HEADREST AND LUMBAR SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR A POWERED CHAIR

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001]The present invention relates generally to powered chairs, and more particularly to a new and improved headrest and lumbar support system for a powered chair.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002]Conventionally, powered chairs are commonly used in residences and offices as people enjoy using them to attain various comfortable positions while participating in diverse activities such as, for example, watching TV, reading a book, napping or sleeping, and the like. As is well known, such powered chairs comprise various components, such as, for example, a headrest, a lumbar support, a leg rest, and a footrest, and these various components can be moved to numerous positions in order to provide the user with the degree of comfort they choose or desire. However, it is also appreciated that the structural systems which comprise such powered chairs can be relatively complex, and the chairs can be difficult to manufacture.

[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 having a new and improved headrest and lumbar support system incorporated therein. Still another need exists in the art for a new and improved powered chair having a new and improved headrest and lumbar support system incorporated therein, wherein the headrest and lumbar support system are relatively simple in structure. Yet another need exists in the art for a new and improved powered chair having a new and improved headrest and lumbar support system incorporated therein, wherein the headrest and lumbar support system are relatively simple in structure, and are relatively simple to install. Still yet another need exists in the art for a new and improved powered chair having a new and improved headrest and lumbar support system incorporated therein, wherein the headrest and lumbar support system are relatively simple in structure, and are relatively simple to install, thereby rendering the powered chair relatively easy to manufacture. Yet still another need exists in the art for a new and improved powered chair having a new and improved headrest and lumbar support system incorporated therein, wherein the headrest and lumbar support system are relatively simple in structure, and are relatively simple to install, thereby rendering the powered chair relatively easy to manufacture while effectively reducing the manufacturing costs.

OVERALL OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

[0004]Accordingly, an 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 having a new and improved headrest and lumbar support system incorporated therein. Still another overall objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved powered chair having a new and improved headrest and lumbar support system incorporated therein, wherein the headrest and lumbar support system are relatively simple in structure. Yet another overall objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved powered chair having a new and improved headrest and lumbar support system incorporated therein, wherein the headrest and lumbar support system are relatively simple in structure, and are relatively simple to install. Still yet another overall objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved powered chair having a new and improved headrest and lumbar support system incorporated therein, wherein the headrest and lumbar support system are relatively simple in structure, and are relatively simple to install, thereby rendering the powered chair relatively easy to manufacture. Yet still another overall objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved powered chair having a new and improved headrest and lumbar support system incorporated therein, wherein the headrest and lumbar support system are relatively simple in structure, and are relatively simple to install, thereby rendering the powered chair relatively easy to manufacture while effectively reducing the manufacturing costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005]The foregoing and other objectives of the present invention are achieved through the provision of a new and improved headrest and lumbar support system for a powered chair wherein the system comprises a pair of oppositely disposed headrest mounting brackets for mounting a headrest thereon, and a lumbar support operatively connected to the pair of headrest mounting brackets through a pair of oppositely disposed connecting pieces. Opposite ends of a linear actuator motor mounting bar are fixedly connected to the pair of oppositely disposed connecting pieces, and a pair of linear actuators, for respectively actuating the headrest mounting brackets and the lumbar support, have their motor ends both mounted upon the linear actuator motor mounting bar.

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 right side, front perspective view of a new and improved headrest and lumbar support system for a powered chair as developed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention;

[0008]FIG. 2 is a left side, front perspective view of the new and improved headrest and lumbar support system for a powered chair as shown in FIG. 1 and wherein the headrest and lumbar support components are disposed at their retracted states or positions;

[0009]FIG. 2A is an enlarged detailed bottom perspective view of the lumbar support and its attachment to one of the lumbar support mounting brackets;

[0010]FIG. 2B is an enlarged detailed top perspective view of the lumbar support and its attachment to one of the lumbar support mounting brackets;

[0011]FIG. 3 is a right side elevational view of the new and improved headrest and lumbar support system for a powered chair as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and wherein the headrest and lumbar support components are disposed at their retracted states or positions;

[0012]FIG. 4 is left side, front perspective view of the new and improved headrest and lumbar support system for a powered chair as shown in FIGS. 1-3 and wherein the headrest and lumbar support components are disposed at their extended states or positions;

[0013]FIG. 5 is a right side elevational view of the new and improved headrest and lumbar support system for a powered chair as shown in FIGS. 1-4 and wherein the headrest and lumbar support components are disposed at their extended states or positions;

[0014]FIG. 6A is a front perspective view of a linear actuator motor mounting bar having annular grooves defined therein and circlips mounted thereon such that the pair of linear actuators can be properly mounted and secured upon the linear actuator motor mounting bar;

[0015]FIG. 6B is a front perspective view of the linear actuator motor mounting bar, as shown within FIG. 6A, showing the circlips and the pair of linear actuators mounted thereon whereby the pair of linear actuators are properly mounted and secured upon the linear actuator motor mounting bar;

[0016]FIG. 7A is side elevational view showing the disposition of the lumbar support when the second linear actuator initially moves the lumbar support to the fully extended position;

[0017]FIG. 7B is side elevational view showing the disposition of the lumbar support after the user's lumbar region has engaged the lumbar support when the lumbar support has been moved to the fully extended position;

[0018]FIG. 8A is side elevational view showing the disposition of the lumbar support when the second linear actuator initially moves the lumbar support to the fully retracted position; and

[0019]FIG. 8B is side elevational view showing the disposition of the lumbar support after the user's lumbar region has engaged the lumbar support when the lumbar support has been moved to the fully retracted position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0020]Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1-2 thereof, the new and improved headrest and lumbar support system for a powered chair is disclosed and is generally indicated by the reference character 100. More particularly, it is seen that the new and improved headrest and lumbar support system for a powered chair 100 comprises a headrest assembly 102 and a lumbar support assembly 104. The headrest assembly 102 comprises a pair of oppositely disposed headrest mounting brackets 106,106, upon which a headrest section of the powered chair is adapted to be mounted, a cross bar 108 fixedly connected at its opposite ends to the pair of oppositely disposed headrest mounting brackets 106, 106, a linear actuator motor mounting bar 110, and a first linear actuator 112 which has its motor end 114 mounted upon the linear actuator motor mounting bar 110 by means which will be discussed hereinafter, and its telescopic rod end 116 mounted upon the cross bar 108 by means of a suitable clevis type mount 118. Lastly, a coiled spring 120 has its upper end connected to the cross bar 108 by means of a suitable mounting bracket or connector 122, while the lower end of the coiled spring 120 is connected to the linear actuator motor mounting bar 110 by means of a suitable mounting bracket or connector 124.

[0021]Continuing further, it is seen that the lumbar support assembly 104 comprises a pair of oppositely disposed connecting pieces 126,126 wherein upper end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed connecting pieces 126,126 are pivotally connected to lower end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed headrest mounting brackets 106,106, as at 128,128. As can best be seen and appreciated from FIG. 4, the opposite ends of the linear actuator motor mounting bar 110 are fixedly connected to the pair of oppositely disposed connecting pieces 126,126 as at 130, and it is seen that each one of the pair of oppositely disposed connecting pieces 126,126 is provided with a pair of holes or apertures 132,132 so as to permit the pair of oppositely disposed connecting pieces 126,126 to be fixedly connected to interior portions of the powered chair. Still further, lower end portions of each one of the pair of oppositely disposed connecting pieces 126,126 are pivotally connected to upper end portions of a pair of oppositely disposed lumbar support mounting brackets 134,134 as at 136,136, while central portions of the pair of oppositely disposed lumbar support mounting brackets 134,134 have opposite ends of a cross beam 138 fixedly mounted therewithin or connected thereto. As can best be appreciated from FIGS. 2A and 2B, a lumbar support is noted at 140, and each opposite end of the lumbar support 140 has an L-shaped lumbar support mounting bracket 142 fixedly mounted thereto by means of suitable fasteners 144 which pass through the short leg 146 of each L-shaped lumbar support mounting bracket 142. In addition, it is seen that the long leg 148 of each L-shaped lumbar support mounting bracket 142 is respectively pivotally connected to a lower end portion of each one the pair of oppositely disposed lumbar support mounting brackets 134,134 by means of a nut and bolt assembly 150, while a screw 152 is fixedly inserted through a distal end portion of the long leg 148 of each L-shaped lumbar support mounting bracket 142 so as to be movably disposed within an arcuate slot 154 defined within the lower end portion of each one of the pair of oppositely disposed lumbar support mounting brackets 134,134.

[0022]In addition, it is seen that a second linear actuator 156 has its motor end 158 mounted upon the linear actuator motor mounting bar 110 by the same means that the first linear actuator 112 is connected to the linear actuator motor mounting bar 110, and its telescopic rod end 160 mounted upon the cross beam 138 by means of a suitable clevis type mount 162. It is thus seen that the first and second linear actuators 112,156 are oriented in opposite directions, however, both the first and second linear actuators 112, 156 have their motor ends 114, 158 mounted upon the linear actuator mounting bar 110. In connection with the mounting of the motor ends 114, 158 of both the first and second linear actuators 112,156 upon the linear actuator motor mounting bar 110, and with reference being made to FIGS. 6A and 6B, it is seen that the linear actuator motor mounting bar 110 has a plurality of annular or peripheral grooves 164 defined therein at predetermined laterally spaced locations, and that a plurality of circlips 166 are adapted to be snap-fitted onto the linear actuator motor mounting bar 110 at the grooved locations 164. Accordingly, when the motor ends 114, 158 of the first and second linear actuators 112,156 are to be fixedly mounted upon the linear actuator motor mounting bar 110, the linear actuator motor mounting bar 110 is inserted through a pair of lugs or ears 168,170, respectively provided upon the motor ends 114, 158 of the first and second linear actuators 112, 156, and subsequently, the circlips 166 are snap-fitted into the annular grooves 164 defined upon the linear actuator motor mounting boar 110 so as to effectively laterally fix the first and second linear actuators 112,156 at predetermined axial locations as considered along the linear actuator motor mounting bar 110.

[0023]Having described substantially all of the structure comprising the new and improved headrest and lumbar support system for a powered chair 100, a brief operation of the same will now be provided. More particularly, when the first linear actuator 112, which is a unidirectional linear actuator, is actuated, the telescopic rod of the telescopic end 116 of the first linear actuator 112 will be extended so as to effectively tend to push the cross bar 108 upwardly so as to force the pair of oppositely disposed headrest mounting brackets 106,106 to move forwardly as a result of pivoting of the pair of oppositely disposed headrest mounting brackets 106, 106 around the pivotal connections 128, 128. Accordingly, the headrest, not shown but mounted upon the pair of oppositely disposed headrest mounting brackets 106,106, will move forwardly so as to properly support the user's head, as shown in FIGS. 4-5. It is further noted that the coiled spring 120 will therefore be placed into a tensioned mode or state such that when power to the first linear actuator 112 is terminated, the coiled spring 120 will return the pair of oppositely disposed headrest mounting brackets 106, 106, and the headrest mounted thereon, to the upright position as illustrated within FIGS. 2-3.

[0024]In a similar manner, when the second linear actuator 156, which is a dual-directional linear actuator, is actuated, the telescopic rod of the telescopic end 160 of the second linear actuator 156 will be extended so as to effectively tend to push the cross beam 138 downwardly so as to force the pair of oppositely disposed lumbar support mounting brackets 134,134 forwardly as a result of the pivoting of the pair of oppositely disposed lumbar support mounting brackets 134, 134 around the pivotal connections 136, 136. In this manner, the lumbar support 140 will be elevated, so as to support the lumbar region of the user's body, as illustrated within FIGS. 4-5. Conversely, when the telescopic rod of the telescopic end 160 of the second linear actuator 156 is retracted, the cross beam 138 will be retracted such that the pair of oppositely disposed lumbar support mounting brackets 134, 134 will likewise be retracted whereby the lumbar support 140 will be returned to the positions illustrated within FIGS. 2-3. Depending upon the extent to which the second linear actuator 156 is actuated, the lumbar support 140 will be disposed at any one of a multiplicity of intermediate positions between fully extended and fully retracted. In this manner, the lumbar support 140 can support the lumbar region of a user according to their particular individual demands. It is to be further understood, with reference being additionally made to FIGS. 7A-8B, and in accordance with the unique structural characteristics of the present invention, that the lumbar support 140 actually comprises three plates 140U, 140M, 140L integrally connected together, as can best be seen in FIGS. 2-2B, but angled with respect to each other. In this manner, the contact area defined between the lumbar support 140 and the lumbar region of the user can be maximized so as to effectively provide the maximum degree of comfort to the user.

[0025]More particularly, as can be seen and appreciated from FIGS. 7A and 7B, when the second linear actuator 156 is moved to its fully extended position, the lumbar support 140 will initially be disposed at the position illustrated within FIG. 7A wherein it can be seen and appreciated that, at this position, only the lower plate 140L of the lumbar support 140 will be disposed in contact with the lumbar region of the user. Therefore, as schematically illustrated within FIG. 7A, in view of the fact that the pressure P from the lumbar region of the user is not oriented directly at the pivot axis defined by the nut and bolt assembly 150, the pressure P from the lumbar region of the user effectively acts through a moment arm, with respect to the pivot axis defined by the nut and bolt assembly 150 so as to cause the lumbar support 140, and more particularly the L-shaped lumbar support mounting bracket 142, to pivot around the nut and bolt assembly 150. Accordingly, the screw 152 will move within the slot 154 whereby the lumbar support 140 will pivot clockwise, as viewed within FIG. 7A, with respect to the pair of oppositely disposed lumbar support mounting brackets 134,134 such that the lumbar support 140 will then attain the position illustrated within FIG. 7B, the screw 152 being disposed at the upper end of the slot 154. At this position, it can be appreciated that the entire lumbar support 140, that is, all three plates 140U, 140M, 140L, will be disposed in contact with the lumbar region of the user, thereby providing maximum support and comfort to the user lumbar region. In addition, it can also be appreciated that since the pressure P now acts along a locus which is directly oriented at the nut and bolt assembly 150, then no moment arm is present or exists whereby the entire lumbar support 140 is stable and no further movement of the lumbar support 140 will occur. Accordingly, the lumbar region of the user is also now fully supported by means of the entire lumbar support 140 whereby the maximum degree of comfort is provided to the user.

[0026]Conversely, as can be seen and appreciated from FIGS. 8A and 8B, when the second linear actuator 156 is moved to its fully retracted position, the lumbar support 140 will initially be disposed at the position illustrated within FIG. 8A wherein it can be seen and appreciated that, at this position, only the upper plate 140U of the lumbar support 140 will be disposed in contact with the lumbar region of the user. Therefore, as schematically illustrated within FIG. 8A, in view of the fact that the pressure P from the lumbar region of the user is not oriented directly at the pivot axis defined by the nut and bolt assembly 150, the pressure P from the lumbar region of the user effectively acts through a moment arm, with respect to the pivot axis defined by the nut and bolt assembly 150 so as to cause the lumbar support 140, and more particularly the L-shaped lumbar support mounting bracket 142, to pivot around the nut and bolt assembly 150. Accordingly, the screw 152 will move within the slot 154 whereby the lumbar support 140 will pivot counterclockwise, as viewed within FIG. 8A, with respect to the pair of oppositely disposed lumbar support mounting brackets 134, 134 such that the lumbar support 140 will then attain the position illustrated within FIG. 8B, the screw 152 being disposed at the lower end of the slot 154. At this position, it can be appreciated that the entire lumbar support 140, that is, all three plates 140U,140M, 140L, will be disposed in contact with the lumbar region of the user, thereby providing maximum support and comfort to the user lumbar region. In addition, it can also be appreciated that since the pressure P now acts along a locus which is directly oriented at the nut and bolt assembly 150, then no moment arm is present or exists whereby the entire lumbar support 140 is stable and no further movement of the lumbar support 140 will occur. Accordingly, the lumbar region of the user is also now fully supported by means of the entire lumbar support 140 whereby the maximum degree of comfort is provided to the user. It is lastly noted that the foregoing movements will always be achieved regardless of the disposition of the pair of oppositely disposed lumbar support mounting brackets 134,134, and lumbar support 140, due to any predetermined extension or retraction of the second linear actuator 156. In other words, the lumbar support 140 will always be moved to, and achieve, the position at which the same provides the maximum degree of comfort to the lumbar region of the user.

[0027]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.