RECLINING CHAIRS

Abstract

A reclining chair is described that includes a backrest, a seat, and a frame. The backrest and the seat are attached to the frame. The backrest pivotally couples to the frame about a fixed axis. The seat slidingly couples to the frame about a seat axis. The backrest and the seat rotatably couple to one another about a floating axis. The reclining chair is moveable between an upright position and a fully reclined position.

Claims

1. A reclining chair comprising: a backrest having a top rail, a bottom rail, and a pair of backrest side rails extending between the top rail and the bottom rail, the backrest including a pivot pin extending outward from each of the backrest side rails; a seat having a front rail, a rear rail, and a pair of seat side rails extending between the front rail and the rear rail, the seat including a slide extending outward from each of the seat side rails, the rear rail of the seat rotatably coupled to the bottom rail of the backrest to define a floating axis between the seat and the backrest; and a frame having a pair of opposing panels, each of the panels defining a track, each slide of the seat slidingly received in a respective track of the frame, each pivot pin of the backrest pivotally coupled to a respective panel of the frame to define a fixed axis between the backrest and the frame, the fixed axis fixed relative to the frame and the floating axis moveable relative to the frame.

2. The reclining chair according to claim 1, wherein the seat and the backrest are rotatable relative to one another about the floating axis in a single degree of freedom.

3. The reclining chair according to claim 1, wherein the slides extending from each of the seat side rails forms a single pair of slides, the seat coupled to the frame by the single pair of slides, the seat moveable relative to the frame in two degrees of freedom.

4. The reclining chair according to claim 1, wherein 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 centered about the fixed axis.

5. The reclining chair according to claim 1, wherein the track guides the seat forward and upward as the floating axis moves forward.

6. The reclining chair according to claim 1, wherein the track is an arcuate track.

7. The reclining chair according to claim 1, wherein the reclining chair further comprises a base and a chassis, the chassis attached to each panel of the pair of panels of the frame, and the base attached to the chassis.

8. The reclining chair according to claim 7, wherein the base defines a swivel axis and the chassis is configured to attach the frame to the base such that the frame can rotate about the swivel axis.

9. A reclining chair having an upright position and a fully reclined position, the reclining chair comprising: a frame; a backrest pivotally coupled to the frame about a fixed axis; and a seat slidingly coupled to the frame, the seat and the backrest rotatably coupled together about a floating axis, the backrest urges the seat forward and upwards relative to the frame as the reclining chair moves from the upright position to the fully reclined position.

10. The reclining chair according to claim 9, wherein the backrest moves relative to the frame in a single degree of freedom.

11. The reclining chair according to claim 9, wherein the fixed axis is fixed relative to the frame and the floating axis is moveable relative to the frame.

12. The reclining chair according to claim 9, wherein the seat moves relative to the frame in two degrees of freedom.

13. The reclining chair according to claim 12, wherein 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 relative to the frame and revolves the seat about the seat axis.

14. The reclining chair according to claim 13, wherein the frame defines a track having a first end and a second end, the track configured to limit the movement of the reclining chair between the upright position and the fully reclined position.

15. The reclining chair according to claim 14, wherein 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, and when the reclining chair is in the fully reclined position, the seat axis is within the track and adjacent to the second end of the track.

16. The reclining chair according to claim 14, wherein the track is configured to guide the seat forward and upward as the reclining chair moves from the upright position to the fully reclined position.

17. The reclining chair according to claim 14, wherein the track is an arcuate track.

18. A reclining chair having an upright position and a fully reclined position, the reclining chair comprising: a backrest having a top rail, a bottom rail, and a pair of backrest side rails extending between the top rail and the bottom rail, the backrest including a pivot pin extending outward from each of the backrest side rails; a seat having a front rail, a rear rail, and a pair of seat side rails extending between the front rail and the rear rail, the seat including a slide extending outward from each of the seat side rails, the rear rail of the seat rotatably coupled to the bottom rail of the backrest to define a floating axis between the seat and the backrest; and a frame having a pair of opposing panels, each of the panels defining a track, each slide of the seat slidingly received in a respective track of the frame, each pivot pin of the backrest pivotally coupled to a respective panel of the frame to define a fixed axis between the backrest and the frame, the fixed axis fixed relative to the frame and the floating axis moveable relative to the frame, the backrest urges the seat forward and upward relative to the frame as the reclining chair moves from the upright position to the fully reclined position.

19. The reclining chair according to claim 18, wherein the backrest couples to the frame only by the pivot pins extending therefrom, and the seat couples to the frame only by the slides extending therefrom.

20. The reclining chair according to claim 18, wherein the backrest moves relative to the frame with a single degree of freedom, and the seat moves relative to the frame with two degrees of freedom.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] 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:

[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a reclining chair in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure in an upright position thereof;

[0020] FIG. 2 is a top view of the reclining chair of FIG. 1;

[0021] FIG. 3 is a left side view of the reclining chair of FIG. 1;

[0022] FIG. 4 is a left side view of the reclining chair of FIG. 1 in a fully reclined position thereof;

[0023] FIG. 5 is partial, rear perspective view of a portion of the reclining chair of FIG. 1;

[0024] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the pivot pin of FIG. 5 taken along the section line 6-6;

[0025] FIG. 7 is bottom perspective view of a portion of the reclining chair of FIG. 1 in a partially reclined position thereof; and

[0026] FIG. 8 is a partial cutaway view of a portion of the reclining chair of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] 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.

[0028] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a reclining chair 10 is provided in accordance with the present disclosure. The reclining chair 10 includes a backrest 20, a seat 40, and a frame 60. The reclining chair 10 may include a base 12 and a chassis 14. The base 12 contacts the floor and supports the frame 60. The base 12 may define a swivel axis W-W about which the frame 60 may rotate. The chassis 14 attaches the frame 60 to the base 12 such that the frame 60 may rotate about the swivel axis W-W. In some embodiments, the chassis 14 and/or the frame 60 may be rotationally fixed to the base 12. As shown, the base 12 is conical in shape with a circular cross-section contacting the floor. In some embodiments, the base 12 may be rectangular or have another suitable shape. The base 12 may be sized and/or weighted to prevent tip-over of the reclining chair 10.

[0029] 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.

[0030] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the reclining chair 10 has an upright position (FIG. 3) and a fully reclined position (FIG. 4). Between the upright position and the fully reclined position of the reclining chair 10, the backrest 20 pivots relative to the frame 60 about the fixed axis X-X which is fixed relative to the frame 60. The backrest 20 may pivot about the fixed axis X-X relative to the frame 60 in a single degree of freedom.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] Continuing to refer to FIGS. 3 and 4, movement of the reclining chair 10 between the upright position (FIG. 3) and the fully reclined position (FIG. 4) is detailed in accordance with the present disclosure. Pivoting the backrest 20 from the upright position towards the fully reclined position pivots the backrest 20 about the fixed axis X-X. As the backrest 20 pivots about the fixed axis X-X towards the fully reclined position, the floating axis F-F is moved forward and upward along an arced path and the backrest 20 urges a rear end of the seat 40 forward and upward such that the seat 40 rotates relative to the backrest 20. In response to movement of the rear end of the seat 40, the seat axis S-S translates forward and upward in the track 150 defined by the frame 60. In some embodiments, the seat 40 revolves about the seat axis S-S as reclining chair 10 moves between the upright position and the reclined position. The track 150 of the frame 60 may limit movement of the backrest 20 and/or the seat 40 in one or both of the upright position and the fully reclined position. For example, when the seat axis S-S is adjacent the first end 152 of the track 150 the reclining chair 10 may be in the upright position and when the seat axis S-S is adjacent the second end 154 of the track 150 the reclining chair 10 may be in the fully reclined position.

[0035] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the backrest 20 includes a top rail 22, a bottom rail 24, and a pair of backrest side rails 26 that extend between the top rail 22 and the bottom rail 24. The backrest side rails 26 connect the top rail 22 and the bottom rail 24 and define a backrest plane therewith. Each backrest side rail 26 includes a pivot pin 30 that extends outwardly therefrom to pivotally couple the backrest 20 to the frame 60. The pivot pins 30 define the fixed axis X-X.

[0036] 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.

[0037] With additional reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the frame 60 includes a pair of opposing panels 62. The panels 62 each couple to and support the backrest 20 and the seat 40. Each panel 62 includes a fixed joint 130 and defines a track 150. The backrest 20 pivotally couples the frame 60 at the fixed joint 130 to define the fixed axis X-X. The seat 40 slidingly couples to frame 60 within the track 150 and defines the seat axis S-S which is received within the track 150.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the seat 40 couples to the panels 62 such that the seat 40 translate within the tracks 150 relative the frame 60 and revolves about the seat axis S-S. The tracks 150 align with one another and are configured to receive the slides 50 such that the seat axis S-S is disposed within the tracks 150. The tracks 150 constrain movement of the reclining chair 10 between the upright position and the fully reclined position. The tracks 150 include a first end 152 and a second end 154. The slide 50 engages the first end 152 of the track 150, with the seat axis S-S adjacent the first end 152, when the reclining chair 10 is in the upright position. The slide 50 engages the second end 154 of the track 150, with the seat axis S-S adjacent the second end 154, when the reclining chair 10 is in the fully reclined position.

[0041] Referring back to FIGS. 3 and 4, the reclining chair 10 may move between the upright position (FIG. 2) and the fully reclined position (FIG. 3). As detailed above, the backrest 20 pivotally couples to the frame via pivot pins 30 and pivots about the fixed axis X-X relative to the frame 60 in a single degree of freedom. The seat 40 slidingly couples to the frame 60 via the slides 50 such that the slides slide within the tracks 150 and the seat revolves about the seat axis S-S to be able to move in two degrees of freedom relative to the frame 60. For example, the seat 40 may translate within the tracks 150 between the first end 152 and the second end 154 and revolve about the seat axis S-S relative to the frame 60. The rear rail 44 of the seat 40 rotatably attaches to the bottom rail 24 of the backrest 20 about the floating axis F-F. Moving the reclining chair 10 between the upright position and the fully reclined position moves the floating axis F-F relative to the frame 60 in an arc centered on the fixed axis X-X. Pivoting the backrest 20 about the fixed axis X-X from the upright position to the fully reclined position urges the seat 40 forward and upward within the tracks 150.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] Referring to the reclining chair 10 of FIGS. 1-8, a method of assembling a reclining chair is disclosed in accordance with the present disclosure. The method of assembly includes attaching the seat 40 to the frame 60. The seat 40 may be attached to the frame 60 by disposing each of the slides 50 within the track 150. Each slide 50 may secure to the seat 40 by screws or some other suitable faster such that the seat 40 may revolve about the seat axis S-S relative to frame 60.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.