Patent ID: 8157326

Claim:
A seat comprising a seat pan, a backrest and a support structure, the seat pan having a front and a rear, wherein the seat pan is pivotally coupled to the support structure about a first pivot axis (P 1 ) provided extending across the seat pan substantially at the front edge of the seat pan, such that the seat pan may be pivoted about the said first pivot axis in use, and the angle of the seat pan relative to the support structure may thus be adjusted, the backrest being pivotally coupled to the seat pan about a second pivot axis (P 2 ) extending across the seat pan substantially at the rear of the seat pan, such that the angle of the backrest relative to the seat pan may be adjusted in use, the backrest being linked to the support structure by an articulating linkage, the articulating linkage comprising a first structural member pivotally coupled to the backrest about a third pivot axis (P 3 ) and pivotally coupled to the support structure about a fourth pivot axis (P 4 ), the fourth pivot axis being located forwards of the third pivot axis, whereby in one mode of operation as the backrest moves forward during forward tilting movement of the seat from a rest position (Delta) to a second position (Delta 2 ) the seat pan rear tilts upwardly relative to the seat pan front about the first pivot axis, the articulating linkage tilts upwardly about the fourth pivot axis, and the backrest rises therewith but the angle between the seat pan and backrest adjusts substantially simultaneously so that the backrest's angle of incline relative to a level of the floor on which the seat is located in use is substantially unaltered and, wherein the articulating linkage is configured to enable the seat to recline to a third, reclined, position (Delta 1 ), tilted downwardly from the rest position about the first pivot axis whereby the backrest moves rearwardly, the seat pan rear tilts downwardly relative to the seat pan front the positions of the seat pan and the articulating linkage are fixed relative to each other, and the backrest lowers with the seat pan rear and with the angle between the seat pan and backrest fixed so that the backrest's angle of incline relative to the floor level is altered to incline rearwardly.