CHAIR WITH LENGTHENED SEAT

Abstract

A new and improved powered chair comprises a chair frame, a backrest assembly, a seat assembly, a footrest assembly, a linkage system, and a linear actuator operatively connected, by the linkage system, to the backrest assembly, the seat assembly, and the footrest assembly for actuating the backrest assembly, the seat assembly, and the footrest assembly between various positions. The seat assembly comprises a seat plate having a substantially V or L-shaped configuration wherein a rearward leg of the V or L-shaped seat plate has a distorted or elongated N or Z-shaped configuration which includes a central, substantially horizontally extending section that, along with the seat plate, can accommodate an enlarged chair seat for, in turn, accommodating large or tall chair users.

Claims

1. A powered chair, comprising: a chair frame; a backrest assembly; a seat assembly; a footrest assembly; a linkage system; and a linear actuator operatively connected to said backrest assembly, said seat assembly, and said footrest assembly for actuating said backrest assembly, said seat assembly, and said footrest assembly between various positions, including a seated/upright position, an extended position, and a reclined position; wherein said seat assembly comprises a pair of oppositely disposed seat plates wherein each one of said pair of oppositely disposed seat plates has a substantially V or L-shaped configuration wherein a rearward leg of said V or L-shaped seat plate comprises a distorted or elongated N or Z-shaped configuration which includes a central, substantially horizontally extending section that, along with said pair of oppositely disposed seat plates, can accommodate an enlarged chair seat for, in turn, accommodating large or tall chair users.

2. The powered chair as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said linear actuator comprises a motor, a lead screw housing, and a slide member slidably mounted upon and operatively engaged with a lead screw disposed within said lead screw housing.

3. The powered chair as set forth in claim 2, wherein: said chair frame comprises forward and rearward cross-bar members; said motor of said linear actuator is fixedly mounted upon said forward cross-bar member; and said lead screw housing of said linear actuator is fixedly mounted upon said rearward cross-bar member.

4. The powered chair as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said backrest assembly comprises a pair of oppositely disposed backrest mounting brackets for mounting a backrest thereon and which can be moved between upright positions and reclined positions.

5. The powered chair as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said seat assembly is movable between a lowered, non-reclined position and an elevated, reclined position such that said seat assembly can attain a zero-gravity disposition.

6. The powered chair as set forth in claim 5, wherein: when said seat assembly is disposed at said elevated, reclined, zero-gravity disposition, said footrest assembly will be disposed at an elevational level which is higher than that of said backrest assembly, thereby permitting said chair to achieve said zero-gravity disposition.

7. The powered chair as set forth in claim 6, wherein: when said seat assembly is disposed at said elevated, reclined, zero-gravity position, a front end portion of said seat assembly will be disposed at a higher elevation than a rear end portion of said seat assembly.

8. A powered chair, comprising: a chair frame; a backrest assembly; a seat assembly; a footrest assembly; a linkage system; and a linear actuator operatively connected to said backrest assembly, said seat assembly, and said footrest assembly for actuating said backrest assembly, said seat assembly, and said footrest assembly between various positions, including a seated/upright position, an extended position, a reclined position, and a zero-gravity position; wherein said seat assembly comprises a pair of oppositely disposed seat plates wherein each one of said pair of oppositely disposed seat plates has a substantially V or L-shaped configuration wherein a rearward leg of said V or L-shaped seat plate comprises a distorted or elongated N or Z-shaped configuration which includes a central, substantially horizontally extending section that, along with said pair of oppositely disposed seat plates, can accommodate an enlarged chair seat for, in turn, accommodating large or tall chair users.

9. The powered chair as set forth in claim 8, wherein: said linear actuator comprises a motor, a lead screw housing, and a slide member slidably mounted upon and operatively engaged with a lead screw disposed within said lead screw housing.

10. The powered chair as set forth in claim 9, wherein: said chair frame comprises forward and rearward cross-bar members; said motor of said linear actuator is fixedly mounted upon said forward cross-bar member; and said lead screw housing of said linear actuator is fixedly mounted upon said rearward cross-bar member.

11. The powered chair as set forth in claim 8, wherein: said backrest assembly comprises a pair of oppositely disposed backrest mounting brackets for mounting a backrest thereon and which can be moved between upright positions and reclined positions.

12. The powered chair as set forth in claim 8, wherein: said seat assembly is movable between a lowered, non-reclined position and an elevated, reclined position such that said seat assembly can attain a zero-gravity disposition.

13. The powered chair as set forth in claim 12, wherein: when said seat assembly is disposed at said elevated, reclined, zero-gravity disposition, said footrest assembly will be disposed at an elevational level which is higher than that of said backrest assembly, thereby permitting said chair to achieve said zero-gravity disposition.

14. The powered chair as set forth in claim 13, wherein: when said seat assembly is disposed at said elevated, reclined, zero-gravity position, a front end portion of said seat assembly will be disposed at a higher elevation than a rear end portion of said seat assembly.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Various other features and attendant advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0008] FIG. 1 is a left side elevational view of a first embodiment of a new and improved structural system comprising a reclining chair as constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a right side elevational view of the first embodiment of the new and improved structural system comprising the reclining chair as illustrated within FIG. 1;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a top plan, right side perspective view of the first embodiment of the new and improved structural system comprising the reclining chair as illustrated within FIGS. 1 and 2; and

[0011] FIG. 4 is a left side elevational view of a second embodiment of a new and improved structural system comprising a reclining chair as constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0012] With reference now being made to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1-3 thereof, a first embodiment of a new and improved reclining chair, as constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, is disclosed and is generally indicated by the reference character 100. More particularly, it is seen that the new and improved reclining chair 100 comprises a base 102, a pair of oppositely disposed backrest assemblies 104, a pair of oppositely disposed seat assemblies 106, and a pair of oppositely disposed footrest assemblies 108. More particularly, it is seen that each one of the pair of oppositely disposed backrest assemblies 104 comprises a pair of oppositely disposed T-shaped backrest mounting brackets 110 upon which a backrest, not shown, for the reclining chair is to be fixedly mounted, while the seat assembly 106 is seen to comprise a pair of oppositely disposed seat plates 112 upon which a seat for the reclining chair is to be fixedly mounted. As can best be appreciated from FIGS. 1 and 2, and in accordance with the unique principles and teachings of the present invention, it is seen that each one of the pair of oppositely disposed seat plates 112 has a substantially V or L-shaped configuration wherein the rearward leg of the V or L-shaped seat plate 112 comprises a distorted or elongated N or Z-shaped configuration which includes a central, substantially horizontally extending section 114. By providing this central, substantially horizontally extending section 114 upon each one of the pair of oppositely disposed seat plates 112, the length of each one of the pair of oppositely disposed seat plates 112 is effectively lengthened by several inches such that a seat, having such an enlarged or lengthened dimension, as compared to conventional seats normally mounted upon such powered chairs, can in fact be mounted upon the powered chair 100 so as to physically accommodate large or tall people and thereby provide such people with a degree of comfort that would not otherwise be able to be achieved.

[0013] Continuing further, it is seen that the upper rear end portions of each one of the pair of oppositely disposed seat plates 112 is pivotally connected to a respective one of the T-shaped mounting brackets 110, which mount the chair backrest, as at 116, and a pair of oppositely disposed substantially V-shaped connecting links 118 are likewise pivotally connected at their upper end portions to the pair of oppositely disposed T-shaped mounting brackets 110 as at 120. A first pair of oppositely disposed pivoting links 122, having substantially V-shaped configurations as can best be seen in FIG. 2, are pivotally connected at their lower distal end portions to lower end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed V-shaped connecting links 118 as at 124, while central portions of the first pair of oppositely disposed pivoting links 122 are pivotally connected to the pair of oppositely disposed seat plates 112 as at 126. Still further, lower end portions of a pair of oppositely disposed rearward lift links 128 are pivotally attached to the chair base 102 as at 130, while upper end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed rearward lift links 128 are pivotally connected to the first pair of oppositely disposed pivoting links 122 as at pivotal connections 131.

[0014] In a similar manner, it is seen that a second pair of oppositely disposed pivoting links 132 are pivotally attached at their upper ends to forward regions of the pair of oppositely disposed seat plates 112 as at 134, while lower end portions of a pair of oppositely disposed forward lift links 136 are pivotally connected to the chair base 102 as at 138, whereas upper end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed forward lift links 136 are pivotally connected to lower, front end portions of the second pair of oppositely disposed pivoting links 132 as at 140. In addition, it is also seen that a pair of oppositely disposed first connecting links 142 have their lower end portions pivotally connected to central portions of the pair of oppositely disposed forward lift links 136 as at 144, while upper end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed first connecting links 142 are pivotally connected to upper end portions of a pair of oppositely disposed, arcuately configured, third pivoting links 146 as at 148. The pair of third pivoting links 146 are pivotally mounted at central portions thereof to the pair of oppositely disposed seat plates 112 as at 150, while lower end portions of the pair of third pivoting links 146 are pivotally connected to a pair of oppositely disposed second connecting links 152 as at 154. First, rearward end portions of a pair of oppositely disposed substantially U-shaped third connecting links 156 are seen to be pivotally connected to apex portions of the first pair of oppositely disposed pivoting links 122 as at 158, while second, forward end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed third connecting links 156 are seen to be pivotally connected to the second pair of oppositely disposed pivoting links 132 as at 160.

[0015] With continued reference being made to FIGS. 1 and 2, it is further seen that rear end portions of a pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest swing links 162 are pivotally connected to the pair of oppositely disposed seat plates 112 as at 164, while forward end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest swing links 162 are pivotally connected to a pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest extension links 166 as at 168. In turn, opposite ends of the pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest extension links 166 are pivotally connected to a pair of oppositely disposed rearward footrest mounting brackets 170 as at 172, the pair of oppositely disposed rearward footrest mounting brackets 170 serving to mount a chair footrest, not shown, thereon. A pair of oppositely disposed fourth connecting links 174, having a substantially U-shaped configuration, are pivotally connected at first ends thereof to the pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest swing links 162 as at 176, while second opposite ends of the pair of oppositely disposed fourth connecting links 174 are pivotally connected to first end portions of a first pair of oppositely disposed straight links 178 as at 180, and second opposite end portions of the first pair of oppositely disposed straight links 178 are operatively connected to the pair of oppositely disposed seat plates 112, as will be more fully disclosed hereinafter. Still further, it is seen that a pair of oppositely disposed upper footrest swing links 182 are pivotally connected at first ends thereof to the pair of oppositely disposed seat plates 112 as at 184, while second end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed upper footrest swing links 182 are pivotally connected to central portions of the pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest extension links 166 as at 186. Distal end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed upper footrest swing links 182 are pivotally connected to first end portions of a pair of oppositely disposed upper footrest extension links 188 as at 190, while second opposite end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed upper footrest extension links 188 are pivotally connected to a pair of oppositely disposed forward footrest mounting brackets 192 as at 194.

[0016] To complete the footrest assembly 108, it is further seen that first end portions of a pair of oppositely disposed first lower bracket support links 196 are pivotally connected to upper/forward end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest extension links 166,166 as at 198, while second opposite end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed first lower bracket support links 196 are pivotally connected to first end portions of a pair of oppositely disposed second lower bracket support links 200 as at 202, second end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed second lower bracket support links 200 being pivotally connected to the pair of oppositely disposed forward footrest mounting brackets 192 as at 204,204. Still further, it is noted that each one of the pair of oppositely disposed rearward footrest mounting brackets 170 is provided with a slot 206, and that a limit stop 208, provided upon each one of the pair of oppositely disposed forward footrest mounting brackets 192, is adapted to slidably move within each one of the slots 206. In addition, a second pair of oppositely disposed straight links 210 have first end portions thereof pivotally connected to central portions of the pair of oppositely disposed first lower bracket support links 196 as at 212, while second opposite end portions of the second pair of oppositely disposed straight links 210 are pivotally connected to first end portions of a pair of oppositely disposed footrest support links 214 as at 216, while central portions of the pair of oppositely disposed footrest support links 214 are pivotally connected to intermediate portions of the pair of oppositely disposed upper footrest extension links 188 as at 218. It is noted here that the pair of oppositely disposed footrest support links 214 are provided for supporting the rear portions of the footrest, not shown, when the footrest is in fact fixedly mounted upon the rearward and forward footrest mounting brackets 192,170. It is lastly noted that intermediate portions of each one of the pair of oppositely disposed first lower bracket support links 196 are also pivotally connected to intermediate portions of the pair of oppositely disposed upper footrest extension links 188 as at 220.

[0017] With reference now being made to FIG. 3, it is seen that the new and improved reclining chair 100 also comprises a linear actuator 222 wherein the linear actuator 222 comprises an actuator motor 224 which is fixedly secured to a forward cross-bar member 226 of the chair base 102, and a lead screw 228 which has its rear end portion fixedly secured to a rearward cross-bar member 230 of the chair base 102. A slide member 232 is operatively connected to the lead screw 228 and is mounted upon a lead screw housing 234 such that, as is well-known, when the lead screw 228 is rotated, the slide member 232 will translate along the lead screw housing 234 either in the forward or rearward direction depending upon the clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the lead screw 228. A pair of oppositely disposed actuating links 236,236 are pivotally connected at first ends thereof to the slide member 232 through means of a first pair of oppositely disposed mounting brackets 238,238, as at 239,239, and are fixedly connected to a cross-member or cross-bar 240 by means of a second pair of oppositely disposed mounting brackets 242,242. In turn, as can be seen from FIG. 1, opposite ends of the cross-member or cross-bar 240 are not only fixedly connected with, and pass through, second end portions of each one of the first pair of oppositely disposed straight links 178, but, in addition, such end portions are fixedly mounted within each one of the pair of oppositely disposed seat plates 112,112.

[0018] Accordingly, when the linear actuator 222 is actuated such that the slide member 232 is moved from its retracted position, as illustrated within FIG. 3, to its extended position, whereby the slide member 232 will move from the left, as illustrated within FIG. 3, toward the right, as viewed within FIG. 3, the pair of oppositely disposed actuating links 236,236 will effectively pivot, in the counterclockwise direction, around the pivotal connections 239,239, but, in addition, and more importantly, will raise the pair of oppositely disposed seat plates 112,112 and simultaneously move the same forwardly which, in turn, causes the pair of oppositely disposed fourth connecting links 174,174 to move so as to cause the footrest assembly 108 to be extended. Still further, as the footrest assembly 108 is extended, continued movement of the slide member 232 upon, or with respect to, the lead screw housing 234, results in the counterclockwise rotational movement of the pair of oppositely disposed first pair of oppositely disposed pivoting links 122,122 whereby the pair of oppositely disposed V-shaped connecting links 118,118 will cause the pair of oppositely disposed T-shaped backrest mounting brackets 110,110 to rotate in the counterclockwise direction, as viewed within FIG. 2, thereby causing the pair of oppositely disposed backrest mounting assemblies 104,104 to be moved to the reclined position. Finally, it is lastly noted that the second pair of oppositely disposed pivoting links 132,132 will be caused to rotate in the clockwise direction such that front end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed seat plates 112,112 will rise and thereby be disposed at higher elevations than rear end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed seat plates 112,112. In turn, the pair of oppositely disposed footrest assemblies 108,108 will be disposed at elevational levels which are higher than those of the pair of oppositely disposed backrest assemblies, thereby permitting the chair 100 to achieve a zero-gravity disposition.

[0019] With reference now being made to FIG. 4, a second embodiment of a new and improved reclining chair, as constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, is disclosed and is generally indicated by the reference character 300. More particularly, it is noted that the various components of the second embodiment of the new and improved reclining chair 300 are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment of the new and improved reclining chair 100, except as noted, and therefore, the various components of the second embodiment of the new and improved reclining chair 300 have been denoted by means of reference numbers, corresponding to those of the first embodiment of the new and improved reclining chair 100, except that the reference characters are seen to be within the 300 series. Accordingly, it is seen that, for example, the pair of oppositely disposed connecting links 318,318 are straight or linear as opposed to having a substantially V-shaped configuration, as was characteristic of the pair of oppositely disposed connecting links 118,118 of the first embodiment of the new and improved reclining chair 100. In addition, it is also seen that a pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest swing links 362,362 are pivotally connected at first ends thereof to the pair of oppositely disposed seat plates 312,312 as at 364, while second, opposite ends of the pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest swing links 362,362 are pivotally connected to first ends of a pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest extension links 366,366 as at 368.

[0020] In turn, it is seen that second ends of each one of the pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest extension links 366,366 are pivotally connected to a pair of oppositely disposed forward footrest mounting brackets 392 at pivotal connections, not shown. Still further, a pair of oppositely disposed upper footrest swing links 382,382 are pivotally connected at first ends thereof to the pair of oppositely disposed seat plates 312 as at 384, while second, opposite central portions of the pair of oppositely disposed upper footrest swing links 382,382 are pivotally connected to central portions of the pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest extension links 366,366 as at 386. Second end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed upper footrest swing links 382,382 are pivotally connected to first end portions of a pair of oppositely disposed upper footrest extension links 388,388 as at 390, while second opposite ends of the pair of oppositely disposed upper footrest extension links 388,388 are pivotally connected to the pair of oppositely disposed forward footrest mounting brackets 392 at pivotal connections 394,394. Lastly, a pair of oppositely disposed footrest support links 314,314, similar to the pair of oppositely disposed footrest support links 214,214, are pivotally connected to central portions of the pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest extension links 366,366, by pivotal connections not shown, as well as to central portions of the pair of oppositely disposed upper footrest extension links 388,388 as at pivotal connections 396,396.

[0021] Obviously, many variations and modifications of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.