CHAIR

Abstract: A rocking or swinging chair comprising a stationary frame (14), a seat element (20) supported by a seat frame (12) and a support (18) wherein the support (18) is pivotally connected to and accommodated within the frame (14) and the seat element (20) is pivotally connected to a lower end (26) of the support (18) so as to be capable of reciprocating movement relative to the frame (14) and further comprising armrests (22) pivotally connected at an upper end (28) of the support, said armrests (22) being capable of reciprocating movement relative to the frame in the respective opposite direction to the seat element (20).

Description: CHAIR Jf The present invention relates to a chair and more 5 particularly, but not exclusively, to a rocking or ' swinging chair. Rocking chairs are well known, many people find them comfortable to sit in and the rocking motion relaxing. Two main types of rocking or swinging chair have been 10 previously proposed. A first type, or "rocking chair", can consist of a chair body incorporating one or more arcuate foot members resting on the ground, or on a supporting frame, upon which the chair body can rock forwards and backwards. It can also consist of a chair 15 body linked to a supporting frame by a pivot on either side usually at the rear of the chair which enables the chair body to rock forwards or backwards about the pivot. A second type is most common in garden furniture where the seat itself is suspended from elevated portions of a 20 fixed frame so that it is capable of swinging or pendulous motion. For example:- GB 456 227 - The Crown Bedding Company Ltd - discloses a swinging garden seat in a stationary frame. The seat is suspended at each end on the fixed frame by 25 pairs of parallel straps which maintain the seat in a horizontal position as it swings. GB 470702 - vaughan - discloses a swinging settee in which the seat and back support are suspended from a stationary frame by means of parallel links at each end. 30 The frame also incorporates cross-rods which extend between the sides of the seat and a central longitudinal . member of the frame to prevent side swing. Both rocking and swinging chairs have disadvantages * which can combine to make them unsuitable for elderly or 35 disabled people who are frail and/or have difficulties in sitting down in or getting out of a chair which moves freely. The very fact that the seats are not fixed can make them difficult to get into and out of and the traditional rocking chair requires significant arm/leg muscular effort to initiate the rocking motion. The swinging chair, whilst requiring less effort to initiate motion, relies almost entirely on the legs to obtain movement. The swing-type chairs have the general disadvantage of being usually large and cumbersome whilst the rocking-type chairs have also the disadvantage that during forward rocking motion the seat tips forwards and downwards. Often, with such rocking-type chairs, the arcuate feet protrude beyond the front and/or back of the chair, being a hazard particularly for elderly or disabled people and young children. In addition, the arcuate rocking-type chair, where there is no fixed base, can move when energetically rocked, particularly on polished loors. It is an object of the present invention to ameliorate these disadvantages, and to provide a rocking chair which is easy to get into and out of, is safe to use, provides the comfort and draught-proofing of a conventional arm chair, and which provides light exercise of the arm, shoulder, back and leg muscles whilst seated, thereby overcoming the tendency for muscles to seize up when seated for extended periods. According to the present invention there is provided a chair comprising a stationary frame, a seat frame and a support wherein the support is pivotally connected to the stationary frame and the seat frame is pivotally connected to one end of the support so as to be capable of reciprocating movement relative to the stationary frame and further comprises armrests pivotally connected to a second end of the support, said armrests being capable of reciprocating movement relative to the stationary frame in the respective opposite direction to the seat frame. Preferably the support comprises at least two elongate elements which are pivotally mounted to the stationary frame. Preferably the support comprises at least one elongate element disposed on either side of the seat frame. Preferably the support comprises two elongate elements disposed on either side of the seat frame. Preferably the support is accommodated within the stationary frame. Preferably the elongate elements are joined to the stationary frame, the seat frame and the armrests by free moving but rigid bearings such as black nylon, metal, metal/inorganic materials or ball bearings. Preferably the armrests extend beyond the seat front edge and are suitably shaped so as to assist people getting in and out of the chair. Alternatively, the front pair of elongate elements can extend above the normal horizontal line of the armrests, or the armrests may be hinged near the front so that they can be raised from the horizontal to the vertical and locked in this position, so that the person sitting in the chair can obtain greater leverage to assist them in getting in and/or out of the chair. Optionally the support is provided with a locking means to fix the seat element and armrests in a given position. Optionally the tilt of the seat back is adjustable. Optionally the depth of the seat within the stationary frame is adjustable. Preferably the dimensions of the chair e.g. rake of chair seat, shape of back, depth of seat and armrest width are those recommended for easy chairs for elderly people. For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how the same may be put into effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is an end view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is an end view of a linkage of a preferred embodiment; Figure 4 is an end view of a second preferred embodiment of the invention; and Figure 5 is a side elevation of the second preferred embodiment shown in Figure 4. The chair 10 shown in the drawings comprises a stationary part and a movable part. The stationary part comprises a frame 14 having four leg -members 15. The movable part comprises a swing-support 18, a seat element 20, and armrests 22. The seat element 20 includes a seat cushion 34, seat back 21 and a seat frame 12. The support 18 is arranged within the frame 14 and includes two pairs of elongate elements 24. The elements of each pair are in parallel, spaced apart arrangement, and one pair is arranged on either side of the inside of the frame 14. Each element 24 is pivotally connected to the main frame structure 14 at a point 17 close to, but spaced apart from its upper end 28. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2, each element 24 is pivotally connected to a lug 19, projecting downwardly from the frame 14. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5, each element 24 is pivotally connected to the frame 14 directly at a point 23. Each element 24 is also pivotally connected at a first lower end 26 to the seat frame 12 and at a second, upper end 28 to an armrest 22. The seat element 20 and armrests 22 are thus suspended within the frame 14 by two pairs of parallel, or substantially parallel, elements 24 and are capable of swinging backwards and forwards. The arrangement of the parallel elements allows the seat element 20 and armrests 22 to remain horizontal, or substantially horizontal, as they swing. The distance from the upper pivot point 28 to the central pivot 17 is substantially less than the distance from the lower pivot point 26 to the central pivot 17. This gives commensurately greater movement of the seat element 20 than the armrests 22. Further, the frame 14 and support 18 are sufficiently rigid to keep to a minimum any lateral or torsional movement. In the embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5, the armrests 22 are suitably shaped to assist people getting in and out of the chair. The embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 includes an arrangement to check sideways movement which consists of one or more rollers 29 on each side mounted on the seat frame 12 running against horizontal guides 30 mounted on the frame 14. The guides 30 may also contain adjustable end stops 31 to arrest excessive forward and backward movement. In a preferred embodiment the pivotal linkages between the elongate elements 24 and the frame 14, the elongate elements 24 and the seat frame 12 and the elongate elements 24 and the armrests 22 are black nylon, bronze or similar long-life bearings. In a preferred embodiment the support 18 is concealed within the chair upholstery by panels 32 and 33 so that the chair is not obviously different from a conventional chair. In use, a person sitting down in the chair can use the armrests on each side to steady themselves and the seat. By pushing backwards on the armrests the chair seat may be moved forwards to assist both sitting down and getting up by holding the chair body stationary. Once sitting in the chair, the swinging motion may be initiated and increased by pushing backwards and forwards gently on the armrests so that the seat and back will swing forward whilst the arms will swing back to a lesser degree and vice versa.

Claims: CLAIMS : 1. A chair comprising a stationary frame (14) , a seat frame (12) and a support (18) wherein the support (18) is pivotally connected to the stationary frame (14) and the seat frame (12) is pivotally connected to one end (26) of the support (18) so as to be capable of reciprocating movement relative to the stationary frame (14) and further comprises armrests (22) pivotally connected at a second end (28) of the support (18) , said armrests (22) being capable of reciprocating movement relative to the stationary frame (14) in the respective opposite direction to the seat frame (12) . 2. A chair as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the support comprises at least two elongate elements (24) which are pivotally mounted to the stationary frame (14) . 3. A chair as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein the support (18) comprises at least one elongate element (24) disposed on either side of the seat frame (12) . 4. A chair as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the support (18) comprises two elongate elements (24) disposed on either side of the seat frame (12) . 5. A chair as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the support (18) is accommodated within the stationary frame (14) . 6. A chair as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein the elongate elements (24) are joined to the seat frame (12) and the armrests (22) by free moving but rigid bearings such as black nylon, metal, metal/inorganic materials or ball bearings. 7. A chair as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the armrests (22) extend beyond the seat front edge. 8. A chair as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the front pair of elongate elements (24) can extend above the normal horizontal line of the armrests, and the armrests may be hinged proximate to the front end so that they can be raised from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position. 9. A chair as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein each armrest 22 is raised at a front end. 10. A chair as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the support (18) or seat frame (12) is provided with a locking means to fix the seat element (20) and armrests (22) in a given position. 11. A chair as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the tilt of the seat back (21) is adjustable. 12. A chair as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the depth of th . seat cushion (34) within the stationary frame (14) is adjustable. 13. A chair substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Inventors: KNOWLSON PETER MCKERROW, KNOWLSON, PETER, MCKERROW
Applicants: KNOWLSON PETER MCKERROW, KNOWLSON, PETER, MCKERROW
Application year: 1992
Main classification: A47C1
IPC codes: A47C1, A47C3