Riser-mounted mechanism for powered chair theater seating

Abstract

A new and improved powered chair wherein the same comprises a chair base adapted to be fixedly secured atop a tread portion of a theater seating platform, a seat base pivotally mounted to the chair base whereby the front of the seat base can be elevated such that the powered chair can be inclined, backrest mounting brackets fixedly mounted upon the seat base such that the backrest can be fully reclined when the seat base is inclined, a seat cushion mounting frame pivotally mounted to the seat base so as to be capable of being flipped upwardly and forwardly, a transversely oriented mounting bar fixedly connected to the seat base, a pair of oppositely disposed linkage assemblies pivotally mounted upon the transversely oriented mounting bar, an ottoman or footrest fixedly mounted upon the pair of oppositely disposed linkage assemblies, and a linear actuator fixedly mounted upon the front face of the riser portion of the theater seating platform and wherein the telescopic rod portion thereof is fixedly connected to the transversely oriented mounting bar.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to powered chairs, and more particularly to a riser-mounted mechanism for powered chair theater seating wherein the new and improved powered chair mechanism can be readily installed upon existing risers which were previously installed in connection with pre-existing theater seating.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In connection with current theaters and stadiums, stadium seating has been currently implemented as a preferred mode of seating. Accordingly, many theaters must therefore convert their existing seating format to stadium seating. Factors to consider when converting existing seating to new stadium seating is the cost of the construction materials for the new stadium seating and the time to install the seating. One way to minimize or reduce the overall cost involved in connection with the conversion of old theater seating to new stadium seating would be able to install the new stadium seating operative mechanisms upon existing risers. In addition, as is well-known, the new seating comprises a seatback frame which can move from an upright position to a fully reclined position, a seat frame which is movable from a substantially horizontal orientation to an inclined orientation corresponding to the fully reclined position of the seatback frame, and a footrest which is movable between a fully retracted position below the seat frame and a fully extended position disposed in front of the seat frame. Preferably, in accordance with the spatial constraints characteristic of stadium seating, it is desirable that the overall mechanism be as compact or condensed as possible which effectively means that the powered chair mechanism, and linkage assembly, for tilting the seat frame and the seatback frame, and for moving the footrest from the fully retracted position to the fully extended position, must effectively be incorporated between the footrest and the existing riser of the stadium seating.

[0003] Accordingly, a need exists in the art for a new and improved powered chair. Another need exists in the art for a new and improved powered chair which is especially structured for use in connection with theater venues. Yet another need exists in the art for a new and improved powered chair which is especially structured for use in connection with theater venues comprising stadium seating. Still another need exists in the art for a new and improved powered chair which is especially structured for use in connection with theater venues comprising stadium seating, wherein the powered chair mechanisms can be readily mounted upon existing risers of previously installed theater seating.

[0004] Yet still another need exists in the art for a new and improved powered chair which is especially structured for use in connection with theater venues comprising stadium seating, wherein the powered chair mechanisms can be readily mounted upon existing risers of previously installed theater seating, and wherein the powered chairs comprise a seatback frame which can move from an upright position to a fully reclined position, a seat frame which is movable from a substantially horizontal orientation to an inclined orientation corresponding to the fully reclined position of the seatback frame, and a footrest which is movable between a fully retracted position below the seat frame and a fully extended position disposed in front of the seat frame. Still yet another need exists in the art for a new and improved powered chair which is especially structured for use in connection with theater venues comprising stadium seating, wherein the powered chair mechanisms can be readily mounted upon existing risers of previously installed theater seating, wherein the powered chairs comprise a seatback frame which can move from an upright position to a fully reclined position, a seat frame which is movable from a substantially horizontal orientation to an inclined orientation corresponding to the fully reclined position of the seatback frame, and a footrest which is movable between a fully retracted position below the seat frame and a fully extended position disposed in front of the seat frame, and wherein the overall mechanism is as compact or condensed as possible. A further need exists in the art for a new and improved powered chair which is especially structured for use in connection with theater venues comprising stadium seating, wherein the powered chair mechanisms can be readily mounted upon existing risers of previously installed theater seating, and wherein the powered chairs comprise a seatback frame which can move from an upright position to a fully reclined position, a seat frame which is movable from a substantially horizontal orientation to an inclined orientation corresponding to the fully reclined position of the seatback frame, and a footrest which is movable between a fully retracted position below the seat frame and a fully extended position disposed in front of the seat frame, and wherein the overall mechanism is as compact or condensed as possible whereby the power mechanism, and linkage assembly, for tilting the seat frame and the seatback frame, and for moving the footrest from the fully retracted position to the fully extended position, must effectively be incorporated between the footrest and the existing riser of the stadium seating.OVERALL OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Therefore, a first overall objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved powered chair. Another overall objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved powered chair which is especially structured for use in connection with theater venues. Yet another overall objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved powered chair which is especially structured for use in connection with theater venues comprising stadium seating. Still another overall objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved powered chair which is especially structured for use in connection with theater venues comprising stadium seating, wherein the powered chair mechanisms can be readily mounted upon existing risers of previously installed theater seating. Yet still another overall objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved powered chair which is especially structured for use in connection with theater venues comprising stadium seating, wherein the powered chair mechanisms can be readily mounted upon existing risers of previously installed theater seating, and wherein the powered chairs comprise a seatback frame which can move from an upright position to a fully reclined position, a seat frame which is movable from a substantially horizontal orientation to an inclined orientation corresponding to the fully reclined position of the seatback frame, and a footrest which is movable between a fully retracted position below the seat frame and a fully extended position disposed in front of the seat frame.

[0006] Still yet another overall objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved powered chair which is especially structured for use in connection with theater venues comprising stadium seating, wherein the powered chair mechanisms can be readily mounted upon existing risers of previously installed theater seating, wherein the powered chairs comprise a seatback frame which can move from an upright position to a fully reclined position, a seat frame which is movable from a substantially horizontal orientation to an inclined orientation corresponding to the fully reclined position of the seatback frame, and a footrest which is movable between a fully retracted position below the seat frame and a fully extended position disposed in front of the seat frame, and wherein the overall mechanism is as compact or condensed as possible. A further overall objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved powered chair which is especially structured for use in connection with theater venues comprising stadium seating, wherein the powered chair mechanisms can be readily mounted upon existing risers of previously installed theater seating, wherein the powered chairs comprise a seatback frame which can move from an upright position to a fully reclined position, a seat frame which is movable from a substantially horizontal orientation to an inclined orientation corresponding to the fully reclined position of the seatback frame, and a footrest which is movable between a fully retracted position below the seat frame and a fully extended position disposed in front of the seat frame, and wherein the overall mechanism is as compact or condensed as possible whereby the power mechanism, and linkage assembly, for tilting the seat frame and the seatback frame, and for moving the footrest from the fully retracted position to the fully extended position, must effectively be incorporated between the footrest and the existing riser of the stadium seating.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The foregoing and other objectives are achieved in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention through the provision of a new and improved powered chair wherein the same comprises a chair base adapted to be fixedly secured atop a tread portion of a theater seating platform, a seat base pivotally mounted at a rear end portion thereof to a rear end portion of the chair base whereby the front of the seat base can be elevated such that the powered chair can be inclined, backrest mounting brackets fixedly mounted upon rear end portions of the seat base such that the backrest can be fully reclined when the seat base is inclined, a seat cushion mounting frame pivotally mounted at a front end portion thereof to a front end portion of the seat base so as to be capable of being flipped upwardly and forwardly, a transversely oriented mounting bar fixedly connected to the seat base, a pair of oppositely disposed linkage assemblies pivotally mounted at first end portions thereof upon the transversely oriented mounting bar, an ottoman or footrest fixedly mounted upon second opposite end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed linkage assemblies, and a linear actuator fixedly mounted upon the front face of the riser portion of the theater seating platform, wherein the telescopic rod portion thereof is fixedly connected to the transversely oriented mounting bar so as to incline the seat base and recline the backrest, as well as to extend the footrest from its retracted position in front of the riser portion of the theater seating platform and beneath the powered chair seat, to an extended position in front of the powered chair seat.BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Various other features and attendant advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0009] FIG. 1 is a front, right side perspective view of a conventional, PRIOR ART arrangement of theater seating as mounted upon existing risers;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a new and improved riser-mounted powered chair mechanism, showing the powered chair mounted atop a tread portion of a theater-seating platform, wherein the chair mechanism is shown in the default position wherein the footrest assembly is retracted, and the seat and the seatback are both in their non-inclined, non-reclined, upright position;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the new and improved riser-mounted powered chair, as shown in FIG. 2, showing, however, the powered chair in the activated position wherein the footrest assembly is extended, and the seat and the seatback are both in their inclined, reclined, positions;

[0012] FIG. 4A is a left side, front perspective view of a new and improved powered chair, similar to that shown in FIG. 2, showing, however, the powered chair mounted upon a pedestal and in the default position wherein the footrest assembly is retracted, and the seat and the seatback are in their respective non-inclined, non-reclined, upright position;

[0013] FIG. 4B is a left side, front perspective view of a new and improved powered chair, similar to that shown in FIG. 4A, showing, however, the powered chair in the actuated position wherein the footrest assembly is extended, and the seat and the seatback are both in their respective inclined, reclined, upright position;

[0014] FIG. 4C is a partial view of new and improved powered chair, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, showing, however, an alternative means for mounting the linear actuator upon the front face of the pedestal;

[0015] FIG. 5 is a left side, front perspective view of the new and improved riser-mounted powered chair, as shown in FIG. 2, showing the powered chair in the default position wherein the footrest assembly is retracted, and the seat and the seatback are both in their non-inclined, non-reclined, upright position;

[0016] FIG. 6 is a left side, front perspective view of the new and improved riser-mounted powered chair, as shown in FIG. 3, showing the powered chair in the actuated position wherein the footrest assembly is extended, and the seat and the seatback are both in their inclined, reclined, positions;

[0017] FIG. 7 is an enlarged left side, front perspective view of the new and improved mechanism for a powered chair which will enable the footrest to be moved from its retracted position to its extended position, and to enable the seat and the backrest to be moved from its upright position to its inclined and reclined position, FIG. 7 showing the footrest mounting bracket at its extended position, and the seat and backrest at their inclined and reclined positions;

[0018] FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the new and improved mechanism shown in FIG. 7;

[0019] FIG. 9 is a left side, front perspective view of the new and improved riser-mounted powered chair wherein the seat has been flipped upwardly;

[0020] FIG. 10 is a side-elevational view of the mechanism shown in FIG. 7 showing the details of the structural components and how they are operatively connected together;

[0021] FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the new and improved mechanism as shown in FIG. 7 wherein the footrest is fully extended, the seat is fully inclined, and the backrest is fully reclined;

[0022] FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view showing the details of the linkage assembly;

[0023] FIG. 13 is an enlarged side elevational view showing the details of the linkage assembly as attached to the transversely oriented mounting bar and chair base;

[0024] FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the new and improved mechanism as mounted upon the chair base and wherein the mechanism and footrest are disposed at the retracted or closed position, and the seat and backrest are disposed at the non-inclined, non-reclined positions;

[0025] FIG. 15 is an enlarged, partial side elevational view of the new and improved mechanism as disclosed within FIG. 14 and as included within the circular region 15 denoted on FIG. 14;

[0026] FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of the new and improved mechanism as mounted upon the chair base and wherein the mechanism and footrest are disposed at the fully extended position, and the seat and backrest are disposed at their fully inclined, fully reclined positions; and

[0027] FIG. 17 is an enlarged, partial side elevational view of the new and improved mechanism as disclosed within FIG. 16 and as included within the circular region 17 denoted on FIG. 16.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0028] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, conventional, PRIOR ART theater seats, generally indicated by the reference character 100, are disclosed whereby the seats 100 are fixedly mounted upon the tread portions 102 of the theater stairs 104. The new and improved powered chair, having the new and improved riser-mounted powered chair mechanism incorporated therein, and as developed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, is disclosed within FIGS. 2,3, and 5-10 and is generally indicated by the reference character 200. More particularly, it is seen that the new and improved powered chair 200 comprises a chair base 202 which is adapted to be fixedly secured atop a tread portion 204 of a theater seating platform 206, and a seat base 208 which is pivotally mounted at a rear end portion thereof to a rear end portion of the chair base 202, as at 210, as can best be seen in FIG. 10, whereby the front of the seat base 208 can be elevated such that the powered chair 200 can be inclined. It is also seen that lower end portions of a pair of oppositely disposed backrest mounting brackets 212 are fixedly mounted upon rear end portions of the seat base 208, by means of suitable fasteners 214, such that a backrest 215 can be fully reclined when the seat base 208 is inclined. Still further, a seat cushion mounting frame 216 is pivotally mounted at a front-end portion thereof to a front-end portion of the seat base 208 so as to be capable of being flipped upwardly and forwardly, as is shown in FIG. 9, for facilitating the cleaning of the theater seat. In addition, a transversely oriented mounting bar 218 is fixedly mounted to undersurface portions of the seat base 208 by means of a first set of mounting brackets 220, while first end portions of a pair of oppositely disposed linkage assemblies 222 are pivotally mounted upon a second set of mounting brackets 224 which are fixedly mounted upon the transversely oriented mounting bar or front rail tube 218. In turn, an ottoman or footrest 226 is fixedly mounted upon second opposite end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed linkage assemblies 222, and a linear actuator 228 is fixedly mounted upon the front face 230 of the riser portion of the theater seating platform 206. The telescopic rod portion 232 of the linear actuator 228 is pivotally connected to the transversely oriented mounting bar 218, by means of a first clevis connector 234, and accordingly, when the telescopic rod portion 232 of the linear actuator 228 is extended, the front of the seat base 208 will be elevated so that the seat base 208 will be inclined, and the backrest mounting brackets 212, upon which the backrest 215 is fixedly mounted, will be reclined. In addition, the footrest or ottoman 226 will be extended from its retracted position in front of the front face 230 of the riser portion of the theater seating platform 206, and beneath the powered chair seat, to an elevated, extended position in front of the powered chair seat. Lastly, it is seen that the motor end 236 of the linear actuator 228 is pivotally mounted upon the lower end portion of a vertically oriented mounting bracket 238 by means of a second clevis connector 240, wherein the vertically oriented mounting bracket 238 is fixedly connected to, or integrally formed with, a front-end portion of the chair base 202. Of course, the linear actuator 228 could be reversed wherein the motor end 236 of the linear actuator 228 is pivotally connected to transversely oriented mounting bar 218 while the telescopic rod portion 232 of the linear actuator 228 is pivotally connected to the lower end portion of the vertically oriented mounting bracket 238 by means of the second clevis connector 240.

[0029] As can therefore be best appreciated from FIGS. 2, 5, and 9, when the ottoman or footrest 226 is disposed at its retracted position, the linear actuator 228 and its mounting bracket 238 will effectively be interposed between the ottoman or footrest 226 and the front face 230 of the riser portion of the theater seating platform 206 so as to be hidden from view. Lastly, with reference being made to FIGS. 10-17, it is seen that each one of the pair of oppositely disposed linkage assemblies 222 comprises an ottoman drive connector link 242 which is pivotally connected, at a lower end portion thereof, to a forward end portion of the chair base 202, as at 244, while an upper end portion of the ottoman drive connector link 242 is pivotally connected to a first, upper, rear end portion of an ottoman drive attachment link 246 as at 248. In turn, a lower, forward end portion of the ottoman drive attachment link 246 is fixedly attached to an intermediate portion of an upper ottoman drive link 250, by means of suitable fasteners, as at 252, while a forward end portion of the upper ottoman drive link 250 is pivotally connected to an intermediate portion of an upper, rearward ottoman extension link 254, as at 256, and a rear end portion of the upper ottoman drive link 250 is pivotally connected to an upper end portion of one of the second set of mounting brackets 224, as at 257, which are fixedly mounted upon the transversely oriented mounting bar 218. It is also seen that an upper end portion of the upper, rearward ottoman extension link 254 is pivotally connected to a rear end portion of an ottoman board mounting bracket 258, as at 260, which is adapted to mount the ottoman board 226 thereon, while a lower end portion of the upper, rearward ottoman extension link 254 is pivotally connected to an intermediate portion of a lower ottoman drive link 262 as at 264. In turn, the rear end portion of the lower ottoman drive link 262 is pivotally connected to a lower end portion of one of the second set of mounting brackets 224, as at 266, while a forward end portion of the lower ottoman drive link 262 is pivotally connected to a lower end portion of a lower, forward ottoman extension link 268 as at 270, with an upper end portion of the lower, forward ottoman extension link 268 being pivotally connected to the ottoman board mounting bracket 258 as at 272.

[0030] With reference lastly being made to FIGS. 4A-4C, there is disclosed a new and improved new and improved powered chair having a pedestal-mounted powered chair mechanism incorporated therein, as has also been developed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, and the same is generally indicated by the reference character 300. The mechanism is precisely the same as that disclosed within FIGS. 1-3 and 5-17 except that the mechanism is adapted to be mounted upon an upstanding pedestal 374. Accordingly, it is also noted that component parts of the powered chair and mechanism 300, that correspond to the powered chair and mechanism 200, will be designated by corresponding parts except that they will be denoted by reference characters within the 300 series. Still further, in view of the fact that the actual powered chair and mechanism 300 is precisely the same as that of the powered chair and mechanism 200, a detailed description of the same will be omitted for brevity purposes. In addition, as disclosed within FIG. 4C, in lieu of the vertically oriented mounting bracket 338 not being directly mounted upon the front face 330 of the pedestal 374, a horizontally oriented auxiliary mounting bracket 376 fixedly connects the lower end portion of the vertically oriented mounting bracket 338 to the front face 330 of the pedestal 374.

[0031] Obviously, many variations and modifications of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

Claims

1. A powered chair mechanism adapted to be mounted upon a theater seating platform, comprising:a chair base adapted to be fixedly secured atop a tread portion of a theater seating platform;a seat base pivotally mounted to a rear end portion of said chair base whereby a front-end portion of said seat base can be elevated such that said powered chair can be inclined;backrest mounting brackets fixedly mounted upon said seat base such that said backrest can be fully reclined when said seat base is fully inclined;a transversely oriented mounting bar fixedly connected to the seat base;a linkage assembly pivotally mounted at a first end thereof upon said transversely oriented mounting bar;an ottoman or footrest mounting bracket, for mounting an ottoman or footrest thereon, pivotally mounted upon a second end of said linkage assembly; anda linear actuator fixedly mounted upon a front face of a riser portion of said theater seating platform and operatively connected to said transversely oriented mounting bar for elevating said transversely oriented mounting bar and thereby moving said seat base toward a fully inclined position, for moving said backrest toward a fully reclined position, and for moving said ottoman or footrest toward a fully extended position.

2. The powered chair mechanism as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:a seat cushion mounting frame pivotally mounted upon a front-end portion of said seat base so as to be capable of being flipped upwardly and forwardly.

3. The powered chair mechanism as set forth in claim 1, wherein:said linkage assembly comprises a pair of oppositely disposed linkage assemblies.

4. The powered chair mechanism as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:a vertically oriented mounting bracket fixedly connected to said chair base and fixedly mounted upon said riser portion of said theater seating platform.

5. The powered chair mechanism as set forth in claim 4, wherein:said linear actuator is mounted upon said vertically oriented mounting bracket fixedly mounted upon said riser portion of said theater seating platform.

6. The powered chair mechanism as set forth in claim 3, wherein each one of said pair of oppositely disposed linkage assemblies comprises:a pair of ottoman drive links pivotally connected to a pair of ottoman extension links, wherein said pair of ottoman extension links are pivotally connected to said ottoman or footrest mounting bracket.

7. The powered chair mechanism as set forth in claim 6, wherein:both of said pair of ottoman drive links are pivotally connected to said transversely oriented mounting bar.

8. The powered chair mechanism as set forth in claim 5, wherein:said linear actuator comprises a motor end and a telescopic rod end,wherein a first one of said motor end and said telescopic rod end of said linear actuator is operatively connected to said transversely oriented mounting bar, while a second one of said motor end and said telescopic rod end of said linear actuator is operatively connected to a lower end portion of said vertically oriented mounting bracket.

9. A powered chair mechanism adapted to be mounted upon an upstanding pedestal, comprising:a chair base adapted to be fixedly secured atop a pedestal;a seat base pivotally mounted to a rear end portion of said chair base whereby a front-end portion of said seat base can be elevated such that said powered chair can be inclined;backrest mounting brackets fixedly mounted upon said seat base such that said backrest can be fully reclined when said seat base is fully inclined;a transversely oriented mounting bar fixedly connected to the seat base;a linkage assembly pivotally mounted at a first end thereof upon said transversely oriented mounting bar;an ottoman or footrest mounting bracket, for mounting an ottoman or footrest thereon, pivotally mounted upon a second end of said linkage assembly; anda linear actuator fixedly mounted to a front face of said pedestal and operatively connected to said transversely oriented mounting bar for elevating said transversely oriented mounting bar and thereby moving said seat base toward a fully inclined position, for moving said backrest toward a fully reclined position, and for moving said ottoman or footrest toward a fully extended position.

10. The powered chair mechanism as set forth in claim 9, further comprising:a seat cushion mounting frame pivotally mounted upon a front-end portion of said seat base so as to be capable of being flipped upwardly and forwardly.

11. The powered chair mechanism as set forth in claim 9, wherein:said linkage assembly comprises a pair of oppositely disposed linkage assemblies.

12. The powered chair mechanism as set forth in claim 9, further comprising:a vertically oriented mounting bracket fixedly connected to said chair base and fixedly mounted upon a front face of said pedestal.

13. The powered chair mechanism as set forth in claim 12, wherein:said linear actuator is mounted upon said vertically oriented mounting bracket fixedly mounted upon said front face of said pedestal.

14. The powered chair mechanism as set forth in claim 11, wherein each one of said pair of oppositely disposed linkage assemblies comprises:a pair of ottoman drive links pivotally connected to a pair of ottoman extension links, wherein said pair of ottoman extension links are pivotally connected to said ottoman or footrest mounting bracket.

15. The powered chair mechanism as set forth in claim 14, wherein:both of said pair of ottoman drive links are pivotally connected to said transversely oriented mounting bar.

16. The powered chair mechanism as set forth in claim 9, wherein:said linear actuator is mounted upon an auxiliary mounting bracket which, in turn, is fixedly connected to said front face of said pedestal.

17. The powered chair mechanism as set forth in claim 12, wherein:said linear actuator comprises a motor end and a telescopic rod end,wherein a first one of said motor end and said telescopic rod end of said linear actuator is operatively connected to said transversely oriented mounting bar, while a second one of said motor end and said telescopic rod end of said linear actuator is operatively connected to a lower end portion of said vertically oriented mounting bracket.

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