Armchair with adjustable seat

Abstract

Armchair (P) of the type comprising a backrest and / or a headrest (1), which extends along a vertical axis (Z), a pair of armrests (2), which extends along said vertical axis (Z), a seat (3), which extends along a horizontal axis (X), orthogonal with respect to said vertical axis (Z), comprising a base frame (5), comprising a lifting system (4) of the seat (3), able to lift the base of said armchair (P) off the ground along said vertical axis (Z), and an adjustment system of the seat (3), coupled to said base frame (5), able to make said seat (3) slide along said horizontal axis (X), from a start stroke position, in which said seat (3) is arranged in contact with said backrest and / or headrest (1), to an end stroke position, in which said seat (3) is arranged spaced apart from said backrest and / or headrest (1) and vice versa.

Description

Field of application

[0001] The present invention relates to an armchair having an adjustable seat for elderly people or those with reduced mobility, in particular to an armchair of the type comprising at least one lifting system.

[0002] More in detail, the invention relates to an armchair of the said type, designed and created in particular to allow a user, specifically an elderly user or one with reduced motor skills, to seat on the armchair or get up from it in an assisted manner thanks to the lifting system and to the adjustment of the seat.

[0003] Hereinafter, the description will be addressed to an armchair with an adjustable seat used in the field of support for elderly people and / or those with limited mobility, but it is clear that the description should not be limited to this specific use.Prior art

[0004] Currently, it is known that armchairs comprise various movement systems, often used synchronously, able to allow users to position themselves in different rest configurations.

[0005] The known armchairs usually comprise a frame and one or more actuators, connected to the frame, able to move some parts of the armchair. In particular, armchairs are known in which it is possible to recline the backrest or raise the footrest, or raise the seat, by means of manual or automatic mechanisms.

[0006] The drawback of these known armchairs relates to the fact that the seat is fixed on the frame, and is placed at a predefined distance from the backrest, making a user's seat uncomfortable, in particular if the user is short in stature, which does not allow him / her to easily reach the bottom of the seat itself.

[0007] Therefore, in particular a user with reduced motor skills or an elderly user experiences difficulty mainly in sitting down.

[0008] In light of the drawbacks and of the unsolved problems of the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide an armchair with an adjustable seat for elderly people comprising at least one lifting mechanism of the seat and one controlled sliding mechanism of the seat.

[0009] A further object of the present invention is to provide an armchair equipped with a gradual seat adjustment device.

[0010] Therefore, the technical problem underlying the present invention is to provide an armchair that allows for assisted seating with adjustable speed capable of accompanying a user in the gestures of approaching or moving away from the seat, as well as protecting the user from unwanted and violent impacts.Summary of the invention

[0011] The idea underlying the present invention is to provide an armchair equipped with an adjustable seat to facilitate lifting an elderly user or one with reduced motor skills.

[0012] An object of the present invention is an armchair of the type comprising a backrest and / or headrest, which extends along a vertical axis, a pair of armrests, which mainly extends along said vertical axis, a seat, which extends along a first horizontal axis that is orthogonal with respect to said vertical axis, comprising a supporting frame, comprising a lifting system of the seat, able to lift the base of said armchair off the ground along said vertical axis, and an adjustment system of the seat, coupled to said supporting frame, able to make said seat slide along said first horizontal axis, from a start stroke position, in which said seat is arranged in contact with said backrest and / or headrest, to an end stroke position, in which said seat is arranged spaced apart from said backrest and / or headrest and vice versa.

[0013] Furthermore, according to the invention, the armchair comprises a bearing structure and the adjustment system is coupled to said bearing structure.

[0014] Still, according to the invention, said adjustment system comprises at least one first movable guide and one second movable guide that are integral with said supporting frame, and at least one first stationary guide and one second stationary guide that are integral with said one bearing structure, by means of a respective first bracket and a second bracket, so that, when said seat slides from said start stroke position toward said end stroke position, and vice versa, said at least one first movable guide and second movable guide are able to slide on said at least one first stationary guide and second stationary guide.

[0015] Preferably according to the invention, each of said at least one first movable guide and one second movable guide comprises a central portion, fixed to said supporting frame, a first side portion and a second side portion shaped so as to be curved on themselves, each forming a hollow tubular structure provided with an opening.

[0016] Furthermore according to the invention, each of said at least one first stationary guide and one second stationary guide comprises a central portion, fixed to said bracket, a first curved portion and a second curved portion, each able to fit into a respective opening.

[0017] Still according to the invention, the sliding of said seat, from said start stroke position to said end stroke position, varies in a range comprised between 1 cm and 10 cm, in particular 6 cm.

[0018] Said spatial range is travelled at a speed up to 0.5 m / s; preferably at a speed of 0.1 m / s or less.

[0019] Preferably according to the invention, said adjustment system comprises an adjustment lever coupled to said at least one first movable guide or to said at least one second movable guide.

[0020] Preferably, moreover, said adjustment lever is coupled to the upper surface of said second side portion of said first movable guide.

[0021] Furthermore according to the invention, said adjustment lever comprises an elongated body according to said first horizontal axis X, which extends from a first end, hinged to said side surface of said first movable guide or of said second movable guide, to a second free end, on which a slot is obtained for the passage of a tab or cord that can be gripped by a user, a hooking element arranged between said first and second ends, provided with at least one pin, and said adjustment lever being able to rotate about said first end according to a rotation direction, when the user lifts said second free end by means of said cord.

[0022] Still according to the invention, holes are obtained on the surface of said first stationary guide or said second stationary guide, in particular eight squared or rectangular holes, into which said at least one pin is able to fit.

[0023] Preferably, the distance between a hole and the following one of said holes is a maximum of 1.5 cm, more particularly said distance is of 1 cm.

[0024] Still according to the invention, said adjustment system comprises an actuating device, fixed to said bearing structure and to said supporting frame, able to move said supporting frame from said start stroke position toward said end stroke position.

[0025] Furthermore according to the invention, said actuating device comprises a motor member, a nut screw and a female screw, said nut screw and female screw being engaged to each other, said motor member being able to drive said female screw, by setting it in rotation, thus causing said nut screw to slide along said first horizontal axis, so that said supporting frame switches from said start stroke position to said end stroke position.

[0026] Preferably, the sliding is made at a speed up to 0.5 m / s, preferably a speed of 0.1 m / s or less.Brief description of the drawings

[0027] In the drawings: figure 1 shows a perspective view of the armchair object of the present invention; figure 2 shows a perspective view of the armchair object of the present invention, in a raised use configuration; figure 3 shows a rear view of the inner structure of the armchair object of the present invention; figure 4 shows a frontal view of a structural detail, in a lock position, of the armchair shown in figure 1; figure 5 shows a frontal view of a structural detail, in an unlock position, of the armchair shown in figure 1; figure 6 shows a schematic frontal view of the detail shown in figure 4; figure 7 shows a top view of a component of an adjustment system of the armchair shown in figure 1; figure 8 shows a perspective side view of a detail of the adjustment system of the armchair shown in figure 1; figure 9 shows a schematic side view of the detail shown in figure 8; figure 10 shows a schematic view of a start stroke position of the structural detail shown in figure 4; figure 11 shows a schematic view of an end stroke position of the structural detail shown in figure 4; figure 12 shows a schematic frontal view of the structural detail shown in figure 4; figure 13 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of an adjustment system of the armchair object of the present invention; figure 14 shows a further perspective view of the system of figure 13; figure 15 shows a bottom view of an end stroke position of the adjustment system shown in figure 13; figure 16 shows a bottom view of a start stroke position of the adjustment system shown in figure 13. Detailed description

[0028] With reference to figures 1 and 2, an armchair P with an adjustable seat, object of the present invention, can be seen.

[0029] The armchair P is of the type comprising a backrest and / or a headrest 1, a pair di armrests 2, a seat 3, a lifting system 4 of the seat 3, and an adjustment system 5 (not visible in figures 1 and 2) of the seat 3.

[0030] Said backrest and / or headrest 1 develops along a vertical axis Z, with respect to the ground, from the base of the armchair P up to the top, to receive a user's back sitting on the armchair P itself.

[0031] Said pair di armrests 2 delimits the side boundaries of the armchair P. Each armrest of the pair of armrests 2 mainly develops along said vertical axis Z and also along a first horizontal axis X, with respect to the ground, which is orthogonal with respect to said vertical axis Z.

[0032] Said seat 3 is arranged between said armrests of said pair of armrests 2 and is delimited thereby.

[0033] Said seat 3 lies on a horizontal plane XY defined by said first horizontal axis X and by a second horizontal axis Y, with respect to the ground, which is orthogonal both to said first horizontal axis X and to said vertical axis Z.

[0034] In particular with reference to figure 2, the lifting system 4 of the seat 3 is arranged in the lower part of the armchair P and is able to lift the base of the armchair P, therefore the seat 3, along said vertical axis Z, to allow a user to get up from the armchair P more comfortably.

[0035] The lifting system 4 is able to lift the entire seat 3 from an initial position, in which the seat 3 itself lies on the horizontal plane XY, toward a final position, in which the seat 3 lies on a plane that forms an acute angle with the horizontal plane XY of the initial position, so as to favour the lifting of a user from the seat 3 itself.

[0036] With reference to figure 3, the lifting system 4 is fixed to a rigid bearing structure S of the armchair P and comprises actuator means.

[0037] Said armchair P may also comprise a portion for supporting a user's legs and / or feet 6, which may also be movable.

[0038] Generally, said backrest and / or headrest 1, pair of armrests 2, seat 3 and portion for supporting legs and / or feet 6 are externally padded components, to allow the user's comfort, which cover said rigid bearing structure S.

[0039] In particular, with reference to figure 3, the seat 3 comprises a supporting frame 31 therein, fixed to said rigid bearing structure S.

[0040] Said adjustment system 5 of the seat 3 is coupled to the rigid bearing structure S and to the supporting frame 31 and is able to make said seat 3 slide along said first horizontal axis X, from a start stroke position, in which said seat 3 is arranged in contact with said backrest and / or headrest 1, to an end stroke position, in which said seat 3 is arranged spaced apart from said backrest and / or headrest 1 and vice versa.

[0041] In a first embodiment, said adjustment system 5 has a manual drive.

[0042] With reference to figures 3-8, said adjustment system 5 comprises a first movable guide 51 and a second movable guide 52, integral with said supporting frame 31, in particular each being fixed on a respective longitudinal member of said supporting frame 31, so that said first 51 and second 52 movable guides are spaced apart from and parallel to each other.

[0043] For ease of description, the structure of the first movable guide 51 is herein described, since the second movable guide 52 is structurally unchanged with respect to the first movable guide 51.

[0044] Said first movable guide 51 mainly extends along said first horizontal axis X, from a first end 511 to a second end 512.

[0045] Moreover, said first movable guide 51 has a central portion 513 that is fixed to said supporting frame 31 which connects on one side with a first side portion 514 and on the other side with a second side portion 515.

[0046] Said first side portion 514 and second side portion 515 are shaped so as to be curved on themselves, each forming a hollow tubular structure provided with an opening A.

[0047] An adjustment lever 7 is coupled on the side surface of said second side portion 515.

[0048] Said adjustment lever 7 comprises an elongated body according to said first horizontal axis X, which extends from a first end 71 to a second free end 72.

[0049] Said first end 71 is hinged to said side surface of said first movable guide 51, whereas a slot 721 is obtained on said second end 72 for the passage of a tab or cord C that can be gripped by a user.

[0050] A hooking element 73 provided with at least one first pin 731 is arranged between said first 71 and second 72 ends.

[0051] In particular, said hooking element 73 is provided with a first 731, a second 732 and a third pin 733.

[0052] Said adjustment lever 7 is able to rotate about said first end 71 according to a rotation direction R inside the plane XZ, when a user lifts said second free end 72 by means of said cord C, switching from a lock position, visible in figure 4, in which said first movable guide 51 and second movable guide 52 are not able to slide along said first stationary guide 55 and second stationary guide 56, respectively, to an unlocked position, shown in figure 5, in which said first movable guide 51 and second movable guide 52 may slide along said first stationary guide 55 and second stationary guide 56, respectively.

[0053] Without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention, said adjustment lever 7 may also be coupled to said second movable guide 52.

[0054] Said adjustment system 5 also comprises a first L-shaped bracket 53 and a second L-shaped bracket 54, both integral with said rigid bearing structure S.

[0055] A first stationary guide 55 is fixed on said first L-shaped bracket 53 and, analogously, a second stationary guide 56 is fixed on said second L-shaped bracket 54.

[0056] Said first stationary guide 55 mainly extends along said first horizontal axis X from a first end 551 to a second end 552.

[0057] With reference to figure 4, said first stationary guide 55 comprises a central portion 553 which is fixed to said L-shaped bracket, 53 and a first curved portion 554 and a second curved portion 555.

[0058] Said first curved portion 554 and second curved portion 555 are able to fit each into the opening A of the corresponding tubular structure, in particular, said first curved portion 554 fits into the opening A of said first side portion 514, analogously, said second curved portion 555 fits into the opening A of said second side portion 515.

[0059] With reference to figure 6, holes F, in particular eight squared or rectangular holes F, are obtained on the surface of said first stationary guide 55.

[0060] In particular, said holes F are obtained on the upper surface of said second curved portion 555.

[0061] The distance between a hole F and the immediately adjacent hole F is preferably of 1 cm, so that the entire travel or sliding of the seat 3 between the start stroke position and the end stroke position is of 6 cm.

[0062] Without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention, the sliding of the seat may be comprised in a range between 1 cm and 10 cm.

[0063] Said hooking element 73 of said adjustment lever 7 is able to hook said first stationary guide 55, by arranging said adjustment lever 7 in the lock position.

[0064] In particular, said first pin 731, second pin 732 and third pin 733 are able to fit each into a corresponding hole F obtained in said second curved portion 555, to anchor the first movable guide 51 to the first stationary guide 55.

[0065] Said second stationary guide 56 is structurally identical to the first stationary guide 55, except for the presence of the holes F.

[0066] In particular, if said adjustment lever 7 is coupled to said first movable guide 51, then said holes F are only obtained on said first stationary guide 55, instead if said adjustment lever 7 is coupled to said second movable guide 52, then said holes F are only obtained on said second stationary guide 56.

[0067] In a second embodiment, said adjustment system 5' has an automatic drive.

[0068] Said adjustment system 5' also comprises a first 51' and a second 60' movable guide, each fixed on a respective longitudinal member of said supporting frame 31, so that said first 51' and second 60' movable guides are arranged spaced apart from and parallel to each other.

[0069] Said first 51' and second 60' movable guides of the second embodiment are structurally identical to said first 51 and second 52 movable guides described for the first embodiment.

[0070] Said adjustment system 5' also comprises a first L-shaped bracket 53' and a second L-shaped bracket 54', both integral with said rigid bearing structure S.

[0071] A first stationary guide 52' is fixed on said first L-shaped bracket 53' and, analogously, a second stationary guide 61' is fixed on said second L-shaped bracket 54'.

[0072] Said first 52' and second 61' fixed guides of the second embodiment are structurally identical to said first 55 and second 56 fixed guides described for the first embodiment, except for the presence of the holes F.

[0073] Moreover, said adjustment system 5' comprises an actuating device 55', fixed to said rigid bearing structure S and to said supporting frame 31 by means of a lock element 56'.

[0074] With reference to figures 13-16, said actuating device 55' is able to move said supporting frame 31, and thus said seat 3, from a start stroke position, in which said seat 3 is arranged in contact with said backrest 1, toward an end stroke position, in which said seat 3 is far from said backrest 1.

[0075] In particular, said actuating device 55' comprises a motor member 57' and a nut screw 58', engaged with a female screw 59'.

[0076] Said motor member 57', when in operation, is able to drive said female screw 59'.

[0077] In particular, said motor member 57' sets said female screw 59' in rotation. Said nut screw 58', engaged to said female screw 59', is able to slide along said first horizontal axis X. In this way, said supporting frame 31, and thus said seat 3, is able to gradually switch from said start stroke position to said end stroke position.

[0078] Said motor member 57' is preferably an electric motor, operable by remote driving means, such as a remote control or remote buttons.

[0079] The operation of the armchair P object of the present invention takes place as follows.

[0080] An elderly user or one with reduced motor skills, when sitting on said armchair P, may adjust the position of the seat 3, by moving it away or close to the backrest and / or headrest 1.

[0081] The adjustment of the seat 3 may take place both before and after lifting the seat 3 by means of said lifting system 4.

[0082] According to the first embodiment of the adjustment system 5, a user may adjust the position of the seat 3 manually.

[0083] To this end, a user grips the tab or cord C and, by pulling it, causes the adjustment lever 7 to lift, i.e. to rotate about the first end 71 toward the rotation direction R, bringing the adjustment lever 7 to the unlocked position and causing the first movable guide 51 to unlock from the first stationary guide 55.

[0084] In particular, the first 731, second 732, and third 733 pins disengage from the plurality of holes F formed in said second curved portion 555 of said first stationary guide 55.

[0085] In this way, the first movable guide 51 slides on said first stationary guide 55, along said first horizontal axis X, both in a direction and in the opposite one.

[0086] At the same time, said second movable guide 52 also slides on said second stationary guide 56, along said first horizontal axis X, both in a direction and in the opposite one.

[0087] As a result, the seat 3 may slide both away from and toward said backrest and / or headrest 1.

[0088] When a user releases the cord C, said first 731, second 732 and third 733 pins may fit again into said plurality of holes F, in a new anchoring position of said first movable guide 51 and said first stationary guide 55.

[0089] According to the second embodiment of the adjustment system 5', a user may adjust the position of the seat 3 automatically by a remote control or by remote buttons.

[0090] In particular, by driving the adjustment system 5', the actuating device 55' moves said supporting frame 31, and thus said seat 3, from said start stroke position toward said end stroke position.

[0091] In particular, the motor member 57' of the actuating device 55' drives said female screw 59', setting it in rotation. Therefore, said nut screw 58', engaged to said female screw 59', slides along said first horizontal axis X.

[0092] In this way, the first movable guide 51' slides on said first stationary guide 52', along said first horizontal axis X, both in a direction and in the opposite one.

[0093] At the same time, said second movable guide 60' also slides on said second stationary guide 61', along said first horizontal axis X, both in a direction and in the opposite one.

[0094] In this way, said supporting frame 31, and thus said seat 3, gradually switches from said start stroke position to said end stroke position.

[0095] Analogously, the seat 3 will be able to switch from the end stroke position toward the start stroke position, by sliding in the opposite direction along said first horizontal axis X.

[0096] As evident from the above description, the advantage of the armchair P lies in the possibility to adjust the position of the seat 3 of the armchair P with respect to the backrest and / or head 1 gradually, both manually and automatically, in addition to the possibility of lifting the seat 3 entirely with respect to the ground, to facilitate lifting a user from the armchair P itself.

[0097] Obviously, in order to meet contingent and specific requirements, a person skilled in the art can bring to the above-described support several modifications and variants, all falling within the scope of protection of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. An armchair (P) of the type comprising a backrest and / or a headrest (1), which extends along a vertical axis (Z), a pair of armrests (2), which mainly extends along said vertical axis (Z), a seat (3), which extends along a first horizontal axis (X) that is orthogonal to said vertical axis (Z), comprising a supporting frame (31), said armchair (P) being characterized in that it comprises a lifting system (4) of the seat (3), which is capable of lifting the base of said armchair (P) off the ground along said vertical axis (Z), and an adjustment system (5; 5') of the seat (3), which is coupled to said supporting frame (31) and being capable of making said seat (3) slide along said first horizontal axis (X) from a start stroke position, in which said seat (3) is arranged in contact with said backrest and / or headrest (1), to an end stroke position, in which said seat (3) is arranged spaced apart from said backrest and / or headrest (1) and vice versa.

2. The armchair (P) according to the previous claim, characterized in that it comprises a bearing structure (S), and in that said adjustment system (5, 5') is coupled to said bearing structure (S).

3. The armchair (P) according to claim 2, characterized in that said adjustment system (5; 5') comprises at least one first movable guide (51; 51') and one second movable guide (52; 60') which are integral with said supporting frame (31), and at least one first stationary guide (55; 52') and one second stationary guide (56; 60') which are integral with said bearing structure (S) by a respective first bracket (53; 53') and a second bracket (54; 54'), such that, when said seat (3) slides from said start stroke position to said end stroke position, and vice versa, said at least one first movable guide (51; 51') and said at least one second movable guide (52; 60') are capable of sliding on said at least one first stationary guide (55; 52') and said at least one second stationary guide (56; 60').

4. The armchair (P) according to claim 3, characterized in that each of said at least one first movable guide (51; 51') and said at least one second movable guide (52; 60') comprises a central portion (513), which is fixed to said supporting frame (31); a first side portion (514) and a second side portion (515) which are shaped such as to be curved on themselves, each forming a hollow tubular structure provided with an opening (A).

5. Armchair (P) according to claim 4, characterized in that each of said at least one first stationary guide (55; 52') and said at least one second stationary guide (56; 61') comprises a central portion (553), which is fixed to said bracket (53, 53'; 54, 54'), a first curved portion (554), and a second curved portion (555), each being capable of entering a respective opening (A).

6. The armchair (P) according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the sliding of said seat (3) from said start stroke position to said end stroke position varies within a range between 1 cm and 10 cm, in particular 6 cm.

7. The armchair (P) according to any one of claims 3-6, characterized in that said adjustment system (5) comprises an adjustment lever (7) which is coupled to said at least one first movable guide (51) or to said at least one second movable guide (52).

8. The armchair (P) according to the previous claim, characterized in that said adjustment lever (7) is coupled to the upper surface of said second side portion (515) of said first movable guide (51).

9. The armchair (P) according to the previous claim, characterized in that said adjustment lever (7) comprises an elongated body according to said first horizontal axis X, which extends from a first end (71), hinged to said side surface of said first movable guide (51) or of said second movable guide (52), to a second free end (72), on which a slot (721) for the passage of a tab or cord (C) that can be gripped by a user is obtained, a hooking element (73) arranged between said first end (71) and said second end (72), provided with at least one pin (731, 732, 733), and said adjustment lever (7) being capable of rotating about said first end (71) according to the rotation direction (R), when the user lifts said second free end (72) by said cord (C).

10. The armchair (P) according to the previous claim, characterized in that holes (F) are obtained on the surface of said first stationary guide (55) or said second stationary guide (56), in particular eight square-shaped or rectangular-shaped holes (F), which said at least one pin (731, 732, 733) is capable of entering.

11. The armchair (P) according to any one of claims 2-6, characterized in that said adjustment system (5') comprises an actuating device (55'), which is fixed to said bearing structure (S) and to said supporting frame (31) and is capable of moving said supporting frame (31) from said start stroke position to said end stroke position.

12. The armchair (P) according to the previous claim, characterized in that said actuating device (55') comprises a motor member (57'), a nut screw (58') and a female screw (59'), said nut screw (58') and said female screw (59') being engaged with each other, said motor member (57') being capable of driving said female screw (59') by setting it in rotation, thereby causing the sliding of said nut screw (58') along said first horizontal axis (X), such that said supporting frame (31) moves from said start stroke position to said end stroke position.

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