Reclinable seating apparatus and method

摘要

In various embodiments, self-adjusting reclinable seating is disclosed. When the user applies a force to the seating by shifting his or her center of gravity, the backrest and seat portions of the seating move in response to the force to recline the seating. The user can return the seating to an upright position by again shifting his or her center of gravity. Such a configuration eliminates the need for manual recline controls. The seating is further configured to continuously vary the angle of the seat and backrest portions relative to the ground as the user moves. In particular, vertical distance between the front of the seat and the ground increases as the backrest reclines. Continuously varying the angle of both the seat and the backrest portions of the seating relative to the ground may improve a user's seating comfort, for example, by decreasing or eliminating the user's need to shift position on the seat when reclined.

主权项

1. Seating comprising:
a reclining member configured to recline from an upright position to a reclined position; a seat member configured to move in relation to the reclining member and comprising a front and a rear, such that, when in use, the rear of the seat member is near the reclining member; a frame comprising
a first member configured for positioning near the front of the seat member and configured to contact a floor or ground surface,a second member configured for positioning near the reclining member and the rear of the seat member and configured to contact the floor or ground surface, anda track configured to connect the first member and the second member, the track comprising an upper portion, a lower portion, and a first connection portion connecting the upper portion and the lower portion; and a guide configured to engage the seat member and to moveably engage the track, the guide and the track configured to incline the front of the seat member as the reclining member reclines, such that, when in use, a vertical distance between the front of the seat member and the floor or ground surface is greater when the reclining member is in the reclined position than when the reclining member is in the upright position, wherein the first connection portion limits a range of motion of the guide on the track when in use.