Adjustable furniture

E10749893

05-08-2015

DESCRIPTION

Adjustable furniture

5 The present invention relates to an adjustable furniture, for example armchairs, beds or the like in which the position of one part of the furniture can be moved relative to the other. The regulation can be activated using electric motors or similar or manually.

Adjustable seats are known in which the backrest angle can be changed to provide a

10 reclined position and / or in which a mobile footrest can move forward and outward (for example from document DE 101 52 227 A1 or DE 10 2007 024 218 A1). Reclining seats of this type are available in which the adjustment is achieved manually or by one or more electric motors. Some motorized seats have the ability to tilt the seat of the armchair to help the user get up from the seat from the sitting position to a standing position. Adjustable beds are also known in which a head and part

fifteen of the upper support of the back of the bed can be moved to adjust the inclination of those parts relative to the other parts of the bed. Recliners called "zero wall" have been developed that allow the adjustable armchair to be placed with the backrest near the wall of a room or other part of a piece of furniture but also allow the backrest to recline without interfering with the wall. This can be achieved with the movement of the backrest coordinated with the movement of the seat and the surrounding structure of the armchair with the

twenty that the backrest is pivotally connected.

Typically the movable parts of said pieces of furniture are supported after relatively complex support arrangements, which normally include a series of metal joints, pins and bushings, the joints being movable to allow the movable part or parts of the furniture to move through its extent of respective movement. Such support arrangements are frequently mechanically complex, heavy and expensive, making transportation, handling and use uncomfortable. These considerations pose severe restrictions on furniture design. For example, a drive mechanism of a typical reclining armchair with footrests can weigh around 16 kg or so. The complex series of joints and connections in known support arrangements frequently result in manufacturing variations, due to the

30 tolerances etc., which affect the stiffness or resistance to movement of moving parts. This is a particular disadvantage in the case of manually operated furniture in which identical pieces of furniture may require that different degrees of effort be applied by the user to regulate the furniture.

There is a requirement, therefore, for an improved support arrangement for adjustable pieces of furniture, in

35 In particular, a support arrangement that is less mechanically complex, less heavy and less expensive than the arrangements so far known.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an adjustable furniture item according to claim 1 is provided.

40 Preferred features of the inventions are set forth in the dependent claims.

The present invention will now be described more particularly, by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Four. Five Figure 1 is a perspective view of a known type of upholstered recliner in a raised configuration;

Figure 2 is a similar view of the armchair of Figure 1 but in a reclined configuration;

fifty Figure 3 is a perspective view from the top of a recliner armchair support arrangement and the recliner operating mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a view of the arrangement and support and reclining mechanism shown in Figure 3 with many of the component parts omitted in the drawing;

Figure 5 is a detailed perspective view of one side of the recliner and support mechanism of the arrangement shown in Figures 3 and 4;

60 Figure 6 is a perspective view of the armchair of Figure 3 from a different angle with the panel on the left side and the footrest board shown;

Figure 7 is a perspective view similar to that of Figure 6 with the left side panel removed to reveal the detail of the support and reclined mechanism;

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Figure 8 is a view similar to that of Figure 7 but with the front footrest panel removed to reveal additional details of the support and reclining mechanism;

Figure 9 is a view similar to that of Figure 8 but with both left and right panels removed;

5 Figure 10 is a view similar to that of Figure 9 with the backrest frame, seat support panel and footrest panel removed to show additional details;

Figure 11 is a detailed perspective view similar to Figure 10 with additional components removed 10 that include the footrest latch and its associated support;

Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 11 with most of the components removed showing the detailed spatial arrangement of several guides associated with the support and reclining mechanism of the embodiment of the recliner armchair shown in Figures 5 to 13;

fifteen Figure 13 is a detailed perspective view of the area indicated in X in Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a perspective view of part of an adjustable support and operation arrangement for a recliner armchair constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;

twenty Figures 15a to 15e comprise a series of side views of the arrangement shown in Figure 14 in various regulating positions;

Figures 16a to 16d comprise a series of side views of the arrangement shown in Figure 14 25 when viewed from the side shown in Figure 14;

Figures 17a to 17c comprise a series of detailed perspective views of part of the arrangement shown in Figure 14.

30 Figure 18 is a perspective view from the rear of a support arrangement of the recliner and recliner operating mechanism according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 19 is a perspective view of the support and recline arrangement and mechanism shown in Figure 18 with several component parts omitted in the drawing;

Figure 20 is a side elevational view of the support and reclining arrangement of Figure 18 with the backrest vertical and the footrest deployed;

40 Figure 21 is a side elevation view similar to Figure 20 with the backrest moved to a semi-reclined position.

Figure 22 is a perspective view from the top and rear of parts of a support arrangement of the recliner and operating mechanism according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 23 is a side elevation view of the arrangement of Figure 22;

Figure 24 is a rear elevational view of the arrangement of Figures 22 and 23.

fifty Figure 25 is a side elevational view of an adjustable bed according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 26 is a perspective view from below of the bottom side of the adjustable bed of Figure 25;

55 Figure 27 is a perspective view from above of the adjustable bed of Figure 25, with several parts omitted for clarity;

Figure 28 is a perspective view from above showing the same component parts of the bed 60 of Figure 25, with the parts located in an elevated configuration of the bed;

Figure 29 is a perspective view of component parts of the bed of Figure 25;

Figure 30 is a plan view of the parts shown in Figure 29; 65

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Figure 31 is a side elevation similar to that of Figure 25 with an outer panel of the bed omitted to show internal detail;

Figure 32 is a view similar to that of Figure 31 with an additional panel omitted;

Figure 33 is a perspective view from below showing the lower side of the bed when it is in an elevated position;

Figure 34 is a side elevation view similar to that of Figure 32 with the bed in a partially elevated position;

Figure 35 is a side elevation view similar to that of Figure 34 with the bed further raised; and

Figure 36 is a side elevation view similar to that of Figure 35 with the bed in its fully raised position.

With reference to the drawings:

A recliner armchair of the general type to which the embodiments of the present invention relate is shown in an elevated configuration in Figure 1 and in a reclined configuration in Figure 2. The illustrated armchair is of the upholstered type with a backrest and mobile footrest support. , the last of which is projected forward and outward when deployed.

Reference is now made to Figures 3-13 showing the support arrangement and moving parts of a recliner armchair arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the support and operation mechanism of a recliner armchair arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The support and operation mechanism 10 shown in Figure 3 is the same as that shown in Figures 3-13 with several components removed in the series of drawings to reveal the detail of the support and operation mechanism. In Figure 3, for example, the side panel 12 shown in Figure 6 and the foot rest 14 have been removed to reveal the detail arrangement of the internal parts.

With reference to the drawings, a support and operation mechanism 10 for an adjustable reclining armchair comprises a base 16, an intermediate support 18 and a back or rear support 20. The base 16 constitutes the support part on the floor of the armchair and It comprises a pair of lateral chassis legs in the form of elongated elements 22 of L-section that extend parallel to each other on the sides (left and right) of the armchair. The legs of the chassis are preferably of metal construction, more preferably of steel, and are connected together in the front and rear of the armchair by front and rear transverse elements 24 and 26, which are typically of wood construction, for example a board DM or similar but of course they could also be metallic if desired. The transverse elements 24 and 26 are shown in the drawing of Figure 3 but are omitted in the drawings of Figures 4 and 5 where it can be seen that a series of openings 27 are provided in the front and rear legs of the chassis for reception of fixing screws or the like for fixing the transverse elements to the respective legs of the chassis. The legs of the chassis 22 and the transverse elements 24, 26 constitute the support elements on the ground to which castors or the like can be fixed which are fixed for contact with the ground on which the armchair is placed.

The legs of the chassis 22 each have a pair of vertical elements 28, 30, which include a triangular vertical element 28 located towards the front of the armchair and a vertical element 30 located between the midpoint and the back of the seat. The vertical element 30 also has a triangular configuration in general. In this embodiment both vertical elements 28 and 30 are constructed of metal, preferably steel, and are attached to the respective chassis legs 22 by welding or suitable fixing means such as bolts, screws or the like. A roller bearing 32 is mounted on the distal or cusp end of the vertical element 28. The vertical element 30 carries an additional roller bearing 34 halfway along its length between the chassis rail and its distal end. The roller bearing is mounted on the face facing the outside of the vertical element 30 so that the bearing 34 is arranged in the same plane as the bearing 32 for a coupling in respective sliding grooves 36 and 38 provided in the side panels 12 in properly separated locations. The grooves 36 and 38 constitute inserts, preferably of plastic material such as nylon or glass reinforced nylon, and fit within the grooves formed correspondingly in the respective side panels 12 of the intermediate support 18. The grooves 36 and 38 are inclined with respect to the lower edge 40 of the respective side panels, so that the movement of the side panels in the direction of advance of the armchair, as indicated in the direction 42 in Figure 4, results in the movement of the side panels with an upward component that elevates the lower edge 40 of the side panels with respect to the respective parts of the chassis resting parallel to the side panels 12 for the support of the armchair on the floor above He who stands.

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It is to be understood that in the drawings of Figures 3-5 and 7-13 the groove inserts 36, 38 are shown in their respective in situ positions relative to the other components illustrated, that is to say where they would be located in relation to the other parts of the regulation arrangement if the respective side panels 12 containing the inserts were present.

The rear vertical elements 30 are each provided with a perpendicular flange 44 on the inside facing side of the vertical elements. The tabs 44 provide a connection point for an additional transverse element 46, as shown in Figure 3, which is preferably constructed with a board material of type DM or the like and connected to the respective tabs by bolts, screws or other fixing means The transverse element 46 stiffens the upper area of ​​the vertical elements 30, whose distal ends carry an additional roller bearing 48. The roller bearing 48 is located in a plane displaced from the plane of the bearings 32 and 34. This is achieved by means of a small break or step in the vertical support 30 between the position of the two bearings that the support carries, namely the bearings 34 and 48. In this way, the bearing 48 is positioned in a plane slightly displaced towards the interior area of ​​the armchair. The reason for this displacement will be apparent from the description that follows.

The side panels 12 constitute part of an intermediate support structure of the armchair, an intermediate support structure that is movable in relation to the base structure by means of a guide arrangement that includes the bearings 32, 34 and the respective grooves 36 and 38, such as previously described. In the context of the present invention the corresponding bearings 32, 34 and grooves 36, 38 in the respective panels 12 constitute first guiding means for determining the movement of the intermediate support with respect to the base.

As previously mentioned, the left panel 12 shown in Figure 6 has been removed from the view of the support and operation mechanism of Figures 3, 4 and 5. However, it is to be understood that the respective side panels 12 are connected together to form a rigid structure by means of a transverse element 50 at the back of the armchair and a generally rectangular seat frame 52 that extends substantially to the along the length of the respective side panels and fixed to the panels in a plurality of locations as best shown in Figure 3.

The seat frame 52 comprises an outer rectangular frame, preferably of metal such as steel but also contemplated are embodiments in which the seat or frame is a wooden structure or DM board. The seat frame supports the seat (not shown) of the armchair in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. The sides of the seat frame 52 are provided with a plurality of projection mounting blocks 54 that connect the frame to the respective side panels and separate the elongated side portions of the frame from the side panels. In this aspect it will be understood that the seat frame constitutes part of the intermediate support and, being fixed with respect to the side panels 12, moves in the same way as the side panels with respect to the base. This movement is resisted by the provision of a pair of parallel helical springs 56 each of which is fixed at one end to a respective vertical element 30 between bearings 34 and 48 and at the other end to a connector (not shown) of the surface facing inside the respective side panels 12. The helical springs 56 resist the movement of the intermediate support with respect to the base by pushing the base and intermediate support to the position shown in Figures 3 to 5 with the roller bearings 32 and 34 located at the uppermost ends of the grooves inclined 36 and 38 respectively.

The rear support 20 comprises a generally rectangular frame 58 having a pair of side panels 60 and transverse elements 62, 64 and 66 in respective lower, intermediate and upper end positions to create a box-shaped structure as is well known in the art. . The back frame 58 with a box frame is preferably constructed from DM boards or other material similar to boards with metal supports 68 fixed to the side faces facing outward towards the lower end of the backrest so that the backrest 58 can sliding in and out of connectors 70 correspondingly formed at the distal end of a pair of lever arms 72 in arc. The lever arms 72 are provided on both sides of the backrest and are pivotally connected to the backrest to the respective side panels 12 by means of a pivot rod 74 at the opposite end to the connector 70 of the lever. The pivot rods 74 on the respective levers 72 define the pivot axis of the backrest that is fixed relative to the intermediate support by means of the pivot rods. The backrest movement around its pivot axis is limited by a second arrangement of guiding means comprising the respective roller bearings 48 that move in the respective grooves 76 formed on the side of the inner face of the lever arms 72 respective, that is to say on the side of the lever arms facing the interior of the furniture article. The guide grooves 76 are provided along intermediate sections of the levers between pivot point 74 and the connectors 70 and are formed with a U-shaped cross section so that the rollers engage the upper lip or wall of the U section. The coupling of the roller bearings 48 with the respective upper lip portion 80 of the U-shaped cross-section ensures that the rear part of the seat does not fall (pivot) downward under its own weight about its pivot axis. The weight of the backrest is supported by the reaction of the bearings 48 with the upper coupling lip or wall 80 of the grooves 76. In this sense it will be understood that the moment of rotation provided by the weight of the back support that includes the backrest frame and seat padding etc., reacts in the bearing 48 by an opposite moment due to the reaction force generated in the bearing 48

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and transported by the base structure. It is to be understood that the geometric relationship between the position of the various bearings 32, 34 and 48, the position of the pivot 74, the position and inclination of the grooves 36 and 38 and the shape of the guide 76, in particular the surface of the upper lip that engages the bearing 48, is such that the pivoting movement of the backrest drives the intermediate support forward and upward in a coordinated manner, coordinated with the movement of the backrest to ensure a natural progression between the different positions of the armchair. The pivotal movement of the backrest around its pivot axis is limited by the inter-coupling of the bearings 48 and the respective guide surfaces 80, so that when the support arms rotate, the bearings follow the cam guide surfaces 80 of the support arms which generates a reaction force in the pivot rods 74 that drives the backrest and the intermediate support relative to the base in the linear direction of the guide grooves 36, 38.

It is to be understood that if a force is applied to the backrest to rotate, that is to rest, the backrest with respect to the intermediate support by rotating the rear support around its pivot axis, a component of the reaction force generated in the bearings 48 will make that the intermediate support moves up and forward as previously described. Thus, with a seated user, a reclining movement can be achieved by the user by applying the weight of the upper part of his body to the backrest to cause him to pivot around the pivot axis of the backrest to operate the intermediate support and seat padding associated that supports the other part of the user's body weight sitting, up and forward in an essentially counterweight movement. In this regard, it will be appreciated that the weight of the user's own body is distributed in a counterbalanced manner to the extent that substantially half of the weight of the user's body weights the other half during a reclining movement, or a reverse movement that returns the armchair from a reclined configuration back to an elevated position. In this regard, it will also be understood that the pivot axis defined by the pivot rod 74 is preferably located at or near the position of the seated user's hips to optimize the counterbalance operation of the recliner to provide a reclining armchair that requires minimal effort on the part of the seated user to move between their reclined and elevated positions.

The inclined and forward (upward) movement of the intermediate support when the backrest reclines gives the armchair, in accordance with this embodiment of the present invention, the characteristics of an armchair type "zero wall" given that the pivot point of the backrest moves the front part of the armchair forward and separating it from any obstruction that may appear otherwise if the armchair were not built with this particular design function. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that when the backrest pivots down around its pivot axis the position of the support point, as defined by the bearings 48, moves relative to the pressure center applied to the backrest by the user sitting when he reclines the chair.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 3 to 13, the reclining armchair illustrated is part of a two-seat sofa or divan in which the second seat (not shown) is substantially a mirror image of the seat illustrated with the plane of symmetry arranged in the plan of the side panel, that is the right side panel from the user data sitting on the left side of the two-seat sofa illustrated in the drawings. It will therefore be appreciated that the side panels 12 will be different in this embodiment since the left side side panel, as illustrated in Figure 6, will have a greater depth to accommodate a side arm of the furniture item. It will be understood that a recliner armchair arrangement would require an arm on both sides and therefore the right side side panel 12 would be replaced in said embodiment with a similar one to the left side side panel shown in Figure 6.

The present invention also contemplates embodiments in which the article of furniture is an adjustable bed having a base, an intermediate support and a back support, the latter being provided by the back and head support of an adjustable bed. The embodiments of an adjustable bed are described in detail below.

The drawing in Figure 3 also shows part of the support and operating mechanism for a footrest. The footrest board 14 shown in Figure 6 has been omitted in Figure 3 so that the various parts of the support and operating mechanism are revealed in detail. The footrest board 14 is pivotally connected, in a manner that will be described in greater detail below, to an ottoman board arrangement 78 that can slide in a manner similar to a drawer on inclined guide tracks 80 secured to faces which look inwards respectively from the left and right side panels 12. The position of the guide tracks 80 is shown more clearly in the drawings of Figures 4 and 5, without the mobile ottoman board 78. The inclined guides 80 confine the board to follow an inclined translation movement as defined by the orientation and inclination of the guides 80. Coupling means (not shown) are provided along the respective side edges of the board 78 for fit the guides 80. The guides 80 are preferably constructed of metal, more preferably steel, while the board 78 is preferably a DM board that is bored at 82 to reduce weight.

A pair of so-called constant force springs 84 is provided for driving the board 78 outwardly from the internal region of the armchair in the direction indicated by 86 in Figure 3. The constant force springs provide the necessary actuating force to deploy the board 78 outwards in the direction

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86. The constant force springs 84 each comprise a coil of winding material that has a tendency against unwinding so that when the free end of the strip is unwound, the driving force of the spring is such that it coils the unfolded part of the elongated strip . It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that this type of construction is used in the construction of steel coil type tape measures and the like. In the present embodiment the respective coils 84 are fixed to the ottoman board on the surface of the top face of the board towards the rear end thereof. The free ends of the strip 86 are fixed to the surface of the inner face of the respective side panels 12. The coils 84 are fixed towards the edge of the panel 78 adjacent to the side panels 12, so that the length of the strip that is deployed from the coil is essentially parallel to the panels 12. Thus, the tension in the spring forces to the ottoman panel 78 outward in the direction 86. The degree of movement of the board 78 is determined by the maximum extracted length of the winding spring that takes place when the board is in its retracted position as shown in Figure 3, position in which the board is retained by means to be described then. The board 18 therefore acts as a drawer-like structure that is driven to open but is retained in its retracted, or closed, position by a bolt or other retention parts as is well known to those skilled in the art.

As mentioned above, the footrest board 14 is shown in its retracted position in Figures 6 and 7. In Figure 7 the side panel 12 is removed from the drawings to reveal the detail of the support and operation mechanism of the armchair. In Figure 7 the free end 87 of the constant force spring can be clearly seen, although of course the end is fixed to the side panel 12 in the actual arrangement. An additional detail is revealed in the drawing of Figure 8 in which the footrest board 14 is removed from the drawing in order to illustrate the interior of the operating mechanism. In this drawing it can be seen that the ottoman board 78 is provided with a pair of hinges 90 secured to its lower side, a part of the hinge being fixed to the leading edge of the board 78. The other part of both hinges is connected to the rear face, or the lower side, the footrest board 14 to pivotally connect the footrest board 14 to the leading edge of the ottoman board. The footrest edge 14 is pivotally connected in a position substantially midway between its upper edge 92 and the lower edge 94, this is the upper and lower edges being defined in the normal vertical configuration of the armchair when the footrest is retracted, such as shown in the drawings of Figures 6 and 7. The pivoting of the footrest board 14 from its vertical configuration shown in Figure 6 to its more general horizontal deployed configuration is achieved by fixing a flexible material between the upper edge 92 of the footrest board and the seat frame 52, preferably to the front end element 96 of the seat frame shown in Figures 3 and 8. A strap or the like (not shown) can be attached to the cross member 96 at the front of the seat frame and secured in the area of ​​the upper edge 92 of the rear / bottom side of the footrest board 14 so that when the board 78 move forward to deploy the footrest board a moment of rotation is created by tensioning the webbing or similar material to rotate the upper edge 92 around its central pivot axis. It will be appreciated that by pivoting the footrest board near or around its midpoint between the upper and lower edge 92 and 94, the retraction of the footrest can easily be achieved by the seated user by applying gentle pressure through their heels to the board in the edge area lower 94. This will rotate the footrest board from a horizontal to an inclined orientation so that an additional descent of the lower limbs of the user will cause the board to substantially retract towards the position shown in Figure 7, with the weight of the user's legs sitting against the driving force of the constant force springs 84.

The footrest board 14 is held in its retracted position by means of a bolt arrangement, as best seen in Figure 10.

In Figure 10 a bolt arrangement 98 includes a support 100 mounted on the lower side of the footrest board 14 (not shown in Figure 10) carrying a rod (not shown) that is coupled by a bolt lever 102 mounted on the support 104 fixed to cross member 24 (also not shown in Figure 10). The bolt 102 is pushed to its closed position to lock the footrest board 14 in its retracted position, as shown in Figure 7. As is well known in the art, the remote operation of the bolt lever 102 is provided by a cable release such as a sheathed cable type arrangement that is remotely operated by the user, preferably from the side of the armchair.

In a reclining armchair according to the illustrated embodiment, the footrest can be operated independently of the reclining part of the armchair, so that the footrest can be deployed from its retracted vertical position to a substantially horizontal position regardless of the reclining movement of the armchair . This configuration is often referred to as the "TV position". In a motorized embodiment, a single electric linear actuator can be provided first to drive the footrest outwards to its deployed position so that the armchair adopts the "TV position" position, with an additional extension of the actuator driving the intermediate support forward and upwards relative to the base following the backrest support due to the guidance and pivot arrangement described herein above. This can easily be achieved in motorized embodiments in which a single linear actuator is fixed at one end to a part of the base structure and its other end to the footrest or deployment / retraction arrangement of the footrest such as the ottoman board 78 in the illustrated embodiment.

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Although the above description mainly refers to the drawings of Figures 3 to 6, it will be understood that the drawings of Figures 3 to 13 are various views of the same embodiment, the view of Figure 7 being similar to that of Figure 6 with the side panel 12 removed to reveal the detail of the support structure and operating mechanism of the armchair. In the drawing of Figure 7 it will be understood that the guide grooves 36 and 38 are shown schematically since they are fixed within correspondingly shaped grooves in the removed side panels, and are oriented as they would be if the side panels were present. In Figure 8 the drawing of Figure 7 is further modified by the removal of the front footrest panel 14 to reveal additional details of the armchair.

In the drawing of Figure 9 (right side) the other side panel 12 of the drawing of Figure 8 has been removed but additional details have been added, including the second of the two constant force springs 84.

In the drawing of Figure 10, additional details of the drawing have been removed including the back support 20, which in this embodiment is removably fixed in the sense that the back support can be removed for transport and storage purposes in a good way known in the art of building removable furniture. In the drawing of Figure 10 the seat frame support 52 has also been removed from the drawing, as well as the board 78.

In the drawing of Figure 11 the bolt arrangement has been removed, and in the drawing of Figure 12 the actuator mechanism for the footrest is removed so that only the main components of the base, guide grooves 34 and 38 are shown associated and support levers 72.

Figure 13 shows an enlarged detail of the second guide means for guiding the movement of the backrest support, including the detail of the vertical support 30, the roller bearing 48, pivot rod 74, lever arm 72 and guide groove 76 U-section on the right side of the armchair as illustrated in Figure 5.

Referring now to Figure 14 showing part of a recliner armchair arrangement according to a second embodiment of the invention. The view of Figure 14 is similar to that of Figure 5 in that it shows a side of a support and operating mechanism for a recliner, sofa or similar. The general principle of construction and operation of the arrangement shown in Figure 14 is substantially the same as that of the previous embodiment in which a base 16 is provided with an intermediate support 18 and rear support 20. In this embodiment, the legs of the L-section chassis 22 are replaced by a flat support panel 110 having a sphinx-shaped profile that, on the other side of the panel as shown in Figure 14, carries three roller bearings in three positions indicated in 112, 114 and 116 in the drawing. The roller bearing 118 rotatably mounted on the other side of the panel at 116 is equivalent to the bearing 48 in the previous embodiment but instead of being coupled to the upper lip of the guide 76, the bearing 118 is coupled by a curved surface 120 on the lower part of the support arm of the backrest 122 which is rotatably connected to the side panel 124. The side panel 124 constitutes part of the intermediate support and is equivalent to the panel 12 in the previous embodiment.

Referring now to Figures 15a to 15e, and in particular to Figure 15a showing a side view of the support and operation arrangement of Figure 14 as seen in the direction indicated by 125 in Figure 14. In the seen from Figure 15a it can be seen that the side panel 124 comprises a pair of inclined parallel and offset grooves 126 and 128 that are equivalent to the guide grooves 36 and 38 in the previous embodiment. The guide groove 126 houses a roller bearing 130 which is rotatably mounted on the base support member 110 in 114. The guide groove 128 houses a roller bearing 132 which is rotatably mounted to the support element 110 in 112. In this regard it will be understood that the three roller bearings 118, 130 and 132 are equivalent to the bearings 48, 32 and 34 respectively in the previous embodiment.

The side panel 124 differs slightly from the side panel 12 of the first embodiment in that it includes a vertical part 134 at the rear of the panel that includes a radial groove 136 that houses a pair of roller bearings 138, 140 rotatably mounted on the side of the rear support arm 122. The rear support arm 122 can therefore be rotated relative to the intermediate support panel 124 about an axis that coincides with the center of curvature of the slot 136.

The support and operation arrangement of the second embodiment of the present invention is particularly suitable for manufacturing from a board material such as DM or similar low cost and high strength material. The base support member 110 is preferably manufactured from such a board by machining by numerical control of the profile, followed by fixing the roller bearings in the appropriate locations. Similarly, the flat side panel 124 is also preferably manufactured by numerical control machining to include the guide grooves, etc. The rear support arm 122 is also preferably manufactured in this way. It is to be understood that a recliner armchair would include two of said support and operating arrangements shown in Figure 14 separated by a distance determined by the seat seat width. In preferred embodiments, the intermediate support panel 124 is disposed on the outside of the armchair with the support element of the base 110 on the interior, however, embodiments are conceived with the support of the base 110 on the outside and the support panel intermediate 124 inside.

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Figures 15a to 15e show the support and operation arrangement of Figure 14 in various positions from a fully elevated position in Figure 15a to a fully reclined position in Figure 15d, showing intermediate positions in 15b, c and e. As in the first embodiment of the invention, the three main supports, base, intermediate and rear, cooperate in such a way that the movement of the rear support arm around its pivot axis is coordinated with the movement of the intermediate support, with respect to the base, in a linear upward and forward direction when the rear support arm pivots down. The movement of the support and operation arrangement of the recliner in the second embodiment is substantially similar to that of the first embodiment in that the reaction forces generated in the bearing 118 and guide surface 120 force the intermediate support forward and upward such as previously described with respect to the first embodiment.

The movement referred to in Figures 15a to 15e is shown from the other side of the support and operation arrangement in Figures 16a to 16d, starting from the fully elevated position at 16a, progressively moving to the fully reclined position. shown in Figure 16d.

With reference now to the sequence of respective detailed views of Figures 17a to 17c, which show the arrangement of detail in the region of the means of the second guide towards the rear of the armchair where the rear support arm 122 is supported around of its axis by roller bearing 118. The shape and curvature of the guiding surface of the cam profile 120 determines the relative movement of the movable parts 122 and 124 both relative to each other and with respect to the base support 110. The curvature of the guide surface 120, such as the guide groove 76, is determined such that during the pivot movement of the rear support there are sufficient reaction forces between the bearing 118 and the guide surface 120 so that the movement of pivoting down the rear support causes the intermediate support to move forward and upward as determined by the respective guide grooves 126, 128 and bearings 130 and 132. It is to be understood that the curvature of the guide surface 120, and for this aspect of the guide groove 76 and in particular the upper lip 80, is important for the proper operation of the described support and operating arrangements.

Figures 17a to 17c show the respective parts of the support and operation arrangement when the recliner is in the raised configuration (Figure 17a) in a reclined configuration (Figure 17b) and in an intermediate position (Figure 17c).

A further embodiment of a support and operating mechanism 10 for an adjustable recliner is illustrated in Figures 18-21. The embodiment of Figures 18-21 is substantially identical to the embodiment of Figures 3 to 13, with modifications to the support and operating mechanisms of the footrest as will be described in detail below. In the drawings of Figures 3-13 and 18-21 the same reference numbers are used for the same component parts.

Figure 18 is a perspective view from the back and top of a support and operation mechanism 10 in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 19 is a perspective view from the rear of the support and operation mechanism of Figure 18 with the left panel and the footrest panel omitted for clarity. The reclining part of the support and operation mechanism of Figures 18 to 21 is substantially identical to that described above with reference to the embodiment of Figures 3 to 13. The footrest part of the support and operation mechanism is different. As can be seen in the drawing in Figure 18, the footboard or panel is pivotally connected to a pair of elongated arc mounting arms provided on both sides of the armchair. The panel 14 pivotally connects to the arms 140 at a point substantially midway between the upper and lower edges 92, 94 providing pivotal connections between the arms 140 and the panel 14 in the plane of the panel 14 in respective openings 142. In this way the pivot axis of the panel is located in the plane of the panel, preferably in the middle part of the panel between the front and rear flat surfaces of the panel. This is advantageous in terms of the deployment and retraction of the footrest since it provides a counterbalanced footrest that can be easily rotated around its pivot axis by the seated user by the action of applying a light amount of pressure to the extended half further away from the panel, like the configuration shown in Figure 18, by moving the ankles of the seated user to create a slight turning moment to cause the panel to rotate and then retract as described in more detail below.

The arc mounting arms are arranged relatively parallel to each other on opposite sides of the support and operation mechanism 10 between respective side panels 12. The arms 140 are connected together in various positions along their length by means of tubular transverse elements 144, 146 and 148 to provide a rigid frame structure. It is to be understood that this rigid frame structure can be considered the equivalent of the mobile ottoman board 78 in the first embodiment of Figures 3 to 13. In common with the ottoman board 78 the rigid frame structure is mounted for movement with respect to the side panels 12 on supports 80 'which in this embodiment are provided with a curved flange 150 that engages with the curved guide recesses 152 corresponding in the respective arms 140 to guide the arms along a curvilinear path between the retracted and deployed positions of the footrest.

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As best seen in the drawing of Figure 18, a gas spring 154 is provided for driving the footrest outward to its deployed position. The gas spring is anchored at one end (not shown) to part of the intermediate support structure 18 and is connected at its extension end to a rope 156 that is held under tension by the gas spring between two anchor points 158 at the end of the respective arms 142 furthest from the footrest panel 14. The gas spring 154 and the cord 156 can be considered the equivalent of the winding springs of constant force 84 in the embodiment of Figures 3 to 13. A latch (not shown) is provided in a manner similar to that of the first embodiment of Figures 3 to 13 to keep the footrest in its retracted (vertical) position against the driving force of the gas spring 154, latch that is released by means of a sheathed cable as previously described and is known in the art.

With reference now to Figures 20 and 21, in the elevated (non-reclined) TV position of Figure 20, the footrest board 14 is deployed outwardly and upwardly by the operating mechanism of the footrest previously described. Figure 21 shows the frame of the armchair displaced to its semi-reclined position by the rotation of the backrest support 20 around its pivot axis at 74 which causes the intermediate support 18 that includes the side panels 12 to move upwards and towards forward with respect to the base along the path defined by the grooves 36, 38. The advancing component of this movement provides the function called "zero wall".

Referring now to Figures 22 to 24, which show part of a recliner armchair arrangement according to a fourth embodiment of the invention, the general principle of construction and operation of the arrangement shown in Figures 22 to 24 is substantially the same that of the previous embodiments in which a base 16, an intermediate support 18 and a backup support (not shown) are provided, the same reference numbers being used in the drawings of Figures 22 to 24 to indicate the same or similar components present in the previous embodiments. It will be understood that the fourth embodiment is substantially a hybrid of the first and second embodiments in which, as in the second embodiment, the legs of the L-section chassis 22 of the first and third embodiments are replaced by a flat support panel 110 similar to the panel of intermediate support support in the second embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, panel 110 has three roller bearings in three positions indicated in 112, 114 and 116 in the drawings. The roller bearing 118 rotatably mounted on the side of the panel at 116 is provided in two parts, that is to say two roller bearing elements are provided on the same shaft or rod so that the two bearing elements are coaxially aligned in

116. One of the bearing elements 118a (shown as a detail hidden by broken lines in the drawing) is equivalent to the bearing 48 in the first and third embodiments and is coupled with the upper lip 80 of a respective guide 76 on a backrest support 72 , the second bearing element (not shown) is coupled with a third guide groove 160 of panel 110, the third guide groove and the second bearing elements comprise part of the first guide elements mentioned above that include the grooves 126, 128 and bearings 130, 132 the third groove 160 being arranged parallel to the other two grooves 126, 128 in the panel. As can be seen in the drawings, the support element 72 of the backrest is pivotally mounted on the panel by means of a rod 74 as previously described with reference to the embodiments of Figures 3 to 13 and 18

22 In the embodiment of Figures 22 to 24 the side panel 110 the intermediate support is positioned towards the inside of the base support panel 110, but it is to be understood that embodiments are also conceived where the base support panel is inside of the intermediate support panel.

A fifth embodiment of the present invention comprises an adjustable bed 210 shown in Figures 25 to

36.

Embodiments of the present invention also include adjustable beds.

Figures 25 to 36 schematically show an adjustable bed 200 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The bed 200 comprises an adjustable back support section 202, a medium fixed support section 204, an upper adjustable leg support section 206 and a lower leg support section 208.

In Figures 25 to 27 and Figures 31 and 32 the bed 200 is shown in its configuration descended with the back support section 202, the middle support section 204 and the leg support sections 206, 208 descended where the sections Adjacent supports rest substantially flat above base support 210. The supporting sections 202, 204, 206, 208 comprise respective flat smooth panels 212, 214, 216, 218 respectively with respective adjacent mattress support pads or pads 220, 222, 224, 226 that combine to provide a support base of the mattress on which a mattress (not shown) suitable to provide a so-called "soft edge" adjustable bed is supported. The bed 200 is a double bed but the present embodiment contemplates beds of many different widths that include standard single width beds to much larger doubles.

As can be seen better in Figure 26, the base support 210 comprises a generally rectangular frame constructed by means of a board-like material that can be a technical plastic, DM board, wood or other board type for example. The base support frame 210 includes a pair of elongated side panels 228, 230 that are joined together near their respective ends by cross-sectional panels 232, 234 to form

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a structural support frame of the rectangular box type. The base support frame 210 constitutes a part of the bed 200 that rests on the floor and in this sense the support frame can remain directly on the salary or be provided with casters, legs or the like as is well known in the art.

An intermediate support is mounted in the form of a mobile trolley 236 within the inner region of the base support frame 210 on the underside of the body support sections 202, 204, 206, 208. The intermediate support 236 can best be seen in the drawings of Figures 27 and 28 in which the body support panels 212-218 and their associated mattress support pads 220-226 are omitted from the drawings for clarity. In Figure 27 the illustrated component parts of the bed are shown positioned with the bed in its normal flat configuration. In Figure 28 the illustrated parts are shown with the bed placed in a completely elevated configuration. The intermediate support carriage comprises a pair of elongated parallel side panels 238, 240 arranged adjacent to the left and right side panels 228, 230 of the base support frame. The panels 238, 240 are symmetrically identical so that the mounting arrangement on one side of the bed is the same as on the other. The panels are rigidly joined together by a pair of parallel transverse elements 242, 244 that are separated along the length of the bed. The panels 238, 240 are preferably constructed from a board material such as a DM board or a technical plastic such as are commonly used in the furniture industry and suitable for numerical control machining. The transverse elements 242, 244 can be constructed from the same material as the side panels but can also be metal, preferably made of steel to support the actuator loads applied to move the various sections of the body as will be described more fully below. The transverse elements 242, 244 are each provided with respective actuator mounting brackets 246 at the midpoint along its length.

The back support panel 212 is pivotally mounted to the intermediate support carriage by means of a pair of load support elements 248 fixed to, and extending from, the lower side of the support panel 212. The load bearing elements 248 are separated and located in laterally separated positions on the panel 212 so that they rest substantially adjacent to the respective side panels 238, 240 of the intermediate support on the lower side thereof such that the rolling element bearings 250a, 250b, 250c (Figures 29, 30 and 31) rotatably mounted on the sides of the rotating elements of the load 248 are placed and held captive in, respective arc-shaped slots 252 in respective panels 238, 240. The support elements for the rotation of the load 248 constitute a connecting lever that pivotally mounts the support of the back support 202 with respect to the intermediate support.

The upper leg support panel 216 is similarly pivotally mounted to the intermediate support carriage by means of a pair of load support elements 254 fixed to, and extending from, the lower side of the support panel 216. The load bearing elements 254 are separated and located in laterally separated positions on the panel 216 so that they rest substantially adjacent to the respective intermediate support panels 238, 240 on the inner side thereof so that the bearings of rolling elements 256a, 256b, 256c (Figures 29 and 30) rotatably mounted on the sides of the rotating elements of the load 254 are located, and held captive in, respective arc-shaped slots 258 in respective panels 238, 240.

The panel of the middle section 214 is fixed with respect to the intermediate support carriage immediately between the back support and upper leg support panels 212, 216 in the lowered configuration of the bed as shown in Figure 25. The lower leg support panel 218 pivotally connects to the upper leg support panel 216 along their respective joining edges by hinges 260.

The rotating elements of the load 248 and 254 are substantially flat having a crescent shape and are designed so that they rest substantially flush with a small gap of a few millimeters or so with the respective side panels 238, 240 of the intermediate support, within an envelope of the base support cart in the configuration descended from the chamber as shown in Figures 26 and 27, the panels 212-218 resting substantially flat on, or just above, the upper edge of the base support frame 210. The support elements of the rotation of the load 248, 254 are each provided with flat elements that project inwardly 266 that extend perpendicular to the plane of the elements. of support to provide mounting elements for coupling with and fixing to the lower side of the respective panels 212 and 216.

The support elements for the rotation of the load 248 are rigidly connected together by means of a transverse element 262, and similarly the support elements for the rotation of the load 254 are connected together by a transverse element 264. The transverse elements 262, 264 are each provided with actuator mounting brackets 268 at a midpoint along its length, each for the connection of one end of a respective linear actuator (not shown).

As best seen in the drawing of Figure 29, each rotation element of the load 248 is provided with rolling element bearings 250a, 250b, 250c located with that side of the support element facing the adjacent side panel of the carriage of intermediate support The 250a and 250b bearings are of similar construction and

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they comprise a single rolling element bearing mounted on a vertical rod that extends from the surface of the load rotating element. The third bearing 250c is slightly different in that it comprises a pair of bearing elements 250c 'and 250c' coaxially aligned on a longer rod. This arrangement is further shown in the plan view of the bearing 250c in Figure 30 in which the outermost bearing element 250c '' is located approximately twice as far from the support element of the rotation of the load as the first element of bearing 250c '. The bearings 250a, 250b and 250c are located in the positions indicated in 270a, 270b and 270c on the other side of the support element 248 shown in the drawings of Figures 26-28.

The support arrangement on the support elements of the rotation of the load 254 is similar to that described above in relation to the support elements 248, except that the three bearings 256a, 256b and 256c are of one type of element simple as 250a and 250b, and located respectively in positions 272a, 272b and 272c, as indicated on the reverse side of the support elements in Figures 26-28.

On both sides of the bed bearings 256a, 256b and 256c are placed in slots 258 so that the movement of the support elements is limited by the movement of the bearings in those slots 258. This gives the panel 216 and therefore the upper leg support section 206 a pivotal movement, with respect to the intermediate support, defined the pivot axis by the center of curvature of the grooves 258 and with the extension of travel determined by the groove length and the separation of bearing elements 256a and 256c in the groove. The pivot movement range of the support elements 254 is defined by the ends of the groove 258 and the separation of the respective bearings 256a and 256c by the stop of a respective one of the bearings with a respective end of the groove. The bearings 256a and 256c may be separated by a maximum distance that corresponds approximately to half the length of the curved groove 258.

Similarly, bearings 250a, 250b and 250c 'are placed in grooves 252 so that the movement of the support elements is limited by the movement of the bearings in grooves 252. This gives the panel 212 and therefore the back support section 202 a pivoting movement, with respect to the intermediate support, defined the pivot axis by the center of curvature of the grooves 252 and with the travel extension determined by the groove length and the separation of the bearing elements 250a and 250c 'in the groove. The pivot movement range of the support element 248 is defined by the ends of the groove 252 and the separation of the respective bearings 250a and 250c 'by the stop of a respective one of the bearings with a respective end of the groove. The bearings 250a and 250c 'may be separated by a maximum distance that corresponds approximately to half the length of the curved groove 252.

The position of the slots 252 and 258 can best be seen in the drawing of Figure 31 in which the side panel 228 has been omitted for clarity in order to illustrate the regulation arrangement of the bed in greater detail. Although only one of the panels 228 of the intermediate support is shown in the side elevation drawing of Figure 31 it is to be understood that the panels 228, 230 are substantially identical to each other, each having a pair of curved guide grooves 252, 258 for housing support bearings 250a-c 'and 256a-c as previously described. The first guide slot 250 is provided in the most delayed half of the panel 228 and the second slot 258 in the front half of the panel. The center of curvature 274 of the first groove 258 is located at the adjacent edges of the adjacent mattress support cushions 222, 224 so that during the regulation in use of the bed between its various positions does not cause compression of the mattress located by above the support cushions in the region of these contiguous edges. In the same way, the center of curvature 276 of the second groove 252 is located at the adjacent edges of the adjacent mattress support cushions 220, 222 so that during the regulation in use of the bed between its various positions does not cause compression of the cushions or mattress located above the support cushions in the region of these contiguous edges.

The position of the bearing elements 250a-c and 256a-c is illustrated in the drawing of Figure 31 when the bed is in the lowered configuration, with the bearing 256c at the rear end of the front groove 258 and the bearing 250a located at the front end of the rear slot 250.

The position of the bearing elements 250a-c and 256a-c is also illustrated in the drawing of Figure 32 in which the side panel 240 has also been removed to show additional details. In this drawing the position of the front and rear groove is indicated by the slot inserts 252 'and 258' which are illustrated in their on-site position as if the panel 240 were present. Inserts 252 'and 256' provide a wear-resistant support surface for bearing elements 250a-c 'and 256a-c that fit into properly sized grooves in the respective side panels of the intermediate support carriage and operate in a similar manner to slot inserts 32, 38 in previous embodiments. In the drawing of Figure 32 the relative position of the slots 252 and 258 and of the support elements of the rotation of the load 248, 254 can be seen for the bed in its descending configuration. The side elevation of Figure 32 also illustrates more clearly the profile of the support elements of the rotation of the load 248 and 254, which includes the angled abutment face 278 at the front end of the support elements of the load rotation. 254, whose purpose will be described in detail below.

The drawings of Figures 31 and 32 also illustrate the manner in which the intermediate support carriage is movably mounted with respect to the base support 210. Each side panel 238, 240 is provided with three rolling element bearings 280a-c, located in separate locations along the length of the panels

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respective, mounted on bearing rods that rise from the surface of the respective panel and project to the adjacent outer panel 228, 230 of the base support on which the bearing coupling slots 282a-c are provided for receiving the respective slot inserts 282a'-c. The inserts 282a'-c 'are shown in their respective positions in place in the drawings of Figures 31 and 32 although the side panel 240 on which they are mounted has been omitted for the purpose of illustration. Inserts 282a'-c 'are placed in blind grooves provided on the surface facing the respective wood panels 228, 230. Part of the rear slot insert 282c 'can be seen in the drawing of Figure 26 and part of the front slot insert 282a' in the drawing of Figure 33.

The slots 282a-c and the corresponding inserts 282a'-c 'are linear and aligned along the length of the panels 228, 230 to guide the intermediate support carriage in a linear parallel direction not inclined with respect to the base support during the Bed regulation between its various positions. The grooves and inserts are substantially identical and generally equally spaced along the middle part of the bed. The grooves 280a-c are blind because they do not create openings on the side of the panels 228, 230, but are deep enough to accommodate the respective inserts and rolling element bearings 280a-c fixed to the intermediate support carriage. This arrangement constitutes the aforementioned first guiding means in this embodiment of the invention.

A fourth combination of groove 284 and insert 284 'is provided towards the rear of the panels 228, 230 housing the bearing element 250c' 'mounted on the rear support element of the rotation of the load

248 This arrangement constitutes the aforementioned second guide means in this embodiment. The fourth groove 284 is curvilinear having a first and second curved sections 286, 288. The first section 286 has a curvature that coincides with that of the groove 252 and is coincident with the back of that groove when the bed occupies a position between the fully lowered position and semi-elevated position of the Figure

3. 4. In that relative range of motion the bearing 250c 'moves freely in the first section 286 when the back support rises to the semi-raised position of Figure 34, then the curvature and direction of the groove changes abruptly. The second section 288 has a center of curvature different from that of the first section and rises more smoothly along the length of the panel 228, 230 than the first section. This change in curvature generates a reaction force between the element the bearing 250c '' and the second section 288 of the groove, which forces the intermediate support carriage to advance relative to the base support along the guides 280a-c when a turning moment (by one of the actuators or otherwise) is applied to the back support section of the bed. When the back support section rises beyond the intermediate position of Figure 34, the bearing 250c '' is forced to move along the second section of the groove and the resistance that is generated by the reaction of the element of Bearing with the upper surface of the groove 288 drives the intermediate section forward with respect to the base support. This resulting movement is similar to the relative movement of the support and intermediate support sections of the armchair arrangements of the previous embodiments where the backrest was moved. In the present embodiment a similar coordinated movement takes place when the back support section of the bed moves when it is raised to provide a backrest in the raised configuration of the bed. Thus, the bed described in this embodiment also functions as a zero wall furniture article. This is particularly advantageous in the context of adjustable beds since it allows the user to maintain access to the side furniture etc., since the relative position of the user in relation to that furniture does not change when the backrest is raised or lowered, since the movement is compensated by the forward or backward movement of the intermediate support carriage on which the body support sections are mounted.

The relative positions of the various parts of the bed when the bed configuration is regulated from the completely lowered configuration to the completely elevated configuration can be seen following the sequence of drawings of Figures 32 (completely lowered), Figure 34 (semi-raised) . Figure 35 (intermediate between semi-raised and completely elevated) to Figure 36 (completely elevated). Each drawing presents the same partial side view of the bed construction as Figure 32 and illustrates the relative positions of the bearings in the respective grooves when the bed moves from one configuration to another.

In the illustrated embodiment the movement of the bed through the various positions shown is carried out by means of two linear electric actuators of the type commonly used in adjustable furniture arrangements, including a first actuator (not shown) connected between the support 246 on the cross member 244 and support 268 on cross member 262 for the movement of the back support section 202, and second linear actuator (not shown) connected between the support 246 on the cross member 242 and the support 268 on the cross member 264 for the movement of the upper leg support sections

206. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the relative position of the linear actuator jacks on the lower side of the bed 200 is particularly advantageous, first because the force vector applied by the actuators actually follows the movement of the support panels. of the rotation of the load when moving, since both ends of the actuator are pivotally connected to the respective aforementioned supports, and second because the force vector is always displaced, at a significant distance, from the respective pivot axes 274, 276 around which the rotary movement generated by the actuator is applied, thus providing the motorized arrangement with a considerable mechanical advantage. .

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As can be best seen by comparing the drawings of Figures 32 and 34, the angled abutment surface 278 at the end of each support element of the rotation of the load 254 serves to limit the extent of the pivoting movement in the hinge connection 260 between panels 216 and 218. When the support elements begin to rotate around their pivot axis in 274 both sections 208 and 206 begin to rise but articulate separating until the position of Figure 34 is reached when the abutment surface 278 engages with the lower side of panel 218. This provides a useful "knee bending" function where the lower legs of the users do not rise until a comfortable relative position of the upper and lower legs is first achieved.