EP0401298B1 - Transformable period chair - Google Patents

Abstract

A period chair, entirely motor-operated which the user can transform into a chair for resting of relaxation or into a bed, without leaving the chair or without the aid of another person for placing in position the foot support.

Description

The present invention relates to seats designed to be transformable by their user into a rest seat or a relaxation seat or a bed. Many models of transformable seats or armchairs are already known. Their actuation is most often carried out by the user who, by his own efforts, modifies the balance of the seat, or who actuates one or more levers. They are rarely motorized and this motorization is always partial.

The known models of so-called rest or relaxation armchairs have a footrest which only partially supports the legs (US-A-3,588,170 or US-A-1,442,338). US-A-1 442 338 serves as a basis for the preamble of claim 1. Known models of so-called relaxation chairs cannot remove the footrest, because of its necessary great length, without the aid of an outside person, or by the user who must get out of his seat, and in the obligation to find a storage place for the footrest cushion. Some rare known models do not have this drawback, but their aesthetics, by their too high seat, is very poor (US-A 4,691,694, US-A-3,907,051, FR-2,309,178).

The novelty of the present invention resides, on the one hand in the combination in a same seat of advantages which are found distributed in different known models, and deemed to be incompatible with each other, and on the other hand of the advantages which are specific to it. , mainly to be able to be qualified by an informed public of "scratched" or "style" and to offer at the same time to its user the possibility of transforming it into a relaxation seat, or into a rest or relaxation chair, at its choice, without effort on its part, and without problem of storage of the footrest, which is nevertheless functional and comfortable by its great length. This seat is therefore characterized by an aesthetics, a functionality and a simplicity of use unknown today the user being able to reach any position without leaving his seat.

• la figure 1 montre un exemple de fauteuil selon l'invention.
• les figures 2 et 3 montrent des vues partielles de l'ensemble mécanique.
• les figures 4 et 5 montrent des variantes de l'ensemble mécanique.
• les figures 6, 7 et 8 montrent des emplacements possibles des télécommandes.
• les figures 9, 10, 11, 12 montrent des dipositifs simplifiant la mécanique.
• les figures 13 et 14 montrent des applications de la présente invention.

The aforementioned advantages as well as others will appear in the description which follows with reference to the figures.

• Figure 1 shows an example of a chair according to the invention.
• Figures 2 and 3 show partial views of the mechanical assembly.
• Figures 4 and 5 show variants of the mechanical assembly.
• Figures 6, 7 and 8 show possible locations of the remote controls.
• Figures 9, 10, 11, 12 show devices simplifying the mechanics.
• Figures 13 and 14 show applications of the present invention.

The seat shown in FIG. 1 is by way of example an armchair, but one could envisage a shepherdess or even a sofa or any other seat depending on the style that one is looking for, here of classical era, but other eras could be considered, or the use that one wishes to make of it, here a living room furniture, but one can consider more sober furniture for the outside, or adapted for professional medical, paramedical or other purposes, or specially adapted to disabled or elderly people.

This seat consists of a base 1, a seat cushion 2, the armrests 3, a backrest 4 and its cushion 5. Under the seat cushion is concealed a mechanical assembly 6 and a footrest which are not visible. The aesthetics of the seat in the "lounge" position, as it is presented here, is then completely intact. Referring to Figure 2, the mechanism is supported by the base 1 or body or carcass, depending on the style or destination of the seat. It consists of a fixed frame 10 supporting a movable frame 11 which carries the seat cushion 2, by means of four links 12 and 13. It should be noted that in the views where the mechanism is shown in profile, we sees only the rods located on one side, the mechanism being symmetrical. These links are particularly articulated, one, 12, by the axes 14 located below the level of the movable chassis 11, the other, 13, by the axes 15 situated above the movable chassis 11.

This arrangement specific to the invention allows in a simple manner a continuous variation of the inclination, zero at the start, up to a maximum value without significant modification of the position of the user's center of gravity which is an advantage comfort. Another advantage of this geometry is to raise the end of the seat and allow the deployment of the footrest. Another advantage is to be able by exceeding the maximum inclination, finding a zero value with a notable displacement this time of the seat and the center of gravity of the user to obtain a position chaise longue or bed, without fear of tilting seat therefore without the need for an additional base.

The inclination is obtained by a translational actuator 16, electric, hydraulic, pneumatic or driven by any other form of energy depending on the use, supported at 17 on the fixed chassis and at 18 on the mobile chassis. For safety reasons, this actuator is self-locking, i.e. in the absence of a command, the actuator cannot change position under the action of an external force. In the example described, the actuator has a central position, but it could be envisaged to replace it with two actuators arranged laterally. On the movable frame is articulated the backrest support carrying the backrest 4 and its cushion 5 whose inclination is obtained by an actuator 20 similar to the actuator 16 which can also be replaced by two lateral actuators. The file 4 is articulated on its support at 21 which allows it to be transported folded. A lock 22 maintains it during use.

Referring to Figure 3, the movable frame 11 supports the footrest 23 and its cushion 24, which can be invisible by folding under the seat. The decorative crosspiece 25 is carried by the footrest 23, the assembly being connected to the movable chassis by four links 26 and 27 whose particular shape allows a lateral overflow of the seat cushion and the decorative crosspiece, thus completing the aesthetics of the seat and completely concealing the footrest and the mechanics in the "lounge" position.

The link 26 is articulated at 28 on the movable chassis 11, and at 29 on the footrest 23. It is articulated at 30 with an actuator 31, similar to the actuator 16, articulated at 32 to the movable chassis. The link 27 is articulated at 33 on the movable chassis, below the articulation 28 and at 34 on the footrest below and in front of the articulation 29 in the folded position. This particular geometry where the links cross has the advantage of allowing the development of the footrest in a passage of lower height than with a simple articulation which in addition would have been visible.

Figure 4 shows a variant of the invention when one wants to help the user to get up or sit down. A chassis 40 supporting the seat cushion 2 and the backrest support 19 is supported by the movable chassis 11 by means of four links 41 and 42. The link 41 is articulated at 43 on the chassis 40, and at 44 on the mobile chassis 11. The link 42 is articulated at 45 on the chassis 40, and at 46 on the mobile chassis 11. By its particular arrangement, the chassis 40 is raised as soon as that the backrest is completely raised while the actuator 20 continues to deploy.

Figure 5 shows a variant of the footrest which in two parts 34 and 35 allows its deployment in an even lower height thanks to a cam 36 secured to the drive rod 26 and two rods 37 provided with two rollers 38 and 39 which roll on cam 36.

The actuators are controlled by buttons 47 and 48 in sufficient number, concealed to save the aesthetics in the armrest (s), which is an advantage compared to the "wired" controls that we know (US-A 4 691 964) which may fall out of the reach of the user seated in the seat, disappear between the cushions when the user is not himself seated on it. These controls are not on the armrest (US-A 3,907,051), as is known, but below on the face 59, or behind on the face 60, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 8 shows a preferred version of the invention where the buttons are located on the upper face 61, hidden under the trim of the armrest which can be lifted entirely, or partially, which offers the advantages of intact aesthetics and the impossibility of unwanted maneuvers by involuntary support of the user's arm. For example, the armrest trim pivots on one of its sides, offering the possibility of a small shelf 49 which can receive refreshments, ashtray, small writing desk, or any other accessory; the remote controls can also be distributed in the two armrests and one can add other remote controls: HI FI chain, television, etc ... or other accessories: cigarette lighter etc ...

FIG. 9 relates to a simplified mechanism, a variant of the present invention, where only two actuators are necessary, the seat actuator being eliminated, the movement of the latter being linked sequentially to that of the footrest. This arrangement has the advantage of deploying the footrest when the height of its passage is maximum, therefore without risk of hitting the ground. For this purpose, the movement of the mobile chassis is prestressed by the springs 50. When the footrest actuator 31, articulated on the fixed chassis 10 at 51 develops, the mobile chassis 11 tilts to a position defined by the stop 52 without the footrest moving, then the latter in turn develops to the desired inclination. It will be noted that the link 26 and 27 are also simpler, and that the stop 52 can be placed to block the frame 11 or the link 12 or the link 13 as shown here by way of example.

FIG. 10 shows a partial view of the simplified mechanical assembly in the case where a chaise longue position is desired. For the purpose of simplification, the links 26 and 27 are straight. A small actuator 53 presses a locking rod 54 against the driving rod 26. The locking can only be done when the footrest is aligned with the seat; in this case and simultaneously the movement of the actuator 31 is reversed and the movement continues until the desired inclination.

Figure 11 shows a variant of the rod 26 locking system where a bolt 64 mu by an actuator can come out of the movable frame 11 to come into the keeper 65 as soon as the rod 26 is in position so that the assembly is in position lounge chair.

Figure 12 shows another mechanism to obtain the deckchair position this time without backtracking. A movable stop 66 actuated by the link 26 of the footrest via an additional link 67 lets escape the stop 52. The movement of the seat then continues forward, and the particular shape of the stop 66 keeps the unit in the chaise longue position.

FIG. 13 shows a contemporary armchair according to the invention, to which a rotational movement has been added along a vertical axis between the seat 62 and the base 63 by means of an actuator 55.

Figure 14 shows a convertible chair according to the invention for disabled people. It is equipped with two motors 56 located on the rear legs which allow movement, as well as two armrests articulated at 57 and 58 on each of the armrest legs at the level of the fixed frame, which allows them to be retracted in the bed position .

• mobiliers de style de grand confort transformables en fauteuils de relaxation ou en lit,
• mobilier professionnel de grand confort,
• mobilier spécialisé pour personnes agées ou handicapées,
• mobilier pour esthéticiennes, kinésithérapeutes et autres professions médicales ou paramédicales.

The invention finds its application in the realization of:

• comfortable style furniture that can be transformed into relaxation chairs or a bed,
• professional furniture of great comfort,
• specialized furniture for the elderly or disabled,
• furniture for beauticians, physiotherapists and other medical or paramedical professions.

Claims (6)

1. A convertible seat in a contemporary or in another period style comprising a base or bodywork or frame support, a seat cushion (2), armrests (3), a backrest (4) with its cushion (5), this style can be transformed into a rest seat or a relax seat thanks to a particular mechanical unit concealed under the seat cushion (2) including a fixed frame (10), a movable frame (11), a legrest (23) concealed under the seat cushion (2), the different movements to recline the seat (2), the backrest (4) and the legrest (23) including its cushion (24) beeing realized by three actuators (16, 20, 31) or alternately by two of them (20, 31) with a spring (50) and with a stop (52) limiting the movement of the movable frame (11), this said convertible seat characterized by the fact that the actuators (16, 20, 31) are controlled by the switches (44,48) put on the horizontal upper side (61) of the armrest (3) and hidden by the trimming which can turn round to make a flap (49), or put on the horizontal lower side (59) under the armrest (3) or put on the vertical back side of one or of the two front legs of the armrest (3),and by the fact that the said fixed frame (10) and movable frame (11) are linked with little connecting rod (12, 13), the attachments (14) of which (12) are placed under the level of the movable frame (11) and the other attachments (15) of which (13) are placed above the level of the movable frame (11).
2. According to claim 1, a convertible seat characterized by an actuator making a rotary motion between the base (65) and the seat (62).
3. According to claim 1, a seat which is particularly designed for medical or paramedical purposes and characterized by two actuators (56) put on each back legs and by armrests articulated in (57) and (58) on each legs of the armrest at the level of the fixed frame (10).
4. According to claim 1, a seat which converts into a deckchair and which is characterized by a mechanical unit including a jaming little connecting rod (54) or a bolt (64) powered by an actuator (53) or including a movable stop powered by the little connecting rod (26) in which the stop (52) can escape.
5. According to claim 1, a seat which is designed for disabled people and which raises when the actuator (20) has completely got the backrest right, characterized by a supplementary frame (40) connected to the movable frame (11) by four little connecting rods joined to the actuator (20).
6. According to claim 1, a seat which is characterized by a two parts footrest (34, (34, 35) in which the relative movement of the second part (35) is controlled by a little connecting rod (37), the rollers of which (38, 39) are rolling along a cam firmly attached to the powered little connecting rod (26).

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