Chair with lift assist apparatus

Abstract

An improved chair is provided having an apparatus for assisting an occupant in exiting the chair. The chair is comprised of a body movably mounted on a base between normal and tilted forward positions. The occupant is able to more easily exit the chair in the tilted forward position. The apparatus is comprised of an elongated member, pivoting assembly, and wheel assembly at one end of the elongated member for contacting a surface. One end of the elongated member is pulled to cause the chair to move from the normal position to the tilted forward position. The elongated member urges a wheel in the wheel assembly against the surface. The wheel imparts a force into the elongated member which urges a rear side of the chair upward causing the chair to move to the tilted forward position. When the elongated member is released, the chair returns to the normal position by gravity.

1 . A chair having an apparatus for aiding an occupant from exiting the chair, comprising:
 a base structure;   a body movably mounted to the base structure capable of movement between a first and second position;   a pivot assembly mounted on the body of the chair;   an elongated member connected to the pivot assembly, said elongated member being offset in an axial direction and having a second end; and   a wheel assembly connected at the second end of the elongated member including a rotatable member configured for rollably engaging a surface;   wherein the elongated member pivots about the mounting plate when the first end is urged in a first direction and the rotatable member is urged against a floor surface moving the chair from the first position to the second position.   
   
   
       2 . The chair of  claim 1 , wherein the first position is a normal position. 
   
   
       3 . The chair of  claim 1 , wherein the second position is a tilted forward position. 
   
   
       4 . The chair of  claim 1 , wherein said rotatable member is a wheel. 
   
   
       5 . The chair of  claim 1 , wherein a gripping member is disposed on a first end of said elongated member. 
   
   
       6 . The chair of  claim 1 , wherein said pivot assembly includes a plate member configured for mounting on a frame member of the chair. 
   
   
       7 . The chair of  claim 6 , wherein the plate member includes a plurality of apertures for receiving fastening members for mounting the plate member on the frame member. 
   
   
       8 . The chair of  claim 7 , further including a backer plate inserted behind the frame member for reinforcing the plate member. 
   
   
       9 . The chair of  claim 1 , wherein the chair moves from the second position to the first position when the first end of the elongated member is released. 
   
   
       10 . An apparatus for aiding an occupant from exiting a chair, comprising:
 a pivot assembly mounted to the chair;   an elongated member pivotally connected to the pivot assembly, said elongated member being offset in an axial direction and having a first and second end;   a wheel assembly connected at the second end of the elongated member including a rotatable member configured for reliably engaging a surface;   wherein the elongated member pivots about the mounting plate when the first end is urged in a first direction and the rotatable member is urged against a floor surface moving the chair from a first position to a second position.   
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first position is a normal position. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the second position is a tilted forward position. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said rotatable member is a wheel. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein a gripping member is disposed on a first end of said elongated member. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said pivot assembly includes a plate member configured for mounting on a frame member of the chair. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the plate member includes a plurality of apertures for receiving fastening members for mounting the plate member on the frame member. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further including a backer plate inserted behind the frame member for reinforcing the plate member. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the chair moves from the second position to the first position when the first end of the elongated member is released.