Portable chair

Abstract

A portable chair (10) for dental treatment is disclosed herein. The portable chair (10) comprises a base (20); at least a lift arm (30) having one end pivotally connected to said base (20); a chair assembly (40) having a seat (41), backrest seat (42) and chair assembly support (43); wherein said backrest seat (42) is pivotally connected to said seat (41); wherein said chair assembly support (43) is pivotally connected to another end of said lift arm (300), characterized in that; said base (20) having a compartment (22) that is substantially sufficient for storing said chair assembly (30); and said base (20) further comprising an actuator mechanism (24) that is pivotally connected to said chair assembly (40) and said base (20).

Description

Portable Chair

[0001] The present invention described herein pertains generally to a portable chair for supporting a patient during examination and treatments, and more particularly to a portable chair for use in dental treatment.

[0002] On-site dental services are regularly provided by the health ministry to public schools and rural areas. The staffs that go to these places are using existing equipment in the clinic that are stored in custom made portable carrier. The conventional dental chair, as shown in, that are used by dental staff normally consist of foldable lightweight dental chair. The problem with using this type of chair is it is not steady and may wobble during dental treatment. Patient may also feel uncomfortable if the treatment take extended time as the cushion on the conventional chair is thin.

[0003] Continuous usage of the conventional chair on-site may also compromise the durability. This is because the chair may be abused by different users during handling and exposed to the various environment conditions. Over the time, the structure integrity of the chair may be compromised and not safe to be used anymore.

[0004] Another example of conventional chair used for on-site dental treatment that has the same problems as above is shown in US 4,334,710.

[0005] There is a need for a portable dental chair that is comfortable, steady and robust to use during on-site dental treatment.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the first invention there is provided a portable chair 10 for dental treatment, comprising a base 20; at least a lift arm 30 having one end pivotally connected to said base 20; a chair assembly 40 having a seat 41, backrest 42 and chair assembly support 43; wherein said backrest 42 is pivotally connected to said seat 41; wherein said chair assembly support 43 is pivotally connected to another end of said lift arm 30, characterized in that; said base 20 having a compartment 22 that is substantially sufficient for storing said chair assembly 40; and said base 20 further comprising an actuator mechanism 24 that is pivotally connected to said chair assembly 40 and said base 20.

[0007] Another object of the invention is said portable chair 10 further comprising a controller 50 for controlling said actuator mechanism 24 that is located on one side of said base 20.

[0008] Another object of the invention is said controller 50 for controlling said actuator mechanism 24 that is connected to said base 20

[0009] Another object of the invention is said base 20 having at least a caster wheel 26 on one side of said base 20.

[0010] Another object of the invention is said base 20 having a base support 25; wherein said base support 25 is used to support said portable chair 10 to lift it upright when it is in closed position.

[0011] Another object of the invention is said base 20 having a handle 28.

[0012] Yet another object of the invention is said backrest 42 is pivotally connected to said seat 41 using hinge 46 with locking mechanism.

[0013] Another object of the invention is said backrest 42 further comprising fastening means 47 to secure the said backrest 42 on said seat 41 in folded position.

[0014] Another object of the invention is said backrest 42 further comprising a headrest 44 attached to an upper side of said backrest 42.

[0015] Yet another object of the invention is said chair assembly 40 further comprising armrest 45 attached to said chair assembly support 43.

[0016] is an example of a prior art.

[0017] is an isometric view of the preferred embodiment of the invention in supine position.

[0018] is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the invention in supine position.

[0019] is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the invention in folded position.

[0020] is the frame assembly of the preferred embodiment of the invention

[0021] As depicted inand 3, the preferred embodiment of the portable chair 10 for dental treatment comprises a base 20; at least a lift arm 30 having one end pivotally connected to said base 20; a chair assembly 40 having a seat 41, backrest 42 and chair assembly support 43; wherein said backrest 42 is pivotally connected to said seat 41; wherein said chair assembly support 43 is pivotally connected to another end of said lift arm 30; said base 20 having a compartment 22 that is substantially sufficient for storing said chair assembly 40; and said base 20 further comprising an actuator mechanism 24 that is pivotally connected to said chair assembly 40 and said base 20.

[0022] Said base 20 is made of sturdy frame, for example metal or the like, and then constructed into a preferable shape and covered by material made of fabric, leather, plastic materials, canvas or the like. Said base 20 also have a compartment 22 to store said chair assembly 40 when it is folded. A handle 28 is attached on the front side of said base 20 using any conventional fastening means such as screw, rivet, glue or the like. The handle 28 can also be a telescopically extendable to accommodate the height of the operator during transporting of said portable chair 10. When the operator want to erect the portable chair 10 at the on-site treatment area, the base 20 is then laid on flat ground and the operator can straight away push the button (not shown) on the controller 50. The controller 50 is preferably located on the front side, although it may also be located on any side of said base 20. The advantage of having the controller 50 on the front side is it would be easier for the operator to operate the portable chair 10 because it is near the handle 28. With one push of a button, the controller 50 will activate the actuator mechanism 24 to erect the portable chair 10. The controller 50 may not necessarily attached to side of the base. It could also exist in the form of remote controller, which can either be wire-connected to said base 20 or via wirelessly. Actuator mechanism 24 that is installed on said base 20, having one end that is pivotally connected to said chair assembly 40. The operation of said actuator mechanism 24 is controlled by said controller 50, which is powered by external power supply such as wall socket, electrical generator or the like (not shown). Alternatively, it could also be powered by internal power supply such as battery (not shown) that would be located inside said base 20. Said actuator mechanism 24 is preferably an electrical actuator mechanism. However, other types of actuator mechanism such as hydraulic, pneumatic or the like may also be used in this embodiment.

[0023] Said lift arm 30 having one end pivotally connected to said base 20 and another end pivotally connected to said chair assembly support 43. Preferably, said lift arm 30 comprises of two pairs of metal rods, which is then covered by material made of fabric, leather, plastic materials, canvas or the like. The pivotally connection is configured to ensure that the chair assembly 40 to fit perfectly into said compartment 22 when it is folded. Preferably, the lift arm 30 also have a suitable length and at an angle when said portable chair 10 is in supine position.

[0024] Said chair assembly 40 essentially consist of seat 41, backrest 42, chair assembly support 43. Preferably, said chair assembly 40 also have headrest 44 and armrest 45.

[0025] Said seat 41 may also contain leg support 48 for additional comfort to the patient. Preferably, said seat 41 contains comfortable cushion covered by waterproof upholstery material, such as leather, polymeric material (PVC, polyurethane material of the like) or any suitable material. Said seat 41 is pivotally connected to said backrest 42 which is preferably covered by the same upholstery material as seat 41. Preferably, said pivotally connection is a hinge 46 so that said backrest 42 can be folded. It could also be adjustable and locked into suitable position. Said chair assembly support 43 is pivoted to said lift arm 30 to hold the chair assembly 40. Said armrest 45 is connected to said chair assembly support 43. Preferably, said connection is screw, rivet or any detachable fastening means. Said headrest 44 is located on one end of said backrest 42. It is padded and having similar upholstery as seat 41 and backrest 42 for additional comfort to the patient.

[0026] shows the preferred embodiment of the said portable chair 10 in folded position. After the backrest 42 is folded on the seat 41, the actuator mechanism 24 is activated to retract the chair assembly 40 into the compartment 22. This will put the portable chair 10 into folded position. Preferably, to secure said backrest 42 during transportation of said portable chair 10, a fastening means 47 is installed on the backrest 42. Said fastening means 47 may be a flexible strap, hook and loop, button, snap fit or the like. Alternatively, said fastening means can also be installed on said base 20. This folded position is very suitable during transportation or storage.

[0027] Preferably, said backside of said base 20 is attached with base support 25 and at least a caster wheel 26. Said caster wheel 26 is located at the lower part of the backside to facilitate movement or transportation of the portable chair 10. On the upper part of the backside, there is provided said base support 25 to support said base 20 in upright position. A protective cover 27 is also installed on said base support 25 in order to reduce wear and tear. Preferably, said protective cover 27 is made pf rubber like material or the like.

[0028] depicts a frame assembly of the preferred embodiment of the said portable chair 10. Said base 20 has a base plate 28 for securing said actuator mechanism 24 onto said base 20.also shown backrest frame 42’ which has a headrest plate 44’ for fastening the headrest 44 to said backrest 42.

[0029] Whereas the present invention is described above with respect to preferred embodiment, there are numerous possible alternative embodiments are conceivable within the scope of the invention.

Claims

A portable chair (10) for dental treatment, comprising:a base (20);at least a lift arm (30) having one end pivotally connected to said base (20);a chair assembly (40) having a seat (41), backrest (42) and chair assembly support (43);wherein said backrest (42) is pivotally connected to said seat (41);wherein said chair assembly support (43) is pivotally connected to another end of said lift arm (30),characterizedin that;said base (20) having a compartment (22) that is substantially sufficient for storing said chair assembly (40); andsaid base (20) further comprising an actuator mechanism (24) that is pivotally connected to said chair assembly (40) and said base (20).A portable chair (10) as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that a controller (50) for controlling said actuator mechanism (24) is located on one side of said base (20).A portable chair (10) as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that a controller (50) for controlling said actuator mechanism (24) is connected to said base (20).A portable chair (10) as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that said base (20) having at least a caster wheel (26) on one side of said base (20).A portable chair (10) as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that said base (20) having a base support (25); wherein said base support (25) is used to support said portable chair (10) to stand upright when it is in closed position.A portable chair (10) as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that said base (20) having a handle (28).A portable chair (10) as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that said backrest (42) is pivotally connected to said seat (41) using hinge (46) with locking mechanism.A portable chair (10) as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that said backrest (42) further comprising fastening means (47) to secure the said backrest (42) on said seat (41) in folded positionA portable chair (10) as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that said backrest (42) further comprising a headrest (44) attached to an upper side of said backrest (42).A portable chair (10) as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that said chair assembly (40) further comprising armrest (45) attached to said chair assembly support (43).

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