U.S. patent application number 12/178047 was filed with the patent office on 2009-01-15 for articulating chair.
Invention is credited to Hans Dehli.
Application Number | 20090015050 12/178047 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40252487 |
Filed Date | 2009-01-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090015050 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dehli; Hans |
January 15, 2009 |
ARTICULATING CHAIR
Abstract
An articulating massaging chair is provided that includes: a
support frame; a seat pivotally connected to the support frame by a
seat pivot; and a backrest pivotally connected to the support frame
by a backrest pivot. Also provided is an articulating chair that
includes: a support frame; a seat connected to and rotatable
relative to the support frame; a backrest connected to and
rotatable relative to the support frame; and a linking arm having a
first end connected to the backrest and a second end connected to
the seat; wherein the backrest and the seat are rotatable relative
to the support frame in the same angular direction, and the
backrest is rotatable relative to the seat.
Inventors: |
Dehli; Hans; (San Clemente,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHRISTIE, PARKER & HALE, LLP
PO BOX 7068
PASADENA
CA
91109-7068
US
|
Family ID: |
40252487 |
Appl. No.: |
12/178047 |
Filed: |
July 23, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11078574 |
Mar 11, 2005 |
7410215 |
|
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12178047 |
|
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60553092 |
Mar 13, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
297/340 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 7/30 20130101; A47C
1/03283 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/340 |
International
Class: |
A47C 1/031 20060101
A47C001/031 |
Claims
1. An articulating chair comprising: a support frame; a seat
connected to and rotatable relative to the support frame; a
backrest connected to and rotatable relative to the support frame;
and a linking arm having a first end connected to the backrest and
a second end connected to the seat; wherein: the backrest and the
seat are rotatable relative to the support frame in the same
angular direction; and the backrest is rotatable relative to the
seat.
2. The articulating chair of claim 1, wherein an angular range of
rotation of the backrest is greater than an angular range of
rotation of the seat.
3. The articulating chair of claim 2, wherein the angular range of
rotation of the backrest is approximately 50.degree. and the
angular range of rotation of the seat is approximately
25.degree..
4. The articulating chair of claim 1, wherein an angular rate of
rotation of the backrest is greater than an angular rate of
rotation of the seat.
5. The articulating chair of claim 1, wherein the linking arm is
configured to rotate a front edge of the seat up when the backrest
reclines.
6. The articulating chair of claim 1, further comprising a biasing
member, wherein the backrest is moveable between an upright
position and a reclined position and wherein the biasing member
biases the backrest toward the upright position.
7. The articulating chair of claim 6, wherein the biasing member is
connected between the support frame and the backrest.
8. The articulating chair of claim 7, wherein the biasing member is
a gas spring.
9. The articulating chair of claim 6, wherein the biasing member is
chosen from the group consisting of a gas damper, a linear
actuator, a power drive, a motor drive, and an electric screw
drive.
10. The articulating chair of claim 1, wherein the backrest
comprises at least one massaging device.
11. The articulating chair of claim 1, wherein the seat comprises
at least one massaging device.
12. The articulating chair of claim 1, wherein the linking arm has
a curved shape.
13. The articulating chair of claim 1, further comprising: a
mounting bracket connected to the backrest and the first end of the
linking arm; and a side arm connected to the seat and the second
end of the linking arm, the side arm being in substantially the
same plane as the mounting bracket.
14. The articulating chair of claim 1, further comprising: a first
fastener connecting the backrest and the first end of the linking
arm; and a second fastener connecting the seat and the second end
of the linking arm.
15. The articulating chair of claim 14, further comprising: a first
pivot, the backrest rotatable relative to the support frame about
the first pivot; and a second pivot, the seat rotatable relative to
the support frame about the second pivot, wherein a first distance
between the first fastener and the first pivot is not equal to a
second distance between the second fastener and the second
pivot.
16. The articulating chair of claim 15, wherein: the first fastener
is below the first pivot; and the second fastener is below the
second pivot.
17. An articulating chair movable between an upright position and a
reclined position, the articulating chair comprising: a support
frame; a seat pivotally connected to the support frame by a seat
pivot; a backrest pivotally connected to the support frame by a
backrest pivot; a linking arm having a first end connected to the
backrest and a second end connected to the seat; and at least one
massaging device connected to at least one of the seat and the
backrest; wherein: the backrest and the seat are rotatable relative
to the support frame in the same angular direction; and the
backrest is rotatable relative to the seat.
18. The articulating chair of claim 17, wherein an angular range of
rotation of the backrest is greater than an angular range of
rotation of the seat.
19. The articulating chair of claim 17, wherein the linking arm is
configured to rotate a front edge of the seat up when the backrest
reclines.
20. The articulating chair of claim 17, further comprising a
biasing member, wherein the backrest is moveable between an upright
position and a reclined position and wherein the biasing member
biases the backrest toward the upright position.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of pending
application Ser. No. 11/078,574, filed on Mar. 11, 2005, the entire
contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.
Pending application Ser. No. 11/078,574 claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application No. 60/553,092, filed Mar. 13, 2004, the
disclosure of which is fully incorporated by reference therein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to an articulating
chair having a seat and a backrest that are each rotatably mounted
to a chair support frame, and specifically to an articulating chair
having a seat and a backrest that rotate at different rates of
rotation and/or over different angular ranges of rotation.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Many "reclining" chairs have a seat and a reclining backrest
that may be reclined to position a user in a more prone position
for increased user comfort. Such reclining is particularly useful
when the chair is a massage chair having one or more massaging
devices. In such a case, when a user reclines the backrest of the
chair, the user's weight distribution against the chair is altered,
thus altering the massaging effect that is felt by the user. When
so positioned, a larger portion of the user's weight is supported
by the backrest and hence a massaging force transferred from a
massaging device in the backrest to the user is increased.
[0004] However, typically the seat of such reclining chairs is
generally horizontally positioned, approximately parallel to a
ground surface, and is not angularly movable. Accordingly, a need
exists for an improved reclining or articulating chair having a
seat and a backrest that are each rotatable for increased user
comfort.
[0005] In one embodiment according to the present invention, a
generally horizontal seat of a chair rotates towards a more
inclined position during a rotation of a backrest from a generally
vertical position to a more prone position. This motion allows a
user's legs to be rotated towards the backrest of the chair,
causing the user's back to be less stretched out when the backrest
is rotated to a more prone position, thus increasing user comfort.
In addition, when such a chair is a massage chair the rotation of
both the seat and the backrest allows for an altering of the weight
distribution of the user against the chair and hence an altering of
the massaging force transferred from the chair to the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In one embodiment, the present invention is an articulating
massaging chair that includes a support frame; a seat pivotally
connected to the support frame by a seat pivot; and a backrest
pivotally connected to the support frame by a backrest pivot.
[0007] In another embodiment, the present invention is an
articulating massaging chair that is movable between an upright
position and a reclined position and includes a support frame; a
seat pivotally connected to the support frame by a seat pivot; and
a backrest pivotally connected to the support frame by a backrest
pivot. The articulating massaging chair also includes a mounting
bracket connecting to the backrest and having a slot that receives
a pin, wherein the pin pivotally connects the seat to the backrest.
The articulating massaging chair also includes at least one
massaging device connected to at least one of the seat and the
backrest.
[0008] In yet another embodiment, an articulating chair includes a
support frame; a seat connected to and rotatable relative to the
support frame; a backrest connected to and rotatable relative to
the support frame; and a linking arm having a first end connected
to the backrest and a second end connected to the seat; wherein the
backrest and the seat are rotatable relative to the support frame
in the same angular direction, and the backrest is rotatable
relative to the seat.
[0009] In still another embodiment, an articulating chair includes
a support frame; a seat pivotally connected to the support frame by
a seat pivot; a backrest pivotally connected to the support frame
by a backrest pivot; a linking arm having a first end connected to
the backrest and a second end connected to the seat; and at least
one massaging device connected to at least one of the seat and the
backrest; wherein the backrest and the seat are rotatable relative
to the support frame in the same angular direction, and the
backrest is rotatable relative to the seat.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Novel features and advantages of the present invention will
be better understood by reference to the following detailed
description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an articulating chair
according to the present invention in an upright position, showing
a seat in a generally horizontal position and a backrest in a
generally vertical position;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the articulating chair of
FIG. 1 in an intermediate position, showing the seat rotated
upwards from the generally horizontal position and the backrest
rotated backwards from the generally vertical position;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the articulating chair of
FIG. 1 in a reclined position, showing the seat rotated further
upwards from the generally horizontal position to an inclined
position and the backrest rotated further backwards from the
generally vertical position to a generally horizontal position;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the articulating chair of
FIG. 1, showing a bracket attached to the seat and the backrest
that allows for a simultaneous rotation of the seat and the
backrest;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bracket of FIG. 4,
showing the articulating chair in the upright position of FIG.
1;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the bracket of FIG. 4,
showing the articulating chair in the intermediate position of FIG.
2;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the bracket of FIG. 4,
showing the articulating chair in the reclined position of FIG.
3;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a side view of the articulating chair of FIG. 1 in
the upright position, showing a biasing member in an extended
position;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a side view of the articulating chair of FIG. 1 in
the intermediate position, showing the biasing member in a
retracted position;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a side view of the articulating chair of FIG. 1
in the reclined position, showing the biasing member in a fully
retracted position;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of the articulating
chair of FIG. 1 used as a framework for a massaging chair;
[0022] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a bracket and a linking arm
of an articulating chair according to an embodiment of the present
invention, the articulating chair in an upright position;
[0023] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the bracket and the linking
arm of FIG. 12, the articulating chair in an intermediate position;
and
[0024] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the bracket and the linking
arm of FIG. 12, the articulating chair in a reclined position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1-14, the present invention is directed to
an articulating chair having a seat and a backrest that are each
rotatably mounted to a chair support frame. In one embodiment, the
seat and backrest of the articulating chair rotate at different
rates of rotation and over different angular ranges of rotation at
a predetermined angle ratio.
[0026] FIGS. 1-3 show an exemplary embodiment of an articulating
chair 10 according to the present invention. As shown, the
articulating chair 10 includes a seat 12 and a backrest 14, which
are each supported by a support frame 16.
[0027] In FIG. 1, the articulating chair 10 is in an upright
position. In the upright position, the seat 12 is in a generally
horizontal position and the backrest 14 is in a generally vertical
position.
[0028] In FIG. 2, the articulating chair 10 is in an intermediate
position. In the intermediate position, the seat 12 is rotated
upwards from the generally horizontal position of FIG. 1 to a more
inclined position, and the backrest 14 is rotated backwards from
the generally vertical position of FIG. 1 to a more reclined
position.
[0029] In FIG. 3, the articulating chair 10 is in a reclined
position. In the reclined position, the seat 12 is rotated further
upwards from the inclined position of FIG. 2 to a fully inclined
position and the backrest 14 is rotated further backwards from the
reclined position of FIG. 2 to a generally horizontal position.
[0030] Viewing FIGS. 1 and 4 together, the backrest 14 includes
mounting brackets 18 for connection to the support frame 16. For
example, in the depicted embodiment, the backrest 14 includes a
rectangularly shaped support structure 19 that defines an outer
periphery of the backrest 14. The support structure 19 includes a
U-shaped bar 20 connected to a connecting bar 22, such as by a
weld, to form the rectangular outer shape of the support structure
19. The mounting brackets 18 extend from a lower portion of the
support structure 19 adjacent to the connection of the U-shaped bar
20 to the connecting bar 22. The mounting brackets 18 are mounted
to the support structure 19 by a mechanical fastener, such as a
weld. Mounted to the U-shaped bar 20 are a plurality of springs 21
for user comfort.
[0031] The seat 12 includes side arms 15 and a connecting bar 17
(see FIGS. 2 and 4 for clarity.) Similar to the backrest 14, a
plurality of springs 23 are mounted between the side arms 15 of the
seat 12 for user comfort. The support frame 16 includes an upper
support 24, a lower support 26 and a base 28. The upper support 24
and the lower support 26 are each U-shaped, with the closed ends of
each U-shape being mechanically fastened together, such as by nut
and bolt connections, such that the open ends of each U-shape are
oppositely directed, together forming a truss-like structure, or an
X-shape. The lower support 26 is connected to a rectangularly
shaped support frame base 28, which supports the weight of the
articulating chair 10.
[0032] The mounting brackets 18 of the backrest 14 are pivotally
connected to the upper support 24 by the pivots 30, such as nut and
bolt connections, allowing the backrest 14 to rotate relative to
the support frame 16. The seat 12 is similarly pivotally connected
to the upper support 24 by the pivots 32, which may also be nut and
bolt connections, allowing the seat 12 to rotate relative to the
support frame 16.
[0033] The seat 12 is also pivotally connected to the mounting
brackets 18 by pins 34, such as nut and bolt connections. As shown
in FIGS. 5-7, each pin 34 rides within a slot 36 of a corresponding
one of the mounting brackets 18. The slots 36 define the angular
rotation of the seat 12 and the backrest 14 relative to the support
frame 16.
[0034] FIG. 5 shows the articulating chair 10 in the upright
position. In the upright position, the pins 34 are disposed at a
first end 38 of the slots 36. As the articulating chair 10 rotates
backwards from the upright position of FIG. 5 to the intermediate
position of FIG. 6, the seat 12 rotates relative to the support
frame 16 about the pivots 32, while the backrest 14 rotates
relative to the support frame 16 about the pivots 30. At the
intermediate position, the pins 34 start to slide from the first
end 38 of the slots 36 towards a second end 40 of the slots 36.
[0035] As the articulating chair 10 rotates backwards from the
intermediate position of FIG. 6 to the reclined position of FIG. 7,
the seat 12 rotates relative to the support frame 16 about the
pivots 32 and the backrest 14 rotates relative to the support frame
16 about the pivots 30, while the pins 34 slide along slots 36 from
the first end 38 of the slots 36 to the second end 40 of the slots
36. As the pins 34 slide along slots 36, the backrest 14 pivots
relative to the seat 12, causing the backrest 14 to rotate at a
faster rate of rotation than the seat 12. This movement of the pins
34 also allows the backrest 14 to rotate over a larger angular
range of rotation than that of the seat 12.
[0036] For example, in the depicted embodiment, when the
articulating chair 10 is in the upright position, the seat 12 forms
an angle .alpha. with a ground surface of approximately 15.degree.,
and the backrest 14 forms an angle .beta. with the ground surface
of approximately 105.degree. (see FIG. 1), while in the reclined
position, the seat 12 forms an angle .alpha.' with the ground
surface of approximately 40.degree., and the backrest 14 forms an
angle .beta.' with the ground surface of approximately 155.degree.
(see FIG. 3.) As such, in this embodiment, the seat 12 has an
angular range of approximately 15.degree. to approximately
40.degree. and the backrest 14 has an angular range of
approximately 105.degree. to approximately 155.degree..
[0037] However, it is important to note that angles described above
can be modified to meet any desired angular range for the seat 12
and any desired angular range for the backrest 14. These angular
ranges can be modified for user comfort to meet desired
positionings of the user's hip and back when the articulating chair
10 is in use.
[0038] For example, in alternative embodiments, when the
articulating chair 10 is moved between the upright position and the
reclined position, the seat 12 begins and ends anywhere in the
angular range of approximately 0.degree. to approximately
45.degree., and the backrest 14 begins and ends anywhere in the
angular range of approximately 90.degree. to approximately
180.degree.. However, it is to be understood that these ranges are
merely exemplary and can be modified as desired. For example, the
angular range of rotation of the seat 12, the rate of rotation of
the seat 12, the angular rotation of the backrest 14, the rate of
rotation of the backrest 14, and/or the ratio of the angular range
of rotation of the backrest 14 compared to the angular range of
rotation of the seat 12, can be modified by changing the position
of the pivots 30, the position of the pivots 32, the geometry of
the mounting bracket slots 36, and/or the length of the mounting
bracket slots 36.
[0039] In one embodiment, the articulating chair 10 includes a
biasing member 42 (see FIGS. 8-10) for biasing the articulating
chair 10 towards the upright position. For example, in the depicted
embodiment, the biasing member 42 is a gas spring. The gas spring
includes a piston 45 and a gas cylinder 48. The piston 45 is
moveable within the gas cylinder 48 between an extended position
(FIG. 8) and a retracted position (FIG. 10.) The gas cylinder 48
contains a gas (not shown). When the piston 45 is moved from the
expanded position towards the retracted position, the gas in the
gas cylinder 48 is compressed and consequently applies a force
against the piston 45 resisting the compression. As such, the
piston 45 of the gas spring is continually biased toward the
expanded position.
[0040] For clarity, the gas spring has been omitted from FIG. 4 to
more clearly show the mounting flanges used to mount the gas spring
to the articulating chair 10. As shown, a first mounting flange 44
is mounted to the connecting bar 22 of the support structure 19 of
the backrest 14, and a second mounting flange 46 is mounted to the
upper support 24 of the support frame 16. The piston 45 is mounted
to the first mounting flange 44 of the backrest 14, and the gas
cylinder 48 is mounted to the second mounting flange 46 of the
support frame 16. Since the piston 45 is mounted to the backrest 14
and the piston 45 is biased towards the expanded position, the
backrest 14 is biased toward the upright position. Since the seat
is connected to the backrest 14, the seat 12 is also biased toward
the upright position.
[0041] In one embodiment, the gas spring applies a constant force
that provides little resistance to an average person who leans
against the backrest 14 when moving the articulating chair 10 from
the upright position to the reclined position, but provides a
sufficient force to automatically return the articulating chair 10
to the upright position when the user's weight is removed from the
backrest 14. As such, the force required from the gas spring is
dependent on the weight of the chair and the force required to move
the articulating chair 10, when unoccupied, from the reclined
position to the upright position.
[0042] Although the gas spring has been described as being
connected between the support frame 16 and the backrest 14, in an
alternative embodiment, the gas spring may be connected between the
support frame 16 and the seat 12. In addition, although the biasing
member 42 has been described as a gas spring, the biasing member 42
may be any suitable biasing member, such as a gas damper, a linear
actuator, a power drive, a motor drive, or an electric screw drive,
among other appropriate biasing members.
[0043] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the articulating
chair 10 provides the framework for a massaging chair 50. The
massaging chair 50 includes a cover 52 and padded sections 54 and
56 over the seat 12 and backrest 14 for user comfort. The massaging
chair 50 also includes one or more massage devices 58 in the area
of the backrest 14 and one or more massage devices 58 in the area
of the seat 12. The massage devices 58 may be any one of a variety
of massage devices known in the art.
[0044] Another embodiment of an articulating chair according to the
present invention is shown in FIGS. 12-14. The articulating chair
is shown in FIG. 12 in an upright position, in an intermediate
position in FIG. 13, and in a reclined position in FIG. 14. In this
embodiment, an articulating chair 11 includes many of the same
components and features described above with respect to the
embodiment of FIGS. 1-11. Like reference numbers will be used to
identify like parts. The articulating chair 11 of FIGS. 12-14
includes a seat 12 and a backrest 14, which are each supported by a
support frame 16. As in the previously described embodiments, the
backrest 14 of the articulating chair 11 includes a support
structure 19 and mounting brackets 18 connected to the support
structure 19. The articulating chair 11, according to the present
embodiment, has two mounting brackets 18, one on each side of the
backrest 14. The backrest 14 pivots with respect to the support
frame 16 about a pivot 30, and the seat 12 pivots with respect to
the support frame 16 about a pivot 32. The articulating chair 11
may also include other components described above with respect to
the articulating chair 10, such as the biasing member 42 and one or
more massage devices 58.
[0045] The articulating chair 11 also includes a linking arm 60
which connects the seat 12 to the backrest 14. The articulating
chair 11, according to the present embodiment, has two linking arms
60, one on each side of the articulating chair 11. Each of the
linking arms 60 is connected at a first end 62 to one of the
mounting brackets 18 of the backrest 14 by a fastener 66, such as a
bolt and nut, or any other suitable fastener. Also, each of the
linking arms 60 is connected at a second end 64 to a rearward end
15a of a side arm 15 of the seat 12 by a fastener 68, such as a
bolt and nut, or any other suitable fastener. The linking arms 60
may be formed of a material having high strength and rigidity, such
as steel. Alternatively, the linking arms 60 may be formed of any
other suitable material. Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 12-14, the
linking arms 60, according to the present embodiment, have a curved
or "C" shape to prevent interference with the pivots 30.
Alternatively, the linking arms 60 may have any other suitable
shape for connecting the backrest 14 to the seat 12 to apply a
moment to the seat 12, as described below.
[0046] The articulating chair 11, shown in FIGS. 12-14, does not
include the pins 34 and the slots 36 of the articulating chair 10
of FIGS. 1-11. Instead, the linking arms 60 of the articulating
chair 11 provide the connection between the backrest 14 and the
seat 12. As a user pushes back on the backrest 14 to recline the
articulating chair 11, the user pushes back and down on the
brackets 18 to rotate the backrest 14 about the pivots 30. As the
brackets 18 move down, the linking arms 60 pull down on the side
arms 15 of the seat 12 at the fasteners 68. The seat 12 then pivots
about the pivots 32. As the rearward ends 15a of the side arms 15
are pulled down by the linking arms 60, a front edge of the seat 12
rotates up. Thus, the linking arms 60 transfer a rotation force
from the backrest 14 to the seat 12 as the backrest 14 is reclined.
As a result, a front edge of the seat 12 rotates up as the backrest
14 is reclined.
[0047] Moreover, by adjusting the geometry of the linking arms 60,
the position of the pivots 30 relative to the fasteners 66, and/or
the position of the pivots 32 relative to the fasteners 68, an
angular range and/or rate of rotation of the backrest 14 relative
to the support frame 16 may be greater than an angular range and/or
rate of rotation of the seat 12 relative to the support frame 16.
For example, the backrest 14 can be made to rotate through a
greater angular range than the seat 12 by adjusting a distance d1
between the fastener 66 and the pivot 30 and a distance d2 between
the fastener 68 and the pivot 32, the distances d1 and d2 shown in
FIG. 12. If the user reclines the articulating chair 11 by rotating
the backrest 14 and the bracket 18 about the pivot 30, the first
end 62 of the linking arm 60 will move down a distance H1 according
to the distance d1. Because the first end 62 of the linking arm 60
is rigidly connected to the second end 64 of the linking arm 60,
the second end 64 will also move down a corresponding distance H2.
The difference between the distances H1 and H2 will depend on the
geometry of the linking arm 60 and locations of the fasteners 66,
68. When the second end 64 of the linking arm 60 pulls the rearward
end 15a of the side arms 15 of the seat 12 down by the distance H2,
the front edge of the seat 12 will rotate up about the pivot 32
according to the distance d2.
[0048] The angles of rotation of the backrest 14 and the seat 12
can be controlled, for example, by adjusting the distances d1 and
d2 and the geometry of the linking arm 60. In some embodiments, the
distance d1 is not equal to the distance d2. For example, if the
distance d1 is relatively small, then the movement of the fastener
66 through the distance H1 when the user reclines the backrest 14
will cause a relatively large angular rotation of the backrest 14
about the pivot 30. The first end 62 of the linking arm 60 will
pull down on the second end 64 of the linking arm 60, causing the
fastener 68 to move through the distance H2. If the distance d2 is
relatively large, then the movement of the fastener 68 and the
rearward end 15a of the side arm 15 of the seat 12 through the
distance H2 will cause only a small angular rotation of the seat 12
about pivot 32. Thus, the angular rotations of the backrest 14 and
the seat 12 can be controlled by adjusting the geometries between
the fasteners 66, 68 and the pivots 30, 32.
[0049] The backward rotation of the articulating chair 11 is shown
sequentially in FIGS. 12-14. FIG. 12 shows the articulating chair
11 in an upright position. In the upright position, the fasteners
66 are below the pivots 30. Also, the fasteners 68 are below the
pivots 32. As the articulating chair 11 rotates backward from the
upright position of FIG. 12 to the intermediate position of FIG.
13, the seat 12 rotates relative to the support frame 16 about the
pivots 32, while the backrest 14 rotates relative to the support
frame 16 about the pivots 30. In the intermediate position, the
fasteners 66 are farther below the pivots 30 than they were in the
upright position, as the fasteners 66 move through the distance H1.
Also, the linking arms 60 pull the rearward ends 15a of the arms 15
of the seat 12 down such that the fasteners 68 are moved farther
below the pivots 32, as the fasteners 68 move through the distance
H2.
[0050] As the articulating chair 11 rotates further backward from
the intermediate position of FIG. 13 to the reclined position of
FIG. 14, the seat 12 rotates relative to the support frame 16 about
the pivots 32, and the backrest 14 rotates relative to the support
frame 16 about the pivots 30. In the reclined position of FIG. 14,
the fasteners 68 have moved farther below the pivots 32, and the
fasteners 66 have moved farther below the pivots 30. As described
above, the geometry of the linking arms 60 and the positions of the
fasteners 66 and 68 relative to the pivots 30 and 32, respectively,
define the ratio of the angular range and rate of rotation of the
backrest 14 to those of the seat 12.
[0051] Notably, by transferring the rotation force via the linking
arms 60 of the articulating chair 11, rather than via pins and
slots (such as the pins 34 and the slots 36 of the articulating
chair 10), the side arms 15 of the seat 12 may be shorter in
length. The shorter side arms 15 of the articulating chair 11 allow
the side arms 15 and the mounting brackets 18 to be in
substantially the same plane without interfering with each other
while the articulating chair 11 reclines, providing improved
accessibility to the fasteners 66, 68 and the pivots 30, 32.
[0052] The preceding description has been presented with references
to presently preferred embodiments of the invention. Persons
skilled in the art and technology to which this invention pertains
will appreciate that alterations and changes in the described
structures and methods of operation can be practiced without
meaningfully departing from the principle, spirit, and scope of
this invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description should not
be read as pertaining only to the precise structures described and
shown in the accompanying drawings.
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