U.S. patent application number 13/174931 was filed with the patent office on 2012-04-19 for expandable chair assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to WAN-YU LI. Invention is credited to CHIN-CHEN CHANG, QING-KUN YIN.
Application Number | 20120091779 13/174931 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44253507 |
Filed Date | 2012-04-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120091779 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHANG; CHIN-CHEN ; et
al. |
April 19, 2012 |
EXPANDABLE CHAIR ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A chair assembly has a seat, a backrest and an expandable leg
supporting device. The seat has a front end and a rear end. The
backrest is connected to the rear end of the seat. The expandable
leg supporting device is mounted on the front end of the seat and
has a base, at least one extension frame and a frame driving
device. The base is mounted securely on the front end of the seat.
The least one extension frame is connected to the base. The frame
driving device is mounted on the base and is connected to the at
least one extension frame to pivot the at least one extension frame
relative to the base. Accordingly, the chair assembly can be
expanded to support legs of a user in an expanded condition.
Inventors: |
CHANG; CHIN-CHEN; (TAIPEI
CITY, TW) ; YIN; QING-KUN; (GUANGDONG, CN) |
Assignee: |
LI; WAN-YU
TAIPEI CITY
TW
|
Family ID: |
44253507 |
Appl. No.: |
13/174931 |
Filed: |
July 1, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/423.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/995 20180201;
B60N 3/063 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/423.3 |
International
Class: |
A47C 7/50 20060101
A47C007/50 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 18, 2010 |
CN |
201020564346.1 |
Claims
1. A chair assembly comprising: a seat having a front end and a
rear end; a backrest connected to the rear end of the seat; and an
expandable leg supporting device mounted on the front end of the
seat and comprising a base mounted securely on the front end of the
seat; at least one extension frame connected to the base; and a
frame driving device mounted on the base and connected to the at
least one extension frame to pivot the at least one extension frame
relative to the base.
2. The chair assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame
driving device comprises a driving motor; a worn rod connected to
and driven by the driving motor; a worn gear engaging and driven by
the worn rod; a pinion co-axially mounted on the worn gear; a
driving gear engaging the pinion; and a pivotal rod co-axially
mounted on and protruding from the driving gear and connected
securely to the at least one extension frame.
3. The chair assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the expandable
leg supporting device has three extension frames telescopically
connected with each other and including an outer extension frame, a
middle extension frame and an inner extension frame arranged from
outside to inside in sequence; each extension frame has a volume
gradually increasing from the inner extension frame to the outer
extension frame; and the outer extension frame is connected
securely with the pivotal rod of the frame driving device.
4. The chair assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the outer
extension frame has a middle extension driving device comprising a
middle motor mounted securely on the outer extension frame; a
middle threaded rod connected to and driven by the middle motor;
and a middle nut mounted rotatably around the middle threaded rod
and connected securely to the middle extension frame; and the
middle extension frame has an inner extension driving device
comprising an inner motor mounted securely on the middle extension
frame; an inner threaded rod connected to and driven by the inner
motor; and an inner nut mounted rotatably around the inner threaded
rod and connected securely to the inner extension frame.
5. The chair assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the outer
extension frame has two side panels each having an inner surface
facing to each other; and two rails mounted respectively on the
inner surfaces of the side panels; the middle extension frame has
two side panels each having an inner surface facing to each other
and an outer surface opposite to each other; two sliders mounted
respectively on the outer surfaces of the side panels of the middle
extension frame and slidably connected with the rails on the outer
extension frame; two rails mounted respectively on the inner
surfaces of the side panels of the middle extension frame; and the
inner extension frame has two side panels each having an outer
surface opposite to each other; two sliders mounted respectively on
the outer surfaces of the side panels of the inner extension frame
and slidably connected with the rails on the middle extension
frame.
6. The chair assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the expandable
leg supporting device further has a foot supporting panel pivotally
connected to the inner extension frame.
7. The chair assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the inner
extension frame further has a panel driving device mounted on the
inner extension frame, connected to the foot supporting panel and
having a panel driving motor mounted on the inner extension frame;
a driving pulley connected to and driven by the panel driving
motor; a driven pulley mounted rotatably on the inner extension
frame; a belt mounted endlessly around the driving pulley and the
driven pulley; and a pivotal axle co-axially formed on and
protruding from the driven pulley; and the foot supporting panel
has two ends and two pivotal ears formed respectively on the ends
of the foot supporting panel, wherein one of the pivotal ears is
connected securely with the pivotal axle of the panel driving
device and the other pivotal ear is connected pivotally to the
inner extension frame with a pivot.
8. The chair assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the expandable
leg supporting device further has a middle detecting device mounted
between the outer extension frame and the middle extension frame
and comprising a potentiometer mounted on the middle extension
frame; a detecting gear connected to the potentiometer; a rod mount
mounted securely on the middle extension frame; a rotatable rod
mounted rotatably on the rod mount and having two ends respectively
protruding out from two sides of the rod mount; a first end gear
and a second end gear mounted respectively on the ends of the
rotatable rod, wherein the first end gear engages the detecting
gear; and a rack mounted securely on the outer extension frame and
engaging the second end gear.
9. The chair assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the expandable
leg supporting device further has an inner detecting device mounted
between the middle extension frame and the inner extension frame
and has a same components as that of the middle detecting
device.
10. The chair assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the outer
extension frame has two side panels each having an inner surface
facing to each other; and two rails mounted respectively on the
inner surfaces of the side panels; the middle extension frame has
two side panels each having an inner surface facing to each other
and an outer surface opposite to each other; two sliders mounted
respectively on the outer surfaces of the side panels of the middle
extension frame and slidably connected with the rails on the outer
extension frame; two rails mounted respectively on the inner
surfaces of the side panels of the middle extension frame; and the
inner extension frame has two side panels each having an outer
surface opposite to each other; two sliders mounted respectively on
the outer surfaces of the side panels of the inner extension frame
and slidably connected with the rails on the middle extension
frame.
11. The chair assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the
expandable leg supporting device further has a foot supporting
panel pivotally connected to the inner extension frame.
12. The chair assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the inner
extension frame further has a panel driving device mounted on the
inner extension frame, connected to the foot supporting panel and
having a panel driving motor mounted on the inner extension frame;
a driving pulley connected to and driven by the panel driving
motor; a driven pulley mounted rotatably on the inner extension
frame; a belt mounted endlessly around the driving pulley and the
driven pulley; and a pivotal axle co-axially formed on and
protruding from the driven pulley; and the foot supporting panel
has two ends and two pivotal ears formed respectively on the ends
of the foot supporting panel, wherein one of the pivotal ears is
connected securely with the pivotal axle of the panel driving
device and the other pivotal ear is connected pivotally to the
inner extension frame with a pivot.
13. The chair assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the
expandable leg supporting device further has a middle detecting
device mounted between the outer extension frame and the middle
extension frame and comprising a potentiometer mounted on the
middle extension frame; a detecting gear connected to the
potentiometer; a rod mount mounted securely on the middle extension
frame; a rotatable rod mounted rotatably on the rod mount and
having two ends respectively protruding out from two sides of the
rod mount; a first end gear and a second end gear mounted
respectively on the ends of the rotatable rod, wherein the first
end gear engages the detecting gear; and a rack mounted securely on
the outer extension frame and engaging the second end gear.
14. The chair assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein the
expandable leg supporting device further has an inner detecting
device mounted between the middle extension frame and the inner
extension frame and has a same components as that of the middle
detecting device.
15. The chair assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the
expandable leg supporting device further has a foot supporting
panel pivotally connected to the inner extension frame.
16. The chair assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein the inner
extension frame further has a panel driving device mounted on the
inner extension frame, connected to the foot supporting panel and
having a panel driving motor mounted on the inner extension frame;
a driving pulley connected to and driven by the panel driving
motor; a driven pulley mounted rotatably on the inner extension
frame; a belt mounted endlessly around the driving pulley and the
driven pulley; and a pivotal axle co-axially formed on and
protruding from the driven pulley; and the foot supporting panel
has two ends and two pivotal ears formed respectively on the ends
of the foot supporting panel, wherein one of the pivotal ears is
connected securely with the pivotal axle of the panel driving
device and the other pivotal ear is connected pivotally to the
inner extension frame with a pivot.
17. The chair assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein the
expandable leg supporting device further has a middle detecting
device mounted between the outer extension frame and the middle
extension frame and comprising a potentiometer mounted on the
middle extension frame; a detecting gear connected to the
potentiometer; a rod mount mounted securely on the middle extension
frame; a rotatable rod mounted rotatably on the rod mount and
having two ends respectively protruding out from two sides of the
rod mount; a first end gear and a second end gear mounted
respectively on the ends of the rotatable rod, wherein the first
end gear engages the detecting gear; and a rack mounted securely on
the outer extension frame and engaging the second end gear.
18. The chair assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein the
expandable leg supporting device further has an inner detecting
device mounted between the middle extension frame and the inner
extension frame and has a same components as that of the middle
detecting device.
19. The chair assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the
expandable leg supporting device further has a middle detecting
device mounted between the outer extension frame and the middle
extension frame and comprising a potentiometer mounted on the
middle extension frame; a detecting gear connected to the
potentiometer; a rod mount mounted securely on the middle extension
frame; a rotatable rod mounted rotatably on the rod mount and
having two ends respectively protruding out from two sides of the
rod mount; a first end gear and a second end gear mounted
respectively on the ends of the rotatable rod, wherein the first
end gear engages the detecting gear; and a rack mounted securely on
the outer extension frame and engaging the second end gear.
20. The chair assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the
expandable leg supporting device further has an inner detecting
device mounted between the middle extension frame and the inner
extension frame.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a chair, and more
particularly to an expandable chair assembly to support legs of a
user in an expanded condition.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Chairs enable person sitting thereon to support the weights
of the sitter. A chair substantially comprises a seat and a
backrest for support the back of a sitter. The backrest may be
adjustable in angle relative to the seat to fit with different
needs of different sitters.
[0005] However, when a person sits on a chair for a long time, for
example in a long vehicle traveling, the legs of the sitter on the
convention chair will become tired, numb or pained due to long term
of bending. Accordingly, the conventional chair should be further
improved to provide an enhanced comforting effect.
[0006] To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention tends to
provide an extendable chair assembly to mitigate or obviate the
aforementioned problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The main objective of the invention is to provide an
expandable chair assembly to support legs of a user in an expanded
condition. The chair assembly has a seat, a backrest and an
expandable leg supporting device. The seat has a front end and a
rear end. The backrest is connected to the rear end of the seat.
The expandable leg supporting device is mounted on the front end of
the seat and has a base, at least one extension frame and a frame
driving device. The base is mounted securely on the front end of
the seat. The least one extension frame is connected to the base.
The frame driving device is mounted on the base and is connected to
the at least one extension frame to pivot the at least one
extension frame relative to the base.
[0008] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an extendable chair assembly
in accordance with the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the expandable leg
supporting device of the chair assembly in FIG. 1 in an expanded
condition;
[0011] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the frame driving
device of the chair assembly in FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the expandable leg
supporting device in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the panel driving
device of the chair assembly in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the detecting
device of the chair assembly in FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 7 is an operational side view of the expandable leg
supporting device of the chair assembly in FIG. 1; and
[0016] FIG. 8 is a side view of the expandable leg supporting
device of the chair assembly in FIG. 1 in an expanded
condition.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, an extendable chair
assembly in accordance with the present invention comprises a seat
10, a backrest 20 and an expandable leg supporting device 30. The
seat 10 has a front end and a rear end. The backrest 20 is
connected to the rear end of the seat 10.
[0018] The expandable leg supporting device 30 is mounted on the
front end of the seat 10 and comprises a base 31, at least one
extension frame 33,33A,33B and a frame driving device 32. The base
31 is mounted securely on the front end of the seat 10. The at
least one extension frame 33,33A,33B is connected to the base 31.
Preferably, three extension frames 33,33A,33B are implemented, are
telescopically connected with each other and include an outer
extension frame 33, a middle extension frame 33A and an inner
extension frame 33B arranged from outside to inside in sequence.
Each extension frame 33,33A,33B has a volume gradually increasing
from the inner extension frame 33B to the outer extension frame 33,
such that a smaller extension frame 33A,33B is mounted in a large
extension frame 33,33A. In addition, each extension frame
33,33A,33B has two side panels 332,332A,332B, a rear panel
331,331A,331B and an opened front panel. Each side panel
332,332A,332B has an inner surface facing to each other and an
outer surface opposite to each other. The rear panel 331 of the
outer extension frame 33 is connected pivotally to the base 31.
[0019] The frame driving device 32 is mounted on the base 31 and is
connected to the at least one extension frame 33,33A,33B to pivot
the at least one extension frame 33,33A,33B relative to the base
31. With further reference to FIG. 3, the frame driving device 32
comprises a driving motor 321, a worn rod 322, a worn gear 323, a
pinion 324, a driving gear 325 and a pivotal rod 326. The driving
motor 321 is mounted securely on the base 31. The worn rod 322 is
connected to and driven by the driving motor 321. The worn gear 323
engages and is driven by the worn rod 322. The pinion 324 is
co-axially mounted on the worn gear 323. The driving gear 325
engages the pinion 324. The pivotal rod 326 is co-axially mounted
on and protrudes from the driving gear 325, is connected securely
to the at least one extension frame 33,33A,33B and is preferably
connected securely with the rear panel 331 of the outer extension
frame 33.
[0020] With further reference to FIG. 4, the outer extension frame
33 has a middle extension driving device 333 comprising a middle
motor 334, a middle threaded rod 335 and a middle nut 336. The
middle motor 334 is mounted securely on the rear panel 331 of the
outer extension frame 33. The middle threaded rod 335 is connected
to and driven by the middle motor 334. The middle nut 336 is
mounted rotatably around the middle threaded rod 335 and is
connected securely to the rear panel 331A of the middle extension
frame 33A.
[0021] The middle extension frame 33A has an inner extension
driving device 333A comprises an inner motor 334A, an inner
threaded rod 335A and an inner nut 336A. The inner motor 334A is
mounted securely on the rear panel 331A of the middle extension
frame 33A. The inner threaded rod 335A is connected to and driven
by the inner motor 334A. The inner nut 336A is mounted rotatably
around the inner threaded rod 335A and is connected securely to the
rear panel 331B of the inner extension frame 33B.
[0022] In addition, the outer extension frame 33 has two rails 337
mounted respectively on the inner surfaces of the side panels 332.
The middle extension frame 33A has two sliders 338A and two rails
337A. The sliders 338A are mounted respectively on the outer
surfaces of the side panels 332A of the middle extension frame 33A
and are slidably connected with the rails 337 on the outer
extension frame 33. The rails 338A are mounted respectively on the
inner surfaces of the side panels 332A of the middle extension
frame 33A. The inner extension frame 33B has two sliders 338B
mounted respectively on the outer surfaces of the side panels 332B
of the inner extension frame 33B and slidably connected with the
rails 337A on the middle extension frame 33A.
[0023] With further reference to FIG. 5, the expandable leg
supporting device 30 further has a foot supporting panel 34
pivotally connected to the inner extension frame 33B. A panel
driving device 333B is mounted on the inner extension frame 33B, is
connected to the foot supporting panel 34 and has a panel driving
motor 334B, a driving pulley 3341B, a driven pulley 335B, a belt
336B and a pivotal axle 3351B. The panel driving motor 334B is
mounted on the rear panel 331B of the inner extension frame 33B.
The driving pulley 3341B is connected to and driven by the panel
driving motor 334B. The driven pulley 335B is mounted rotatably on
the inner extension frame 33B. The belt 336B is mounted endlessly
around the driving pulley 3341B and the driven pulley 335B. The
pivotal axle 3351B is co-axially formed on and protrudes from the
driven pulley 335B. In addition, the foot supporting panel 34 has
two ends and two pivotal ears 341 formed respectively on the ends
of the foot supporting panel 34. One of the pivotal ears 341 is
connected securely with the pivotal axle 3341B of the panel driving
device 333B, and the other pivotal ear 341 is connected pivotally
to the rear panel 331B of the inner extension frame 33B with a
pivot.
[0024] With reference to FIGS. 4 and 6, the expandable leg
supporting device 30 further has a middle detecting device 40
mounted between the outer extension frame 33 and the middle
extension frame 33A and comprises a potentiometer 41, a detecting
gear 411, a rod mount 42, a rotatable rod 421, two end gears
422,422A and a rack 43. The potentiometer 41 is mounted on one of
the side panels 332A of the middle extension frame 33A. The
detecting gear 411 is mounted on and connected to the potentiometer
41. The rod mount 42 is mounted securely on the side panel 332A of
the middle extension frame 33A. The rotatable rod 421 is mounted
rotatably on the rod mount 42 and has two ends respectively
protruding out from two sides of the rod mount 42. The end gears
422,422A include a first end gear 442 and a second end gear 422A
and are mounted respectively on the ends of the rotatable rod 421.
The first end gear 422 engages the detecting gear 411. The rack 43
is mounted securely on the outer extension frame 33 and engages the
second end gear 422A.
[0025] In addition, an inner detecting device may be mounted
between the middle extension frame 33A and the inner extension
frame 33B and may have the same components as that of the middle
detecting device 40.
[0026] To expand the leg supporting device 30, with reference to
FIGS. 2 and 7, the driving motor 321 is switched on and drives the
worn rod 322 to rotate, and the outer extension frame 33 can be
pivoted relative to the base 31 with the transmission of the worn
gear 323, the pinion 324, the driving gear 325 and the pivotal rod
326.
[0027] With reference to FIG. 4, when the middle motor 334 is
switched on, the middle threaded rod 335 is rotated and the middle
nut 336 is moved along the middle threaded rod 335 with the
threaded engagement between the middle threaded rod 335 and the
middle nut 336. Accordingly, the middle extension frame 33A will be
moved to extend out of the outer extension frame 33. In addition,
with the arrangement of the rails 337 and the sliders 338A between
the outer and middle extension frames 33,33A, the movement of the
middle extension frame 33A is smooth.
[0028] Similarly, with reference to FIG. 2, when the inner motor
334A is switched on, the inner threaded rod 335A is rotated and the
inner nut 336A is moved along the inner threaded rod 335A with the
threaded engagement between the inner threaded rod 335A and the
inner nut 336A. Accordingly, the inner extension frame 33B will be
moved to extend out of the middle extension frame 33A. With the
arrangement of the rails 337A and the sliders 338B between the
middle and inner extension frames 33A,33B, the movement of the
inner extension frame 33B is smooth. Accordingly, the extension
frames 33,33A,33B of the leg supporting device 30 can be expanded
to support the legs of a sitter in an expanded condition.
[0029] With reference to FIG. 5, when the panel driving motor 334B
is switched on, the foot supporting panel 34 can be pivoted
relative to the inner extension frame 33B with the transmission of
the driving pulley 3341B, the belt 336B, the driven pulley 335B and
the pivotal axle 3351B. Accordingly, the feet of the sitter can
step onto the foot supporting panel 34.
[0030] With reference to FIG. 6, when the middle extension frame
33A is moved to extend out of the outer extension frame 33, the rod
mount 42 will move with the middle extension frame 33A.
Consequently, the rotatable rod 421 with the end gears 422,422A
will be rotated due to the engagement between the rack 43 and the
second end gear 422A, and the detecting gear 411 is also rotated.
Accordingly, the potentiometer 41 will be rotated to change the
electric resistance of the potentiometer 41. With the change of the
electric resistance of the potentiometer 41, the position of the
middle extension frame 33A out of the outer extension frame 33 can
be detected. The operation of the inner detecting device is the
same as that of the middle detecting device 40 and is omitted.
[0031] With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, when the outer extension
frame 33 is pivoted relative to the base 31 to a horizontal level
and the extension frames 33,33A,33B are expanded from each other,
the legs of a sitter sitting on the chair assembly can be put and
supported on the expanded extension frames 33,33A,33B and the feet
of the sitter can step on the foot supporting panel 34.
Accordingly, the legs of the sitter can be completely expanded and
excellently supported, such that the comforting effect provided by
the chair assembly is enhanced and can be kept for a long time. In
addition, the space for arranging and storing the foldable leg
supporting device 30 can be reduced while the leg supporting device
30 is not in use.
[0032] Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the
present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description,
together with details of the structure and function of the
invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be
made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and
arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the
full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in
which the appended claims are expressed.
* * * * *