Chair With Occupant-assisting Feature

Abstract

An armchair including hydraulically controlled seat and arms whereby a forward and upward pivoting of the arms and seat can be effected so as to raise an occupant from the chair. Alternatively, the seat, in conjunction with a supporting base therefor and the back of the chair, can pivot rearwardly so as to assume a partially reclining position with a footrest, through an appropriate linkage, extending to assume a leg-supporting position.

Description

The instant invention is generally concerned with the provision of a chair which incorporates power adjusted sections for assisting an occupant in both lowering into and rising from the chair as well as assuming various reclining positions therein.

It is a primary object of the instant invention to provide a chair which will find particular utility with the aged, sick or otherwise incapacitated person who, because of the nature of the particular condition involved, finds the normal physical exertion required to enter and leave a chair beyond his capacity. In furtherance of this object, the instant invention provides a chair, and more particularly an armchair of the upholstered type, which incorporates pivotally mounted arms and a pivotally mounted seat power controlled for a selective forward and upward pivoting thereof so as to raise an occupant from a seated position within the chair to a standing position just forward of the chair with the elevated arms and seat providing a continuous support for the occupant as he rises from the chair. By the same token, a person can, through a reversal of this operation, be lowered gently to a fully seated position within the chair.

Another highly significant object of the instant invention is to incorporate a powered reclining construction whereby an occupant of the chair can adjust the chair to assume any of a plurality of reclining or partially reclining positions. With regard to both the reclining movement of the chair and the previously referred to occupant raising and lowering movement, it is contemplated that an appropriate control panel be provided on the chair itself within convenient reach of the occupant.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the chair of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the chair and includes a phantom line illustration of a partially elevated position of the arms and seat;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the chair;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the chair with the arms and seat in the fully elevated occupant discharging or receiving position;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the chair with portions broken away and removed so as to illustrate the footrest-extending linkage;

FIG. 6 is a partial side elevational view of the chair in its reclining position;

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of one form of hydraulic system which can be utilized;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the seat and back arrangement of the chair;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the control means for effecting the reclining of the chair;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail of the lower position of the stabilizing link and the guide track therefor; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective detail of one of the shoulder supports associated with the chair arms.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral 20 is used to generally designate the chair comprising the instant invention. This chair 20 will be of the type incorporating side arms 22 and normally, an upholstered body, the upholstery having been removed from the illustrated chair so as to expose the internal construction and operating components thereof.

The chair 20 includes a pair of laterally spaced vertically orientated generally rectangular side frames 24 as well as a horizontal box or base frame 26 located between the side frames. Appropriate internal bracing, such as the diagonal brace 28, can be provided in conjunction with the frames 24 and 26 as required to ensure the rigidity or stability thereof.

Each of the sidearms 22 is pivotally engaged, as indicated at 30, to the forward end of the generally horizontal top beam 32 of one of the side frames 24, the arms 22, in the normal position thereof, overlying the being directly supported on the top beams 32. A double-acting hydraulic ram 34 is associated with each arm 22, each ram 34 being pivotally mounted at the lower end 36 thereof to the bottom beam 38 of the associated side frame 24 and, at the upper end 40 thereof to the associated arm 22 in inwardly spaced relation to the point 30 at which the arm 22 is pivotally mounted for swinging in a vertical plane. In this manner, as the rams 34 are extended, the movement thereof being synchronized, the two arms 22 will pivot vertically upward and forward. Incidently, in order to reduce the bulk of the apparatus, it is contemplated that the rams 34 be mounted within the side frames 24 with the arm-engaging piston rods 42 projecting through rod accommodating slots 44 within the top beams 32.

A combination seat and back support 46 is positioned between the side frames 24 and includes, in the normal position thereof, a substantially horizontal seat base 48 and a generally vertical back or back-defining structure 50. The support 46 includes, at the approximate juncture between the base 48 and the back 50, a pair of laterally directed stub shafts 52 which pivotally mount the support 46 between the rear portions of the opposed side frames 24 by rotatably engaging through rearward winglike enlargements 54 on the vertical rear members 56 of the side frames 24 whereby a rotational movement of the seat and back support 46 within a vertical plane is possible in a manner and for reasons which shall be explained subsequently.

The actual seat 58 of the chair 20 is pivotally engaged with the front of the seat base 48 for swinging movement in a vertical plane thereabout, this seat 58, in its normal position, directly overlying and being supported on the base 48.

The vertical pivoting of the seat 58 is to be synchronized with the vertical movement of the arms 22. As such, a pair of rigid lift links 60 are engaged between the arms 22 and the seat 58 to the opposite sides thereof, each link 60 having a first end thereof pivotally engaged with the corresponding side of the seat 58 toward the rear thereof, and the second end thereof pivotally engaged with the corresponding arm 22 in inwardly spaced relation to the rear end thereof. Thus, as will be appreciated form FIGS. 2 and 4, the raising and lowering of the arms 22, through the selective extension and retraction of the rams 34, will result in a corresponding raising and lowering of the seat 58 along therewith.

Lateral stability is introduced into the lift links 60 and hence the unsecured ends of the arms 22 by means of a pair of stabilizing links 62. Each of the stabilizing links 62 is pivotally engaged at one end thereof with one of the lift links 60 in spaced relation below the corresponding arm 22, and is rotatably and slidably mounted on the other end thereof in an elongated track 64 fixed to the corresponding side of the seat 58, the second or lower end of each stabilizer link 62 having a laterally directed enlarged rollerlike head 66 thereon confined within the corresponding guide track 64 for movement therealong in response to a pivotal adjustment of the arms 22 and seat 58 so as to provide a constant degree of lateral stability.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 5, 6 and 9, the mechanism for reclining the chair, and more particularly the combination seat and back support 46, shall be detailed. As previously indicated, the support 46 is pinned for rotational pivoting in a vertical plane to the rear vertical member 56 of the side frames 24. The seat base 48 itself includes a pair of side-mounted depending elongated brackets 68, each having an elongated guide slot 70 defined therein. An elongated control rod 72 extends transversely across the box frame 26 beneath the seat base 48 and has the opposite ends thereof rotatably mounted within appropriate brackets 74 affixed to the opposed sides of the box frame 26. A rigid control link 76 is rigidly fixed to the control rod 72 at an intermediate point therealong, this control link extending rearwardly and slightly downwardly into pivotal engagement with the forward end of the piston rod 78 of a double-acting hydraulic ram 80 which is in turn pivotally mounted to the rear of the box frame 26 whereby a selective extension and retraction of the ram 80 will result in, through the rigid control link 26, a rotation of the control rod 72. This rotational movement of the control rod 72 is translated into a vertical pivoting of the seat and back support 46 by means of a pair of rigid links 82, each rigidly affixed to the control rod 72 toward one end thereof and having a laterally projecting stub shaft 84 projecting through and both rotatably and slidably received within the slot 70 of the bracket 68 mounted on the adjacent portion of the base 48. In this manner, as will be readily appreciated from the drawings, upon an extension of the ram 80, a clockwise rotation of the control rod 72 will be effected which in turn results in a clockwise rotation of the links 82 and a corresponding upward pivoting of the seat base 48, and hence the entire support 46, about the pivotal axis thereof. With particular reference to FIG. 6, it will be noted that, upon a rearward pivoting of the support 46, the seat 58 itself actually pivots slightly upward due to the fixed length of the lift link 60, thus even further enhancing the reclining posture of the occupant of the chair 20.

A footrest 86 is pivotally engaged across the front of the seat base 48 and is link controlled for pivotal swinging in a vertical plane between a first vertical position assumed when the chair 20 is in its normal or upright position, and a second substantially horizontal position assumed when the support 46 is in the sully reclined position. The link system which controls the movement of the footrest 86 in response to the pivotal movement of the base and back support 46 is preferably duplicated on each side of the base 48 and includes, noting FIG. 5 in particular, a first vertical link 88 pivotally fixed to the adjacent side of the base 48 at a point downwardly spaced from the extreme upper end of the link 88. The extreme upper end of the link 88 is pivotally engaged with a rearwardly directed substantially horizontal link 90 which in turn has the rear end thereof pivotally engaged with a downwardly and forwardly inclined link 92. The lower end of the link 92 is pivotally engaged with the corresponding side of the box frame 26. Finally, a relatively short link 94 is pivotally engaged to the lower end of the first link 88 and extends upwardly and forwardly therefrom into pivotal engagement with the footrest 86. These links 88 through 94 are of a size and so orientated relative to each other as to effect an upward and forward pivoting of the footrest 86 upon a movement of the base and back support 46 from the normal seat-forming position of FIG. 5 to the reclined position of FIG. 6, the links 90 and 92, upon assuming a generally vertical alignment with each other, swinging the first link 88 upwardly and forwardly so as to, through the short extension of link 94, raise or upwardly pivot the footrest 86 therewith.

With reference to FIG. 7, one form of hydraulic system whereby the control of the chair with regard to both the charging and discharging of the occupant and the reclining of the seat and back support can be effected has been illustrated. Basically, the illustrated system includes an electric pump 96 as well as a pair of electromagnetic control valves 98 whereby the fluid can be selectively directed either to the arm control rams 34 or the seat and back reclining ram 80. An appropriate control box 100 will be provided within easy reach of the occupant of the chair on one of the chair arms 22. As an alternative to the positioning of the control box 100 directly on the arm 22, handgrips 102 can be provided on the arms 22 for assisting the occupant in stabilizing himself during the raising and lowering movement of the arms and seat with the controls being provided on one of these handgrips 102. Likewise, various other hydraulic systems can of course be utilized, for example separate systems one operating the arms and seat, and the other operating the reclining support 46.

As an additional means for stabilizing the occupant of the chair as he is being lowered into or raised from the chair, a pair of pivotally mounted rests 104 are provided, one on each of the arms 22 adjacent the rear end thereof. Each rest 104 actually consists of a block received within a mating notch 106 formed within the inner edge portion of the corresponding arm 22, this block being pivotally mounted for movement between a first position received within the notch 106 coplanar with the arm 22 and a second position projecting perpendicularly therefrom. The rest 104 has a bracket 108 mounted on the lower face thereof, this bracket having a curled edge portion 110 which is, upon a movement of the rest 104 to the second projecting portion, received about a rigid rod 112 fixed to the arm 22 and lying across the notch 106 whereby the rest 104 is stabilized in its projecting position so as to sustain the weight of the occupant of the chair during the lifting or lowering operation. Incidently this rod 112 also acts so as to support the rest 104 in its downwardly pivoted or closed position. The two rests 104 will engage the occupant beneath his armpits and hence provide a positive support for the occupant as the arms, and hence the occupant, approach the vertical position, thus providing a secure support for the occupant against any tendency for the occupant to slide forwardly out of the seat. If so desired, the pivotal mounting of each of the rests 104 can be such as to retain each rest 104 in a pivotally moved position until again physically moved, thus enabling the rest 104 to project perpendicularly upward from the arm 22 when the arm 22 is in its normal horizontal position. In this manner, the rests 104 will be orientated to take the load of the occupant as the arms gradually raise, the full weight of the occupant being transmitted to the arms through the pin-engaged brackets 108 on the rests 104.

From the foregoing, the operation of the chair should be readily appreciated. Basically, through the power manipulation of the arms and seat, an incapacitated person can lower himself into a proper seated position within the chair, and subsequently raise himself to an upright position out of the chair, in each instance being securely and safely supported by means of a direct supporting engagement of both the arms and the seat with the body of the occupant. Once a seated position is assumed within the chair, the chair itself, also through an occupant controlled manipulation of the power system, can be reclined, with an associated footrest portion elevating so as to lift the legs of the occupant. In the power system, it is contemplated that the control valves be such so as to allow the operative components to be locked in any adjusted position thereof.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

What we claim as new is as follows:

1. An occupant-assisting chair comprising a supporting framework, a seat unit, a back, and a pair of laterally spaced arms, said seat unit including a seat and a seat base, means pivotally securing said seat to said seat base at a first pivot point, means for pivotally swinging said seat in a vertical plane about the first pivot point, means pivotally securing said base to said framework at a second pivot point spaced from the first pivot point, means for pivotally swinging said base and seat in a vertical plane about said second pivot point, means pivotally securing said arms to said framework, and means for pivotally swinging said arms in a vertical plane, the swinging of the two arms and the seat about the first pivot point being synchronized and simultaneously effected, the means for pivotally swinging said seat about the first pivot point comprising link means engaged directly between said arms and said seat whereby movement of the seat is effected in direct response to movement of said arms.

2. The chair of claim 1 including a footrest pivotally mounted at the upper edge thereof to the forward position of said seat unit, and means responsive to the pivotal movement of the base for selectively extending and retracting said footrest forward of said base.

3. The chair of claim 2 wherein the means for selectively extending and retracting said footrest in response to movement of the base comprises linkage means engaged pivotally between said footrest, base, and framework whereby an upward pivoting of said base effects an extension of said linkage means and a corresponding upward pivoting of said footrest, and a downward pivoting of said base effects a contraction of the linkage means and a corresponding retraction of said footrest.

4. The chair of claim 3 wherein said means for pivotally swinging said base and said seat about the second pivot point comprises a rotatably mounted control rod, link means rigid at one end with said control rod for rotation therewith and slidably engaged with said base at the other end, and power means for selectively rotating said control rod in opposite directions resulting in a corresponding rotation of the attached link means and a corresponding swinging of the base slidably engaged with the second end of the link means.

5. The chair of claim 4 wherein said back is rigid with the rear edge portion of said seat base and pivotally movable therewith about the second pivot point.

6. An occupant assisting chair comprising a supporting framework, a seat unit, a back, and a pair of laterally spaced arms, said seat unit including a seat and a seat base, means pivotally securing said seat to said seat base at a first pivot point, means for pivotally swinging said seat in a vertical plane about the first pivot point, means pivotally securing said base to said framework at a second pivot point spaced from the first pivot point, means for pivotally swinging said base and seat in a vertical plane about said second pivot point, means pivotally securing said arms to said framework, and means for pivotally swinging said arms in a vertical plane, the swinging of the two arms and the seat about the first pivot point being synchronized and simultaneously effected, said back being rigid with the rear edge portion of said seat base and pivotally movable therewith about the second pivot point.

7. The chair of claim 6 wherein said means for pivotally swinging said base and said seat about the second pivot point comprises a rotatably mounted control rod, link means rigid at open end with said control rod for rotation therewith and slidably engaged with said base at the other end, and power means for selectively rotating said control rod in opposite directions resulting in a corresponding rotation of the attached link means and a corresponding swinging of the base slidably engaged with the second end of the link means.

8. The chair of claim 6 wherein the means for pivotally swinging said arms in a vertical plane comprises a hydraulic ram engaged between each arm and an arm underlying portion of the framework.

9. An occupant assisting chair comprising a supporting framework, a seat unit, a back, and a pair of laterally spaced arms, said arms being pivotally secured to said framework for swinging movement in a vertical plane between a first generally horizontal position and a second generally vertical position, power means engaged between said framework and said arms for effecting a selective pivotal adjustment of said arms, said seat unit including a seat pivotally mounted for swinging movement in a vertical plane between a first generally horizontal position and a second generally vertical position, and means for enabling a synchronized vertically pivoting adjustment of said seat in conjunction with the power means adjustment of said arms between the first and second positions of said arms and said seat, the means enabling a synchronized adjustment of the seat comprising lift link means including a link engaged between each arm and the seat, and a stabilizer link pivotally secured at one end thereof to each lift link and having the second end thereof slidably engaged with the corresponding side edge of the seat for movement therealong in response to an angular adjustment of the corresponding lift link resulting from the pivotal swinging of the arms and seat.

10. The chair of claim 9 wherein each arm includes, toward the rear end thereof, an adjustable arm support selectively movable between a first position generally recessed within the arm and a second position projecting perpendicularly upward therefrom.

11. The chair of claim 9 wherein said seat unit includes a base rigid with said back, said base and said back, at the approximate juncture therebetween, being pivotally secured at said framework for a rearward swinging thereof relative to said arms and said framework.

12. An occupant assisting chair comprising a supporting framework, a seat unit, a back, and a pair of laterally spaced arms, said arms being pivotally secured to said framework for swinging movement in a vertical plane between a first generally horizontal position and a second generally vertical position, power means engaged between said framework and said arms for effecting a selective pivotal adjustment of said arms, said seat unit including a seat pivotally mounted for swinging movement in a vertical plane between a first generally horizontal position and a second generally vertical position, and means for enabling a synchronized vertically pivoting adjustment of said seat in conjunction with the power means adjustment of said arms between the first and second positions of said arms and said seat, said seat unit including a base rigid with said back, said base and said back, at the approximate juncture therebetween, being pivotally secured to said framework for a rearward swinging thereof relative to said arms and said framework.

13. An occupant-assisting chair comprising a supporting framework, a seat unit, and a back, said seat unit including a seat and a seat base, means pivotally securing said seat to said seat base at a first pivot point, means for pivotally swinging said seat in a vertical plane about the first pivot point, means pivotally securing said base to said framework at a second pivot point spaced from the first pivot point, and means for pivotally swinging said base and seat in a vertical plane about said second pivot point, said back being rigid with the rear edge portion of said seat base and pivotally movable therewith about the second pivot point, said seat being separate from said back and pivotally swingable about the first pivot point independent of said back.

14. The chair of the claim 13 wherein said second pivot point is located approximately at the juncture between the back and the seat base. 15The chair of claim 13 including a pair of laterally spaced arms pivotally secured to said framework for swinging movement in conjunction with said seat, each arm including, toward the rear end thereof, an adjustable arm support selectively movable between a first position generally recessed within the arm and a second position projecting perpendicularly upward therefrom.