US-12622525-B1 - Chair having an adjustable seat and back

US12622525B1US 12622525 B1US12622525 B1US 12622525B1US-12622525-B1

Abstract

A chair includes a plurality of legs, a seat, at least one seat extension member movably connected to the seat, a back support connected to the seat via a frame, the back support having at least one cavity, at least one back support extension member movably received in the at least one cavity, an arm support, and a connector extending between a first seat extension member from among the at least one seat extension member and the arm support, the connector connecting the first seat extension with the arm support. A method of using the chair includes moving the at least one seat extension member away from the seat to widen an area of the chair used for sitting, and/or moving the at least one back support extension member away from the back support to widen an area of the chair used for supporting a user's back.

Inventors

Basem Motea Abdullah Abdo
Mohanad Basem Motea Abdullah Abdo

Assignees

KING SAUD UNIVERSITY

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20250917

Claims (18)

1 . A chair comprising: a plurality of legs; a seat connected to the plurality of legs; at least one seat extension member movably connected to the seat such that the at least one seat extension member can be selectively moved along a width direction of the seat by a variable distance; a back support connected to the seat via a frame, the back support having at least one cavity extending into the back support, from at least one exterior side surface of the back support, in a width direction of the back support, the back support and the seat extending between a left-hand side of the chair and a right-hand side of the chair along their respective widths; at least one back support extension member received in the at least one cavity, wherein the at least one back support extension member can be selectively moved along the at least one cavity to protrude from the at least one exterior side surface of the back support by a variable distance; an arm support; and a connector extending between a first seat extension member from among the at least one seat extension member and the arm support, the connector connecting the first seat extension with the arm support, wherein the back support includes a first cavity extending into the back support, from a first exterior side surface of the back support, in the width direction of the back support, wherein a first back support extension member of the at least one back support extension member includes a first plate received in the first cavity, wherein the first plate can be selectively moved along the first cavity to protrude from the first exterior side surface of the back support by a variable distance, wherein the chair further comprises first and second rails connected to the back support at a first side surface of the back support that is opposite to a second side surface of the back support, the second side surface of the back being positioned to support a back of a person sitting on the chair, the first and second rails extending in the width direction of the back support, and wherein the first back support extension member further includes first and second bars connected to the first plate, the first and second bars being movably connected to the first and second rails along their respective lengths.
2 . The chair of claim 1 , wherein a first seat extension member of the at least one seat extension member is configured to be selectively moved along the width direction of the seat between a retracted state and an extended state relative to the seat, the first seat extension overlapping the seat by a greater amount in the retracted state than in the extended state.
3 . The chair of claim 2 , further comprising a first rail and a second rail spaced apart from the first rail, the first and second rails extending lengthwise in the width direction of the seat, the first and second rails connecting the first seat extension member to the seat in a way that enables the first seat extension member to be selective moved along the first and second rails and to support weight.
4 . The chair of claim 3 , wherein a second seat extension member of the at least one seat extension member is configured to be selectively moved along the width direction of the seat between a retracted state and an extended state relative to the seat, the second seat extension overlapping the seat by a greater amount in the retracted state thereof than in the extended state thereof, wherein the first and second rails connect the second seat extension member to the seat in a way that enables the second seat extension member to be selective moved along the first and second rails and to support weight.
5 . The chair of claim 4 , wherein the second seat extension member includes a second plurality of pins spaced apart from one another in a width direction of the second seat extension member, the second plurality of pins protruding from an exterior side surface of the second extension member, and wherein the first rail includes a second plurality of through holes spaced apart from one another along a length of the first rail, the second plurality of through holes being spaced apart from one another by approximately the same distance as a distance between adjacent pins from the second plurality of pins, thereby enabling the second plurality of pins to be inserted in the second plurality of through holes such that the second seat extension member can be selectively fixed at a location between the retracted state thereof and the extended state thereof.
6 . The chair of claim 2 , the frame comprising a first frame member disposed between the seat and the first seat extension member, wherein the first seat extension member further includes an outer protrusion and an inner protrusion, the inner protrusion being configured to abut the first frame member when the first seat extension member is disposed at the extended state thereof, thereby preventing the first seat extension member from being moved further away from the seat, and the outer protrusion being configured to about the first frame member when the first seat extension member is disposed at the retracted state thereof, thereby preventing the first seat extension member from being moved further toward the seat.
7 . The chair of claim 6 , the frame further comprising a second frame member disposed between the seat and a second seat extension member of the at least one seat extension member, wherein the second seat extension member is configured to be selectively moved along the width direction of the seat between a retracted state thereof and an extended state thereof relative to the seat, the second seat extension overlapping the seat by a greater amount in the retracted state thereof than in the extended state thereof, wherein the second seat extension member further includes an outer protrusion thereof and an inner protrusion thereof, the inner protrusion of the second seat extension member being configured to abut the second frame member when the second seat extension member is disposed at the extended state thereof, thereby preventing the second seat extension member from being moved further away from the seat, and the outer protrusion of the second seat extension member being configured to about the second frame member when the second seat extension member is disposed at the retracted state thereof, thereby preventing the second seat extension member from being moved further toward the seat.
8 . The chair of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second bars includes a first plurality of biased pins, and at least one of the first and second rails includes a first plurality of through holes matching the first plurality of biased pins, the first plurality of biased pins being configured to extend into the first plurality of matching holes to selectively affix the first plate at a desired distance by which the first plate protrudes from the first cavity.
9 . The chair of claim 1 , wherein the back support further includes a second cavity extending into the back support, from a second exterior side surface of the back support, in the width direction of the back support, wherein a second back support extension member of the at least one back support extension member includes a second plate received in the second cavity, wherein the second plate can be selectively moved along the second cavity to protrude from the second exterior side surface of the back support by a variable distance, wherein the second back support extension member further includes third and fourth bars connected to the second plate, the third and fourth bars being movably connected to the first and second rails along their respective lengths.
10 . The chair of claim 9 , wherein at least one of the third and fourth bars includes a second plurality of biased pins, and at least one of the first and second rails includes a second plurality of through holes matching the second plurality of biased pins, the second plurality of biased pins being configured to extend into the second plurality of matching holes to selectively affix the second plate at a desired distance by which the second plate protrudes from the second cavity.
11 . The chair of claim 1 , wherein the arm support is pivotally coupled to the connector of the chair.
12 . The chair of claim 11 , wherein the arm support includes a plate-like supporting member and a raised edge extending along an outer peripheral side of the plate-like supporting member.
13 . The chair of claim 1 , wherein the connector support has a fixed length.
14 . The chair of claim 1 , wherein the connector includes a first elongated member and a second elongated member, wherein the first and second elongated members are movably connected to one another along their respective lengths such that a length of the connector can be selectively adjusted.
15 . The chair of claim 14 , wherein the first elongated member has a cavity extending in a length direction thereof, the first elongated member having a plurality of through openings along its length, the through openings connecting the cavity with an exterior of the first elongated member, and wherein the second elongated member is inserted lengthwise in the cavity of the first elongated member, the second elongated member including a plurality of biased pins matching a spacing of the through openings of the first elongated member such that a height of the arm support can be selectively adjusted by inserting at least one of the plurality of biased pins of the second elongated member in a desired through opening from among the plurality of through openings of the first elongated member.
16 . A method of using a chair, comprising: obtaining a chair, the chair including: a plurality of legs; a seat connected to the plurality of legs; at least one seat extension member movably connected to the seat such that the at least one seat extension member can be selectively moved along a width direction of the seat by a variable distance; a back support connected to the seat via a frame, the back support having at least one cavity extending into the back support, from at least one exterior side surface of the back support, in a width direction of the back support, the back support and the seat extending between a left-hand side of the chair and a right-hand side of the chair along their respective widths; at least one back support extension member received in the at least one cavity, wherein the at least one back support extension member can be selectively moved along the at least one cavity to protrude from the at least one exterior side surface of the back support by a variable distance; an arm support; and a connector extending between a first seat extension member from among the at least one seat extension member and the arm support, the connector connecting the first seat extension with the arm support; and performing at least one action from the group consisting of a) moving the at least one seat extension member away from the seat to widen an area of the chair that can be using for sitting, and b) moving the at least one back support extension member away from the back support to widen an area of the chair that can be using for supporting a user's back, wherein the connector has an adjustable length, the method further comprising increasing the adjustable length of the connector to raise the arm support.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the arm support is pivotally connected to the connector, the method further comprising: pivoting the arm support away from the seat to facilitate access to the seat.
18 . A chair comprising: a plurality of legs; a seat connected to the plurality of legs; at least one seat extension member movably connected to the seat such that the at least one seat extension member can be selectively moved along a width direction of the seat by a variable distance; a back support connected to the seat via a frame, the back support having at least one cavity extending into the back support, from at least one exterior side surface of the back support, in a width direction of the back support, the back support and the seat extending between a left-hand side of the chair and a right-hand side of the chair along their respective widths; at least one back support extension member received in the at least one cavity, wherein the at least one back support extension member can be selectively moved along the at least one cavity to protrude from the at least one exterior side surface of the back support by a variable distance; an arm support; and a connector extending between a first seat extension member from among the at least one seat extension member and the arm support, the connector connecting the first seat extension with the arm support, wherein a first seat extension member of the at least one seat extension member is configured to be selectively moved along the width direction of the seat between a retracted state and an extended state relative to the seat, the first seat extension overlapping the seat by a greater amount in the retracted state than in the extended state, the chair further comprising a first rail and a second rail spaced apart from the first rail, the first and second rails extending lengthwise in the width direction of the seat, the first and second rails connecting the first seat extension member to the seat in a way that enables the first seat extension member to be selective moved along the first and second rails and to support weight, wherein the first seat extension member includes: a first plurality of pins spaced apart from one another in a width direction of the first seat extension member, the first plurality of pins protruding from an exterior side surface of the first extension member, and a first biasing member disposed between the second rail and the first seat extension member, the first biasing member being configured to bias the first seat extension member toward the first rail, wherein the first rail includes a first plurality of through holes spaced apart from one another along a length of the first rail, the first plurality of through holes being spaced apart from one another by approximately the same distance as a distance between adjacent pins from the first plurality of pins, thereby enabling the first plurality of pins to be inserted in the first plurality of through holes such that the first seat extension member can be selectively fixed at a location between the retracted state thereof and the extended state thereof.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to a chair, and more particularly, to a chair having an adjustable seat and an adjustable back, and a method of using the same. DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART Adjustable chairs are well known. Chairs have been manufactured to be adjustable in height, to be reclinable, to have adjustable armrests, etc. However, the adjustable chairs in the market do not conform to the needs of certain users. SUMMARY The present disclosure relates to an adjustable chair and a method of using the same. The adjustable chair of the present subject matter is configured to offer adjustment to the seating area, and more particularly, to enable the seat to become wider to accommodate the needs of certain individuals who might not be properly served by a standard chair having a fixed width. For example, the chair of the present subject matter may include a pair of seat extension members (e.g., a pair of slabs of durable material) disposed under and selectively extendable from a primary seating area (or seat). The primary seat may be fixedly attached to a frame and legs of the chair. One of the seat extension members, (e.g., a left-hand side seat extension member), may be slid (or moved) from under the seat, where it might be mostly hidden from sight and not be usable as a seating area, in a direction toward the left-hand side of a user (which corresponds to the left-hand side of the chair). That is, the left-hand seat extension member can be pulled out from under the seat to offer additional seating area to the left side of the primary seat. The other one of the seat extension members, (e.g., a right-hand side seat extension member), may be slid (or moved) from under the seat, where it might be mostly hidden from sight and not be usable as a seating area, in a direction toward the right-hand side of a user. In other words, the right-hand seat extension member can be pulled out from under the seat to offer additional seating area to the right side of the primary seat. The back support of the chair of the present subject matter may be fixedly attached to the frame, legs, and/or seat of the chair. The back support may include a first cavity extending into the back support from a left-hand side surface of the back support. A first back support extension member can be inserted in the first cavity. The first back support extension member can be pulled out of the first cavity to extend outwardly from the left-hand side surface of the back support by a certain distance. The extension (or protrusion) of the first back support member from the left-hand side of the fixed back support widens a surface area that can be used to support the back of a user to the left-hand side of the back support. The back support may also, or instead, include a second cavity extending into the back support from a right-hand side surface of the back support. A second back support extension member can be inserted in the second cavity. The second back support extension member can be pulled out of the second cavity to extend outwardly from the right-hand side surface of the back support by a certain distance. The extension (or protrusion) of the second back support member from the right-hand side of the fixed back support widens the surface area that can be used to support the back of a user to the right-hand side of the back support. The first and second back support members can be nested in their respective cavities in the back support when not needed. The chair of the present subject matter may also include a side structure that can be used as a writing surface and/or as an armrest. The side structure can be attached to left-hand side seat extension member or to the right-hand side seat extension member via a connecting member. The connecting member (or connector, for brevity) can have an adjustable height or a fixed height. The side structure can be pivoted at the top of the connector. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other features of the present disclosure will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a first perspective view illustrating a chair in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 2 is a second perspective view illustrating the chair of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a right side view illustrating the chair of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a left side view illustrating the chair of FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a first front side view illustrating the chair of FIG. 1; FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of the chair of FIG. 1; FIG. 7 is a rear side view illustrating the chair of FIG. 1; FIG. 8 is a second front side view illustrating the chair of FIG. 1; FIG. 9 is a third front side view illustrating the chair of FIG. 1; FIG. 10 is an exploded front view illustrating the chair of FIG. 1; FIG. 11 is a first exploded perspective view illustrating the chair of FIG. 1; FIG. 12 is a second exploded