Patent ID: 6247753
Filing Date: 2001-06-19
Classification: A47C

Abstract:
In a reclining or seating piece of furniture having an adjustable frame for supporting a mattress, cushions, or upholstery and having adjustably articulated back and seat members joined by a pivotal connection, the adjustable frame being mounted in a support member by horizontal axles defining fulcrums for the articulated back and seat members, the back member having a fixed fulcrum pivoted in the support member and located at a distance from the pivotal connection, the seat member having a slidable fulcrum in a central region thereof that is slidable along and pivotal relative to the support member, adjustment of the respective articulated back and seat members being performed via a fixed, downwardly projecting arm extending from the back member to an attachment point beyond the fixed fulcrum of the back member, and a spring mechanism provided between the attachment point on downwardly projecting arm and a reaction point on one of the support member or the adjustable frame, the improvement wherein:the spring mechanism is at least one gas spring for exerting a force against the attachment point on the downwardly projecting arm on the back member, the attachment point being adjustable in dependence on one of a weight or frictional load on the piece of furniture, so that the spring mechanism exerts a force of the same order as the force exerted on the back member during any adjustment between different positions of the piece of furniture, and wherein the spring mechanism includes a locking mechanism for locking the spring mechanism in any position.