Chair

Abstract

Chair characterized by a frame unit (10) comprising the following: a seat frame (14), a leg rest (15) which is pivotably attached to the seat frame (14), and a support adjustment mechanism (110) which is connected between the leg support (15) and the seat frame (14); wherein the support adjustment mechanism (110) is movable between an unlocked state in which the leg support (15) can pivot relative to the seat frame (14) and a locked state in which the leg support (15) cannot pivot relative to the seat frame (14), characterized in that the frame unit (10) further comprises: two front legs (11) which are pivotably connected to the seat frame (14) near the leg support (15); two rear legs (12) which are provided at the rear of the front legs (11) and connected to the seat frame (14); and a lower frame (17) connected to the front and rear legs (11, 12) and having a front bar (171) located near the front legs (11), wherein the support adjustment mechanism (110) is located between the front bar (171) and the leg support (15).

Description

[0001] The disclosure relates to a chair, in particular to a chair with an adjustable leg rest.

[0002] People with limited physical mobility may need to use assistive devices such as walking frames, canes, and wheelchairs to move or be moved. A conventional wheelchair supports an assisted person in a sitting position and includes a seat and a legrest attached to the seat for the assisted person to rest their legs on. However, the legrest of a conventional wheelchair is not movable relative to the seat to adjust an angle between the seat and the legrest. Therefore, a conventional wheelchair cannot achieve support for a variety of positions in which the assisted person's legs are bent at different angles.

[0003] A size-adjustable wheelchair is known from patent DE 600 17 277 T2.

[0004] The object of the disclosure is therefore to provide a chair that can mitigate the disadvantage of the prior art. A solution according to the invention is provided according to claim 1.

[0005] According to the disclosure, a chair includes a frame unit having a seat frame, a legrest pivotally mounted to the seat frame, and a support adjustment mechanism connected between the legrest and the seat frame.

[0006] The support adjustment mechanism can be moved between an unlocked state in which the leg support can be pivoted relative to the seat frame and a locked state in which the leg support cannot be pivoted relative to the seat frame.

[0007] Further features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a chair according to the disclosure; Fig. Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the embodiment showing a leg support at one of a plurality of predetermined positions; Fig. 3 a view similar to Fig. 2, but with the legrest shown in another of the predetermined positions; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the embodiment; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary cutaway view of the embodiment; Fig. 6 a fragmentary enlarged view of Fig. 5a; Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view of a seat adjusting mechanism of the embodiment in an engaged state; Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view of the seat adjustment mechanism in a disengaged state; Fig. 9 is a partially exploded, fragmentary view of the seat adjustment mechanism; Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of the embodiment; Fig. 11 is a cutaway view of a support rod, a top frame, and a top adjustment mechanism of the embodiment; and Fig. 12 is a fragmentary enlarged view of the embodiment.

[0008] With reference to Fig. 1, one embodiment of a chair 1 according to the disclosure comprises a frame unit 10 and a wheel unit 19. In this embodiment, the chair 1 is exemplified as a wheelchair. In other embodiments, the chair 1 may be embodied in the form of other chairs, such as a stroller, vehicle seat, or high chair, and the wheel unit 19 may be omitted. The frame unit 10 comprises two front legs 11, two rear legs 12, a backrest 13, a seat frame 14, a legrest 15 pivotally attached to the seat frame 14, and a support adjustment mechanism 110 connected between the legrest 15 and the seat frame 14. The support adjustment mechanism 110 is displaceable between an unlocked state in which the legrest 15 can be pivoted relative to the seat frame 14, and a locked state in which the legrest 15 cannot be pivoted relative to the seat frame 14.

[0009] In this embodiment, the frame unit 10 further includes a seat adjustment mechanism 120, a convertible top frame 16 attached to the backrest 13, and a convertible top adjustment mechanism 130 mounted on the backrest 13. The convertible top adjustment mechanism 130 is displaceable between an unattached state in which a height of the convertible top frame 16 can be adjusted relative to the backrest 13, and an attached state in which the convertible top frame 16 is fixed to the backrest 13.

[0010] With reference to Fig. 1, the legrest 15 includes two support rods 151, a horizontal rod 152 connecting the support rods 151, and a pair of footrests 153, each connected to one of the two ends of the support rods 151. The front legs 11 are pivotally connected to the seat frame 14 near the legrest 15. The rear legs 12 are provided at the rear of the front legs 11 and are connected to the seat frame 14. The frame unit 10 further includes a lower frame 17 connected to the front and rear legs 21, 22. The lower frame 17 is substantially rectangular and includes a front rod 171 near the front legs 21, a rear rod 172 near the rear legs 22, and two side rods 173 connecting the front and rear rods 171, 172. The support adjustment mechanism 110 is mounted between the front bar 171 and the horizontal bar 152 of the leg support 15.

[0011] With reference to Fig. 4, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the support adjustment mechanism 110 includes an operating member 111, a locking member 112, a positioning rod 113, a biasing member 114, and a support housing 115. More specifically, the support housing 115 is attached to a central portion of the front rod 171 of the lower frame 17 and surrounds the positioning rod 113. The operating member 111 is connected to the locking member 112 and pivotally connected to the support housing 115. The biasing member 114 is connected between the operating member 111 and the support housing 115. In this embodiment, the operating member 111 and the locking member 112 are integrally molded, with the locking member 112 being formed at one end of the operating member 111. The positioning rod 113 has a plurality of engagement openings 1131 and is movable together with the horizontal rod 152 of the leg support 15 and pivotally connected thereto.More specifically, one end of the positioning rod 113 is pivotally connected to a joint portion 116 fixedly attached to the horizontal rod 152. When the support adjustment mechanism 110 is in the locked state, the locking member 112 engages one of the engagement holes 1131, so that the positioning rod 113 cannot move relative to the locking member 112. When the support adjustment mechanism 110 is in the locked state, the operating member 111 can be actuated against a resilient force of the biasing member 114 to disengage the locking member 112 from one of the engagement openings 1131, so that the support adjustment mechanism 110 is placed in the unlocked state to permit movement of the positioning rod 113 relative to the locking member 112 and thereby permit pivotal movement of the leg support 15 relative to the seat frame 14. Therefore, as shown in FIG. Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, an inclination angle of the leg support 15 relative to the seat frame 14 can be adjusted. In this embodiment, the leg support 15 can be secured at a plurality of predetermined angles, each corresponding to the positioning openings 1131. In certain embodiments, the number of positioning openings 1131, and thus the number of predetermined angles, can be between 3 and 5.

[0012] With reference to Fig. 5, the seat frame 14 comprises inner and outer tubes 141, 142 which are telescopically coupled to one another, and the seat adjustment mechanism 120 is attached to the inner and outer tubes 141, 142 and is displaceable between an engaged state in which movement between the inner and outer tubes 141, 142 is not possible, and a disengaged state in which movement between the inner and outer tubes 141, 142 is possible. With further reference to Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9 and Fig. 12, the seat adjustment mechanism 120 includes an engaging member 1420 provided on the outer tube 142, a push button 121 attached to the inner tube 141, a drive block 122, a locking set 123, and a connecting rod 124 connecting the push button 121 to the drive block 122. The locking set 123 is connected to the inner tube 141 and engages the engaging member 1420. The drive block 122 is connected to the locking set 123 and can be actuated to release the locking set 123 from the engaging member 1420 to place the seat adjustment mechanism 120 in the disengaged state.

[0013] Specifically, the locking set 123 includes a fixed member 1231 attached to the inner tube 141, a locking block 1232 sandwiched between the drive block 122 and the fixed member 1231, and a locking pin 1233. The fixed member 1231 is formed with a vertical groove 1231a, the locking block 1232 is formed with a through hole 1232a, and the drive block 122 is formed with a guide groove 122a that is oblique to the vertical groove 1231a. The locking pin 1233 extends successively through the guide groove 122a of the drive block 122, the through hole 1232a of the locking block 1232 and the vertical groove 1231a of the fixed element 1231. Because the locking pin 1233 is movably held in both the guide groove 122a and the vertical groove 1231a, it is movable relative to the fixed element 1231 and drive block 122.The locking block 1232 is connected to the locking pin 1233 so as to move together with it. The engaging member 1420 has a plurality of locking holes 1421 formed in the outer tube 142, and the locking block 1232 engages one of the locking holes 1421 of the outer tube 142 when the seat adjustment mechanism 120 is in the engaged state. When the seat adjusting mechanism 120 is in the engaged state, the drive block 122 is movable relative to the fixed member 1231 to move the locking pin 1233 under the guidance of the guide groove 122a and the vertical groove 1231a, thereby driving the locking block 1232 to disengage from one of the locking holes 1421 and placing the seat adjusting mechanism 120 in the disengaged state.

[0014] Specifically, the push button 121 can be actuated to move the drive block 122 away from the locking set 123 via the connecting rod 124. Guided by the guide groove 122a and the vertical groove 1231a, the locking pin 1233 then moves away from the locking holes 1421, driving the locking block 1232 to retract between the drive block 122 and the fixed member 1231 and disengage from one of the locking holes 1421 to place the seat adjustment mechanism 120 in the disengaged state.Once the inner and outer tubes 141, 142 are adjusted to a desired configuration, the push button 121 can be released so that the drive set 122 can move back towards the fixed member 1231, thereby driving the locking block 1232 to protrude between the fixed member 1231 and the drive block 122, thereby engaging one of the locking openings 1421 and locking the outer tube 142 relative to the inner tube 141.

[0015] With reference to Fig. 10 and Fig.11, the backrest 13 includes a support rod 13a, and the top frame 16 is attached to the backrest 13 via the top adjusting mechanism 130. In this embodiment, two top adjusting mechanisms 130 are provided, but only one adjusting mechanism 130 will be explained below to keep this disclosure brief. The top adjusting mechanism 130 includes a surrounding base 131 surrounding and slidable along the support rod 13a, an operating member 132 attached to the surrounding base 131, a resilient member 133 provided between the surrounding base 131 and the operating member 132, and a plurality of positioning holes 13b formed on the support rod 13a of the backrest 13.When the convertible top adjusting mechanism 130 is in the fastened state, the actuating element 132 engages one of the positioning openings 13b and is operable against a resilient force of the resilient element 133 to disengage from the one of the positioning openings 13b, so that the convertible top adjusting mechanism 130 is placed in the unfastened state, thereby allowing movement of the convertible top frame 16 relative to the support rod 13a.

[0016] In the above description, for the sake of explanation, numerous specific details have been set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiment. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that one or more other embodiments may be practiced without some of these specific details. It should also be understood that reference throughout this description to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," an embodiment with an atomic number, etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic may be incorporated into the practice of the disclosure.It should also be understood that in the description, various features are sometimes grouped into a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof in order to streamline the disclosure and facilitate understanding of various aspects of the invention, and that one or more features or specific details from one embodiment may, when appropriate, be implemented together with one or more features or specific details from another embodiment in practicing the disclosure.

Claims

[1] Chair, characterized by a frame unit (10) comprising: a seat frame (14), a legrest (15) pivotally mounted on the seat frame (14), and a support adjustment mechanism (110) connected between the leg support (15) and the seat frame (14); wherein the support adjustment mechanism (110) is displaceable between an unlocked state in which the leg support (15) can be pivoted relative to the seat frame (14) and a locked state in which the leg support (15) cannot be pivoted relative to the seat frame (14), characterized by that the frame unit (10) further comprises: two front legs (11) pivotally connected to the seat frame (14) near the leg support (15); two rear legs (12) provided at the back of the front legs (11) and connected to the seat frame (14); and a lower frame (17) connected to the front and rear legs (11, 12) and having a front bar (171) located near the front legs (11), wherein the support adjustment mechanism (110) is mounted between the front bar (171) and the leg support (15). [2] Chair according to claim 1, furthermore characterized by , that: the support adjustment mechanism (110) comprises an operating element (111), a locking element (112) and a positioning rod (113) which has a plurality of engagement openings (1131) and is movably connected to the leg support (15); when the support adjustment mechanism (110) is in the locked state, the locking element (112) engages one of the engagement openings (1131) so that the positioning rod (113) cannot move relative to the locking element (112); and when the support adjustment mechanism (110) is in the locked state, the operating element (111) can be operated to release the locking element (112) from one of the engagement openings (1131) so that the support adjustment mechanism (110) is placed in the unlocked state to allow movement of the positioning rod (113) relative to the locking element (112) and thereby enable pivotal movement of the leg support (15) relative to the seat frame (14). [3] Chair according to claim 2, furthermore characterized by that the operating element (111) and the locking element (112) are formed in one piece. [4] Chair according to claim 2 or 3, furthermore characterized byin that the support adjustment mechanism (110) further comprises a support housing (115) which is attached to the front bar (171) of the lower frame (17) and surrounds the positioning bar (113), wherein the operating element (111) is pivotally connected to the support housing (115). [5] Chair according to claim 4, furthermore characterized by , that: the support adjustment mechanism (110) further comprises a biasing element (114) connected between the operating element (111) and the support housing (115); and when the support adjustment mechanism (110) is in the locked state, the operating element (111) can be actuated against a resilient force of the biasing element (114) to release the locking element (112) from one of the engagement openings (1131), so that the support adjustment mechanism (110) is placed in the unlocked state. [6] Chair according to one of the preceding claims, furthermore characterized by in that the seat frame (14) comprises an inner and outer tube (141, 142) which are telescopically coupled to one another, and a seat adjustment mechanism (120) which is attached to the inner tube (141) and outer tube (142) and which can be displaced between an engaged state in which movement between the inner and outer tubes (141, 142) is not possible, and a disengaged state in which movement between the inner and outer tubes (141, 142) is possible. [7] Chair according to claim 6, furthermore characterized bythat the seat adjustment mechanism (120) comprises an engagement element (1420) provided on the outer tube (142), a locking set (123) which is connected to the inner tube (141) and engages the engagement element (1420), and a drive block (122) which is connected to the locking set (123) and can be actuated to release the locking set (123) from the engagement element (1420) in order to put the seat adjustment mechanism (120) into the disengaged state. [8] Chair according to claim 7, furthermore characterized by , that: the drive block (122) is formed with a guide groove (122a); the engagement element (1420) has a plurality of locking openings (1421) formed in the outer tube (142); the locking set (123) includes a fixed element (1231) mounted on the inner tube (141), a locking block (1232) sandwiched between the drive block (122) and the fixed element (1231) and engages one of the locking openings (1421) of the outer tube (142) when the seat adjustment mechanism (120) is in the engaged state, and a locking pin (1233) extending successively through the guide groove (122a) of the drive block (122), the locking block (1232) and the fixed element (1231), the locking pin (1233) being movable relative to the drive block (122) and the fixed element (1231), wherein the locking block (1232) is movably connected to the locking pin (1233); and when the seat adjusting mechanism (120) is in the engaged state, the drive block (122) is movable relative to the fixed member (1231) to move the locking pin (1233) under the guidance of the guide groove (122a), thereby driving the locking block (1232) to disengage from the one of the locking holes (1421) and placing the seat adjusting mechanism (120) in the disengaged state. [9] Chair according to one of the preceding claims, furthermore characterized byin that the frame unit (10) further comprises a backrest (13), a top frame (16) attached to the backrest (13), and a top adjusting mechanism (130) attached to the backrest (13), wherein the top adjusting mechanism (130) is displaceable between an unfastened state in which a height of the top frame (16) relative to the backrest (13) can be adjusted, and a fastened state in which the top frame (16) is fixed to the backrest (13). [10] Chair according to claim 9, furthermore characterized by , that: the backrest (13) comprises a support bar (13a); the convertible top adjustment mechanism (130) comprises a surrounding base (131) surrounding the support rod (13a) and slidable along the support rod (13a), an operating member (132) attached to the surrounding base (131), and a plurality of positioning holes (13b) formed on the support rod (13a) of the backrest (13); when the convertible top adjustment mechanism (130) is in the fastened state, the actuating element (132) engages in one of the positioning openings (13b); when the convertible top adjusting mechanism (130) is in the fastened state, the actuating element (132) can be actuated so that it releases from one of the positioning openings (13b) in order to place the convertible top adjusting mechanism (130) in the unfastened state, thereby enabling movement of the convertible top frame (16) relative to the support rod (13a). [11] Chair according to claim 10, furthermore characterized by , that: the convertible top adjustment mechanism (130) further comprises a resilient element (133) provided between the enclosure base (131) and the actuating element (132); and when the convertible top adjusting mechanism (130) is in the fastened state, the actuating element (132) can be actuated against a resilient force of the resilient element (133) so that it is released from one of the positioning openings (13b) in order to place the convertible top adjusting mechanism (130) in the unfastened state.

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