship in the transverse direction q. The foot portion 41 is connected to the two lever arrangements 73 by means of a push-in/latching connection.

[0074] The backrest portion 42 is here fixedly connected to the backrest portion drive shaft 52 by way of angle portions 74. Similarly to the sliding frame drive shaft 51 the backrest portion drive shaft 52 is mounted here to the sliding frame side portions 25 by way of jaw-shaped latching mountings 27. The angle portions 74 are fixedly connected to the backrest portion drive shaft 52 at the ends, the sliding frame drive shaft 51 projecting laterally in the transverse direction q beyond the frames 21, 22.

[0075] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the seat frame 44 is mounted on the sliding frame 22, with the seat frame 44 projecting forwardly and laterally beyond the frames 21, 22. However no further component engages the seat frame 44 so that the seat frame 44 is mechanically non-loaded, apart from its own weight and the weight of a user (not shown here). As the seat frame 44 can be fitted in the form of a module it can be previously completely prefabricated with possible upholstery (not shown here). Both, the slight mechanical loading and the possible option of prefabrication, also apply to the backrest portion 42 and the foot portion 41.

[0076] In addition to the foot portion 41 and the backrest portion 42 the seat fitting 3 shown in FIGS. 4 through 6 has a stand-up assist 43. The base unit 2 and therewith the seat frame 44 with the seat plane S can be lifted by means of the stand-up assist 43 and pivoted about a pivot axis s which is central with respect to the longitudinal direction 1, in which case the location of the pivot axis s is displaced during the lifting movement of the seat frame 44. To provide the stand-up assist 43, there is a base support 45 which is arranged relative to the base frame 21 in posterior relationship with respect to the sliding frame 22.

[0077] A further lever arrangement 73 is provided for displacement of the base frame 21 and therewith the seat frame 44, between the positions extended position and retracted position, the further lever arrangement 73 here being in the form of a seven-member planar second coupling transmission 722 and being driven by the stand-up assist linear drive 64 having the stand-up assist drive shaft 53. FIG. 6B shows the second coupling transmission 722 with its joint points P1-P7, wherein the broken lines connecting those joint points P1-P7 diagrammatically represent the transmission members. The joint points P1 and P2 at the base support 45 can be viewed as housing points which are static in relation to the movement. The levers operative between the joint points P1-P3 and P1 and P7 are respectively associated with the two base frame side portions 23. In that respect the term extended position is used to denote the stand-up position in which the base unit 2 is arranged displaced substantially in the heightwise direction h and in spaced relationship with respect to the base support 45. In principle a second coupling transmission 722 engages each base frame side portion 23, wherein same are then driven by way of the common stand-up assist drive shaft 53 by the same stand-up assist linear drive 64. Accordingly the movement of the coupling transmissions 722 occurs equally and synchronously.

[0078] A comparison of the coupling transmissions 721, 722 as shown in FIG. 3B and FIG. 6B shows that the two joint points G3 and P4 can coincide.

[0079] In FIG. 6, except for the support leg 11 of the article of seating furniture 1, all components of the article of seating furniture 1 or of the seat fitting 3, which cause difficulties or which are superfluous in terms of illustrating the function of the second coupling transmission 72 have been omitted. As can be seen from FIG. 6B, a three-point lever 75 extends from the joint point P2 and is mounted rotatably at the joint point P3 to the sliding frame drive shaft 51 here functioning as a transverse axis member 76, and engages a connecting axis member 77 at P4. Arranged non-rotatably on the stand-up assist drive shaft 53 is a radial lever 78 which is hingedly connected at the end to a lever 79 radially engaging the connecting axis member 77. That provides that the connecting axis member 77 is radially acted upon. A further lever 79 extends from the base support 45 approximately parallel to the three-point lever 75 to the associated base frame side portion 23 at which it is mounted pivotably at the joint point P7, the joint point P7 being concealed in FIG. 6B by the stand-up assist linear drive 53 disposed in front of same. Finally there is a further lever action as between the joint points P6 and P7.

[0080] Thus, the base frame is lifted in a complex planar pivotal movement, in which case the lever 79 is pressed radially against the transverse axis member 76 and the three-point lever 75 is displaced in respect of its longitudinal extent approximately axially relative to the lever 79.

[0081] In addition a rotation-arresting means not shown in greater detail in FIG. 6 is provided between the support leg 11 and the base support 45. The support leg 11 and the base support 45 are in particular held non-rotatably relative to each other when the stand-up assist is moved out of the retracted position in a direction towards the stand-up position.

[0082] The subject-matter of the present invention entails not only the subject-matter of the individual claims but also the combination of the individual claims with each other. All features and recitals disclosed in the documentsincluding the Abstract, in particular the spatial configurations shown in the drawings, are claimed as essential to the invention insofar as they are novel individually or in combination over the state of the art.

[0083] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.