Reclining Support for Astronomy Observations

This invention relates to a reclining support, which although not limited to astronomy use, is particularly applicable to astronomy observation.

It is known that astronomy observations sometimes use reclining supports, wherein for example the seat back of a seat and seat back assembly can tilt to some extent, and seats which rotate about vertical axes are also quite well known. It is also known to have an arrangement whereby a pair of binoculars can be held by a structure attached to a seat back, to avoid the fatigue which is encountered when binoculars are held by hand, and also to reduce the apparent target movement due to variation of line of sight. The applicant has perceived a need for a reclining support so constructed that it can be readily transported and assembled or dismantled quickly and easily, thereby making it mobile and adaptable for use by an amateur astronomer for example.

A search conducted by the applicant through available patent records was unsuccessful in locating any patent records which were of direct relevance to this invention, although the applicant may refer to the U.S. Pat. No. 4637536 in the name of Wong wherein binoculars were supported by a harness attached to a user's shoulders. Another partly relevant specification is a British specification 2157555 in the name of Maris, which provided the reclinable seat and seat back rotatable about a vertical axis, and which would carry binoculars for astronomical observation.

However, it is believed that a reference on page 51 of January 1974 U.S. Magazine "Sky and Telescope" is closer prior art than either of the above two references, which made use of a reclinable chair with a seat back, carried on a turntable and being adjustable for astronomical observation. The structure was built around an airport cargo transporter, but was much heavier and no reference was made to simple dismantling or knock-down procedures to enable a user to transport it in a motor vehicle, but rather use was made of a trailer arrangement. The inventor Pearson Menoher described this arrangement wherein "the position of the binoculars is fixed relative to the chair, but the head rest is adjustable to accommodate different observers and allow moving the head in or out of the viewing position." Referring to tilt control for varying elevational sights, he stated "in the present arrangement, tilt is controlled through a long 3/4 inch screw threaded (rod) to a coupling on the footrest of the chair. This fixes the position of the chair solidly in elevation so that no movement can occur unless the long screw is turned."

The elevation drive motor was described as being similar to the one for azimuth and reference is made to a V-belt drive to a 100:1 reduction gear, and the statement was made that the flexibility of the V-belt was important which driving power must not be lost and the sheave on the elevation screw shifts position slightly as the chair rises."

In order to achieve the advantage of readily dismantling or reassembling sub-assemblies so that the operator only needs to handle light weight components, it has been necessary for the inventor herein to provide a different arrangement described by Mr Menoher, even though the Menoher arrangement obviously results in an excellent viewing arrangement.

In this invention, a reclining support for astronomy observation is provided with three sub-assemblies which can be readily connected together or dismantled. A base sub-assembly has legs which support a turntable, and the turntable supports a chassis sub-assembly which can rotate about the central pin upstanding from the base, and further it is coupled to the base by an elevation tilt control link which can be easily and quickly disconnected. The chassis carries on it a pair of upwardly facing "U" supports by which a chair frame sub-assembly can be supported for ready removal, and the chair frame itself carries a binocular frame in an adjustable and slidable binocular carrier sub-assembly which is coupled by simple telescopic frame members which can be removed from the chassis sub-assembly by the sliding action of the telescopic members. This arrangement makes it possible to achieve a simple, lightweight observation support which is readily transported and directed, or readily dismantled, and is easily handled. The support can also be made of relatively lower cost than most other supports known to the applicant.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is described hereunder in some detail with reference to and is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a reclining support for astronomy observation;

FIG. 2 is a perspective rear view showing the binocular support sub-assembly retained telescopically to the seat back portion of the chair frame otherwise illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary central elevational section showing the mechanism by which the azimuth rotation and elevational tilting is achieved;

FIG. 3A is a fragmentary section showing a `C` section guide tube which contains a screw threaded rod and the tube guides a nut saddle for linear movement;

FIG. 4 is a sectioned plan view of FIG. 3, taken half on one plane and half on another; and

FIG. 5 is a wiring diagram which shows the controls which are used for controlling the speed and direction of rotation of azimuth and elevational control motors.

FIG. 1 illustrates a reclining support assembly 10 which comprises three sub-assemblies, the base sub-assembly 11 having three legs 12 which supports the lower part of a turntable 13, the turntable 13 being coupled as described hereunder to its upper part 14 by a central pin 15 (FIG. 3), and a plurality of wheels 16 support the upper part 14 on the lower part 13 for rotation about the axis of the vertical pin 15. The upper part 14 of the turntable together with its surmounting components may be referred to herein as a "chassis" 17, those components including a second sub-assembly of a pair of upstanding side frames 18 of inverted Y shape and these terminate at their upper ends in respective upwardly facing "U" supports 19 which carry outwardly projecting trunnion pins 20 of a chair frame 21. The chair frame 21 supports the padded upholstery seat and seat back assembly 22 which can tilt about a horizontal axis of the trunnion pins 20. Trunnion pins 20 are retained in position by a readily removable clamp plate 23 by which the chair frame 21 can be removed from the chassis 18. The chair frame 21 is provided with a telescopic foot rest 25 which projects outwardly from downwardly sloping portions 26 of the chair and which can be adjusted for position to suit individual users, and which extends rearwardly firstly with a downwardly concave portion and then with an upwardly concave portion to support the seat and seat back respectively. These portions are connected by side arms 27, one side arm 27 carrying on it a "joystick" type switch 28. One switch part activates the elevation tilting of the chair frame and the other activates the azimuth rotation of the chassis. Alternatively, two separate switches can be used.

FIG. 2 shows more particularly the third sub-assembly of a telescopic arrangement of the mount for a binocular set 31. The binocular set 31 is carried on a mounting bar 32 of standard shape and size, the transverse mounting bar 32 itself being carried on a swivelling arm 33 in an arrangement whereby the height of the binoculars can be varied as well as the elevational adjustment. The arm 33 projects outwardly from an end 34 of a telescopic support 35 which slides in a central seat back frame member 36 which itself carries a threaded clamping screw 37.

The mechanical features of azimuth rotation and elevational tilt is graphically illustrated in FIG. 3. Azimuth rotation is controlled by an electric motor 41 which drives through a gearbox (not shown) a worm 42 which engages a wormwheel 43, the wormwheel 43 being on a spindle 44 which carries on it a sprocket pinion 45, the sprocket pinion 45 being coupled to a sprocket wheel 46 by a roller chain 47, sprocket wheel 46 being concentric with the pin 15. Spindle 44 is rotational within a bearing 48. When the motor 41 is energised, the rotation of the pinion 45 causes the chassis to move around the fixed wheel 46, which is fast with the central pin 15, thereby fast with the turntable lower part 13. As will be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4, spaced lugs of a star-shaped plate 50 are secured by fasteners 51 to inwardly directed radial tubular spokes 52 fast with respect to the lower turntable part 13, and central pin 15 is welded at its lower end to plate 50, while fasteners 53 secure wheel 46 to a second annular plate 54 also fast with the central pin 15. As shown, plate 54 is fast with pin 15 by a self locking taper 55, but can be keyed to pin 15, or in some instances, welded.

In the same way that plate 50 is secured to radial tubular spokes 52 which are inwardly directed from the turntable lower part 13, spokes 56 project radially inwardly from the upper part 14 of the turntable. Fasteners 57 secure rotating plate 58 to inwardly directed radial spokes 56, so that plate 58 rotates along with the upper part 14 of the turntable, around a bearing 59. While the bearing surface can be a surface of the pin 15, it is preferred to utilise a bush as shown. This constrains the rotation to be coaxial with the pin 15. A bracket 49 fast with spokes 56 carried bearing 48 of the sprocket pinion 45.

It is important that there should be a minimum of vibration or flex on any movement, and this is achieved in this invention by the use of nylon lock nuts 61, 62, nylon nut 61 bearing against a foot 63 of a C-shaped guide tube 64 (FIG. 3A), and nut 62 bearing through an annular collar against the bearing 59 of the rotating plate 58. The base and chassis sub-assemblies can be readily disassembled by removal of lower star plate fasteners 51, or nuts 61 and 62.

In order to effect elevational tilting of the chair frame 21 about the axis of its trunnion pins 20, there is provided an elevating motor 66 (FIG. 3) and this drives through a reduction gear 67 to rotate a screw threaded rod 68 which moves a nut saddle 69 coupled to the frame 21 by means of a coupling link 70 which functions as a pitman arm. However, the coupling is by means of a thumb screw 71 which can be easily removed, and if the thumb screws 72 are also removed from the upper end of U supports 19, the chair frame can be lifted away from the side frames 18. Dismantling and reassembling and simply and quickly effected.

FIG. 3 also shows a battery 75 carried on a cradle 76 which will rotate along with the turn table upper part 14 and the two control motors 41 and 66, thereby avoiding the need for slip rings otherwise required for delivery of power to the motors, and also to the control means.

FIG. 5 illustrates the arrangement wherein the switch 28 controls elevation and azimuth movement, while a fast/slow switch portion 78 controls the speed of both azimuth and elevation movement.

Relay RL1 controls the fast and slow functions of the azimuth motor, relay RL2 provides the elevational power for the motor 66, relay RL3 controls the elevational movement up and down, relay RL4 controls the power for the azimuth motor 41 and relay RL5 provides the azimuth rotation forward or reverse. Electronic encoders are optionally used between the base, chassis and seat frame sub-assemblies to provide repeatable settings for the reclining support.

In order to limit over run in elevation in either the rearward movement of the seat back or the forward and downward movement of the front of the chair frame 21, there are provided respective magnetic normally closed limit switches 80 and 81. Other aspects of the electrical circuit of FIG. 4 are conventional.

The electrical connection between the chair frame and base sub-assemblies can be by means of a six core cable and disconnection achieved by a six pin male/female plug and socket.

A reclining support in accordance with the above embodiment will be found to be capable of being produced in very light weight and inexpensively and the provision of the three sub-assemblies which are easily dismantled or reassembled together avoids the need to handle excessively heavy objects. The amount of power absorbed is very small so that the battery 75 needs to be only small, say for example 12 volts by 60 amp/hours. The amount of elevation which can be achieved is very considerable, the described embodiment exceeds 90.degree. of movement, and the elevation will be seen to be about an axis which can be almost aligned with the hip joint axis of a user.