US20110049957A1 - Chaise Lounge Having A Gas Cylinder - Google Patents

Abstract

A chaise lounge having a base frame, and a back rest movably connected to the base frame. The back rest may be adjustably positioned in a range between an upright position and a reclined position. The chaise lounge also includes at least one gas cylinder having a first end connected to the base frame and a second end connected to the back rest. The chaise lounge may also include means for increasing or decreasing the distance between the first and second ends, thereby moving the back rest between upright and reclined positions.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY
• This application claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 61/281,197 filed on Nov. 13, 2009, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The invention relates to power adjustable reclining furniture, in particular to lounge chairs.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• The invention relates to a chaise lounge having a power adjustable back rest. As a chaise lounge is a chair for relaxation, a perfect reclining position would be very desirable. A chaise lounge with a reclining backrest has been known in the art for some time. However, the presently known examples in the art typically have adjustment structures that utilize a rack and a locking post. These systems are very simple and cheap to manufacture, but they offer a limited number of adjustments. In addition, prior art adjustable back racks typically require a user to get off the chair in order to make an adjustment, or to remember to adjust the back rest prior to using the chair. These mechanisms, therefore, tend to be burdensome and inconvenient. For example, if someone is relaxing on a chair, and wishes to raise or recline the back rest, having to get off the chair to do so may be highly disruptive to their relaxation. Furthermore, if they are holding food containers, books, bottles or other items, getting off the chair to adjust the locking post may be difficult and may involve the extra burden of finding temporary storage places for these items.
• The present invention attempts to resolve the problems associated with prior art chaise lounges by having a reclining mechanism that is connected to a cylinder is not limited to a predetermined number of recline settings. Furthermore, the user will be able to adjust the position of the back rest without having to get up off the chair. Also the invention may obviate the need to manipulate the back rest itself, which is highly desirable as the back rest is typically made of metal and may be quite heavy. Instead, a desired reclining pitch of the back rest may be achieved with a touch of a button that sets a gas cylinder in motion, and which then causes the back rest to recline or to rise. Other, similarly effective embodiments of the novel mechanism are further disclosed herein.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
• U.S. Pat. No. 4,264,102 discloses a chaise lounge of lightweight durable construction, consisting of a minimum number of parts of readily available materials, which can be assembled without the aid of tools other than conventional ones. The parts can be packaged in a relatively small space for shipping purposes. The chaise lounge has incorporated therein novel or unique means for adjusting the inclination of the back thereof.
• U.S. Pat. No. 4,521,054 discloses a chaise lounge that has a supporting unit whose longitudinal members are provided with rollers and are slotted to receive arms of a backrest which have pins selectively engageable in notches along these slots and whose free ends are engageable by abutments on the underside of the supporting unit to cantilever the backrest on the latter.
• U.S. Pat. No. 7,311,359 discloses a zero gravity chair that generally holds an occupant in a position where the angle between the legs and the torso may be greater than 90 degrees. Typically, the legs may also be elevated such that the legs are even with or above a user's heart. The disclosed zero gravity chair, in some embodiments, enables the backrest portion to pivot relative to the seat portion allowing the user to adjust an angle between the seat portion and the backrest portion. The disclosed zero gravity chair further enables both the backrest and the seat portions to pivot as a unit independent of the angle adjustment. In certain embodiments, the chair also rotates 360 degrees about a vertical axis.
• Various implements are known in the art, but fail to address all of the problems solved by the invention described herein. One embodiment of this invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and will be described in more detail herein below.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates to a chaise lounge having a base frame and a back rest movably connected to the base frame. The back rest may be adjustable between an upright position and a reclined position. The chaise lounge also has at least one gas cylinder that has a first end that is connected to the base frame and a second end is connected to the back rest. The distance between the first and second ends of the gas cylinder may be increased or decreased thereby moving the back rest between upright and reclined positions.
• Therefore, the present invention succeeds in conferring the following, and others not mentioned, desirable and useful benefits and objectives.
• It is an object of the present invention to provide a chaise lounge with an easily adjustable back rest.
• It is another object of the present invention to provide a chaise lounge with a power adjustable back rest.
• Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a relaxation device that is easily adjusted to an unlimited number of settings.
• Still another object of the present invention is to provide a relaxation device that is power adjustable and is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.
• Still another object of the present invention is to provide a chaise lounge having a back rest that may be adjusted with a touch of a button.
• Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a chaise lounge that is capable of long and reliable service.
• Still another object of the present invention is to provide a chaise lounge that may be operated by weak or infirm users.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the chaise lounge.
• FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a cylinder and control system.
• FIG. 3 is a perspective bottom view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, detailing the preferred gas cylinder assembly.
• FIG. 4 is a back view of the present invention, with the back rest shown in a substantially upright position.
• FIG. 5 is an alternative embodiment of the present invention, with an actuator placed on one of the armrests.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals.
• Reference will now be made in detail to embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention with a back rest residing in a substantially upright position. Shown are achaise lounge10, abase frame20, aparallel base member30, abase cross member40, anaxle60, awheel70, a secondaryparallel member80, loungeparallel members90, alounge frame110, a lounge covering120, aback rest130, ahinge140, ahinge axle142, agap144, atop part150, abottom part155, acylinder160, aplunger170, ajacket180, acylinder bracket190, afirst end210, asecond end220, acontrol240, anactuator250, anactuator case260, aforward portion310, arear portion320, a mid point of theback rest330, aleft side340, aright side350. Achaise lounge10 is preferably used to support a person in a reclining or a sitting position. The power adjustment mechanism of the present invention may be adapted to any article of furniture having a same or similar purpose, without departing from the spirit of the present invention, which is, to grant a user the ability to flexibly and easily adjust theback rest130, or any other part of a support structure, with an aide of a power mechanism or motor. It is preferred that the present invention is made from materials that are partially or completely weather resistant, and that the present invention is assembled in a weather resistant manner.
• Thebase frame20 is shown assembled from at least twoparallel base members30, which may run parallel to each other, forming an arc beneath alounge frame110. In this embodiment, the terminalfront end32 and therear end33 may form the legs of thechaise lounge10. The terminal front ends may contain cushioning, frictional oranti-scratch cap elements34, which may be made out of a material such as, but not limited to, rubber, resin, a natural or artificial fibrous material, a composite material, or some combination thereof, or any material commonly used in the art for this purpose. Thecap elements34 may be disposed on the rear ends33 instead of thewheels70, or anywhere else as a terminating cap for the frame support components. The rear terminal ends33 may supported on the floor by thewheels70.
• Alternatively, thebase frame20 may be assembled from two or moreparallel base members30 that are substantially straight, or which curve upwards or sideways, and may additionally contain leg supports (not shown), that would support the overall chaise lounge on the ground or floor. Any other frame composition may be possible. For example, presently thebase frame20 functions as a support frame for thelounge frame110, however either thebase frame20 or thelounge frame110 may serve a dual purpose of being a support frame and lounge frame, with separate or integrated leg supports (not shown).
• Theparallel base members30 may be joined by at least onebase cross member40, and minor base cross members30 (shown in other figures). It is preferable that there be a at least onebase cross member40 toward theforward portion310, and at least one otherbase cross member40 toward therear portion320. There may beadditional cross members40 or diagonal members (not shown). There are preferably severalminor cross members30. Thechaise lounge10 may be portable and substantially foldable, which may mean that at least one of thecross members40 or30 may need to be foldable, and contain a hinge (not shown) either at the joint with theparallel base member30 or somewhere along the length of thecross member40 or30. The preferred embodiment contains a secondaryparallel member80 that spans the distance betweencross members40 that are located substantially towards theforward portion310 and therear portion320. The secondaryparallel members80 may be desirable for additional longitudinal rigidity or strength of thebase frame20, at least one secondaryparallel member80 may be included or this component may be omitted entirely in an alternative embodiment.
• Both thebase frame20 and thelounge frame110 may be made of same or different materials. Eitherframe component20 or110 may be made of a material such as, but not limited to, a metal, a metal alloy, plastics, wood, or composites or some combination thereof. Other useful materials from which to manufacture any of the components of this invention include materials such as, but not limited to, one or more plastics and resins, including but not limited to plastic, particularly reinforced plastic, ABS, Polycarbonate, Noryl™, PVC, ABS/PVC, PVC/Acrylic, Polysulfone, Acrylic, Polyethylene, Kydex™, PETG; including but not limited to fiberglass, in particular reinforced fiberglass, borosilicate, or quartz; wood; metals, including but not limited to stainless steel, iron, tin, aluminum, copper; rubber including but not limited to natural rubber, SBR, Isoprene rubber, Butadiene rubber, and Chloroprene rubber; still other materials may include resin, wicker, rattan, wrought iron, or fabric; or any combinations or composites of these materials. All of the structural components making up thebase frame20 or thelounge frame110 may be hollow or solid, and assembled from angular or round tubing.
• Thelounge frame110 is shown assembled from loungeparallel members90 for theseat135 and back restparallel members92 for theback rest130. Thefastener locations42 indicate the mount location of the cross members (not shown) that link the opposite correspondingparallel members90 and92. The seat terminal ends91 and the back rest terminal ends93 may be capped off or contain cushioning, or non abrasive ends such ascap elements34. The overall surface of theback rest130 and theseat135 may contain acovering120. The covering120 is preferably cushioned either with an expandable material that is stretched over the parallelopposite members90 or92. Acover120 may be a single uniform sheet of material fabric, wood, wrought iron, or any of the other aforementioned materials, or made in form of a partial or complete netting of individual strands, made from plastic or fabric. The material for thecover120 may be made out of polyester or rayon or a different natural or synthetic material, animal hide or polymer based substitutes and compounds. Thecover120 may be in the form of padded upholstery.
• Thelounge parallel members90 connect to at least onehinge140 at theseat hinge end95, while the back restparallel members92 connect to the back rest hinge ends94. The hinge may be a separate component or may be formed from interlocking back rest hinge ends94 and seat hinge ends95, with a rod oraxle144 inserted into the middle to keep the hinge from coming apart.
• Agap142 may form at thehinge140 between theback rest130 and theseat135, especially when theback rest130 is an elevated position. Alternatively, thegap142 may be replaced with a fold in thecover120, that may appear as a fold or a extra length of the covering material, which may be retracted or folded in an accordion fashion or otherwise, when theback rest130 is in a reclining or in a substantially plane position with theseat135. Anadditional support member96 may exist for a more secure connection with thebase frame20. Alternatively theback rest130 and theseat135 may consist of two substantially planar surfaces, having ahinge140, and optionally having a cushioned ornon-cushioned cover120. In another alternative, thechaise lounge10 may contain other adjustable members, such as, but not limited to leg sections, foot rests, arm rests, hip and/or lower back sections, lumbar support, or any combination of these or displayed sections.
• Still referring toFIG. 1, partially visible is thecylinder160. Thecylinder160 is made up of thefirst end210 and thesecond end230. Thedistance230 between thefirst end210 and thesecond end230 is what regulates thereclining angle165 of theback rest130. Also preferably included in thecylinder assembly160, is theplunger170 and ajacket180. The first and second ends210 and230 connect to either theback rest130 or thebase frame20 or theseat135 withbrackets190. Thecontrol240 preferably acts to extend or contract thecylinder160. Thecontrol240 may be assisted by the force gravity, such as when a user leans against it, or thecylinder160 may be operated by a hand or foot lever of an alternative appearance or embodiment than shown.
• The underside of one embodiment of thechaise lounge10 of this invention is shown inFIG. 2. Shown are twocylinders160 along with their supporting frame structures. Also shown inFIG. 2 are abase frame20, aparallel base member30, a terminalfront end32, a terminalrear end33,cap elements34, abase cross member40, a minorbase cross member50, anaxle60,wheels70, secondaryparallel members80, a lounge covering120, acylinder160, aplunger170, ajacket180, acylinder bracket190, acylinder cross member200, afirst end210, asecond end220, a distance between the first and second ends230, acontrol240, anactuator250, anactuator case260, acontrol cable270, O rings272, aforward portion310, arear portion320, aleft side340, and aright side350.
• Thecylinder160 preferably contains ajacket180 around aplunger170. Thecylinder160 is preferably a gas cylinder; however hydraulics, oil, or a spring loaded mechanism is also possible. The gas is preferably air that is admitted into an empty cavity of thejacket180 to decrease thereclining angle165 and raise theback rest130, or expelled from thejacket180 with aplunger170, to increase thereclining angle165 and lower theback rest130. Thecontrol240 operates an air valve either within theactuator case260, along thecable270 or within thecylinder160. Thecontrol240 together with thecylinder160 constitutes the preferred embodiment of the means of increase and decrease of thedistance230. One skilled in the art will appreciate that most prior art chaise lounges may be modified by adding the cylinder orcylinders160 and acontrol240 that are mounted within thebrackets190. No further modifications would be necessary. This is superior to prior art devices, where the devices contain extensive structural and design adaptations, intended to accommodate the presence of any included cylinders or other power mechanisms. In contrast, the prior art chaise lounges may be retrofitted with thecylinder mechanism160 along with thecontrol240, without the need for structural modifications. Other embodiments of thecontrol240 and thecylinders160 may be desired.
• Thepreferred gas cylinder160 is a Sabilus® Bloc-o-lift model 732168 0300N 257/09 A R. However, anylocking cylinder160, whether gas filled or not, may be used. Thejacket180, which is commonly known in the art as the pressure tube may be filled with gas, typically nitrogen. Thejacket180 may alternatively be filled with oil or contain a combination with oil and gas. Theplunger170, also commonly referred to in the art as a piston rod, may be connected to a spring loaded piston (not visible) that is within thejacket180. Theplunger170 may also contain an actuation mechanism that connects to thecontrol cable270. Thecontrol cable270, which may be known in the art as the Bowden cable, pulls or presses on the actuation mechanism.
• The actuation mechanism is connected to a valve that is separate from or that is incorporated into the aforementioned spring loaded piston. Therefore, a yanking or a thrusting actuation of thecontrol cable270 opens the valve to allow for a transfer of gas from one side of the piston to the other. The internal configuration of the preferredgas cylinder160, or any reasonable alternative, is biased towards extension, meaning, towards the increase of thedistance230. To decrease thedistance230, one will need to put a slight pressure on thebackrest130, while concomitantly activating thecable270.
• Thecable270 is controlled remotely by thecontrol240, which contains anactuator250, which is commonly a button or a lever that exerts a pull or a thrust on thecable270 and which is then released to lock thecylinder160 at a desireddistance230. In this embodiment, the term remotely means that thecontrol240 is not connected directly to the piston, but is rather located on thebase frame20 or on thelounge frame110. Thepreferred control240 is mechanical, but the actuator may be connected to an electric motor that powers a pulley that would operate thecable270. As visible inFIG. 2, the control contains a twin connection265 for thecables270, since the preferred embodiment contains twogas cylinders160. Thus an activation or a release of thecontrol240, may have an equal effect on bothcylinders160.
• Thecylinder160 mounts to thebase frame20 using abracket190, which may be a combination of a frame mounted bracket and an eyelet, or a bracket with a angle joint or a ball socket joint. As best visible inFIG. 3, thefirst end210 contains a fitting, which is preferably an eyelet, a joint or a ball socket joint. This fitting may be connected to a hinge portion of theextended arm192 that is mounted on thebackrest130.
• Thedistance230 may be increased or decreased manually if a user activates theactuator250 of thecontrol240 to open the air valve, and at the same time, pulls on thetop part150 of theback rest130. Alternatively, thehinge140 may be spring loaded and biased towards an upright position. In this embodiment, a user may sit up slightly to relieve theback rest130 of his or her body weight, thus causing the distance to230 to increase, creating additional vacuum biased cavity inside thejacket180, to be filled with air rushing in through an open valve. In such an embodiment, thecylinder160 will likely require an inner or an outer spring that will resist the increase of thedistance230, so that theback rest130 will not continue to swing upwards even when theactuator250 is released and the air valve is closed. The air valve is preferably biased to close, so that when thecontrol240 is disengaged, the valve will close by default.
• The air that enters into an open valve goes through thecabling270 and into the cavity of thejacket180, thus exerting pressure on theplunger170 causing it to recede, or in other words, causing the jacket to move in the direction that increases thedistance230. Incidentally, thedistance230 is also the range of the minimum and the maximum length of thecylinder60, which may preferably be between 1 foot when fully contracted and 3 feet when fully extended, however other lengths may be possible, for example, a cylinder that connects toward theforward section310 may need to be longer that the above stated range. Alternatively theminimum distance230 may be as small as 3″ while themaximum distance230 may as long as 60″ (inches).
• Thefirst end210 is shown connected to theback rest130, while thesecond end220 is shown connected to abracket190 on along theparallel base member30. Alternatively, the mount points of the first and second ends210 and220 may be reversed, or placed diagonally, such that thefirst end210 may connect to theback rest210left side340, while thesecond end220 will connect to thebase frame20 or thelounge frame110 on theright side350. One skilled in the art will appreciate that pursuant to the discussion herein, the connection of the first and second ends210 and220 may be reversed with respect to thebase frame20, thelounge frame110, theback rest130, and with respect to right and leftsides350 and340. The connection of thefirst end210 and thesecond end220 to thebrackets190 causes thedistance230 to increase and theback rest130 to rise into an upright position (FIG. 1) or to sink into a reclining position, with the decrease of the distance230 (FIG. 2).
• Thedistance230 may be increased or decreased electronically. In one possible embodiment theactuator250 for thecontrol240 would be connected to an electrically powered air pump. The air valve may also be electrically opened or may be manually opened to release air. Thus, to decrease thereclining angle165 by increasing thedistance230, anactuator250 may engage an electronic air pump, which will suction air from the surrounding environment, or from an air tank (not shown), and channel it through thecables270 into thejacket180. The air will exert pressure onto theplunger170, causing it to recede and concomitantly, also exert an upward pressure on thefirst end210, or alternatively, on thesecond end220, thus increasing thedistance230, the length of thecylinder160, and the upright elevation of theback rest130. The advantage of an electronic mechanism is that a user need not shift or otherwise move one's body to raise or lower theback rest130. However, in a manual mechanical embodiment, thechaise lounge10 is more autonomous, benefiting from lower maintenance in not having to change batteries or to locate an electrical outlet to power the electric mechanism.
• Other alternatives may be possible. For example thecylinder160 may contain compressed air in a separate tank, which is pumped from such tank into thejacket180 increase thedistance230 and then pumped back into the tank from thejacket180 to decrease thedistance230. Thecontrol240 may be in a form of a manual lever or a pedal (not shown), that when depressed, causes air to enter thejacket180. Thus, successive depressions result in pumping of air into thejacket180 and the raising of theback rest130. Aseparate actuator250 may still be included to expel the air and lower theback rest130 into a more recline position.
• In yet another alternative embodiment, ajacket170 and aplunger180 telescope with respect to each other while traveling along a thread. Meaning, theplunger170 would have one side of the thread, while thejacket180 would have a cooperating side of that thread. Thedistance230 would increase or decrease as thejacket180 turns around theplunder170, or visa versa, either clockwise or counterclockwise. The turning motion may be manually driven by a handle or a crank, or may be electronically driven by battery power or alternative current from a wall outlet. An electronic motor or a mechanical crank or lever may also utilize a threaded spring or a spring that is expanded or contracted with a help of a cylinder, for example if a threaded member twists to expand a spring, like a car jack, or a cylinder pulls or pushes on a spring to expand or contract it. A battery power or an alternative current may also drive the preferred embodiment of thecylinder160 and/or supply power to thecontrol240.
• Thejacket180 and theplunger170 may be preferably made out of corrosion resistant stainless steel, aluminum or a metal alloy, or a combination thereof. Other possible materials may include, but are not limited to, metal, a metal alloy, plastics, wood, or composites. Other useful materials from which to manufacture any of the components of this invention include one or more plastics and resins, including but not limited to plastic, particularly reinforced plastic, ABS, Polycarbonate, Noryl™, PVC, ABS/PVC, PVC/Acrylic, Polysulfone, Acrylic, Polyethylene, Kydex™, PETG; including but not limited to fiberglass, in particular reinforced fiberglass, borosilicate, or quartz; wood; metals, including but not limited to iron, tin, copper; rubber including but not limited to natural rubber, SBR, Isoprene rubber, Butadiene rubber, and Chloroprene rubber; still other materials may include resin, wicker, rattan, and wrought iron; or any combinations or composites of these materials. Thejacket180 and theplunger170 may be made of the same or different materials. Thefirst end210 and thesecond end220 may contain lubricated gaskets or ball bearings, so as to rotate within thebrackets190. Additionally, there may be rubber gaskets at the traveling end of thejacket181, so as to prevent any escape or leakage of the air, or gas out of thecylinder160, which may lead to a sudden and jarring drop in the upright relining pitch of theback rest130.
• FIG. 3 is a detailed perspective view of the present invention shown in perspective, with a focus on the underside of theoverall frame support20 and110. Visible inFIG. 3 are achaise lounge10, a base frame and20, aparallel base member30, a terminalfront end32, a terminalrear end33,cap elements34, abase cross member40,fasteners42, a minorbase cross member50, anaxle60,wheels70, loungeparallel members90, seat terminal ends91, back restparallel members92, back rest terminal ends93, backrest hinge end94, seat hingeend95,lounge cross members100, alounge frame110, aback rest130, aseat135, ahinge140, ahinge axle142, acylinder160, areclining angle165, aplunger170, ajacket180, acylinder bracket190, abracket arm192, acylinder cross member200, across member hinge205, afirst end210, asecond end220, a mid point of theback rest330, aleft side340, and aright side350.
• It is preferable to have at least twogas cylinders160 disposed the left andright sides340 and350 of thechaise lounge10, since this would increase the stability and sturdiness of theback rest130. It would also decrease the effort and time expanded on raising theback rest130, especially in manually enabled mechanisms. Alternatively, one ormore cylinders160 may be provided in a central or side location, and either parallel to or diagonal to the parallel members of theframe30,90 and92. A different number or type of cylinders is also conceivable and will not depart from the spirit of the present invention.
• Thebracket190 attached to theback rest130 is preferably located at, or exerts pressure onto themidpoint section330 of theback rest130, so as to minimize the lever affect of thetop end150. To minimize the requiredextension distance230 or the length of thecylinder160, thebracket190 that attaches to theback rest130 contains anextended arm192. When theback rest130 is fully reclined, theextended arm192 is preferably at a lower plane than thebracket190 that is attached to theparallel base member30. It follows, that when thelounge frame110 is fully reclined, the cylinder is in a diagonal position, withfirst end210 pointing downward, or in asecond end220 pointing downward if the order of theplunger170 andjacket180 is reversed (FIG. 5). Therefore, such disposition of theextended arm192 causes a big variation of upward elevation or downward reclining of theback rest130, despite a comparatively small adjustment of thedistance230. It should be mentioned that the adjustment setting is only limited by the minimum and maximum extension lengths of thecylinder160. Within this range however, the number of adjustment settings is unlimited.
• It is preferable that thefirst end210 attaches to theback rest130 at thecross member hinge205. Thecross member hinge205 may be lubricated or contain ball bearings to more easily rotate thefirst end210 within thebracket192 or around thecylinder cross member200. Thecylinder cross member200 is provided to ensure that both cylinders are extending or contracting to the same degree so that theback rest130 remains substantially level, however it's presence is not strictly necessary. Alternatively, thebrackets190 either on theback rest130 or theparallel base member30, or theseat135 may be omitted with the cylinder attaching to a minorbase cross members50, to abase cross member42 and to alounge cross member100 or a minorlounge cross member105. Furthermore theaxle60 may be eliminated and replaced with minorbase cross member50 extending outwardly on either right and leftsides350 and340, beyond theparallel base members30, thus providing mount points for thewheels70, which may be removable.
• FIG. 4 is another view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, displaying therear portion320 of thechaise lounge10. Also shown in thisFIG. 4 aparallel base member30, a terminalrear end33, anaxle60,wheels70, a loungeparallel members90, a back restparallel members92, a back rest terminal ends93, backrest hinge end94, seat hingeend95, minorlounge cross member105, a lounge covering120, aback rest130, aseat135, ahinge140, ahinge axle142, atop part150, abottom part155, acylinder160, acylinder bracket190, abracket arm192, acylinder cross member200, afirst end210, arear portion320, aleft side340, and aright side350. This figure demonstrates that that the gap144 (FIG. 1) may be replaced by anextended hinge140 or ahinge axle142, or a fold in the lounge covering120. Pursuant to the discussion herein, one skilled in the art will appreciate that thefirst end210 may also be represented as thesecond end220.
• FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the present invention, shown with several alternative embodiments. Shown inFIG. 5 are achaise lounge10, a base frame and20, aparallel base member30, terminalfront end32, a terminalrear end33,cap elements34, abase cross member40,fasteners42, anaxle60,wheels70, a secondaryparallel member80, seat terminal ends91, back restparallel members92, back rest terminal ends93, alounge frame110, a lounge covering120, aback rest130, aseat135, ahinge140, ahinge axle142, agap144, atop part150, abottom part155, acylinder160, areclining angle165, aplunger170, ajacket180, acylinder bracket190, abracket arm192, acylinder cross member200, across member hinge205, afirst end210, asecond end220, a distance between the first and second ends230, acontrol240, anactuator250, anactuator case260, acontrol cable270, anarmrest280, aparallel armrest member290, anarmrest support300, aforward portion310, arear portion320, a mid point of theback rest330, aleft side340, aright side350.
• FIG. 5 demonstrates that thecontrol240 may be placed on anarmrest280. Thecontrol240 should preferably be located in a place were it can be easily found by groping fingers of a user, or were it can be easily engaged, the lever may also be located on theinner side295 or on theouter side296 of thearmrest280 of thechair10, and at the same time were accidental engagement is minimized. Some of the locations may be along the top293 of thearmrest280, along thebottom292 of thearmrest280, or at the terminal ends294, whether at the top or bottom293 or292 of thearmrest280. Thearmrest280 is shown assembled from aparallel armrest member290, which is substantially parallel to the plane of theseat135 and above it. Thearm rest280 may be located toward therear portion320 or more towards thefront portion310, or all along the length of theseat135. Thearm rest280 is shown having aparallel member290 and two armrest supports300. Any number of armrest supports300 may be used, and theparallel member290 may instead be a continuous angular or elliptical arch, or may mount to theseat135 or to theback rest130, or to both130 and135. However, in an embodiment where thearmrest280 mounts onto both theback rest130 and theseat135, since theback rest130 is capable of rising or reclining thearmrests280 will also need to be able to fold or unfold. Therefore, the points ofattachment136 on theback rest130 or on theseat135 will require a hinge, with another hinge being disposed somewhere along the length of thearmrest280.
• Thecylinder160 is shown with thefirst point210 connecting to thebase frame20 and thesecond point220 connecting at the bottom of theback rest130, engaging thebracket arm192. Theplunger170 is connected to theback rest130, while the jacket connects to thebase frame20. Thefirst point210 or thesecond point220 may connect along thebase frame20 toward therear portion320 or toward theforward portion310. Thefirst point210 or thesecond point220 may connect at thebottom end155 or anywhere along the length of theback rest130 between the top andbottom parts150 and155. In two or more cylinder embodiments, onecylinder160 may have afirst point210 connecting to theback rest130 with thesecond point220 attaching somewhere along thebase frame20, with the other cylinder or cylinders having thefirst point210 connecting to thebase frame20 with thesecond point220 connecting to theback rest130. The cylinders may be stacked vertically or horizontally with respect to each other or connecting diagonally or crisscrossed to the opposite frame support members. Thecylinders160 may be multi-sectional withmultiple telescoping plungers170 andjackets180.
• In another alternative, thechaise lounge10 may have several moving or adjustable members in addition to or along with theback rest130. In that instance multiple cylinder arrangements, control arrangements and attachment brackets will be required, with all or some of the increasing or decreasing mechanisms being electronic or manual.
• Thecover120, which may also be referred to as a lounge cover, may contain a design or a logo that is spread along theback rest130 and theseat135. Alternatively, theseat135 may have a different design from theback rest130. Thecover120 for the back rest may be made from a different material than theseat135. Thecover120 forback rest130 and theseat135 may be made from padded upholstery or any material commonly used for this purpose, or one of thecomponents130 or135 may be made from padded upholstery, with the other made from a stretched sheet of material and additionally secured in place withstitching153. The fabric, or material used, should preferably be reasonably frictional, so that a user will not slide toward theforward portion310, when theback rest130 is in an elevated position. The frame supports of the present invention should preferably be fastened, welded crimped, screwed or glued together, or use different or same means of binding different, but adjacent members together.
• Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.

Claims (16)

What is claimed:

1. An article of manufacture, comprising:

a chaise lounge having a base frame and a back rest movably connected to the base frame, the back rest having an upright position and a reclined position;

at least one gas cylinder having first and second ends, wherein the distance between the first and second ends can be increased or decreased and the first end is connected to the base frame and the second end is connected to the back rest; and

means for increasing or decreasing the distance between the first and second ends, thereby moving the back rest between upright and reclined positions.

2. The article ofclaim 1, wherein the means for increasing or decreasing is a manual mechanism.

3. The article ofclaim 1, wherein the means for increasing or decreasing is an electronic control.

4. The article ofclaim 1, wherein the means for increasing or decreasing is a manual cable and lever actuation system.

5. The article ofclaim 1, wherein the base frame has an arm rest and the electronic control is disposed on the arm rest.

6. The article ofclaim 1, wherein the base frame has a back rest support, and the first end of the at least one gas cylinder is connected to the back rest support.

7. The article ofclaim 6, wherein the base frame has a frame support, and the first end of the at least one gas cylinder is connected to the frame support.

8. The article ofclaim 1, wherein the distance between the first and second ends can be moved a distance of at least six inches.

9. The article ofclaim 1, wherein the back rest and base frame are made of aluminum.

10. The article ofclaim 1, wherein the back rest and base frame are made of wood.

11. The article ofclaim 1, wherein the back rest and base frame are made of steel.

12. The article ofclaim 1, wherein the back rest and base frame are made of a material for a list comprised of resin, rattan, wrought iron, plastic, PVC composite, or any combination thereof.

13. The article ofclaim 1, wherein the base frame has a forward portion and a rear portion, and the first end of a single gas cylinder is attached to the rear portion, and the second end of the gas cylinder is attached at a mid point of the back rest.

14. The article ofclaim 1, wherein the wherein the base frame has a forward portion and a rear portion, and the back rest and base frame have left and right sides, and the first end of a gas cylinder is connected to the left side of the rear portion of the base frame and the second end of the gas cylinder is connected to the left side of the back rest, and the first end of a second gas cylinder is connected to the right side of the rear portion of the base frame and the second end of the second gas cylinder is connected to the right side of the back rest.

15. The article ofclaim 1, wherein the wherein the base frame has a forward portion and a rear portion, and the back rest and base frame have left and right sides, and the first end of a gas cylinder is connected to the left side of the forward portion of the base frame and the second end of the gas cylinder is connected to the left side of the back rest, and the first end of a second gas cylinder is connected to the right side of the forward portion of the base frame and the second end of the second gas cylinder is connected to the right side of the back rest.

16. The article ofclaim 1, wherein said gas cylinder is driven by an alternating or a direct current.

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