US 12,471,708 B2 · Reclinable seating apparatus

Abstract

A weight-sensitive, reclinable seating apparatus that features a backrest pivot mechanism positioned entirely within the seat assembly (200) of the seating apparatus. The backrest pivot mechanism comprises a plurality of ramp assemblages positioned within the seat assembly (200), with the ramp assemblages each comprising one or more motion-facilitating components (272a, 272b, 222a, 222b, 252a, 252b) that engage one or more ramps (215a, 215b, 255a, 255b, 217a, 217b). The motion-facilitating components (272a, 272, 222a, 222b, 252a, 252b) cooperate with the ramps (215a, 215b, 255a, 255b, 217a, 217b) to provide a virtual pivot (400) for the backrest (317) that is projected above the seat surface. The backrest pivot mechanism minimizes the vertical drop of the backrest during the recline motion, which in turn minimizes the seat lift during the recline motion. By minimizing the magnitude of the backrest drop and the seat lift during a recline operation, the seating apparatus reduces the displacement of the functional pivot from the ideal pivot point as the chair reclines.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A reclinable seating apparatus, comprising:

a seat assembly comprising a seat housing and a seat plate;
a backrest recline mechanism comprising:
a connector having a horizontal extension and a vertical extension;
a central ramp assemblage for operatively coupling the horizontal extension of the connector to a central portion of the seat housing;
a rear ramp assemblage for operatively coupling the horizontal extension of the connector to a rear portion of the seat housing;
and a front ramp assemblage for operatively coupling a front portion of the seat plate to a front portion of the seat housing;
wherein the rear ramp assemblage comprises one or more rear housing ramps positioned on a rear portion of the seat housing;
and one or more rear rollers attached to a bottom portion of the horizontal extension of the connector, wherein the one or more rear rollers operatively engage the one or more rear housing ramps;
and
a backrest assembly attached to the vertical extension of the connector.

7 more elements

A reclinable seating apparatus, comprising:

(a) a seat assembly comprising a housing;
a L-shaped connector;
a seat plate;
and a plurality of ramp assemblages for operatively coupling both the L-shaped connector and the seat plate to the housing, wherein the plurality of ramp assemblages comprise:
a front ramp assemblage for operatively coupling a front portion of the seat plate to a front portion of the housing;
a central ramp assemblage for operatively coupling a front portion of the L-shaped connector to a central portion of the housing;
and a rear ramp assemblage for operatively coupling a bottom portion of the L-shaped connector to a rear portion of the housing;
wherein the rear ramp assemblage comprises:
one or more rear housing ramps positioned on the rear portion of the housing;
and one or more rear rollers attached to the bottom portion of the L-shaped connector, wherein the one or more rear rollers operatively engage the one or more rear housing ramps;
and
(b) a backrest assembly attached to the L-shaped connector.

9 more elements

A reclinable seating apparatus, comprising:

(a) a base assembly;
(b) a seat assembly mounted to the base assembly, the seat assembly comprising:
i. a housing subassembly comprising a housing;
a front housing ramp positioned in a front portion of the housing;
a central motion-facilitating component positioned in a central portion of the housing;
and a rear housing ramp positioned in a rear portion of the housing;
ii. a connector subassembly comprising a connector, the connector defining a vertical extension and a horizontal extension and wherein the horizontal extension of the connector comprises an arcuate connector ramp positioned in a front portion of the horizontal extension and a rear motion-facilitating component positioned in a rear portion of the horizontal extension, wherein the connector ramp is in operative engagement with the central motion facilitating component of the housing subassembly, and wherein the rear motion-facilitating component is in operative engagement with the rear housing ramp of the housing subassembly;
iii. a seat plate subassembly pivotally attached to the connector subassembly, the seat plate subassembly comprising a front motion-facilitating component engaged with the front housing ramp of the housing subassembly;
and
a backrest assembly attached to the vertical extension of the connector.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Reclinable seating apparatus

Life of this patent

Reclinable seating apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17