SEAT WITH MOVEABLE WORKSURFACE

Abstract

A seat includes a chassis and a working attachment. The chassis has a seating surface, a backrest, and an armrest. The working attachment is fixedly secured to the chassis and includes a worksurface. The worksurface has a first position in which the worksurface is positioned at a height above a top surface of the armrest on a first side of the armrest such that the worksurface is positioned over the seating surface. The worksurface has a second position in which the worksurface is positioned at a height below the top surface of the armrest on a second side of the armrest opposite of the first side.

Claims

1. A seat comprising: a chassis having a seating surface, a backrest, and an armrest; and a working attachment fixedly secured to the chassis, the working attachment including a worksurface, the worksurface having a first position in which the worksurface is positioned at a height above a top surface of the armrest on a first side of the armrest such that the worksurface is positioned over the seating surface, the worksurface having a second position in which the worksurface is positioned on a second side of the armrest opposite of the first side.

2. The seat according to claim 1, wherein the working attachment includes a support section and a vertical section, the vertical section defining a first axis of rotation, the support section extending perpendicular to the vertical section, the support section including a support coupling that is coupled to the worksurface.

3. The seat according to claim 2, wherein the support coupling is pivotally coupled to the worksurface such that the worksurface rotates relative to the support section about a second axis of rotation that extends through the support coupling and is parallel to the first axis of rotation.

4. The seat according to claim 2, wherein the chassis includes a mount, the mount defining a receiver that selectively receives a first portion of a mounting shaft, the working attachment selectively receiving a second portion of the mounting shaft, the mounting shaft fixedly securing the working attachment to the chassis.

5. The seat according to claim 2, the working attachment including a mounting section having a horizontal tube and a vertical tube, the horizontal tube fixedly secured to the chassis, the vertical tube extending perpendicular to the horizontal tube, the vertical tube receiving the vertical section of the working attachment.

6. The seat according to claim 5, wherein the vertical tube defines a central longitudinal axis, the first axis of rotation being coaxial with the central longitudinal axis of the vertical tube.

7. The seat according to claim 6, wherein the vertical section is rotatably fixed relative to the vertical tube.

8. The seat according to claim 6, wherein the vertical section translates into and out of the vertical tube between the first position and the second position such that the worksurface is below the top surface of the armrest in the second position.

9. The seat according to claim 8, wherein the working attachment includes an actuator that translates the vertical section into and out of the vertical tube.

10. The seat according to claim 9, wherein the actuator is a linear actuator.

11. A seat comprising: a chassis having a seating surface, a backrest, and an armrest; and a working attachment fixedly secured to the chassis, the working attachment including a worksurface, the worksurface having a first position in which the worksurface is configured to function as a worksurface above the seating surface, the worksurface having a second position in which the worksurface is configured to function as a side table.

12. The seat according to claim 11, wherein in the first position the worksurface is positioned at a first height above a top surface of the armrest and in the second position the worksurface is positioned at a second height below the top surface of the armrest.

13. The seat according to claim 12, wherein in the first position the worksurface is positioned above the seating surface.

14. The seat according to claim 11, wherein the chassis includes a headrest, the backrest moveable between a first state in which the backrest is substantially upright relative to the seating surface and a second state in which the backrest is reclined relative to the seating surface, the headrest having a backward pose in which the headrest is substantially aligned with the backrest and a forward pose in which the headrest is tilted forward relative to the backrest.

15. The seat according to claim 14, wherein the chassis includes a first actuator and a second actuator, the first actuator configured to move the backrest between the first state and the second state and the second actuator configured to tilt the headrest between the backward pose and the forward pose, the chassis further including a first control interface in signal communication with the first actuator and a second control interface in signal communication with the second actuator, the second actuator synced with the first actuator such that when the backrest is moved from the second position towards the first position the second actuator tilts the headrest towards the backward pose when the headrest is in the forward pose in response to the movement of the backrest towards the first position.

16. A working attachment for a seat, the working attachment comprising: a mounting section configured to fixedly mount to a chassis of a seat; a securement section that extends from the mounting section; and a worksurface directly coupled to the securement section, the worksurface having a first position in which the worksurface is configured to function as a worksurface over a seating surface of the seat within a footprint of the seat, the worksurface having a second position in which the worksurface is configured to function as a side table outside of the footprint of the seat.

17. The working attachment according to claim 16, wherein the mounting section includes a horizontal tube and a vertical tube, the horizontal tube configured to fixedly mount to the chassis of the seat, the vertical tube extending perpendicular to the horizontal tube, the vertical tube receiving a portion of the securement section.

18. The working attachment according to claim 16, wherein securement section includes a vertical shaft and a horizontal shaft, the vertical shaft defining a first axis of rotation, the horizontal shaft rotated about the first axis of rotation between the first position and the second position.

19. The working attachment according to claim 18, wherein the worksurface is rotatably coupled to the securement section about a second axis of rotation that is parallel to the first axis of rotation, the worksurface rotated about the second axis of rotation between the first position and the second position.

20. The working attachment according to claim 19, further comprising an actuator disposed in a vertical tube of the mounting section, the actuator translating the vertical shaft into and out of the vertical tube between the first position and the second position.

21-33. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] 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:

[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chair provided in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure with a worksurface in a working position;

[0030] FIG. 2 is a lower perspective view of the chair of FIG. 1;

[0031] FIG. 3 is a lower perspective view of a working attachment of the chair of FIG. 1;

[0032] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the chair of FIG. 1 with the worksurface rotated about a first axis from the working position to a first rotated position;

[0033] FIG. 5 is a lower perspective view of the chair of FIG. 4;

[0034] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the chair of FIG. 4 with the worksurface rotated about a second axis from the first rotated position to a second rotated position;

[0035] FIG. 7 is a front view of the chair of FIG. 6;

[0036] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the chair of FIG. 6 with the worksurface lowered from the second rotated position to a table position;

[0037] FIG. 9 is a front view of the chair of FIG. 8;

[0038] FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of the chair of FIG. 1 without the working attachment with the backrest in an upright state and the headrest in a backward pose;

[0039] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a mount of FIG. 10;

[0040] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the chair of FIG. 10 with a cushion removed showing an interior of the chair;

[0041] FIG. 13 is a side view of the chair of FIG. 10;

[0042] FIG. 14 is a side view of the chair of FIG. 10 with the backrest in a reclined state and the headrest in a backward pose;

[0043] FIG. 15 is a side view of the chair of FIG. 14 with the backrest in a reclined state and the headrest in a forward pose;

[0044] FIG. 16 is a side view of the chair of FIG. 15 with the backrest in another reclined state between the reclined state and the upright state and the headrest in another forward pose between the backward pose and the forward pose;

[0045] FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a method of controlling a chair provided in accordance with the present disclosure; and

[0046] FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of a processing device provided in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] 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.

[0048] As used herein, the term seat refers to any type of seat which is applicable to the respective example and may include a stool, a single seat chair, a multiseat chair, a sofa, a bench, or other type of seating surface. The term seat may refer to a fixed seat or a motion seat.

[0049] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 a seat is provided in accordance with the present disclosure and is referred to generally as chair 10. The chair 10 includes a chassis 20 having a seating surface 22, a backrest 30, and a headrest 50. The chassis 20 is supported by a base 12 that engages a support surface or floor to support the chassis 20 of the chair 10. The chassis 20 may rotate about a shaft 14 of the base 12. The chassis 20 may rotate between a set of predefined stops such that the chassis 20 rotatable 290 degrees about the shaft, e.g., 145 degrees in either direction from a neutral position. In some embodiments, the chassis 20 is rotatable between 180 and 330 degrees about the shaft 14. In certain embodiments, the chassis 20 may be freely rotatably 360 degrees about the shaft 14. In particular embodiments, the chassis 20 has a neutral position relative to the base 12 such that the seating surface 22 returns to the neutral position absent external forces, e.g., the chassis 20 is self-biased to the neutral position.

[0050] With additional reference to FIG. 3, the chair 10 also includes a working attachment 100. The working attachment 100 includes a mounting section 110, a vertical section 120, a support section 130, and a worksurface 160. As detailed below, the working attachment 100 supports the worksurface 160 in a plurality of positions relative to the chassis 20. The mounting section 110 is selectively secured to the chassis 20 in a receptacle 82 of a mount 80 of the chassis 20 (FIG. 11). The mounting section a includes a horizontal tube 116 that defines a receiver 113 therethrough. The receiver 113 receives a mounting shaft 114 therewithin. The mounting shaft 114 is received within the receptacle 82 of the chassis 20 and is secured within the receptacle 82. In some embodiments, a lower panel 21 of the chassis 20 may be removed to allow access such that fasteners, e.g., bolts, may be passed through the mounting holes 117 of the mounting shaft 114 and complementary holes in the receptacle 82 of the chassis 20 to secure the mounting shaft 114 within the receptacle 82. The mounting shaft 114 may be secured to the horizontal tube 116 by fasteners passing through the holes 115. Securing the mounting shaft 114 in the receptacle 82 and the horizontal tube 116 may provide support to the working attachment 100 such that the working attachment 100 is selectively secured or fixed to the chassis 20. The mounting shaft 114 may be formed of steel or another metal that provides sufficient strength to secure the working attachment 100 to the chassis 20. Other parts of the working attachment, e.g., the mounting section 110 and the support section 130, may be formed of aluminum or other metal or another material of sufficient durability and strength, e.g., wood or plastic. While the mounting shaft 114 is described as secured with fasteners that pass through the holes 115, 117, it is contemplated that other fastening systems may be used. For example, the mounting shaft 114 may include fasteners that allow for the mounting shaft 114 to be inserted into the receptacle 82 and positionally secured in the receptacle 82 without requiring the removal of the panel 21 of the chassis 20.

[0051] The horizontal tube 116 supports the vertical section 120. For example, the horizontal tube 116 may include a tube end 118 that is received within an opening 128 in the vertical section 120 to secure the vertical section 120 to the mounting section 110. The vertical section 120 and the mounting section 110 may be fixedly secured to one another, e.g., welded or another form of fixed securement.

[0052] The vertical section 120 includes a vertical tube 124 that defines a channel 126 therewithin. The top end of the vertical tube 124 defines an opening 125 to allow a portion of the support section 130 to be received within the channel 126 of the vertical tube 124. The vertical tube 124 and or the horizontal tube 116 may house one or more components that interact with the support section 130 to affect translation and/or rotation of the support section 130 relative to the vertical tube 124. For example, the vertical section 120 may include an actuator disposed within the vertical tube 124 that moves the support section 130 vertically, e.g., in a direction along a central longitudinal axis of the vertical tube 124. This actuator may be a linear actuator or a lift screw actuator. Additionally or alternatively, the vertical section 120 may include an actuator that rotates the support section 130 about the central longitudinal axis of the vertical tube 124. When the mounting section 110 is secured to the chassis 20, the mounting section 110 and the vertical section 120 are fixed relative to the chassis 20.

[0053] Continuing to refer to FIGS. 2 and 3, the support section 130 is received in the vertical tube 124 and supports the worksurface 160. The support section 130 includes a vertical shaft 132 and a horizontal support 136 that extends perpendicularly from the vertical shaft 132 to a surface coupling 138. The horizontal support 136 is rotatably coupled to the vertical shaft 132 about a pivot coupling 134 on an end portion of the horizontal support 136 opposite the surface coupling 138. The pivot coupling 134 may rotatably couple the horizontal support 136 relative to the vertical shaft 132 about a first pivot axis, e.g., Axis A1 shown in FIG. 7. The first pivot axis may be coaxial with the central longitudinal axis of the vertical tube 124. In some embodiments, the first pivot axis may be parallel to and offset from the central longitudinal axis of the vertical tube 124.

[0054] The pivot coupling 134 allows for manual or motorized rotation of the horizontal support 136 relative to the vertical shaft 132. In certain embodiments, the pivot coupling 134 includes a control interface 142 on a top surface of the horizontal support 136. The control interface 142 may be mounted contiguous or flush with the top surface of the horizontal support 136. Rotation of the horizontal support 136 relative to the vertical shaft 132 may be resisted such that force is required to overcome the resistance. The resistance to rotation of the horizontal support 136 may be such that the horizontal support 136 tends to hold its radial position relative to the vertical shaft unless external force is applied to the horizontal support 136. This resistance may prevent unintentional rotation of the horizontal support 136 during use. In certain embodiments, the horizontal support 136 has a first position and a second position relative to the vertical shaft 132 in which the horizontal support 136 requires additional force to rotate from the first position towards the second position or the second position towards the first position as detailed below.

[0055] The surface coupling 138 is positioned beneath the worksurface 160 with the worksurface 160 rotatably coupled to the horizontal support 136 about a second pivot axis that passes through the surface coupling 138. The second pivot axis may be parallel to and offset from the first pivot axis. Rotation of the worksurface 160 about the second pivot axis may manual or motorized. When rotation of the worksurface 160 is motorized, rotation may be controlled by the control interface 142. Rotation of the worksurface 160 from a first state, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, may be resisted such that the worksurface 160 requires additional force to move from the first position. This resistance may allow a user to apply forces to the worksurface 160 when writing or manipulating papers or devices on the worksurface 160 without unintentional movement of the worksurface 160.

[0056] In certain embodiments, the surface coupling 138 may rotate about the central longitudinal axis of the horizontal support 136. The central longitudinal axis of the horizontal support 136 may be perpendicular to the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis. Rotation of the surface coupling 138 may allow for angling of the worksurface 160 relative to the user. Angling of the worksurface 160 relative to the user may improve viewing and/or working with the papers or electronic devices on the worksurface 160.

[0057] With reference to FIGS. 1-9, movement of the worksurface 160 of the working attachment 100 relative to the chassis 20 of the chair 10 is described in accordance to embodiments of the present disclosure. While the working attachment 100 is show and described with the chair 10, the working attachment 100 may be used with any type of seat in the manner detailed herein. With particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the worksurface 160 is in a first or working position in which the worksurface 160 is positioned in a substantially horizontal position above the seating surface 22 and between armrests 60 of the chair 10. In the working position, the worksurface 160 is positioned to allow a user seated in the chair 10 to comfortably access papers or electronic devices on the worksurface 160. In the working position, the worksurface 160 may be disposed at a height above top surfaces of the armrests 60, e.g., Axis A2 shown in FIG. 7. In the working position, the worksurface 160 is within the footprint of the chair 10. The footprint of the chair 10 is the space that is in a virtual box that is defined on the floor by the chassis 20. Specifically, the footprint is defined on the sides by the armrests 60 and on the front by the edge of the seating surface 22 or the chassis 20 and on the back by the edge of the backrest 30, headrest 50, or chassis 20, whichever extends to the farthest limit. As such, the length of the footprint changes based on the state of the backrest 30. For example, the footprint may be the smallest when the backrest 30 in an upright state and the headrest 50 in a backward pose and the footprint may be the largest when the backrest 30 in a reclined state and the headrest 50 in a backward pose as described below.

[0058] The worksurface 160 may be moved from the working position to a second or first rotated position as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. To move the worksurface 160 from the working position to the first rotated position, the worksurface 160 is rotated about the second pivot axis that passes through surface coupling 138. Rotating the worksurface 160 from the working position to the first rotated position may rotate the worksurface 160 out of the way of a user sitting in the chair 10 such that a user may egress or ingress the chair 10. The worksurface 160 may be limited in movement about the second pivot axis between the working position and the first rotated position. Rotation about the second pivot axis between the working position to the first rotated position may be in a range of 90 degrees and 360 degrees, e.g., 280 degrees. The stops for rotation of the worksurface 160 about the second pivot axis may be disposed within the surface coupling 138. In some embodiments, the worksurface 160 may be rotated in either direction from the working position about the second pivot axis. For example, the worksurface 160 may be rotated in a first direction in a range of 75 degrees to 105 degrees, e.g., 90 degrees, and rotatable in the other direction 175 degrees and 205 degrees, e.g., 190 degrees, in the other, opposite direction. Movement of the worksurface 160 from the working position to the first rotated position may be controlled manually. The worksurface 160 may freely rotate between the working position and the first rotated position. In particular embodiments, the worksurface 160 may be self-biased in or towards the working position and/or the first rotated position such that additional force is required to rotate the worksurface 160 out of the working position and/or the first rotated position. In some embodiments, the self-biasing may move the worksurface 160 into the working position and/or the first rotated position when the worksurface 160 is adjacent to or outside of the respective position. In certain embodiments, the control interface 142 may be used to control motors to actuate the worksurface 160 from the working position to the first rotated position.

[0059] The worksurface 160 may be moved from the first rotated position to the second rotated position as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The worksurface 160 may be moved from the first rotated position to the second rotated position by rotating the worksurface 160 about the first pivot axis that passes through the pivot coupling 134. Rotating the worksurface 160 from the first rotated position to the second rotated position may rotate the worksurface 160 out of the way of a user sitting in the chair 10 such that a user may egress or ingress the chair 10. In some embodiments, the worksurface 160 may be rotated about the first pivot axis from the working position such that the worksurface 160 is only rotated about the first pivot axis without rotating about the second pivot axis. In the second rotated position, the worksurface 160 is orientated with a central longitudinal axis of the worksurface 160 substantially parallel with a centerline of the chair 10 and/or the armrests 60 of the chair 10. In addition, the worksurface 160 is positioned above the armrests 60 of the chair 10 and positioned outside of the armrests 60. Rotation of the worksurface 160 from the first rotated position to the second rotated position may be accomplished only by rotating the horizontal support 136 relative to the vertical shaft 132 at the pivot coupling 134. In some embodiments, the worksurface 160 remains radially fixed about the second pivot axis relative to the surface coupling 138 as the worksurface 160 rotates between the first rotated position and the second rotated position. In some embodiments, the worksurface 160 may be rotated from the working position to the second rotated position with simultaneous rotation of the worksurface 160 about the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis. In the second rotated position, the worksurface 160 is outside of the footprint of the chair 10.

[0060] The worksurface 160 may be limited in movement about the first pivot axis between a first condition of the horizontal support 136 relative to the vertical shaft 132 when in the working position and to a second condition of the horizontal support 136 relative to the vertical shaft 132 when in the second rotated position. Rotation about the first pivot axis of the horizontal shaft may be in a range of 90 degrees and 290 degrees, e.g., 265 degrees. The pivot coupling 134 may include stops for rotation of the horizontal support 136 relative to the vertical shaft 132. The stops for rotation of the horizontal support 136 about the first pivot axis may be disposed within the surface coupling 138. Movement of the horizontal support 136 about the first pivot axis may be controlled manually. The horizontal support 136 may freely rotate about the first pivot axis. In particular embodiments, the horizontal support 136 may be self-biased in or towards the first position and/or the second position such that additional force is required to rotate the horizontal support 136 out of the first position and/or the second position. In certain embodiments, the control interface 142 may be used to control motors to actuate the horizontal support 136 about the first pivot axis.

[0061] When in the second rotated position, the worksurface 160 may be lowered to a table position as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Specifically, the height of the worksurface 160 is lowered from above the top surfaces of the armrests 60 to a height below the top surfaces of the armrests 60. In the table position, the worksurface 160 is orientated with a central longitudinal axis of the worksurface 160 substantially parallel with a centerline of the chair 10 and/or the armrests 60 of the chair 10. In addition, the worksurface 160 may be positioned at a height below or even with the top surfaces of the armrests 60 of the chair 10. Specifically, the height of the worksurface 160 is lowered from the second rotated position shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The table position of the worksurface 160 allows the worksurface 160 to function as a side table for the chair 10. As such, the chair 10 is functional as both a work chair and a leisure chair with the worksurface 160 having a function in both instances. This is unlike many other worksurfaces which fold away when not being used to support media but do not have a second function, e.g., a side table function, when not in a working position. In the table position, the worksurface 160 is outside of the footprint of the chair 10.

[0062] To move from the second rotated position to the table position, the vertical shaft 132 translates linearly along the central longitudinal axis of the vertical tube 124. The translation of the vertical shaft 132 may be accomplished by an actuator 121 disposed within the vertical tube 124. The actuator 121 may be a linear actuator. The actuator 121 may be in communication with the control interface 142 such that the actuator lifts or lowers the vertical shaft 132 out of or into the vertical tube 124 in response to input in the control interface 142. In particular embodiments, the control interface 142 is a toggle switch with two positions, one position to lower the vertical shaft 132 into the vertical tube 124 and another position to raise the vertical shaft 132 out of the vertical tube 124. In such embodiments, other movement of the worksurface 160 may be manually controlled. In the table position, the horizontal support 136 may be radially fixed relative to the vertical shaft 132 and/or the worksurface 160 may be radially fixed about the second pivot axis.

[0063] As shown in FIGS. 10, and 11 the chair 10 may be provided without the working attachment 100. In such instances, a cover may cover the receptacle 82 (FIG. 13) or the entire mount 80 (not explicitly shown). The receptacle 82 is disposed within the chassis 20 to receive the mounting shaft 114 (FIG. 3) as detailed above. The mount 80 may include one or more electrical ports 84 to allow for connection to electronic devices. The electrical ports 84 may be USB or USB-C ports or other electrical ports to power portable electronic devices. In some embodiments, the mount 80 may include an electrical socket. The receptacle 82 may include an electrical interface to pass electrical energy and/or signals between the working attachment and the chassis 20. In embodiments, signals from the control interface 142 are transmitted directly to the actuator 121 within the working attachment 100. In some embodiments, signals from the control interface 142 are transmitted to a controller 90 disposed within the chassis 20 and then control signals are transmitted from the controller 90 to the actuator 121 within the working attachment 100. The chassis 20 may provide electrical energy to the working attachment 100 through the receptacle 82. The working attachment 100 may include one or more sensors to detect the position of the worksurface 160, the horizontal support 136, or the vertical shaft 132 and transmit the detected positions to the controller 90. The positions of the worksurface 160, the horizontal support 136, or the vertical shaft 132 may be used to prevent or limit movement of the working attachment 100, the backrest 30, or the headrest 50. For example, the vertical shaft 132 may be prevented from lowering unless the worksurface 160 is in the second rotated position.

[0064] Referring now to FIG. 12, the chair 10 includes a control system that actuates the backrest 30 relative to the seating surface 22 and the headrest 50 relative to the backrest 30. The control system includes the controller 90 that is disposed within the chassis 20 of the chair 10. As shown, the controller 90 is positioned below the seating surface 22; however, the controller 90 may be disposed in the backrest 30 or another location within the chassis 20 in which the controller 90 will not reduce comfort or function of the chair 10.

[0065] The control system includes a first actuator 92 and a second actuator 94. The first actuator 92 is disposed within the backrest 30 and moves the backrest 30 relative to the seating surface 22. The second actuator 94 is disposed within the backrest 30 and moves the headrest 50 relative to the backrest 30. Each of the first actuator 92 and the second actuator 94 are in signal communication with the controller 90. For example, the first actuator 92 may receive signals from the controller 90 to move the backrest 30 between an upright state (FIG. 13) and a reclined state (FIG. 14) and the second actuator 94 may receive signals from the controller 90 to tilt the headrest 50 between a backward pose (FIG. 14) and a forward pose (FIG. 15) as detailed below. In some embodiments, each of the first actuator 92 and the second actuator 94 are in electrical communication with the controller 90 such that the respective actuator receives electrical energy from the controller 90.

[0066] The control system includes a first control interface 72 disposed in the front of the right armrest 60 and a second control interface 74 disposed in the front of the left armrest 60 (best shown in FIG. 9). Each of the first control interface 72 and the second control interface 74 may a toggle switch that has a neutral position, an up position, and a down position. Each of the first control interface 72 and the second control interface 74 may be in signal communication with the controller 90. The first control interface 72 may be associated with the with the first actuator 92 to control the state of the backrest 30 relative to the seating surface 22. For example, when the first control interface 72 is toggled up, from the neutral position, the backrest 30 may move toward the upright state (FIG. 13) and when the first control interface 72 is toggled down, from the neutral position, the backrest 30 may move toward the reclined state (FIG. 14). The second control interface 74 may be associated with the second actuator 94 to control the pose of the headrest 50 relative to the backrest 30. For example, when the second control interface 74 is toggled up, from the neutral position, the headrest 50 may move toward the forward pose (FIG. 15) and when the second control interface 74 is toggled down, from the neutral position, the headrest 50 may move toward the backward pose (FIG. 14). It will be appreciated that association of the first control interface 72 with the first actuator 92 and the association of the second control interface 74 with the second actuator 94 may be reversed such that the first control interface 72 is associated with the second actuator 94 and the second control interface 74 is associated with the first actuator 92.

[0067] The state of the headrest 50 may be controlled by the second control interface 74 and be limited by the state of the backrest 30. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, when the backrest 30 is in the reclined state, the headrest 50 may be in the fully forward pose. However, as the backrest 30 is in a midstate between the reclined state and the upright state, the pose of the headrest 50 may be limited to being less than in the fully forward state such that as the backrest 30 moves towards the upright state, the headrest 50 moves towards the backward pose without input from the second control interface 74.

[0068] In certain embodiments, the control system is provided without a controller 90. In such embodiments, the first control interface 72 may be in direct signal communication with the first actuator 92 and the second control interface 74 may be in direct signal communication with the second actuator 94. In addition, the first actuator 92 may be in signal communication with the second actuator 94 to provide a headrest limit for a current state of the backrest 30 such that the headrest 50 may move towards the backward pose as the backrest 30 moves towards the upright state to be at or below the headrest limit for a given state of the backrest 30.

[0069] Referring now to FIGS. 13-15, the state of the backrest 30 and the pose of the headrest 50 are described in accordance with the present disclosure. In the upright state of the backrest 30, the backrest 30 defines an angle .sub.1 with the floor in a range between 100 degrees and 125 degrees e.g., 115 degrees, as shown in FIG. 13. In the reclined state of the backrest 30, the backrest 30 defines an angle .sub.2 with the floor in a range between 130 degrees and 150 degrees, e.g., 140 degrees, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. In the backward pose of the headrest 50, the headrest 50 defines an angle .sub.1 with the backrest 30 in a range between 0 and 15 degrees, e.g., 10 degrees, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. In the forward pose of the headrest 50, the headrest 50 defines an angle .sub.2 with the backrest 30 in a range between 35 degrees and 50 degrees, e.g., 45 degrees.

[0070] While the angle is shown measuring the angle of the back of the backrest 30 to the floor, the angle is used for convenience of visuals for this disclosure. For example, the angle may be measured along a front surface of the backrest 30 and the floor. In addition, the angle may be measured between the front surface of the backrest 30 and a top surface of the seating surface 22. For example, when the angle is measured between the front surface of the backrest 30 and the top surface of the seating surface 22, the backrest 30 may be substantially upright with respect to the seating surface 22 in the upright state and reclined with respect to the seating surface 22 in the reclined state. In addition, as shown, the angle between the headrest 50 and the backrest 30 is taken between the back surfaces of each of the headrest 50 and the backrest 30; however, the angle may be measured between the front surfaces of the headrest 50 and the backrest 30. In such embodiments, the angle may be at or near 0 degrees in the backward pose such that the headrest 50 may be substantially aligned with the backrest 30 in the backward pose thereof.

[0071] With reference not to FIG. 17, a method of operating a seat is disclosed in accordance with the present disclosure and is referred to generally as method 1700. The method 1700 is described with reference to the chair 10 of FIGS. 12-16. The method 1700 may include engaging a first control interface 72 to move the backrest 30 of the chair 10 towards a reclined state (Step 1710). In some embodiments, the first control interface 72 may be toggled down to move the backrest 30 towards the reclined state. In response to actuation of the first control interface 72, the first control interface 72 may send a signal to a controller 90 which sends a signal to a first actuator 92 or the first control interface 72 may send a signal directly to the first actuator 92 to effect movement of the backrest 30 towards the reclined state as shown in FIG. 14. When the backrest 30 is in a reclined state, the headrest 50 may be moved from a backward state (FIG. 14) to a forward state (FIGS. 15 and 16) by engaging the second control interface 74 to move the headrest 50 of the chair 10 towards a forward state (Step 1720). The headrest 50 may be moved towards the forward state to position the head of a user to look in a forward direction when the backrest 30 is in a reclined state.

[0072] When the backrest 30 is in a reclined state, e.g., the fully reclined state as shown in FIG. 15, and the headrest 50 is in a forward state, e.g., the fully forward state as shown in FIG. 15), the first control interface 72 is engaged to move the backrest 30 towards the upright state (Step 1730). In this position, the headrest 50 may support a user's head to look forward substantially parallel to a floor or support surface of the chair 10. As the backrest 30 moves towards the upright state, the first actuator 92 or another sensor (not explicitly shown) may provide an angle of the backrest 30 to the controller 90, first actuator 92, or the second actuator 94 (Process 1732). The controller 90, first actuator 92, or the second actuator 94 may determine a headrest limit based on the angle of the backrest 30 (Process 1734). The headrest limit may be determined as a function of the angle of the backrest 30 or may be determined from a look up table preloaded into the controller 90 or the second actuator 94. The controller 90 or the second actuator 94 may compare the pose of the headrest 50, e.g., the angle of the headrest 50, to the headrest limit (Process 1736). If the pose of the headrest 50 is greater than the headrest limit, the controller 90 or the first actuator 92 may send a signal to the second actuator 94 to tilt the headrest 50 or the second actuator 94 may tilt the headrest 50 towards the backward pose until the pose of the headrest 50 is at or below the headrest limit (Process 1738). If the pose of the headrest 50 is less than or equal to the headrest limit, the controller 90 or the second actuator 94 take no action and repeat the Process 1734 until movement of the backrest 30 towards the upright state ceases. Processes 1732-1738 sync movement of the headrest 50 to movement of the backrest 30 as the backrest 30 moves towards the upright state to limit the pose of the headrest 50. Syncing movement of the headrest 50 may improve comfort of a user by preventing the headrest 50 from urging the head of a wearer downward in the upright state of the chair 10. An example of such movement is shown in FIG. 16 in which the backrest 30 is at an angle .sub.3 of 130 degrees and the headrest 50 is limited to an angle .sub.3 of 30 degrees which may be the headrest limit for the state of the backrest 30. The headrest limit may be such that as the backrest 30 moves towards the upright state, the pose of the headrest 50 is limited to face forward as the backrest 30 moves upwards. For example, the angle of a front surface of the headrest 50 relative to the ground or support surface of the chair 10 may be maintained as the backrest 30 moves towards the upright state. It will be appreciated that the headrest 50 moves towards the backward pose without input from the second control interface 74.

[0073] Referring now to FIG. 18, a block diagram of controller 1800 is provided in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The controller 1800 may perform one or more of the operations, methods, or processes described herein, e.g., method 1700. For example, the controller 1800 may be used as the controller 90 or part of the actuators 92, 94 detailed above. The controller 1800 may be in signal communication with other computing devices or controllers by being integrated therewithin or connected via a LAN, an intranet, an extranet, and/or the Internet. In some embodiments, while only a single controller is illustrated, the term controller may be taken to include any collection of controllers that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform the methods discussed herein.

[0074] The example controller 1800 may include a processing device (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a PLD, etc.) 1802, a main memory 1804 (e.g., synchronous dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), read-only memory (ROM)), a static memory 1806 (e.g., flash memory and a data storage device 1818), which may communicate with each other via a bus 1830.

[0075] Processing device 1802 may be provided by one or more general-purpose processing devices such as a microprocessor, central processing unit, or the like. In an illustrative example, processing device 1802 may comprise a complex instruction set computing (CISC) microprocessor, reduced instruction set computing (RISC) microprocessor, very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, or a processor implementing other instruction sets or processors implementing a combination of instruction sets. Processing device 1802 may comprise one or more special-purpose processing devices such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a digital signal processor (DSP), network processor, or the like. The processing device 1802 may be configured to execute the operations described herein, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, for performing the operations and steps discussed herein.

[0076] The data storage device 1818 may include a computer-readable storage medium 1828 on which may be stored one or more sets of instructions 1825 that may include instructions for one or more components (e.g., the actuator 92 or the actuator 94) for carrying out the operations described herein, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Instructions 1825 may reside, completely or at least partially, within main memory 1804 and/or within processing device 1802 during execution thereof by computing device 1800, main memory 1804 and processing device 1802 constituting computer-readable media. The instructions 1825 may be transmitted or received over a communication interface 1820 via interface device 1808.

[0077] While computer-readable storage medium 1828 is shown in an illustrative example to be a single medium, the term computer-readable storage medium should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term computer-readable storage medium may be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying a set of instructions for execution by the machine and that cause the machine to perform the methods described herein. The term computer-readable storage medium shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to, solid-state memories, optical media, and magnetic media.

[0078] Examples described herein may relate to an apparatus for performing the operations described herein. This apparatus may be specially constructed for the required purposes, or it may comprise a general-purpose computing device selectively programmed by a computer program stored in the computing device. Such a computer program may be stored in a computer-readable non-transitory storage medium.

[0079] The methods and illustrative examples described herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus. Various general-purpose systems may be used in accordance with the teachings described herein, or it may prove convenient to construct more specialized apparatus to perform the required method steps. The required structure for a variety of these systems will appear as set forth in the description above.

[0080] Although the method steps and processes are described in a specific order, it should be understood that other steps or processes may be performed in between described steps or processes, described steps or processes may be adjusted so that they occur at slightly different times, or the described steps or processes may occur in any order unless otherwise specified.

[0081] 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.