CHAIR

Abstract

A reclining apparatus is disclosed for a chair that includes a backrest and a seat. The reclining apparatus includes a frame and a linkage installed on the frame in order to support the backrest pivotally and the seat movably so that the seat is kept substantially horizontal when the backrest is reclined.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a chair and, more particular, to a reclining apparatus provided between a backrest and a seat.

2. Related Prior Art

As disclosed in Taiwanese Patent Publication No. 526737, a conventional reclining apparatus is provided between a seat and a backrest of a chair. The conventional reclining apparatus includes a seat support 1, backrest support 2, an adjustment element 3, two links 4 and a lever 7. The seat support 1 is installed on a post 9 of the chair. The post 9 is a hydraulic cylinder. The backrest support 2 is pivotally connected with the seat support 1. A backrest (marked with “B”) is installed on the backrest support 2. The adjustment element 3 is provided in the seat support 1 for adjustment of the reclining of the backrest support 2 relative to the seat support 1. The links 4 are provided on two sides of the backrest support 2. A seat (marked with “A”) is installed on the links 4. The lever 7 is partially inserted in the seat support 1. When the lever 7 is operated, the synchronous reclining of the seat and backrest is allowed because of the links 4 and the backrest support 2.

Some problems are encountered with the use of the conventional reclining apparatus. Firstly, the synchronous reclining of the seat and backrest entails the rising of the front edge of the seat. The front edge of the seat presses a user's legs, thus hindering the circulation of blood through the legs. This causes an uncomfortable feeling for the user. The synchronous reclining of the seat and backrest makes the user feel like tumbling backwards. This causes the user panic.

The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in prior art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, a reclining apparatus is disclosed for a chair that includes a backrest and a seat. The reclining apparatus includes a frame and a linkage installed on the frame in order to support the backrest pivotally and the seat movably so that the seat is kept substantially horizontal when the backrest is reclined.

The primary advantage of the reclining apparatus of the present invention is the ability to allow the reclining of the backrest while keeping the seat substantially horizontal.

Other advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described through detailed illustration of the preferred embodiment referring to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a chair equipped with a reclining apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a backrest and a seat of the chair detached from the reclining apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged exploded view of the reclining apparatus shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the chair shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the reclining apparatus shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 4 but shows the chair in a different position.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the reclining apparatus shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 1 but shows the chair in a different position.

FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 8 but shows the chair in a different position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, a chair includes a post 61, a backrest 62 and a seat 63. The post 61, the backrest 62 and the seat 63 are all connected with a reclining apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The reclining apparatus includes a frame 10, a linkage 20, an adjusting device 30 and a positioning device 40. The frame 10 is installed on the post 61. The linkage 20 is installed on the frame 10 in order to support the backrest 62 pivotally and the seat 63 movably. The adjusting device 30 is provided between the frame 10 and the linkage 20 in order to adjust resistance against the reclining of the backrest 62. The positioning device 40 is provided between the backrest 62 and the seat 63 in order to determine the position of the backrest 62 relative to the seat 63.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the frame 10 includes a platform (not numbered), two walls 11 formed between the platform, two tracks 12 each formed on a related wall 11, a panel 13 formed on the platform between the walls 111 and an alley 14 formed on the platform between the walls 11. Each wall 11 defines an aperture 111. The tracks 12 descend to the rear end from the front end of the chair. The panel 13 defines two slots 131. The alley 14 is a smooth portion that ascends to the rear end from the front end of the chair. The platform defines aperture 15 for receiving the post 61. A lever 16 is installed on the frame 10 and engaged with the post 61. The lever 16 is operable in order to control the post 61. The lever 16 and the post 61 and their interconnection are however conventional and will not be described in detail.

The linkage 20 includes two beams 21, a plate 26 formed between the beams 21, a backrest support 22 connected with the plate 26, a bar 23 formed between the beams 21, a connector 24 with a lower edge formed with a loop 242 for receiving the bar 23 and an upper edge formed with a hook 241, two columns 25 each connected with a related beam 21, two rockers 52 each connected with a related column 25 and a seat support 50 connected with the rockers 52.

Each beam 21 defines an aperture 211. A pin 17 is inserted in the apertures 211 and 111 in order to pivotally connect the beams 21 with the walls 11.

The plate 26 defines a plurality of slots 201. The backrest support 22 includes an upper portion connected with the backrest 62 and a lower portion defining a plurality of slots 221. A bolt (not shown) is driven through each slot 201 and a related slot 221 and engaged with a nut (not shown) in order to connect the backrest support 22 with the plate 26.

Each column 25 defines an aperture 252. Each rockers 52 includes an upper portion defining an aperture 521 and a lower portion. A bolt (not shown) is driven through an aperture 252 and a related aperture 521 and engaged with a nut (not shown) in order to pivotally connect the rockers 52 with the columns 25. To the bottom of the seat support 50 are attached two casters 51 for rolling on the tracks 12. Each column 25 defines two apertures 251. A screw (not shown) can be driven in each aperture 251 of each column 25 and a screw hole defined in an armrest (not shown).

The adjusting device 30 includes two leaf springs 31 provided between the panel 13 and the connector 24, a fulcrum 32 for bearing various points of the leaf springs 31 while sliding on the alley 14, a screw 33 for moving the fulcrum 32 and a rotating element 34 for rotating the screw 33.

Each leaf spring 31 includes a front end inserted in a related slot 131 and a rear end hooked by the hook 241.

The fulcrum 32 defines a screw hole (not shown) engaged with the thread of the screw 33 so that the fulcrum 32 is moved when the screw 33 is rotated. The fulcrum 32 includes two bearing portions 321 for bearing the leaf springs 31.

A bevel gear 331 is secured to or formed at an end of the screw 33. The rotating element 34 includes a bevel gear 341 formed at an end. The bevel gear 341 is engaged with the bevel gear 331 so that the rotation of the rotating element 34 causes rotation of the screw 33. The rotating element 34 includes a crank 342 at an opposite end. The crank 342 is operable in order to rotate the rotating element 34.

The positioning device 40 includes a rack 41 secured to the plate 26, a tongue 42 for engagement with rack 41, a controlling element 43 for controlling the extending and retreating of the tongue 42. The rack 41 defines a plurality of grooves 411 for receiving the tongue 42.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, as the crank 34 is rocked, the fulcrum 32 is moved so that the fulcrum 32 bears different positions of the leaf springs 31. The further the fulcrum 32 is moved to the rear end of the chair, the more difficult it is to recline the backrest 62,

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the tongue 42 is removed from the grooves 411 so that the reclining of the backrest 62 is allowed.

Referring to FIG. 8, as the backrest 62 is reclined, the seat 63 is kept substantially horizontal because the rockers 52 rock on the columns 25 and because the casters 51 roll on the tracks 12 ascending to the rear end from the front end of the chair. However, the position of the seat 63 is lowered when the backrest 62 is reclined.

Referring to FIG. 9, as a desired reclined position of the backrest 62 is reached, the tongue 42 is inserted in a related groove 411. Thus, the backrest 62 is kept in the desired reclined position.

The present invention has been described via the detailed illustration of the preferred embodiment. Those skilled in the art can derive variations from the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the preferred embodiment shall not limit the scope of the present invention defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A reclining apparatus for a chair with a backrest and a seat, the reclining apparatus comprising a frame and a linkage installed on the frame in order to support the backrest pivotally and the seat movably so that the seat is kept substantially horizontal when the backrest is reclined.

2. The reclining apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the linkage comprises two beams pivotally connected with the frame and connected with the backrest, two columns connected with the beams and two rockers each comprising an end pivotally connected with one of the beams and an opposite end connected with the seat.

3. The reclining apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the linkage comprises a backrest support provided between the beams and the backrest.

4. The reclining apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the linkage comprises a seat support connected with the rockers in order to support the seat.

5. The reclining apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the linkage comprises two casters attached to the seat support in order to roll on the frame.

6. The reclining apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the frame comprises two tracks on which the casters roll.

7. The reclining apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the tracks descends towards the backrest.

8. The reclining apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the linkage comprises a plate formed between the beams and connected with the backrest support.

9. The reclining apparatus according to claim 8 comprising a positioning device for positioning the linkage relative to the frame.

10. The reclining apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the positioning device comprises a rack installed on the plate and a tongue movably installed on the frame for engagement with rack in various positions.

11. The reclining apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the rack comprises a plurality of grooves for receiving the tongue.

12. The reclining apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the positioning device comprises a controlling element for controlling the extension and retreat of the tongue.

13. The reclining apparatus according to claim 2 comprising an adjusting device for adjusting the resistance against the reclining of the beams relative to the frame.

14. The reclining apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the adjusting device comprises two leaf springs each with a first end connected with the frame and a second end connected with one of the beams and a fulcrum movably installed on the frame for bearing the leaf springs in various positions.

15. The reclining apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the frame comprises a panel formed thereon and connected with the first ends of the leaf springs.

16. The reclining apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the panel comprises two slots for receiving the first ends of the leaf springs.

17. The reclining apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the adjusting device comprises a screw installed on the frame and connected with the fulcrum so that the screw can be rotated in order to move the fulcrum.

18. The reclining apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the adjusting device comprises a rotating element installed on the frame and connected with the screw so that the rotation of the rotating element causes the rotation of the screw.

19. The reclining apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the screw comprises a bevel gear provided thereon, wherein the rotating element comprises a bevel gear provided thereon and engaged with the bevel gear of the screw.

20. The reclining apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the rotating element comprises a crank provided thereon for facilitating the rotation thereof.

21. The reclining apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the linkage comprises a connector for connecting the beams with the second ends of the leaf springs.

22. The reclining apparatus according to claim 21 wherein the connector comprises a first edge connected with the beams and a second edge connected with the second ends of the leaf springs.

23. The reclining apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the linkage comprises a bar provided between the beams and connected with the first edge of the connector.

24. The reclining apparatus according to claim 23 wherein the connector comprises a loop formed on the first edge in order to receive the bar.

25. The reclining apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the connector comprises a hook formed on the second edge in order to hook the second ends of the leaf springs.