U.S. patent application number 15/347217 was filed with the patent office on 2017-05-11 for chair with a separate and adjustable headrest.
The applicant listed for this patent is Ferdinand Lusch GmbH & Co. KG. Invention is credited to Matthias Grone.
Application Number | 20170127844 15/347217 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57209342 |
Filed Date | 2017-05-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170127844 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Grone; Matthias |
May 11, 2017 |
Chair with a Separate and Adjustable Headrest
Abstract
A chair or sofa having a backrest and a headrest which can be
pivoted relative to the backrest between a non-use position and a
use position. The headrest is connected with the backrest via at
least one pivot fitting for pivoting the headrest. The backrest and
the headrest are separately upholstered. The headrest is arranged
in the use position at least partly above an upper edge of the
backrest and behind the backrest and below the upper edge of the
backrest in the non-use position.
Inventors: |
Grone; Matthias; (Melle,
DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ferdinand Lusch GmbH & Co. KG |
Bielefeld |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
57209342 |
Appl. No.: |
15/347217 |
Filed: |
November 9, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 7/40 20130101; A47C
20/041 20130101; A47C 7/38 20130101; A47C 7/402 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47C 20/04 20060101
A47C020/04; A47C 7/40 20060101 A47C007/40; A47C 7/38 20060101
A47C007/38 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 10, 2015 |
DE |
10 2015 119 326.4 |
Claims
1. A chair having a backrest and a headrest which can be pivoted
relative to the backrest from a non-use position into a use
position and back, wherein the headrest is connected with the
backrest via at least one pivot fitting for pivoting the headrest,
the backrest and the headrest are separately upholstered and
wherein the headrest is arranged in the use position at least
partly above an upper edge of the backrest, and wherein the
headrest is arranged behind the backrest and below the upper edge
of the backrest in the non-use position.
2. The chair according to claim 1, wherein the pivot fitting has a
linear guide for linear movement of a support lever during
adjustment of the headrest from the non-use position and the use
position.
3. The chair according to claim 2, wherein the pivot fitting has a
pivot lever for pivoting the headrest during adjustment of the
headrest from the non-use position and the use position.
4. The chair according to claim 3, wherein the pivot fitting has a
tilting lever for guiding the pivot lever during adjustment of the
headrest from the non-use position and the use position.
5. The chair according to claim 4, wherein the tilting lever is
pivotably held on the linear guide and/or the support lever.
6. The chair according to claim 5, wherein the pivot fitting has a
control lever for tilting the tilting lever when adjusting the
headrest from the non-use position and the use position.
7. The chair according to claim 6, wherein the control lever is
held about a stationary pivot axis relative to the chair and
wherein the control lever is pivoted in one direction during
adjustment of the headrest from the non-use position into an
intermediate position and in an opposite direction during
adjustment of the headrest from the intermediate position into the
non-use position.
8. The chair according to claim 1, wherein a start-up device having
a start lever is pivotably held relative to the pivot fitting and
wherein the start lever interacts with the pivot fitting when
pivoting from a rest position into a starting position in such a
manner that the headrest is moved from the non-use position into a
starting position.
9. The chair according to claim 8, wherein the start-up device has
an actuating device which is actuated by pulling.
10. The chair according to claim 1, wherein the pivot fitting is
motor driven.
11. The chair according to claim 2, wherein the pivot fitting has a
locking joint in a connection between the headrest and the support
lever for locking the headrest relative to the support lever in a
plurality of positions.
12. The chair according to claim 2, further comprising at least one
lift adjuster for positive, clamping or non-positive locking of the
headrest relative to the support lever or the backrest in a
plurality of positions, and wherein at least one gas spring is
provided for adjusting the headrest from the non-use position into
the use position or vice versa.
13. The chair according to claim 12, wherein the at least one lift
adjuster or the at least one gas spring is connected with the pivot
fitting or is provided between pivot fittings at opposite sides of
the headrest, and is connected with a crossbar linking the pivot
fittings together.
14. The chair according to claim 1, further comprising a frame
element bearing the backrest and the headrest wherein the headrest
and the frame element are connected with a flexible member and
wherein the pivot fitting is at least partly arranged between the
backrest and the flexible member in the use position of the
headrest.
15. The chair according to claim 3, wherein the pivot lever has at
least one stop face for defining at least the non-use position or
use position and, wherein the at least one stop face comes into
contact with the support lever or the tilting lever.
16. The chair according to claim 2, wherein the linear guide
comprises telescopically extending rails.
17. The chair according to claim 14, wherein the flexible member
comprises a textile web, a piece of leather, or a film.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to German Patent
Application No. 10 2015 119 326.4 filed Nov. 10, 2015, the
disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to a chair, in particular armchair or
sofa, having a backrest and a headrest which can be pivoted
relative to the backrest from a non-use position into a use
position and back, wherein the headrest is connected with the
backrest via at least one pivot fitting for pivoting the headrest,
wherein the backrest and the headrest are separately upholstered
and wherein the headrest is arranged in the use position at least
partly above an upper edge of the backrest.
[0004] Description of Related Art
[0005] Chairs such as armchairs or sofas are known in many
different designs. To facilitate a comfortable seating position for
the user, chairs often have a headrest which is positioned above
the backrest and against which the user can lay his/her head. To
satisfy different seating positions of the user and/or different
positions of the chair, the headrests can be pivoted relative to
the backrest as required, for which at least one pivot fitting is
generally provided via which the headrest is connected with the
backrest. Via the at least one pivot fitting, a defined adjusting
movement of the headrest is specified and the headrest held on the
chair securely and in a stable manner.
[0006] For comfort, it is also significant that appropriate chairs
are typically upholstered. The term "upholstered furniture" is
therefore also used. The upholstery is provided on the backrest in
particular. However, the headrest is often also separately
upholstered or upholstered together with the backrest in order to
better visually integrate the headrest into the chair and/or the
backrest. In these cases, the headrest is positioned between the
use position and the non-use position so that the upholstery
between the backrest and the headrest remains under tension at all
times in order to avoid an unsightly wrinkling of the headrest.
[0007] As the headrest can disturb the user's visual perception or
is not required in order to sit comfortably in every seating
position, some chairs provide the option of positioning the
headrest, via the pivot fitting, between a use position and a
non-use position. In the use position, the user can comfortably
lean his/her head against the headrest. In the non-use position,
the user cannot lay his/her head against the headrest. However, the
headrest does not prevent the user from sitting comfortably and/or
disturb his/her aesthetic perception.
[0008] With regard to the known chairs, however, there is an
additional need for optimisation, as they do not always permit
satisfactory compromises with respect to the functionality of the
chairs, the flexibility of the design and the aesthetic and
qualitative impression of the chair.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] An object of the present invention is therefore to design
and further develop the chair mentioned above and explained in
greater detail previously in such a manner that the disadvantages
of the prior art can be avoided or at least alleviated.
[0010] This object is achieved in a chair as described herein in
that the headrest is arranged behind the backrest and below the
upper edge of the backrest in the non-use position.
[0011] The invention has recognised that functional and aesthetic
chairs can be supplied which allow a high degree of flexibility and
individuality in the actual design of each chair when the
adjustment of the headrest and the at least one pivot fitting of
the chair provides a positioning of the headrest behind the
backrest in the non-use position. As such, the headrest then
disappears in functional terms. This does not mean, of course, that
the headrest physically disappears, but rather that the headrest
can be arranged in the non-use position or integrated into the
chair so that the headrest is not perceived by the user of the
chair as a headrest in this position. For example, in the non-use
position the headrest can also give the impression that it is part
of the frame of the chair.
[0012] The invention has also recognised that in order to achieve
this effect, it is expedient to upholster the headrest and the
backrest separately, although in known upholstered furniture the
common upholstery should ensure that the headrest, in any case in
the non-use position, is not perceived as a separate, then
functionless component. This is also achieved in particular in that
the headrest can be arranged, differently from ordinary headrests,
below the upper edge of the backrest. The greater the use made of
this option, the more pronounced the effect achieved.
[0013] Moreover, the invention accepts that appropriate headrests
arranged behind the backrest and below the upper edge of the
backrest in the non-use position require a more complex pivot
movement of the headrests. The headrest must not only be set up or
pivoted out to enter a position where the user can easily lean
his/her head against the headrest. The headrest must first be moved
upwards to adopt a position above the backrest in which the
headrest can then be pivoted substantially freely. As the invention
has recognised, the required pivot movement of the headrest can
also be realised without a complex and thus expensive design of the
pivot fitting.
[0014] In a first preferred design of the chair, it is provided
that the pivot fitting includes a linear guide for the linear
movement of a support lever and/or the headrest if the headrest is
adjusted from the non-use position into the use position. This
linear guide can be used to ensure in a simple and reliable manner
that the headrest is initially adjusted from the non-use position,
at least upwards in a substantially linear manner as required. For
example, the headrest can first be actually pivoted into a more
upright position and/or forwards at the level of the upper edge of
the backrest or above. Of course, this can be complemented by a
further linear adjustment of the headrest. It is structurally
simple and reliable to design the linear guide in the form of a
rail system. There, at least one rail can be moved by linear
guidance, in particular back and forth. Especially where a linear
guide has multiple rails which can be moved linearly, for the sake
of simplicity and for stability reasons, these can be mounted
against each other in a telescopic and extendable manner.
[0015] Alternatively, or additionally, the pivot fitting can have a
pivot lever which is used to pivot the headrest when adjusting the
headrest from the non-use position into the use position. The
pivoting is carried out relative to the chair and/or the backrest
in particular. The pivot lever is provided in the pivot fitting in
particular in such a manner that the headrest pivots about an
appropriate pivot axis, and less for the linear adjustment and/or
the height adjustment of the headrest. In this manner, a separation
between the pivoting and the linear adjustment of the headrest
which is at least partly functional can be easily realised.
[0016] In this regard, it makes sense, in addition, if the pivot
fitting has a tilting lever to guide the pivot lever when adjusting
the headrest from the non-use position and the use position. The
tilting lever can be provided so that it tilts about an axis, for
example, if the pivot fitting is adjusted to drive the pivot lever
via this tilting. For this purpose, the tilting lever can be held
pivotably in a simple manner about an axis on another component of
the pivot fitting.
[0017] The minimise the complexity of the adjustment of the pivot
fitting and the pivot fitting itself, the tilting lever can be
installed pivotably on the support lever and/or the linear guide,
in particular on a rail of the linear guide. The advantage of this
is also that during adjustment of the headrest, the pivot axis can
move back and forth along the linear guide, in particular up and
down. This leads, as required, to a further separation of the pivot
movement of the headrest on the one hand and the linear movement of
the headrest on the other hand. Ultimately, this enables a simpler
and more reliable design of the at least one pivot fitting.
[0018] So that the tilting lever tilts in a defined manner when
adjusting the headrest and thereby controls the movement of the
pivot lever as required, the pivot fitting can include a control
lever which is provided for tilting the tilting lever when
adjusting the headrest from the non-use position into the use
position. The pivot lever can therefore be hinged via the control
lever on the frame of the chair in order to ensure a very precise
movement of the headrest. The tilting of the tilting lever is then,
for example, only partly dependent on the movement of the tilting
lever together with the support lever and/or the linear guide when
adjusting the headrest. The movement of the tilting lever can be
partly balanced and/or partly reinforced as required via the
control lever. Alternatively, or additionally, the tilting lever
can have two pivot arms originating from the pivot axis associated
with the tilting lever, where one pivot arm can be connected with
the pivot lever and one pivot arm with the control lever. This
makes it possible to be able to adapt the movement of the headrest
to the relevant requirements very precisely in a structurally
simple manner.
[0019] The control lever can be mounted pivotably relative to the
chair. This allows the pivot fitting to be controlled during the
adjustment of the headrest. The control lever can be pivoted in one
direction via a part of the adjustment range during adjustment from
the non-use position into the use position, whereas the control
lever can be pivoted in the other direction via another part of the
adjustment range. For the sake of simplicity, the control lever can
thereby pivot about a stationary pivot axis. The term `stationary`
means, in particular, that the position of the pivot axis relative
to the chair and/or frame of the chair does not change during
adjustment of the headrest. As a general principle, in the manner
described it can be achieved that the movement of the headrest in
one adjustment range fundamentally differs from the movement of the
headrest in another adjustment range. For example, the headrest is
primarily raised or lowered in one adjustment range, whereas the
headrest is primarily pivoted forwards or backwards in another
adjustment range.
[0020] Because the headrest is arranged behind the backrest and
below the upper edge of the backrest in the non-use position, it
can be difficult for the user to reach there to adjust the
headrest. To counter this disadvantage, a start-up device can be
provided with which the headrest and/or the pivot fitting can be
brought to a starting position from which further adjustment can
then be achieved more easily. In addition, for the sake of
simplicity the start-up device can have, as required, a start lever
held pivotably relative to the pivot fitting. The start lever can
then additionally be designed so that it interacts with the pivot
fitting when pivoting from a rest position into a starting position
in such a manner that the headrest is moved from the non-use
position into a starting position. It is thus possible to move the
headrest via the start-up device and via the start lever from the
non-use position into the starting position, from which the
headrest can then be easily adjusted otherwise, instead of moving
the headrest in the other appropriate manner, if necessary, from
the non-use position into the use position.
[0021] It is particularly simple, both with regard to use and from
a structural perspective, if the start-up device has an actuating
device which is actuated by pulling. The start lever can then be
actuated, in particular pulled, via this actuating device. So that
the actuating device can be easily reached without disturbing the
user, the actuating device can be designed as a band. The band can
be pulled very easily if a loop is provided at its free end.
[0022] Alternatively, or additionally, the pivot fitting can also
be motor driven. A start-up device is then often unnecessary
because the headrest does not have to be taken hold of to adjust
the headrest, in any case not necessarily in the non-use position.
The motor drive can also ensure that the headrest is held securely
or locked at least in the use position but also in other positions
as required. The motor drive can engage, for example, on the at
least one pivot fitting, or on a crossbar that connects two pivot
fittings arranged on opposite sides of the headrest. The connection
between the motor drive and the pivot fitting and the headrest is
preferably made by a threaded rod that can be adjusted by the drive
in the longitudinal direction.
[0023] To be able to lock the headrest at least in the use
position, but particularly in a plurality of different positions,
preferably between the non-use position and the use position, the
pivot fitting can alternatively or additionally have a locking
joint in the connection between the headrest and the support lever.
The locking joint provides a form closure for locking the headrest
in the appropriate position. The additional positions can, as
required, be additional use positions between the end positions of
non-use position and use position. The pivot fitting can thereby
have at least one assembly lever which at least partly bears the
headrest. This assembly lever can then be connected to the support
lever, forming a locking joint.
[0024] Locking joints are characterised, for example, in that they
include a sprocket with which a ratchet meshes. The ratchet and the
sprocket are coordinated so that the ratchet slides off the
sprocket during adjustment of the headrest from the non-use
position into the use position so as to enable the adjustment of
the headrest. The ratchet can, however, counteract an adjustment in
the opposite direction using a form closure between the ratchet and
the sprocket. The ratchet then engages positively in the sprocket.
To adjust the headrest back to the non-use position, it can be
provided that the headrest is first adjusted fully into the use
position, disabling the ratchet, until the headrest enters the
non-use position again, to then be re-enabled. Alternatively, the
locking joint can also be designed as a clamping joint. The
adjustment of the headrest into the non-use position is then
blocked by the form closure between the ratchet and the sprocket
until a clamping force is overcome by the user. Friction surfaces
of the locking joint then slide together and the headrest adjusts
itself towards the non-use position, although the ratchet continues
to positively engage in the sprocket.
[0025] For positive, non-positive and/or clamping locking of the
headrest in at least the use position, but in particular in a
plurality of positions, at least one lift adjuster can be provided.
For greater convenience when adjusting the headrest, the lift
adjuster can be a continuously variable lift adjuster.
Alternatively, or additionally, the lift adjuster can have a casing
and an adjustment shaft which is partly extendable relative to the
casing. The adjustment shaft can be prevented from sliding into the
casing, for example, by a form closure and/or a force closure
between the casing and the adjustment shaft. In particular, it is
provided that a clamping element is placed between the adjustment
shaft and the casing which is clamped in the lift adjuster in such
a manner that the adjustment shaft is prevented from sliding
further into the casing. To be able to slide the adjustment shaft
back into the casing, this must, as required, first be completely
pulled out of the casing up to an end position. At the same time,
this prevents a force closure or clamping when sliding the
adjustment shaft back in. If the adjustment shaft enters the
starting position again, however, the force closure and/or the
clamp is enabled again. In this regard, reference is made to the
lift adjuster described in patent application DE 10 2014 109 010
A1, which, by way of reference, is hereby understood to be the
subject matter of the present application, in such a manner that
the lift adjuster described therein is a lift adjuster preferred
here. The lift adjuster can be also designed to provide a form
closure between the adjustment shaft and the casing, which can be
achieved, for example, with at least one ratchet engaging in
appropriate holding fixtures as required. The ratchet can be
provided on the adjustment shaft and/or on the housing. The holding
fixtures are then particularly provided on the opposite component.
The ratchet can also be disabled to easily adjust the headrest back
into the non-use position by fully extending the adjustment shaft
into the use position of the headrest or beyond, and re-enabled
when the adjustment shaft is slid into the non-use position.
[0026] Alternatively, or in addition to an adjustment shaft, at
least one gas spring can also be provided in order to adjust the
headrest from the non-use position into the use position and/or
vice versa. The gas spring preferably locks in the inserted
position. With additional gentle pressure, the lock on the gas
spring can be reversed, which is also referred to as the ballpoint
pen principle. The gas spring then extends preferably automatically
until, for example, the headrest enters the use position or the
non-use position. The appropriate gas spring is therefore
particularly suitable for adjustment between two end positions of
the gas spring.
[0027] The at least one lift adjuster and/or the at least one gas
spring can both be connected to a pivot fitting to achieve a
compact, space-saving arrangement. The at least one lift adjuster
and/or the at least one gas spring can also, however, be provided
between two pivot fittings which are preferably provided on
opposite sides of the headrest. The two pivot fittings can then
also be connected with a crossbar. For the sake of simplicity, the
at least one lift adjuster and/or the at least one gas spring can
then be hinged on this crossbar. As a general principle, the lift
adjuster and/or the at least one gas spring can also, however, be
attached to another already existing crossbar or another
component.
[0028] Alternatively, or additionally, the chair includes a frame
element which bears the backrest and the headrest. The frame
element can act as a type of chassis for the chair on which
attachments are mounted. In addition, or instead, however, the
frame element can also be provided to stand on the floor and to
support the backrest and the headrest relative to the ground.
Regardless of the above, the headrest and the frame element can be
connected with a flexible screening means so that the at least one
pivot fitting is not visible or not easily visible, in any case
when the headrest is arranged in the use position. This is
achieved, for example, in that, in the use position of the
headrest, the pivot fitting is at least partly arranged between the
backrest and the screening means. For the sake of simplicity, the
screening means can be made from a textile web, a piece of leather,
a piece of plastic and/or a film. Such screening means not only
look good but can also be easily repeatedly merged and folded
together and pulled apart if the headrest is repeatedly pivoted
from the non-use position into the use position and back.
[0029] To set the location of the headrest in the non-use position
and/or in the use position, the pivot lever can have at least one
stop surface. The at least one stop surface can, for the sake of
simplicity, come into operation when the at least one stop surface
comes into contact with the support lever and/or the tilting lever
when the headrest has reached the appropriate position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] Below, the invention is explained in more detail on the
basis of a drawing which merely illustrates exemplary embodiments.
In the drawing,
[0031] FIG. 1A-D shows a first chair according to the invention in
a vertical section view from the side in different positions,
[0032] FIG. 2A-D shows a pivot fitting of the chair according to
FIG. 1 in a perspective view in the positions according to FIG.
1A-D,
[0033] FIG. 3A-D shows a second chair according to the invention
with a start-up device in a vertical section view from the side in
different positions,
[0034] FIG. 4A-B shows a pivot fitting of a third chair according
to the invention including a locking joint in a perspective view in
two different positions,
[0035] FIG. 5A-B shows a pivot fitting of a fourth chair according
to the invention including a lift adjuster in a perspective view in
two different positions,
[0036] FIG. 6 shows a fifth chair according to the invention with
lift adjusters in a perspective section view and
[0037] FIG. 7 shows a sixth chair according to the invention with a
motor drive in a perspective section view.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0038] FIGS. 1A-D display a chair 1 with a headrest 2 in different
positions. The chair 1 includes, in addition to the headrest 2, a
backrest 3, a seat 4, two pivot fittings 5 and a frame element 6
which bears the backrest 3, the headrest 2, the seat 4 and the
pivot fitting 5 and supports them relative to the ground on which
the frame element 6 stands. The headrest 2 and the backrest 3 are
upholstered separately. In addition, the seat 4 is also separately
upholstered. It is, however, conceivable for the seat 4 and the
backrest 3 to have common upholstery. The headrest 2 is located in
the position according to FIG. 1 A in the non-use position. The
user does not use the headrest 2 in this position. In the non-use
position, the headrest 2 is positioned behind the backrest 3 and
below the upper edge 7 of the backrest 3. The headrest 2 can be
adjusted from this non-use position into a use position. The
non-use position and the use position constitute the end positions
between which the headrest 2 can be adjusted back and forth.
[0039] To bring the headrest 2 from the non-use position into the
use position, the headrest 2 can be taken by the user and moved
upwards. The chair 1 thereby enters the position displayed in FIG.
1B. The headrest 2 is raised upwards slightly in particular and
pivoted forwards gently. This movement of the headrest 2 is
dictated and guided by the pivot fitting 5. Furthermore, a folded
screening means 8 is partly unfolded so that, despite the headrest
2 being raised, a screen is present into the inside of the frame
element 6 and on the pivot fitting 5. This means that neither the
pivot fitting 5 is easily visible, nor can the inside of the frame
element 6 be seen.
[0040] During further adjustment of the headrest 2 towards the use
position, the position of the chair 1 displayed in FIG. 1C is
adopted. In this position, the headrest 2 is further raised and now
significantly pivoted. Until the use position displayed in FIG. 1D
is reached, the headrest 2 is only slightly raised, but
nevertheless pivoted forwards significantly. In the appropriate use
position, the user of the chair 1 can comfortably lean his/her head
against the headrest 2. The rear area of the headrest 2 and the
part of the pivot fitting 5 protruding from the frame element 6 are
covered by the now further folded screening means 8. The pivot
fitting 5 and the inside of the frame element 6 are not easily
visible from the outside in this position either.
[0041] To adjust the headrest 2 back into the non-use position, the
previously described adjustment of the headrest 2 is only performed
again in the opposite direction. For adjustment of the headrest 2,
the pivot fittings of the chair 1 are used which are arranged on
both sides of the headrest 2 and of which only one pivot fitting 5
is displayed in each of the FIGS. 1A-D. The appropriate pivot
fitting 5 is displayed in detail in FIGS. 2A-D in the positions
according to FIGS. 1A-D. There it is more easily apparent how the
pivot fitting 5 is adjusted to pivot the headrest 2 from the
non-use position into the use position and back. This also results
in the pivot fitting 5 being pivoted during adjustment of the
headrest 2 from the use position into the non-use position, as the
pivot fitting 5 is then only adjusted in the opposite direction as
well.
[0042] FIG. 2A displays a position of the pivot fitting 5 which is
adopted if the headrest 2 is situated in the non-use position. The
pivot fitting 5 displayed and to that extent preferred includes a
mounting plate 9 with which the pivot fitting 5 is attached, in
particular screwed, to the frame element 6 of the chair 1. The
mounting plate 9 bears a linear guide 10 which is designed as a
rail system 11 with several rails 12. The rails 12 can be moved
towards each other in the longitudinal direction. In this manner, a
telescopic rail system 11 is created in the displayed and to that
extent preferred pivot fitting 5 which can be pulled apart
telescopically and pushed together again. The linear guide 10
bears, as required, a support lever 13 as a rail 12 of the rail
system 11 which can be moved linearly upwards and back down via the
rail system 11 and at least partly supports the headrest 2 relative
to the frame element 6.
[0043] At the upper end of the support lever 13, an assembly lever
14 is pivotably connected to the support lever 13 about a pivot
axis 15 for this purpose. The actual headrest 2 is mounted on the
assembly lever 14, for which a flange 16 is provided on the
assembly lever 14. A carrier element, such as in the form of a
board, can be mounted on the flange 16 which can then extend to the
flange 16 of the additional pivot fitting 5 provided opposite. This
additional pivot fitting 5 is preferably constructed identically
but in a mirror-inverted manner.
[0044] A pivot lever 17 is also pivotably connected with the
assembly lever 14 about a pivot axis 18. The pivot lever 17 is used
in particular for pivoting the headrest 2 about the pivot axis 15
between the assembly lever 14 and the support lever 13. In
addition, the pivot lever 17 is pivotably connected with its
opposite end to a tilting lever 19 about a pivot axis 20. The
tilting lever 19 is in turn pivotably held via a pivot axis 21 on
the linear guide 10, in particular the support lever 13. The
tilting lever 19 has two lever arms 22, 23 originating from this
connection with the linear guide 10, about which the tilting lever
19 can be tilted, the said lever arms extending substantially in
opposite directions. One lever arm 22 is, as already explained,
connected with the pivot lever 17, whereas the other lever arm 23
of the tilting lever 19 is pivotably connected via a pivot axis 24
with a control lever 25. The control lever 25 is hinged at its
other end via a pivot axis 26 on the mounting plate 9.
[0045] The pivot fitting 5 displayed and to that extent preferred
is designed as simply as possible. Unnecessary levers have been
omitted in particular. Nonetheless, individual levers could be
replaced by a plurality of levers as required and the same
functionality achieved. The term `lever` is therefore not
necessarily understood to mean individual lever here, but lever
unit if required. The adjustment of the pivot fitting 5 displayed
and to that extent preferred is explained below.
[0046] During adjustment of the headrest 2 from the non-use
position into the use position, the pivot fitting 5 is initially
adjusted from the position according to FIG. 2A into the position
according to FIG. 2B when, for instance, the headrest 2 is taken by
the user and adjusted in the desired direction. This, in
particular, moves the support lever 13 via the linear guide 10, and
thus the headrest 2, upwards. At the same time, the tilting lever
19 is also moved upwards. Due to the connection of the tilting
lever 19 via the control lever 25 to the mounting plate 9, the
tilting lever 19 tilts significantly into a horizontal position.
Because the lever arm 22 of the tilting lever 19, connected to the
pivot arm 17, is very short, however, and the pivot axes 20, 21
between the tilting lever 19 and the linear guide 10 on the one
hand as well as the pivot lever 17 on the other hand are initially
arranged almost on top of each other, the significant tilting of
the tilting lever 19 only results in a slight adjustment of the
pivot lever 17 relative to the support lever 13. Consequently, the
assembly lever 14 and thus ultimately the headrest 2 are only
slightly pivoted about the pivot axis 15 between the support lever
13 and the assembly lever 14. This is expedient to be able to first
of all lift the headrest 2 above the upper edge 7 of the backrest 3
in order to then be pivoted more freely.
[0047] During further adjustment of the pivot fitting 5, the
tilting lever 19 tilts further, while the tilting lever 19, the
support lever 13, the assembly lever 14 and the headrest 2 are
raised further. Because the lever arm 22 of the tilting lever 19,
connected to the pivot arm 17, is more horizontal, a larger
adjustment path is transmitted by the tilting lever 19 to the pivot
lever 17, which pivots the assembly lever 14 and thus the headrest
2 slightly more strongly about the pivot axis 15 between the
support lever 13 and the assembly lever 14, in any case based on
the height adjustment of the support lever 13 caused by the linear
guide 10.
[0048] The support lever 13 is only slightly raised via the linear
guide 10 up to the use position of the headrest 2. However, the
assembly lever 14 is pivoted significantly. This is achieved in
that the control lever 25 now pivots relative to the mounting plate
9 in the direction opposite to that originating from the non-use
position. This pivots the tilting lever 19 in a roughly vertical
direction and significantly raises the pivot lever 17 in relation
to the support lever 13. Because the angle between the pivot lever
17 and the support lever 13 also decreases, the headrest 2 is
mainly pivoted at the end of the adjustment path, whereas the
headrest 2 is mainly raised at the beginning of the adjustment
path. The headrest 2 is adjusted back into the non-use position in
an identically opposite manner.
[0049] In the displayed and to that extent preferred pivot fitting
5, the pivot lever has stop faces 27, 28 which prevent further
adjustment of the pivot fitting beyond the use position and the
non-use position. In the non-use position, one stop face 27 is in
contact with the tilting lever 19, whereas in the use position, the
other stop face 28 is in contact with the support lever 13. As a
general principle, however, the stop faces could also be provided
on other levers and in turn come into contact with other levers in
the use position and/or the non-use position as required.
[0050] FIGS. 3A-D display the adjustment of the headrest 2 outbound
from the non-use position into the use position with the aid of a
start-up device 30. In principle, the chair 1' otherwise
corresponds to the chair 1 according to FIG. 1, whereas the pivot
fitting 5 otherwise substantially corresponds to the pivot fitting
5 according to FIG. 2. In addition, however, a start lever 31 of
the start-up device 30 is provided which is pivotably hinged on the
mounting plate 9 in the displayed and to that extent preferred
chair 1'. The start lever 31 is actuated by pulling an actuating
device 32 in the form of a band and thereby moved from the rest
position displayed in FIGS. 3A and 3D into the starting position
displayed in FIG. 3C. The actuating device 32 can be made of a
textile material and have a loop 33 to enable the user to take hold
of it more effectively. In addition, the actuating device 32 is
passed through the displayed and to that extent preferred chair 1'
by way of a gap 34 between the seat 4 and the backrest 3 in the
direction of the seat surface 35. It is sufficient if the start-up
device 30 is provided on a pivot fitting 5. The actuating device 32
is then also provided on only one side of the seat 4.
[0051] If the user pulls on the actuating device 32 while the
headrest 2 is situated in the non-use position according to FIG.
3A, then the start lever 31 swings forwards. A stop face 36 of the
start lever 31 reaches a stopper 37 of the pivot fitting 5, where
the stopper 37 can be designed to be rotatable so as to be
subsequently guided with less friction along the stop face 36.
Alternatively, or additionally, however, a material with a low
coefficient of friction can also be used. In the displayed and to
that extent preferred pivot fitting 5, the stopper 37 is attached
to the tilting lever 19 so that it contacts the start lever 31. In
this manner, the force exerted by the start lever 31 on the pivot
fitting 5 can be transferred in particular by raising the support
lever 13. The chair 1' thereby enters the position displayed in
FIG. 3B.
[0052] This movement, of course, entails the adjustment of the
pivot fitting 5, as the pivot fitting 5 has only one degree of
freedom in this respect. Accordingly, the stop face 36 of the start
lever 31 is bent to follow the adjustment of the pivot fitting 5.
Initially, the stop face 36 is strongly inclined relative to the
vertical, whereas the stop face 36 becomes more and more vertically
inclined as the headrest 2 is increasingly adjusted into a starting
position. The actuating device 32 can thereby be pulled into the
position displayed in FIG. 3C and the start lever 31 pivoted into
the appropriate position in which the start lever 31, for example,
can push onto a stop face or the back rest 3. The headrest 2 is
then situated in the starting position. In this position, the user
can take hold of the headrest 2 and move it much more easily into
the use position displayed in FIG. 3D compared to the non-use
position.
[0053] FIGS. 4A-B display a pivot fitting 5' including a locking
joint 40 in the connection between the support lever 13' and the
assembly lever 14' in two different positions, namely in the
non-use position according to FIG. 4A and in the use position
according to FIG. 4B. The locking joint 40 has a rotating sprocket
41 and a concealed ratchet 42. During adjustment towards the use
position, the ratchet 42 slides off the sprocket 41, but it enters
into a positive fit with the sprocket 41 if the headrest 2 is
pivoted back towards the non-use position. The headrest 2 is
therefore locked in the appropriate position or at least another
position. This can be a different use position in which the user
finds the position of the headrest 2 comfortable. To reset the
locking joint 40, the use position must first be reached, for
example, in which the ratchet 42 is disabled, until the non-use
position is reached and the ratchet 42 re-enabled. Alternatively, a
sufficiently high force must be applied so that despite the
positive fit of ratchet 42 and sprocket 41, otherwise clamping
friction surfaces slide past each other and allow readjustment. The
term `locking clamping joint` is then used, which, like locking
joint 40, is already known.
[0054] FIGS. 5A-B display a pivot fitting 5'' with a lift adjuster
50, where the pivot fitting 5'' is displayed in the non-use
position in FIG. 5A and in the use position in FIG. 5B. The lift
adjuster 50 connects the mounting plate 9 with the support lever 13
and prevents accidental readjustment of the headrest 2 towards the
non-use position. During adjustment of the pivot fitting 5''
towards the use position, an adjustment shaft 51 is pulled out of a
casing 52 of the lift adjuster 50. The adjustment shaft 51 cannot,
however, be easily inserted back into the casing 52, because, for
example, a ratchet of the adjustment shaft 51 enters into a
positive fit with the casing 52 or a ratchet of the casing 52
enters into a positive fit with the adjustment shaft 51.
Alternatively, however, the adjustment shaft 51 can become clamped
in the casing 52, because, for instance, at least one clamping
element has jammed between the adjustment shaft 51 and the casing
52. In the case of a clamp connection, the lift adjuster 50 can be
designed so as to be continuously variable as required. However,
the lift adjuster 50 can, if the adjustment shaft 51 is fully
extended up to the use position of the headrest 2, be converted
into a state in which the adjustment shaft 51 can be inserted into
the casing 52. If the non-use position of the headrest 2 is thereby
reached, the lift adjuster 50 is re-enabled and adjustment is
prevented again. In this regard, reference is made to the lift
adjuster described in patent application DE 10 2014 109 010 A1,
whose entire content is hereby also understood to be the subject
matter of the present application.
[0055] FIG. 6 displays an alternative arrangement of lift adjusters
50. In the displayed and to that extent preferred chair 1'', two
pivot fittings 5 are provided on opposite sides of the headrest 2
which, in particular their support lever 13, are connected via a
crossbar 60. Furthermore, a crossbar 61 between the side parts 62
of the frame element 6 of the chair 1'' is also provided. The two
lift adjusters 50 are each connected to both crossbars 60, 61 to be
able to lock the headrest 2 in the position desired by the
user.
[0056] FIG. 7 displays a chair 1''' of the type described above,
which, however, has a motor drive 70 instead of a locking joint 40,
a lift adjuster 50 and a start-up device 30. The motor 71 of the
motor drive 70 is installed so that it is stationary in the frame
element 6 of the chair 1''' and moves a threaded rod 72 back and
forth in its longitudinal direction. The threaded rod 72 is
connected with a crossbar 60 between the two pivot fittings 5 of
the displayed and to that extent preferred chair 1''', via which
the pivot fittings 5 are on the one hand powered and on the other
hand locked by the motor drive 70.
* * * * *