SEATING FURNITURE

Description

SCOPE OF APPLICATION AND STATE OF THE ART

[0001] The invention relates to a piece of seating furniture, in particular an upholstered piece of seating furniture in the form of an armchair or sofa according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Seating furniture of this type is characterized by the fact that it has a leg rest which can be placed in front of the seat for use, thus enabling a particularly comfortable sitting position with legs raised.

[0003] In seating furniture of this type, the leg rest is designed to be movable between a storage position and a usable position. In the usable position, the leg rest is extended and ready for use. In the storage position, the leg rest is relocated and, in particular, positioned under the seat segment.

[0004] For the leg rest to be moved into the stowed position, the piece of furniture must provide a sufficiently large storage space beneath the seat. This makes it difficult to design flat and therefore elegant seating, as this reduces the available storage space. Furthermore, it presents a challenge to design the leg rest and its drive mechanism in such a way that little or nothing of the leg rest and drive mechanism is visible when stowed and from a normal viewing angle.

[0005] Document DE 19700617 A1 describes an armchair with a retractable leg rest consisting of two support parts. In the non-use position, the two support parts are located beneath the seat. They lie almost parallel to each other, at an angle of approximately 60° to the horizontal, and are positioned close together.

[0006] Document EP 2084992 A2 describes a piece of seating furniture in which a main segment with a seat, a leg segment, and an end segment are connected. In the stowed state, the leg segment and the end segment are located below the main segment and are tilted, with the leg segment oriented approximately vertically. TASK AND SOLUTION

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide a piece of seating furniture which offers an advantage over the prior art in terms of durability, manufacturing effort and / or flexibility in usability for flat seating furniture.

[0008] According to the invention, a piece of seating furniture is proposed which is designed in the manner described below.

[0009] The piece of seating furniture has a seat segment with a seat surface on which the user sits. Typically, the piece of seating furniture also has a backrest segment located behind it. When the piece of seating furniture is designed as an armchair or sofa, the seat segment and the backrest segment are usually upholstered.

[0010] Additionally, a seating element according to the invention has a leg rest which, in a usable position, is arranged in front of the seat segment and whose upper surfaces, facing upwards, form a common, approximately flat or slightly curved support surface with the seat of the seat segment. When not in use, the leg rest can be moved into a storage position in which it is arranged below the seat segment, thus enabling upright sitting on the seat segment.

[0011] The leg support is moved between the operating position and the storage position by means of a drive mechanism, which is preferably part of a fitting.

[0012] For the purposes of the invention and this description, the terms "in front" or "front" denote a horizontal direction pointing from the seat segment towards the leg rest in its usable position. "Behind" and "back" point in the opposite direction, i.e., towards the backrest. "Above," "above," and "above," as well as "below," "below," and "below," are to be understood in relation to a typical usable position of the seating furniture with the seat facing upwards.

[0013] In a piece of seating furniture according to the invention, the leg rest comprises at least two and preferably exactly two leg rest segments which can be moved relative to the seat surface segment and relative to each other in order to be able to be moved from the storage position to the operating position.

[0014] The preferably two leg support segments are hereinafter referred to as the thigh segment and lower leg segment, without these terms being to be understood as restrictive. In a user position, the thigh segment is positioned in front of the seat segment and the lower leg segment in front of the thigh segment. The at least two leg support segments preferably have approximately the same length in the longitudinal direction of the furniture in the user position, for example, a length of approximately 20 cm to 30 cm each. Approximately the same length of the leg support segments means that the length of the shorter of the two leg support segments in the longitudinal direction of the furniture is at least 70% of the length of the longer of the two leg support segments. Such a design allows for a particularly long leg rest overall and meets high aesthetic standards.

[0015] In the stowed position, the two leg support segments are arranged below the seat segment. According to the invention, the leg support segments in the stowed position assume a position and orientation that enables a very compact stowed configuration. This is achieved by arranging the leg support segments below the seat segment in such a way that the underside opposite the respective upper surface of the leg support segments points upwards towards the seat segment. Thus, in the stowed position, the leg support segments are in an inverted position, allowing them to be moved particularly close to the seat segment.

[0016] This is particularly valuable for seating furniture that has individual furniture feet at the corners of the piece and where the area below the seat segment is visible during normal operation, as this means that the leg rest segments are not visible or only partially visible from the outside when the furniture is stored.

[0017] The downward-facing upper surfaces of the leg support segments do not need to be completely horizontal in the storage position. A compact storage position as defined by the invention is already achieved if the upper surface of the thigh segment, and optionally also of the lower leg segment, forms an angle of less than 15° with a horizontal plane, such as the floor on which the furniture stands. In the storage position, the upper surfaces of the lower leg segment and the thigh segment are preferably aligned parallel or form an angle of less than 30° with each other, preferably less than 10°.

[0018] Preferably, the leg support segments are arranged one behind the other in the stowed position, with the thigh segment positioned in front of the lower leg segment.

[0019] In a piece of seating furniture according to the invention, the thigh segment and the lower leg segment are preferably aligned in the same relative arrangement to each other in the storage position and in the operating position, namely aligned to each other.

[0020] However, the drive mechanism is designed to convert the movement of a preferably motor-driven drive element into a movement sequence of the leg rest in order to transfer the piece of seating furniture from the storage position to the operating position, in which the leg rest segments are first angled against each other during the movement into the operating position or an angle already existing in the storage position is increased, before the leg rest segments are then brought back into the aligned arrangement of the operating position.

[0021] This temporary angling of the thigh and lower leg segments serves the purpose of temporarily reducing the overall extension of the combined thigh and lower leg segments, enabling them to be moved from their stowed position to their usable position, even when the space between the floor and the underside of the seat segment is limited. This also allows for relatively flat designs of seating furniture. In a preferred design of a piece of seating furniture, the distance between the underside of the seat segment and the floor on which the seating furniture stands is less than 35 cm, preferably less than 30 cm. The leg support segments therefore achieve a combined vertical extension of less than 35 cm, at least temporarily.

[0022] The seat segment preferably has a surrounding frame, for example, a wooden frame. The drive mechanism and, in particular, an electric motor are preferably attached to this frame. Specifically, a transverse tube extending across the furniture can be attached to the frame, to which, in turn, base supports for the drive mechanism are attached, preferably welded. Alternatively, the base supports can also be attached directly to the frame, particularly to a wooden component of the frame. Preferably, the frame has two transverse wooden supports to which the base supports are attached.

[0023] The drive mechanism is preferably formed by a furniture fitting attached to the seat segment, in particular by means of the aforementioned cross tube. The furniture fitting is preferably designed such that it has a base support for attachment to a seat segment of the furniture. A thigh segment support and a lower leg segment support are movably provided to support and for the direct or indirect attachment of an upholstery element of the thigh segment and the lower leg segment, respectively.

[0024] The seating furniture fitting features the aforementioned drive mechanism, to which a drive element is provided, primarily for coupling an electric motor. This electric motor can be an integral part of the seating furniture fitting. However, in another variant, the drive mechanism can also be designed for manual operation. In this case, a handle is preferably provided in the area of ​​an armrest, which acts on the drive mechanism, particularly by means of a pivoting motion, and moves it between the stowed and operating positions.

[0025] The seating furniture fitting is designed to reposition the two segment supports, namely the thigh segment support and the lower leg segment support, in the manner described above with regard to the seating furniture. The thigh segment support and one lower leg segment support can thus be moved together by the drive mechanism from a stowed position, in which they are located below the seat segment or the base support and preferably aligned with each other, to an operating position, in which they are located in front of the seat segment or the base support. Corresponding to the leg support segments, the segment supports of the fitting are also designed to move the segment supports from the essentially aligned stowed position to the angled arrangement and then to the aligned arrangement of the operating position.

[0026] In preferred embodiments, which are explained below, the drive mechanism and the seat furniture base comprise a plurality of mechanical components such as supports, levers, and tabs, which are described below and which are pivotally connected to one another, at least predominantly, via pivot axes extending horizontally in the transverse direction of the furniture. Preferably, these various mechanical components are each provided in duplicate, namely on the left and right sides of the seat surface. References to the components in the singular in connection with the description of the invention therefore always also include embodiments with several identical components that always move together about the same pivot axes.

[0027] The movably mounted components on both sides, such as supports, levers, and tabs, can each form part of the drive mechanism. The two drive mechanism components are preferably spaced apart by a distance less than the width of the seat segment and the leg support segments. Preferably, the distance between the drive mechanism components on both sides is less than 80% of the width of these segments, and more preferably less than 60%. The drive mechanism components on both sides are preferably mounted centrally on the leg support segments with respect to a transverse direction of the furniture, so that the two drive mechanism components are each set back the same distance inwards from the sides of the leg support segments.

[0028] On its underside, the seat segment preferably has at least one downward-facing recess, this recess serving to accommodate at least part of the electric motor and / or part of the drive mechanism in the stowed position. Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the leg support segments, in particular the thigh segment, has a downward-facing recess in the operating position, which is open upwards in the stowed position due to the described orientation of the leg support segments. In the stowed position, preferably at least part of the electric motor and / or at least part of the drive mechanism is arranged in the recess of the at least one leg support segment.

[0029] The seat segment has a front end, which, in the usable position, points towards the leg support segments, preferably with a forward-facing and preferably upholstered or at least fabric-covered end surface. In the stowed position, the thigh segment is preferably arranged such that its end surface, which is rearward in the usable position, points forward in the stowed position and is located below the aforementioned end surface of the seat segment, with the vertical distance between the end surfaces preferably not exceeding 2 cm. Preferably, the end surface of the thigh segment is set back from the end surface of the seat segment by between 1 cm and 5 cm in a horizontal direction in the stowed position. Together, the aforementioned end surfaces of the seat segment and the thigh segment create an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

[0030] The seating unit as a whole is designed to be placed on a solid floor. It therefore preferably has at least one leg at the base. A single leg is typically used in designs where the seat itself is rotatable. For a stationary, non-rotating seating unit, four or more legs are preferably provided.

[0031] The seat segment can be fixed to at least one furniture leg. However, a design in which the seat segment as a whole is slightly tiltable is preferred, preferably by an angle of at least 4° and at most 14°. In particular, the leg rest, consisting of at least two leg rest segments, is preferably tiltable together with the seat segment, especially by attaching the seat fitting, including the drive mechanism, to the seat segment.This results in a piece of furniture which, in addition to the storage position, can have two operating positions, wherein in the first operating position only the leg support segments have reached their operating position relative to the seat segment, while the seat segment itself is not tilted, and wherein in the second operating position the seat segment with the leg support and preferably also with the backrest segment as a whole is tilted relative to the at least one furniture leg.

[0032] The drive mechanism is designed such that, driven by the drive element, it pivots both the thigh segment and the lower leg segment, or, for this purpose, the two associated segment supports, via intermediate elements. The previously described temporary angling of the leg support segments and the resulting compact size of the two leg support segments are preferably achieved by designing these intermediate elements such that initially, the thigh segment pivots primarily, while in this first phase, the lower leg segment pivots only to a lesser extent or, preferably, even in the opposite direction relative to the seat segment.

[0033] Preferably, the drive mechanism is designed to create an intermediate position in which the lower leg segment and the thigh segment are angled relative to each other such that their upper surfaces form an angle of at least 90°. However, in the case of flat seating furniture, this is insufficient to move the lower leg segment from the storage position to the operating position without it touching the floor. Therefore, an even greater angle is preferred, in which the upper surfaces form an angle of at least 100°, and preferably at least 110°, relative to each other.

[0034] In principle, it is possible to construct the fitting and the piece of seating furniture in which the thigh segment and the lower leg segment are not directly connected to each other, but are held separately from each other via partial elements of the drive mechanism.

[0035] However, it is considered advantageous if the seat segment, the thigh segment and the lower leg segment are connected to each other in a chain-like manner so that they can pivot.

[0036] In particular, the segments can be connected to each other via pivot axes, each of which is fixed to both connected segments. In the simplest case, two pivot axes fixed to the thigh segment are provided, by means of which the thigh segment is pivotally connected to the seat segment on one side and to the lower leg segment on the other.

[0037] It is also possible, however, for at least one intermediate element to be provided between the seat segment on the one hand and the thigh segment on the other, or between the thigh segment on the one hand and the lower leg segment on the other, in the form of a tab or, preferably, a double tab. This also allows the desired pivoting mobility of the connected segments to be achieved. However, the direct connection mentioned above is preferred due to its simpler construction.

[0038] The thigh segment and the lower leg segment each preferably have a segment support that is part of the fitting. These segment supports are preferably joined together in a chain-like manner as described above and attached to the base support of the seat segment. The upper surfaces of the leg support segment, on which the legs rest and which are preferably formed by upholstery elements, are preferably fixed to the respective segment supports.

[0039] However, a design may also be provided, particularly with regard to the thigh segment, in which the upper surface and the segment support, in particular the upper surface or the padding element of the thigh segment and the associated thigh segment support, are movable relative to each other.

[0040] This mobility allows the upper surface, and in particular the upholstered element of the thigh segment, to be horizontally separated from the seat segment when the thigh segment is moved from its stowed position to its usable position. This prevents any part of the user's body from being trapped between the seat segment and the thigh segment during the transition. This mobility can be achieved in various ways, for example, by a translational guide between the upper surface and the thigh segment support. However, a design is preferred in which the upper surface, and in particular the upholstered element forming the upper surface, is connected to the thigh segment support via two transfer tabs.Each of these displacement tabs is pivotably attached to the thigh segment support about a pivot axis and to the padding element or another component forming the upper surface of the thigh segment, in particular to a wooden frame of the padding element. The distance between the pivot axes is preferably substantially identical, so that the movement of the padding element relative to the segment support takes the form of a parallel displacement. The distance between the pivot axes on the two displacement tabs is preferably less than 40 mm, in particular less than 30 mm.

[0041] Preferably, the movement of the upper side of the thigh segment, in particular the cushioning element, relative to the thigh segment support is coupled with the displacement of the thigh segment relative to the seat segment. The coupling is preferably such that the distance between the thigh segment and the seat segment is increased when the thigh segment is moved into its usable position.

[0042] A preferred design for achieving this provides a control tab for controlling the displacement of the upholstery element relative to the thigh segment support. This control tab is preferably pivotally connected to the seat segment about one pivot axis and pivotally connected to one of the displacement tabs about another pivot axis. The pivot axis of the control tab on the displacement tab is preferably located opposite the pivot axis by which the displacement tab is pivotally attached to the upholstery element.

[0043] Additionally, it is preferably provided that the pivot axis by which the control tab is pivotably attached to the seat segment is arranged behind the pivot axis by which the thigh segment is attached to the seat segment and, in particular, to the base support therein. This configuration results in the aforementioned control tab exerting a tensile force on the displacement tab when the thigh segment is moved into the usable position, thus controlling the relative movement of the upholstery element to the segment support. Due to the described opposing arrangement of the pivot axes at the displacement tab, this tensile force pushes the upholstery element forward and away from the seat segment, thereby preventing the described clamping effect.

[0044] The aforementioned drive mechanism serves the purpose of converting the movement of a drive element into the movement of the two leg support segments. The drive element is preferably itself driven by an electric motor, but can also be driven in another way, for example manually or by the weight of a person sitting on the seat segment. The electric motor is preferably part of the fitting, so that the entire fitting, including the electric motor, can be handled as a whole before assembly and, in particular, before being attached to the seat segment and the leg support segments.

[0045] The electric motor is preferably an electric motor with a linearly displaceable motor rod. This can act directly on the drive element of the drive transmission. However, in order to position the motor far forward and preferably in an underside recess of the seat surface segment and / or the thigh segment, it can be advantageous to have the drive rod act on the drive transmission via an intermediate bracket. To move the motor from its stowed position to its operating position, it is retracted forward and, if necessary, causes a forward thrust movement via the intermediate bracket, which acts on the drive element of the drive transmission.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment, the drive mechanism comprises a displacement structure made up of several, and in particular four, mutually movable sub-elements. The elements of this displacement structure are a base support, which is preferably fixed to the seat segment, and a counter-support that is displaceable relative to the base support. Control tabs are preferably pivotably attached to the counter-support, either directly or indirectly, and are pivotally connected to the leg support segments or their segment supports. These counter-supports will be explained in more detail below.

[0047] The counter-beam is movable along a non-linear path relative to the base beam. It is particularly preferred that the counter-beam can be displaced along a circular path relative to the base beam. The counter-beam is preferably located below the base beam and connected to it via a double-link system consisting of two drive links. Each of the two drive links is pivotally mounted about a first pivot axis on the base beam and about a second pivot axis on the counter-beam. The distance between the pivot axes is preferably identical or nearly identical with respect to both drive links and with respect to the base beam and the counter-beam, meaning that the distances differ from each other by a maximum of 10%, so that the displacement of the counter-beam relative to the base beam takes the form of a circular parallel displacement.The length of the drive lugs, i.e. the distance between the respective axes of rotation on the one hand at the base support and on the other hand at the counter support, is preferably between 5 cm and 20 cm, in particular preferably between 8 cm and 15 cm.

[0048] Driven by the drive element, the drive lugs pivot during the transition of the seat from its stowed position to its operating position. The angle swept relative to the base support is preferably between 80° and 140°, and particularly preferably between 90° and 120°. Specifically, the drive lugs are moved beyond a purely vertical orientation during the transition from the stowed position to the operating position. The base support, the counter-support, and the drive lugs are thus dimensioned and connected in such a way that the secondary pivot axes on the counter-support, and consequently the counter-support as a whole, are first lowered and then raised again when the leg rest is moved from its stowed state to its operating state. This facilitates the at least partial placement of the drive mechanism directly beneath the seat segment in the stowed position, thus concealing it effectively.On the other hand, it is advantageous that in the usable position the leg support segments can be brought up to the height of the seat segment, especially if the leg support segments are thinner than the seat segment.

[0049] While the thigh segment is pivoted by almost 180°, but at least 150°, relative to the seat segment during the transition from the stowed position to the operating position, the transfer structure or the counter-support provided for its drive is pivoted by a maximum of 140°, and preferably significantly less than 140°, along the aforementioned circular path by means of drive lugs. This small pivot angle is advantageous because it allows a linear motor (electric motor) to act on the transfer structure far from its dead center positions. Preferably, a motor rod moved by the motor, or the intermediate lug provided for transmitting the motor force, is pivotably mounted on one or both transfer lugs to transmit the motor force to the transfer structure.

[0050] The aforementioned elements of the transfer structure, namely the base support, the counter support, and the two drive tabs for ensuring guided movement of the counter support relative to the base support in a preferably parallel alignment, are preferably part of the unified seating furniture fitting. The same applies to the control tabs described below, by means of which the transfer structure acts on the segment supports of the leg support segments.

[0051] A first control tab is preferably attached to the displacement structure and, in particular, to the aforementioned counter-support. This first control tab extends to one of the leg support segments and is pivotably mounted there. This type of attachment of the control tab ensures that the control axis of the first control tab moves with the counter-support on the displacement structure side and, in particular, describes the aforementioned circular path. This allows the leg support segment driven by this mechanism to be displaced by a comparatively large angle of at least 150° relative to its stationary position, without the angles approaching a mechanically problematic dead center position.The relocation of the counter-beam ensures that the control axis of the first control tab on the counter-beam, intended for force transmission, is always appropriately positioned to exert the required force on the leg support segment driven thereby and to dissipate the load acting on it, in particular to dissipate it into the seat surface segment.

[0052] Preferably, this is the lower leg segment whose control tab is directly connected to the displacement structure. In the stowed position, the control tab is preferably oriented in a rearwardly sloping position. The control axis, about which the first control tab is pivotably attached to the displacement structure and, in particular, to its counter-support, is thus arranged above (in a vertical direction) and in front (in a horizontal direction) of the counter-control axis about which the lower leg segment support is attached to the first control tab.

[0053] During the movement of the displacement structure into its end position corresponding to the operating position, the first control tab is preferably pivoted by approximately 180° relative to the base support, so that in the operating position of the seating element, the first control tab rises forward. The control axis is then located behind and below the counter-control axis in the operating position.

[0054] In the stowed position, a straight line intersecting the steering axis of the first steering lug and the counter-steering axis on the segment carrier side preferably forms an angle of less than 40° with a horizontal plane. In particular, this angle is preferably between 20° and 30°, ideally between 22° and 26°. The length of the first steering lug, measured based on the distance between the steering axis and the counter-steering axis of the first steering lug, is between 180 mm and 240 mm.

[0055] The control axis, around which the first control tab is pivotably attached to the counter-support or to one of the drive tabs, is, in the stowed position, located behind the end surface with respect to a horizontal direction and preferably above a lower end of the aforementioned end surface of the seat segment with respect to a vertical direction. The structural elements of the drive mechanism for realizing this control axis are thus preferably concealed behind the aforementioned end surface in the stowed position.

[0056] In the operating position, the control axis of the first control tab is positioned at least 10% of the height of the end surface and / or at most 40% of the height of said end surface above the lower end of the end surface, relative to a vertical direction. Furthermore, in the operating state, this control axis is positioned in front of the end surface and preferably below the thigh segment, relative to a horizontal direction, so that it is concealed by the thigh segment.

[0057] For controlling the other leg support segment, a second control tab is preferably provided, which is pivotably attached to the displacement structure or to the first control tab about a control axis and which is pivotably attached to the other leg support segment, preferably the thigh segment, at an opposite end about a counter-control axis.

[0058] Like the first control tab, this second control tab serves the purpose of displacing one of the leg support segments by a total of approximately 180°, in particular by more than 150°, whereby the control axis of the second control tab is displaced during the movement by the intermediate displacement structure, so that, as with the first control axis, the second control tab does not come close to a mechanically critical dead center position during the entire transition.

[0059] The second control lug can also be pivotally mounted directly on the transfer structure around the control axis, for example, also on the counter-support or on one of the drive lugs. However, it is particularly advantageous if the control axis of the second control lug is located on the first control lug. This allows for a favorable gear ratio that results in a strong initial pivoting of the thigh segment from the stowed position, while the pivoting movement of the lower leg segment is significantly less pronounced. This, in turn, enables the angling action by which the lower leg segment can be moved from the stowed position to the working position without touching the ground.

[0060] Preferably, the first and second control tabs enclose an angle between 105° and 125° in the stowed position, the respective orientation of the control tabs being defined by a connecting line between their respective end axes. In the stowed state, the first control tab preferably extends from front and top to rear and further down, while the second control tab extends from rear and top to front and further down.

[0061] Preferably, the first and second control tabs also enclose an angle between 105° and 125° in the operating position. In the stowed state, the first control tab preferably extends from the rear and bottom to the front and further upwards, while the second control tab extends from the front and bottom to the rear and further upwards.

[0062] The relative position of the control tabs to each other in the stowed position and in the operating position is therefore preferably largely identical. In particular, they are preferably pivoted relative to each other by no more than 20° in the operating position compared to their relative position in the stowed position. The second control tab is preferably attached to the elements connected thereby, i.e., in particular the first control tab and the femur segment carrier, such that a straight line intersecting the control axis and the counter-control axis of the second control tab with a straight line intersecting the counter-control axis of the second control tab and the pivot axis of the femur segment is always more than 25°, preferably always more than 30°, during the transition. A considerable distance from the dead center position is thus maintained, which could lead to failure of the mechanical system.

[0063] The second control tab is preferably attached to the elements connected thereby such that, in the stowed position, the control axis of the second control tab is located above the counter-control axis with respect to a vertical direction and behind the counter-control axis with respect to a horizontal direction. In the stowed position, a straight line intersecting the control axis and the counter-control axis preferably forms an angle between 30° and 50° with a horizontal plane. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the straight line intersecting the control axis and the counter-control axis of the second control tab forms an angle with a straight line intersecting the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis of the first drive tab, and thus the direction of extension of the drive tab, which is at least 45°, preferably between 50° and 70°, in the stowed position.This results in a strong movement effect being exerted on the thigh segment as soon as the movement of the displacement structure and thus of the counter-support begins.

[0064] Towards the end of the pivoting movement of the second control tab, i.e., when the seating element reaches its operating position, the second control tab is preferably arranged such that its control axis is located below the counter-control axis with respect to a vertical direction and in front of the counter-control axis with respect to a horizontal direction. Even in the operating position, a straight line intersecting the control axis and counter-control axis of the second control tab forms an angle of preferably between 30° and 50° with a horizontal plane. In its final position, this straight line preferably forms an angle with a straight line intersecting the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis of the first drive tab, and thus the direction of extension of the drive tab. This angle is at most 30°, preferably at most 15°, in the operating position.

[0065] The aforementioned orientation and angles towards the end of the movement, in the direction of the functional position, facilitate minimal movement of the femur segment towards the end of the movement. This is advantageous because it allows for a preferred movement sequence in which the femur and tibia segments move sequentially: At the beginning of the transfer, starting from the static position, primarily the femur segment tilts, while the tibia segment changes its orientation only slightly. Towards the end of the transfer, the femur segment has already reached its functional position, while the tibia segment is still far from its functional position.During the transfer, the thigh segment is quickly brought into a position that allows for a subsequent collision-free relocation of the lower leg segment towards its functional position.

[0066] It is therefore advantageously provided that the second control tab is pivoted sharply during the transfer of the seating element from the storage position to the operating position, preferably by an angle of at least 150°, and particularly preferably by an angle of at least 170°. This results in the extension direction of the second control tab being approximately the same in both the storage and operating positions, but with a different orientation.

[0067] The design of the drive mechanism with the aforementioned four-part displacement structure and the two control lugs offers a way to implement the drive mechanism, disregarding the electric motor itself, exclusively with pivoting parts, thus eliminating the need for sliding guides. This represents a significant advantage in manufacturing, production costs, and operation, as sliding guides are generally more complex and often less durable than pivoting guides. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0068] Further advantages and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the claims and from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, which are explained below with reference to the figures. Figs. 1 and 2The images show two pieces of seating furniture of different types, namely an armchair and a sofa, which are equipped with a leg rest in the manner of the invention. Fig. 3 shows the chair from below. Fig. 4 shows a section of the armchair or sofa in a side view and, together with an exploded view of the furniture fitting, serves to explain the mechanical components. Figs. 6A to 12B illustrate the transfer of the leg rest of the seating furniture from a position of Fig. 6A and 6B up to a first use of the Figs. 11A and 11B as well as a second use of the Fig. 12A and 12B . Figs. 13 and 14 illustrate an alternative design of a thigh segment of the leg support. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXECUTION EXAMPLES

[0069] The figures illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention in the form of various pieces of seating furniture and their fittings.

[0070] Figs. 1 and 2Figure 10 shows the configuration of the seating furniture as an armchair with one leg rest 12 and as a sofa with two leg rests 12. The seating furniture 10 each has upholstered seat segments 40 and preferably also upholstered leg rest segments 50, 60. The thickness of the leg rest segments 50, 60 is not much less than that of the seat segment 40. Preferably, the thickness of the leg rest segments 50, 60 is at least 50% of the thickness of the seat segment 40.

[0071] The leg rests 12 of the seating furniture pieces 10 are movable between a storage position, in which the leg rest segments 50, 60 are located below the seat surface segment 40 and are not in use, and a usage position, in which the leg rest segments 50, 60 are arranged in front of the seat surface segment 40 and can be used.

[0072] As can be seen from the Figs. 1 and 2As can be seen, the leg rests 12 of the seating furniture 10 are composed of the aforementioned two leg rest segments 50, 60, namely a thigh segment 50 and a lower leg segment 60, which, in the usable position, are located in this order in front of the seat surface segment 40. Together they form the leg rest 12 and, as their names suggest, typically provide those surfaces that primarily serve to support the thighs on the one hand and the lower legs on the other. However, the terms thigh segment 50 and lower leg segment 60, as used in connection with the invention, are not to be understood restrictively. Designs in which, for example, the thigh segment 50 is significantly larger than the lower leg segment 60 and also supports part of the lower leg are also included.

[0073] Fig. 3Figure 10 shows the chair 10 from below, including a seating furniture fitting 100, which connects the parts of the seating furniture and enables the movements described below. It is evident here that the leg support segments 50 and 60 are connected to the seat surface segment 40 in a chain-like fashion. This means that the thigh segment 50 is pivotally connected to the seat surface segment 40 and its base supports 140 via thigh segment supports 150 about a pivot axis G, and that the lower leg segment 60 is pivotally connected to the thigh segment 50 and its thigh segment support 150 via a lower leg segment support 160 about a pivot axis H.

[0074] In the present design, defined pivot axes G and H are fixed to the two pivotably coupled segments 40, 50, and 60, or, in the case of the leg support segments 50 and 60, to their respective segment supports 150 and 160 of the seating furniture fitting 100. However, designs are also possible in which the connection is made using an intermediate flange, in particular a double intermediate flange, thus forming a virtual pivot axis that is movable to a limited extent relative to the connected segments. A design is also possible in which the thigh segment 50 and / or the lower leg segment 60 has two sub-elements: the illustrated segment support 150 and 160, and a movable upholstery element. This is illustrated by the Figs. 13 and 14This will be explained in more detail below. In such a case, it is the segment carrier 150 that is pivotally connected to the adjacent segment(s) 40, 60.

[0075] The Fig. 3 It can also be seen that the seat segment 40 has a surrounding frame, preferably made of wood. The seat fitting 100 is attached to this frame via a cross tube 48, which is mounted on the inside of this frame 46. However, the seat fitting 100 can also be attached directly to the frame without the cross tube 48. In the case of the leg support segments 50, 60, a plate is preferably provided in each case, to which the respective segment supports 150, 160 are attached. The frame of the seat segment 40, as well as upholstery extending downwards beyond the plates of the leg support segments 50, 60, form recesses on the underside that serve to accommodate components of the seat fitting 100 and the motor 190.

[0076] The functionality of the seating furniture 10 with regard to the changeable position of the leg rest 12 and in particular the drive mechanism 102 formed by the seating furniture fitting 100 is described by means of the Figs. 4 to 12B clarifies.

[0077] As can be seen from the Figs. 4 and 5 This is evident, in particular, from the exploded view of the Fig. 5 A plurality of elements of the seating furniture fitting 100 are provided twice on a left and a right side below the seat surface segment 40, wherein the movements of the right- and left-side elements are connected to each other via at least one transverse connection, preferably via at least one torsion tube 176, so that they occur identically on the right and left sides. In this description, these elements are generally referred to in the singular, which also includes the identical elements on the other side.

[0078] Based on the Figs. 4 and 5 First, the essential elements of the seating furniture fitting 100 are clarified. The seating furniture fitting 100 is designed for permanent mounting on the seat segment 40. For this purpose, the two previously mentioned base supports 140 are provided, which are permanently attached to the cross tube 48 of the seat segment 40, for example, by welding. The cross tube 48, in turn, is attached to the frame 46 of the seat segment 40, so that the base supports 140 are permanently fixed to the seat segment 40.

[0079] Each of the base supports 140 has a rear drive lug 172 and a front drive lug 174 pivotally mounted about pivot axes A and B. The two drive lugs 172 and 174 are further pivotally mounted to a counter-support 170 about pivot axes C and D. This results in a displacement structure consisting of the four elements 140, 172, 170, and 174, which provides a defined displacement path for the counter-support 170 relative to the base support 140. In this case, pivot axes A and B are equidistant from each other as pivot axes C and D. Furthermore, pivot axes A and C are equidistant from each other as pivot axes B and D. The displacement structure thus defines a circular segment-shaped path along which the counter-beam 170 is displaced parallel to the base beam 140, whereby, due to the parallel displacement, its angle relative to the base beam 140 does not change.

[0080] In the variant of a seating furniture fitting 100 presented here, the aforementioned pivot axis A coincides with the pivot axis G, around which the thigh segment 50 is pivotably attached to the seat segment 40. However, this is not mandatory. Instead, the pivot axes A and G can also be arranged offset from each other.

[0081] The displacement structure consisting of elements 140, 172, 170, 174 is provided between an electric motor 190 and further control elements, by means of which the displacement structure acts on the leg support segments 50, 60 or their segment carrier 150, 160.

[0082] The electric motor 190 is attached to the seating furniture fitting 100 and has a linearly extendable motor rod 192 to the rear, which is pivotally attached to an intermediate bracket 194. This intermediate bracket, in turn, is pivotally attached to the drive brackets 172 and 174. The drive brackets 172 and 174 have extension arms 172A and 174A for this purpose, but due to the asymmetrical arrangement of the electric motor 190, these arms are only provided on one side of the fitting. The intermediate bracket 194 is pivotally attached to these extension arms 172A and 174A.

[0083] The extension and retraction of the motor rod 192 of the electric motor 190 acts on the intermediate flange 194 and, via this, indirectly on the displacement structure designed for parallel displacement, consisting of elements 140, 172, 170, 174. This makes it possible to displace the counter-beam by means of the motor over an angle of approximately 100° along a circular path of movement, thereby maintaining the angle at which the elements described below act on the femur segment 50 and the tibia segment 60 within an optimal range.

[0084] The connection between the displacement structure consisting of elements 140, 172, 170, 174 on the one hand and the femoral segment carrier 150 and the tibia segment carrier 160 on the other hand is made via a first control tab 162 and a second control tab 152.

[0085] The first control lug 162 for controlling and supporting the lower leg segment 60 is pivotably attached to the counter-beam 170 about a control axis E. In the stowed position, the control axis E is not located between the pivot axes C and D of the counter-beam 170, but rather further up. In this example, this is achieved by a cranked design of the counter-beam 170. The first control lug 162 is pivotably attached to the lower leg segment support 160 at its opposite end about a counter-control axis J.

[0086] In the jammed position, which is shown in the exploded view of the Fig. 5 As shown, the first control tab 162 extends obliquely backwards and downwards from the counter-support 170 and the control axis E located there to the counter-control axis J. A connecting line between the control axis E and the counter-control axis J forms an angle of approximately 20° to 25° with a horizontal plane.

[0087] The second control tab 152 for controlling and supporting the thigh segment 50 is pivotably attached to the first control tab 162 about a control axis F. This second control tab 152 and its movement sequence are of particular importance in the context of the invention and the specific embodiment of the seating furniture fitting 100 presented here.

[0088] Based on the Figs. 6A to 12BThe process of extending the leg rest 12 from its stowed position to its operating position is illustrated. Figures A show the seating furniture fitting 100. Figures B show the seating furniture in a side view, whereby the elements of the seating furniture fitting 100 shown here have been made visible by partially removing upholstery parts. Where reference is subsequently made to a clockwise or counterclockwise direction of rotation, this refers to the perspective of the furniture from a right-hand side, as seen from the Fig. 4 and 6B to 12B results.

[0089] The Figs. 6A to 11B illustrate a main phase in which the leg support 12 reaches its first usable position. The subsequent phase of the transition to the state of Fig. 12A and 12BThis represents an additional phase during which the seat segment 40, together with the leg support segments 50 and 60, is slightly tilted, thus achieving a second usable position. Insofar as reference is made to angles relative to a horizontal plane or the floor in connection with the invention, these are to be understood in relation to the orientation of the seat segment in the main phase.

[0090] During the transfer from the storage position of Figs. 5A and 5B to the operating position of the Figs. 11A and 11B and further into the utilization of the Fig. 12A and 12B The user's legs can rest on the leg rest 12. The mechanism described below is robust enough to lift the legs together with the leg rest 12.

[0091] In the congestion position of the Fig. 6A and 6BThe leg support segments 50 and 60 are arranged below the seat segment. They are aligned with each other and are in an upside-down position, i.e., with their upper side facing downwards.

[0092] This position is ensured by the drive gear 102, whereby the electric motor 190 is in its fully extended position with respect to the motor rod 192. This also places the intermediate bracket 194 in its fully rearward position, holding the parallelogram assembly 140, 172, 174, 170, and in particular the counter-beam 170, in a rear end position. Due to this rear end position, the drive brackets 172, 174, and with them the counter-beam 170, are simultaneously in a relatively high upward position. The pivot axes C, D, about which the counter-beam 170 is pivotably connected to the drive brackets, are raised to such an extent that they are located in a recess 45 of the seat surface segment and / or in a recess 55 of the thigh segment 50, thereby enabling the illustrated position in which the leg support segments 50, 60 are almost in contact with the seat surface segment. As can be seen in particular from the Fig. 6B As can be seen, all mechanical components of the seating furniture fitting 100 and the drive mechanism 102 that could detract from the aesthetic appearance of the piece of furniture are concealed in the stowed position between the leg support segments 50, 60 (which are in a rotated position) and the seat segment 40, as well as in the aforementioned recesses 45, 55. Even the leg support segments 50, 60 as a whole are barely visible from the outside in the stowed position. Only a rear end surface 51 of the thigh segment is visible from the front, located below a front end surface 44 of the seat segment 40; however, in the stowed position, the presence of a leg support is not apparent.

[0093] To move the seating unit 10 into its operating position, the motor rod 192 is retracted by means of the electric motor 190. This initially causes the counter-support 170, as part of the displacement structure 140, 172, 174, 170, to be moved forward and, at least initially, lowered. The seating unit 10 and its seating unit fitting 100 thereby pass through the states of Fig. 7A, 7B , 8A, 8B , and 9A, 9B The lowest position is reached by the counter-beam 170 shortly after passing the intermediate position of the Figs. 9A and 9B .

[0094] During this movement of the counter-beam 170 from the dammed position of the Fig. 6A and 6B up to the position of Figs. 9A and 9B the Fig. 7B , 8B and 9BRemovable displacement of the leg support segments 50, 60. This movement begins with the leg support segments 50, 60, which are initially aligned with each other, being angled relative to each other, as can be seen from the Figs. 7A and 7B This angulation results from the fact that the thigh segment 50 is rotated quite strongly counterclockwise from the beginning, while the lower leg segment 60 is initially rotated only slightly, or, as in Fig. 7B It is evident that it is even slightly rotated clockwise and thus in the opposite direction to thigh segment 50.

[0095] This movement is caused by the linkage and initial alignment of the control tabs 152, 162. In the stowed position, the control tab 162 has an orientation that corresponds approximately to the direction in which the counter-beam 170 moves from the stowed position of the Fig. 6A, 6BThe control tab 162 and its counter-control axis J are initially displaced. This results in a strong pivoting movement of the thigh segment 50. The control tab 162 and its counter-control axis J, on the other hand, are initially displaced forward relative to the pivot axis H, so that the described clockwise pivoting is the consequence.

[0096] This angling of the leg support segments 50, 60 is essential to allow the lower leg segment 60 to extend forward without collision.

[0097] The continued retraction of the motor rod 192 brings the leg support segments 50, 60 into the intermediate position of the Figs. 8A and 8BIn this position, the femur segment 50 has already passed its lowest point and begun to move upwards again. This also raises the pivot axis H, around which the tibia segment 60 is pivotally connected to the femur segment 50. Raising the femur segment 50 therefore facilitates collision-free movement of the tibia segment 60 towards its functional position.

[0098] The second control tab 152 is in the state of Fig. 8A, 8B compared to the initial orientation of the Fig. 6A and 6Balready pivoted by approximately 70°. The force transmission to the thigh segment 50 therefore occurs in this phase in a direction that forms an angle of approximately 40° to 45° with a straight line intersecting the pivot axes G, I. This angle is still sufficient for robust force transmission to the leg support segment 50 and is still sufficiently far from a dead center position. The angle of the lower leg segment 60 to the thigh segment 50 is, in this phase of the transition from Figs. 7A and 7B to Figs. 8A and 8B It has become even sharper.

[0099] The continuation of the movement leads to the continuation of the displacement of the counter-beam 170 and thus further into the intermediate state of Figs. 9A and 9B The thigh segment 50 has now almost reached its final position relative to the seat segment 40. The control tab 152 is now in the opposite position to its initial position. Fig. 6A and 6B rotated approximately 90° counterclockwise.

[0100] The second control tab 152 is therefore now located approximately parallel to the two drive tabs 172, 174, which at this point are pivoted approximately 60° counterclockwise from their initial position. Because the thigh segment 50 is in the position of Figs. 9A and 9B Since the lower leg segment 60 has almost reached its final position, there is sufficient space to shift the lower leg segment 60 relative to the thigh segment 50, so that it is brought into a position in front of the thigh segment 50.

[0101] This movement occurs particularly during the transition from the state of Figs. 9A and 9B to the state of Fig. 10A and 10B instead. Due to the previously achieved alignment of the control tabs 152, 162, the continued displacement of the counter-beam 170 as part of the displacement structure consisting of elements 140, 172, 170, 174 leads to a strong displacement of the lower leg segment.

[0102] This is facilitated by the fact that the control tab 152 is now aligned approximately parallel to the drive tabs 172, 174, and therefore the displacement of the control tab 152 over the control tab 162 only causes a slight movement of the thigh segment 50, while the control tab 162, due to its almost horizontal orientation and almost horizontal forward displacement in this phase, exerts a strong movement effect on the lower leg segment 60.

[0103] The further displacement structure consisting of elements 140, 172, 170, 174 therefore causes a continued strong displacement of the lower leg segment 60 until it reaches its position of Fig. 11A , while the thigh segment 50 is only raised to a small extent relative to the seat segment 40 due to the orientation of the control tab 152 and is just about to reach the state of Figs. 11A and 11B It is even slightly lowered.

[0104] The condition of the Figs. 11A and 11BThis represents a first usable position. The seat surface segment 40 and the leg support segments 50, 60 are now in an aligned position, i.e., in a position in which the upper surfaces 52, 62 of the leg support segments are connected to the seat surface 42 in such a way that the surfaces 42, 52, 62 describe a common, approximately flat or slightly curved overall surface.

[0105] In this operating position, the user's legs rest on the leg support 12. The elements of the seating furniture fitting 100 allow for a high load without the risk of any of the elements being forced into an unintended over-center position by the weight of the legs.

[0106] From the first usable state of the Figs. 11A and 11B The piece of furniture can also be converted into a second use state, which is in Fig. 12A and 12Bis shown. In this second usage state, the aforementioned segments 40, 50, 60, as well as the backrest segment 30, are in relation to the Figs. 11A and 11B unchanged relative position, but as a whole slightly counterclockwise pivoted, so that the seat surface 42 is slightly lower than the leg support segments 50, 60.

[0107] In the described embodiment of the Figs. 3 to 12B The upholstery elements of the seat segment 40 and the leg support segments 50, 60 are each firmly attached to their respective fitting elements 140, 150 and 160. However, with regard to the leg support segments, it may also be advantageous to allow for movement between the respective segment supports 150, 160, via which the weight is transferred to the seat segment 40, and the respective upholstery elements.

[0108] Fig. 12 and 13 such a design is shown, whereby Fig. 12 the position of use and Fig. 13 The storage position is illustrated. The elements of the seating furniture not shown here remain in contrast to the designs of the Figs. 1 to 11B Unchanged. In contrast to the previous designs, the padding element 158 ​​of the thigh segment 50 is not rigidly connected to the thigh segment support 150, but is guided and movable in the opposite direction. This mobility is achieved in this case via a double-tab design with two displacement tabs 156, 157. The two displacement tabs 156, 157 are each pivotally connected to the thigh segment support 150 about pivot axes O, Q and pivotally connected to the padding element 158 ​​or to a support structure (not shown) on the padding element 158 ​​about pivot axes P, R. The padding element 158 ​​can thus be displaced a few centimeters forwards and backwards relative to the thigh segment support 150.

[0109] The displacement preferably occurs, and also occurs in the illustrated design, depending on the position of the thigh segment 50 relative to the seat surface segment 40. For this purpose, a further pivot axis T is provided on the displacement tab opposite the pivot axis P with respect to the pivot axis O, to which a control tab 155 is attached. This control tab 155 is in turn attached about a pivot axis S to the seat surface segment 40 and, in particular, to its base support 140.

[0110] This design results in the upholstery element 158 ​​being moved from its stowed position. Fig. 13 into the use of the Fig. 12The thigh segment is displaced relative to the thigh segment carrier 150, and the distance to the seat segment 40 increases as the thigh segment approaches its end position for use. This prevents the seat segment and the thigh segment from becoming trapped.

Claims

1. Piece of seating furniture (10) having the following features: a. the piece of seating furniture (10) has a seat-base segment (40) having a seat base (42), and b. the piece of seating furniture (10) has a leg rest (12) having two leg-rest segments (50, 60), specifically an upper-leg segment (50) and a lower-leg segment (60), and c. the leg rest (12) is displaceable between a stowed position and a usage position, wherein the leg rest (12) in the stowed position is disposed below the seat-base segment (40), and wherein the upper sides (52, 62) of the leg-rest segments (50, 60) in the usage position are disposed in a flush alignment with the seat base (42) of the seat-base segment (40), and their respective upper sides (52, 62) point upward, and d. in the stowed position, the leg-rest segments (50, 60) are located below the seat-base segment (40), wherein the lower sides (54, 64) of the leg-rest segments (50, 60) in the stowed position point upward in the direction of the seat-base segment (40), and e. for converting the piece of seating furniture (10) from the stowed position to the usage position, the piece of seating furniture (10) has a drive gear mechanism (102) which converts the movement of a drive member (192) into a motion sequence of the leg rest (12), in which the leg-rest segments (50, 60) during the movement to the usage position are first angled relative to one another and subsequently moved to the flush arrangement of the usage position, characterized by the following features: f. in the stowed position, the upper side (52) of the upper-leg segment (50) conjointly with a horizontal plane encloses an angle of less than 15°.

2. Piece of seating furniture (10) according to Claim 1, having the following further feature: a. in the stowed position, the upper sides (52, 62) of the lower-leg segment (60) and of the upper-leg segment (50) are aligned in parallel or conjointly enclose an angle of less than 30°, preferably of less than 10°.

3. Piece of seating furniture (10) according to Claim 1 or 2, having the following further feature: a. in an intermediate position of the conversion from the stowed position to the usage position, the lower-leg segment (60) and the upper-leg segment (50) are mutually angled in such a manner that their upper sides (52, 62) enclose an angle of at least 90°, preferably of at least 100°, in particular of at least 110°.

4. Piece of seating furniture (10) according to one of the preceding claims, having the following further feature: a. the seat-base segment (40), the upper-leg segment (50) and the lower-leg segment (60) are pivotably connected to one another in the manner of a chain, preferably having at least one of the following additional features: b. the upper-leg segment (50) and the lower-leg segment (60) are mutually articulated so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (H) which is stationary in terms of both leg-rest segments, and / or c. the seat-base segment (40) and the upper-leg segment (50) are mutually articulated so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (G) which is stationary in terms of the seat-base segment (40) and of the upper-leg segment (50), or d. the seat-base segment and the upper-leg segment are connected to one another by way of at least one link which is articulated on the seat-base segment, or on the upper-leg segment, respectively, so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis which is stationary in terms of the seat-base segment and a pivot axis which is stationary in terms of the upper-leg segment, wherein the seat-base segment and the upper-leg segment are preferably connected to one another by way of a double link having two individual links which are articulated on the seat-base segment, or on the upper-leg segment, respectively, so as to be pivotable about in each case a pivot axis which is stationary in terms of the seat-base segment and a pivot axis which is stationary in terms of the upper-leg segment.

5. Piece of seating furniture (10) according to one of the preceding claims, having the following further features: a. the upper-leg segment (50) has an upper-leg segment support (150), and b. the upper-leg segment (50) has an upholstery element (158), and c. the upholstery element (158) is connected to the upper-leg segment support (150) by way of two displacement links (156, 157), wherein each of the two displacement links (156, 157) is attached to the upper-leg segment support (150) so as to be in each case pivotable about a pivot axis (O, Q) and attached to the upholstery element (158) so as to be in each case pivotable about a pivot axis (P, R), preferably having at least one of the following additional features: d. the spacing of the pivot axes (O, P; Q, R) on the two displacement links is in each case substantially identical and is preferably less than 40 mm, in particular less than 30 mm, and / or e. the spacing of the pivot axes (O, P; Q, R) on the upper-leg segment support (150), or on the upholstery element (158), respectively, is in each case substantially identical, and / or f. a control link (155) for controlling the displacement of the upholstery element (158) relative to the upper-leg segment support (150) is provided, wherein the control link (155) is preferably articulated on the seat-base segment (40) so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (S) and articulated on one of the displacement links (156) so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (T).

6. Piece of seating furniture (10) according to one of the preceding claims, having the following further features: a. the drive gear mechanism (102) has a basic support (140), and b. the drive gear mechanism (102) has a counter support (170), and c. the basic support (140) and the counter support (170) are connected to one another by way of two drive links (172, 174) and thereby movable relative to one another in a guided manner, wherein each of the drive links (172, 174) are articulated on the basic support (140) so as to be pivotable about a first pivot axis (A, B) and articulated on the counter support (170) so as to be pivotable about a second pivot axis (C, D), and d. provided is at least one first control link (162) which is articulated on the counter support (170) or on one of the drive links so as to be pivotable about a control axis (E) and by way of an opposite end is articulated on the upper-leg segment or on the lower-leg segment (60) so as to be pivotable about a counter control axis (J), preferably having at least one of the following additional features: e. the at least one first control link (162) is articulated on the counter support (170) so as to be pivotable about the control axis (E), and / or f. the at least one first control link (162) is articulated on the lower-leg segment (60) so as to be pivotable about the counter control axis (J), and / or g. in the stowed position, the first control link (162) is disposed in such a manner that the control axis (E) in terms of a vertical direction is disposed above the counter control axis (J) and in terms of a horizontal direction is disposed in front of the counter control axis (J), and / or h. the drive links (172, 174) in the usage position are pivoted relative to their respective position in the stowed position by at least 80° and by at most 140°, preferably by at least 90° and by at most 120°.

7. Piece of seating furniture (10) according to Claim 6, having the following further feature: a. in the stowed position, a straight line which intersects the control axis (E) and the counter control axis (J), conjointly with a horizontal plane, encloses an angle of less than 40°, preferably having the additional feature: b. in the stowed position, the straight line which intersects the control axis (E) and the counter control axis (J), conjointly with the horizontal plane, encloses an angle between 20° and 30°, preferably between 22° and 26°, and / or c. the spacing of the control axis (E) and the counter control axis (J) is between 180 mm and 240 mm.

8. Piece of seating furniture (10) according to Claim 6 or 7, having the following further feature: a. provided is at least one second control link (152) which is articulated on the first control link (162), on the counter support (170) or on one of the drive links so as to be pivotable about a control axis (F) and by way of an opposite end is articulated on the upper-leg segment (50), or on the lower-leg segment, respectively, so as to be pivotable about a counter control axis (I), preferably having at least one of the following additional features: b. the at least one second control link (152) is articulated on the first control link (162) so as to be pivotable about the control axis (F), and / or c. the at least one second control link (152) is articulated on the upper-leg segment (50) so as to be pivotable about the counter control axis (I), and / or d. in the stowed position and / or in the usage position, the first control link (162) and the second control link (152) conjointly enclose an angle between 105° and 125°.

9. Piece of seating furniture (10) according to Claim 8, having the following further feature: a. a straight line which intersects the control axis (F) and the counter control axis (I), conjointly with a straight line which intersects the counter control axis (I) and the pivot axis (A) of the upper-leg segment (50), encloses an angle which during the conversion from the stowed position to the usage position is always more than 25°, preferably always more than 30°.

10. Piece of seating furniture (10) according to Claim 8 or 9, having the following further features: a. in the stowed position, the second control link (152) is disposed in such a manner that the control axis (F) in terms of a vertical direction is disposed above the counter control axis (I) and in terms of a horizontal direction is disposed behind the counter control axis (I), and b. in the usage position, the second control link (152) is disposed in such a manner that the control axis (F) in terms of a vertical direction is disposed below the counter control axis (I) and in terms of a horizontal direction is disposed in front of the counter control axis (I), preferably having at least one of the following additional features: c. the second control link (152) in the usage position is in a position which is pivoted relative to the stowed position by at least 150°, preferably in a position pivoted by at least 170°, and / or d. in the stowed position, a straight line which intersects the control axis (F) and the counter control axis (I), conjointly with a horizontal plane, encloses an angle between 30° and 50°, and / or e. in the usage position, a straight line which intersects the control axis (F) and the counter control axis (I), conjointly with a horizontal plane, encloses an angle between 30° and 50°, and / or f. a straight line which intersects the control axis (F) and the counter control axis (I), conjointly with a straight line which intersects the first pivot axes (A) and the second pivot axis (C) of the first drive link (172), encloses an angle which in the stowed position is at least 45°, preferably at least 60°, and in the usage position is at most 30°, preferably at most 15°, and / or g. a straight line which intersects the control axis (F) and the counter control axis (I) of the second control link (152), conjointly with a straight line which intersects the control axis (E) and the counter control axis (J) of the first control link (162), encloses an angle which in the stowed position and / or in the usage position is at least 45°, preferably at least 60°, and / or h. the spacing of the control axis (F) and the counter control axis (I) is between 60 mm and 100 mm.

11. Piece of seating furniture (10) according to one of Claims 6 to 10, having the following further feature: a. the counter support (170) is guided by means of the drive links (172, 174) substantially parallel to the basic support (140), wherein a straight line between the first pivot axes (A, B), conjointly with a straight line between the second pivot axes (C, D), during the conversion from the usage state to the stowed state continuously encloses an angle of less than 20°, preferably an angle of less than 10°, preferably having the following additional feature: b. the spacing of the first pivot axis (A, B) relative to the second pivot axes (C, D) of the two drive links is between 5 cm and 20 cm, preferably between 8 cm and 15 cm.

12. Piece of seating furniture (10) according to one of Claims 6 to 11, having the following additional feature: a. the basic support (140), the counter support (170) and the drive links (172, 174) are connected to one another in such a manner that the second pivot axes (C, D) during the conversion of the leg rest (12) from the stowed state to the usage state are first lowered and subsequently raised again.

13. Piece of seating furniture (10) according to one of Claims 6 to 12, having the following further features: a. the seat-base segment (40), on a front end which in terms of the usage position points in the direction of the leg-rest segments, is designed having a forward-pointing end face (44), preferably having an upholstered end face (44), and b. the control axis (E), about which the first control link (162) is pivotably attached to the counter support (170) or to one of the drive links, in the stowed position is in terms of a horizontal direction disposed behind the end face (44) and in terms of a vertical direction is disposed above a lower end (44A) of the end face (44) and below an upper end (44B) of the end face (44), preferably having at least one of the following additional features: c. the control axis (E) in the stowed position is in terms of a vertical direction disposed above the lower end (44A) of the end face (44) at least by 10% of the height of the end face (44) and / or at most by 40% of the height of the end face, and / or d. the control axis (E) in the usage position is in terms of a horizontal direction disposed in front of the end face (44) and preferably below the upper-leg segment (50).

14. Piece of seating furniture (10) according to one of the preceding claims, having the following additional feature: a. the basic support (140) is fixedly attached to the seat-base segment (40), preferably having the following additional features: b. the seat-base segment (40) has an encircling frame, preferably a hollow frame, to which the basic support is fastened, preferably to a transverse tube fastened to the frame, or to at least one front transverse support of the frame, in particular to two front transverse supports, and / or c. the piece of seating furniture (10) has at least one floor-proximal furniture foot (20), wherein the seat-base segment (40) including the leg-rest segments (50, 60), preferably including at least one arm-rest segment, is displaceable relative to the furniture foot (20), in particular displaceable in a tiltable manner.

15. Piece of seating furniture (10) according to one of the preceding claims, having the following additional feature: a. the piece of seating furniture (10) has an electric motor (190) which acts on the drive gear mechanism (102) and thereby causes the conversion of the leg rest (12) from the stowed position to the usage position, preferably having the following additional feature: b. the electric motor (190) has a linearly displaceable motor rod (192), wherein the motor rod (192), preferably by way of an intermediate link (194), acts on one of the drive links (172), and wherein in particular the intermediate link (194) is pivotably connected to one or both drive links (172, 174).

16. Piece of seating furniture (10) according to one of the preceding claims, having the following additional features: a. at least one of the leg-rest segments (50) has on its lower side (54) at least one depression (56) which in the stowed position is open toward the top, and b. in the stowed position, at least part of the electric motor (190) and / or at least part of the drive gear mechanism (102) is disposed in the depression.

17. Piece of seating furniture (10) according to one of the preceding claims, having at least one of the following further features: a. the piece of seating furniture (10) is designed as an armchair, or b. the piece of seating furniture (10) is designed as a sofa, wherein the piece of seating furniture preferably has at least two independently movable leg rests (12).

18. Piece of seating furniture (10) according to one of the preceding claims, having at least one of the following further features: a. the piece of seating furniture has a backrest segment (30), and / or b. the seat-base segment (40), the leg-rest segments (50, 60) and / or the backrest segment (30) are provided with an upholstery on the upper side or the front side, and / or c. the seat-base segment (40), conjointly with the backrest segment (30), is displaceable relative to a furniture foot (20), in particular displaceable in a tiltable manner, and / or d. with the exception of a potential sliding guide on an electric motor (190) or gear motor of the piece of seating furniture, the elements of the drive gear mechanism are free of sliding guides and are exclusively pivotably connected to one another, and / or e. the seat-base segment (40), the upper-leg segment (50) and / or the lower-leg segment (60) possesses a frame (46), in particular a wooden frame, wherein preferably provided in the case of the seat-base segment (40) is a transverse tube (48) which within the wooden frame extends in the transverse direction of the furniture, f. the piece of seating furniture (10) possesses a seating furniture fitting which possesses the sub-elements movable with respect to one another, in particular the basic support (140), the counter support (170), the drive links (172, 74) and / or the control links (152, 162) and which in particular possesses in each case a left-hand-side and a right-hand-side basic support (140) and / or counter support (170), left-hand-side and right-hand-side drive links (172, 174) and / or left-hand-side and right-hand-side control links (152, 162) and / or left-hand-side and right-hand-side segment supports (150, 160), wherein - the width of the seating furniture fitting has preferably less than 80% of the width of the upper-leg segment, in particular preferably less than 60%, and / or - wherein at least two components (174) of the same type with one another are co-rotationally connected to one another by way of a torsion tube (176), and / or g. the upper-leg segment (50) and the lower-leg segment (60) have upper sides (52, 62) which in terms of a furniture longitudinal direction have lengths which differ by not more than 30%.