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EP 3 597 075 A1 |
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EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
(43) |
Date of publication: |
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22.01.2020 Bulletin 2020/04 |
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Date of filing: 25.06.2019 |
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International Patent Classification (IPC):
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Designated Contracting States: |
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AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL
NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
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Designated Extension States: |
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BA ME |
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Designated Validation States: |
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KH MA MD TN |
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Priority: |
16.07.2018 DE 202018104073 U
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Applicant: CIAR S.P.A. |
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61100 Pesaro (IT) |
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Inventor: |
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- CARRERA, Massimo
61010 Tavullia (PU) (IT)
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Representative: Tetzner, Michael et al |
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Tetzner & Partner mbB
Patent- und Rechtsanwälte Van-Gogh-Strasse 3
81479 München Van-Gogh-Strasse 3
81479 München (DE) |
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Remarks: |
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Amended claims in accordance with Rule 137(2) EPC. |
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(54) |
SEATING AND/OR LOUNGING FURNITURE |
(57) A seating and/or lounging furniture comprises essentially the following features:
- a seat frame (7),
- an extendable footrest (4),
- a footrest frame (6), which is displaceable on the seat frame (7), and on the front
end of which the footrest (4) is held movably, pivotable around a pivot axis (13),
- at least one drive (11) for displacement of the footrest frame (6) along a displacement
distance relative to the seat frame (7), and
- at least one operating rod (14) for swinging the footrest (4) in and out, around
the pivot axis (13), wherein the operating rod (14) is connected at one end to the
footrest (4), while the other end of the operating rod (14) is connected to the seat
frame (7) by means of an articulated joint mechanism (16), so that displacement of
the footrest frame (6) over at least 60%, preferably over at least 80%, and extremely
preferably over at least 90% of the displacement distance causes a simultaneous pivoting
movement of the footrest (4) about the pivot axis (13).
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[0001] The invention relates to seating and/or lounging furniture having an extendable footrest.
[0002] German Utility model
DE-U-87 03 625 discloses an armchair having an extendable footrest in which the footrest is connected
to a displaceable frame by means of a scissors mechanism. The actuating device acts
on a hinge point between two connecting rods of the scissors mechanism. This known
armchair allows the heels of a person resting in the armchair to be supported due
to the great cantilever range of the scissors mechanism. However, this known approach
requires a relatively large amount of space in the retracted condition and also requires
safety measures to prevent jamming during movement of the footrest in the extended
condition.
[0003] DE 20 2015 006 245 U discloses a much more compact approach, in which the seating and/or lounging furniture
has essentially an extendable footrest, a frame that is displaceable on the base frame
of the furniture, with a footrest connected to the front end of the frame as well
as an actuating device for extending and retracting the footrest. In addition, it
is provided that the footrest is held, so that it is pivotable about a pivot axis
on the front end of the frame. The extension and retraction of the footrest take place
by means of an operating rod in combination with the displaceable frame, so that the
scissors mechanism can be omitted. However, the extension and/or retraction of the
footrest take place relatively abruptly, only at the end of the travel distance of
the displaceable frame.
[0004] The object of the invention is therefore to further improve upon the extension and
retraction of the footrest, while maintaining strict safety requirements and preventing
any possible risk of injury.
[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1.
[0006] The seating and/or lounging furniture according to the invention has essentially
the following features:
- a seat frame,
- an extendable footrest,
- a footrest frame which is displaceable on the seat frame, on the front end of which
the footrest is held movably, pivotable around a pivot axis,
- a drive for displacement of the footrest frame along a displacement distance relative
to the seat frame, and
- at least one operating rod for swinging the footrest out and in around the pivot axis,
wherein the operating rod is connected to the footrest at one end, while the other
end of the operating rod is connected to the seat frame by means of a hinge mechanism
so that a displacement of the footrest frame over at least 60%, preferably over at
least 80% and most preferably over at least 90% of the displacement distance causes
a simultaneous pivoting movement of the footrest about the pivot axis.
[0007] Due to the connection of the operating rod to the seat frame, the pivoting movement
of the footrest is synchronized with the displacement of the footrest frame over a
significantly greater displacement distance. The footrest is swung out and is thus
swung simultaneously over most of the total displacement distance of the footrest
frame so that swinging the footrest out and in takes place much more slowly in comparison
with
DE 20 2005 006 245 U and is therefore much more pleasant for the user. Avoiding the use of a scissors
mechanism also minimizes the risk of injury.
[0008] Additional advantages and embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of
the dependent claims.
[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, the footrest frame is mounted displaceably
in at least one guide profile. According to a preferred embodiment, the footrest frame
is guided on the seat frame by means of guide rollers. The simultaneous pivoting movement
of the footrest over most of the displacement distance of the footrest frame is ensured
by the hinge mechanism to which the end of the operating rod facing away from the
footrest is connected to the seat frame. This hinge mechanism preferably has a first
hinge lever which is preferably connected to the rear end of the footrest frame in
an articulated connection by means of a central hinge point. According to another
embodiment the first hinge lever has a first outer hinge point for connection to the
operating rod in an articulated connection and has a second outer hinge point for
connection to a second hinge lever. The second hinge lever can in particular be connected
in an articulated connection to the first hinge lever at one end and also to the seat
frame at a second end.
[0010] According to another embodiment of the invention, the operating rod is arranged behind
the footrest frame so that it is concealed at least 80%, preferably at least 90% in
a side view of the sitting and/or lounging furniture with the footrest extended. This
construction results in an aesthetically attractive external appearance that is easy
to implement structurally. Due to the construction of the displaceable footrest frame
however a sufficient stability is ensured even when the footrest is fully extended.
In addition it is possible to provide that the operating rod is arranged behind the
footrest frame so that it is at least 80% concealed, preferably at least 90% in a
side view of the seating and/or lounging furniture with the footrest retracted. Therefore
the seating and/or lounging furniture gives an aesthetically attractive appearance,
whether the footrest is extended or retracted.
[0011] To ensure a sufficiently great supporting surface for the user's feet, the footrest
may also have an extra supporting element connected to it in an articulated connection
in addition to having the main supporting element. The additional supporting element
may then expediently be connected to the operating rod by means of a connecting arm
in an articulated connection to make it possible to extend or retract the main supporting
element and the additional supporting element at the same time.
[0012] Additional embodiments of the invention are described in greater detail below on
the basis of the following description of one exemplary embodiment of the drawings.
[0013] In the drawings:
- Fig. 1
- shows a schematic sectional view of the seating and/or lounging furniture according
to the invention with the footrest extended,
- Fig. 2
- shows a three-dimensional diagram of an actuating mechanism according to a first exemplary
embodiment in the extended position of the footrest,
- Figs. 3a-3c
- show side views of the actuating mechanism (as seen from the inside to the outside)
in three different positions of the footrest,
- Fig. 4
- shows a side view of the position according to Fig. 3c as seen from the outside,
- Fig. 5
- shows a three-dimensional diagram of an actuating mechanism according to a second
exemplary embodiment in which the footrest has, in addition to a main supporting element,
also an additional supporting element connected thereto with an articulated connection,
- Figs. 6a-6c
- show side views of the actuating mechanism according to Fig. 5 in various positions
of the footrest.
[0014] The seating and/or lounging furniture illustrated in Fig. 1 is for example an armchair
or a sofa. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the seating and/or lounging furniture
has a seat 1, a backrest 2, an armrest 3 and a footrest 4, wherein the footrest 4
is shown in the extended state in Fig. 1.
[0015] Fig. 2 shows an actuating mechanism 5 for extending and retracting the footrest 4.
It has a footrest frame 6 consisting of two rods 6a (only one of the two rods is shown
in Fig. 2) and at least one crossbar 6d connecting the two rods 6a. This forms an
essentially H-shaped footrest frame 6, which is mounted displaceably in the area of
its two opposing rods 6a. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated here, each rod 6a
on the seat frame 7 is mounted by means of two guide rolls 8, 9 arranged above the
rod 6a and one guide roll 10 arranged below the rod, so that the footrest frame 6
is guided in a stable manner and is displaceable along the extent of the rods 6a on
the seat frame 7.
[0016] The footrest frame 6 is displaced by means of a drive 11, which is designed as a
linear motor and is connected at one end to a crossbar 12, which is firmly connected
to the seat frame 7, and to the crossbar 6b of the footrest frame 6 at its other end.
Therefore, actuation of the drive 11 results in a parallel displacement of the crossbar
6b relative to the stationary crossbar 12 of the seat frame 7 after the crossbar 6b
has been firmly connected to the rods 6a, so that actuation of the drive results in
displacement of the footrest frame 6 along a displacement distance, which is predetermined
by the guide rollers 8-10. However, a slide bearing or any other suitable type of
bearing could be provided instead of guide rollers 8-10, for example.
[0017] The additional embodiments of the actuating mechanism 5 are described in greater
detail below with reference to Fig. 2 and the various positions of the footrest illustrated
in Figs. 3a to 3c. Fig. 3a shows the retracted position of the footrest; Fig. 3c shows
the extended position and Fig. 3b shows an intermediate position. The maximum displacement
distance of the footrest frame 6 is thus indicated by a comparison of the Figs. 3a
and 3c, each of which illustrates the end positions of the footrest frame 6.
[0018] In this exemplary embodiment, the footrest 4 has a main supporting element 4a which
is held movably at the end of the rod 6a to pivot about a pivot axis 13. The pivoting
movement of the footrest 4 which is synchronized with the displacement of the footrest
frame 6 is implemented with an operating rod 14, which is connected with an articulated
joint to the footrest 4 at one end and/or to the main supporting element 4a at a hinge
point 15 (Fig. 2a). At the other end of the operating rod 14, an articulated joint
mechanism 16 is provided, with which the operating rod 14 is connected to the footrest
frame 6 as well as to the seating frame 7.
[0019] The articulated joint mechanism 16 comprises a first joint lever 16a, which is connected
to the footrest frame 6 at a middle joint position 16b in an articulated connection.
The operating rod 14 is connected to a first outer hinge point 16c of the first joint
lever 16a at its end facing away from the footrest 4. At the other end of the first
joint lever 16a, a second outer hinge point 16d is provided, at which the first joint
lever 16a is connected to a second joint lever 16e in an articulated connection, wherein
the second joint lever 16e is connected to the seat frame 7 in an articulated connection
at a third hinge point 16f.
[0020] The positions of the individual joint levers of the articulated joint mechanism 6
with respect to the footrest 4 can be seen in three different positions of the footrest
4 in Figs. 3a to 3c. Figs. 3a to 3c show a side view of the actuating mechanism 5
from the center of the seating and/or lounging furniture, as seen from the outside.
It can be seen in Fig. 3c in particular that operating rod 4 and rod 6a of the footrest
frame are designed to be parallel and overlapping. When the seating and/or lounging
furniture is seen from the outside (see Fig. 4), the operating rod 14 is covered completely
by the rod 6a of the footrest frame, resulting in a particularly slender construction.
The footrest frame 8 is arranged to be guided by means of the guide rollers 8-10 inside
the seat frame 7, so that injury of the user can be ruled out. Only in the area of
the folding movement of the footrest 4 on the forward end of the operating rod 14
are suitable covers and/or safety measures provided to prevent injury to the user.
[0021] Fig. 5 shows a second exemplary embodiment of the invention which corresponds essentially
to the exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 2. There is only one difference in the
area of the footrest 4, which also discloses, in addition to the main supporting element
4a in the exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 5, an additional supporting element
4b connected thereto in an articulated connection. As can be seen in particular from
Figs. 6a to 6c, the main supporting element 4a and the additional supporting element
4b are connected to each other by an articulated point 4c.
[0022] The operating rod 14 is still connected to the main supporting element 4a via the
hinge point 15 in an articulated connection. However, the operating rod 14 is still
connected to the additional supporting element 4b by means of a connecting arm 4d
in an articulated connection. Displacement of the operating rod 4 relative to the
footrest frame 6 thus causes not only a pivoting movement of the main supporting element
4a about the pivot axis 13, but at the same time also causes the additional supporting
element 4b to be pivoted outward by means of the connecting arm 4d at the same time.
Due to this construction, the footrest 4 may be designed to be somewhat larger and
is also shown in the retracted condition of the footrest, so that the footrest is
also folded away, so that it is much more compact and therefore can be placed beneath
the seat 1 more easily and in a more aesthetically attractive manner.
1. A seating and/or lounging furniture, comprising
- a seat frame (7),
- an extendable footrest (4),
- a footrest frame (6), which is displaceable on the seat frame (7) and on the front
end of which the footrest (4) is held movably, pivotable around a pivot axis (6),
- at least one drive (11) for displacement of the footrest frame (6) along a displacement
distance relative to the seat frame (7), and
- at least one operating rod (14) for swinging the footrest (4) out and in around
the pivot axis (13), wherein the operating rod (14) is connected at one end to the
footrest (4),
characterized in that the other end of the operating rod (14) is connected to the seat frame (7) by means
of a hinge mechanism (16), so that a displacement of the footrest frame (6) over at
least 60%, preferably over at least 80%, and extremely preferably over at least 90%
of the displacement distance causes a simultaneous pivoting movement of the footrest
(4) about the pivot axis (13).
2. The seating and/or lounging furniture according to claim 1, characterized in that the footrest frame (6) is supported displaceably in at least one guide profile.
3. The seating and/or lounging furniture according to claim 1, characterized in that the footrest frame (6) is supported displaceably on the seat frame (7) by means of
guide rollers (8, 9, 10).
4. The seating and/or lounging furniture according to claim 1, characterized in that the articulated joint mechanism comprises a first articulated lever (16a), which
is connected to the rear end of the foot rest frame (6) in an articulated connection.
5. The seating and/or lounging furniture according to claim 4, characterized in that the first articulated lever (16a) has a central hinge point (16b), with which it
is connected to the footrest frame (6) in an articulated connection and has a first
outer hinge point (16c) for an articulated connection to the operating rod (14) and
a second outer hinge point (16d) for connection to a second articulated lever (16e).
6. The seating and/or lounging furniture according to claim 5, characterized in that the second articulated lever (16e) has an articulated connection to the first articulated
lever (16a) at one end and an articulated connection to the seat frame (7) at a second
end.
7. The seating and/or lounging furniture according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the footrest (4) is extended, the operating rod (14) is arranged so that, in
a side view of the seating and/or lounging furniture, the footrest is at least 80%
concealed, preferably at least 90% concealed, behind the footrest frame (6).
8. The seating and/or lounging furniture according to claim 7, characterized in that when the footrest (4) is folded in, the operating rod (14) is arranged, so that it
is at least 80% concealed, preferably at least 90% concealed, behind the footrest
frame (6), as seen in a side view of the seating or lounging furniture.
9. The seating and/or lounging furniture according to claim 1, characterized in that the footrest (4) has a main supporting element (4a) and an additional supporting
element (4b) connected to the former in an articulated connection.
10. The seating and/or lounging furniture according to claim 9, characterized in that the additional supporting element (4b) is also connected to the operating rod (14)
by means of a connecting arm (4c) in an articulated connection.
Amended claims in accordance with Rule 137(2) EPC.
1. A seating and/or lounging furniture, comprising
- a seat frame (7),
- an extendable footrest (4),
- a footrest frame (6), which is displaceable on the seat frame (7) and on the front
end of which the footrest (4) is held movably, pivotable around a pivot axis (6),
- at least one drive (11) for displacement of the footrest frame (6) along a displacement
distance relative to the seat frame (7), and
- at least one operating rod (14) for swinging the footrest (4) out and in around
the pivot axis (13), wherein the operating rod (14) is connected at one end to the
footrest (4),
characterized in that the other end of the operating rod (14) is connected to the seat frame (7) by means
of an articulated joint mechanism (16), so that a displacement of the footrest frame
(6) over at least 60% of the displacement distance causes a simultaneous pivoting
movement of the footrest (4) about the pivot axis (13).
2. The seating and/or lounging furniture according to claim 1, characterized in that the footrest frame (6) is supported displaceably in at least one guide profile.
3. The seating and/or lounging furniture according to claim 1, characterized in that the footrest frame (6) is supported displaceably on the seat frame (7) by means of
guide rollers (8, 9, 10).
4. The seating and/or lounging furniture according to claim 1, characterized in that the articulated joint mechanism (16) comprises a first articulated lever (16a), which
is connected to the rear end of the foot rest frame (6) in an articulated connection.
5. The seating and/or lounging furniture according to claim 4, characterized in that the first articulated lever (16a) has a central hinge point (16b), with which it
is connected to the footrest frame (6) in an articulated connection and has a first
outer hinge point (16c) for an articulated connection to the operating rod (14) and
a second outer hinge point (16d) for connection to a second articulated lever (16e).
6. The seating and/or lounging furniture according to claim 5, characterized in that the second articulated lever (16e) has an articulated connection to the first articulated
lever (16a) at one end and an articulated connection to the seat frame (7) at a second
end.
7. The seating and/or lounging furniture according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the footrest (4) is extended, the operating rod (14) is arranged so that, in
a side view of the seating and/or lounging furniture, the footrest is at least 80%
concealed, behind the footrest frame (6).
8. The seating and/or lounging furniture according to claim 7, characterized in that when the footrest (4) is folded in, the operating rod (14) is arranged, so that it
is at least 80% concealed, behind the footrest frame (6), as seen in a side view of
the seating or lounging furniture.
9. The seating and/or lounging furniture according to claim 1, characterized in that the footrest (4) has a main supporting element (4a) and an additional supporting
element (4b) connected to the former in an articulated connection.
10. The seating and/or lounging furniture according to claim 9, characterized in that the additional supporting element (4b) is also connected to the operating rod (14)
by means of a connecting arm (4c) in an articulated connection.
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only.
It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has
been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and
the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description