Articulating chair

Abstract

An articulating massaging chair is provided that includes: a support frame; a seat pivotally connected to the support frame by a seat pivot; and a backrest pivotally connected to the support frame by a backrest pivot. Also provided is an articulating chair that includes: a support frame; a seat connected to and rotatable relative to the support frame; a backrest connected to and rotatable relative to the support frame; and a linking arm having a first end connected to the backrest and a second end connected to the seat; wherein the backrest and the seat are rotatable relative to the support frame in the same angular direction, and the backrest is rotatable relative to the seat.

1 . An articulating chair comprising:
 a support frame;   a seat connected to and rotatable relative to the support frame;   a backrest connected to and rotatable relative to the support frame; and   a linking arm having a first end connected to the backrest and a second end connected to the seat;   wherein:
 the backrest and the seat are rotatable relative to the support frame in the same angular direction; and 
 the backrest is rotatable relative to the seat. 
   
   
   
       2 . The articulating chair of  claim 1 , wherein an angular range of rotation of the backrest is greater than an angular range of rotation of the seat. 
   
   
       3 . The articulating chair of  claim 2 , wherein the angular range of rotation of the backrest is approximately 50° and the angular range of rotation of the seat is approximately 25°. 
   
   
       4 . The articulating chair of  claim 1 , wherein an angular rate of rotation of the backrest is greater than an angular rate of rotation of the seat. 
   
   
       5 . The articulating chair of  claim 1 , wherein the linking arm is configured to rotate a front edge of the seat up when the backrest reclines. 
   
   
       6 . The articulating chair of  claim 1 , further comprising a biasing member, wherein the backrest is moveable between an upright position and a reclined position and wherein the biasing member biases the backrest toward the upright position. 
   
   
       7 . The articulating chair of  claim 6 , wherein the biasing member is connected between the support frame and the backrest. 
   
   
       8 . The articulating chair of  claim 7 , wherein the biasing member is a gas spring. 
   
   
       9 . The articulating chair of  claim 6 , wherein the biasing member is chosen from the group consisting of a gas damper, a linear actuator, a power drive, a motor drive, and an electric screw drive. 
   
   
       10 . The articulating chair of  claim 1 , wherein the backrest comprises at least one massaging device. 
   
   
       11 . The articulating chair of  claim 1 , wherein the seat comprises at least one massaging device. 
   
   
       12 . The articulating chair of  claim 1 , wherein the linking arm has a curved shape. 
   
   
       13 . The articulating chair of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a mounting bracket connected to the backrest and the first end of the linking arm; and   a side arm connected to the seat and the second end of the linking arm, the side arm being in substantially the same plane as the mounting bracket.   
   
   
       14 . The articulating chair of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first fastener connecting the backrest and the first end of the linking arm; and   a second fastener connecting the seat and the second end of the linking arm.   
   
   
       15 . The articulating chair of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a first pivot, the backrest rotatable relative to the support frame about the first pivot; and   a second pivot, the seat rotatable relative to the support frame about the second pivot,   wherein a first distance between the first fastener and the first pivot is not equal to a second distance between the second fastener and the second pivot.   
   
   
       16 . The articulating chair of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the first fastener is below the first pivot; and   the second fastener is below the second pivot.   
   
   
       17 . An articulating chair movable between an upright position and a reclined position, the articulating chair comprising:
 a support frame;   a seat pivotally connected to the support frame by a seat pivot;   a backrest pivotally connected to the support frame by a backrest pivot;   a linking arm having a first end connected to the backrest and a second end connected to the seat; and   at least one massaging device connected to at least one of the seat and the backrest;   wherein:
 the backrest and the seat are rotatable relative to the support frame in the same angular direction; and 
 the backrest is rotatable relative to the seat. 
   
   
   
       18 . The articulating chair of  claim 17 , wherein an angular range of rotation of the backrest is greater than an angular range of rotation of the seat. 
   
   
       19 . The articulating chair of  claim 17 , wherein the linking arm is configured to rotate a front edge of the seat up when the backrest reclines. 
   
   
       20 . The articulating chair of  claim 17 , further comprising a biasing member, wherein the backrest is moveable between an upright position and a reclined position and wherein the biasing member biases the backrest toward the upright position.