Neck chair with arm rests

Abstract

A system is provided for anatomically accommodating a user during the use of a reclinable chair. Structurally, the system includes a static frame, and a back frame pivotably mounted to the static frame. The back frame has a periphery formed by two side portions interconnected by a head portion. Further, the periphery of the back frame includes a cutout in the head portion. A head support slidingly engages the cutout to comfortably hold the user's head. Importantly, the system includes arm rests that may be oriented and positioned relative to the chair to anatomically accommodate the user. Specifically, the arm rests are mounted to the legs of the static frame through adjustable cantilevers and extension arms. As a result of this construction, the arm rests are positioned by selectively pivoting the cantilevers about the legs, and the extension arms about the cantilevers.

1 . A lounge chair for anatomically accommodating a user, said chair comprising:
 a static frame having two parallel side members and at least one leg for elevating each side member, with the leg defining a leg axis;   a back frame having a periphery formed by two side portions interconnected by a head portion, wherein each side portion is pivotably mounted to a respective side member of the static frame, and wherein the periphery of the back frame includes a cutout in the head portion for accommodating the user's head;   a head support slidingly engaged to the cutout in the periphery of the back frame for supporting the user's head;   a cantilever mounted to the leg for rotation about the leg axis, with the cantilever having a first end mounted to the leg and a second end defining a cantilever axis parallel to the leg axis;   an extension arm mounted to the second end of the cantilever for rotation about the cantilever axis, with the extension arm having a first end mounted to the cantilever and a second end; and   an arm rest mounted to the second end of the extension arm, wherein the arm rest is rotatable about the cantilever axis and the cantilever axis is rotatable about the leg axis to establish a position and orientation for the arm rest relative to the chair to anatomically accommodate the user.   
   
   
       2 . A chair as recited in  claim 1  wherein the cantilever is movable along the leg axis. 
   
   
       3 . A chair as recited in  claim 1  wherein a covering extends between the side members of the static frame and a covering extends between the side portions and head portion of the back frame to support the user. 
   
   
       4 . A chair as recited in  claim 1  wherein the extension arm forms an arm axis substantially perpendicular to the cantilever axis, and wherein the arm rest is rotatable about the arm axis. 
   
   
       5 . A chair as recited in  claim 1  wherein the cutout is formed by two parallel side segments substantially parallel to the side portions of the back frame, with said side segment being interconnected by an intermediate segment. 
   
   
       6 . A chair as recited in  claim 5  wherein the side segments form a track, and wherein the head support includes a base for sliding engagement with the track to adjust the head support to accommodate the user. 
   
   
       7 . A chair as recited in  claim 6  further comprising a locking mechanism to hold the head support in a desired position during use by the user. 
   
   
       8 . A chair as recited in  claim 7  wherein the locking mechanism includes a series of notches in the track of the side segments and a locking bolt pivotably connected to the base of the head support for engagement with a selected notch. 
   
   
       9 . A chair as recited in  claim 8  wherein the locking mechanism further includes a spring biasing the locking bolt into engagement with the selected notch and a handle for disengaging the locking bolt from the selected notch. 
   
   
       10 . A chair as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a tray connected to the back frame for use by the user when lying facedown on the surface, with said tray being positionable substantially directly below the cutout in the back frame. 
   
   
       11 . A system for anatomically accommodating a user during the use of a chair having a surface with a periphery for supporting the user, said system comprising:
 a means for providing a cutout in the periphery of the surface of the chair to receive the user's face when the user lies facedown on the surface of the chair;   a means for locking a head support at a selected position on the cutout to hold the user's face when the user lies facedown on the surface of the chair;   a means for positioning an extension arm at a predetermined distance from, and angle to, the cutout, with said positioning means being mounted to the chair; and   an arm rest mounted to the extension arm to establish an orientation for the arm rest relative to the cutout to anatomically accommodate the user.   
   
   
       12 . A system as recited in  claim 11  wherein the chair includes a back frame and a covering extended across the back frame to serve as the surface, and wherein the frame defines the periphery and the cutout in the periphery. 
   
   
       13 . A system as recited in  claim 12  wherein the back frame is formed by two side portions interconnected by a head portion, wherein the cutout is formed in the head portion for accommodating the user's head, and wherein the head support is slidingly engaged to the cutout in the periphery of the back frame for supporting the user's face. 
   
   
       14 . A system as recited in  claim 13  wherein the cutout is formed by two parallel side segments substantially parallel to the side portions of the back frame, with each side segment being interconnected by an intermediate segment. 
   
   
       15 . A system as recited in  claim 14  wherein the side segments form a track, and wherein the head support includes a base for sliding engagement with the track to adjust the head support to accommodate the user. 
   
   
       16 . A system as recited in  claim 15  wherein the locking means includes a series of notches in the track of the side segments and a locking bolt pivotably connected to the base of the head support for engagement with a selected notch. 
   
   
       17 . A system as recited in  claim 16  wherein the locking means further includes a spring biasing the locking bolt into engagement with the selected notch and a handle for disengaging the locking bolt from the selected notch. 
   
   
       18 . A system as recited in  claim 12  further comprising a tray connected to the back frame for use by the user when lying facedown on the surface, with said tray being positionable substantially directly below the cutout. 
   
   
       19 . A system as recited in  claim 12  further comprising a static frame having legs for elevating the chair, with said back frame being pivotably mounted to the static frame, and with said positioning means mounted to a leg of the static frame defining a leg axis. 
   
   
       20 . A system as recited in  claim 19  wherein the positioning means includes a cantilever mounted to the leg for rotation about the leg axis, with the cantilever having a first end mounted to the leg and a second end defining a cantilever axis parallel to the leg axis, wherein the extension arm is mounted to the second end of the cantilever for rotation about the cantilever axis, with the extension arm having a first end mounted to the cantilever and a second end, and wherein the arm rest is mounted to the second end of the extension arm.