INCLINABLE CHAIR

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001]The present invention relates generally to powered chairs, and more particularly to a new and improved powered chair wherein the powered chair is capable of inclining as well as swiveling upon a base.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002]Powered chairs are conventionally common and are currently found in residences and offices. One type of well-known, common powered chair comprises a powered chair wherein the chair is able to attain different modes or positions, such as, for example, a sitting position, a TV position, and a reclined position, however, due to long periods of a user being seated, for example, in the conventional upright position, such position eventually becomes uncomfortable in that a significant amount of pressure develops within the hip and lower torso regions.

[0003]A need therefore exists in the art for a new and improved powered chair. Another need exists in the art for a new and improved powered chair that inclines. Yet another need exists in the art for a new and improved powered chair that inclines and swivels. Yet still another need exists in the art for a new and improved powered chair that inclines and swivels so as to provide the user/chair occupant with an enhanced degree of comfort. Still yet another need exists in the art for a new and improved powered chair that inclines and swivels so as to provide the user/chair occupant with an enhanced degree of comfort as a result of effectively relieving pressure within the hip and lower torso regions as a result of permitting the user/chair occupant to achieve an inclined position and not be confined to only an upright sitting position.

OVERALL OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

[0004]Therefore, a first overall objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved powered chair. Another overall objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved powered chair that inclines. Yet another overall objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved powered chair that inclines and swivels. Yet still another overall objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved powered chair that inclines and swivels so as to provide the user/chair occupant with an enhanced degree of comfort. Still yet another overall objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved powered chair that inclines and swivels so as to provide the user/chair occupant with an enhanced degree of comfort as a result of effectively relieving pressure within the hip and lower torso regions as a result of permitting the user/chair occupant to achieve an inclined position and not be confined to only an upright sitting position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005]The foregoing and other objectives are achieved in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention wherein there has been developed a new and improved inclinable chair which comprises a chair enclosure comprising a seat, a pair of oppositely disposed arms, and a backrest, and wherein the seat, pair of oppositely disposed arms, and backrest are integrally connected together so as to effectively form a one-piece enclosure structure. The chair enclosure is mounted upon a swivel plate assembly such that the chair enclosure can swivel around a vertical axis, and a lift assembly is mounted upon a base or platform which, in turn, is mounted upon the swivel plate assembly. A first driving assembly, comprising a linear actuator, is mounted upon a seat frame structure for extending and retracting a pair of oppositely disposed footrest assemblies, while a second driving assembly, likewise comprising a linear actuator, is mounted upon the base or platform for imparting lift to the chair enclosure whereby the front end of the chair enclosure may be lifted to a predetermined degree such that the chair enclosure experiences a predetermined amount of tilt or incline.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]Various other features and attendant advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0007]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a new and improved inclinable chair, as constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, wherein the new and improved inclinable chair is disposed in its seated position;

[0008]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the new and improved inclinable chair, as illustrated within FIG. 1, wherein the new and improved inclinable chair is disposed in its tilted or inclined position;

[0009]FIG. 3 is a rear, left side perspective view of the new and improved inclinable chair, as illustrated within FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein the new and improved inclinable chair is disposed in its tilted or inclined position, the footrest assembly has been extended, and the enclosure has been removed so as to permit interior components of the new and improved inclinable chair to be illustrated;

[0010]FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the new and improved inclinable chair, as illustrated within FIGS. 1-3, wherein the new and improved inclinable chair is disposed in its tilted or inclined position, the footrest assembly has been extended, and the enclosure has been removed so as to permit interior components of the new and improved inclinable chair to be illustrated;

[0011]FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the new and improved inclinable chair, as illustrated within FIGS. 1-4, wherein the new and improved inclinable chair is disposed in its tilted or inclined position, the footrest assembly has been retracted, and the enclosure has been removed so as to permit interior components of the new and improved inclinable chair to be illustrated;

[0012]FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the new and improved inclinable chair, as illustrated within FIGS. 1-5, wherein the new and improved inclinable chair is disposed in its TV position, the footrest assembly has been extended, and the enclosure has been removed so as to permit interior components of the new and improved inclinable chair to be illustrated;

[0013]FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the new and improved inclinable chair, as illustrated within FIGS. 1-6, wherein the new and improved inclinable chair is disposed in its seated position, the footrest assembly has been retracted, and the enclosure has been removed so as to permit interior components of the new and improved inclinable chair to be illustrated;

[0014]FIG. 8 is a top plan view showing how the base of the lift assembly is mounted upon a swivel plate assembly; and

[0015]FIG. 9 is a rear, left side perspective view, similar to that of FIG. 3, but with the seat frame and footrest assembly removed for greater clarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0016]Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 initially, the new and improved inclinable chair, as constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, is disclosed and is generally indicated by the reference character 100. More particularly, it is seen that the new and improved inclinable chair 100 comprises a chair enclosure 102 which, in turn, comprises a seat, a pair of oppositely disposed arms, and a backrest, all three structural components being integrally connected together such that the seat, the pair of oppositely disposed arms, and the backrest effectively form the chair enclosure 102 as a one-piece unit. In addition, a headrest assembly 104 is attached to the upper rear portion of the chair enclosure 102 so as to be disposed above the backrest of the chair enclosure 102, and a pair of oppositely disposed footrest assemblies 106 which are pivotally attached to front end portions of the chair enclosure 102, as will be more fully disclosed hereinafter, so as to be movable between retracted and extended positions. Still further, it is seen that the chair enclosure 102 is mounted upon a swivel plate assembly 108, and that a lift assembly 110 is mounted upon the swivel plate assembly 108 so as to be interposed between the swivel plate assembly 108 and the chair enclosure 102 whereby the lift assembly 110 is capable of lifting the front end of the chair enclosure 102 relative to the swivel plate assembly 108 such that the chair enclosure 102 undergoes or achieves a predetermined amount of tilt or incline.

[0017]With reference being made to FIGS. 3 and 4, it is seen that the new and improved inclinable chair 100 comprises a pair of oppositely disposed seat frame connecting pieces 112 which are adapted to be fixedly connected to opposite sides of a frame structure of the inclinable chair enclosure 102. Rear end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed seat frame connecting pieces 112 are fixedly connected to opposite ends of a first, rear cross beam 114, while forward end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed seat frame connecting pieces 112 are respectively pivotally connected to rear end portions of a pair of oppositely disposed upper footrest swing links 116, as at 117, while intermediate portions of the pair of oppositely disposed seat frame connecting pieces 112 are respectively pivotally connected to rear end portions of a pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest swing links 118, as at 120. In turn, front end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest swing links 118 are respectively pivotally connected to rear end portions of a pair of oppositely disposed upper footrest support links 122, as at 124, while front end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed upper footrest swing links 116 are respectively pivotally connected to rear end portions of a pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest support links 126 as at 128, and intermediate portions of the pair of oppositely disposed upper footrest swing links 116 are respectively pivotally connected to intermediate portions of the pair of oppositely disposed upper footrest support links 122 as at 130.

[0018]Continuing further, it is seen that front end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed upper footrest support links 122, and intermediate portions of the pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest support links 126, are respectively pivotally connected to a pair of oppositely disposed main footrest mounting brackets 132 as at 134, 136, while front end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest support links 126 are respectively pivotally connected to rear end portions of a pair of oppositely disposed secondary footrest support links 138 as at 140. In turn, front end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed secondary footrest support links 138 are respectively pivotally connected to intermediate portions of a pair of oppositely disposed secondary footrest mounting brackets 142 as at 144, while rear end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed secondary footrest mounting brackets 142 are respectively pivotally connected to the pair of oppositely disposed main footrest mounting brackets 132 as at 146. It is noted that each one of the pair of oppositely disposed main footrest mounting brackets 132 is provided with a planar support surface 148, while each one of the pair of oppositely disposed secondary footrest mounting brackets 142 is provided with a planar support surface 150, the planar support surfaces 148, 150 serving as mounting platforms upon which an ottoman or footrest can be fixedly mounted and supported. In order to actuate the pair of oppositely disposed footrest assemblies 106, it is further seen that a second front cross-beam 152 has its opposite end portions fixedly connected to the pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest swing links 118 by means of suitable ]-shaped mounting brackets 154, while a first driving assembly 156, comprising a linear actuator, has its motor end 158 pivotally connected to the first, rear cross beam 114 by means of a suitable clevis connector 160, while the distal end of the telescopic rod 162 of the linear actuator is pivotally connected to the second front cross-beam 152 by means of a similar clevis connector 164. In this manner, it can be appreciated that the first driving assembly 156 operates the pair of oppositely disposed footrest assemblies 106 when the linear actuator of the first driving assembly 156 is actuated.

[0019]With reference being made to FIG. 8, it is seen that the swivel plate assembly 108 comprises a base plate 166, a fixed plate 168 fixedly secured to the base plate 166, and a swivel plate 170 is rotatably mounted atop the fixed plate 168. In turn, the lift assembly 110 is fixedly mounted to the swivel plate 170. More particularly, it is seen that the base of the lift assembly 110 comprises a base frame 171 which includes a pair of oppositely disposed longitudinally extending base frame members 172, and a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending frame members 174 which serve to not only interconnect the pair of oppositely disposed longitudinally extending base frame members 172 together, but, in addition, to fixedly secure the lift assembly to the swivel plate 170 as a result of two of the three longitudinally spaced, transversely extending frame members 174 being fixedly secured to the swivel plate 170 as at 176. It is to be understood that both the swivel plate assembly fixed plate 168 and the swivel plate assembly swivel plate 170 are both provided with rotary electrical connectors, not shown, and electrical power is supplied thereto by means of a suitable electrical power source PS. Accordingly, as more fully disclosed within U.S. Pat. No. 10,376,061, it is to be noted that rotary electrical connectors are known by various names in the industry, such as, for example, a rotary interface connector, a rotary electrical interface, a rotary electrical connector, an electrical collector, an electrical swivel, a rotating electrical assembly, a slip ring, or an electrical rotary joint. Therefore, any one of these types of rotary electrical connectors can serve as the rotary electrical connector.

[0020]In particular, the rotary electrical connector comprises two rotary electrical components which are disposed in engagement with each other and which can also rotate with respect to each other. Each one of the two rotary electrical components is mounted upon a structural component wherein one structural component is adapted to be rotated with respect to the other structural component. Therefore, as has been noted, the first lower one of the two rotary electrical components comprising the rotary electrical connector is fixedly mounted upon the swivel plate assembly fixed plate 168, while the second upper one of the two rotary electrical components comprising the rotary electrical connector is fixedly mounted upon the bottom portion of the swivel plate assembly swivel plate 170 which is fixedly attached to the base frame 171 of the lift assembly 110 upon which the new and improved inclinable chair enclosure 102 is fixedly mounted as will be described more fully hereinafter. Continuing, electrical power is transmitted from the power source PS, through a power cord 178, and to the first lower one of the two rotary electrical components comprising the rotary electrical connector which is fixedly mounted upon the swivel plate assembly fixed plate 168. The electrical power is then, in turn, transmitted from the first lower one of the two rotary electrical components comprising the rotary electrical connector to the second upper one of the two rotary electrical components comprising the rotary electrical connector which is mounted upon the bottom portion of the swivel plate assembly swivel plate 170. Electrical connections, not shown, disposed internally within the electrically powered inclinable chair 100, then supply electrical power to at least one electrical actuator, also not shown, which is incorporated within the internal actuating structural system of the electrically powered inclinable chair 100 such that at least one portion of the electrically powered inclinable chair 100 can be actuated or moved as desired. Such movements can comprise, for example, the movement of the headrest assembly 104, the footrest assemblies 106, the swivel plate assembly 108, and the lift assembly 110, such that the electrically powered inclinable chair 100 can attain any one of several different inclination and rotary/swivel positions. It is to be noted still further, as was the case of the chair disclosed within U.S. Pat. No. 10,376,061, that since the electrical power cord 178 is not connected to the body portion of the electrically powered inclinable chair 100, the electrically powered inclinable chair 100 of the present invention is capable of being rotated, through multiple revolutions of 360° or more, without causing any coiling, wrapping, or entanglement of the electrical power cord because the electrical power cord never undergoes any movement. All rotary movement of the electrically powered inclinable chair 100, relative to the swivel plate assembly 108, is effectively compensated for, dissipated, or eliminated by means of the disposition of the rotary electrical connector defied between the swivel plate assembly 108 and the electrically powered inclinable chair 100. Therefore, the body portion or chair enclosure 102 of the electrically powered inclinable swivel chair 100 is not prevented from rotating relative to the swivel plate assembly 108, and the electrical power cord 178 does not experience any wear or damage.

[0021]With reference continuing to be made to FIGS. 3,4, and 9, as has been noted, the lift assembly 110 is fixedly mounted upon the swivel plate assembly swivel plate 170 as a result of the base frame 171 of the lift assembly 110 being fixedly mounted upon the swivel plate assembly swivel plate 170. In addition, the lift assembly 110 further comprises an H-shaped framework 179 comprising a pair of oppositely disposed longitudinally extending framework members 180, 180 and a transversely oriented framework member 182. In addition, it is seen that forward end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed longitudinally extending framework members 180, 180 are provided with a first pair of oppositely disposed mounting brackets 184, 184, while rear end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed longitudinally extending framework members 180, 180 are provided with a second pair of oppositely disposed mounting brackets 186, 186, the first and second pairs of oppositely disposed mounting brackets 184, 184, 186, 186 being adapted to be fixedly attached to interior surface portions of the chair enclosure 102. Further, the rear end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed longitudinally extending framework members 180, 180 are provided with framework extension members 188, 188 which are, in turn, fixedly connected to an additional transversely oriented framework member, not shown or visible. Still yet further, a transversely oriented piano hinge 190 has a first hinge leaf 192 fixedly connected to the transversely oriented framework member, not shown or visible, of the H-shaped framework 179, while a second opposite hinge leaf 194 is fixedly connected to the rear transversely extending frame member 174. In this manner, the entire electrically powered inclinable chair 100, including, specifically, the chair enclosure 102, is fixedly secured to the underlying swivel plate assembly 108. Lastly, a second driving assembly 196, which may likewise comprise a linear actuator, has its motor end 198 pivotally connected to the front transversely oriented frame member 174 by means of a suitable clevis connector 200, while its opposite, telescopic rod end 202 is pivotally connected to the transversely oriented framework member 182 of the H-shaped framework 179 by means of another suitable clevis connector 204.

[0022]Having described substantially all of the structural components of the new and improved inclinable chair 100, a brief operation of the same will now be provided. When the first driving assembly or linear actuator 156 is actuated such that the telescopic rod 162 thereof is extended, the second front cross beam 152 will be moved forwardly such that the pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest swing links 118 will pivot in the clockwise direction with respect to the pair of oppositely disposed seat frame connecting pieces 112. In turn, the movement of the pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest swing links 118 will cause the pair of oppositely disposed upper footrest support links 122 to likewise pivot in the clockwise direction, as will the pair of oppositely disposed upper footrest swing links 116. Still further, it is appreciated that the aforenoted movement of the pair of oppositely disposed upper footrest swing links 116 causes the pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest support links 126 to move forwardly and be extended. Accordingly, the movements of the pair of oppositely disposed upper footrest swing links 116 and the pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest support links 126 will cause the pair of oppositely disposed main footrest mounting brackets 132 to pivot in the clockwise direction whereby the pair of oppositely disposed planar, footrest supporting surfaces 148 will now be disposed in a horizontal state, as opposed to their vertical state when the pair of oppositely disposed footrest assemblies 106 were disposed at its stowed state or position. Lastly, the clockwise movement of the pair of oppositely disposed main footrest mounting brackets 132 likewise forces the pair of oppositely disposed secondary footrest mounting brackets 142 to pivot in the clockwise direction around pivot connections 146 such that the pair of oppositely disposed planar, footrest supporting surfaces 150 will attain a horizontal disposition and will be coplanar with the pair of oppositely disposed planar, footrest supporting surfaces 148. Therefore, at this point in time, the pair of oppositely disposed footrest assemblies 106 will be disposed at their fully extended positions.

[0023]Lastly, when the second driving assembly or linear actuator 196 is actuated so as to extend the telescopic rod 202 thereof, the telescopic rod 202 will act upon the transversely oriented framework member 182 and cause the same to be elevated such that the entire H-framework 179 will effectively pivot around the axis defined by means of the piano hinge mechanism 190 whereby the front end portion of H-framework 179 will be elevated such that, in turn, the entire inclinable chair 100, and particularly, the enclosure 102 thereof, comprising the seat, the pair of oppositely disposed arms, and the backrest, will have its front end elevated such that the inclinable chair 100 can achieve its tilted mode. In this manner, the new and improved inclinable chair 100 is capable of moving from the sitting position shown in FIG. 7, or the TV position as illustrated within FIG. 6, where the pair of oppositely disposed footrest assemblies 106 are extended, to the inclined position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. It is to also be appreciated that the new and improved inclinable chair 100 can be tilted and swiveled at the same time in view of the fact that the tilt assembly 179 is disposed upon the swivel plate assembly 108, and that the swivel actuation structure, as previously described, is entirely independent of the tilt assembly 179. Finally, when the telescopic rod 102 of the second driving assembly or linear actuator 196 is actuated such that the telescopic rod 202 is retracted, the tilt assembly 179, and the chair enclosure 102, will be moved from the tilt mode back toward the sitting position.

[0024]Obviously, many variations and modifications of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.