MOVEMENT MECHANISM FOR MOVING PARTS OF A RECLINING SOFA OR CHAIR

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a movement mechanism.

[0002] The present invention is advantageously used in the field of furnishings upholstered furniture and it is applicable in recliner chair, or in a sofa with at least one recliner place, for moving mobile parts, in particular the sitting of the cited reclining armchair or sofa, or even footrest, back-rests and the like, to which the following description will make explicit reference without thereby losing generality.

[0003] Generally, in the upholstered furniture industry mechanisms are known for the movement of mobile parts of a chair or a reclining sofa defined by hinged articulated quadrilateral type-like levers to move such movable parts between a reclined closed position and an open position of maximum extension adapted to realize a configuration of the chair or sofa known as "relax" position.

[0004] Currently such articulated mechanisms made of metallic material are very bulky, and are subject to easy wear out.

[0005] In addition, In addition, the hinged lever and articulated wishbones cause security problems related to the danger of shearing and cutting: in order to solve these problems, the upholstery of the chair or sofa should be geared to cover the mechanism and prevent people and pets can be damaged.

[0006] This safety requirement requires construction of upholstered structures aesthetically forced and heavy because they have to cover the mechanism.

[0007] Furthermore, the shapes of such mechanisms are often not satisfactory from the aesthetic point of view, and do not integrate well with the design features of the armchairs or sofas supporting such mechanisms.

[0008] An example of a movement mechanism is disclosed in DE 20 2006 018 505 U1.

[0009] The purpose of the present invention is therefor to provide a movement mechanism which is free from the drawbacks of prior art specified above.

[0010] In particular, the aim of the present invention is to provide an efficient and durable movement mechanism, so as to drastically reduce the possibility of wear out and breakage during functional operation, as well as to users safety problems.

[0011] A further object of the present invention is to provide a movement mechanism that integrates perfectly and optimally with the aesthetic shapes of the armchairs or sofas designs.

[0012] The invention is defined in claim 1. The structural and functional characteristics of the present invention and its advantages will become even more clear and evident from the underlying claims, and in particular from an examination of the description that follows, referring to the attached figures, which show a preferred but not limiting embodiment of the mechanism of in object, in which:

• Figure 1 shows in a schematic perspective view exemplifying a frame structure of a recliner supporting the mechanism in object and in a closed operating position;
• Figure 2 shows a perspective schematic exploded view and on an enlarged scale of a preferred embodiment of the moving mechanism in object;
• Figure 3 shows a perspective schematic exploded view and on an enlarged scale of some components of the mechanism of Figure 1;
• Figure 4 shows a perspective schematic exploded view and on an enlarged scale of some components of the mechanism of Figure 3;
• Figures 5a, 5b and 5c show respective schematic side views of three different operating positions of the mechanism of the present invention and illustrated in Figures 2 to 4.

[0013] With reference to Figure 1, with T is generally indicated a frame structure (trunk) of a mobile recliner upholstered MI, such as a reclining chair or sofa with movable parts, such frame T, also provided with armrests (known and not shown), is adapted to carry mounted a movement mechanism M according to the present invention to move in particular the upholstered sitting SE (also including footrest) of the mobile recliner upholstered MI.

[0014] The mechanism M is of the extensible type-like components with telescopic mode and comprises, preferably but not limited to, two movement groups 1 and 2 coupled to the frame T, in particular a group 1 mounted on an L1 side of the frame T and the other group 2 mounted on an opposite side L2 of the frame T, then with specular shape.

[0015] As shown in Figure 2, each group 1, 2 comprises a pair 3 of profiled elements 4 and 4' adapted to be formed so as to have, each, in correspondence of a inner surface Si, of curvilinear hollow seats 5 and 6.

[0016] The elements 4 and 4' are coupled on the opposite side laterally to actuator member 7 provided with free-rotatable rollers 8 and 9 and so as to protrude both sides of the same actuator member 7, so that suche rollers 8 and 9 go to be inserted inside the respective seats 5 and 6 of each element 4 and 4' for sliding, in use, within the same seats 5.

[0017] As shown more clearly in Figure 3, the actuator member 7 comprises a central body actuator 10 coupled and closed laterally by two profiled elements 11 and 11' supporting externally the rollers 8 and 9 and defining a pair of elements C1.

[0018] The two elements 11 and 11 'of the pair C1 are shaped so as to have, each, in correspondence with its own inner surface Sii, a curvilinear hollow seat 12.

[0019] As shown more clearly in Figure 4, the actuator body 10 is of the linear type and comprises an shaft screw element 13 connected to an electric drive motor 14 for moving said element 13, in a clockwise rotating direction or, alternatively, in a opposite counterclockwise direction, so as to bring a block 15, provided with a pin 16 which protrudes from both sides of the said block 15 and sliding on said element 13, to slide to and from the electric motor 14 on the central body 10. The central body 10 is closed laterally by a pair C2 of plates 17, 17', each of which plates 17,17' mounted to a free end 18,19 a pivotable arm element 20,21 supporting a pair 22,23 of elements, preferably but not limited to rollers R1 and R2 rollers for supporting an openeable footrest (not shown), while the opposite 24,25 end with respect to end 18,19 each plate 17,17' is provided with a hollow seat 26,27 arranged transversely with respect to the respective plate 17,17 '.

[0020] Each seat 26,27 is adapted to be engaged by a respective portion of the pin 16 projecting from the block 15 to move forward or backward the plates 17, and 17 'of the couple C2.

[0021] As shown in Figures 5a to 5c, in use, the mechanism M so structured, with the upper surfaces of the elements 4,4 'and 11,11' supporting the mentioned sitting SE g of the reclining mobile MI and under the thrust of the electric motor 14 suitably operated by a user of the mobile MI, is adapted to move the sitting SE itself between a closed position PC (Figure 5a), which corresponds to substantially erected user's bust, and an open extended position PE, and then reclined (Figure 5c) known as "relax", passing through a substantially intermediate position PI (Figure 5b) only partially extended.

[0022] In other words, by controlling the drive of the motor 14 which activates the actuator member 7, the progressive movement of the elements 11,11 'of the pair C1 is firstly obtained up to a maximum extension configuration of the same elements 11,11' in said intermediate position PI, then gradually the movement of the plates 17,17 'of the pair C2 up to a configuration of maximum extension of the same elements 17,17' in the aforementioned extended position PE, and vice versa to return the sitting SE in the closed position PC.

[0023] It's to be noted that, in correspondence of the cited extended position PE, the footrest above mentioned can be rotated upwards around the axis of R2 to thereby further increase the extent of the sitting SE of the upholstered furniture MI.

[0024] To the central body 10 is also mechanically connected, through a pin 29 of the same central body 10, a known hinged bar type-like element 28 (Figure 2 and Figures 5a - 5c) adapted to support, in a known manner and not illustrated, a backrest (also known and not illustrated) in such a way that the cited positions PC and PE correspond to a similar movement of the backrest concordant with that one of the sitting SE, i.e. with the element 28 that varies its inclination allowing to the backrest connected to it to recline backwards, simultaneously to the extension of the sitting SE or only later so allowing to get the so-called position "TV" (user's legs up and bust erected to watch a TV screen).

[0025] All the above parts of the mechanism M described above, with the exception of the shaft element 13 made of steel or equivalent, may advantageously be implemented in various types of material, also non-metallic such as plastic, Teflon, various composite materials such as carbon fiber or equivalent, so as to ensure resistance and excellent durability and at the same time giving light weight and reliability.

Claims

1. Movement Mechanism (M) for moving the mobile parts (SE) of a reclining upholstered furniture (MI), comprising first actuator means (1,2) provided with at least one group (1,2) of extensible telescopic components (C1, C2) adapted to support and move at least one said part (SE) of said reclining upholstered furniture (MI) between a closed position (PC) and an extended position (PE) and second actuator means (7,10,13,14) for actuating said telescopic extensible telescopic components (C1,C2); characterized in that said extensible telescopic components (C1, C2) comprise a first pair (C1) of profiled elements (11, 11') adapted to enclose an actuator member (7) of said actuating means (7,10,13,14), and a second pair (C2) of plates (17,17 ') adapted to enclose a central body (10) of said actuator member (7).

2. Mechanism according to claim 1 in combination with said mobile part (SE), characterized in that the said mobile part includes the sitting (SE) of the said reclining upholstered furniture (MI).

3. Mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, in combination with said upholstered furniture, characterized in that the said upholstered furniture (MI) comprises a reclining armchair or sofa.

4. Mechanism according to one or more of previous claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said first actuator means (1,2) comprise two groups (1,2) of said telescopic extensible components (C1, C2), each said group (1,2) being arranged one from the the opposite side of the other (2,1) with respect to said movable part (SE) of said reclining upholstered furniture (MI).

5. Mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that each said group (1,2) comprises at least two sliding elements (C1,C2) sliding one in respect to the other, said second actuator means (7,10,13,14) comprising shaft screw element (13) mechanically connected to said sliding elements (C1, C2) and to electric motor means (14).

6. Mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that the said electric motor means (14) are also connected to an hinged bar type-like element (28) adapted to let to recline and lift a backrest of said upholstered furniture (MI).

7. Mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that each said plate (17,17') of said second pair (C2) of plates (17,17') mounts at its one free end (18,19) a pivotable arm element (20,21), said arm element (20,21) being adapted to rotatably support a footrest made to rotate about an axis to be extended in raised position.

8. Reclining upholstered furniture (MI) comprising a supporting mechanism (M) according to one or more of the previous claims 1 to 7.

Ansprüche

1. Bewegungsmechanismus (M), um die beweglichen Teile (SE) eines Liegepolstermöbels (MI) zu bewegen, bestehend aus einem ersten Antriebsmittel (1,2) ausgestattet mit mindestens einer Art (1,2) von ausziehbaren Teleskopbauteilen (C1, C2), angepasst, um mindestens eines der genannten Teile (SE) des Liegepolstermöbels (MI) zwischen einer geschlossenen Position (CP) und einer ausgezogenen Position (PE) zu stützen und zu bewegen und eines zweiten Antriebsmittels (7,10,13,14), um die genannten ausziehbaren Teleskopbauteile (C1,C2), dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die genannten ausziehbaren Teleskopbauteile (C1, C2) aus einem ersten Paar (C1) von Profilelementen (11, 11') angepasst, um ein Antriebselement (7) der genannten Antriebsmittel (7,10,13,14) einzuschließen, und eines zweiten Paares (C2) von Platten (17,17 '), angepasst, um die zentrale Einheit (10) des genannten Antriebselements (7) einzuschließen, bestehen.

2. Mechanismus nach Anspruch 1, zusammen mit dem genannten beweglichen Teil (SE), dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der genannte bewegliche Teil den Sitz (SE) des genannten Liegepolstermöbels (MI) beinhaltet.

3. Mechanismus nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, zusammen mit dem genannten Polstermöbel (MI), dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das genannte Polstermöbel (MI) einen verstellbaren Liegesessel oder ein Sofa beinhaltet.

4. Mechanismus nach einem oder mehreren, vorher genannten Ansprüchen 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das genannte erste Antriebsmittel (1,2) aus zwei Arten von den genannten ausziehbaren Teleskopbauteilen (C1, C2) besteht, wobei jede der genannten Art (1,2), auf der jeweils gegenüberliegenden Seite in Bezug auf den genannten beweglichen Teil des Liegepolstermöbels (MI) angebracht ist.

5. Mechanismus nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass jede der genannten Art (1,2) aus mindestens zwei sich gegeneinander verschiebbaren Schiebeelementen (C1, C2) besteht, verschiebbar in Bezug auf das zweite genannte Antriebsmittel (7,10,13,14), bestehend aus einem Schaftschraubenelement (13), das mechanisch mit dem genannten Schiebeelementen (C1, C2) und dem Elektromotorantriebsmittel (14) verbunden ist.

6. Mechanismus nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die genannten Elektromotorantriebsmittel (14) auch mit einem klappschienenartigen Element (28) verbunden sind, angepasst, um die Lehne des genannten Möbelstücks (MI) zu legen und aufzurichten.

7. Mechanismus nach Anspruch 6, gekennzeichnet dadurch, dass am freien Ende (18, 19) jeder der genannten Platten (17,17') des zweiten (C2) Plattenpaares (17,17') ein drehbares Armelement (20,21) angebracht ist, wobei das genannte Armelement (20,21) so angepasst ist, dass es drehbar eine Fußstütze, gefertigt, um ausgefahren in einer erhöhten Position um eine Achse zu rotieren, stützt.

8. Liegepolstermöbel (MI) bestehend aus einem Stützmechanismus (M) nach einem oder mehreren vorherigen Ansprüchen 1 bis 7.

Revendications

1. Mécanisme de déplacement (M) pour déplacer les parties mobiles (SE) d'un meuble rembourré inclinable (MI), comprenant un premier moyen d'actionnement (1,2) pourvu d'au moins un groupe (1,2) de composants télescopiques extensibles (C1, C2) aptes à supporter et déplacer au moins une desdites parties (SE) dudit meuble rembourré inclinable (MI) entre une position fermée (PC) et une position étendue (PE) et des seconds moyens d'actionnement (7,10,13,14) pour actionner lesdits composants télescopiques extensibles (C1, C2) ; caractérisé en ce que lesdits composants télescopiques extensibles (C1, C2) comprennent une première paire (C1) d'éléments profilés (11, 11') aptes à entourer un élément d'actionnement (7) dudit moyen d'actionnement (7,10,13,14) et une seconde paire (C2) de plaques (17, 17') apte à entourer un corps central (10) dudit élément d'actionnement (7).

2. Mécanisme selon la revendication 1, en combinaison avec ladite partie mobile (SE), caractérisé en ce que ladite partie mobile comprend l'assise (SE) dudit meuble rembourré inclinable (MI).

3. Mécanisme selon la revendication 1 ou 2, en combinaison avec ledit meuble rembourré (MI), caractérisé en ce que ledit meuble rembourré (MI) comprend un fauteuil ou un canapé inclinable.

4. Mécanisme selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes de 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce que lesdits premiers moyens d'actionnement (1, 2) comprennent deux groupes (1, 2) desdits composants télescopiques extensibles (C1, C2), chacun desdits groupes (1, 2) étant disposé l'un de l'autre côté de l'autre (2,1) par rapport à ladite partie mobile (SE) dudit meuble rembourré inclinable (MI).

5. Mécanisme selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que chacun desdits groupes (1,2) comprend au moins deux éléments coulissants (C1, C2), coulissant l'un par rapport à l'autre, lesdits seconds moyens d'actionnement (7,10,13,14) comprenant un élément à vis (13) de l'arbre relié mécaniquement auxdits éléments coulissants (C1, C2) et à des moyens à moteur électrique (14).

6. Mécanisme selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens à moteur électrique (14) sont également reliés à un élément de type à barre articulée (28) apte à incliner et soulever un dossier dudit meuble rembourré (MI).

7. Mécanisme selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que chacune desdites plaques (17,17') de ladite seconde paire (C2) de plaques (17,17') porte à son extrémité libre (18,19) un élément de bras pivotant (20, 21), ledit élément de bras (20, 21) étant apte pour supporter de manière rotative un repose-pied conçu pour tourner autour d'un axe devant être étendu en position relevée.

8. Meuble rembourré inclinable (MI) comprenant un mécanisme de support (M) selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes de 1 à 7.

Drawing