Recliner Chair with Reclining Mechanism and Reclining Mechanism Assembly for Venue Bleachers

This application claims priority to Mexican Patent Application No. MX/a/2024/004286, filed Apr. 5, 2024. The entire content of the foregoing is incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to recliner chairs and reclining mechanism assemblies for recliner chairs that are installed on bleachers of venues such as theaters, cinemas, or auditoriums via anchoring and leveling means, and in particular, in those venues in which the seating is installed in a tiered configuration. The installation of the invention is carried out at the intersection between a portion of a vertical surface (hereinafter also defined in this document as a riser) and a portion of a horizontal surface (hereinafter also defined in this document as a tread), where the tread and the riser define a bleacher.

Currently, auditoriums, theaters, and cinemas seek to remodel their spaces in order to offer greater comfort for their customers. A cinema, theater, or auditorium consists of an enclosure with multiple bleachers and a plurality of seats arranged in a row on the treads of these. Many owners and operators of such venues wish to replace the seats in these venues with reclining chairs with footrests. The problem they face is that this type of furniture does not fit onto the existing surface treads, and therefore, they are forced to demolish the existing bleachers and build new bleachers with larger treads, where reclining chairs with footrests can be fitted. This means substantial modification to the internal construction of the venue, high construction costs and time.

Faced with this problem, a seat assembly with a reclining backrest and extendable footrest was developed that can be mounted on the entire surface of the riser and a portion of the tread of a bleacher in order to modify a conventional cinema theater into an exclusive cinema theater, without incurring the construction for new bleachers.

Thus, the assembly disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 10,888,162 B2 consists of a pair of L-shaped bases that rest on a portion of the tread and on the entire portion of the riser, and also on a portion of the lower tread or surface; where a seat with a thin seat cushion, a backrest, and an extendable footrest are arranged between both bases. In addition, said assembly requires a lifting mechanism that must be miniaturized because it is located beneath the seat, which is why the seat cushion must be of low thickness. The technical report of the document stipulates that the seat must be separated from the upper surface by a distance of 15.24 cm (6 inches). Furthermore, the patent description and claims establish that the assembly requires the application of a backward force to the backrest so that it reclines backwards and simultaneously deploys the extendable footrest; in this sense, a forward force must also be applied so that the backrest inclines forward and the extendable footrest retracts. Thus, the use of various elements and mechanisms is inherent in order to achieve such functionalities because this patent is silent regarding these.

As described in the patent, the recliner chair assembly is utilized in the remodeling of movie theaters, which are public places, so its use is constant. This implies having and complying with a maintenance program for the lifting mechanism, as well as keeping the area under the seat free of objects or debris that can obstruct its proper functioning and/or cause damage to its elements.

Compact lifting mechanisms are known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 11,344,123 B2 discloses a compact reclining mechanism that fits beneath the bottom of the seat of any type of recliner seat unit. The mechanism comprises an arm mounting bracket; a backrest mounting bracket that has a first portion and a second portion, with the backrest mounting bracket pivotally coupled to the arm mounting bracket; a seat rail link pivotally coupled to the backrest mounting bracket; and a full recline assembly coupled to the seat rail link in front of the pivot coupling between the seat rail link and the second portion of the back mounting bracket. The full recline assembly pivotally couples to the arm mounting bracket in front of the pivot coupling between the arm bracket and the back mounting bracket; and an ottoman assembly couples to the seat rail link is configured to move between a closed position and an extended position.

Another example of a compact lifting mechanism is divulged in patent application MX/a/2022/016206, which describes and illustrates a seat support surface, a seat coupled to a rail and a backrest, with these elements coupled through a reclining link mechanism, wherein each reclining link mechanism includes a base plate securely coupled to a tilting lever at connecting points.

From the descriptions and figures of the compact lifting mechanisms illustrated in the prior art documents cited, it can be noted that these mechanisms are compact and are arranged beneath the seat; nonetheless, their structural complexity can also be noted, consisting of a plurality of mechanical elements and assemblies that attach together via various pivoting means. These structural configurations require constant maintenance due to the wear and tear that the plurality of pivot couplings endure, such as the constant lubrication and cleaning of said elements given that any object can obstruct their functioning.

In this regard, it should also be noted that a movie theater requires multiple cleanings to be carried out during the course of a day, depending on the number of screenings during service hours, as well as the time needed to complete the cleaning. The cleaning of the space or area under the seat of the chairs is commonly excluded because it requires other tools, more time, and qualified personnel to carry this out, so this task is only considered part of the preventive maintenance program done by said personnel, who must be trained in order to avoid unnecessary manipulation or damage to any of the elements that make up the mechanism.

Given such problems, it is necessary that reclining mechanism assemblies in particular do not have their movement propulsion mechanisms located or attached beneath the seat of the recliner chairs. Furthermore, it is required that such reclining mechanism assemblies are not structurally complex, as they are made up of a great variety of elements and other parts that attach together via pivoting means, which make their maintenance, repair, disassembly and installation difficult.

It is important to note that another problem presented by the recliner chair assembly of U.S. Pat. No. 10,888,162 B2 consists of its mass production due to its structural design, considering that is absolutely necessary to take into account the dimensions of the bleachers where the assembly will be installed, specifically, the vertical length of the riser. This is because the pair of L-shaped bases of the assembly of the patent rest on a portion of the tread of the bleacher and on a portion of the lower surface or tread. In this way, the vertical dimension of the riser defines the measurement of the L-shaped bases so that they rest completely between a portion of the tread, the riser, and a portion of the lower surface or tread.

Consequently, recliner chairs that can be adapted to a bleacher without complex reclining mechanisms and with easy access to their mechanisms and structures are required to optimize their preventive and corrective maintenance. Primarily, the reclining mechanisms should not be located in the spaces where debris commonly accumulates, such as under the seat or in the seat cushion.

Likewise, recliner chair assemblies with mounting means are needed that allow easy installation and leveling of the chairs at the intersection between a portion of the tread and a portion of the riser of a bleacher, so that they do not rest on the riser or lower surface, like that of the cited patent, which also provides a “floating” visual effect. This avoids or minimizes required modifications to the existing bleachers for each project or venue, both for the horizontal length of the treads and the vertical length of the risers in the venue. In this manner, the installation of the required recliner chairs is facilitated by eliminating or minimizing the need to modify the existing bleachers, and also facilitates the cleaning of the lower surface or tread, which is used as a passageway.

Considering the aforementioned problems, the present invention has several characteristics that make it completely different from known assemblies, mechanisms and recliner chairs. As can be seen later in this descriptive report, the present invention incorporates structural configurations in its assemblies, mechanisms, and elements to provide a solution to the stated problems.

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a recliner chair and reclining mechanism assembly that can be mounted at the intersection between a portion of a tread and a portion of a riser, with a mechanical structure for easy preventative and corrective maintenance, where the tread and riser form a bleacher.

A secondary objective of the present invention is to provide a recliner chair and reclining mechanism assembly that can be mounted at the intersection between a portion of a tread and a portion of a riser in which its operation is not affected by objects or debris that accumulate beneath these.

A third objective of the present invention is to provide a recliner chair and reclining mechanism assembly that can be mounted at the intersection between a portion of a tread and a portion of a riser with a structural configuration that does not depend on the precise dimension of the vertical length of the riser, nor the use of a leveling element to adjust the height of the chair or assembly with respect to the lower surface or tread.

A fourth objective of the present invention is to provide a recliner chair and a reclining mechanism assembly that produce a zero-gravity effect via mounting and leveling means in which the weight of the mechanism and the user is properly distributed and balanced.

A fifth objective of the present invention is to provide a recliner chair and reclining mechanism assembly where the deployment/retraction of the footrest does not depend on the backrest's reclining position.

The present invention discloses a recliner chair to be mounted at the intersection between a portion of a tread and a portion of a riser of a bleacher; the recliner chair comprises: a first side base and a second side base, each with an L-shape. Each L-shaped side base is attached to a portion of the surface of the tread and projects along the surface of the riser towards a lower surface or tread without resting upon it. Nonetheless, in an alternative embodiment, it can project to the lower surface or tread. The second base can be located to the right and the first side base to the left, or vice versa. Likewise, the recliner chair includes a seat with tilting means that are supported by and couple to the L-shaped side bases, establishing an axis of rotation; a backrest that securely attaches to the rear end of the seat; and a footrest that mechanically attaches beneath the seat. The seat, backrest, and footrest form a tilting unit that pivots with respect to the L-shaped side bases via the axis of rotation; and an actuating device located behind the footrest that attaches to the seat in order to provoke the movement of the tilting unit from an initial position to a maximum reclining position, also known as zero gravity, in which the footrest also deploys with respect to the pivoting movement for the recline.

An alternate embodiment of the invention consists of a recliner chair that can be mounted at the intersection between a portion of a tread and a portion of a riser of a bleacher, the recliner chair comprises: a seat base that can be attached to the surface of the tread, a first L-shaped side base and a second L-shaped side base, each side base attaches to the sides of the seat base, and projects along the surface of the riser towards a lower surface or tread without resting upon it. Nonetheless, in an alternative embodiment, it can project to the lower surface or tread. The second and first L-shaped side bases have the same structural characteristics. The recliner chair also includes a backrest that attaches via pivoting elements beneath the rear end of the seat base, establishing a first axis of rotation; a first actuating device is secured inside the backrest and attaches to the seat base to provoke the pivoting movement of the backrest, with respect to the seat base, at the first rotation axis from an initial position to an inclined position of the backrest; a footrest attaches underneath the front end of the seat base and projects along the surface of the riser; and a second actuator is located behind the footrest under the front part of the seat and mechanically attaches to it for its deployment and retraction. This portion of the mechanism causes the deployment or retraction of the footrest, which is independent of the portion of the backrest mechanism that causes the tilt of the backrest.

Another embodiment consists of a row system of recliner chairs to be mounted at the intersection between a portion of a tread and a portion of a riser of a bleacher; the system consists of a series connection of at least two recliner chairs that comprise three L-shaped side bases, where one of the L-shaped side bases is used as a side and central base for at least two of the recliner chairs, where the base may also have a folding armrest element.

In accordance with the embodiment of the invention, a reclining mechanism assembly for a recliner chair that can be mounted at the intersection between a portion of a tread and a portion of a riser of a bleacher, the assembly comprises: a first side base frame and a second side base frame, both L-shaped, where each L-shaped side base frame is mounted onto the surface of the tread and projects along the surface of the riser towards a lower surface or tread without resting upon it. Nonetheless, in an alternative embodiment, it can project to the lower surface or tread. In addition, each L-shaped side base frame comprises mounting means to secure it on a portion of the tread surface and leveling means that rest on the riser surface to level the assembly; the second side base comprises the same structural characteristics as the first side base, or vice versa. This assembly also comprises a seat frame with tilting means that attach to the L-shaped side bases, establishing an axis of rotation; a backrest frame that attaches to the rear end of the seat frame; and a hinged footrest assembly that attaches beneath the seat frame. The frame of the seat frame, the backrest frame, and the footrest assembly form a tilting unit that pivots, with respect to the L-shaped side bases, on the single axis of rotation; and an actuating device, located behind the footrest assembly, that attaches to the seat frame to provoke the movement of the tilting unit from an initial position to a fully inclined position, known as zero gravity, where the footrest also deploys or retracts with respect to the pivoting or rotating movement of the tilting unit.

Another embodiment of the invention consists of a reclining mechanism assembly for a recliner chair that can be mounted at the intersection between a portion of a tread and a portion of a riser of a bleacher, the assembly comprises: a seat base that can be attached to the surface of the tread, a first L-shaped side base and a second L-shaped side base, where each side base frame attaches to the sides of the seat base frame and projects along the surface of the riser towards a lower surface or tread without resting upon it. Nonetheless, in an alternative embodiment, it can project to the lower surface or tread. The second side base frame mirrors the structure of the first side base frame, or vice versa. In addition, this assembly comprises a backrest frame that attaches via pivoting means underneath the rear end of the seat base frame, establishing a first axis of rotation; a first actuating device secured inside the backrest frame and attached to the seat base frame to provoke the movement of the backrest frame, with respect to the seat base frame, at the first axis of rotation, from an initial position to an inclined position; a hinged footrest assembly attached beneath the front end of the seat base frame and projects along a portion of the riser; and a second actuator located behind the hinged footrest assembly, mechanically attached to it via pivoting elements for the deployment/retraction of the hinged footrest assembly. This portion of the mechanism causes the deployment or retraction of the hinged footrest assembly, which is independent of the inclining or reclining movement of the backrest frame.

A further embodiment of the invention consists of an assembly system of at least two recliner chair mechanisms to be mounted at the intersection between a portion of a tread and a portion of a riser of a bleacher; the assembly system comprises: a series connection of at least two reclining mechanism assemblies using three side base frames, wherein one of the side base frames is used as a central base to join both assemblies, with an optional folding armrest upper surface.

Thus, the present invention improves recliner chairs for venues with bleachers through the structural configurations of the reclining mechanism assemblies detailed in this technical report, which provide simplified reclining mechanisms and better operational performance because they are not arranged in spaces where debris or other objects commonly accumulate that can interfere with their operation, resulting in reclining mechanisms with easy preventative and corrective maintenance.

The following description addresses several exemplary embodiments. Nonetheless, a subject matter expert will understand that the examples presented in this document have broad applications, and that the description of any embodiment is only exemplary of that embodiment and should not suggest that the description's scope, including the claims, is limited to that embodiment.

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to specific characteristics or components. As a subject matter expert would know, the same features or components may be known by different names. This document is intended to distinguish between components or features that differ in name, but not in function.

In the interest of brevity, certain subcomponents of the individual components, as well as other aspects of the recliner chair or reclining mechanism assembly, may not be described in detail in this document. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functionalities, as well as electrical devices and couplings, may be present in the recliner chairs of the invention, e.g., using devices or control cards, user interfaces, and other electrical elements involved for each of the functionalities, and can therefore be implemented with any number of appropriately configured components to perform specific functions.

In accordance with, which shows an embodiment of the recliner chair () to be mounted at the intersection between a portion of a tread (S) and a portion of a riser (S) of a bleacher; the recliner chair () comprises: a first L-shaped side base (A) and a second L-shaped side base (B); each L-shaped side base is mounted with anchoring elements () that fasten onto a portion of the tread (S) and project along a portion of the riser (S) towards a lower surface or tread (S) without resting upon it. In an alternative embodiment, the L-shaped side bases can project to the lower tread or surface. The levelling elements () are also secured onto the surface of the riser (S) to level the mounting of the L-shaped side base. Thus, the first and second L-shaped side bases (A,B) define the shape of the L-shaped side base frame.

Continuing with, the recliner chair also comprises a seat () comprising a rotating element on each of its lateral sides, which are secured to and supported by the first L-shaped side base (A) and the second L-shaped side base (B), correspondingly; a backrest () consisting of a backrest portion and a headboard portion, which couples with and is attached to the rear end of the seat (); and a footrest () that attaches to the front end beneath the seat () along a portion of the riser (S) so it does not entirely cover it. The seat (), backrest (), and footrest (), assembled together, form a tilting unit that tilts or pivots with respect to the L-shaped side bases.

An actuating device (not shown) is located behind the footrest () and mechanically connects to an actuator support element (not shown) of the seat () to provoke the movement of the tilting unit, with respect to the L-shaped side bases (A,B), from an initial position to a maximum reclining position, known as zero gravity, in which the footrest also deploys/retracts with respect to the pivoting movement of the tilting unit.

Likewise, the reclining mechanism assembly of the recliner chair () fromis illustrated inwithout one of its side bases. The reclining mechanism assembly comprises: a tilting unit consisting of a seat frame () with two rotating elements () that protrude from its sides, specifically to the front face of the corresponding L-shaped side base, which consist of but are not limited to a pair of hollow cylinders, and an anchoring element for the actuator () placed on the underside of one side of the seat frame (); a backrest frame () attaches to the upper part of the seat frame () via coupling elements and securing elements, such as screws, but not limited to these; and a footrest assembly (not illustrated) attaches via pivoting elements () to the front end of the seat frame (see), which covers part of the riser (S). In addition, the seat frame () extends over a part of the tread (S) and over the top part of a lower surface or tread (S) as illustrated in.

Continuing with, the reclining mechanism assembly comprises a first L-shaped side base frame (A) and a second L-shaped side base frame (not illustrated), with the first L-shaped side base frame (A) and the second L-shaped side base frame mirroring each other with the same structures and elements on their side faces, which allows them to be used on either the left or right side of the described assembly.

Each L-shaped side base frame comprises a support element () on the front face of the seat frame, which consists of an element such as a bushing, bearing, or other with the same functional purpose; in the preferred embodiment of the invention, this element consists of a square-shaped body formed by two parts with a hole in its center, which acts as a bushing. This configuration is practical for the assembly process, as described below. In this manner, the support element () houses one of the rotating elements () that protrude from the sides of the seat frame (). The first and second rotating elements (), coupled within the respective support elements of the first and second side base frames, establish an axis of rotation of the reclining mechanism. In this manner, the tilting unit is supported by and pivots with respect to the L-shaped side base frames.

In addition, each L-shaped side base frame (A) is secured with mounting means (), which extend towards the surface of the tread (S) to secure the side base frame onto a portion of the tread, while leveling elements (not illustrated) adjust the position of the L-shaped side base frame (A) by means of its support along the surface of the riser (S). Moreover, the L-shaped side base frame (A) does not project to the lower surface or tread (S), so the side base frames do not rest or support on the lower surface or tread. Nonetheless, in an alternative embodiment, these can project to the lower surface or tread.

In reference to, an actuator crossbar () is illustrated with a pair of support bases () at its ends. The actuator crossbar () mounts between the faces of the L-shaped side base frames at the front of the seat frame () of the tilting unit. The support bases () attach to the inner faces of the L-shaped side base frames with fasteners such as screws, rivets, etc. Furthermore, an actuator support element () is located near one of the support bases () of the actuator crossbar (), specifically, on the same side where the actuator anchoring element () of the seat frame () is positioned. The actuating device () illustrated inis attached to the actuator support element () of the actuator crossbar () and to the actuator anchoring element () of the seat frame () via pivoting elements, such as a clip with a pin, but not limited to this. Thus, the actuating device (), utilizing a control mechanism (not shown), can move the tilting unit with respect to the side base frames from an initial position to a maximum reclining position, with a zero-gravity effect.

shows a detailed structure of the seat frame () from;

the seat frame consists of a rectangular metal structure that includes a seat-footrest part (), and a seat part () at an angle with respect to the seat-footrest part (). The seat part () comprises a pair of male-coupling elements () at its rear end, which couple and attach the backrest frame (illustrated in) to the seat frame (). The male-coupling elements () are positioned near the sides or lateral ends of the seat part () and project vertically with respect to the seat-footrest part ().

The seat-footrest part () of the seat frame structure () comprises two rotating elements () on its sides. Each rotating element () extends from the sides of the seat-footrest part () towards the corresponding side base frame (). The rotating elements () are attached to the seat-footrest part () via a welding process, but not limited to this. As illustrated in the reference figure, the rotating elements () are positioned close to the seat portion () of the seat frame structure () and are used to pivot, as well as a means of support, which attach to the L-shaped side base frames.

In accordance with, the actuator anchoring element () is secured to the underside of the seat-footrest part () close to its front end, while the hinged footrest assembly () is secured in front of the actuator anchoring element () at the front end of the seat-footrest part () with pivoting elements (). The hinged footrest assembly () incomprises a bearing () that drives the deployment/retraction of the hinged footrest assembly via the pivoting elements ().

The actuating device () illustrated inattaches to the actuator support element () on the actuator crossbar (), while the moving part of the actuating device attaches to the actuator anchoring element () on the seat base frame (). In this manner, the actuating device () is positioned behind the hinged footrest assembly, and not between the surface of the tread and the seat frame (); as such, the actuating device () provokes the pivoting motion or rotation of the tilting unit, which consists of the seat frame (), the backrest frame () and the hinged footrest assembly. When the actuating device () extends, it provokes the movement the tilting unit backwards, raising the hinged footrest assembly; at the same time, the hinged footrest assembly extends proportionally via an actuating element described further in the document. When the actuating device () retracts, the seat frame together with the backrest frame () return to a starting position, while the hinged footrest assembly also retracts.

The backrest frame fromis illustrated in detail in. The backrest frame () comprises a backrest part () and an angled headboard part (), which provide an ergonomic shape for a user's head and back. A pair of female-coupling elements () are located on the sides of the lower end of the backrest part (). Each female-coupling element () receives one of the male-coupling elements () of the backrest frame () in. The pair of female-coupling elements () of the backrest frame () and the male-coupling elements () of the backrest frame () form a clip-on attachment mechanism for easy mounting/dismounting.

show the structural characteristics of the first and second L-shaped side base frames (A,B) of the assembly from, with both being structurally equivalent. The side base frame () inis mounted at the intersection between a portion of the tread (S) and a portion of the riser (S) of the bleacher. The metal structure of the side base frame () consists of a a vertical armrest part () and a vertical support part (′), thus achieving the L-shape. A portion of the vertical armrest part () is mounted onto a portion of the tread with mounting elements (), which project below the vertical armrest part () to couple with the respective anchoring elements () that fasten to the upper surface of the tread, while a second portion of the armrest part () extends above part of the lower surface or tread (S). The vertical support part (′) of the side base frame () extends below the second portion of the vertical armrest part () towards the lower surface or tread without touching or resting upon it. Nonetheless, in an alternative embodiment, these can extend to the lower surface or tread. The upper surface of the vertical part of the armrest () can be curved, straight, or any anatomical shape, which also includes support elements () to attach apparatuses such as cup holders, tables, user interfaces, or lighting elements.

Continuing with, the leveling elements () extend out from the rear face of the vertical support part (′) of the side base frame () and rest on the surface of the riser (S) in order to level the assembly on the bleacher. The leveling of the assembly is an important factor in this embodiment, as the L-shaped side base frames (A,B) support the weight and movement of the tilting unit, so an incorrect leveling can cause unnecessary wear or incorrect functioning of the assembly's components due to the uneven distribution of weight on the L-shaped side base frames.

The side base frame () incomprises a coupling guide () on both side faces to secure an actuating element; a pair of through holes () to secure a support element, and a coupling mechanism for the actuator support () to secure one end of the actuator crossbar. This structural configuration allows for the easy assembly and disassembly of the support bases () for the actuator crossbar and the footrest actuating element (), given that these elements suffer wear and tear with use. These are illustrated in detail in.

Regarding, the first side base (A) and second side base (B) of the reclining chair embodiment illustrated inis mounted at the intersection between a portion of the tread (S) and a portion of the riser (S) of the bleacher; Nonetheless, as previously mentioned, the first side base (A) and the second side base (B) internally have the structure of the side base frame () from. In accordance with, the outer faces of the first side base (A) and the second side base (B) are lined with panels and/or upholstery.

According to, the support element () of the first side base (A) and the support element of the second side base (B) comprise a hole or bushing; nonetheless, this may also have a bearing that houses one of the rotating elements of the seat frame, allowing its free rotation in its interior. As such, the separation between the first side base (A) and the second side base (B) must be sufficient to allow the assembly of the tilting unit and its pivoting movement with respect to the L-shaped side bases.

A cylindrical actuating element () is secured to the inner side face of the first side base (A). The actuating element () is a guide element along which a sliding element moves, thus triggering the deployment/retraction of the hinged footrest assembly, as illustrated in. As illustrated in, the actuator crossbar () is secured between the first side base (A) and the second side base (B) behind the hinged footrest assembly by the support elements (), as illustrated in. The actuator crossbar () has an actuator support element () close to one of its coupling elements (), specifically, on the same side where the actuator anchoring element () of the seat frame () is located. As such, in accordance with, the actuating device () is secured to the actuator support element () of the crossbar () and couples with the actuator anchoring element () of the seat frame ().