GB2478707A

GB2478707A - Reclining chair with extendable leg rest

Info

Publication number: GB2478707A
Application number: GB1004206A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Laurie Drake
Original assignee: Accora Ltd
Current assignee: Accora Ltd
Priority date: 2010-03-15
Filing date: 2010-03-15
Publication date: 2011-09-21
Also published as: GB201004206D0

Abstract

A reclinable chair comprises an extendible leg or foot rest portion 100 which is formed from a plurality of sections 20, 30 that are movable relative to each other so as to change the size or length of the leg rest portion and accommodate users of different heights. The leg rest may pivot around an axis when the chair is moved between an upright and a reclined configuration. The leg rest sections may be releasably connected to each other by means such as hook and loop fasteners 40. A padded overlay or cushion 35 may also be provided attachable to at least one of the plurality of sections by additional Velcro (RTM) fastenings 45.

Description

RECLINING CHAIR

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to reclining chairs and, more particularly to s reclining chairs having a leg support.

Background to the Invention

It is well known to provide recline mechanisms in a variety of seating apparatuses. Such reclining chairs can be found in home and office environments.

Some reclining chairs are known to provide for height adjustment in order to be more suitable for users of different height users. Such height adjustment is typically achieved by changing the length of the chair legs. Unfortunately, the length of the leg support (otherwise referred to as the legrest) is not extended commensurately.

An important consideration for reclining chairs is the need to provide a leg support of correct length so as to provide adequate support for a user's calf, especially when the user is seated in a reclined position. Indeed, providing full support may aid circulation and improve overall user comfort.

In an equipment loan store environment, a reclining chair is commonly issued and re-issued to many different users, each potentially being a different height. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide a reclining chair that provides adequate leg support of for users of various heights, even when the chair is in a reclined arrangement.

Summajyof the invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a reclining chair that is movable between an upright configuration and a reclined configuration, wherein the chair comprises an extendible legrest portion which is formed from a plurality of sections that are movable relative to each other between so as to change the size of the extendible legrest portion.

Thus, the legrest portion can be extended in length so that when the height of the chair is raised, for example, the legrest can be lengthened appropriately so as to provide improved support for the user's calves. Also, the length of the S legrest portion may be adjusted to cater for users of different size or height.

The plurality of sections of the extendible legrest portion may be releasably connected to each other by means of hook and loop fasteners, for example.

This may enable quick and simple adjustment of the length of the legrest io portion.

Further developments of the invention are the subject-matter of the dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

An example of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying diagrams, in which: FIG. I shows a legrest portion of a reclining chair according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the reclining chair is arranged to be in a reclined configuration; FIG. 2A shows a modified version of the legrest portion of Figure 1, wherein the legrest portion is arranged to be in a non-extended configuration; FiG. 2A shows a modified version of the legrest portion of Figure 1, wherein the legrest portion is arranged to be in an extended configuration; FIGS. 3A and 3B show a side view of legrest portion according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the legrest portion is arranged to be in a non-extended configuration and in an extended configuration, respectively.

Detailed description

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a legrest 10 of a reclining chair 15 according to an embodiment of the invention. The reclining chair 15 is arranged to be in a reclined configuration with the legrest 10 in a raised position so that extends in a plane substantially parallel with the floor surface on which the chair 15 is supported.

The legrest is adapted to pivot about an axis when the chair 15 is moved between the reclined configuration (illustrated in Figure 1) and an upright configuration (with the legrest extending in a plane substantially perpendicular to the floor surface). In this way, the Iegrest 10 is retained in a tucked upright position against the base of the chair 15 when the chair 15 is an upright configuration and the minimal calve support is required, and, when the chainS is in a reclined configuration, the legrest 10 is positioned in a raised horizontal configuration so as to provide support for the calves of a user seated in the chair 15.

The legrest comprises a base plate 20 connected on one side to a movable support mechanism 25 for pivoting the legrest when the chair 15 is moved between the reclined and upright configurations. Releasably connected to the other side of the base plate 20 is an extension plate 30 so that the base plate and extension 30 plates are movable relative to each other so as to change the size of the legrest. In this way, the base plate 20 is sandwiched between the extension plate 30 and the support mechanism 25. Finally, a padded overlay 35 (made from foam and fabric) is provided to cover the side of the extension plate 30 opposite to the base plate 20 and provide a soft, comfortable support layer for a user's calves. In other words, the legrest is formed in a layered arrangement of a top padded layer 35 adjacent to an extension plate layer 30 which is, in turn, adjacent to a base plate layer 20, wherein the base plate layer is connected to the movable support mechanism 25.

Referring now to Figures 2A and 2B, the legrest 10 of Figure 1 is shown wherein the padded overlay 35 is removed (for ease of illustrating relative movement of the base plate 20 and the extension plate 30).

The base plate 20 is adapted to bemovable relative to the extension plate 30 so as to change the size of the legrest 10. Specifically, as shown in Figure 2A, the legrest 10 is arranged to be in a non-extended configuration when the extension plate 30 is positioned so that its outer edges align with the outer edges of the base plate 20. In this way, the footprint area of the legrest 10 is minimised. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 26, the legrest 10 is arranged to be in an extended configuration when the extension plate 30 is moved so that it is offset from the base plate 20. In this way, the footprint area of the legrest 10 is increased when compared to the footprint area of the non-extended configuration (illustrated in Figure 2A).

Thus, the legrest 10 can be extended in length so that when the height of the chair 15 is raised, for example, the legrest 10 can be lengthened appropriately so as to provide support for the user's calves. By way of example only, a reclining chair 15 may be adjusted in height by 2 inches and so the legrest 10 may also be adapted to extend by 2 inches in length through adjustment of the position of the extension plate 30 relative to the base plate 20.

is Referring now to Figures 3A and 36, a legrest 100 according to an exemplary embodiment is shown, wherein the padded overlay 35 is removed (for ease of illustrating relative movement of the base plate 20 and the extension plate 30).

Figures 3A and 36 show a side view of the legrest 100 according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the legrest 100 is arranged to be in a non-extended configuration and in an extended configuration, respectively.

The legrest 100 is similar in construction to that shown in Figures It 2A and 26 in that it comprises a layered arrangement of a top padded layer 35 adjacent to an extension plate layer 30 which is, in turn, adjacent to a base plate layer 20, wherein the base plate layer is connected to a movable support mechanism 25 of the reclining chair 10. However, in the embodiment of Figures 3A and 36, the extension plate layer 30 is releasably attached to the base plate 20 using conventional hook-and-loop fasteners 40. Also, the padded layer 35 wraps opposite edges of the base plate 20 and extension plate and is releasably attached to the underside (i.e. the side to which the movable support mechanism is connected) of the base plate 20 using conventional hook-and-loop fasteners 45.

Accordingly, the padded layer 35 can be quickly and easily removed so as to enable unfastening of the extension plate 30 from the base plate 20 and subsequent re-attachment of the extension plate 30 to the base plate 20 with the extension plate 30 offset relative to the base plate 20.

Thus, as shown in Figure 3A, the legrest 100 is arranged to be in a non-extended configuration when the extension plate 30 is positioned so that its outer edges align with the outer edges of the base plate 20. In this way, the footprint area of the legrest 100 is minirnised. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 3B, the Iegrest 100 is arranged to be in an extended configuration when the extension plate 30 is moved so that it is offset from the base plate 20. In this way, the footprint area of the legrest 100 is increased when compared to the footprint area of the non-extended configuration (illustrated in Figure 3A).

It will be appreciated that the procedure change the size of the legrest 100 may be summarised as follows: -Remove the padded overlay 35 from the legrest (by unfastening the hook-and-loop fasteners 45); -Detach the extension plate 30 from the base plate 20 (by unfastening the hook-and-loop fasteners 40); -Moving the extension plate 30 relative to the base plate 20; -Re-attach the extension plate 30 to the base plate 20 (by fastening the hook-and-loop fasteners 40); -Re-attach the padded overlay to the legrest (by fastening the hook-and-loop fasteners 45).

While specific embodiments have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications will be apparent to a person skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.