Patent Description:
The advantage of an armchair with a stand-up aid is that the armchair can be lifted and moved forward using a remote control or a control button, so that the owner can easily get up from the cushions. This functionality is particularly gentle on the back, as no sudden effort is required when standing up. However, this mechanism also makes it possible to sit down particularly gently and comfortably.

Such armchairs are often designed as so-called relaxation armchairs, which also offer the possibility of extending a footrest and tilting the backrest backwards. Several actuators are often used to implement the various positions of the seating furniture. In order to reduce the electrical outlay, however, it has also been proposed that both the stand-up aid and the extension of the footrest and the actuation of the seat/backrest adjustment mechanism be carried out with just one actuator.

A corresponding armchair is known, for example, from <CIT>. Activation of the actuator in a first direction activates the stand-up aid. If, on the other hand, the actuator is actuated in the second direction starting from the upright basic position, on the one hand the footrest is extended and the seat and the backrest are adjusted into a reclined position.

<CIT> and <CIT> make use of a reversable actuator to activate a stand-up aid, to activate the footrest and to position the seat into a first reclined position and a second reclined position.

<CIT> discloses a furniture member including a frame, a slide member, first and second bars, an axle, and first and second leg members. The frame includes a chair portion movable relative to a base among nominal, reclined and lift positions.

Mechanical and motor-driven couches are also known from practice which allow tilting backwards from a basic position so that the foot area is raised and the head area is lowered. In the tilted position, the head can be approximately at the level of the feet or even assume the lowest position of the body. Such a position is also referred to as a Trendelenburg position.

Proceeding from this, the invention was based on the object of further improving the comfort of the seating furniture without having to provide additional actuators.

According to the invention, the object is achieved by a piece of seating furniture with the following features:.

To implement the tilting movement, the base frame of the seating furniture has a first frame part and a second frame part that are hingedly connected to one another about a transverse axis, the tilting mechanism being designed for relative adjustment of the first and second frame parts around the transverse axis. Furthermore, the seat-backrest adjustment mechanism has a stop element that blocks further rotation of the backrest relative to the seat between the reclined position and the tilted position, so that the angle between seat and backrest in the reclined position is the same as in the tilted position.

The additional provision of a tilting position, in which the seating furniture is tilted even further backwards from the reclined position, is brought about by the tilting mechanism coupled to the base frame of the seating furniture.

The upright basic position of the seating furniture is understood to mean a position in which the seat is oriented essentially horizontally, i.e. at an angle of <NUM>° +/- <NUM>° with respect to the horizontal. The backrest is essentially vertical or aligned at an angle of <NUM>° +/- <NUM>° to the vertical.

In the context of the invention, a raised position is understood to mean a position in which at least the rear region of the seat is raised, so that a seat surface that is slightly inclined forward results. The angle between the seat and the backrest can remain essentially unchanged between the upright basic position and the raised position. In the raised position, the seat essentially has an angle in the range of <NUM>° +/- <NUM>° with respect to the horizontal.

The reclined position of the seating furniture is characterized on the one hand by the extended footrest and a backrest that is inclined backwards. The front region of the seat is preferably arranged somewhat higher than in the upright basic position. In the reclined position, there is in particular an increase in the angle between the seat and the back surface compared to the upright basic position. An angle between the seat and the backrest in the reclined position of <NUM>° +/- <NUM>° is considered particularly pleasant.

Compared to the tilted position, the tilted position is primarily characterized in that the footrest is at a greater distance and the backrest is at a smaller distance from the standing surface. The tilt position promotes blood circulation and the breakdown of fluid accumulations in the lower extremities. It can also optionally be provided that the distance between the footrest and the standing surface in the tilted position is approximately equal to or greater than the distance between the backrest and the standing surface, in order to further intensify this effect.

Further refinements of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

A particularly simple possibility of adjusting the seating furniture results when the actuator is designed as a linear actuator, which is coupled with a first end to the base frame and a second end to the seat. The base frame can have a rotatably mounted shaft extending transversely to the seating furniture, the actuator being coupled with a first end to the shaft for rotating the same.

According to another embodiment, when the actuator is actuated in the first direction, the shaft is rotated as far as a first stop, which blocks further rotation of the shaft such that further actuation of the actuator in the first direction activates the stand-up aid for raising the seat and the backrest into the raised position. Furthermore, a second stop connected to the seat or to the seat-backrest adjustment mechanism can be provided, which blocks further rotation of the shaft in the event of active contact with the shaft when the actuator is actuated in the second direction, whereby with a further actuation the adjustment of the seat and backrest in the inclined position is triggered.

The tilting mechanism has at least one lever linkage, one end of which is non-rotatably attached to the shaft and the other end of which is hingedly coupled to the second frame part of the base frame, with further actuation of the actuator in the second direction, starting from the reclined position, leading to rotation of the shaft and a resulting relative adjustment of the first and the second frame part about the transverse axis. The at least one lever linkage can have a first actuating lever and a second actuating lever, the first actuating lever being non-rotatably attached at one end to the shaft that is rotatably mounted on the first frame part and being hingedly coupled at its other end to the second actuating lever, which in turn is hingedly connected to the second frame part of the base frame.

According to a further embodiment of the base frame, the first frame part can have two front supporting feet, two rear supporting feet and two rear standing rollers, the base frame being supported in the raised position, in the upright base position and in the reclined position on the front supporting feet and the rear supporting rollers of the first frame part L4. The second frame part has front standing rollers which are used in the tilted position, in which the base frame is supported on the front standing rollers of the second frame part and the rear feet of the first frame part on the standing surface. The rear supporting feet ensure that the seating furniture is held securely, while the front standing rollers roll on the standing surface during the tilting process, thus enabling the distance between the front standing rollers of the second frame part and the rear supporting feet of the first frame part to be shortened and thus the two frame parts to be adjusted relative to one another.

In this embodiment, it would also be conceivable that the base frame is supported in an intermediate position both on the front standing rollers of the second frame part and on the rear standing rollers of the first frame part, thereby enabling the seating furniture to be moved easily. This intermediate position is expediently a position that can be approached separately by remote control or operating button, which can then be used when the seating furniture is to be adjusted in the room.

According to an alternative embodiment of the base frame, the standing rollers on the first frame part can also be omitted so that the base frame is supported in the raised position, in the upright base position and in the reclined position on the front and rear supporting feet of the first frame part and the base frame is in the tilted position on the front standing rollers of the second frame part and the rear supporting feet of the first frame part.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is described in greater detail with reference to the following description and the drawing.

<FIG> shows a piece of seating furniture according to the invention in its upright basic position. Essentially only the mechanics are shown, so that in particular padding and side bolsters have been omitted to better explain the invention. The seating furniture has a seat <NUM>, a backrest <NUM> and a footrest <NUM>. Furthermore, a base frame <NUM> is provided for supporting the seating furniture on a standing surface <NUM>.

By actuating an actuator <NUM> in a first (rotational) direction, a stand-up aid <NUM> is activated for lifting the seat <NUM> and the backrest <NUM> from the upright basic position according to <FIG> to a raised position according to <FIG>. If the actuator <NUM> is actuated in a second, opposite (rotational) direction starting from the upright basic position according to <FIG>, a footrest adjustment mechanism <NUM> is activated for extending the footrest <NUM> into the position shown in <FIG>. Possibly, the front end of the seat <NUM> is also slightly raised. A further actuation of the actuator <NUM> in the second direction activates a seat adjustment mechanism <NUM> and a backrest adjustment mechanism <NUM>, whereby the seat <NUM> and the backrest <NUM> are adjusted into the reclined position shown in <FIG>.

Starting from the reclined position shown in <FIG>, a further actuation of the actuator <NUM> in the second direction causes the actuation of a tilting mechanism <NUM>, whereby the seat <NUM> and backrest <NUM> are tilted into the tilted position shown in <FIG>. The tilting mechanism <NUM> causes the footrest <NUM> to be raised and a headrest <NUM> integrated in or separate from the backrest <NUM> to be lowered with respect to the standing surface <NUM>.

The base frame <NUM> is described in more detail below with reference to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>. It consists essentially of a first frame part <NUM> and a second frame part <NUM>, which are hingedly connected to one another around a transverse axis <NUM>. The base frame <NUM> also has a fastening flange <NUM> which is fixedly arranged in a central region of the first frame part <NUM> and extends upward from the standing surface <NUM>.

Furthermore, the first frame part <NUM> provides two front supporting feet <NUM>, two rear supporting feet <NUM> and two rear standing rollers <NUM>, the base frame <NUM> being supported in the raised position, in the upright basic position and in the reclined position on the front supporting feet <NUM> and the rear standing rollers <NUM> of the first frame part. The second frame part <NUM>, on the other hand, only has front standing rollers <NUM>, which are only used during the tilting process, so that the base frame is supported in the tilted position according to <FIG> on the front standing rollers <NUM> of the second frame part <NUM> and the rear supporting feet <NUM> of the first frame part <NUM> on the standing area <NUM>. The rear standing rollers <NUM> of the first frame part <NUM> are therefore fastened between the front supporting feet <NUM> and the rear supporting feet <NUM> on the first frame part <NUM>. The rear supporting feet <NUM> define the pivot point about which the seating furniture tilts backwards during the tilting process. The front standing rollers <NUM> of the second frame part <NUM> roll on the standing surface <NUM> during the tilting process.

The base frame <NUM> also has a swivel frame <NUM>, which is shown in more detail in <FIG>. It essentially consists of two lateral swivel levers <NUM>, <NUM> parallel to each other which are articulated at one end about a common hinge axis <NUM> on the mounting flange <NUM> of the first frame part <NUM>. In a central area, the two swivel levers <NUM>, <NUM> are connected to one another via a cross-member <NUM>. At the ends of the swivel levers <NUM>, <NUM> opposite the hinge axis <NUM>, a shaft <NUM> extending transversely to the pivot levers <NUM>, <NUM> is rotatably articulated, on which a coupling arm <NUM> is rotatably attached approximately in the middle.

In the embodiment shown, the actuator <NUM> is designed as a linear motor with a nut <NUM> which can be linearly adjusted via a spindle <NUM>. At the end of the actuator <NUM> on the motor side, a coupling eye <NUM> is provided, with which the actuator <NUM> is hingedly connected to the coupling arm <NUM> about a second hinge axis <NUM>. The nut <NUM> is coupled to the seat <NUM> via a connecting element <NUM>.

The various positions according to <FIG> are each achieved by moving the nut <NUM> along the spindle <NUM>. In other words, each position of the seating furniture is defined by a characteristic distance between the coupling eyelet <NUM> or the second joint axis <NUM> and the nut <NUM>. By actuating the actuator <NUM>, the nut <NUM> can be moved along the spindle <NUM> to the respectively desired distance from the coupling eyelet <NUM>, in which the chair assumes the position assigned to the distance. When the actuator rotates in the first direction of rotation, the distance between the coupling eyelet <NUM> and the nut <NUM> is shortened, while activation in the opposite second direction of rotation increases the distance.

In the upright basic position, the nut <NUM> is in a central position on the spindle <NUM>, in which it is at a distance a<NUM> from the coupling eyelet <NUM>. If the actuator <NUM> is actuated in a first direction (direction of rotation of the spindle <NUM>), the nut <NUM> moves in the direction of the coupling eyelet <NUM> and thereby shortens the distance between the coupling eyelet <NUM> and nut <NUM>. This in turn activates the stand-up aid so that the seat <NUM> and the backrest <NUM> move into the raised position according to <FIG>. In this position, the nut <NUM> is only a distance a<NUM> from the coupling eyelet <NUM>. During this actuation of the actuator <NUM>, the connection of the nut <NUM> to the seat <NUM> via the connecting element <NUM> acts as an abutment, so that a tensile force in the direction of the arrow <NUM> (<FIG>) acts on the coupling arm <NUM> in the region of the coupling eyelet <NUM>. After the coupling arm <NUM> is non-rotatably connected to the shaft <NUM>, this tensile force causes the shaft <NUM> to rotate clockwise until two first actuating levers <NUM>, which are non-rotatably connected to the shaft <NUM>, come into contact with a first stop <NUM> and prevent further rotation of the shaft <NUM> (<FIG>).

According to <FIG>, the stand-up aid <NUM> is essentially formed by two lifting rods <NUM> and the swivel frame <NUM>. For this purpose, the two lifting rods <NUM> are likewise articulated at the lower end to the two lateral fastening flanges <NUM> of the base frame <NUM> so as to be pivotable about a third hinge axis <NUM>. The upper ends of the lifting rods <NUM> are each articulated to a lateral coupling element <NUM> about a fourth articulation axis <NUM>. The first coupling elements <NUM> are laterally firmly connected to the seat <NUM> or an associated seat frame. After the swivel frame <NUM> is rotatable about the first hinge axis <NUM> and, on the other hand, is connected to the actuator <NUM> via the coupling arm <NUM>, a tensile force in the direction of the arrow <NUM> causes the lever linkage <NUM> and the swivel frame <NUM> to pivot about the third hinge axis <NUM> or the first hinge axis <NUM> until the shortest distance a<NUM> between coupling eyelet <NUM> and nut <NUM> according to <FIG> is reached. The seat <NUM> and the backrest <NUM> are in a raised position compared to the upright basic position according to <FIG>, in which raised position the seat <NUM> and the backrest <NUM> are also equally tilted forward in order to facilitate standing up or sitting down. If the actuator <NUM>, starting from the raised position according to <FIG>, is actuated in the second opposite direction, the seating furniture initially assumes the upright basic position according to <FIG> again.

Starting from the upright basic position according to <FIG>, a further actuation of the motor <NUM> in the second direction causes a further displacement of the nut <NUM> in the sense of an increase in the distance between the nut <NUM> and the coupling eyelet <NUM>, which in turn initially actuates the footrest adjustment mechanism <NUM>, causing the footrest <NUM> to extend. The footrest adjustment mechanism is designed, for example, in the manner of a scissor mechanism. The implementation of the footrest <NUM> with the aid of the footrest adjustment mechanism <NUM> is well known to those skilled in the art and is ultimately based on the fact that the seat <NUM> is at least moved backwards, the footrest adjustment mechanism <NUM> connected to the seat <NUM> or the seat adjustment mechanism <NUM> causing the footrest <NUM> to extend. The angle between seat <NUM> and backrest <NUM> is hardly or not at all changed when the footrest <NUM> is extended.

The backrest <NUM> is coupled to the seat and the seat-adjusting mechanism <NUM> via a backrest adjustment mechanism <NUM>. In the region of the backrest adjustment mechanism <NUM>, spring elements <NUM> are provided which initially only extend the footrest <NUM> and do not yet adjust the backrest <NUM> relative to the seat <NUM> when the actuator is activated from the upright basic position according to <FIG> into the reclined position according to <FIG>. Only when the footrest <NUM> is extended and the actuator <NUM> is further actuated is the backrest <NUM> adjusted against the force of the spring elements <NUM>, in that the angle between the seat <NUM> and the backrest <NUM> is increased by the backrest adjustment mechanism <NUM>. In addition, the front region of the seat <NUM> can be raised.

So that, starting from the reclined position according to <FIG>, further actuation of the actuator in the sense of increasing the distance between the nut <NUM> and the coupling eyelet <NUM> does not cause any further inclination of the backrest <NUM> with respect to the seat <NUM>, the backrest adjustment mechanism has a stop element <NUM> (<FIG>), which blocks a further rotation of the backrest <NUM> relative to the seat <NUM> between the reclined position according to <FIG> and the tilted position according to <FIG>. The stop element <NUM> now causes the actuator <NUM> to exert a compressive force on the coupling arm <NUM> in the direction of the arrow <NUM> so that the shaft <NUM> rotates counterclockwise in <FIG>.

With this counterclockwise rotational movement, the tilting mechanism <NUM> is triggered, which comprises the first actuating lever <NUM> and a second actuating lever <NUM>, which are each present on either side of the seating furniture. The two first actuating levers <NUM> are each connected non-rotatably to the shaft <NUM> of the swivel frame <NUM> at one end. At the other end of the first actuating levers <NUM>, the second operating levers <NUM> are hingedly connected, which actuating levers are in turn hingedly connected at their other end to the second frame part <NUM>, specifically at the end facing away from the front standing rollers <NUM>. A counterclockwise rotation of the shaft <NUM> then causes a relative adjustment of the first frame part <NUM> with respect to the second frame part <NUM> about the transverse axis <NUM>, the two frame parts <NUM>, <NUM> forming an X (<FIG>). The first frame part <NUM> is supported on its rear supporting feet <NUM> on the standing surface <NUM> and form the tilting axis around which the seating furniture is tilted. The front standing rollers <NUM> of the second frame part roll on the standing surface <NUM> during the tilting process in the sense of a shortening of the distance between the rear (stationary) supporting feet <NUM> and the front standing rollers <NUM>. Starting from the reclined position according to <FIG>, the footrest <NUM>, the seat <NUM> and the backrest <NUM> are tilted backwards as a unit during the tilting process, so that the footrest <NUM> is raised and the headrest <NUM> is lowered relative to the standing surface <NUM>.

If the motor is reversed in its direction of rotation, starting from the tilted position according to <FIG>, the reclined position according to <FIG> is first reached before the footrest <NUM> is retracted and the upright basic position is reached again.

Claim 1:
Seating furniture comprising
a. a seat (<NUM>),
b. a backrest (<NUM>) having an integrated or separate headrest (<NUM>),
c. a seat-backrest adjustment mechanism (<NUM>, <NUM>) for adjusting the seat (<NUM>) and the backrest (<NUM>) from an upright initial position to a reclined position,
d. a footrest (<NUM>) having a footrest adjustment mechanism (<NUM>) for extending and retracting the footrest (<NUM>),
e. a base frame (<NUM>) for supporting the seating furniture on a standing surface (<NUM>), wherein the base frame (<NUM>) comprises a tilting mechanism (<NUM>) for tilting the seating furniture,
f. a stand-up aid (<NUM>) for raising the seat (<NUM>) and the backrest (<NUM>) from the upright initial position to a raised position,
g. an actuator (<NUM>) for actuating the seat/backrest adjustment mechanism (<NUM>, <NUM>), the footrest adjustment mechanism, the tilting mechanism (<NUM>) and the stand-up aid (<NUM>), wherein
g1. - starting from the upright initial position, actuation of the actuator (<NUM>) in a first direction activates the stand-up aid (<NUM>),
g2. - starting from the upright initial position, actuation of the actuator (<NUM>) in a second (opposite) direction activates the footrest adjustment mechanism (<NUM>) for extending the footrest and activates the seat-backrest adjustment mechanism (<NUM>, <NUM>) for adjusting the seat (<NUM>) and the backrest (<NUM>) to the reclined position, and
g3. - starting from the reclined position - a further actuation of the actuator (<NUM>) in the second direction causes an actuation of the tilting mechanism (<NUM>) for tilting the seat (<NUM>) and backrest (<NUM>) into a tilted position, the tilting mechanism (<NUM>) raising the footrest (<NUM>) and lowering the backrest (<NUM>) relative to the standing surface (<NUM>),
characterized in that
the base frame (<NUM>) has a first frame part (<NUM>) and a second frame part (<NUM>) which are hingedly connected to one another about a transverse axis (<NUM>) and the tilting mechanism (<NUM>) being designed for relative adjustment of the first frame part (<NUM>) and the second frame part (<NUM>) around the transverse axis (<NUM>) and
the seat-backrest adjustment mechanism (<NUM>, <NUM>) has a stop element (<NUM>) that blocks further rotation of the backrest (<NUM>) relative to the seat (<NUM>) between the reclined position and the tilted position, so that the angle between seat (<NUM>) and backrest (<NUM>) in the reclined position is the same as in the tilted position.