Seating unit with movable seat

• US 5,947,559 A
• Filed: 09/04/1996
• Issued: 09/07/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Absolute Comfort, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Absolute Comfort, Inc.
• Inventors: Williams, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelson, Jr., Milton
• Application Number:
  US08/708,406
• Time in Patent Office: 1,098 Days
• Field of Search: 297/341, 297/342, 297/343, 297/337, 297/218.3, 297/284.11, 297/118, 297/354.12, 297/362.11, 5/12.1, 5/17, 5/18.1
• US Class Current: 297/337
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/023 the parts being horizontally-adjustable seats ; Expandable seats or the like, e.g. seats with horizontally adjustable parts
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 17/134 by lifting or tilting

Abstract

A seating unit, such as a sofa, chair or love seat with a movable seat section includes a main frame arranged for support of a back rest in fixed relation thereto and a seat frame for supporting a seat. Support tracks slidably support the seat frame from the main frame. The seat frame can be moved from a retracted position to an extended position in relation to the main frame. A locking device secures the seat frame in relation to the main frame in a plurality of positions between the retracted position and the extended position.

Claims

1. A seating unit with a movable seat section, comprising:

a main frame arranged for support of a backrest;

a stationary backrest affixed to said main frame;

a seat frame for supporting a seat, said seat frame being independently movable with respect to said backrest, said seat frame comprising a first side rail, a second side rail spaced from said first side rail, a back rail to a respective end of which a respective first end of said first and second side rails are secured, and, a front rail, spaced from said back rail, to which a respective second end of said first and second side rails are secured;

a support track for movably supporting said seat frame on said main frame, said support track comprising a first member fixed to said main frame and a second member fixed to said seat frame, wherein said first member cooperates with said second member for moving said seat frame from a retracted position to an extended position in relation to said main frame and thereby lengthening an effective length of said movable seat section, said effective length being the distance between said backrest and a forward edge of said seat frame and,

locking means for securing said seat frame in relation to said main frame in a plurality of positions between said retracted position and said extended position.

2. A seating unit with a movable seat section comprising:

main frame arranged for support of a backrest;

a seat frame for supporting a seat, said seat frame comprising a first side rail, a second side rail spaced from said first side rail, a back rail to a respective end of which a respective first end of said first and second side rails are secured, and, a front rail, spaced from said back rail, to which a respective second end of said first and second side rails are secured;

a support track for movably supporting said seat frame on said main frame, said support track comprising a first member affixed to said main frame and a second member affixed to said seat frame, wherein said first member cooperates with said second member for moving said seat frame from a retracted position to an extended position in relation to said main frame and thereby lengthening an effective length of said movable seat section, said effective length being the distance between said backrest and a forward edge of said seat frame;

locking means for securing said seat frame in relation to said main frame in a plurality of positions between said retracted position and said extended position; and

an apron having a first end secured to said main frame and a second end secured to said seat frame back rail.

3. A seating unit with a movable seat section comprising:

a main frame arranged for support of a backrest;

a seat frame for supporting a seat, said seat frame comprising a first side rail, a second side rail spaced from said first side rail, a back rail to a respective end of which a respective first end of said first and second side rails are secured, and, a front rail, spaced from said back rail, to which a respective second end of said first and second side rails are secured;

a support track for movably supporting said seat frame on said main frame, said support track comprising a first member affixed to said main frame and a second member affixed to said seat frame, wherein said first member cooperates with said second member for moving said seat frame from a retracted position to an extended position in relation to said main frame and thereby lengthening an effective length of said movable seat section, said effective length being the distance between said backrest and a forward edge of said seat frame;

locking means for securing said seat frame in relation to said main frame in a plurality of positions between said retracted position and said extended position;

wherein said first member of said support track comprises a first slide member mounted on said main frame along one side of said seat frame, and wherein said second member of said support track comprises a second slide member mounted on said seat frame and located parallel to and adjacent to said first slide member so that said second slide member can cooperate with said first slide member.

4. A seating unit with a movable seat section comprising:

a main frame arranged for support of a backrest;

a seat frame for supporting a seat, said seat frame comprising a first side rail, a second side rail spaced from said first side rail, a back rail to a respective end of which a respective first end of said first and second side rails are secured, and, a front rail, spaced from said back rail, to which a respective second end of said first and second side rails are secured;

a support track for movably supporting said seat frame on said main frame, said support track comprising a first member affixed to said main frame and a second member affixed to said seat frame, wherein said first member cooperates with said second member for moving said seat frame from a retracted position to an extended position in relation to said main frame and thereby lengthening an effective length of said movable seat section, said effective length being the distance between said backrest and a forward edge of said seat frame;

locking means for securing said seat frame in relation to said main frame in a plurality of positions between said retracted position and said extended position;

wherein said first member of said support track comprises a first glide track mounted on said main frame, and wherein said second member of said support track comprises a second glide track mounted on said seat frame and located adjacent said first glide track so that said second glide track can cooperate with said first glide track.

5. A seating unit with a movable seat section comprising:

a main frame arranged for support of a backrest;

a seat frame for supporting a seat;

a support track for movably supporting said seat frame on said main frame, said support track comprising a first member engaged to said main frame and a second member engaged to said seat frame, wherein said first member cooperates with said second member for moving said seat frame from a retracted position to an extended position in relation to said main frame and thereby lengthening an effective length of said movable seat section, said effective length being the distance between said backrest and a forward edge of said seat frame;

a motor for moving said seat frame in relation to said main frame, said motor being secured to one of said seat frame and said main frame; and

,

a means operated by said motor for coacting with the other of said seat frame and said main frame, said means operated by said motor comprises a sprocket wheel and said seat frame further comprises an element which cooperates with said sprocket wheel.

6. A seating unit with a movable seat section comprising:

a main frame arranged for support of a backrest;

a seat frame for supporting a seat, said seat frame comprising a first side rail, a second side rail spaced from said first side rail, a back rail to a respective end of which a respective first end of said first and second side rails are secured, and, a front rail, spaced from said back rail, to which a respective second end of said first and second side rails are secured;

a support track for movably supporting said seat frame on said main frame, said support track comprising a first member affixed to said main frame and a second member affixed to said seat frame, wherein said first member cooperates with said second member for moving said seat frame from a retracted position to an extended position in relation to said main frame and thereby lengthening an effective length of said movable seat section, said effective length being the distance between said backrest and a forward edge of said seat frame; and

locking means for securing said seat frame in relation to said main frame in a plurality of positions between said retracted position and said extended position, said locking means comprises (i) a plate mounted on said seat frame, said plate comprising a plurality of spaced slots, (ii) an arm pivotally mounted on said main frame and adapted to engage in said slots and, (iii) biasing means for urging said arm to one end position in relation to said main frame in order to engage one of said slots.

7. The unit of claim 6 wherein said locking means further comprises a means for moving said arm away from said plate to allow a movement of at least one of said first rail and said second rail in relation to said arm.

8. A seating unit with a movable seat section comprising:

a mainframe arranged for support of a backrest;

a seat frame for supporting a seat;

a support track for movably supporting said seat frame on said main frame, said support track comprising a first member secured to said main frame and a second member secured to said seat frame, wherein said first member cooperates with said second member for moving said seat frame from a retracted position to an extended position in relation to said main frame and thereby lengthening an effective length of said movable seat section, said effective length being the distance between said backrest and a forward edge of said seat frame; and

locking means for securing said seat frame in relation to said main frame in a plurality of positions between said retracted position and said extended position, said locking means comprises(i) a plate mounted on said seat frame, said plate comprising a plurality of spaced slots, (ii) an arm pivotally mounted on said main frame and adapted to engage said slots and, (iii) biasing means for urging said arm to one end position in relation to said main frame in order to engage one of said slots.

9. The unit of claim 8 wherein said locking means further comprises a means for moving said arm away from said plate to allow a movement of said rail in relation to said arm.

10. The unit of claim 9 wherein said means for moving comprises:

a cable having a first end secured to said arm and a second end; and

,

an actuation means to which said cable second end is secured.

11. A seating unit with a movable seat section, comprising:

a main frame arranged for support of a backrest;

a stationary backrest affixed to said main frame;

a movable seat frame for supporting a seat, said seat frame being independently movable with respect to said backrest;

a support track for movably supporting said seat frame on said main frame, said support track comprising a first member fixed to said main frame and a second member fixed to said seat frame, wherein said first member cooperates with said second member for moving said seat frame from a retracted position to an extended position in relation to said main frame and thereby lengthening an effective length of said movable seat section, said effective length being the distance between said backrest and a forward edge of said seat frame; and

,

locking means for securing said seat frame in relation to said main frame in a plurality of positions between said retracted position and said extended position, wherein said seat frame can be moved from a retracted position, in which a rear edge of said seat is located behind a front edge of said backrest, to an extended position in which said rear seat edge is located in front of said backrest front edge.

12. The unit of claim 11 wherein said first member of said support track comprises a first slide member mounted on said main frame along one side of said seat frame, and wherein said second member of said support track comprises a second slide member mounted on said seat frame and located parallel to and adjacent to said first slide member so that said second slide member can cooperate with said first slide member.

13. The unit of claim 11 wherein said first member of said support track comprises a first glide track mounted on said main frame, and wherein said second member of said support track comprises a second glide track mounted on said seat frame and located adjacent said first glide track so that said second glide track can cooperate with said first glide track.

14. The unit of claim 11 wherein said seat frame is oriented at an acute angle in relation to a horizontal plane in all positions of said seat frame.