US 6,957,865 B1 · Adjustable chair

Abstract

An adjustable leg for a chair includes a leg housing, secured to a seat, that includes a threaded inner wall. A leg extension is received into the leg housing and includes external threaded portions that mate with the threaded inner wall. A tab in the leg housing cooperates with the external threaded portions and secures the leg extension at a predefined position in the leg housing.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims26

Dependent claims

An adjustable leg for a chair, comprising:

a leg housing secured to a seat and including a threaded inner wall;
a leg extension received into the leg housing and including external threaded portions that mate with the threaded inner wall;
and
a tab in the leg housing cooperating with the external threaded portions and securing the leg extension at a predefined position in the leg housing.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description3,159 words

Summary851 words

#The present invention relates to chairs having a height adjustment. It finds particular application in conjunction with bathing chairs and will be described with particular reference thereto. It will be appreciated, however, that the invention is also amenable to other applications.

#Adjustable chairs are useful for assisting disabled persons while bathing. Depending on the type and/or severity of the disability, a person may prefer or have no choice but to sit while bathing. In this case, it is desirable to use a chair having a seat easily adjustable to various heights. Furthermore, because the terrain of the bathing area (e.g., a tub or shower) may be uneven, it is also desirable that the legs be independently adjustable to accommodate even slight irregularities in the surface of the bathing area while ensuring that the seat is level (e.g., parallel to the ground).

#One conventional chair used for assisting disabled persons while bathing includes a leg having an upper portion secured to an underside of a seat. A continuously threaded section extends from the upper portion of the leg. A lower portion of the leg includes a hollow cavity with continuous threads that mate with the threaded section of the upper portion. The threaded section of the upper portion is screwed into the cavity of the lower portion until a desired height of the seat is attained. Furthermore, the height of the seat is adjusted by turning (e.g., screwing and/or unscrewing) the threaded section of the upper portion to a new position within the cavity.

Brief description of the drawings9 figures

#In the accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, embodiments of the invention are illustrated, which, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description given below, serve to exemplify the embodiments of this invention.

#FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a chair in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 illustrates a top of the seat portion in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Detailed description2,115 words

#With reference to FIG. 1, a chair 10 according to the present invention includes a seat portion 12, a back portion 14, and a plurality of leg housings 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d secured to the seat portion 12. Although four (4) leg housings 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d are shown in the illustrated embodiment, it is to be understood that other numbers of leg housings are also contemplated. A plurality of leg extensions 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d are received in respective inserts 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, which are secured in the leg housings 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d.

#With reference to FIG. 2, a top portion 22 of the seat portion 12 includes a plurality of holes 24 for providing drainage. A plurality (e.g., two (2)) of hand grips 26a, 26b are also provided.

#With reference to FIG. 3, a bottom portion 30 of the seat portion 12 includes a plurality of housing receiving portions 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d, which are designed to mate with an upper portion 34a (see FIG. 16) of the leg housing 16a (see FIG. 18). FIGS. 4–7 illustrate cross-sectional views of the housing receiving portion 32a. FIGS. 8–11 illustrate cross-sectional views of the housing receiving portion 32b. FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate cross-sectional views of the housing receiving portion 32c. FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate cross-sectional views of the housing receiving portion 32d.

Facts

Application

10/709,123Filed 14 Apr 2004

Published

US 2005/0248195 A110 Nov 2005

Granted

25 Oct 2005

Term ended

14 Apr 2024

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification11 codes

A47C 7/008
Chair or stool bases: for uneven surfaces
A47B 91/024
Using screw means: foot attached to a rotating bolt supported in an internal thread
A47C 3/24
Chairs or stools with vertically-adjustable seats: with vertical spindle
A47C 3/40
Chairs or stools with vertically-adjustable seats: telescopic guides

Timeline

14 Apr 2004Application filedUS 10/709,123
14 Apr 2004Assigned to Invacare Corp.assignment of assignor's interest
25 Oct 2005GrantedUS 6,957,865 B1
10 Nov 2005PublishedUS 2005/0248195 A1
14 Mar 2007Assigned to National City Bank, AS Multicurrency Collateral Agentnotice of grant of security interest
12 Dec 2010Assigned to Pnc Bank, National Associationsecurity agreement
9 Aug 2022Assigned to Glas Trust Corporation Limited, AS Collateral Agentpatent security agreement (term loan)
9 Aug 2022Assigned to Glas Trust Corporation Limited, AS Collateral Agentpatent security agreement (tranche i notes)
9 Aug 2022Assigned to Glas Trust Corporation Limited, AS Collateral Agentpatent security agreement (tranche ii notes)
3 Feb 2023Assigned to Pnc Bank, National Associationsecurity interest
3 Feb 2023Assigned to Glas Trust Corporation Limited, AS Collateral Agentpatent security agreement
5 May 2023Assigned to White Oak Commercial Finance, LLC, AS Collateral Agentsecurity interest
10 May 2023Assigned to Invacare Corporation, Freedom Designs, Inc., Motion Concepts L.P.intellectual property release (dip payoff)
10 May 2023Assigned to Invacare Corporation, Freedom Designs, Inc.intellectual property release (tranche i notes)
10 May 2023Assigned to Invacare Corporation, Freedom Designs, Inc.intellectual property release (tranche ii notes)
11 May 2023Assigned to Glas Trust Company LLC, AS Successor Collateral Agentassignment of security interest in intellectual property rights
12 May 2023Assigned to Glas Trust Company LLC, AS Collateral Agentpatent security agreement (tranche i notes)
15 May 2023Assigned to Glas Trust Company LLC, AS Collateral Agentpatent security agreement (tranche ii notes)
15 May 2023Assigned to Invacare Corporationrelease of security interest
16 May 2023Assigned to Invacare Corporation, Adaptive Switch Laboratories, Inc., The Aftermarket Group, Inc., Altimate Medical, Inc., Centralized Medical Equipment LLC, Champion Manufacturing Inc., Family Medical Supply LLC, The Helixx Group, Inc., Invacare Canadian Holdings, Inc., Invacare Canadian Holdings, LLC, Invacare Continuing Care, Inc., Invacare Credit Corporation, Invacare Florida Corporation, Invacare Holdings, LLC, Invacare International Corporation, Invacare Supply Group, Inc., Invamex Holdings LLC, Kuschall, Inc., Roadrunner Mobility, Incorporated, Freedom Designs, Inc., Garden City Medical Inc., Invacare Florida Holdings, LLC, Invacare Hcs, LLCrelease of security interest
16 May 2023Assigned to Invacare Corporation, Freedom Designs, Inc., Garden City Medical Inc., The Aftermarket Group, Inc., Dynamic Medical Systems, LLC, Invacare Continuing Care, Inc., Medbloc, Inc., Adaptive Switch Laboratories, Inc., Centralized Medical Equipment LLC, The Helixx Group, Inc., Invacare Canadian Finance, LLC, Invacare Candian Holdings, Inc., Invacare Credit Corporation, Invacare Florida Corporation, Invacare Florida Holdings, LLC, Invacare Holdings, LLC, Invacare International Corporation, Invamex Holdings LLC, Invacare Outcomes Management LLCrelease of security interest
16 May 2023Assigned to Invacare Corporation, Adaptive Switch Laboratories, Inc., The Aftermarket Group, Inc., Altimate Medical, Inc., Centralized Medical Equipment LLC, Champion Manufacturing Inc., Family Medical Supply LLC, The Helixx Group, Inc., Invacare Canadian Holdings, Inc., Invacare Canadian Holdings, LLC, Invacare Continuing Care, Inc., Invacare Credit Corporation, Invacare Florida Corporation, Invacare Holdings, LLC, Invacare International Corporation, Invacare Supply Group, Inc., Invamex Holdings LLC, Kuschall, Inc., Roadrunner Mobility, Incorporated, Freedom Designs, Inc., Garden City Medical Inc., Invacare Florida Holdings, LLC, Invacare Hcs, LLCrelease of security interest
18 May 2023Assigned to Invacare Corporation, Adaptive Switch Laboratories, Inc., Freedom Designs, Inc., Medbloc, Inc., Invacare Credit Corporation, Invacare Holdings, LLC, Invamex Holdings LLCrelease of security interest
14 Apr 2024Term endedEstimated
13 Sep 2024Assigned to Wilmington Savings Fund Society, Fsbassignment of patent security agreement
13 Nov 2024Assigned to Invacare Corporation, Freedom Designs, Inc, Motion Concepts L.P.release of security interest
17 Nov 2024Assigned to Invacare Corporation, Freedom Designs, Inc., Motion Concepts L.P.release of security interest

Adjustable chair

Life of this patent

Adjustable chair

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims26

Description3,159 words

Drawings

Classification11 codes

Life of this patent

Description3,159 words