PIECE OF SEATING FURNITURE

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a piece of seating furniture (1) comprising a seat portion (2), a backrest (3) which is movable between a sitting position and a reclining position, and a legrest (4) which can be placed in a folded-in position and a folded-out position, wherein the piece of seating furniture (1) comprises an adjustment mechanism (5) which is configured to bring the legrest (4) from the folded-in position to the folded-out position and vice versa, wherein the piece of seating furniture (1) comprises a seat and legrest unit (6) which is surrounded by a covering material and of which a first part forms the legrest (4), this being movable in relation to a second part of said seat and legrest unit (6), which second part forms the seat portion (2), wherein the piece of seating furniture (1) furthermore comprises a coupling member (7) which is fastened to the outer side of said unit (6), which coupling member (7) is configured to connect said seat and legrest unit (6) to the adjustment mechanism (5) in a decouplable manner.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a piece of seating furniture comprising a seat portion, a backrest which is movable between a sitting position and a reclining position, and a legrest which can be placed in a folded-in position and a folded-out position, wherein the piece of seating furniture comprises an adjustment mechanism which is configured to bring the legrest from the folded-in position to the folded-out position, and vice versa.

[0002] The present patent application relates in particular to a relaxation armchair. The scope of the present invention also encompasses armchairs or chairs intended for use in a consumer environment or in the care sector (retirement homes, hospitals and the like) or for use in connection with a medical or paramedical profession or for installation in a means of transport (for example buses, trains, aircraft and the like).

[0003] In the present patent application, the expression piece of seating furniture is used in the broadest sense to mean any device on which a person can sit and/or lie. Thus, inter alia, chairs, benches and beds also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0004] Relaxation armchairs are generally known. On a large scale, there are two systems, synchronous and asynchronous systems. In asynchronous systems, the folding-out of the legrest will take place independently of the movement of the backrest to the reclining position. In the relaxation armchairs with a synchronous system, there is a direct mechanical connection between the backrest and the legrest in order for the folding-out of the legrest to be realized as a consequence of the movement of the backrest to the reclining position. The relaxation armchair according to the present invention is suitable for both synchronous systems and asynchronous systems.

[0005] Irrespective of the system that is opted for, each relaxation armchair comprises an adjustment mechanism which is configured to move the legrest between its folded-in position and its folded-out position. The adjustment mechanism is situated mainly below the seat portion. This has the disadvantage that a tool is always needed if it is desired to remove the seat portion and/or the legrest for some reason, like for example: in order to clean them or to replace them by a type which is viscoelastic-foam-based, or because of wear or damage.

[0006] American patent application US 5 087 094 A describes a piece of seating furniture with a covering layer which is fastened to the seat and extends continuously and is fastened to a footrest frame which is movable to a retracted position below the front end of the chair, wherein the covering extends around and vertically below the front end of the chair. The footrest frame may include one or two ottoman boards which are mounted on a footrest linkage, whereby an ottoman board will pull the covering layer taut. In one embodiment, a pair of locking links are mounted on the footrest linkage and connected to one another for releasably holding the footrest linkage in the retracted position. In another embodiment, where two ottoman boards are used, two pairs of conventional four-bar linkages may be accommodated in the footrest-linkage mechanism without sacrificing the desired contours of the covering.

[0007] The object of the present invention is then also to overcome the disadvantages indicated above by providing a piece of seating furniture from which the seat portion and legrest can be removed in a simple and user-friendly manner.

[0008] This object is achieved by providing a piece of seating furniture comprising a seat portion, a backrest which is movable between a sitting position and a reclining position, and a legrest which can be placed in a folded-in position and a folded-out position, wherein the piece of seating furniture comprises an adjustment mechanism which is configured to bring the legrest from the folded-in position to the folded-out position and vice versa, the piece of seating furniture comprises a seat and legrest unit which is surrounded by a covering material and of which a first part forms the legrest, this being movable in relation to a second part of said seat and legrest unit, which second part forms the seat portion, wherein the piece of seating furniture furthermore comprises a coupling member which is fastened to the outer side of said unit, which coupling member is configured to connect said seat and legrest unit to the adjustment mechanism in a decouplable manner. The fact that the seat and legrest unit is decouplable means that it can be easily removed in order, for example, to be cleaned. The decoupling preferably occurs by way of sliding, in particular by the seat and legrest unit being slid off the adjustment mechanism. In an alternative embodiment, the decoupling may also occur by means of a clip connection or click-fit connection. No tool is required for the decoupling. An additional advantage is that the seat portion and the legrest can be upholstered (provided with covering material) all the way round.

[0009] The coupling member is preferably fastened against the covering material at the position of the second part.

[0010] The covering material forms the casing of the seat and legrest unit. Leather, imitation leather and fabric are typical covering materials. Preference is given to a material which is easy to clean. The interior space is filled with a fill material. The fill material is preferably a foamed material, more particularly a viscoelastic foam, which offers the advantage that it will prevent bedsores. The fill material will form a one-part structure, which structure comprises said first part, which forms the legrest, and said second part, which forms the seat portion. The fill material is selected such that the legrest is movable in relation to the seat portion such that the legrest can extend when the legrest will be brought from the folded-in position to the folded-out position.

[0011] The seat portion is preferably movable between a horizontal (sitting) position and an inclined position. In the sitting position, the seat portion is in its horizontal position and, in the reclining position, it is in an inclined position. In one particular embodiment of the piece of seating furniture according to the invention, the adjustment mechanism is configured to transmit the movements of the seat portion to the legrest such that, whenever the seat portion is brought to an inclined position, the legrest is brought from the folded-in position to the folded-out position. In a more particular embodiment of the piece of seating furniture according to the invention, the adjustment mechanism is configured to transmit the movements of the backrest to the legrest such that, whenever the backrest is brought to the reclining position, the legrest is brought from the folded-in position to the folded-out position.

[0012] The movement of the backrest between sitting position and reclining position preferably occurs by way of rotation. Preferably, the piece of seating furniture according to the invention comprises a transmission mechanism for bringing the backrest from the sitting position to the reclining position, and vice versa. Said transmission mechanism may be mechanically connected to the adjustment mechanism in order to thus form a synchronous system such that, whenever the backrest is brought from the sitting position to the reclining position, the seat portion is brought into an inclined position and the legrest is brought from the folded-in position to the folded-out position. The transmission mechanism may also be an independent mechanism (asynchronous system) which is not connected to the adjustment mechanism and is provided only for moving the backrest between the sitting position and the reclining position. Such a transmission mechanism is then preferably designed as a spring, preferably a gas spring, or a motor. The legrest can then also be moved between folded-out position and folded-in position independently by means of a spring, preferably a gas spring.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the piece of the seating furniture according to the present invention, the adjustment mechanism comprises a seat frame and a fastening structure which is pivotably connected to the seat frame and to which the coupling member is fastenable in a slidable manner. The fastening structure is in this case pivotable about a hinge axis. Said hinge axis extends below the seat and legrest unit. Said fastening structure preferably comprises at least one fastening bar, and the coupling member comprises a housing with at least one receiving channel suitable for at least partially receiving said fastening bar. More particularly, said fastening structure comprises three fastening bars which extend parallel to one another, and the housing of the coupling member comprises three receiving channels suitable for at least partially receiving said fastening bars. The fastening bars are preferably made of metal. This offers the advantage that they are sufficiently strong to adequately support the seat and legrest unit. Preferably, the fastening bars are of tubular form.

[0014] In a more preferred embodiment of the piece of seating furniture according to the invention, said coupling member comprises a resilient element which, in the folded-out position of the legrest, exerts a force on the covering material. This offers the advantage that the legrest portion of said unit can be extended. The legrest portion will be extended by way of the force exerted by the resilient element. The resilient element is preferably a spiral spring. Other types of suitable resilient elements may also be considered, however. The resilient element is placed in such a way that it continuously exerts a force on the end of the casing at the position of the legrest. In this way, the encasing covering material remains nicely taut at all times and wrinkle formation in the covering material is avoided. Moreover, the legs are given extra support in the folded-out position of the legrest.

[0015] The piece of seating furniture according to the present invention is preferably a relaxation armchair or an armchair or chair for use as garden furniture, generally in a domestic environment, or for use in the care sector or for use in connection with a medical or paramedical profession or for installation in a means of transport for persons.

[0016] In order to further illustrate the properties of the present invention and to indicate additional advantages and particular features thereof, a more detailed description of the piece of seating furniture according to the invention is now given below. It will be clear that nothing in the following description may be interpreted as a limitation of the protection for the present invention as laid down in the claims.

[0017] In this description, reference numerals are used to refer to the attached drawing, in which:

• Figure 1: is a schematic illustration of the seat and legrest unit, which is provided on the fastening structure, connected to the seat frame, via a coupling member, wherein the legrest is in its folded-in state;
• Figure 2: is a schematic illustration of the seat and legrest unit, which is provided on the fastening structure, connected to the seat frame, via a coupling member, wherein the legrest is in its folded-out state;
• Figure 3: is a plan view of the legrest with coupling member, which is provided on the fastening structure of the adjustment mechanism;
• Figure 4: is a side view of the seat and legrest unit, wherein the coupling member is provided on the covering material at the position of the rear side of the legrest;
• Figure 5 is a perspective illustration of a piece of seating furniture according to the invention with the backrest in the sitting position and the adjustment mechanism thus positioned in front of the seat portion in a horizontal position and the legrest in a folded-in position;
• Figure 6 is a perspective illustration of a piece of seating furniture according to the invention with the backrest in the reclining position and the adjustment mechanism thus positioned in front of the seat portion in an inclined position and the legrest in a folded-out position.

[0018] The present invention provides a piece of seating furniture (1), in particular a piece of furniture (1) which is intended for use in a B2C setting or in the care sector (retirement homes, hospitals and the like), of which the seat portion and the legrest can be easily decoupled from the rest of the piece of seating furniture in order, for example, to replace or clean these.

[0019] The piece of seating furniture (1) according to the present invention, and as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, comprises a seat portion (2), a backrest (3) which is movable between a sitting position (see Figure 5) and a reclining position (see Figure 6), and a legrest (4) which can be placed in a folded-in position and a folded-out position.

[0020] A special feature of the piece of seating furniture (1) according to the invention is that the seat portion (2) and the legrest (4) form part of a so-called seat and legrest unit (6). Such a seat and legrest unit (6) is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 and comprises covering material which forms a casing. The covering material is preferably a material that is durable and easy to maintain. It is often the case that the same covering material as the material with which the backrest is covered is opted for. The interior space of the casing formed is filled with a fill material (12). The fill material (12) is preferably a foamed material, more particularly a viscoelastic foam, which offers the advantage that it will prevent bedsores. The fill material will form a one-part structure. Said structure comprises a first part, which forms the legrest (4), and a second part, which forms the seat portion (2). The fill material is selected such that the legrest (4) is movable in relation to the seat portion (2) such that the legrest can be brought from the folded-in position (illustrated in Figure 1) to the folded-out position (illustrated in Figure 2).

[0021] In order to move the first part, namely the legrest, in relation to the second part, namely the seat portion (2), the piece of seating furniture comprises an adjustment mechanism (5). The adjustment mechanism (5) comprises a seat frame (8) and a fastening structure (9), or fastening frame, which is pivotably connected to the seat frame (8). The fastening structure is pivotable about a hinge axis which extends below the seat and legrest unit. As can be seen from Figure 3, said fastening structure (9) comprises three fastening bars (10), preferably in the form of tubes, which extend parallel to one another and at the same height and over which the above-described seat and legrest unit (6) can be pushed.

[0022] For simple and quick removal of the seat and legrest unit (6), this is connected in a decouplable manner to the fastening structure (9). The connection is realized with the aid of a coupling member (7) that, as can be seen from Figure 4, is fastened against the covering material at the position of the legrest, on the rear side of the latter. The coupling member (7) comprises a housing, preferably composed of plastic and having three receiving channels suitable for at least partially receiving above-described fastening bars (10) of the fastening structure (9). In this case, the two outer tubes serve primarily for supporting said seat and legrest unit (6), while the middle tube will ensure that said seat and legrest unit (6) is subjected to stress by means of a resilient element (11), preferably a spiral spring.

[0023] Once the seat and legrest unit (6) has been connected to the fastening structure (9) by the coupling member (7) being pushed over the respective fastening bars (10), the seat portion thereof is click-fitted by means of hook-shaped fastening elements (13) (see Figure 4). Once the seat and legrest unit (6) is fastened to the adjustment mechanism, whenever the adjustment mechanism is activated, the fastening structure (9) will pivot in relation to the seat frame (8). In this way, the legrest (4) will be brought from a folded-in position to a folded-out position by moving, preferably by rotating, in relation to the seat portion (2). During this movement, the resilient element will press onto a zone of covering material, which zone is situated at the end of the legrest (4). As a result of the force exerted by the resilient element (11), the legrest will extend. The maximum extension will in this case be determined by the position of the hinge axis in relation to the legrest and the volume of the encasing covering material.

[0024] In addition to the above-described adjustment mechanism (5), the piece of seating furniture comprises, in a preferred embodiment, a transmission mechanism for bringing the backrest from the sitting position to the reclining position, and vice versa. Said transmission mechanism may be mechanically connected to the adjustment mechanism (5) in order to thus form a synchronous system such that, whenever the backrest is brought from the sitting position to the reclining position, the seat frame is brought into an inclined position and the fastening structure (9) pivots in relation to the seat frame (8) such that the legrest is brought from the folded-in position to the folded-out position by moving, preferably by rotating, in relation to the seat portion (2). The transmission mechanism may also be an independent mechanism (asynchronous system) which is not connected to the adjustment mechanism and is provided only for moving the backrest between the sitting position and the reclining position. Such a transmission mechanism is then preferably designed as a spring, preferably a gas spring, or a motor. A second independent part of the mechanism inclines the legrest by means of a motor or a spring, preferably a gas spring.

[0025] With the piece of seating furniture according to the invention, the mechanism for coupling the seat portion and the legrest to the adjustment mechanism is situated completely outside the upholstery (covering material) of the seat and legrest unit, which makes it easily removable (decouplable). This has various advantages:

• the seat portion and legrest unit (as well as the piece of seating furniture itself) can be easily cleaned when this is decoupled;
• the piece of seating furniture can be provided in a simple manner with a different type of seat and legrest, for example a seat and legrest which is viscoelastic-foam-based or has an anatomical leg reducer for optimum comfort according to the user;
• in the case of wear and damage, the seat and legrest unit can be easily replaced by a new one, it being possible in this way for the lifetime of the piece of seating furniture to be extended;
• the seat and legrest unit is removable (decouplable) without the use of a tool;
• the seat and legrest unit can be completely encased with covering material, which is beneficial with regard to hygiene;
• the resilient element ensures tension between the fastening structure and the seat and legrest unit, as a result of which the covering material is kept taut at all times.

Claims

1. Piece of seating furniture (1) comprising a seat portion (2), a backrest (3) which is movable between a sitting position and a reclining position, and a legrest (4) which can be placed in a folded-in position and a folded-out position, wherein the piece of seating furniture (1) comprises an adjustment mechanism (5) which is configured to bring the legrest (4) from the folded-in position to the folded-out position and vice versa, the piece of seating furniture (1) comprises a seat and legrest unit (6) which is surrounded by a covering material and of which a first part forms the legrest (4), this being movable in relation to a second part of said seat and legrest unit (6), which second part forms the seat portion (2), and wherein the piece of seating furniture (1) furthermore comprises a coupling member (7) which is fastened to the outer side of said unit (6), characterized in that the coupling member (7) is configured to connect said seat and legrest unit (6) to the adjustment mechanism (5) in a decouplable manner.

2. Piece of seating furniture (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that said coupling member (7) is fastened against the covering material at the position of the second part.

3. Piece of seating furniture (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the adjustment mechanism (5) comprises a seat frame (8) and a fastening structure (9) which is pivotably connected to the seat frame (8) and to which the coupling member (7) is fastenable in a slidable manner.

4. Piece of seating furniture (1) according to Claim 3, characterized in that said fastening structure (9) comprises at least one fastening bar (10), and in that the coupling member (7) comprises a housing with at least one receiving channel suitable for at least partially receiving said fastening bar (10).

5. Piece of seating furniture (1) according to Claim 4, characterized in that said fastening structure (9) comprises three fastening bars (10) which extend parallel to one another, and in that the housing of the coupling member (7) comprises three receiving channels suitable for at least partially receiving said fastening bars (10).

6. Piece of seating furniture (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said coupling member (7) comprises a resilient element (11) which, in the folded-out position of the legrest (4), exerts a force on the covering material.

7. Piece of seating furniture (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seat and legrest unit (6) comprises a viscoelastic material.

8. Piece of seating furniture (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said piece of seating furniture (1) is a relaxation armchair or an armchair or chair for use as garden furniture or for use in a domestic environment or in the care sector or for use in connection with a medical or paramedical profession or for installation in a means of transport for persons.

Drawing