SEATING FURNITURE

Abstract

A seating furniture includes a seat device and a backrest device connected via at least one first rotatable coupling in respective coupling portions (P) of the backrest device and at rear portion (B) of the seat device. A base supports the seat device and the backrest device. The backrest device comprises a portion extending in a direction towards the base and past the first rotatable coupling, and the portion is rotatably coupled to and supported on the base via at least one respective link arm. The seat device is rotatably coupled to and supported on the base via a second rotatable coupling attached closer to front end (F) of the seat device than the first rotatable coupling. A lockable control device controls the movements between the backrest device and the seat device. The construction is well-balanced, and low forces are required to adjust the chair in all positions.

Claims

1. Seating furniture, comprising: a seat device and a backrest device which are connected via at least one first rotatable coupling in respective coupling portions (P) of the backrest device and at the rear portion (B) of the seat device; a base arranged to support the seat device and the backrest device; wherein the backrest device comprises at least a portion extending in a direction towards the base and past the first rotatable coupling, and in that said at least one portion is rotatably coupled to and supported on the base via at least one respective link arm; wherein the seat device is rotatably coupled to and supported on the base via a second rotatable coupling attached closer to the front end (F) of the seat device than the first rotatable coupling; and a lockable control device arranged for controlling the movements between the backrest device and the seat device.

2. Seating furniture according to claim 1, where the second rotatable coupling is arranged between the center (M) and the front end (F) of the seat device.

3. Seating furniture according to claim 2, where the second rotatable coupling is arranged closer to the center (M) than the front end (F).

4. Seating furniture according to claim 1, where the link arm has a first end that is coupled to said portion via a first joint and a second end that is coupled to the base via a second joint.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The aforementioned and other characteristics of the invention will be further explained in the following description of an embodiment representing a recliner, presented as a non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

[0016] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a seating furniture according to the invention as seen from one side, with the back in an upright position, where parts and components which during normal use are hidden by the cover, padding, etc. of the seating furniture, are shown in broken lines;

[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective drawing of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, where padding and cover are removed to illustrate the structural and mechanical components of the seating furniture;

[0018] FIG. 3 corresponds to FIG. 1, but shows the seating furniture with the back in a first reclined position; and

[0019] FIG. 4 corresponds to FIG. 1, but shows the seating furniture with the back in a second reclined position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a seating furniture in the form of a recliner (hereinafter simply referred to as “chair”) comprising a seat 20, a back 21 and a foot 9. The seat and the back are coupled to a support structure 7—in a way that will be described in the following—and the support structure is rotatably (in the horizontal plane) supported on the foot via a stem 22 in essentially known manner. In the embodiment illustrated, the foot 9 is a so-called cross foot; however, this is an example only. The invention shall not be limited to this type of foot.

[0021] The seat 20 has a seating portion 23 (e.g. a textile-covered pad or the like) which is built up all the way around and attached to a seat frame 1 (shown in broken lines in FIG. 1) in an essentially known manner. The back 21 has a backrest portion 24 (e.g. a textile-covered pad or the like) which is built up all the way around and attached to a back frame 11 (shown in broken lines in FIG. 1) in an essentially known manner.

[0022] Now, reference is also made to FIG. 2, which shows structural and mechanical components, without any cover, upholstery or other padding or covering. As can be seen in FIG. 2, both the seat frame 1 and the back frame 11 have an essentially known configuration which allows for the installation of seat and back pads. Since the invention relates to the framework of the chair and its structural configuration and functioning, such upholstery, padding or covering will not be described in any more detail.

[0023] The back frame 11 in the embodiment shown has an (optional) upper portion 25, particularly suited as a headrest, which is rotatably coupled to the back frame 11 via a headrest joint 26 on each side, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0024] The support structure 7 in the embodiment illustrated comprises a central element 7a (to which the stem 22 is attached), and a transverse rod 7b is attached to the central element. At each end of the transverse rod, an upwards extending horn 7c is attached (in the Figures, only one horn is shown, the other one is concealed). It is to be understood that the support structure may have other configurations than the one shown in the Figures.

[0025] The seat frame 1 is rotably coupled to the support structure 7 via a first seat frame bearing 3 on each side of the seat frame (see FIG. 2). In the embodiment shown, the first seat frame bearings 3, which may be bolt connections or the like, are located at the upper end of each of the horns 7c. It clearly arises from FIG. 1 that the first seat frame bearings 3 are located somewhat in front of the center M of the seat frame, i.e. closer to the front end F of the seat frame than to its rear end B. This results in a good sliding path.

[0026] The seat frame 1 is rotatably coupled at its rear portion B to the back frame 11 (at a coupling portion P) via two seat/back couplings 14, for example bolt connections or the like, in an essentially known manner.

[0027] The back frame 11 comprises at its lower end a pair of fixed arms 11a extending underneath the coupling portion P. Each of the arms is rotatably coupled to the central element 7a of the support structure 7 via respective link arms 8 (only one is shown in the Figures due to the perspective used in the Figures), via first and second bolt connections 10, 13. The Figures show how the first bolt connection 10 is a rotatable coupling between the link arm 8 and the back frame 11, and the other bolt connection 13 is a rotatable coupling between the link arm 8 and the support structure 7. The link arms 8 are elongated plate elements in the embodiment shown. The articulated connection of the back frame to the support structure 7 (via link arms 8) is thus closer to support structure than the above-mentioned seat/back couplings 14.

[0028] FIGS. 3 and 4 show the chair in two different reclining positions. In the Figures, it can be seen how the link arm 8, its location and its length determine the angular relationship between the back frame 11 and the seat frame 1 and the horizontal plane H.

[0029] The relative movements of the seat frame and the back frame in the embodiment illustrated can be controlled continuously by a gas spring 2 (of essentially known type), which can be operated (i.e. locked or released) by the user of the chair by mans of a control lever 4. The gas spring 2 has one end coupled to the support structure 7 via a rotatable third bolt connection 5, and has the other end coupled to the back frame 11 (more precisely, the arms 11a) via a rotatable fourth bolt connection 12. The point of action of the gas spring in the embodiment shown is thus located between the seat/back coupling 14 and the first bolt connections 10 of the link arms 8. It is to be understood that the gas spring 2 can be replaced by other locking and control arrangements, for instance an electric motor.

[0030] When a user sits sown in the chair in the position as shown in FIG. 1 (upright back), opens the gas spring by means of the lever 4 and simultaneously exerts pressure to the back of the chair, the back will slowly recline (see FIGS. 3 and 4). Due to the location and configuration of the link arms 8, the seat frame 1 (and consequently the seat 20) will we pulled down at the rear end B (i.e. via the seat/back coupling 14) and guide the back frame 11 (and consequently the back 21) downwards at the same time as the back is being reclined. It can be seen in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 that the link arm 8 rotates around the second bolt connection 13 (i.e. in the rotatable attachment of the bearing structure) when the back frame 11 and the seat frame 1 change their angles with the horizontal plane H.

[0031] Due to the location of the link arm 8 (and a pre-set gas spring 2), the counter-pressure from the back will not decrease when the back reaches a position far back. Thus, the gas spring provides good support to return the back and the seat to an upright position. An expert of the field will appreciate that the above-mentioned movements can be controlled and provided with a desired “gearing” by carefully calculating the dimensions (e.g. the length) and the location of the link arm. The construction is thus well-balanced, and low forces are required to control the chair in all positions.