Multi-Position Chair

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/568,999, filed Mar. 22, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The disclosure relates generally to the field of seating systems and furniture design, and more specifically and not by way of limitation, some embodiments are related to adjustable and convertible seating configurations that provide multiple seating positions for various ergonomic and functional needs.

Seating solutions have evolved over time to accommodate various functional and ergonomic needs. Traditional chairs are often designed for a single purpose, such as dining, office work, or relaxation, requiring users to purchase multiple seating options for different activities. This can lead to increased costs, space constraints, and inconvenience in environments where flexibility is essential.

In many residential and commercial settings, space optimization is a critical concern. As living and working spaces become smaller, the demand for multi-functional furniture has increased. Consumers and businesses seek seating solutions that can serve multiple purposes while maintaining comfort, stability, and ease of use.

Conventional recliners and adjustable chairs often require complex mechanisms or large footprints that make them impractical for compact spaces. Additionally, many reclining chairs alter the orientation of the armrests, making them unsuitable for holding objects such as beverages, electronic devices, or reading materials during transitions between seating positions.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved seating system that provides multiple seating configurations in a single unit, allowing users to seamlessly transition between upright and reclined positions while maintaining functional armrest stability. Such a solution would offer enhanced versatility, ergonomic benefits, and space efficiency without compromising user comfort or convenience.

Some example embodiments relate to a multi-position chair provides a versatile seating solution that transitions between an upright and reclined position through a front pivot mechanism positioned below the knee area. The seat and backrest function as a single unit, with armrests that remain flat during movement to maintain usability for items placed on them. A lift mechanism adjusts the seat's height, offering manual, gas-spring, or electric options for user convenience. A five-star base with casters enhances mobility, making the chair suitable for both workspace and relaxation environments. This design optimizes space, ergonomics, and functionality, eliminating the need for multiple seating solutions.

Disclosed are example embodiments of a chair, including a seat and a backrest configured as a single unit. The chair further includes a frame supporting the seat and backrest. The chair also includes a front pivot mechanism positioned below a knee area of a seated user, the front pivot mechanism enabling the seat and backrest to transition between an upright position and a reclined position. Additionally, the chair includes a pair of armrests coupled to the seat and backrest, the armrests maintaining a substantially flat orientation throughout the transition between the upright position and the reclined position. The chair further includes a lift mechanism coupled to the frame and the seat and backrest, the lift mechanism configured to adjust a vertical position of the seat and backrest relative to the frame.

The figures and the following description describe certain embodiments by way of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles described herein. Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying figures. It is noted that wherever practicable similar or like reference numbers may be used in the figures to indicate similar or like functionality.

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of configurations and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring such concepts.

Several aspects of example systems will now be presented with reference to various apparatus and methods. These apparatus and methods will be described in the following detailed description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, components, circuits, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as “elements”). These elements may be implemented using various components, hardware, electronic hardware, computer software, or any combination thereof. Whether such elements are implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system.

In an example embodiment, the present invention provides a seating apparatus that offers two distinct seating configurations within a single chair. The chair transitions between an upright position, suitable for dining or desk use, and a reclined position for relaxation. The innovative structure allows the user to seamlessly adjust between these two seating arrangements while maintaining consistent support and comfort.

illustrates an example chairin an upright position, illustrating a seatand a backrestin a vertical alignment along with the front pivot mechanism, armrests, frame, and lift mechanism. As illustrated in, the seating apparatus comprises the seatand the backrest, armrests, a supporting frame, a front pivot mechanism, and a lift mechanism. The seatand backrestmay be configured as a single unit that rotates around a front pivot axis (e.g., at the front pivot mechanism) positioned approximately below the knee joint of a seated individual.

illustrates chairin a reclined position, depicting the seatand backrestrotated backward around the front pivot mechanismwhile maintaining a flat orientation of the armrests. As demonstrated in, the pivoting motion may facilitate a smooth transition from an upright positionto a reclined position. The framemay provide stability while supporting the reclining motion.

One distinguishing feature of some example embodiments may be the armrestdesign. The armrestsmay be coupled to the seatand backrestassembly via specifically placed pivots and levers, ensuring they remain relatively flat throughout the transition between seating positions. This configuration may allow users to keep objects such as drinks, electronic devices, and reading materials on the armrests during movement without risk of tipping or sliding. The integration of this armrest stabilization system enhances the chair's functionality and usability. (The armrestmay include one or more beverage holders, wherein the beverage holders may be configured to maintain their orientation during use, e.g., during movement from the upright positionto the reclined position.)

As illustrated in, chairmay incorporate a horizontal pivot mechanismlocated beneath the knee area (of a person seated in the chair) at the front portion of the seat. This pivot (front pivot mechanism) may be the primary support for the seatand backrestassembly, which may allow a full range of motion from approximately 0 degrees (upright) to approximately 35 to 40 degrees (reclined) or even further reclined. As well as reclined positions between approximately 0 degrees and 40 degrees (or more). The single-pivot axis design may help ensure a streamlined transition between positions while maintaining ergonomic support for the user. In an example embodiment, front pivot mechanismmay be a single pivot mechanism approximately running the length of the front of the seat. In other example embodiments, front pivot mechanismmay be a pair of pivot mechanisms generally to the left and right side generally at the front of the seat. In yet another example embodiments, front pivot mechanismmay be a three or more pivot mechanisms. For example, when three pivots are used the pivots may generally be to the left, right, and center and generally at the front of the scat.

Additionally, the pivot mechanismmay include a vertical adjustment feature, enabling the front edge or entire seat assembly to be raised or lowered. This adjustability accommodates users of varying heights and facilitates ergonomic positioning at different tables or desks. The adaptability of the chair to different user heights ensures optimal support and comfort across a range of settings.

The chair incorporates a lift and lock mechanism (lift mechanism) beneath the seatto control the movement and positioning of the seatand backrest. Several configurations of lift mechanismare possible:

Manual Lift and Lock: The user lifts the seat and backrest assembly to the desired position, which locks into place. The mechanism may help ensure stability and ease of adjustment.

Gas Spring or Spring-Assisted Lift: A gas spring or mechanical spring assists in lowering the seat and backrest assembly. When the user exits the chair, the spring mechanism raises the seat to a default or adjustable position.

Electrically Powered Screw Drive: An electrically operated screw drive system may enable controlled lifting and lowering of the seat and backrest while the user remains seated. This mechanism may allow for effortless adjustments and precise positioning, with integrated stop and lock functionality for intermediate positions. The lift mechanismmay work in conjunction with the pivot mechanismto enable a smooth transition between upright and reclined positions while maintaining the user's chosen height setting.

illustrates a perspective view of the dine and recline chair, showcasing the overall structure and integration of key components enabling the transition between seating positions. The figure provides a comprehensive visualization of its structure and integration of these components. The figure provides a comprehensive visualization of its structure and integration of these components. As depicted in, chairincludes seat, backrest, armrests, supporting frame, front pivot mechanism, and lift mechanism. The armrestsare designed to remain stable throughout the reclining motion, ensuring a consistent user experience. The front pivot mechanismis positioned beneath the knee area to facilitate smooth movement between the upright and reclined positions. The supporting frameprovides structural stability while accommodating the forces exerted during transition. Additionally, lift mechanismis integrated beneath seatto enable height adjustments and controlled reclining. This perspective view highlights how these components interact to create an ergonomic and functional seating experience.

illustrates a variation of the chairfeaturing a “five-star” basewith wheels, demonstrating enhanced mobility while maintaining the core pivoting and reclining functionalities described with respect to.illustrates another variation of the chairwith wheels, showing an alternative mobility configuration with a stable base and reclining mechanism.

A variation of the chair, as depicted in, includes a five-star base,with wheels,. This modification may enhance mobility, potentially making the chair well-suited for workspaces, home offices, and other environments where repositioning is necessary. While the seat,and backrest,, front pivot mechanism,, and armrests (optional, not shown) may remain functionally consistent with the original design, the five-star basemay introduce added flexibility for users requiring movement between workstations or seating areas. The lift mechanism may remain functionally consistent with the original design in some embodiments. Alternatively, lift mechanism,may generally maintain the same functionality, but may use different structures to provide that functionality. For example, lift mechanism,may provide an up/down motion for the chair,. Chair,also includes back tilt mechanism,and may, in some embodiments, provideinches of travel.andmay, in some embodiments, use a 3 inch gas cylinder for lifting the chair (lift mechanism,).andmay also use a gas cylinder (back tilt mechanism,) or, in other embodiments, electric cylinder for tilt.

This mobile version retains the same dual-position reclining function but allows for greater case of transport and repositioning. The five-star baseconfiguration may help ensure stability even when transitioning between positions, and some variations may include locking casters to secure the chair in place when stationary.

The ability to alternate between an upright and reclined seating position makes this chair particularly advantageous in settings where space or cost constraints exist. The dual-functionality eliminates the need for separate dining and lounge chairs, reducing the required furniture footprint. Furthermore, the adaptability of the chair to different user heights and workspaces improves ergonomic comfort and usability.

The flat armrests contribute to user convenience by allowing items to remain undisturbed during transitions. The integration of various lifting and locking mechanisms ensures accessibility for a wide range of users, including those with mobility limitations. The incorporation of a mobile five-star base further enhances its versatility, making it suitable for both stationary and dynamic environments.

In an example embodiment, the present invention provides a seating apparatus with multiple adjustable components to offer both ergonomic support and versatile functionality. The following describes each noun in the claims, providing various examples of how these elements may be implemented.

The seat and backrest are configured as a single unit, meaning they move together as the chair transitions between different positions. The seat and backrest may be constructed from materials such as molded plastic, wood, composite materials, or metal, with cushioning layers made from foam, gel-infused padding, or memory foam for enhanced comfort. The covering material may include leather, synthetic leather, fabric, mesh, or antimicrobial coatings for improved hygiene and durability.

The backrest may be contoured to provide lumbar support, with optional adjustable components such as a tilting headrest or lumbar reinforcement. In some embodiments, the seat and backrest may include integrated heating or cooling elements for temperature regulation.

The frame serves as the primary structural support for the chair. It may be constructed from metal alloys (e.g., aluminum, steel, or titanium), reinforced plastic, or composite materials. The frame may feature a collapsible design for compact storage and transportation. In some implementations, the frame may include a reinforced base structure with additional crossbeams or support bars to enhance durability and weight distribution.

The frame may also incorporate mounting points for add-ons such as cup holders, storage compartments, or electronic device holders. It may be finished with powder coating, anodization, or chrome plating for increased resistance to corrosion and wear.

The front pivot mechanism enables the seat and backrest to transition between an upright position and a reclined position. This pivot mechanism may include a hinge, rotating joint, or a combination of mechanical linkages that provide smooth movement. In some embodiments, the pivot mechanism may feature a damping element to control the transition speed, preventing sudden or abrupt movement.

The pivot mechanism may be adjustable, allowing the reclining range to be customized for different users. Example pivot mechanisms include ball-and-socket joints, linear rails with pivot arms, or scissor-lift arrangements.

The armrests are attached to the seat and backrest, ensuring they maintain a flat orientation throughout the transition between seating positions. The armrests may be constructed from materials such as molded plastic, wood, aluminum, or padded upholstery. Some embodiments may include detachable or adjustable armrests to accommodate different user preferences.

Additional functionalities for the armrests may include:

Integrated storage compartments for holding small items such as remote controls, books, or mobile devices.

Built-in charging ports to power electronic devices such as smartphones or tablets.

Removable configurations to allow users to customize their seating experience.

The lift mechanism is responsible for adjusting the vertical position of the seat and backrest relative to the frame. Several types of lift mechanisms may be used:

Manual Lift and Lock Mechanism: Users can manually adjust the height by lifting the seat to a desired position, where it locks into place.

Gas Spring Mechanism: A pressurized gas cylinder automatically adjusts the height based on user weight displacement.

Electrically Powered Screw Drive: A motorized system allows users to adjust the chair height while remaining seated, controlled via buttons, a remote, or an integrated touchscreen.

To enhance safety, the lift mechanism may include a locking feature to prevent unintentional movement. The system may also allow micro-adjustments for fine-tuned positioning.

In some embodiments, the chair includes a five-star base with casters, providing mobility across different surfaces. The casters may be made from rubber, polyurethane, or metal, and may include a locking mechanism to secure the chair in place. The five-star base may be constructed from aluminum, steel, or reinforced plastic for strength and stability.

The chair may include various enhancements to improve usability and user experience:

Headrest: Adjustable or detachable, capable of moving in coordination with the reclined position.

Footrest: Extendable from the base to support the user's legs in a reclined position.

Vibration Massage Unit: Integrated into the backrest and seat for therapeutic benefits.

Sensor System: Detects user position and automatically adjusts the recline angle accordingly.