Patent Publication Number: US-6702378-B2

Title: Lift chair skirt

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/267,511 filed Feb. 8, 2001. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to chairs having a lift mechanism associated therewith. More specifically, this invention relates to an apparatus that conceals the lift mechanism of the chair, even when the chair is in a lifted or reclined position. 
     Chairs and sofa modules that recline and that have an extendable footrest are known within the art. Typically, these chairs have a hand-activated mechanism that is used to position the chair in a TV position (where the footrest is placed in an extended position with the seat back only slightly reclined), an advanced reclining position (where the footrest is placed in an extended position and the seat back is fully reclined), and a fully upright position (where the footrest is stowed and the seat back is upright). Positioning the chair in the TV position, advanced reclining position and upright mode can be difficult for some individuals. Moreover, some individuals have a difficult time getting into and out of such a chair. 
     In an effort to assist individuals in getting into and out of reclining chairs, it is known within the art to equip the chairs with a lift mechanism. The lift mechanism positions the chair between a sitting position, such as that shown in FIG. 4, and a tilted position, such as that shown in FIG.  2 . It can be seen that the lift mechanisms thus assist the user in entering and exiting the chair. The lift mechanism is mounted underneath the seat of the chair and operates to tilt the seat forward so that a user is almost standing up when the lift mechanism is in a fully extended position. An example of a motorized lift mechanism that may be used on chairs is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,554 issued to Marcoux et al. 
     As the lift mechanism raises the seat to place the seat in a tilted position, the lift mechanism, as well as other mechanical linkages and components of the lift chair, are exposed to an external environment. In other words, the lift mechanism and other linkages are accessible. A similar type of exposure and accessibility is present in a front portion of the chair when the chair is placed in the TV and advanced reclining positions, where the footrest is in an extended position. The exposure of the lift mechanism and other linkages in these instances present certain disadvantages and drawbacks. First, the exposure allows the lift mechanism to be viewed by the user of the chair and others around the chair. Such a view can be considered unattractive by those in the vicinity of the chair. Second, the exposure also presents the potential of exposure of the lift mechanism and other linkages to external object, including people and pets. This exposure is undesirable for both the objects and the mechanical linkages. Therefore, the lift chair must be operated with extra caution to protect both external objects and the lift mechanism and linkages. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for an apparatus that can be used on lift chairs which overcomes the above drawbacks and deficiencies. More specifically, an apparatus is needed that reduces the exposure to the lift mechanism and other components when the chair is in a tilted position. The present invention fills these needs as well as various other needs. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In order to overcome the above-stated problems and limitations, and to achieve the noted objects, there is provided an apparatus that may conceal a lift mechanism associated with a lift chair. 
     In general, the apparatus conceals the lift mechanism when the lift chair is in a tilted, TV or advanced reclining positions. The lift chair includes a seating unit and a support frame. The apparatus is a piece of material that includes a front panel, rear panel and a pair of side panels that are adapted to extend between the support frame and the seating unit. In particular, the side panels are tapered as they extend from the rear panel to the front panel. In concealing the lift mechanism, in one embodiment the front and rear panels extend around a front and rear bar respectively to conceal a top portion of the lift mechanism. In addition, front and rear panels may be selectively coupled to one another by a zipper. Further, a pull cord may be provided to secure the skirt to the bottom portion of the support frame. 
     The present invention further provides for a method for shrouding the lift mechanism associated with the lift chair. The method involves providing a piece of material, and coupling the piece of material between the support frame and the seating unit. The piece of material conceals at least a portion of the lift mechanism when the lift chair is moved between the seated and tilted positions. The method may further provide a zipper that couples two portions of the piece of material to conceal the top portion of the lift mechanism. Further, at least one aperture may be formed in the piece of material so that the piece of material may be coupled to the support frame. The method also involves providing a pull cord that may be tightened to secure the piece of material to the support frame. 
     Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those in the practice of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification and which are to be read in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts and their various views: 
     FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a lift chair in a tilted position having a skirt concealing a lift mechanism located beneath the lift chair constructed according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the lift chair with portions broken away showing the lift chair in the tilted position with the skirt concealing the lift mechanism; 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded rear perspective view similar to FIG. 1 showing the skirt in a zipped position concealing a top portion of the lift mechanism; 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the lift chair in a seated position with portions broken away to show the skirt concealing the lift mechanism; 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the lift chair in a TV position with portions broken away showing the skirt concealing the lift mechanism; 
     FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the lift mechanism in the tilted position with the skirt in an unzipped position; 
     FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the skirt with portions broken away showing the lift mechanism in an extended position; 
     FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view taken along line  8 — 8  of FIG. 7 showing the skirt coupled to the lift chair showing the pull cord in a tightened position; and 
     FIG. 9 is a plan view of the pattern piece that is used to form the skirt. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings in detail, and initially to FIGS. 1 and 7, numeral  10  generally designates a skirt constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Skirt  10  is generally used to conceal or surround a lift mechanism  12  that is mounted beneath a lift chair  14 . Lift chair  14  generally includes a seating unit  16  that is supported upon a support frame  18 . Lift mechanism  12  is coupled between seating unit  16  and the frame  18  and operates to move seating unit  16  between a seated position (shown in FIG. 4) and a tilted position (shown in FIG.  1 ). When seating unit  16  is moved between the seated and tilted positions, seating unit  16  moves away from support frame  18 , thereby exposing lift mechanism  12  to an external environment should skirt  10  not be installed. Skirt  10  is adapted to be coupled to support frame  18  and seating unit  16  and form a barrier between lift mechanism  12  and the external environment and to conceal at least a portion of lift mechanism  12 . 
     As best seen in FIG. 2, seating unit  16  generally includes a seat  20  and a base  22 . Seat  20  includes a backrest  24  that may be moved to various reclined positions and a footrest  26  that may be selectively placed in an extended position. As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, base  22  is mounted underneath seat  20  and includes backrest linkages  28  that allow backrest  24  to move between an upright position and reclined position. In addition, base  22  includes a plurality of footrest linkages  30  that allow footrest  26  to be moved between extended and retracted positions. Backrest linkages  28  and footrest linkages  30  on both sides of base  22  are stabilized by cross-members  32 . Further, as best seen in FIG. 7, base  22  is pivotally mounted to support frame  18  by a mounting linkage  34  so that base  22  may be lifted to a tilted position by lift mechanism  12  without being separated from support frame  18 . 
     As best seen in FIGS. 6 and 8, support frame  18  is adapted to be placed beneath seating unit  16  and includes four outwardly extending feet  36  having stabilizers  38  coupled to the distal ends thereof. Stabilizers  38  are adapted to prevent support frame  18  from rocking on a support surface. Support frame  18  is adapted to maintain contact with the support surface, such as the floor, when seating unit is in a seated, reclined and tilted position. 
     Lift mechanism  12  is adapted to move seating unit  16  between a seated position and tilted position. As best seen in FIG. 7, lift mechanism  12  includes a lift arm  40  and an actuating mechanism  42 . One end of lift arm  40  is mounted to base  22  and the opposite end is mounted to actuating mechanism  42 . Actuating mechanism  42  is mounted to support frame  18  and operates to move lift arm  40  between an extended position and a retracted position. When lift mechanism  12  is in the extended position, base  22  is in a tilted position. In addition, when lift mechanism  12  is in the retracted position, base  22  is in a seated position as illustrated in FIG.  4 . 
     While the above-portion of the description describes and explains a preferred embodiment for the base of the lift chair  14 , it should be understood that the invention is in no way limited to any specific lift chair construction. As would be understood by those of skill in the art, the principles of the skirt  10  of the invention may readily be employed on any of a variety of chairs have differing constructions. 
     Turning now to a more-detailed description of the inventive skirt  10 , as best seen in FIG. 9, skirt  10  is adapted to conceal lift mechanism  12 . Skirt  10  is preferably made from an elastic material and includes a front panel  44 , a rear panel  46 , a right side panel  48  and a left side panel  50 . The pattern including panels  44 ,  46 ,  48 ,  50  is preferably made from a unitary piece of material. As best seen in FIG. 6, one portion of a zipper  56  is coupled to a top edge  52  of front panel  44  and the corresponding portion of zipper  56  is coupled to a top edge  54  of rear panels  46 . As more fully-explained below, zipper  56  is used to selectively couple top edge  52  of front panel  44  with top edge  54  of rear panel  46 . Front and rear panels  44 ,  46  are sized and shaped to extend from support frame  18  and over the cross members  32  when the front and rear panels are coupled to one another by zipper  56 . Right and left side panels  48 ,  50  taper as they extend from rear panel  46  to front panel  44 . In other words, as viewed in FIG. 9, the height of panel  48  decreases from right to left and the height of panel  50  decreases from left to right. A pair of slots  58  are formed in a top portion of the right and left side panels  48 ,  50 . As more fully described below, slots  58  are used to accommodate a pair of rods  60  that pass therethrough. The side panels  48 ,  50  elevate from a lowered position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 to an elevated position as shown in FIG.  1 . The reclining mechanism of the chair is not covered when the chair is the in lowered position of FIGS. 4 and 5, and is shown as a cross-hatched area in FIGS. 4 and 5 for simplicity. As best seen in FIG. 7, each rod  60  includes a curled end portion that is fastened to front and rear portions of base  22  by a fastener  62 . As best seen in FIGS. 6 and 9, skirt  10  further includes four apertures  64  that are formed along the material generally at the intersection of each pair of adjacent panels  44 ,  46 ,  48 ,  50 . Apertures  64  may be closed ended as shown, or open ended to the bottom of the panel. Apertures  64  are provided to allow feet  36  to be placed therethrough to secure skirt  10  to support frame  18 . It will be understood and appreciated that more or less than four apertures may be included in skirt  10  without departing from the scope of the present invention. As best seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, a slot  66  is provided along a bottom edge of panels  44 ,  46 ,  48 ,  50 . As more fully explained below, a pull cord is placed through slot  66 . Pull cord  68  is equipped with a locking clasp  70  that is provided to draw the skirt  10  underneath support frame  18  to further secure skirt  10  to support frame  18 . As stated above, skirt  10  is preferably constructed of an elastic material. The material is preferably one that allows skirt  10  to extend between the seated position of FIG.  4  and the extended position of FIG. 2, while remaining substantially taught in all positions therebetween. 
     In an alternative embodiment, front and rear skirt bars  72 ,  74  are coupled to base  22  in a position holding skirt  10  away from base  22  so as not to interfere with the tilting, reclining or seating of base  22 . As best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, front skirt bar  72  is coupled to a lower front portion of base  22  by fastener  62 . Similarly, rear skirt bar  74  is coupled to a lower rear portion of base  22  by fastener  63 . Preferably, the outer edge  75  of each skirt bar  72 ,  74  is rounded to provide a smooth surface over which the skirt may ride, the importance of which is made clear below. 
     In installing skirt  10  on lift chair  14 , a left edge  76  of panel  48  is sewn to a right edge  78  of panel  50 . Pull cord  68  is fed through slot  66  and the locking clasp  70  is exposed for later use. Feet  36  located in the front of support frame  18  are placed through apertures  64  formed in front panel  44 . Similarly, feet  36  located in the rear of support frame  18  are placed through apertures  64  formed in rear panel  46 . As best seen in FIG. 7, rods  60  are placed in slots  58  located in right and left side panels  48 ,  50 . Fasteners  62  are then slipped through the curled end portions of rods  60  and are used to mount rods  60  to opposite sides of base  22 . In addition, front and rear bars  72 ,  74  are fastened to base  22  by fasteners  62 ,  63  at the same time rods  60  are coupled to base  22 . This may be accomplished by placing the distal ends of bars  72 ,  74  between the curled ends of rods  60  and base  22 . Fasteners  62  are then used to couple bars  72 ,  74  and rods  60  to base  22 . It will be understood and appreciated that the present invention may also be constructed without front and rear bars  72 ,  74 . 
     At this point of the assembly, the present invention is in the form illustrated in FIG.  6 . As best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, front and rear panels  44 ,  46  are positioned over cross members  32  and joined together by zipper  56 . As best seen in FIG. 8, pull cord  68  is then pulled tight and locking clasp  70  is positioned to hold cord  68  in this tightened position. Once placed on lift chair  14 , the present invention is in the form illustrated in FIG.  3 . It will be understood and appreciated that skirt  10  may be coupled to support frame  18  and seating unit  16  when lift chair is in a seated or reclined position, although it is preferably installed with the chair in the seated position. 
     In use, skirt  10  operates to conceal or surround lift mechanism  12  from the external environment. Specifically, as best seen in FIG. 4, skirt  10  conceals lift mechanism  12  when lift chair  14  is in a seated position. As noted above, the skirt  10  does not conceal the reclining mechanism represented in a cross-hatch, which is protected from exposure by the chair itself. In this position the material of skirt  10  is in a more relaxed state. Preferably, however, the material is such that it does not sag or gather when the chair is in the seated position. As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the movement of lift chair  14  to a tilted position causes seating unit  16  to move away from support frame  18 . When the chair  14  is in the tilted position, skirt  10  stretches to create a barrier between lift mechanism and the external environment. In this position, the material of skirt  10  is more taught than it was in the seated position. In particular, front and rear panels  44 ,  46  conceal top, front and rear portions of the lift mechanism  12 . In addition, right and left side panels conceal at least a portion of the right and left sides of lift mechanism  12 . Further, as best seen in FIG. 8, the bottom portion of lift mechanism  12  is partially concealed by tightening pull cord  68  and fastening it in place with locking clasp  70 . The rods  60  are used to prevent any sagging of right and left side panels  48 ,  50 . As best seen in FIG. 2, apertures  64  operate to couple skirt  10  to support frame  18  and maintain skirt  10  in place on frame  18  as the skirt  10  is stretched between support frame  18  and base  22 . Lift chair may then be moved back to a seated position as shown in FIG.  4 . Finally, as the chair is moved to the tilted position, front and rear bars  72 ,  74  provide a smooth surface over which the material of skirt  10  passes, reducing the wear that may be experienced by the material. 
     As best seen in FIG. 5, footrest  26  may be moved to an extended position. Without skirt  10  in place, the lift mechanism  12  would be partially exposed to the external environment in this position between a bottom edge  80  of footrest  26  and support frame  18 . With skirt  10  in place, when footrest  26  is in an extended position, front panel  44  of skirt  10  operates to form a barrier between lift mechanism  12  and the external environment. Thus, skirt  10  operates to conceal lift mechanism  12  when lift chair  14  moves between seated, tilted and reclined positions. 
     It can, therefore, be seen that the invention is one that is designed to overcome the drawbacks and deficiencies existing in the prior art. The invention provides a skirt that surrounds the lift mechanism of a lift chair and that does not interfere with the operation of the lift mechanism. 
     While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown, it will be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited thereto, since modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the scope of the foregoing disclosure of the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention.