Seat with Moveable Worksurface

The present disclosure relates to seating and, more specifically, to a seat with a moveable worksurface.

Seating is familiar to most. Seating can include chairs, sofas, benches, or other seats that are designed to support an individual in a seated position. Seating can be fixed or motion. With respect to motion, motion may include manual motion, motorized motion, or a combination thereof.

In addition, workspaces have now extended beyond the traditional office environment to include more relaxed settings including mixed use environments. For example, a living room, family room, bedroom, or other common space in a home may function as a working environment and a recreational environment.

As such, there is a continuing need for seating that can function in both the work environment and also the recreational environment.

This disclosure relates generally to a seat that includes a moveable worksurface that functions in both the working environment and in the recreational environment. Specifically, in the working environment, the worksurface may be in a work position in front of the user to hold media. Media may be electronic media such as a computer, tablet, phone, or other electronic device or may paper media such as books, papers, or other documents. In the working environment, the worksurface may have a working position which allows a user to write on media, e.g., an electronic device or paper documents. In the recreational environment, the worksurface may have a table position on one side of the seat, below an armrest thereof, to function as a side table for the seat. In the table position, the worksurface is below to the side of and below the working position. The worksurface may be attached to the seat by an arm that allows for rotation and translation of the worksurface.

This disclosure also relates to automatic movement of the headrest as the backrest moves from the reclined position to the upright position. This automatic movement may prevent the seat from forcing the neck and back of a user into an uncomfortable position as the backrest moves from the reclined position or state to the upright position or state. Specifically, as the backrest moves from the reclined state to the upright state with the headrest in a forward position or pose, the headrest will automatically move towards the backward position or pose such that when the backrest reaches the forward pose, the headrest is in the backward pose. The headrest may move toward the backward pose such that the angle of the head relative to the floor remains constant as the seat moves towards the upright pose. This movement of the headrest towards the backward pose may be linear or may follow another function programmed into the controller of the seat.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, a seat includes a chassis and a working attachment. The chassis has a seating surface, a backrest, and an armrest. The working attachment is fixedly secured to the chassis. The working attachment includes a worksurface that has a first position and a second position. In the first position the worksurface is positioned at a height above a top surface of the armrest on a first side of the armrest such that the worksurface is positioned over the seating surface. In the second position the work surface is positioned below the top surface of the armrest on a second side of the arm rest opposite of the first side.

In aspects, the working attachment includes a support section and a vertical section. The vertical section defines a first axis of rotation. The support section may extend perpendicular to the vertical section. The support section may include a support coupling that is coupled to the worksurface. The support coupling may be pivotally coupled to the worksurface such that the worksurface rotates relative to the support section about a second axis of rotation that extends through the support coupling and may be parallel to the first axis of rotation. The chassis may include a mount. The mount may define a receiver that selectively receives a first portion of a mounting shaft. The working attachment may selectively receive a second portion of the mounting shaft. The mounting shaft may be fixedly secured the working attachment to the chassis.

In some aspects, the working attachment may include a mounting section that has a horizontal tube and a vertical tube. The horizontal tube may be fixedly secured to the chassis. The vertical tube may extend perpendicular to the horizontal tube. The vertical tube may receive the vertical may receive the vertical section of the working attachment. The vertical tube may define a central longitudinal axis. The first axis of rotation may be coaxial with the central longitudinal axis of the vertical tube. The vertical section may be rotatably fixed relative to the vertical tube. The vertical section may translate into and out of the vertical tube between the first position and the second position. The working attachment may include an actuator that translates the vertical section into and out of the vertical tube. The actuator may be a linear actuator.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a seat includes a chassis and a working attachment. The chassis has a seating surface, a backrest, and an armrest. The working attachment is fixedly secured to the chassis and includes a worksurface. The worksurface has a first position in which the work surface is configured to function as a worksurface above the seating surface and has a second position in which the work surface is configured to function as a side table.

In aspects, in the first position the worksurface is positioned at a first height above a top surface of the armrest and in the second position the worksurface is positioned at a second height below the top surface of the armrest. In the first position the work surface may be positioned above the seating surface.

In some aspects, the chassis includes a headrest. The backrest may be moveable between a first state in which the backrest is substantially upright relative to the seating surface and a second state in which the backrest is reclined relative to the seating surface. The head rest may have a backward pose in which the headrest is substantially aligned with the backrest and a forward pose in which the headrest is tilted forward relative to the backrest. The chassis may include a first actuator and a second actuator. The first actuator may be configured to move the backrest between the first state and the second state and the second actuator may be configured to tilt the headrest between the backward pose and the forward pose.

In certain embodiments, the chassis includes a first control interface that is in signal communication with the first actuator and a second control interface that is in signal communication with the second actuator. The second actuator may be synced with the first actuator such that when the backrest is moved from the second position towards the first position, the second actuator tilts the headrest towards the backward pose when the headrest is in the forward pose in response to the movement of the backrest towards the first position.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a working attachment for a seat includes a mounting section, a securement section, and a worksurface. The mounting section is configured to fixedly mount to a chassis of a seat. The securement section extends from the mounting section and the worksurface is directly coupled to the securement section. The worksurface has a first position in which the worksurface is configured to function as a worksurface over a seating surface of a seat within a footprint of the seat and a second position in which the worksurface is configured to function as a side table substantially outside of the footprint of the seat.

In aspects, the mounting section includes a horizontal tube and a vertical tube. The horizontal tube may be configured to fixedly mount to the chassis of the seat and the vertical tube may extend perpendicular to the horizontal tube. The vertical tube may receive a portion of the securement section.

In some aspects, the securement section includes a vertical shaft and a horizontal shaft. The vertical shaft may define a first axis of rotation and the horizontal shaft may be rotated about the first axis of rotation between the first position and the second position. The work surface may be rotatably coupled to the securement section about a second axis of rotation that is parallel to the first axis for ration. The worksurface may be rotated about the second axis of rotation between the first position and the second position.

In certain aspects, the working attachment includes an actuator that is disposed in the vertical tube of the mounting section. The actuator may translate the vertical shaft into and out of the vertical tube between the first position and the second position. The actuator may be a linear actuator.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a seat includes a seating surface, a backrest, and a headrest. The backrest is moveable between a first state in which the backrest is substantially upright relative to the seating surface and a second stat in which the backrest is reclined relative to the seating surface. The headrest has a backward pose in which the headrest is substantially aligned with the backrest and a forward pose in which the headrest is tilted forward relative to the headrest. The headrest is configured to tilt towards the backward pose in response to movement of the backrest towards the first state.

In aspects, the seat includes a first control interface and a second control interface. The first control interface may be configured to cause movement of the backrest between the first state and the second state. The second control interface may be configured to cause tilting of the headrest between the backward pose and the forward pose independent of movement of the backrest.

In some aspects, the seat includes a first actuator that is configured to move the backrest between the first state and the second state in response to signals from the first control interface. The seat may include a second actuator that is configured to tilt the headrest between the backward pose and the forward pose in response to signals from the second control interface. The second actuator may be configured to tilt the headrest towards the backward pose in response to signals received directly from the first actuator.

In certain embodiments, the seat includes a controller that is configured to receive signals from the first control interface and the second control interface. The controller may be configured to provide signals to the first actuator and the second actuator to cause movement and tilting of the backrest and the headrest respectively.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of controlling movement of a backrest and a headrest of a seat includes moving a backrest from a reclined position towards an upright position in response to receiving a signal from a first control interface. The method also includes determining a headrest limit in response to a state of the backrest and comparing an angle of the headrest to the headrest limit. The method further includes tilting the headrest towards a backward pose when the angle of the headrest is greater than the headrest limit and maintain the pose of the headrest when the angle of the headrest is less than or equal to the headrest limit.

In aspects, the moving, determining, and comparing processes are completed in a first actuator of the seat and tilting the headrest is accomplished by transmitting a signal from the first actuator to a second actuator of the seat. The seat may include a controller that moves the backrest by receiving the signal from the first control interface and transmitting a signal to a first actuator. The determining and comparing processes may occur within the controller with the controller transmitting a signal to a second actuator to tilt the headrest.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a system includes a memory and a processing device that is operatively coupled to the memory. The processing device is configured to receive a signal from a first control interface and to move a backrest of a seat towards a first state with a first actuator in response to receiving the signal from the first control interface. The processing device is also configured to determine a headrest limit in response to a state of the backrest and to compare an angle of the headrest to the headrest limit. The processing device is also configured to transmit a signal to a second actuator to tilt the headrest towards a backward pose when the angle of the headrest is greater than the headrest limit.

In aspects, the processing device is further configured to transmit a signal to the first actuator to move the backrest of the seat towards the first state in response to receiving the signal from the first control interface.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processing device, cause the processing device to receive a signal from a first control interface and to move a backrest of a seat towards a first state with a first actuator in response to receiving the signal from the first control interface. The processing device is also caused to determine a headrest limit in response to a state of the backrest and to compare an angle of the headrest to the headrest limit. The processing device is also caused to transmit a signal to a second actuator to tilt the headrest towards a backward pose when the angle of the headrest is greater than the headrest limit.

Further, to the extent consistent, any of the embodiments or aspects described herein may be used in conjunction with any or all of the other embodiments or aspects described herein.

The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to example embodiments thereof with reference to the drawings in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. These example embodiments are described so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Features from one embodiment or aspect can be combined with features from any other embodiment or aspect in any appropriate combination. For example, any individual or collective features of method aspects or embodiments can be applied to apparatus, product, or component aspects or embodiments and vice versa. The disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” “the,” and the like include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, while reference may be made herein to quantitative measures, values, geometric relationships, or the like, unless otherwise stated, any one or more if not all of these may be absolute or approximate to account for acceptable variations that may occur, such as those due to manufacturing or engineering tolerances or the like.

As used herein, the term “seat” refers to any type of seat which is applicable to the respective example and may include a stool, a single seat chair, a multiseat chair, a sofa, a bench, or other type of seating surface. The term “seat” may refer to a fixed seat or a motion seat.

Referring now toa seat is provided in accordance with the present disclosure and is referred to generally as chair. The chairincludes a chassishaving a seating surface, a backrest, and a headrest. The chassisis supported by a basethat engages a support surface or floor to support the chassisof the chair. The chassismay rotate about a shaftof the base. The chassismay rotate between a set of predefined stops such that the chassisrotatable 290 degrees about the shaft, e.g., 145 degrees in either direction from a neutral position. In some embodiments, the chassisis rotatable between 180 and 330 degrees about the shaft. In certain embodiments, the chassismay be freely rotatably 360 degrees about the shaft. In particular embodiments, the chassishas a neutral position relative to the basesuch that the seating surfacereturns to the neutral position absent external forces, e.g., the chassisis self-biased to the neutral position.

With additional reference to, the chairalso includes a working attachment. The working attachmentincludes a mounting section, a vertical section, a support section, and a worksurface. As detailed below, the working attachmentsupports the worksurfacein a plurality of positions relative to the chassis. The mounting sectionis selectively secured to the chassisin a receptacleof a mountof the chassis(). The mounting section a includes a horizontal tubethat defines a receivertherethrough. The receiverreceives a mounting shafttherewithin. The mounting shaftis received within the receptacleof the chassisand is secured within the receptacle. In some embodiments, a lower panelof the chassismay be removed to allow access such that fasteners, e.g., bolts, may be passed through the mounting holesof the mounting shaftand complementary holes in the receptacleof the chassisto secure the mounting shaftwithin the receptacle. The mounting shaftmay be secured to the horizontal tubeby fasteners passing through the holes. Securing the mounting shaftin the receptacleand the horizontal tubemay provide support to the working attachmentsuch that the working attachmentis selectively secured or fixed to the chassis. The mounting shaftmay be formed of steel or another metal that provides sufficient strength to secure the working attachmentto the chassis. Other parts of the working attachment, e.g., the mounting sectionand the support section, may be formed of aluminum or other metal or another material of sufficient durability and strength, e.g., wood or plastic. While the mounting shaftis described as secured with fasteners that pass through the holes,, it is contemplated that other fastening systems may be used. For example, the mounting shaftmay include fasteners that allow for the mounting shaftto be inserted into the receptacleand positionally secured in the receptaclewithout requiring the removal of the panelof the chassis.

The horizontal tubesupports the vertical section. For example, the horizontal tubemay include a tube endthat is received within an openingin the vertical sectionto secure the vertical sectionto the mounting section. The vertical sectionand the mounting sectionmay be fixedly secured to one another, e.g., welded or another form of fixed securement.

The vertical sectionincludes a vertical tubethat defines a channeltherewithin. The top end of the vertical tubedefines an openingto allow a portion of the support sectionto be received within the channelof the vertical tube. The vertical tubeand or the horizontal tubemay house one or more components that interact with the support sectionto affect translation and/or rotation of the support sectionrelative to the vertical tube. For example, the vertical sectionmay include an actuator disposed within the vertical tubethat moves the support sectionvertically, e.g., in a direction along a central longitudinal axis of the vertical tube. This actuator may be a linear actuator or a lift screw actuator. Additionally or alternatively, the vertical sectionmay include an actuator that rotates the support sectionabout the central longitudinal axis of the vertical tube. When the mounting sectionis secured to the chassis, the mounting sectionand the vertical sectionare fixed relative to the chassis.

Continuing to refer to, the support sectionis received in the vertical tubeand supports the worksurface. The support sectionincludes a vertical shaftand a horizontal supportthat extends perpendicularly from the vertical shaftto a surface coupling. The horizontal supportis rotatably coupled to the vertical shaftabout a pivot couplingon an end portion of the horizontal supportopposite the surface coupling. The pivot couplingmay rotatably couple the horizontal supportrelative to the vertical shaftabout a first pivot axis, e.g., Axis Ashown in. The first pivot axis may be coaxial with the central longitudinal axis of the vertical tube. In some embodiments, the first pivot axis may be parallel to and offset from the central longitudinal axis of the vertical tube.

The pivot couplingallows for manual or motorized rotation of the horizontal supportrelative to the vertical shaft. In certain embodiments, the pivot couplingincludes a control interfaceon a top surface of the horizontal support. The control interfacemay be mounted contiguous or flush with the top surface of the horizontal support. Rotation of the horizontal supportrelative to the vertical shaftmay be resisted such that force is required to overcome the resistance. The resistance to rotation of the horizontal supportmay be such that the horizontal supporttends to hold its radial position relative to the vertical shaft unless external force is applied to the horizontal support. This resistance may prevent unintentional rotation of the horizontal supportduring use. In certain embodiments, the horizontal supporthas a first position and a second position relative to the vertical shaftin which the horizontal supportrequires additional force to rotate from the first position towards the second position or the second position towards the first position as detailed below.

The surface couplingis positioned beneath the worksurfacewith the worksurfacerotatably coupled to the horizontal supportabout a second pivot axis that passes through the surface coupling. The second pivot axis may be parallel to and offset from the first pivot axis. Rotation of the worksurfaceabout the second pivot axis may manual or motorized. When rotation of the worksurfaceis motorized, rotation may be controlled by the control interface. Rotation of the worksurfacefrom a first state, as shown in, may be resisted such that the worksurfacerequires additional force to move from the first position. This resistance may allow a user to apply forces to the worksurfacewhen writing or manipulating papers or devices on the worksurfacewithout unintentional movement of the worksurface.

In certain embodiments, the surface couplingmay rotate about the central longitudinal axis of the horizontal support. The central longitudinal axis of the horizontal supportmay be perpendicular to the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis. Rotation of the surface couplingmay allow for angling of the worksurfacerelative to the user. Angling of the worksurfacerelative to the user may improve viewing and/or working with the papers or electronic devices on the worksurface.

With reference to, movement of the worksurfaceof the working attachmentrelative to the chassisof the chairis described in accordance to embodiments of the present disclosure. While the working attachmentis show and described with the chair, the working attachmentmay be used with any type of seat in the manner detailed herein. With particular reference to, the worksurfaceis in a first or working position in which the worksurfaceis positioned in a substantially horizontal position above the seating surfaceand between armrestsof the chair. In the working position, the worksurfaceis positioned to allow a user seated in the chairto comfortably access papers or electronic devices on the worksurface. In the working position, the worksurfacemay be disposed at a height above top surfaces of the armrests, e.g., Axis Ashown in. In the working position, the worksurfaceis within the footprint of the chair. The footprint of the chairis the space that is in a virtual box that is defined on the floor by the chassis. Specifically, the footprint is defined on the sides by the armrestsand on the front by the edge of the seating surfaceor the chassisand on the back by the edge of the backrest, headrest, or chassis, whichever extends to the farthest limit. As such, the length of the footprint changes based on the state of the backrest. For example, the footprint may be the smallest when the backrestin an upright state and the headrestin a backward pose and the footprint may be the largest when the backrestin a reclined state and the headrestin a backward pose as described below.

The worksurfacemay be moved from the working position to a second or first rotated position as shown in. To move the worksurfacefrom the working position to the first rotated position, the worksurfaceis rotated about the second pivot axis that passes through surface coupling. Rotating the worksurfacefrom the working position to the first rotated position may rotate the worksurfaceout of the way of a user sitting in the chairsuch that a user may egress or ingress the chair. The worksurfacemay be limited in movement about the second pivot axis between the working position and the first rotated position. Rotation about the second pivot axis between the working position to the first rotated position may be in a range of 90 degrees and 360 degrees, e.g., 280 degrees. The stops for rotation of the worksurfaceabout the second pivot axis may be disposed within the surface coupling. In some embodiments, the worksurfacemay be rotated in either direction from the working position about the second pivot axis. For example, the worksurfacemay be rotated in a first direction in a range of 75 degrees to 105 degrees, e.g., 90 degrees, and rotatable in the other direction 175 degrees and 205 degrees, e.g., 190 degrees, in the other, opposite direction. Movement of the worksurfacefrom the working position to the first rotated position may be controlled manually. The worksurfacemay freely rotate between the working position and the first rotated position. In particular embodiments, the worksurfacemay be self-biased in or towards the working position and/or the first rotated position such that additional force is required to rotate the worksurfaceout of the working position and/or the first rotated position. In some embodiments, the self-biasing may move the worksurfaceinto the working position and/or the first rotated position when the worksurfaceis adjacent to or outside of the respective position. In certain embodiments, the control interfacemay be used to control motors to actuate the worksurfacefrom the working position to the first rotated position.

The worksurfacemay be moved from the first rotated position to the second rotated position as shown in. The worksurfacemay be moved from the first rotated position to the second rotated position by rotating the worksurfaceabout the first pivot axis that passes through the pivot coupling. Rotating the worksurfacefrom the first rotated position to the second rotated position may rotate the worksurfaceout of the way of a user sitting in the chairsuch that a user may egress or ingress the chair. In some embodiments, the worksurfacemay be rotated about the first pivot axis from the working position such that the worksurfaceis only rotated about the first pivot axis without rotating about the second pivot axis. In the second rotated position, the worksurfaceis orientated with a central longitudinal axis of the worksurfacesubstantially parallel with a centerline of the chairand/or the armrestsof the chair. In addition, the worksurfaceis positioned above the armrestsof the chairand positioned outside of the armrests. Rotation of the worksurfacefrom the first rotated position to the second rotated position may be accomplished only by rotating the horizontal supportrelative to the vertical shaftat the pivot coupling. In some embodiments, the worksurfaceremains radially fixed about the second pivot axis relative to the surface couplingas the worksurfacerotates between the first rotated position and the second rotated position. In some embodiments, the worksurfacemay be rotated from the working position to the second rotated position with simultaneous rotation of the worksurfaceabout the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis. In the second rotated position, the worksurfaceis outside of the footprint of the chair.

The worksurfacemay be limited in movement about the first pivot axis between a first condition of the horizontal supportrelative to the vertical shaftwhen in the working position and to a second condition of the horizontal supportrelative to the vertical shaftwhen in the second rotated position. Rotation about the first pivot axis of the horizontal shaft may be in a range of 90 degrees and 290 degrees, e.g., 265 degrees. The pivot couplingmay include stops for rotation of the horizontal supportrelative to the vertical shaft. The stops for rotation of the horizontal supportabout the first pivot axis may be disposed within the surface coupling. Movement of the horizontal supportabout the first pivot axis may be controlled manually. The horizontal supportmay freely rotate about the first pivot axis. In particular embodiments, the horizontal supportmay be self-biased in or towards the first position and/or the second position such that additional force is required to rotate the horizontal supportout of the first position and/or the second position. In certain embodiments, the control interfacemay be used to control motors to actuate the horizontal supportabout the first pivot axis.

When in the second rotated position, the worksurfacemay be lowered to a table position as shown in. Specifically, the height of the worksurfaceis lowered from above the top surfaces of the armreststo a height below the top surfaces of the armrests. In the table position, the worksurfaceis orientated with a central longitudinal axis of the worksurfacesubstantially parallel with a centerline of the chairand/or the armrestsof the chair. In addition, the worksurfacemay be positioned at a height below or even with the top surfaces of the armrestsof the chair. Specifically, the height of the worksurfaceis lowered from the second rotated position shown in. The table position of the worksurfaceallows the worksurfaceto function as a side table for the chair. As such, the chairis functional as both a work chair and a leisure chair with the worksurfacehaving a function in both instances. This is unlike many other worksurfaces which fold away when not being used to support media but do not have a second function, e.g., a side table function, when not in a working position. In the table position, the worksurfaceis outside of the footprint of the chair.

To move from the second rotated position to the table position, the vertical shafttranslates linearly along the central longitudinal axis of the vertical tube. The translation of the vertical shaftmay be accomplished by an actuatordisposed within the vertical tube. The actuatormay be a linear actuator. The actuatormay be in communication with the control interfacesuch that the actuator lifts or lowers the vertical shaftout of or into the vertical tubein response to input in the control interface. In particular embodiments, the control interfaceis a toggle switch with two positions, one position to lower the vertical shaftinto the vertical tubeand another position to raise the vertical shaftout of the vertical tube. In such embodiments, other movement of the worksurfacemay be manually controlled. In the table position, the horizontal supportmay be radially fixed relative to the vertical shaftand/or the worksurfacemay be radially fixed about the second pivot axis.

As shown inthe chairmay be provided without the working attachment. In such instances, a cover may cover the receptacle() or the entire mount(not explicitly shown). The receptacleis disposed within the chassisto receive the mounting shaft() as detailed above. The mountmay include one or more electrical portsto allow for connection to electronic devices. The electrical portsmay be USB or USB-C ports or other electrical ports to power portable electronic devices. In some embodiments, the mountmay include an electrical socket. The receptaclemay include an electrical interface to pass electrical energy and/or signals between the working attachment and the chassis. In embodiments, signals from the control interfaceare transmitted directly to the actuatorwithin the working attachment. In some embodiments, signals from the control interfaceare transmitted to a controllerdisposed within the chassisand then control signals are transmitted from the controllerto the actuatorwithin the working attachment. The chassismay provide electrical energy to the working attachmentthrough the receptacle. The working attachmentmay include one or more sensors to detect the position of the worksurface, the horizontal support, or the vertical shaftand transmit the detected positions to the controller. The positions of the worksurface, the horizontal support, or the vertical shaftmay be used to prevent or limit movement of the working attachment, the backrest, or the headrest. For example, the vertical shaftmay be prevented from lowering unless the worksurfaceis in the second rotated position.

Referring now to, the chairincludes a control system that actuates the backrestrelative to the seating surfaceand the headrestrelative to the backrest. The control system includes the controllerthat is disposed within the chassisof the chair. As shown, the controlleris positioned below the seating surface; however, the controllermay be disposed in the backrestor another location within the chassisin which the controllerwill not reduce comfort or function of the chair.

The control system includes a first actuatorand a second actuator. The first actuatoris disposed within the backrestand moves the backrestrelative to the seating surface. The second actuatoris disposed within the backrestand moves the headrestrelative to the backrest. Each of the first actuatorand the second actuatorare in signal communication with the controller. For example, the first actuatormay receive signals from the controllerto move the backrestbetween an upright state () and a reclined state () and the second actuatormay receive signals from the controllerto tilt the headrestbetween a backward pose () and a forward pose () as detailed below. In some embodiments, each of the first actuatorand the second actuatorare in electrical communication with the controllersuch that the respective actuator receives electrical energy from the controller.

The control system includes a first control interfacedisposed in the front of the right armrestand a second control interfacedisposed in the front of the left armrest(best shown in). Each of the first control interfaceand the second control interfacemay a toggle switch that has a neutral position, an up position, and a down position. Each of the first control interfaceand the second control interfacemay be in signal communication with the controller. The first control interfacemay be associated with the with the first actuatorto control the state of the backrestrelative to the seating surface. For example, when the first control interfaceis toggled up, from the neutral position, the backrestmay move toward the upright state () and when the first control interfaceis toggled down, from the neutral position, the backrestmay move toward the reclined state (). The second control interfacemay be associated with the second actuatorto control the pose of the headrestrelative to the backrest. For example, when the second control interfaceis toggled up, from the neutral position, the headrestmay move toward the forward pose () and when the second control interfaceis toggled down, from the neutral position, the headrestmay move toward the backward pose (). It will be appreciated that association of the first control interfacewith the first actuatorand the association of the second control interfacewith the second actuatormay be reversed such that the first control interfaceis associated with the second actuatorand the second control interfaceis associated with the first actuator.

The state of the headrestmay be controlled by the second control interfaceand be limited by the state of the backrest. For example, as shown in, when the backrestis in the reclined state, the headrestmay be in the fully forward pose. However, as the backrestis in a midstate between the reclined state and the upright state, the pose of the headrestmay be limited to being less than in the fully forward state such that as the backrestmoves towards the upright state, the headrestmoves towards the backward pose without input from the second control interface.

In certain embodiments, the control system is provided without a controller. In such embodiments, the first control interfacemay be in direct signal communication with the first actuatorand the second control interfacemay be in direct signal communication with the second actuator. In addition, the first actuatormay be in signal communication with the second actuatorto provide a headrest limit for a current state of the backrestsuch that the headrestmay move towards the backward pose as the backrestmoves towards the upright state to be at or below the headrest limit for a given state of the backrest.

Referring now to, the state of the backrestand the pose of the headrestare described in accordance with the present disclosure. In the upright state of the backrest, the backrestdefines an angle αwith the floor in a range between 100 degrees and 125 degrees e.g., 115 degrees, as shown in. In the reclined state of the backrest, the backrestdefines an angle αwith the floor in a range between 130 degrees and 150 degrees, e.g., 140 degrees, as shown in. In the backward pose of the headrest, the headrestdefines an angle θwith the backrestin a range between 0 and 15 degrees, e.g., 10 degrees, as shown in. In the forward pose of the headrest, the headrestdefines an angle θwith the backrestin a range between 35 degrees and 50 degrees, e.g., 45 degrees.