Chair with swing-out footrest

A chair has a frame, a main link having an inner end pivoted on the frame about an inner axis fixed relative to the frame and an outer end defining an outer axis parallel to the inner axis. An outer arm has an inner end pivoted at the outer axis on the outer axis of the main link and an outer end carrying a footrest. An inner wheel is fixed nonrotatably on the frame at the inner axis, and an outer wheel is fixed nonrotatably on the inner end of the outer arm at the outer axis. A chain, belt, or the like connected to both of the wheels couples same together for joint synchronous rotation. A drive can pivot the main link about the inner axis and thereby pivot the outer arm about the outer axis.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a chair. More particularly this invention concerns a chair with a swing-out footrest.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A recliner chair has a footrest that can move between a retracted position extending vertically and tucked underneath a front edge of the seat cushion and an extended position extending horizontally and positioned in front of and generally level with the seat cushion. The footrest moves into the extended position as other elements of the chair's mechanism tilt the chairs backrest rearwardly and normally also lower a rear end of the seat cushion or raise its front end.

The standard mechanism for shifting the footrest is formed by a pair of horizontally spaced scissor linkages having unequal legs to effect the arcuate and twisting movement of the footrest. These linkages have to be identical and function identically to ensure smooth movement of the footrest.

Not only are these scissor linkages fairly complex so that they add considerably to the cost of the chair, but they present a real danger of pinching the user or the user's clothing. It is critical to keep anything delicate out of contact with the scissor link-ages since they can damage or, at the very least, dirty anything that touches or gets tangled in them.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved recliner chair with a swing-out footrest.

Another object is the provision of such an improved recliner chair with a swing-out footrest which overcomes the above-given disadvantages, that is whose footrest-operating mechanism is simple, inexpensive, and safe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A chair has according to the invention a frame, a main link having an inner end pivoted on the frame about an inner axis fixed relative to the frame and an outer end defining an outer axis parallel to the inner axis. An outer arm has an inner end pivoted at the outer axis on the outer axis of the main link and an outer end carrying a footrest. An inner wheel is fixed nonrotatably on the frame at the inner axis, and an outer wheel is fixed nonrotatably on the inner end of the outer arm at the outer axis. A chain, belt, or the like connected to both of the wheels couples same together for joint synchronous rotation. A drive can pivot the main link about the inner axis and thereby pivot the outer arm about the outer axis.

With this system the mechanism can, according to another feature of the invention, be restricted to a region lying on a generally symmetrical central symmetry plane of the chair. Thus the main link lies on the plane so that it is largely out of the way of the user, and does not need to be made in two identical arrangements as the main link can be robust enough to support the foot rest.

According to the invention, the arm is comprised of a pair of parallel arm elements offset from and symmetrically flanking the plane, but still lying fairly close to the plane and well inward out of the outer bounds of the chair. A shaft on the outer axis is fixed to the outer wheel and has ends projecting from the link outer end and fixed in the arm elements. Respective shield tubes fixed to the main link coaxially surround the shaft ends between the main link and the arm elements.

In addition in accordance with the invention the main link is formed by a pair of confronting shells extending between the inner and outer axes and forming a cavity holding the wheels and the connecter between them. This main link further has a bracket fixed between the inner and outer axes to the shells. The drive is connected to the bracket. Thus all the moving parts for the foot rest are enclosed so that they cannot pinch or dirty the user of the chair.

The drive includes an extensible actuator having one end pivoted on the frame and an opposite end operatively engaged with the main link between the axes. A drive link is pivoted on the opposite end of the actuator and on the main link between the inner and outer axes. Furthermore a control arm has an end pivoted on the frame and another arm pivoted at the opposite end of the actuator. This control arm forces the point at which it, the actuator, and the drive link are pivoted together to move in an arc.

According to a further feature of the invention, a shaft extends along the inner axis. The main link is fixed at its inner end to the shaft, and a pair of axially spaced arms is fixed to the frame and rotatably carries the shaft. The inner wheel is fixed to one of the pair of arms.

To prevent a person from being injured when the footrest is retracted, the footrest cushion is mounted via a releasable coupling to the outer end of the main link.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION

As seen inFIGS. 1to5, a chair according to the invention has a stationary frame or base1generally symmetrical to a central vertical plane P and having a pair of side base plates2symmetrically flanking the plane P below a seat plate3. A back4projects upward from a rear end of the seat plate3. The seat plate3and back4can also move, but their movements are not relevant to the instant invention.

A footrest5is carried on a mounting plate18at an outer end of a pair of arms8that symmetrically flank the plane P and that have inner ends pivoted about an outer axis27of a rigid arm7lying on the plane P and having an inner end fixed at an inner axis28on a shaft22pivoted on arms21and23fixed to the frame1. A gear wheel6centered on the inner axis28is fixed nonrotatably on the frame1and an identical outer gear9is rotatable about the outer axis27at the outer end of the link7. The gear9is fixed to a shaft19projecting in both directions along the axis27from the link7and having outer ends fixed to the inner ends of the arms8. A chain10is engaged over the gear wheels6and9so that they are coupled together for joint synchronous rotation. Instead of the chain10and gears6and9, it would be possible to use a toothed belt and pulleys. Alternately a gear train could replace the chain10. One or two spring-loaded cables spanned over two wheels could also be used to hold the outer wheel9in the same angular position relative to the inner wheel6regardless of the angular position of the link7.

This link7is actually formed by two elongated shells11open toward each other and flanking a central bracket17securing them together and lying between the reaches of the chain10. This prevents the user of the chair from direct contact with the gears6and9and the chain10. Similarly a pair of tubes20fixed to the outer end of the link7coaxially surround the shaft10between the link7and the arms8to prevent contact with this shaft19.

An actuator13that can be powered electrically, hydraulically, or pneumatically has an output element16pivoted to an inner end of a link12whose outer end is pivoted at an axis29to the link7at the bracket17between the axes27and28. A crank arm15has an inner end pivoted at14on the base1and an outer end pivoted at29on the element16and link12to force this axis29to move along an arcuate path as the element16moves out (to the left inFIGS. 1to3) and in (to the right inFIGS. 1to3).

FIG. 7shows how an upholstered footrest cushion24is provided with a pair of mounting rods26(only one shown) that fit in clips25carried on the footrest support18. Thus if a user's leg gets caught between the footrest cushion24and the base1when the footrest5is being lowered, the cushion24will disconnect from the support18and not injure the user.