Reversible headrest tilt, lumbar mechanism

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9949567-B2
Application number	US-201615251242-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 30, 2016
Priority date	Sep 26, 2014
Publication date	Apr 24, 2018
Grant date	Apr 24, 2018

Abstract

A reversible adjustable lumbar support and headrest tilt mechanism is provided for installation on a chair. A side bracket is coupled to each side of the back frame, and a back bracket is pivotably coupled to each side bracket. An actuator is pivotably coupled to the back frame that has an extendable and retractable shaft. In a first orientation, with the actuator shaft extending toward the upper end of the back frame, a headrest back insert is couple-able to and between the back brackets, such that extension and retraction of the actuator shaft rotates the headrest back insert. In a second orientation, with the actuator shaft extending toward the lower end of the back frame, a lumbar push bar is couple-able to and between the back brackets, such that extension and retraction of the actuator shaft rotates the lumbar push bar.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An adjustable lumbar support mechanism for installation on a chair having a back frame, comprising:
a first side bracket and a second side bracket, the first side bracket coupled to a first side of the back frame and the second side bracket coupled to a second side of the back frame;
a first back bracket, having a first end and a second end, and a second back bracket, where the first back bracket is pivotably coupled to the first side brackets, and the second back bracket is pivotably coupled to the second side, and a cam extension on at least one of the back brackets;
an actuator having an actuator shaft, an end of the actuator opposite the actuator shaft being pivotably coupled to the back frame, the actuator shaft configured to move in an extending direction and a retracting direction, the extending direction being away from the actuator and the retracting direction being towards the actuator;
a slide hinge, wherein the slide hinge is a one piece component having a first pivot, a second pivot, a body and a retaining finger, the first pivot coupling the slide hinge to the extendable shaft of the actuator, the body of the slide hinge extending lengthwise between the first pivot and the second pivot, the second pivot coupling the slide hinge directly to the first back bracket, the retaining finger extending transverse to a length of the body beyond the second pivot to engage the cam extension at least when the actuator shaft is moving in the retracting direction, and wherein the body of the slide hinge is configured to engage the cam extension at least when the actuator shaft is moving in the extending direction; and
a lumbar push bar coupled between the first back bracket and the second back bracket,
wherein extension and retraction of the actuator shaft operates to extend and retract the lumbar push bar to provide an adjustable lumbar support.

2. The mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the first back bracket includes an extending cam, and wherein the retaining finger contacts the cam extension within a range of rotation of the slide hinge relative to the back bracket.

3. The mechanism of claim 2 , wherein the extending cam engages the body of the slide bracket as the actuator shaft extends, to impart rotational movement to the back bracket, and thus the lumbar push bar.

4. The mechanism of claim 2 , wherein the back frame has a front and a back, and the lumbar push bar has a convex radius face that faces toward the front of the back frame.

5. The mechanism of claim 3 , further comprising a spring having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the second back, and the second end coupled to the back frame, the spring imparting a biasing force to bias the lumbar push bar to a retracted position.

6. A reversible mechanism for installation on a chair having a back frame with an upper end and a lower end, providing an adjustable lumbar support in one orientation, and an adjustable headrest support in another orientation, comprising:
a pair of side brackets, each adapted to be coupled to one side of the back frame;
a pair of back brackets, where one of said back brackets is pivotably coupled to one of the side brackets, and the other of said back brackets is pivotably coupled to the other of the side brackets, and a cam extension on at least one of the back brackets; and
an actuator having an end and an actuator shaft, the shaft being pivotably coupled to a slide hinge at a first pivot of the slide hinge, and a second pivot of the slide hinge being pivotably coupled directly to one of the back brackets, where the end is opposite the actuator shaft, where the end is adapted to be pivotably coupled to the back frame, the actuator shaft configured to move in an extending direction and a retracting direction, the extending direction being away from the actuator and the retracting direction being towards the actuator, where the slide hinge is a one piece elongated component having a retaining finger extending transverse to a length of the component beyond the second pivot to engage the cam extension at least when the actuator shaft is moving in the retracting direction, and wherein the component is configured to engage the cam extension at least when the actuator shaft is moving in the extending direction,
wherein, in a first orientation with the actuator shaft extending toward the upper end of the back frame, a headrest back insert is couple-able to and between the back brackets, such that extension and retraction of the actuator shaft rotates the headrest back insert, and
wherein, in a second orientation with the actuator shaft extending toward the lower end of the back frame, a lumbar push bar is couple-able to and between the back brackets, such that extension and retraction of the actuator shaft rotates the lumbar push bar.

7. The mechanism of claim 6 , wherein, the back bracket including an extending cam that engages the slide bracket as the actuator shaft extends, to impart rotational movement to the back bracket.

8. The mechanism of claim 7 , wherein the retaining finger contacts the cam extension within a range of rotation of the slide hinge relative to the back bracket.

9. The mechanism of claim 8 , wherein the slide hinge includes a notch, such that, within a range of rotation of the slide hinge relative to the back bracket, the notch contacts the cam extension.

Assignees

• L&P Property Man Co

Inventors

• Sigmon Allen R
• Donovan Robert Dean

Classifications

• A47C7/38

  for the head, e.g. detachable · CPC title

• A47C7/462 Primary

  adjustable by mechanical means · CPC title

• A47C1/036

  the parts including a head-rest · CPC title

• A47C1/02

  Reclining or easy chairs · CPC title