Patent ID: 12251021

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The best mode for carrying out the invention will be described herein. The following embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the invention. It is to be understood that other embodiments would be evident based on the present disclosure, and that system, process, or mechanical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In the following description, numerous specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. To avoid obscuring the present invention, some well-known system configurations, and process steps are not disclosed in detail. The figures illustrating embodiments of the system, if any, are semi-diagrammatic and not to scale and, particularly, some of the dimensions are for the clarity of presentation and are shown exaggerated in the drawing figures.

Alternate embodiments have been included throughout, and the order of such are not intended to have any other significance or provide limitations for the present invention.

For expository purposes, the term “horizontal” as used herein is defined as a plane parallel to the plane or surface of the present apparatus, regardless of its orientation. The term “vertical” refers to a direction perpendicular to the horizontal as just defined. Terms, such as “above”, “below”, “bottom”, “top”, “side”, “higher”, “lower”, “upper”, “over”, and “under”, are defined with respect to the horizontal plane, as shown in the figures, if any. The term “on” means that there is direct contact among elements.

Elements in the figures that are numbered with an apostrophe (') mean they are corresponding pieces to their counterparts that do not have the apostrophe ('), such as105and105′. The right side pieces, if any, are denoted with the apostrophe ('). A set of two corresponding pieces, such as105and105′, may be referred to as a “pair” when referring to both pieces.

Dotted lines in the figures denote parts of the apparatus that are not visible from the current view.

The present disclosure provides a theater chair, comprising a mountable base, wherein the mountable base consists of a pair of L-shaped bases formed by a pair of vertical members and a pair of horizontal members, wherein the of L-shaped bases are connected by one or more L-base support bars; a seat cushion, wherein the seat cushion is disposed parallel to the horizontal member; a backrest, wherein the backrest is disposed adjacent to the seat cushion and tilts rearward and forward in relation to the seat cushion; a footrest, wherein the footrest is disposed adjacent to the seat cushion and extends to the open position and retracts to the closed position in relation to the vertical member; a headrest, wherein the headrest is disposed adjacent to the backrest and extends outwardly and inwardly in relation to the backrest; a first motor, wherein the first motor is connected to the backrest and facilitates the rearward and forward tilting of the backrest; a second motor, wherein the second motor is connected to the extendable footrest and facilitates the extension and retraction of the extendable footrest; and a third motor, wherein the third motor is connected to the headrest and facilitates the outward and inward extension of the headrest in relation to the backrest.

The mountable base of the theater chair of the present invention is mountable on a seating platform comprising a vertical wall and a horizontal wall.

The theater chair of the present invention further comprises a mountable base, wherein the mountable base consists of a pair of L-shaped bases formed by a pair of vertical members and a pair of horizontal members, wherein the of L-shaped bases are connected by one or more L-base support bars; a seat cushion, wherein the seat cushion is disposed parallel to the horizontal member; a backrest; a backrest hinge, wherein the backrest hinge is hingeably attached to the backrest and the seat cushion, wherein the backrest is hingeably attached to the backrest hinge and is disposed adjacent to the seat cushion and tilts rearward and forward in relation to the seat cushion; a pair of side base walls, wherein the backrest is hingeably attached to the pair of side base walls; a pair of arm rests, wherein the pair of arm rests are disposed on the pair of side base walls; a pair of backrest side panels, wherein the pair of backrest side panels are disposed on the backrest; a seatback rear panel, wherein the seatback rear panel is securably attached to the seatback; a pair of side rear base walls, wherein pair of side rear base walls are attached to the pair of arm rests; a lower rear panel, wherein the lower rear panel is attached to the pair of side rear base walls; a footrest; a footrest hinge, wherein the footrest hinge is hingeably attached to the footrest and the seat cushion, wherein the footrest is hingeably attached to the footrest hinge and is disposed adjacent to the seat cushion and extends to the open position and retracts to the closed position in relation to the vertical member; a headrest; a headrest hinge, wherein the headrest hinge is hingeably attached to the backrest and the headrest, wherein the headrest is hingeably attached to the headrest hinge and is disposed adjacent to the backrest and extends outwardly and inwardly in relation to the backrest; wherein the headrest is disposed on the headrest hinge and adjacent to the backrest and extends outwardly and inwardly in relation to the backrest; a first motor, wherein the first motor is connected to the backrest hinge and facilitates the rearward and forward tilting of the backrest; a second motor, wherein the second motor is connected to the footrest hinge and facilitates the extension and retraction of the footrest; and a third motor, wherein the third motor is connected to the headrest hinge and facilitates the outward and inward extension of the headrest in relation to the backrest.

The pair of side base wall, the pair of backrest side panels, the seatback rear panel, the pair of side rear base walls, the lower rear panel, and the footrest when in the closed position generally conceal the backrest hinge, the footrest hinge, the headrest hinge, the first motor, the second motor, and the third motor when the theater chair is disposed on an L-shaped seating platform.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invent, the theater chair comprises an inner skeleton; a mountable base, wherein the mountable base consists of a pair of L-shaped bases formed by connecting to the inner skeleton; a seat cushion, wherein the seat cushion is disposed on the inner skeleton parallel to the horizontal member; a backrest; a backrest hinge, a pair of side base walls, wherein the backrest is hingeably attached to the inner skeleton; a pair of backrest side panels, wherein the pair of backrest side panels are disposed on the inner skeleton; a seatback rear panel, wherein the seatback rear panel is securably attached to the inner skeleton; a pair of side rear base walls, wherein pair of side rear base walls are attached to the inner skeleton; a lower rear panel, wherein the lower rear panel is attached to the inner skeleton; a footrest; a footrest hinge, wherein the footrest hinge is hingeably attached to the footrest and the inner skeleton, wherein the footrest is hingeably attached to the footrest hinge and is disposed adjacent to the seat cushion and extends to the open position and retracts to the closed position in relation to the vertical member; a headrest; a headrest hinge, wherein the headrest hinge is hingeably attached to the headrest and the inner skeleton, wherein the headrest is hingeably attached to the headrest hinge and is disposed adjacent to the backrest and extends outwardly and inwardly in relation to the backrest; wherein the headrest is disposed on the headrest hinge and adjacent to the backrest and extends outwardly and inwardly in relation to the backrest; a first motor, wherein the first motor is disposed on the inner skeleton and connected to the backrest hinge and facilitates the rearward and forward tilting of the backrest; a second motor, wherein the second motor is disposed on the inner skeleton and is connected to the footrest hinge and facilitates the extension and retraction of the footrest; and a third motor, wherein the backrest hinge is hingeably attached to the backrest and the inner skeleton, wherein the backrest is hingeably attached to the backrest hinge and is disposed adjacent to the seat cushion and tilts rearward and forward in relation to the seat cushion; a pair of arm rests, wherein the pair of arm rests are disposed on the inner skeleton; wherein the third motor is disposed on the inner skeleton and connected to the headrest hinge and facilitates the outward and inward extension of the headrest in relation to the backrest.

FIG.1illustrates a perspective view of theater chair101of the present invention. Left vertical member109and left horizontal member108are connected and comprise an L-shaped base. Right vertical member and right horizontal member, shown inFIG.13, create a corresponding L-shaped base. The pair of L-shaped bases formed by left vertical member109and left horizontal member108and right vertical member109′ and right horizontal member108′ are connected by L-base support bars1301to form the mountable base of theater chair101.

Seat cushion106is disposed substantially parallel to horizontal member108. Backrest103is disposed adjacent to seat cushion106. Headrest102is disposed adjacent to backrest103. Footrest111is disposed adjacent to seat cushion106. Backrest103is hingeably or rotatably attached to left side base wall107and right side base wall107′. Backrest left side panel112is disposed on the left side of backrest103. Backrest right side panel112′ is now shown in this figure but is disposed on the right side of backrest103. Seat cushion106is securably attached to left side base wall107and right side base wall107′. Left arm rest104and right arm rest104′ are disposed on left side base wall107and right side base wall107′, respectively. Left cupholder105and right cupholder105′ are disposed on left side base wall107and right side base wall107′, respectively. Either or both of left cupholder105and right cupholder105′ may be omitted from theater chair101, or placed in any other suitable locations.

The mountable base created by the pair of L-shaped bases is mountable on a seating platform comprising a vertical wall and a horizontal wall, which is common in theaters, including theaters that are being retrofitted with new seating. Seating platforms of theaters are typically L-shaped, and the L-shaped base of the present invention fits snugly on the platform and can be secured in place.

FIG.2illustrates a top down view of theater chair101of the present invention.

FIG.3illustrates a rear view of theater chair101of the present invention. Seatback rear panel301and lower rear panel302and left side rear base wall303and right side rear base wall303′ are shown. The backside of footrest111is shown in this figure. Left side rear base wall303and right side rear base wall303′ are attached to left arm rest104and right arm rest104′, respectively.

FIG.4illustrates a left side view of theater chair101of the present invention.

FIG.5illustrates a front view of theater chair101of the present invention.

FIG.6illustrates a right side view of theater chair101of the present invention.

FIG.7illustrates a perspective view of theater chair101of the present invention with backrest103in the reclining position. Backrest103is disposed adjacent to seat cushion106and tilts rearward and forward in relation to seat cushion106.

FIG.8illustrates a perspective view of theater chair101of the present invention with backrest103in the reclining position, footrest111in the extended position, also referred to as the open position, and headrest102in the extended position. Backrest103is disposed adjacent to seat cushion106and tilts rearward and forward in relation to seat cushion106. Footrest111is disposed adjacent to seat cushion106and extends to the open position and retracts to the closed position in relation to vertical member109. Headrest102is disposed adjacent to backrest103and extends outwardly and inwardly in relation to backrest103.

FIG.9illustrates a perspective view of theater chair101of the present invention with footrest111in the extended position. Footrest111moves independently of backrest103and headrest102.

FIG.10illustrates a perspective view of theater chair101of the present invention with headrest102in the extended position. Headrest102moves independently of backrest103and footrest111.

FIG.11illustrates a perspective view of theater chair101of the present invention showing the location of backrest hinge1102, footrest hinge1103, and headrest hinge1101. Backrest hinge1102is hingeably attached to backrest103and seat cushion106and allows backrest103to tilt rearward and forward in relation to seat cushion106. Footrest hinge1103is hingeably attached to footrest111and seat cushion106and allows footrest111to extend and retract in relation to vertical member109. Headrest hinge1101is hingeably attached to headrest102and backrest103and allows headrest102to extend outwardly and inwardly in relation to backrest103. Headrest hinge1101provides hinging of headrest102in addition to extension from backrest103.

In one embodiment of the present invention, seat cushion106may move horizontally when backrest103tilts rearward and forward in relation to seat cushion106and/or footrest111extends and retracts in relation to vertical member109.

FIG.12illustrates a perspective view of theater chair101of the present invention showing the location of first motor1202, second motor1203, and third motor1201. First motor1202facilitates the rearward and forward tilting of backrest103in relation to seat cushion106. Second motor1203facilitates the extension and retraction of footrest111. Third motor1201facilitates the outward and inward extension of headrest102in relation to backrest103.

First motor1202is connected to backrest hinge1102and facilitates the rearward and forward tilting of backrest103in relation to seat cushion106. Second motor1203is connected to footrest hinge1103and facilitates the extension and retraction of footrest111. Third motor1201is connected to headrest hinge1101and facilitates the outward and inward extension of headrest102in relation to backrest103.

First motor1202, second motor1203, and third motor1201are disposed in theater chair101and are controlled with a controller. The controller may be mounted on theater chair101, wirelessly connected, or any other means that allow the control of the various motors. The controller allows a user to control first motor1202in order to tilt backrest103rearward and forward in relation to seat cushion106, second motor1203in order to extend and retract footrest111, and third motor1201in order to extend headrest102outwardly and inwardly in relation to backrest103.

First motor1202, second motor1203, and third motor1201operate independently from each other. The respective motors comprise any type of motors that allow for the desired movement of the respective parts of theater chair101. First motor1202, second motor1203, and third motor1201may be located in any locations in theater chair101. Alternatively, any of first motor1202, second motor1203, and third motor1201may be mounted externally from theater chair101, so long as they are still offering the same functionality.

Backrest103, headrest102, and footrest111all operate independently.

Backrest hinge1102, footrest hinge1103, and headrest hinge1101comprise any type of hinges that allow for the desired movement of the respective parts of theater chair101. Backrest hinge1102, footrest hinge1103, and headrest hinge1101operate such that they cannot hinge without the use of the respective motors, and they lock into place when the respective motors are not being operated by the user.

First motor1202, second motor1203, and third motor1201may each be powered by any suitable power source, including battery powered, electrical power from an outside source, solar powered, etc.

Backrest hinge1102allows backrest103to tilt rearwardly and forwardly in relation to seat cushion106. Footrest hinge1103allows footrest111to extend and retract such that when footrest111is in the closed position, it is substantially parallel to vertical member109. Headrest hinge1101allows headrest102to extend outwardly and inwardly in relation to backrest103, as well as tilting in relation to backrest103.

Headrest102, backrest103, and footrest111have a wide range of motion and can stop at any point between full extension of the respective hinges.

Left side base wall107and right side base wall107′, backrest left side panel112and backrest right side panel112′, seatback rear panel301, left side rear base wall303and right side rear base wall303′, lower rear panel302, and footrest111when in the closed position generally conceal the backrest hinge1102, footrest hinge1103, headrest hinge1101, first motor1202, second motor1203, and third motor1201when theater chair101is disposed on an L-shaped seating platform.

Seatback rear panel301is securably attached to seatback103and moves with seatback103when seatback103hinges. Lower rear panel302is attached to left side rear base wall303and right side rear base wall303′ and remains in place and allows seatback rear panel301and seatback103to hinge.

FIG.13illustrates a perspective view of theater chair101of the present invention showing location of the L-base support bars1301of the mountable base. The pair of L-shaped bases formed by left vertical member109and left horizontal member108and right vertical member109′ and right horizontal member108′ are connected by L-base support bars1301to form the mountable base of theater chair101. The pair of vertical members and horizontal members may be visible or covered by the pair of side base walls, or part of the pair of side base walls.

The mountable base created by the pair of L-shaped bases is mountable on a seating platform comprising a vertical wall and a horizontal wall, which is common in theaters, including theaters that are being retrofitted with new seating. Seating platforms of theaters are typically L-shaped, and the L-shaped base of the present invention fits snugly on the platform and can be secured in place.

L-base support bars1301may comprises bars, plates, or other means that provide proper connection of the pair of L-shaped bases. One or more L-base support bars1301are installed as needed.

Additional frame pieces may be present in theater chair101as required to provide support for the various pieces of theater chair101and allow theater chair101to operate as intended and be mounted as intended.

FIG.14illustrates a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of theater chair101of the present invention showing inner skeleton1401. Inner skeleton1401may be included in the preferred embodiment as needed for support of theater chair101. Certain parts of theater chair101may be disposed on inner skeleton1401as needed. Backrest hinge1102, footrest hinge1103, and headrest hinge1101may attach to different connection points of theater chair101of the present invention, as desired. Backrest hinge1102is hingeably attached to backrest103and may attach to inner skeleton1401and allows backrest103to tilt rearward and forward in relation to seat cushion106. Footrest hinge1103is hingeably attached to footrest111and inner skeleton1401and allows footrest111to extend and retract in relation to vertical member109. Headrest hinge1101is hingeably attached to headrest102and inner skeleton1401and allows headrest102to extend outwardly and inwardly in relation to backrest103. Headrest hinge1101provides hinging of headrest102in addition to extension from backrest103.

For simplicity, certain parts of inner skeleton1401have been omitted, such as certain cross bar that left side pieces with the corresponding right side pieces.

Vertical member109, horizontal member108, seat cushion106, backrest103, footrest111, headrest102, first motor1202, second motor1203, third motor1201, backrest hinge1102, left side base wall107, right side base wall107′, left arm rest104, right arm rest104′, backrest left side panel112, backrest right side panel112′, seatback rear panel301, left side rear base wall303and right side rear base wall303′, lower rear panel302, footrest hinge1103, and headrest hinge1101are disposed on at least inner skeleton1401. The L-shaped base created by vertical member109and horizontal member108may be part of or attached to inner skeleton1401.

The mountable base created by the pair of L-shaped bases, or any elements therein, may be part of inner skeleton1401or may be separate pieces attached to inner skeleton1401.

Inner skeleton1401, or parts of inner skeleton1401, may be included as part of the preferred embodiment of theater chair101. Inner skeleton1401, or parts of inner skeleton1401, may be included and built into any of the various elements of theater chair101, or any of the various elements of theater chair101may be disposed on inner skeleton1401.

The best mode for carrying out the invention has been described herein. The previous embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the invention. It is to be understood that other embodiments would be evident based on the present disclosure, and that system, process, or mechanical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In the previous description, numerous specific details and examples are given to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent that the invention may be practiced without these specific details and specific examples. While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specific best mode, it is to be understood that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the included claims. All matters previously set forth herein or shown in the accompanying figures are to be interpreted in an illustrative and non-limiting sense.