Seating unit having a horizontally positionable seat section

• US 6,843,531 B2
• Filed: 07/16/2003
• Issued: 01/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James A. Williams
• Original Assignee: James A. Williams
• Inventors: Williams, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelson, Jr., Milton
• Application Number:
  US10/620,980
• Publication Number:
  US 20040041452A1
• Time in Patent Office: 552 Days
• Field of Search: 297/337, 297/311, 297/342, 297/118, 5 1/81, 5 1/21, 5/7, 745/005, 745/016
• 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 with at least one independently movable seat sections, is disclosed which includes a main frame arranged for support of a back rest in fixed relation thereto and one or more seat frames for supporting the seat sections. Support tracks slidably support each seat frame with respect to the main frame. Each seat frame can be moved from a retracted position to an extended position in relation to the main frame. A locking device secures a respective seat frame in relation to the main frame in a plurality of positions between the retracted position and the extended position. Numerous seat frame embodiments are disclosed. In addition, a unique cable-based actuation assembly is described for manually positionable seat configurations. Electrically powered versions are also disclosed in which one or more motors are incorporated in the seating unit and provide powered extension and retraction of one or more individual seats. Remote control systems for electrically powered drives are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A seating unit having a movable seat, said unit comprising:

a support frame;

a backrest member extending upward from said support frame,

said movable seat disposed on said support frame such that the entirety of said seat may be displaced within a horizontal plane outward from said support frame to one of a plurality of extended positions relative to said support frame;

a locking assembly to selectively engage said seat to said support frame to thereby secure said seat to said support frame after displacing said seat to one of a plurality of extended positions;

a first actuator handle, affixed to said support frame;

a second actuator handle affixed to said support frame and spaced from said first actuator handle;

an actuator assembly disposed on said support frame, said actuator assembly in communication with said locking assembly, whereby upon activation of said actuator assembly, said locking assembly engages said seat to said support frame;

a first cable extending between said first actuator handle and said actuator assembly;

a second cable extending between said second actuator handle and said actuator assembly;

whereby (i) upon activating said first actuator handle, said first cable is tensioned thereby activating said actuator assembly to engage said seat to said support frame, or (ii) upon activating said second actuator handle, said second cable is tensioned thereby activating said actuator assembly to engage said seat to said support frame.

2. The seating unit of claim 1 further comprising:

a caster roller and corresponding caster race, said caster roller affixed to said movable seat and said caster race defined in said support frame.

3. The seating unit of claim 1 further comprising a third cable extending between said actuator assembly and said locking assembly to thereby provide communication between said actuator assembly and said locking assembly.

4. The seating unit of claim 3 wherein said locking assembly includes a retainer and a release pin movably retained between a release position and a lock position within said retainer, said retainer secured to said support frame and said release pin secured to a distal end of said third cable, said release pin configured to engage said movable seat when in said lock position.

5. The seating unit of claim 4 wherein said locking assembly further includes a spring in engagement with said release pin, said spring configured to urge said pin toward said lock position.

6. The seating unit of claim 1 wherein both said first and second cables are sheathed cables.

7. The seating unit of claim 1 wherein said first and second actuator handles are disposed at opposite ends of said seating unit.

8. The seating unit of claim 1 wherein said seat is movably coupled to said support frame by use of at least one roller glide assembly, said roller glide assembly including (i) a first bracket affixed to said movable seat, (ii) a second bracket affixed to said support frame;

and (iii) a plurality of bearing members that enable movement between said first and second brackets.

9. The seating unit of claim 8 wherein said seat is movably coupled to said support frame by a first plurality of roller glide assemblies disposed at a first end of said seat and a second plurality of roller glide assemblies disposed at a second end of said seat member, opposite from said first end.

10. A seating unit including:

a stationary base;

a linearly positionable seat movably coupled to said stationary base, said seat movable within a horizontal plane, and movable between a fully retracted position and a fully extended position in which at least a portion of said seat is cantilevered out from said base, said seat being selectively positionable to one of a plurality of positions between said fully retracted position and said fully extended position;

a locking assembly to selectively engage said seat to said stationary base after positioning said seat to one of a plurality of positions;

a first actuator disposed at a first end of said stationary base;

a second actuator disposed at a second end of said stationary base;

an actuator assembly in operable engagement with both said first actuator and said second actuator, and said locking assembly whereby upon activation of either said first actuator or said second actuator, said actuator assembly engages said locking assembly to thereby release said seat from said stationary base and allow movement of said seat with respect to said stationary base.

11. The seating unit of claim 10 further comprising:

a caster roller affixed to said seat; and

a caster race defined in said stationary base;

wherein said caster roller contacts and moves within said caster race as said seat moves with respect to said base.

12. The seating unit of claim 10 further comprising:

a first cable extending between said actuator assembly and said first actuator; and

a second cable extending between said actuator assembly and said second actuator.

13. The seating unit of claim 10 further comprising:

a cable extending between said actuator assembly and said locking assembly.

14. The seating unit of claim 13 wherein said cable is sheathed.

15. The seating unit of claim 13 wherein said locking assembly includes a stationary retainer and a pin movable therein, said cable extending between said actuator assembly and said pin.

16. The seating unit of claim 10 wherein said locking assembly comprises:

a retainer affixed to said base;

a release member movably retained within said retainer, said release member movable between a lock position in which said release member engages said seat, and a release position in which said release member is free of contact with said seat;

a spring in communication with said release member and positioned with respect to said release member such that said spring urges said release member toward said lock position;

wherein said release member is in operable engagement with said actuator assembly such that upon activation of either said first actuator or said second actuator, said actuator assembly moves said release member from said lock position to said release position to thereby release said seat from said stationary base and allow movement of said seat with respect to said stationary base.

17. The seating unit of claim 10 wherein said seat is movably coupled to said stationary base by use of a first plurality of roller glide assemblies disposed at a first side of said seat, and a second plurality of roller glide assemblies disposed at a second side of said seat opposite from said first side.