Lounge chair

Abstract

An ergonomically designed lounge chair including a height adjustable frame member is shown. A seat portion is positioned on the frame member. The seat portion has a first and second end. A back portion is connected to either the first end of the seat portion or the frame member. A plurality of leg members support the frame member. These leg members are adjustable to raise and lower the lounge chair to ease one's entrance and exit from the chair. A pair of armrests may be provided which extend along the seat portion of the lounge chair. At least one or both of these armrests may be movable in an outward direction away from the chair to further facilitate entering and exiting of the lounge chair.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of lounge chairs and, more particularly, to adjustable height lounge chairs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Lounge chairs having adjustable reclining back portions are well known fixtures on patios and around swimming pools. Another common use for lounge chairs is at retirement villages and nursing homes where elderly or infirm people recline on such chairs for relaxation. U.S. Pat, Nos. 6,860,567; 6,370,714; and 6,840,580 all show examples of lounge chairs common in the art. While these types of lounge chairs enhance the comfort of the user, entering and exiting these chairs can be awkward and/or difficult for many people, especially those people who are taller or shorter than the average person. Additionally, people who have back or knee trouble or are elderly may find the difficulties of entering and exiting these chairs to be prohibitive and will decide to forgo the comfort of these chairs. Another difficulty often encountered when entering and exiting these known types of lounge chairs is navigating around the stationary armrest.

There is a need in the art for a lounge chair wherein the height of the seat portion may be readily adjustable to accommodate people having different heights and/or those with health problems. There is a further need in the art for a lounge chair having movable armrests to facilitate entering and exiting from the chair.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a lounge chair, which facilitates entrance and exiting therefrom to assist users having health difficulties and/or users who are elderly.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a lounge chair having an adjustable height seat portion.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a lounge chair having a movable armrest.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the invention which have been described in some specific detail above it should be noted that various other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing Figures and with the appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, and in accordance with the forgoing objects of the invention, there is provided a height adjustable lounge chair comprising a frame member and a seat portion positioned on the frame member. The seat portion has a first and second end. A back portion is connected to either the first end of the seat portion or the frame member. A plurality of leg members support the frame member. These leg members are adjustable to raise and lower the lounge chair. A pair of armrests may be provided which extend along the seat portion of the lounge chair. At least one or both of these armrests may be movable in an outward direction away from the chair to facilitate entering and exiting of the lounge chair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the lounge chair of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the lounge chair of the invention.

FIG. 3A shows a partial view of the movable armrest according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3B shows a partial view of the movable armrest according to a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3C shows a partial view of the movable armrest according to a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4A shows a partial view of an adjustable leg according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4B shows a partial view of an adjustable leg according to a second embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before describing the invention in detail, the reader is advised that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components having identical functions have been marked where possible with the same reference numerals in each of the Figures provided in this document.

Now referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a height adjustable lounge chair, generally indicated as 10, comprising a frame member 12 and a seat portion 14 positioned on the frame member 12. The seat portion has a width of about 24 inches and a length of about 24 inches. The seat portion 14 has a first 16 and second 18 end. A back portion 19 is connected to either the first end 16 of the seat portion 14 or the frame member 12. The back portion 19 has a length of about 30 inches and a width of about 24 inches. A plurality of leg members 20 support the frame member 12. These leg members 20 are adjustable to raise and lower the lounge chair 10. The leg members 20 have an un-extended length of about 24 inches and can extend to a height of about 28 inches.

The frame member 12 can be formed from any well known material such as plastic, composite, metal, wood material, and the like. The back 19 and seat 14 portions can similarly be formed from well-known materials such as plastic, wood, cloth, and the like. Additionally, the back and seat portions can be formed from plastic strips and/or cloth, either of which are stretched about the frame member 12, as is well known in the art.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the adjustable leg members 20 comprise a pair of telescoping tubular members. The pair of telescoping tubular members comprises an inner 24 and an outer member 22. According to a first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, the outer member 22 includes a plurality of apertures 26 of varying height extending through the sidewall of the outer tubular member 22. The inner tubular member 24 includes at least one protruding member 28 capable of cooperating with the apertures 26 in the outer member 22 to adjust the height of the lounge chair 10. A spring 29 is placed within the inner tubular member 24 and adjacent to the protruding member 28. This spring provides a constant spring pressure against the protruding member 28 to lock the leg members 20 in position. When adjustment is desired, the protruding member 28 is pressed to contract the spring 29 and the inner member 24 is raised or lowered until the protruding member encounters another aperture 26 in the outer member 22. At that time, the compression of the spring member 29 is released and the protruding member 28 extends through the aperture 26 to lock the leg member 20 into position.

According to a second embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4B, the pair of telescoping tubular members comprise an inner 24 and an outer 22 member. The outer member 22 includes a plurality of apertures 26 of varying height extending through the sidewall. The inner member 24 includes at least one aperture 30 extending through its sidewall. These apertures 30, 26 are capable of receiving a pin member 32 therethrough at the varying heights of the outer member 22 to adjust the height of the lounge chair 10. A bolt or washer 31 can be provided to lock the pin member 32 in place. When adjustment is desired, one simply removes the pin member 32, raises the inner member 24 to align its aperture 30 with another aperture 26 in the outer member 22, and re-inserts the pin member 32 to lock the chair 10 at the desired height.

As shown in FIG. 2, a hinged connection 34 is provided between the back portion 19 and the seat portion 14. The seat portion 14 includes a leg support section 36 extending from the second end 18 of the seat portion 16. A hinged connection 38 may provided between the seat portion 14 and the leg support section 36. The leg support section has a length of about 24 inches and a width of about 24 inches. An additional hinged connection 37 may be provided to allow the leg support section 36 to be folded upon itself along line 35, as well as about hinged connection 34, to fold the chair into three sections to allow for easy and compact storage of the lounge chair.

It is desirable to provide the lounge chair 10 with at least three pairs of leg members 20 for supporting the frame member 12. A first pair of leg members 20 can be positioned beneath the back portion 19. A second pair of leg members 20 can be position beneath the seat portion 14. The final pair of leg members 20 can be positioned beneath the leg support section 36. It is desirable that all three pairs of leg members 20 are adjustable so that all three portions of the lounge chair may be adjusted in an upward and/or downward position.

The back portion 19 includes a holding member 40 extending from a back surface 41 of the back portion 19. The holding member 40 is capable of cooperating with the frame member 12 for holding the back portion 19 in place in an inclined position. This holding member 40 is capable of being adjusted to support the back portion 19 in a plurality of inclined positions. As shown in FIG. 2, one method of adjusting the incline of the back portion 19 is through the use of a plurality of apertures 44 which are positioned along a length of the holding member 40. These apertures 44 cooperate with a portion 42 of the frame member 12 to adjust and hold the back portion in a desired inclined position. Any other well known method, such as a ratcheting action around a hinged connection and the like, can be used for adjusting and/or holding the back portion of the lounge chair in an inclined position.

The frame member 12 of the lounge chair also includes at least one armrest 46, preferably two, extending alongside a portion of the seat portion 14. Padding 47 may be provided on the armrest 46 to enhance the comfort of the user. The armrests 46 can be formed from any well-known material and formed in any well-known shape. Additionally, the armrests 46 may be either tubular/hollow or solid in design. The armrests are about 18 inches long and extend above the seat portion at a height of about 6 inches. One or both of the armrests 46 are movable in an outward direction away from the chair 20 to facilitate entering and exiting of the lounge chair 20.

According to a first embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 3A, a rotary connection member 48 can be provided for connecting one end of the at least one armrest 46 to the frame member 12 to enable the at least one armrest 46 to rotate about the rotary connection member for moving the armrest 46 in an outward direction. A well-known locking means 39, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, can be provided to prevent unwanted swinging of the armrest 46 while the lounge chair is occupied and/or during movement of the chair. This locking means 39 can comprise an indentation in the frame 12 and/or seat 14. Alternatively, the locking means 39 can comprise a clip, which is mounted on the end of the armrest 46 that clips over the frame 12 and/or seat 14. Any other well-known means may be provided for locking the armrest 46 in place.

According to a second embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, a pin member 50/aperture connecting member 52 is provided for connecting one end of the at least one armrest 46 to frame member 12. The pin member 50/aperture connecting member 52 cooperate together such that upon the application of a lifting action to the armrest 46, the pin member 50 can be removed from an aperture 54 in the connecting member 52 and rotated to and released within another aperture 54 within the aperture connecting member 52.

According to a third embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3C, a push pin/spring arrangement 56 can be provided for connecting one end of the at least one armrest 46 to frame member 12. This push pin/spring arrangement 56 operates through the application of a pushing action to the pushpin, which cooperates with a spring so that the pin is pushed through a first aperture 57 in the housing 58 of the push pin/spring arrangement 56. The armrest 46 is then swung into the desired position until the pushpin encounters a second aperture 59. The spring then applies pressure to the pushpin so that this pin extends through the second aperture 59.

Although three separate embodiments have been shown which illustrate the swinging connection between one end of the one armrest 46 to frame member 12, one having ordinary skill in the art would recognize that many additional embodiments may be used to achieve this swinging connection of the armrest with respect to the lounge chair.

The invention has been described in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms so as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same. It should be understood that variations, modifications, equivalents and substitutions for components of the specifically described embodiments of the invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Persons who possess such skill will also recognize that the foregoing description is merely illustrative and not intended to limit any of the ensuing claims to any particular narrow interpretation.

Claims

1. A height adjustable lounge chair comprising:

(a) a frame member;

(b) a seat portion positioned on said frame member, said seat portion having a first and second end;

(c) a back portion connected to said one of said first end of said seat portion and said frame member; and

(d) a plurality of leg members supporting said frame member, at least one of said leg members being adjustable to one of raise and lower said lounge chair.

2. A lounge chair as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of said adjustable leg members comprises a pair of telescoping tubular members.

3. A lounge chair as claimed in claim 2 wherein said pair of telescoping tubular members comprises an inner and an outer member, said outer member including a plurality of apertures of varying height extending through a sidewall portion thereof and said inner member including at least one protruding member capable of cooperating with said apertures in said sidewall of said outer member to adjust the height of said lounge chair.

4. A lounge chair as claimed in claim 2 wherein said pair of telescoping tubular members comprises an inner and an outer member, said inner member includes at least one aperture extending through a sidewall thereof, said outer member includes a plurality of apertures of varying height extending through the sidewalls thereof, said apertures of said inner and outer member being capable of receiving a pin member there through at said varying heights of said outer member to adjust the height of said lounge chair.

5. A lounge chair as claimed in claim 1 wherein a hinged connection is provided between said back portion and said seat portion.

6. A lounge chair as claimed in claim 1 wherein said seat portion includes a leg support section extending from said second end thereof.

7. A lounge chair as claimed in claim 6 wherein a hinged connection is provided between said seat portion and said leg support section.

8. A lounge chair as claimed in claim 7 wherein at least three pairs of adjustable leg members are provided for supporting said frame member, each of said pair of leg members being positioned beneath said back portion, seat portion, and leg support section, respectively.

9. A lounge chair as claimed in claim 8 wherein at least one of said at least three pairs of adjustable leg members is positioned beneath an end portion of said leg support section such that the height of said leg support section of said seat portion may be readily adjusted.

10. A lounge chair as claimed in claim 1 wherein said back portion includes a holding member extending from a back surface of said back portion, said holding member capable of cooperating with said frame member for holding said back portion in place in an inclined position.

11. A lounge chair as claimed in claim 10 wherein said holding member is capable of being adjusted to support said back portion in a plurality of inclined positions.

12. A lounge chair as claimed in claim 11 wherein said holding member includes a plurality of apertures along a length thereof for cooperating with a portion of said frame member to adjust and hold said back portion in said plurality of inclined positions.

13. A lounge chair as claimed in claim 1 wherein said frame member includes at least one armrest extending alongside a portion of said seat portion.

14. A lounge chair as claimed in claim 13 wherein said at least one armrest is movable in an outward direction away from said chair to facilitate entering and exiting of said lounge chair.

15. A lounge chair as claimed in claim 14 including a rotary connection member for connecting one end of said at least one arm rest to said frame member to enable said at least one arm rest to rotate about said hinged connection member for moving said at least one arm rest in said outward direction.

16. A lounge chair as claimed in claim 14 including a pin member/aperture connecting member for connecting one end of said at least one armrest to said frame member, said pin member/aperture connecting member cooperating together such that upon the application of a lifting action to said armrest, said pin member can be removed from an aperture in said connecting member and rotated and released within another aperture within said aperture connecting member.

17. A lounge chair as claimed in claim 14 including a push pin/spring arrangement connecting member for connecting one end of said at least one armrest to said frame member.

18. A lounge chair as claimed in claim 14 including a locking means for locking said armrest in place when said armrest is located alongside a portion of said seat portion.

19. A lounge chair as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one of said leg members has a height of approximately 24 inches and is adjustable to a height of approximately 28 inches.