HEAVY LOADED POWERED CHAIR

[0001] The present invention relates generally to powered chairs, and more particularly to a new and improved powered chair wherein the same is uniquely structured so as to be capable of structurally supporting greater than normal loads while the structural integrity of the chair is maintained intact.

[0002] Powered chairs are of course well known and in common use within residences and offices. Conventional powered chairs are structured to safely accommodate weight loads of approximately three hundred (300) pounds, however, as is well known, some segments of society comprise people who weigh more than three hundred (300) pounds.

[0003] A need therefore exists in the art for a new and improved powered chair. Another need exists in the art for a new and improved powered chair that is structured to accommodate and withstand heavy loads. Yet another need exists in the art for a new and improved powered chair that is structured to accommodate and withstand heavy loads, such as, for example, a weight load of greater than three hundred (300) pounds. Still another need exists in the art for a new and improved powered chair that is structured to accommodate and withstand heavy loads, such as, for example, a weight load of greater than three hundred (300) pounds, and preferably a weight load of five hundred (500) pounds.

[0004] Therefore, a first overall objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved powered chair. Another overall objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved powered chair that is structured to accommodate and withstand heavy loads. Yet another overall objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved powered chair that is structured to accommodate and withstand heavy loads, such as, for example, a weight load of greater than three hundred (300) pounds. Still another overall objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved powered chair that is structured to accommodate and withstand heavy loads, such as, for example, a weight load of greater than three hundred (300) pounds, and preferably a weight load of five hundred (500) pounds.

[0005] The foregoing and other objectives are achieved in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention wherein there has been developed a new and improved powered chair wherein the same comprises a footrest assembly, a seat assembly, and a backrest assembly. A single linear actuator is operatively connected to a power driving tube whereupon actuation of the single linear actuator, the power driving tube will first cause the footrest assembly to be extended to its fully extended position from its retracted, stowed position, and subsequently, will cause the backrest assembly to be moved to its inclined/reclined position from its normal upright position. The fact that the number of component parts operatively connecting the single linear actuator to both the footrest assembly and the backrest assembly has been minimized enables the system to be more robust and structurally sound in order to operatively accommodate and withstand heavier than normal loads.

[0015] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1-7, a new and improved powered chair is disclosed and is generally indicated by the reference character 100. More particularly, it is seen that the new and improved powered chair 100 comprises a base 102, a backrest assembly 104, a seat assembly 106, a footrest assembly 108, and a driving assembly 110. As can readily be appreciated, it is seen that the base 102 comprises a pair of oppositely disposed, longitudinally extending side beams 112,112, a rear cross beam 114 having its opposite end portions fixedly connected to rear end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed, longitudinally extending side beams 112,112, and a front cross beam 116, as can be seen in FIG. 7, which likewise has its opposite end portions fixedly connected to front end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed, longitudinally extending side beams 112,112. It is additionally seen that the backrest assembly 104 comprises a pair of oppositely disposed backrest mounting brackets 118, and a pair of oppositely disposed straight links 120 which are pivotally connected at their upper end portions to the pair of oppositely disposed backrest mounting brackets 118, as at 122, all as can best be seen in FIG. 2. Continuing further, and with specific reference now being made to FIGS. 1-5, it is seen that the seat assembly 106 comprises a pair of oppositely disposed seat frame connecting plates 124 to which a seat frame 126 is fixedly secured. As can best be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, the seat frame 126 comprises a pair of oppositely disposed, longitudinally extending side frame members 128,128, a rear frame member 130 connected at its opposite ends to rear end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed, longitudinally extending side frame members 128,128, and a front frame member 132 connected at its opposite ends to front end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed, longitudinally extending side frame members 128,128. Still further, as can best be appreciated from FIGS. 2 and 5, the upper rear end portion of each one of the pair of oppositely disposed seat frame connecting plates 124 is pivotally connected to a front end portion of a respective one of the pair of oppositely disposed backrest mounting brackets 118, as at 134, while a pair of oppositely disposed connecting plates 136 are pivotally connected at their lower end portions to lower end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed straight links 120, as at 138, as well as being pivotally connected to lower end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed seat frame connecting plates 124, as at 140.

[0016] Continuing further, it is seen that lower end portions of a pair of oppositely disposed rear swing links 142,142 are pivotally connected to rear end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed, longitudinally extending base side beams 112,112, as at 143, while upper end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed rear swing links 142,142 are pivotally connected to the pair of oppositely disposed connecting plates 136, as well as to rear end portions of a pair of oppositely disposed L-shaped links 144, as at 146, as can best be appreciated from FIGS. 3 and 5. As can also be best seen from FIG. 3, front end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed L-shaped links 144, as well as rear end portions of a pair of oppositely disposed stabilization links 148, are pivotally connected to upper end portions of a pair of oppositely disposed front swing links 150, as at 152, while lower end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed front swing links 150 are pivotally connected to front end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed, longitudinally extending base side beams 112,112, as at 153, and front end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed stabilization links 148 are adapted to be pivotally connected to front end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed seat frame connecting plates 124, as at 154. Continuing further, and as can best be seen from FIGS. 3-5 and 7, a pair of oppositely disposed limit links 156 have their lower end portions pivotally connected to front end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed, longitudinally extending base side beams 112,112, as at 157, while upper end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed limit links 156 respectively have a pair of oppositely disposed spring-connecting pieces 158 fixedly connected thereto, with the upper end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed spring-connecting pieces 158 respectively having a pin 160 mounted thereon upon which an end portion of a spring 161 may be attached or connected, a similar pin 163 being mounted upon each one of the pair of pair of oppositely disposed connecting plates 136, the purpose of the spring 161 being disclosed later. Upper terminal end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed limit links 156 are pivotally connected to a pair of oppositely disposed drive links 162, as at 164, and, in turn, the pair of oppositely disposed drive links 162 are pivotally connected to a pair of oppositely disposed Z-shaped links 166, as at 168. Still further, as can best be appreciated from FIG. 4, each one of the pair of oppositely disposed Z-shaped links 166 is provided with a slot 174 within which a limit pin 176, mounted upon each one of the pair of oppositely disposed connecting plates 136, is adapted to be movable.

[0017] As can best be appreciated from FIG. 6, a rear cross bar or cross beam 178 has its opposite ends fixedly connected to the pair of oppositely disposed rear swing links 142,142, a first, rearward, intermediate cross bar or cross beam 180 has its opposite ends fixedly connected to the pair of oppositely disposed connecting plates 136, a second, forward, intermediate cross bar or cross beam 182 has its opposite ends fixedly connected to the pair of oppositely disposed front swing links 150, while a front cross bar or cross beam 184 has its opposite ends fixedly connected to the pair of oppositely disposed seat frame connecting plates 124. With reference again being made to FIG. 7, it can likewise be appreciated that the driving assembly 110 comprises a linear actuator 186 which has its motor end fixedly mounted upon a transversely oriented cross bar 188 which has its opposite ends fixedly connected to forward end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed longitudinally extending side beams 112,112, while the opposite end of the linear actuator 186 is fixedly connected to the rear cross beam 114. A slide 190 is adapted to be slidably disposed upon a longitudinally extending track 192 of the linear actuator 186, and comprises a pair of oppositely disposed connecting pieces 194 which serve to effectively connect the slide 190 to the longitudinally extending track 192. Still further, a pair of oppositely disposed drive links 196 have their lower end portions pivotally connected to the pair of oppositely disposed connecting pieces 194, as at 198, while upper end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed drive links 196 are pivotally connected to a pair of transversely spaced, oppositely disposed L-shaped mounting brackets 200, as at 202. In turn, it is seen that each one of the L-shaped mounting brackets 200 is fixedly mounted upon a transversely oriented angle bar 204 which is fixedly mounted upon a power driving tube 205. Continuing further, and as can best be appreciated from FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 7, the power driving tube 205 has its opposite ends disposed within a pair of oppositely disposed bushings 206, which are mounted within the pair of oppositely disposed with the pair of oppositely disposed seat frame connecting plates 124, such that the opposite ends of the power driving tube 205 are capable of rotating within the bushings 206. The opposite ends of the power driving tube 205 are also fixedly connected to the pair of oppositely disposed drive links 162 as can best be appreciated from FIG. 7.

[0018] With reference now being made to FIG. 2, a pair of oppositely disposed outer power driving arms 208 are fixedly connected to opposite ends of the power driving tube 205, while forward end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed outer power driving arms 208 are pivotally connected to rear end portions of a pair of oppositely disposed L-shaped support links 210, as at 212, and upper end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed L-shaped support links 210 are pivotally connected to central portions of a pair of oppositely disposed lower swing links 214, as at 216. In turn, it is seen that rear end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed lower swing links 214 are pivotally connected to front end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed seat frame connecting plates 124, as at 218, while front end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed lower swing links 214 are pivotally connected to a pair of oppositely disposed upper support links 220, as at 222. Front end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed upper support links 220 are pivotally connected to rear end portions of a pair of oppositely disposed secondary footrest support plates or mounting brackets 224, as at 226, while front end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed secondary footrest support plates 224 are pivotally connected to rear/lower end portions of a pair of oppositely disposed main footrest support links 228, as at 230, and front/upper end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed main footrest support links 228 being pivotally connected to a pair of oppositely disposed main footrest support links 232, as at 234. It is further seen that rear end portions of a pair of oppositely disposed upper swing links 236 are pivotally connected to front end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed seat frame connecting plates 124, as at 238, while intermediate portions of the pair of oppositely disposed upper swing links 236 are pivotally connected to intermediate portions of the pair of oppositely disposed upper support links 220, as at 240, and front end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed upper swing links 236 are pivotally connected to rear/lower end portions of a pair of oppositely disposed lower support links 242, as at 244.

[0019] Intermediate portions of the pair of oppositely disposed lower support links 242 are pivotally connected to lower, central portions of the pair of oppositely disposed secondary footrest support plates 224, as at 246, while upper, front-end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed lower support links 242 are pivotally connected to rear end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed main footrest support links 232, as at 248. Still further, it is seen that each one of the pair of oppositely disposed upper swing links 236 is provided with a limit pin 250, for defining the relative positions between the pair of oppositely disposed upper swing links 236 and the pair of oppositely disposed upper support links 220, and the pair of oppositely disposed secondary footrest support plates 224 are provided with a planar surface portion 252 so as to support a footrest or ottoman, not shown, which is adapted to be fixedly secured to and mounted upon the pair of oppositely disposed secondary footrest support plates 224. In a similar manner, as can best be appreciated from FIG. 8, it is seen that at least one of the pair of oppositely disposed main footrest support links 232 has an L-shaped angle bracket 254 pivotally connected thereto, as at 248, wherein the long leg 256 of the L-shaped angle bracket 254 defines a planar support surface which serves as a main footrest support plate that cooperates with the planar surface portion 252 of the pair of oppositely disposed secondary footrest support plates 224 so as to support the footrest or ottoman, not shown, thereon. Still further, front end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed main footrest support links 232 comprise laterally inwardly extending angled sections 258 such that terminal end portions 260 of the pair of oppositely disposed main footrest support links 232 are disposed parallel to each other so as to be capable of fixing a spring connecting plate 262 therebetween as a result of the pair of terminal end portions 260 of the pair of oppositely disposed main footrest support links 232 being fastened together as at 264. It is lastly seen that an undersurface portion of the long leg 256 of the L-shaped angle bracket 254 is provided with a spring mounting bracket 266 such that one end of a spring, not shown, is connected to the spring mounting bracket 266 while the opposite end of the spring is connected to the spring connecting plate 262.

[0020] Having described substantially all of the structural components comprising the new and improved powered chair 100, the operation of the same will now be disclosed. More particularly, it is seen that when the powered chair 100 is disposed at the SEATED position, the actuation of the linear actuator 186 will move the slide 190 in the forward direction which causes the pair of oppositely disposed drive links 196 to move forwardly and to pivot, in the counterclockwise direction, as considered from the perspective of FIG. 7, around the pivot axis 198 which, in turn, causes the upper end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed drive links 196 to be elevated. Accordingly, the ends of the pair of transversely spaced, oppositely disposed L-shaped mounting brackets 200, that are pivotally attached to the upper end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed drive links 196, will likewise move forwardly, upwardly, and will pivot in the counterclockwise direction around the pivot axis 202 such that the power driving tube 205 will, in turn, move forwardly, upwardly, and will pivot in the counterclockwise direction as a result of the opposite ends of the power driving tube 205 rotating within the bushings 206. Still further, as can best be appreciated from FIG. 2, the pair of oppositely disposed outer power driving arms 208, which are fixedly connected to the opposite ends of the power driving tube 205, will likewise move forwardly and will rotate or pivot in the counterclockwise direction around the axis defined by the power driving tube 205, and accordingly, forward end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed outer power driving arms 208 will cause the pair of oppositely disposed L-shaped support links 210 to move forwardly such that the pair of oppositely disposed lower swing links 214 to move in the counterclockwise direction. In turn, the counterclockwise movement of the pair of oppositely disposed lower swing links 214 causes the pair of oppositely disposed upper support links 220 to be moved forwardly. Since the pair of oppositely disposed upper swing links 236 are connected to the pair of oppositely disposed upper support links 220, the pair of oppositely disposed upper swing links 236 will pivot or rotate in the counterclockwise direction, thereby pushing the pair of oppositely disposed lower support links 242 forwardly which, in turn, cause the pair of oppositely disposed secondary footrest connecting plates 224 to be moved in the counterclockwise direction. Consequently, since the front-end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed secondary footrest connecting plates 224 are operatively connected to the pair of oppositely disposed main footrest support links 232, as well as to the main footrest connecting plate 256, the pair of oppositely disposed main footrest support links 232, as well as the main footrest connecting plate 256, will move in the counterclockwise direction such that the footrest assembly is now fully extended.

[0021] Continuing further, it is also to be appreciated that as the power driving tube 205 moves forwardly, the pair of oppositely disposed seat frame connecting plates 124 are moved forwardly due to the fact that opposite ends of the power driving tube 205 are mounted within the pair of oppositely disposed bushings 206 which are mounted within the pair of oppositely seat frame connecting plates 124. Therefore, it can be further appreciated that the pair of oppositely disposed connecting plates 136 are moved forwardly whereby in turn, the pair of oppositely disposed rear swing links 142 pivot or rotate in the clockwise direction. In addition, as can best be appreciated from FIG. 3, the aforenoted movement of the pair of oppositely disposed rear swing links 142 will cause the pair of oppositely disposed L-shaped links 144 to move forwardly whereby such movement of the pair of oppositely disposed L-shaped links 144 causes the pair of oppositely disposed front swing links 150 to pivot or rotate in the clockwise direction. At the same time, the pair of oppositely disposed drive links 162 move forwardly and pivot or rotate in the counterclockwise direction around the axis defined by the power driving tube 205, thereby pulling the pair of oppositely disposed Z-shaped links 166 forwardly and upwardly whereby the pair of oppositely disposed limit pins 176 move downwardly within the pair of oppositely disposed slots 174 defined within the pair of oppositely disposed Z-shaped links 166.

[0022] When the pair of oppositely disposed limit pins 176 reach the bottom end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed slots 174, the pair of oppositely disposed Z-shaped links 166 will normally cause the pair of oppositely disposed connecting plates 136 to pivot in the counterclockwise direction around pivotal connections 146 which will, in turn, normally cause the pair of oppositely disposed straight links 120 to pivot or rotate in the counterclockwise direction so as to likewise cause the pair of oppositely disposed backrest mounting brackets 118 to pivot or rotate in the counterclockwise direction around the pivotal connections 134. In this manner, the backrest will now be disposed in the INCLINED or RECLINED position. However, in accordance with a unique feature of the present invention, it will be recalled that, as best shown in FIG. 5, the pair of oppositely disposed spring-connecting pieces 158 respectively have the pin 160 mounted thereon, upon which an end portion of the spring 161 may be attached or connected, and similar pin 163 is mounted upon each one of the pair of pair of oppositely disposed connecting plates 136. Accordingly, when the linear actuator 186 is actuated and the slide 190 moves forward, the pair of oppositely disposed driving links 162 will pivot counterclockwise, from the perspective of FIG. 3, and will move forward together with the driving tube 205. Therefore, the pair of oppositely disposed Z-shaped links 166 are pulled upwardly and forwardly such that the pair of oppositely disposed slots 174 defined upon the pair of oppositely disposed Z-shaped links 166 exert an upward and forward force upon the pair of oppositely disposed limit pins 176, which cause the pair of oppositely disposed connecting plates 136 to pivot in the counterclockwise direction. These movements of the pair of oppositely disposed connecting plates 136 cause the pair of oppositely disposed straight links 120 to likewise rotate in the counterclockwise direction, which in turn cause the pair of oppositely disposed backrest mounting brackets 118 to pivot or rotate in the counterclockwise direction and therefore be reclined. However, the pair of oppositely disposed springs 161, connected between the pairs of oppositely disposed pins 160 and 161, exert a predetermined force so as to effectively prevent the pair of oppositely disposed connecting plates from pivoting in the counterclockwise direction, thereby preventing the reclining of the pair of oppositely disposed backrest mounting brackets 118. Still further, however, once the linear actuator 186 fully extends the footrest assembly 108, as a result of the movement of the driving tube 205, the pair of oppositely disposed seat frame connecting plates 124 will continue to move upwardly and forwardly, which now drives the pair of oppositely disposed connecting plates 136 to pivot in the counterclockwise direction so as to effectively overcome the force of the springs 161 whereby the pair of oppositely disposed backrest mounting brackets 118 are now able to be reclined. It is therefore to be appreciated that, in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, not only is a single linear actuator 186 utilized to move both the footrest assembly 108 to its extended position, and to move the pair of oppositely disposed backrest mounting brackets 118 to their reclined positions, but in addition, the footrest assembly 108 and the pair of oppositely disposed backrest mounting brackets 118 are extended and inclined in a sequential manner or mode of operation under the control of only a single linear actuator 186. Still yet further, in view of the fact that only a single linear actuator 186 is utilized for accomplishing both of these modes of operation, that is, the movement of the footrest assembly 108 and the movement of the pair of oppositely disposed backrest mounting brackets 118, the number of operative components comprising the structure of the overall powered chair 100 is significantly reduced which effectively renders the overall structure of the powered chair 100 that more robust which, in turn, permits the powered chair 100 to accommodate heavier than normal loads or weights.

[0023] It is lastly noted, with reference reverting back to FIG. 8, that if any foreign object should become stuck beneath the main footrest support plate 254, the main footrest support plate 254 can simply be pivoted around pivot connection 248 against the biasing force of the spring, not shown, connected between the spring mounting bracket 266 and the spring connecting plate 262. Once the foreign object has been removed, the biasing force of the spring can return the main footrest support plate 254 to its original position.

[0024] Obviously, many variations and modifications of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.