Reclining chair
First Claim
1. A reclinable chair comprising:
- a base having a front end and a rear end;
a support frame mounted to the base such that the base and the support frame cooperatively function as a linkage system capable of providing a recline mechanism, the support frame comprising;
a back frame portion having an upper end, a lower end, and opposing fulcrum attachment sites positioned between the upper and lower ends;
a seat frame portion having a front end and a rear end; and
a curved front frame portion having a front end and a rear end;
wherein the rear end of the base is attached to the opposing fulcrum attachment sites of the back frame portion to define a first pivot axis about which the back frame portion pivots;
wherein the front end of the base is attached to the front end of the of the curved front frame portion to define a second pivot axis;
wherein the lower end of the back frame portion is pivotally connected to the rear end of the seat frame portion by a first pair of opposing hinges to define a third pivot axis;
wherein the rear end of the curved front frame portion is pivotally connected to the front end of the seat frame portion by a second pair of opposing hinges to define a fourth pivot axis; and
wherein the reclinable chair does not include a mechanical recline resistance device connected to the support frame.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A reclinable chair featuring a weight-sensitive recline mechanism is disclosed. The reclinable chair can comprise a base a support frame pivotally mounted to the base, and a support surface mounted to the support frame. The support frame can include a seat frame portion disposed between and pivotally connected to both a front frame portion and a back frame portion. The back frame portion of the support frame can also be pivotally attached to a rear end of the base, while the front frame portion can also be pivotally attached to a front end of the base. In this arrangement, the support frame and the base can cooperatively function as a linkage system capable of providing a weight-sensitive recline mechanism in a low-profile, stackable chair. The reclinable chair of the present invention can also feature a support surface featuring a pattern of openings shaped by a plurality of higher pitch curvilinear segments to provide greater flexibility and a pattern of openings shaped by a plurality of lower pitch, straighter segments to provide less flexibility.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A reclinable chair comprising:
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a base having a front end and a rear end; a support frame mounted to the base such that the base and the support frame cooperatively function as a linkage system capable of providing a recline mechanism, the support frame comprising;
a back frame portion having an upper end, a lower end, and opposing fulcrum attachment sites positioned between the upper and lower ends;
a seat frame portion having a front end and a rear end; and
a curved front frame portion having a front end and a rear end;wherein the rear end of the base is attached to the opposing fulcrum attachment sites of the back frame portion to define a first pivot axis about which the back frame portion pivots; wherein the front end of the base is attached to the front end of the of the curved front frame portion to define a second pivot axis; wherein the lower end of the back frame portion is pivotally connected to the rear end of the seat frame portion by a first pair of opposing hinges to define a third pivot axis; wherein the rear end of the curved front frame portion is pivotally connected to the front end of the seat frame portion by a second pair of opposing hinges to define a fourth pivot axis; and wherein the reclinable chair does not include a mechanical recline resistance device connected to the support frame. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A reclinable chair comprising:
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a) a chair base comprising a base front end and a base rear end; b) an articulating support frame mounted to the chair base such that the chair base and the support frame cooperatively function as a linkage system capable of providing a recline mechanism, the articulating support frame comprising; i) a back frame portion, the back frame portion being pivotally attached to the base rear end at a position between an upper end and a lower end of the back frame portion to define a rear fulcrum about which the back frame portion pivots; ii) a curved front frame portion, the curved front frame portion having a front end pivotally attached to the base front end to define a front fulcrum about which the curved front frame portion pivots; iii) a seat frame portion disposed between and connecting the curved front frame portion to the back frame portion, with a rear end of the seat frame portion being pivotally connected to the lower end of the back frame portion, and with a front end of the seat frame portion being pivotally connected to a rear end of the curved front frame portion; c) a support surface mounted to the articulating support frame; and d) wherein the reclinable chair does not include either a spring or gas cylinder coupled to the back frame portion of the articulating support frame. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A reclinable chair comprising a recline mechanism, the recline mechanism comprising:
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a) an articulating support frame comprising; i) a back frame portion having an upper end and a lower end; ii) a front frame portion having a front end and a rear end; iii) a seat frame portion disposed between and connecting the front frame portion to the back frame portion, the seat frame portion having a rear end pivotally connected to the lower end of the back frame portion by a first pair of opposing hinges, and the seat frame portion having a front end pivotally connected to the rear end of the curved front frame portion by a second pair of opposing hinges; b) a chair base comprising a base front end and a base rear end, wherein the base front end is pivotally connected to the front end of the front frame portion to define a front fulcrum about which the front frame portion pivots, and wherein the base rear end is pivotally connected to the back frame portion at a position between the upper and lower ends of the back frame portion to define a rear fulcrum about which the back frame portion pivots; wherein the recline mechanism does not include a mechanical recline resistance device coupled to the articulating support frame. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification