Arrangement for beds and other reclining or seating furniture

• US 6,247,753 B1
• Filed: 08/26/1999
• Issued: 06/19/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kjartan Alvestad
• Original Assignee: Kjartan Alvestad
• Inventors: Alvestad, Kjartan
• Primary Examiner(s): BARFIELD, ANTHONY DERRELL
• Application Number:
  US09/380,156
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• Field of Search: 297/354.13, 297/362.13, 297/317, 297/325, 297/342
• US Class Current: 297/362.13
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 20/08 with means for adjusting two or more rests simultaneously

Abstract

A piece of reclining or seating furniture is designed with two or more mutually adjustable articulated members (R, S, F), which together form an adjustable frame for support of a mattress, cushion, upholstery or the like. The adjustable frame is mounted in a support member (A) by means of horizontal axles/dowels, stays, sliding elements or the like, which constitute fulcrums (2, 3, 5) for the mutually adjustable, articulated members (R, S, F). The back member (R) has a fixed fulcrum (2) in relation to the support member (A), located at a distance from the linkage (1) to the seat member. The adjustment of the furniture'"'"'s respective articulated members is performed via a fixed, downwardly projecting arm (6) mounted on the underside of the back member (R), in the area below the back member'"'"'s fulcrum (2). For balancing the piece of furniture there is provided between an attachment point (14) on the arm (6) and a point (11) on the support member (A) or the frame (R, S, F), a spring mechanism (15), which is designed for exercise of a force of the same order as the force which is exerted on the back member (R) during adjustment between different user positions of the piece of furniture. The spring mechanism (15) can be locked.

Claims

1. In a reclining or seating piece of furniture having an adjustable frame for supporting a mattress, cushions, or upholstery and having adjustably articulated back and seat members joined by a pivotal connection, the adjustable frame being mounted in a support member by horizontal axles defining fulcrums for the articulated back and seat members, the back member having a fixed fulcrum pivoted in the support member and located at a distance from the pivotal connection, the seat member having a slidable fulcrum in a central region thereof that is slidable along and pivotal relative to the support member, adjustment of the respective articulated back and seat members being performed via a fixed, downwardly projecting arm extending from the back member to an attachment point beyond the fixed fulcrum of the back member, and a spring mechanism provided between the attachment point on downwardly projecting arm and a reaction point on one of the support member or the adjustable frame, the improvement wherein:

the spring mechanism is at least one gas spring for exerting a force against the attachment point on the downwardly projecting arm on the back member, the attachment point being adjustable in dependence on one of a weight or frictional load on the piece of furniture, so that the spring mechanism exerts a force of the same order as the force exerted on the back member during any adjustment between different positions of the piece of furniture, and wherein the spring mechanism includes a locking mechanism for locking the spring mechanism in any position.

2. The reclining or seating piece of furniture of claim 1, wherein the spring mechanism is arranged at an angle to a longitudinal direction of the piece of furniture with an attachment in the central area of a fixed frame member.

3. The reclining or seating piece of furniture of claim 1, including two cooperating spring mechanisms.

4. The reclining or seating piece of furniture of claim 1, wherein the spring mechanism may be attached to the support member in an adjustable manner.

5. The reclining or seating piece of furniture of claim 1, wherein the spring mechanism is a compression spring.