Furniture with a retractable seat

Abstract

The subject of the invention is a piece of furniture with a retractable seat (1), comprising a lower seat frame (1a) pivotally connected to an upper seat frame (1b), two side supports (2), each containing a guide (3) for the runners (4) of the lower seat frame (1a), and at least one actuator (5). This furniture is characterized by including at least one pendulum (7) in the form of an angular bracket with an angle (α) between its arms ranging from 100 to 170 degrees, pivotally connected to the side support (2) and the upper seat frame (1b).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The subject of the invention is a piece of furniture with a retractable seat, featuring a construction that enables smooth extension and retraction of the seat through an actuator supported by a pendulum mechanism.Background Art

[0002] Various types of retractable-seat furniture are known, such as the solution described in U.S. Patent no. US11737561B2, which details furniture with linear actuators for adjusting the seat, foot, and backrest sections between seated and reclined positions. However, this solution does not include a double-armed angular bracket-shaped pendulum, which allows for more efficient force distribution and reduces dynamic loads during seat movement. The absence of this element, or the use of a different shape, can lead to increased energy consumption and higher mechanical stresses, affecting both durability and user comfort.

[0003] In European patent no. EP2881014B1, furniture with a fixed structure supporting a foldable structure made up of three hinged panels and an activation system for folding / unfolding is described. However, this design does not employ a double-armed angular bracket-shaped pendulum, which enables more efficient force distribution and reduces dynamic loads during seat movement. Without this component, there is a risk of increased energy consumption and higher mechanical loads, which impact durability and comfort. Additionally, the construction described in this patent requires a complex mechanism based on gears and chains, while the solution in this invention employs a simpler, quieter mechanism using an actuator and a double-armed pendulum, allowing smooth and energy-efficient seat adjustment without noisy mechanical parts.

[0004] Similarly, in European patent EP1689266B1, a chair with a liftable backrest is described, featuring a base section, a seat section pivotally connected to the base, a backrest section pivotally connected to the seat, a primary actuator for moving the seat section relative to the base, and a secondary actuator for moving the backrest section relative to the seat to adjust the chair's configuration. However, this design requires at least two actuators, making the mechanism more complex, expensive, and prone to failure. Moreover, it does not incorporate a pendulum as in this invention, which can result in excessive noise and vibration during seat movement.Summary of Invention Technical Problem

[0005] The objective of this invention is to develop a piece of furniture with a retractable seat that eliminates the aforementioned issues related to excessive actuator load, noise, vibration, and rapid wear of structural components. The invention aims to improve user comfort by enabling smooth seat movement, enhancing the efficiency of the sliding mechanism, and extending its durability.Solution to Problem

[0006] The essence of the invention lies in a piece of furniture with a retractable seat that includes a lower seat frame pivotally connected to an upper seat frame, two side supports each containing a guide for the runners of the lower seat frame, and at least one actuator. This furniture piece is characterized by the inclusion of at least one pendulum in the form of an angular bracket, with an angle between its arms ranging from 100 to 170 degrees, pivotally connected to the side support and the upper seat frame.

[0007] It is advantageous if the pivot connection between the lower and upper seat frames is implemented using a folding hinge.

[0008] It is also beneficial if the pivot connections of the pendulum to the side support and to the upper seat frame are realized using hinge pins.Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0009] An advantageous effect of the furniture with a retractable seat according to this invention is reduced actuator load during seat position adjustment, leading to lower energy consumption and extended mechanism lifespan. Using a pendulum in the form of an angular bracket with an angle between the arms from 100 to 170 degrees enables more efficient distribution of forces acting on the mechanism components. This shape functions as a lever that reduces opposing moments, enabling smooth motion transfer and minimizing friction. As a result, noise and vibrations generated during mechanism operation are reduced, ensuring quiet, stable, and energy-efficient function, thus enhancing user comfort.Brief Description of Drawings

[0010] An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings, where figures represent: Fig. 1 - furniture with a retractable seat, with the seat frame in the retracted position, cross-section; Fig. 2 - furniture with a retractable seat, with the seat frame in the process of extending, cross-section; Fig. 3 - furniture with a retractable seat, with the seat frame in the fully extended position, cross-section; Fig. 4 - furniture with a retractable seat, with the seat frame in the fully extended position, cross-section - embodiment with an attached seat mattress. Description of Embodiments

[0011] In this embodiment, the furniture with a retractable seat 1 is a sofa. The sofa includes a lower seat frame 1a pivotally connected to an upper seat frame 1b via a folding hinge 1c. Both the lower seat frame 1a and the upper seat frame 1b are made of wood. A seat mattress 1d made of polyurethane foam is placed on the upper frame 1b and lower frame 1a and secured to them using Velcro straps, allowing stable placement and easy removal for cleaning or replacement. On the two side supports 2 made of wood, metal guides 3 are mounted using screw connections, within which runners 4 of the lower seat frame 1a are installed. These runners, made of steel, are connected to the lower seat frame 1a with screws. The use of runners 4 allows smooth extension and retraction of the seat 1. The sofa also contains a pendulum 7 in the form of an angular bracket made of steel, with two arms and an angle between them of 150 degrees, pivotally connected to the side support 2 with a hinge pin 6 and to the upper seat frame 1b with a second hinge pin 8. This connection allows free movement of the angular bracket-shaped pendulum 7 during seat extension and retraction, while simultaneously ensuring stability and controlled motion. In other embodiments, the angle between the arms of the angle bracket can be as low as 100 degrees or as high as 170 degrees (for different angles, the lengths of the arms of the pendulum 7 must be adjusted accordingly). An actuator 5 is attached to the side support 2 using screws, with a power cable 5a connected for operation. During operation, the actuator 5 pushes the lower seat frame 1a, causing it to slide along the guides 3. When the actuator 5 extends the lower seat frame 1a, the pendulum 7 rotates around the hinge pins 6,8, enabling smooth seat movement into the extended position. During retraction, the actuator 5 operates in reverse, pulling the lower seat frame 1a into the retracted position while rotating the pendulum 7 in the opposite direction. When the seat 1 is fully retracted, the pendulum 7 rests in a stable state. The use of a pendulum 7 in the form of an angular bracket provides structural durability and stability, which, combined with the energy-efficient actuator 5, enables quiet and smooth seat position adjustment, minimizing noise and vibration. Thanks to the hinge connections and the shape of the pendulum 7, the solution offers increased component lifespan, reduced actuator load, and energy efficiency, contributing to the furniture's improved functionality and comfort.List of components:

[0012] 1 - seat 1a - lower seat frame 1b - upper seat frame 1c - folding hinge connecting the lower seat frame 1a and upper seat frame 1b 1d - seat mattress 2 - side supports 3 - guides on the side supports 2 4 - runners of the lower seat frame 1a 5 - actuator 5a - actuator cable 6 - hinge pin connecting the pendulum 7 to the side support 2 7 - pendulum 8 - hinge pin connecting the pendulum 7 to the upper seat frame 1b α - angle between the arms of the pendulum 7

Claims

1. Furniture with a retractable seat (1), comprising a lower seat frame (1a) pivotally connected to an upper seat frame (1b), two side supports (2), each containing a guide (3) for the runners (4) of the lower seat frame (1a), and at least one actuator (5), characterized in that it includes at least one pendulum (7) in the form of an angular bracket with an angle (α) between the arms ranging from 100 to 170 degrees, pivotally connected to the side support (2) and to the upper seat frame (1b).

2. Furniture according to claim 1, characterized in that the pivot connection between the lower seat frame (1a) and the upper seat frame (1b) is achieved through a folding hinge (1c).

3. Furniture according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the pivot connections of the pendulum (7) to the side support (2) and to the upper seat frame (1b) are achieved through hinge pins (6, 8).

Images