Pivoting seat and footrest chair

• US 5,673,970 A
• Filed: 11/19/1996
• Issued: 10/07/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wesley Ross Holmquist
• Original Assignee: Wesley Ross Holmquist
• Inventors: Holmquist, Wesley Ross
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Peter R.
• Application Number:
  US08/752,654
• Time in Patent Office: 322 Days
• Field of Search: 297/313, 297/326, 297/337, 297/423.25, 297/423.26, 297/DIG. 10
• US Class Current: 297/337
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/506 of adjustable type
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/14 Standing-up or sitting-down aids
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 297/10 Occupant-arising assist

Abstract

A pivoted seat and footrest chair having a seat and footrest at the top and bottom of a pair of vertical supports such that rotation of the seat forward rotates the footrest back as the person rises out of the chair, allowing easy exiting. The center of gravity of the seat and footrest assembly are vertically aligned with or forward of a pivot point when the seat is in the forward position, such that the seat remains in or rotates toward the forward position when unoccupied. Additionally, the seat extends in front of the armrests while the footrest remains under the seat when the seat is in the forward position, such that the seat is easy to access.

Claims

1. A rotatable seat chair comprising:

(a) a chair frame having a backrest, legs, and a pair of armrests;

(b) a seat assembly comprising;

i. at least one seat support member having upper and lower portions;

ii. a seat rigidly connected at a fixed angle to the upper portion of the at least one support member; and

iii. a footrest rigidly affixed to the lower portion of the at least one support member; and

,

(c) at least one pivot rotatably interconnecting the at least one support member and the chair frame, wherein the at least one pivot is located between the upper and lower portions of the respective support member, such that a center of gravity of the seat assembly is vertically aligned with or forward of the pivot when the seat assembly is in a forward position.

2. The chair as recited in claim 1 wherein a foot push-off is attached to the frame such that when the seat assembly is rotating toward the forward position, the push-off pushes on a person'"'"'s heel thereby pushing the person'"'"'s foot off the footrest.

3. The chair as recited in claim 1 wherein a hinged and swiveling tray is attached to one of the armrests.

4. The chair as recited in claim 1 wherein the distance between the armrest and seat cushion is about one foot, thereby making sitting and exiting the chair easier than conventional chairs.

5. The chair as recited in claim 1 wherein the footrest is essentially parallel to the seat.

6. A rotatable seat chair comprising:

(a) a chair frame having a backrest, legs, and a pair of armrests;

(b) a seat assembly comprising;

i. a pair of seat support members having upper and lower portions;

ii. a seat rigidly connected at a fixed angle to the upper portion of each support member; and

iii. a footrest rigidly affixed to the lower portion of each support member; and

,

(c) a pair of pivots, each pivot rotatably interconnecting one of the pair of support members and the chair frame, wherein each pivot is located between the upper and lower portions of the respective support member, such that a center of gravity of the seat assembly is vertically aligned with or forward of the pivot when the seat assembly is in a forward position, and wherein the distance from the armrest to the sea is about one foot.

7. The chair as recited in claim 6 wherein a foot push-off is attached to the frame such that when the seat assembly is rotating toward the forward position, the push-off pushes on a person'"'"'s heel thereby pushing the person'"'"'s foot off the footrest.

8. The chair as recited in claim 6 wherein a hinged and swiveling tray is attached to one of the armrests.

9. The chair as recited in claim 6 wherein the footrest is essentially parallel to the seat.

10. The chair as recited in claim 6 wherein an adjustable seat stop maintains a rear seat portion at a desired elevation.