Assembly System for Attaching an Accessory to a Furniture Item

This is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 18/641,545, filed on Apr. 22, 2024, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. This application also claims foreign priority to Singapore Application No. 10202402162Q, which was filed on Jul. 19, 2024, the entire content of which is also incorporated herein by reference.

The present disclosure relates to an accessory assembly system suitable for attaching one or more accessories, such as, but not limited to, the footrest assembly, to a furniture item.

The following discussion of the background is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present disclosure only. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or is part of the common general knowledge of the person skilled in the art in any jurisdiction as of the priority date of the disclosure.

There currently does not exist an assembly system for attaching an accessory to a furniture item, wherein an accessory, such as a footrest recliner system, can be freely attached or detached from a furniture item, such as a chair. There also does not exist an assembly method of a modular accessory assembly system for chairs wherein an accessory can be hooked on and secured with relative ease.

Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved footrest assembly for attachment to a chair, that seeks to address at least one of the aforementioned issues.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a footrest assembly for attachment to a chair, the footrest assembly comprising a mounting frame configured to be attached to a seat portion of the chair, the mounting frame comprising a pair of brackets; a recliner frame comprising a first portion configured to be slidably received by the pair of brackets, and a second portion configured to support (for example, attached to) a footrest, the first portion pivotably connected to the second portion to define a recliner angle therebetween; and an actuator assembly configured to allow adjustment of the recliner angle between the first portion and the second portion, the actuator assembly comprises a gas spring configured to urge the second portion to an extended position, the extended position corresponding to a maximum allowable recliner angle.

In some embodiments, the pair of brackets, the first portion and the second portion form a six-bar mechanical linkage, the six-bar mechanical linkage arranged to move from a retracted state to the extended position upon actuation of the gas spring.

In some embodiments, the second portion comprises a linkage system, the linkage system having a main linkage, the main linkage configured to provide structural support to the linkage system. In some embodiments, the main linkage may comprise two limb portions joined by a cross member to form a H-shaped structure. The two limb portions may be casings for housing one or more other linkages of the linkage system.

In some embodiments, the second portion comprises a fastener for attaching the footrest to the main linkage when the six-bar mechanical linkage is in the retracted state. The fastener may comprise at least one magnet.

In some embodiments, the second portion comprises a support plate shaped and dimensioned to receive the footrest.

In some embodiments, the second portion comprises an end portion shaped and dimensioned to receive the footrest.

In some embodiments, the footrest comprises a base formed from or of a medium-density fiberboard (MDF), a cushion comprising memory foam, and a clip for attachment to an end portion.

In some embodiments, the clip is formed from or of a thermoplastic compound and glass fiber.

In some embodiments, the clip comprises polyamide and at least 10% of the glass fiber.

In some embodiments, each of the pair of brackets comprises a base portion and a pair of ribs extending from longitudinal opposing sides of the base portion, wherein the free end of at least one of the pair of ribs is inclined towards the free end of the other rib.

In some embodiments, each of the pair of ribs comprises at least one slot shaped and dimensioned to receive at least one fastener.

In some embodiments, the actuator assembly comprises a compression spring coupled to a piston of the gas spring. The compression spring may be sleeved on a piston rod of the gas spring, and one end of the compression spring may be directly or indirectly positioned in contact with the piston of the gas spring. When the gas spring is being compressed, the piston of the gas spring may compress the compression spring, thereby storing energy in the compression spring. Upon the actuation of the gas spring, the compression spring may extend, thus providing a reaction force on the piston which reinforces the force produced by the gas spring to overcome static friction and allow the gas spring to smoothly extend even after a period of inactivity.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a chair comprising a seat portion and a footrest assembly installed to the seat portion, the footrest assembly comprising a mounting frame configured to be attached to the seat portion of the chair, the mounting frame comprising a pair of brackets; a recliner frame comprising a first portion configured to be slidably received by the pair of brackets, and a second portion configured to support a footrest, the first portion pivotably connected to the second portion to define a recliner angle; and an actuator assembly configured to allow adjustment of the recliner angle between the first portion and the second portion, the actuator assembly comprises a gas spring configured to urge the second portion to an extended position, the extended position corresponding to a maximum allowable recliner angle.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of manufacturing a footrest assembly for attachment to a chair, the method comprising a step of providing a mounting frame, the mounting frame configured to be attached to a seat portion of the chair, the mounting frame comprising a pair of brackets; a step of providing a recliner frame, the recliner frame comprising a first portion configured to be slidably received by the pair of brackets, and a second portion configured to support a footrest, the first portion pivotably connected to the second portion to define a recliner angle therebetween; and a step of providing an actuator assembly, the actuator assembly configured to allow adjustment of the recliner angle between the first portion and the second portion, the actuator assembly comprises a gas spring configured to urge the second portion to an extended position, the extended position corresponding to a maximum allowable recliner angle.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a hook assembly system for attaching an accessory to a portion of a furniture item, comprising:

According to another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a hook assembly system for attaching an accessory to a portion of a furniture item, comprising: a mounting frame attachable to the portion of the furniture item or forming part of the furniture item; an accessory configured to be attached to the mounting frame; and a hook assembly, wherein the hook assembly comprises: at least one frame bracket, the at least one frame bracket includes a base portion and a pair of hooks extending from the base portion, the pair of hooks configured to be attached to the mounting frame, the base portion attachable to the accessory; and a locking mechanism pivotably connected to the base portion, the locking mechanism comprising a stopper configured to prevent movement of the pair of hooks along at least one direction when the locking mechanism is in a locked position.

In some embodiments, the frame bracket comprises a slot and the stopper comprises a tab, the slot shaped and dimensioned to receive the tab, in the locked position.

In some embodiments, the locking mechanism comprises a catch, the catch configured to engage another end of the base portion.

In some embodiments, the mounting frame comprises a pair of mounting bars.

In some embodiments, each of the mounting bars comprises at least one resilient member, the at least one resilient member arranged to contact the pair of hooks.

In some embodiments, the at least one resilient member comprises at least one rubber or polymer-based clip, such as at least one silicone clip, the plurality of silicone clips arranged to contact the pair of hooks.

In some embodiments, the portion of the furniture item is a seat portion of the furniture item, and wherein the mounting frame is configured to be attached to a base of the seat portion of the furniture item; and the accessory is a footrest recliner.

In some embodiments, the portion of the furniture item is a seat portion of the furniture item, and wherein the pair of mounting bars is configured to be attached to a base or a side of the seat portion of the furniture item; and the accessory is a cup holder and hanger assembly.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of manufacturing an assembly system for a furniture item, comprising: providing a mounting frame attachable to the portion of a furniture item; providing an accessory, the accessory configured to be attached to the mounting frame; and providing a hook assembly, wherein the hook assembly comprises: at least one frame bracket including a base portion and a pair of hooks extending from the base portion, the pair of hooks configured to be attached to the mounting frame, the base portion attachable to the accessory; and a locking mechanism pivotably connected to the base portion, the locking mechanism comprising a stopper configured to prevent movement of the pair of hooks along at least one direction when the locking mechanism is in a locked position.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a furniture item comprising a seat portion and an accessory installed to the seat portion, comprising a mounting frame attachable to the seat portion of the furniture item or forming part of the seat portion of the furniture item; an accessory configured to be received by the pair of mounting bars; and a hook assembly, wherein the hook assembly comprises: at least one frame bracket including a base portion and a pair of hooks extending from the base portion, the pair of hooks configured to be attached to the mounting frame, the base portion attachable to the accessory; and a locking mechanism pivotably connected to the base portion, the locking mechanism comprising a stopper configured to prevent movement of the pair of hooks along at least one direction when the locking mechanism is in a locked position.

In some embodiments, the accessory is a footrest assembly, and the footrest assembly comprises a recliner frame comprising a first portion configured to be slidably received by the pair of brackets, and a second portion configured to support a footrest, the first portion pivotably connected to the second portion to define a recliner angle; and an actuator assembly configured to allow adjustment of the recliner angle between the first portion and the second portion.

In some embodiments, the actuator assembly comprises a gas spring configured to urge the second portion to an extended position, the extended position corresponding to a maximum allowable recliner angle.

In some embodiments, the pair of brackets, the first portion and the second portion form a six-bar mechanical linkage, the six-bar mechanical linkage arranged to move from a retracted position to the extended position upon actuation of the gas spring, and wherein the second portion comprises means for attaching the footrest directly or indirectly to a main linkage of a linkage system of the second portion when the six-bar mechanical linkage is in the retracted state.

In some embodiments, the second portion comprises means for attaching the footrest to a main linkage of a linkage system of the second portion when the six-bar mechanical linkage is in the retracted state.

In some embodiments, the second portion comprises an end portion shaped and dimensioned to receive the footrest.

In some embodiments, the footrest comprises a base formed from or of a medium-density fiberboard (MDF), a cushion comprising memory foam, and a clip for attachment to the end portion.

In some embodiments, the pair of mounting bars is spaced apart in with a range of 190 millimeters to 200 millimeters.

In some embodiments, each of the pair of mounting bars has a width in a range of 27.5 millimeters to 32.5 millimeters.

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings that show, by way of illustration, specific details and embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and structural, and logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The various embodiments are not necessarily mutually exclusive, as some embodiments can be combined with one or more other embodiments to form new embodiments.

The disclosure illustratively described herein may suitably be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, limitation or limitations, not specifically disclosed herein. Thus, for example, the terms “comprising”, “including,” containing”, etc. shall be read expansively and without limitation. The word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” will accordingly be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or groups of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. Additionally, the terms and expressions employed herein have been used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the disclosure. Thus, it should be understood that although the present disclosure has been specifically described in exemplary embodiments and optional features, modification and variation of the disclosure embodied herein may be resorted to by those skilled in the art.

Features that are described in the context of an embodiment may correspondingly be applicable to the same or similar features in the other embodiments. Features that are described in the context of an embodiment may correspondingly be applicable to the other embodiments, even if not explicitly described in these other embodiments. Furthermore, additions and/or combinations and/or alternatives as described for a feature in the context of an embodiment may correspondingly be applicable to the same or similar feature in the other embodiments.

In the context of various embodiments, the articles “a”, “an” and “the” as used with regard to a feature or element include a reference to one or more of the features or elements. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

While terms such as “first”, “second” etc., may be used to describe various elements, such elements are not limited to the above terms. The above terms are used only to distinguish one element from another, and do not define an order and/or significance of the elements unless explicitly stated. Without departing a scope of rights of the specification, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, the second element may be referred to as the first element.

It should be understood that the terms “on”, “over”, “top”, “bottom”, “down”, “side”, “back”, “left”, “right”, “front”, “lateral”, “side”, “up”, “down” etc., when used in the following description are used for convenience and to aid understanding of relative positions or directions, and not intended to limit the orientation of any device, structure or any part of any device or structure.

The term “coupled” (or “connected”) herein may be understood as mechanically coupled, for example attached or fixed, or just in contact without any fixation, and it will be understood that both direct coupling or indirect coupling (in other words: coupling without direct contact) may be provided.

In order that the disclosure may be readily understood and put into practical effect, various embodiments will now be described by way of examples and not limitations, and with reference to the figures.

Throughout the description, the term “footrest assembly” refers broadly to a plurality of components of a footrest unit. In some embodiments, the footrest assembly may be assembled by a user.

shows a schematic drawing, in perspective view, of a footrest assembly, according to an embodiment. The footrest assemblyincludes a mounting frameconfigured to be removably attached to a furniture/furniture item. In some embodiments, the furniture may be a chair, and the footrest assemblymay be attachable to a seat portion of a chair. The mounting framecomprises a pair of brackets.shows a perspective view of the mounting frame, according to an embodiment. Each of the pair of bracketscomprises a base portionand a pair of ribsextending from longitudinal opposing sides of the base portion. A free end of at least one of the pair of ribsis inclined towards a free end of the other (opposing side) rib. Additionally, at least one of the pair of ribscomprises at least one slotshaped and dimensioned to receive at least a fastener. As an example, the fastener may include a screw, a piece of wire and/or a bolt. In some embodiments, the fastener may include magnetic fasteners.

The pair of bracketscan be fastened to a surface, such as a bottom surface of a seat portionof a chairby, for example, a plurality of screwsas shown in.depicts a bottom view of the chairwith the pair of bracketsmounted and fastened to the seat portionof the chairby the plurality of screws. The pair of bracketsmay be mounted on top of an existing chair mechanism, such as a tilt mechanism. There may be variations in the size of the slotto account for variances in mounting points across different chairs or chair product lines.

Referring back to, the footrest assemblyincludes a recliner frame, the recliner framecomprising a first portionand a second portion. The first portionmay be configured to be slidably received by the pair of brackets. The first portioncomprises a framethat may be configured to interface with pair of bracketsto attach the recliner framein position, allowing proper usage together with the chair. In the embodiment shown in, the framemay comprise a mounting portion, the mounting portionbe configured for an actuator (such as a gas spring) to be mounted thereon. The framealso has at least one mounting pointfor a linkage of the second portionto be mounted thereto. The second portionmay be attached to the mounting pointby one or more fastener(s), such as the fastener(s) as described in other embodiments.