Lift chair and recliner

• US 20060061148A1
• Filed: 09/13/2005
• Published: 03/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James Olcheski, Warren Edward Pollard
• Original Assignee: James Olcheski, Warren Edward Pollard
• Inventors: Pollard, Warren Edward, Olcheski, James
• Granted Patent: US 7,543,885 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/85.M
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/024 the parts, being the back-rest, or the back-rest and seat unit, having adjustable and lockable inclination
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/035 in combination with movably coupled seat and back-rest, i.e. the seat and back-rest being movably coupled in such a way that the extension mechanism of the foot-rest is actuated at least by the relative movements of seat and backrest
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/0355 actuated by linkages, e.g. lazy-tongs mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 31/008 Use of remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/006 convertible to stretchers or beds
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/1075 tilting the whole seat backwards tilting forwards for standing-up or sitting-down aids A61G5/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/14 Standing-up or sitting-down aids
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/005 tiltable around transverse horizontal axis, e.g. for Trendelenburg position rocking beds for physical therapy A61H1/003; hanging patient inclined downwardly for drawing him out A61H2203/0493

Abstract

A combination lift chair and reclining chair having additional seating and reclining positions is provided with two separate motors and linkages enabling the chair back to be independently placed in various positions and the seat separately movable with the footrest and elevated once the footrest has reached full deployment using the same motor.

Claims

1. A combination lift chair and recliner comprising:

(a) a base for support of the combination chair in all positions,

(b) a lift frame mechanism,

(c) a combined chair frame arrangement including a chair seat section, a back section, and a footrest section,

(d) a combined linkage securing the chair seat section, back section and footrest section together in a movable relation with respect to each other,

(e) linkages enabling a first motor to operate the inclination of the back section independent of the movement of the other two sections, said first motor being pivotably connected to the chair seat section of said chair so as to remain in the same relative position with respect to said chair seat section at all times, and

(f) a second motor arranged by linkages to operatively elevate the footrest and move the seat rearwardly by lever linkage driving a first interval of operation, followed by an elevation of the footrest and seat in a second interval of operation of said motors operational movement and to place the chair seat in lift position at the other end of the allowed movement of the second motor.

2. A combination lift chair and recliner in accordance with claim 1 wherein the chair section and back section are directly rotationally pivoted to each other.

3. A combination lift chair and recliner in accordance with claim 2 wherein the combined linkage of the chair seats section, back section and footrest section is a pantograph-type linkage.

4. A combination lift chair and recliner in accordance with claim 3 wherein the linkages enabling the first motor to effect the inclination of the back section is connected between the back section and seat section via a substantial lever structure secured substantially in line with and secured to a lower portion of the back section and via the first motor means to a substantial brace secured to the seat section.

5. A combination lift chair and recliner in accordance with claim 4 wherein the pivoting connection between the seat section and the back section is provided on both lateral sides of the seat and back sections and a brace and connecting bar extends laterally between the two to form a rigid connection.

6. A combination lift chair and recliner in accordance with claim 5 wherein the lever structure secured to the back section is attached to a metal lateral brace on the back section which is displaced from the lower end of the back section and secured via metal side links to the lateral bar section, in effect forming a rigid boxed bracing arrangement about the end of the back section to maintain such section substantially rigid at all times eliminating flexure or bending tending to weaken and damage the seat section.

7. A combination lift chair and recliner in accordance with claim 3 wherein a variable position stop is provided on the end of a support for the pantograph-type linkage whereby the operation of the pantograph linkage for moving the chair from an upright position to a Trendelenburg position can be stopped by impingement of a link of the system against the stop at the point of zero gravity arrangement of the seat and footrest.

8. A combination lift chair and recliner in accordance with claim 7 wherein the stop is adjustable to provide a zero gravity position customized for a particular body size and conformation of a user of the chair.

9. A recliner chair comprising:

(a) a base for support of the chair in all positions,

(b) a combined chair frame arrangement including a chair seat section, a back section, and a footrest section,

(c) a combined linkage securing the chair seats section, back section and footrest section together in a movable relation with respect to each other,

(d) linkages enabling a first motor to operate the inclination of the back section independent of the movement of the other two sections, said first motor pivotably connected to the chair seat section of said chair so as to remain in the same relative position with respect to said chair seat section at all times, and

(e) a second motor arranged by linkages to operatively elevate the footrest and move the seat rearwardly by lever linkage driving a first interval of operation, followed by an elevation of the footrest and seat in a second interval of operation of said motors operational movement and to place the chair seat in lift position at the other end of the allowed movement of the second motor.

10. A combination lift chair and recliner in accordance with claim 9 wherein the chair sides and back section are directly rotationally pivoted to each other.

11. A combination lift chair and recliner in accordance with claim 10 wherein the combined linkage of the chair seats section, back section and footrest section is a pantograph-type linkage.

12. A combination lift chair and recliner in accordance with claim 11 wherein the linkages enabling the first motor to effect the inclination of the back section is connected between the back section and seat section via a substantial lever structure secured substantially in line with and secured to a lower portion of the back section and via the first motor means to a substantial brace secured to the seat section.

13. A combination lift chair and recliner in accordance with claim 12 wherein the pivoting connection between the seat section and the back section is provided on both lateral sides of the seat and back sections and a brace and connecting bar extends laterally between the two to form a rigid connection.

14. A combination lift chair and recliner in accordance with claim 13 wherein the lever structure secured to the back section is attached to a metal cross brace on the back section which is displaced from the lower end of the back section and secured via metal cross links to the cross bar section in effect forming a rigid boxed bracing arrangement about the end of the back section to maintain such section substantially rigid at all times eliminating flexure or bending tending to weaken and damage the seat section.

15. A combination lift chair and recliner in accordance with claim 10 wherein a variable position stop is provided on the end of a support for the pantograph-type linkage whereby the operation of the pantograph linkage for moving the chair from an upright position to a Trendelenburg position can be stopped by impingement of a link of the system against the stop in a zero gravity arrangement of the seat and footrest.

16. A combination lift chair and recliner in accordance with claim 15 wherein the stop is adjustable to provide a zero gravity position customized for a particular body size and conformation of a user of the chair.