Piece of seating furniture and fitting for the same

Abstract

The invention relates to a piece of seating furniture ( 10 ), more particularly to an upholstered piece of furniture, comprising a substantially horizontal main segment ( 20 ), on the top surface of which a sitting surface ( 22 ) is provided, and a leg segment ( 40 ), on the top surface of which a supporting surface ( 42 ) is provided. The leg segment ( 40 ) can be moved relatively to the main segment ( 20 ) between a stowed position and a functional position in which the leg segment ( 40 ) is disposed in front of a front edge of the main segment ( 20 ) and is oriented such that the supporting surface ( 42 ) extends substantially in a horizontal direction. In the stowed position, the leg segment ( 40 ) is located at least in part underneath the main segment ( 20 ) and is at an angle in relation to the functional position. According to the invention, the leg segment ( 40 ) is mounted on the main segment ( 20 ) by means of a rigid connecting member ( 80 ) which is pivotally connected to the main segment ( 20 ) or a base frame of the piece of furniture so as to be pivotable about a first pivot axis ( 1 ) that is immovable relatively to the main segment ( 20 ) or the base frame of the piece of furniture. Furthermore, the connecting member ( 80 ) is pivotally connected to the leg segment ( 40 ) so as to be pivotable about a second pivot axis ( 2 ) that is immovable relatively to the leg segment. The invention relates to independently usable pieces of seating furniture.

1 . A piece of seating furniture ( 10 ;  110 ;  210 ;  410 ), more particularly an upholstered piece of furniture, comprising
 a substantially horizontally extending main segment ( 20 ;  120 ;  220 ;  420 ), on the top surface of which a sitting surface ( 22 ) is provided, and   a leg segment ( 40 ;  140 ;  240 ;  440 ), on the top surface of which a supporting surface ( 42 ) is provided,   wherein   said leg segment ( 40 ;  140 ;  240 ;  440 ) is capable of being moved relatively to said main segment ( 20 ;  120 ;  220 ;  420 ) between a stowed position and a functional position, wherein
 it is disposed in its functional position in front of a front edge of said main segment ( 20 ;  120 ;  220 ;  420 ) and is oriented such that said supporting surface ( 42 ) extends substantially horizontally, and 
 it is in its stowed position disposed at least in part beneath said main segment ( 20 ;  120 ;  220 ;  420 ) and is at an angle to the functional position, 
   characterized in that   said leg segment ( 40 ;  140 ;  240 ;  440 ) is attached to the main segment ( 20 ;  120 ;  220 ;  420 ) by means of a rigid connecting member ( 80 ;  180 ;  280 ;  480 ), wherein said connecting member ( 80 ;  180 ;  280 ;  480 ),   is pivotally connected to said main segment ( 20 ,  120 ,  220 ,  420 ) or to a base frame of the piece of seating furniture for rotation about a first pivot axis ( 1 ,  101 ,  201 ,  401 ) that is immovable relatively to said main segment ( 20 ,  120 ,  220 ,  420 ) or to the base frame of said piece of seating furniture and   is pivotally connected to said leg segment ( 40 ,  140 ,  240 ,  440 ) for rotation about a second pivot axis ( 2 ,  102 ,  202 ,  402 ) that is immovable relatively to said leg segment.   
     
     
         2 . The piece of seating furniture ( 10 μ,  110 ,  210 ,  410 ) as defined in  claim 1 ,
 characterized in that 
 said second pivot axis ( 2 ;  102 ;  202 ;  402 ) is disposed, in the stowed position, behind said first pivot axis ( 1 ;  101 ;  201 ;  401 ) as regarded in the horizontal direction. 
 
     
     
         3 . The piece of seating furniture ( 10 ;  110 ;  210 ;  410 ) as defined in  claim 1 ,
 characterized in that   said leg segment ( 40 ;  140 ;  240 ;  440 ) can be pivoted between its stowed position and its functional position through an angle ranging from 60° to 150°, preferably from 75° to 120°.   
     
     
         4 . The piece of seating furniture ( 10 ;  110 ;  210 ;  410 ) as defined in  claim 1 ,
 characterized in that
 said first pivot axis ( 1 ;  101 ;  201 ;  401 ) is disposed, as regarded in the horizontal direction, in the region of the front edge of said main segment ( 20 ;  120 ;  220 ;  420 ) and/or 
 said first pivot axis ( 1 ;  101 ;  201 ;  401 ) is disposed, as regarded in the vertical direction, in the region of the level of the bottom surface of said main segment ( 20 ;  120 ;  220 ;  420 ). 
   
     
     
         5 . The piece of seating furniture ( 10 ;  110 ;  210 ;  410 ) as defined in  claim 1 ,
 characterized in that   said first pivot axis ( 1 ;  101 ;  201 ;  401 ) is defined by articulation means attached to the frame ( 428 ) of said main segment ( 20 ;  120 ;  220 ;  420 ) or to said base frame of said piece of furniture.   
     
     
         6 . The piece of seating furniture ( 10 ;  110 ;  210 ;  410 ) as defined in  claim 1 ,
 characterized in that   said connecting member ( 80 ;  180 ;  280 ;  480 ) has a cranked or curved shape.   
     
     
         7 . The piece of seating furniture ( 10 ;  110 ;  210 ;  410 ) as defined in  claim 1 ,
 characterized in that   forced guidance means ( 30 ;  182 ;  282 ;  482 ) are provided, by means of which each position of said connecting member ( 80 ;  180 ;  280 ;  480 ) relative to said main segment ( 20 ;  120 ;  220 ;  420 ) or to said base frame is associated with a defined position of said connecting member ( 80 ;  180 ;  280 ;  480 ) relative to said leg segment ( 40 ;  140 ;  240 ;  440 ).   
     
     
         8 . The piece of seating furniture ( 110 ;  210 ;  410 ) as defined in  claim 1 ,
 characterized in that   a rigid forced guidance member ( 182 ;  282 ;  482 ) is provided, which
 is pivotally connected to said main segment ( 120 ;  220 ;  420 ) or to a base frame of said piece of seating furniture for rotation about a third pivot axis ( 103 ;  203 ;  403 ) that is immovable relatively to said main segment ( 120 ;  220 ;  420 ) or to said base frame of said piece of seating furniture and 
 is pivotally connected to said leg segment ( 140 ;  240 ;  440 ) for rotation about a fourth pivot axis ( 104 ;  204 ;  404 ) that is immovable relatively to said leg segment ( 140 ;  240 ;  440 ). 
   
     
     
         9 . The piece of seating furniture ( 10 ;  110 ;  210 ;  410 ) as defined in  claim 1 ,
 characterized in that   said second and/or said fourth pivot axis ( 2 ;  102 ,  104 ;  202 ,  204 ;  404 ) is formed by articulation means provided on a bar ( 144 ;  244 ;  444 ) which in the functional position extends downwardly from the underside of said leg segment ( 140 ;  240 ;  440 ).   
     
     
         10 . The piece of seating furniture as defined in  claim 8 ,
 characterized in that
 said third pivot axis ( 3 ;  103 ;  203 ;  403 ) is disposed behind said first pivot axis ( 1 ;  101 ;  201 ;  401 ), 
 said connecting member ( 80 ;  180 ;  280 ;  480 ) is pivoted during the transition movement between said stowed position and said functional position through an angle ranging from 95° to 150°, and 
 said forced guidance member ( 82 ;  182 ;  282 ;  482 ) is pivoted, during the transition movement between said stowed position and said functional position through an angle ranging from 130° to 180°. 
   
     
     
         11 . The piece of seating furniture as defined in  claim 8   characterized in that
 the distance between said third pivot axis ( 403 ) and said fourth pivot axis ( 404 ) is greater by a factor of from 1.5 to 1.9, than the distance of said first pivot axis ( 401 ) from said third pivot axis ( 403 ), and 
 the distance between said first pivot axis ( 403 ) and said second pivot axis ( 402 ) is greater, by factor of from 2.9 to 3.3, than the distance of said first pivot axis ( 401 ) from said third pivot axis ( 403 ), and 
 the distance between said second pivot axis ( 402 ) and said fourth pivot axis ( 404 ) is greater, by a factor of from 2.4 to 2.8, than the distance of said first pivot axis ( 401 ) from said third pivot axis ( 403 ). 
   
     
     
         12 . The piece of seating furniture as defined in  claim 8 ,
 characterized in that   said first, second, third, and fourth pivot axes ( 401 ,  402 ,  403 ,  404 ) are disposed in such a manner that the direction of extension of said connecting member ( 480 ) and the direction of extension of said forced guidance member ( 482 ) during the transition movement from said stowed position to said functional position of said leg segment ( 440 ) always enclose an angle greater than 15°.   
     
     
         13 . A piece of seating furniture ( 310 ) as defined in the generic clause of  claim 1 ,
 characterized in that
 said leg segment ( 340 ) can be pivoted relatively to said main segment ( 320 ) or to a base frame about a pivot axis ( 302 ), wherein said pivot axis ( 302 ) can be moved relatively to said main segment ( 320 ) or to said base frame by means of translatory means ( 326 ,  346 ) having at least one guide track ( 326 ). 
   
     
     
         14 . The piece of seating furniture as defined in  claim 13 ,
 characterized in that
 said translatory means comprise a purely translatively movable slide guided by said guide track relatively to said base frame or to said main segment, and 
 said slide is provided with articulation means, by means of which said leg segment can be pivoted relatively to said slide about said pivot axis. 
   
     
     
         15 . The piece of seating furniture ( 310 ) as defined in  claim 13 ,
 characterized in that   an axle journal ( 346 ), which is non-rotatably connected to said leg segment ( 340 ), is translatively movable in said guide track ( 326 ) and rotatable about said pivot axis.   
     
     
         16 . The piece of seating furniture ( 310 ) as defined in  claim 13 ,
 characterized in that   the guide track ( 326 ) is non-linear.   
     
     
         17 . The piece of seating furniture ( 310 ) as defined in  claim 13 ,
 characterized in that   the guide track ( 326 ) slopes downwardly to the front or is downwardly displaced over a central section.   
     
     
         18 . The piece of seating furniture ( 310 ) as defined in  claim 13 ,
 characterized in that   forced guidance means ( 330 ) are provided, by means of which each angular position of said leg segment ( 340 ) relative to said main segment ( 320 ) or to said base frame is associated with a defined translative position of said leg segment ( 340 ) relative to said main segment ( 320 ).   
     
     
         19 . The piece of seating furniture ( 310 ) as defined in  claim 1 ,
 characterized by   a backrest segment pivotable relatively to said main segment about a backrest axis, wherein said backrest segment is actively coupled to said leg segment by means of coupling agents in such a manner, that each position of said backrest segment relative to said main segment or to a base frame is associated with a position of said leg segment relative to said main segment or to said base frame.   
     
     
         20 . The piece of seating furniture ( 310 ) as defined in  claim 1 ,
 characterized in that   at least two rigid control elements are provided, each of which has a first articulation element which can be shifted by means of an electric motor and which is pivotally connected by means of a second articulation element to said leg segment and/or to a rigid connecting member between said main segment and said leg segment and/or to a translatively movable slide.   
     
     
         21 . The piece of seating furniture ( 10 ;  110 ;  210 ,  310 ) as defined in  claim 1 ,
 characterized in that
 a rotary member ( 30 ;  130 ;  230 ;  330 ) is provided which is rotatable about a rotary member axis ( 5 ;  105 ;  205 ;  305 ) which is immovable relatively to said main segment ( 20 ;  120 ;  220 ;  320 ) or to a base frame of said piece of furniture, 
 at least one rigid control element ( 90 ,  91 ;  190 ;  290 ;  390 ,  391 ) is provided which is pivotally connected, by means of a first articulation element, to said rotary member ( 30 ;  130 ;  230 ;  330 ) and is pivotally connected, by means of a second articulation element, to said leg segment ( 40 ;  140 ;  340 ) and/or to a rigid connecting member ( 80 ;  280 ) between said main segment ( 20 ;  220 ) and said leg segment ( 40 ;  240 ) and/or to a translatively movable slide and/or to an auxiliary member, to achieve indirect movement of said leg segment. 
   
     
     
         22 . The piece of seating furniture ( 10 ;  310 ) as defined in  claim 21   characterized in that   at least two rigid control elements ( 90 ,  91 ;  390 ,  391 ) are provided.   
     
     
         23 . The piece of seating furniture ( 310 ) as defined in  claim 22 ,
 characterized in that   said two control elements ( 390 ,  391 ) are pivotally connected by means of their respective second articulation elements to said leg segment ( 340 ).   
     
     
         24 . The piece of seating furniture ( 10 ) as defined in  claim 23   characterized in that
 a first control element ( 90 ) is pivotally connected to said connecting member ( 80 ) by means of its second articulation element, and 
 a second control element ( 91 ) is pivotally connected to said leg segment ( 40 ) by means of its second articulation element. 
   
     
     
         25 . The piece of seating furniture ( 10 ;  110 ;  310 ) as defined in  claim 21 ,
 characterized in that   said rotary member axis ( 5 ;  105 ;  305 ) is oriented in an approximately vertical direction.   
     
     
         26 . The piece of seating furniture ( 10 ;  110 ;  210 ;  310 ) as defined in  claim 21 ,
 characterized in that   said rotary member ( 30 ;  130 ;  230 ;  330 ) is disposed underneath said sitting surface ( 22 ) of said main segment ( 20 ;  120 ;  220 ;  230 ).   
     
     
         27 . The piece of seating furniture ( 110 ;  310 ) as defined in  claim 21 ,
 characterized in that   said rotary member ( 130 ;  330 ) is actively coupled to an electric motor ( 112 ;  312 ) adapted to rotate said rotary member ( 130 ;  330 ) about said rotary member axis ( 5 ;  105 ;  205 ;  305 ).   
     
     
         28 . The piece of seating furniture as defined in  claim 27 ,
 characterized in that   said rotary member and said electric motor are in the form of a joint integral component, wherein this integral component has connecting elements for attachment thereof to said main segment and/or to a base frame of said piece of seating furniture.   
     
     
         29 . The piece of seating furniture ( 10 ;  210 ) as defined in  claim 21 ,
 characterized in that   said rotary member ( 30 ;  230 ) is actively coupled to a manually operable handle adapted to rotate said rotary member ( 30 ;  230 ) about said rotary member axis ( 5 ;  205 ).   
     
     
         30 . The piece of seating furniture ( 10 ) as defined in  claim 21 ,
 characterized in that   said rotary member ( 30 ) bears against a stop member ( 36 ) adapted to restrict the rotary movement thereof at least indirectly, both in an angular position in which said leg segment ( 40 ) is in its functional position and/or in an angular position in which said leg segment is in its stowed position.   
     
     
         31 . The piece of seating furniture ( 10 ) as defined in  claim 30   characterized in that   said rotary member ( 30 ) and said first control element ( 90 ) and/or said second control element ( 92 ) are configured and disposed such that in the functional position of the leg segment ( 40 ) a thrust acting on said first or said second control element ( 90 ,  91 ) momentarily forces said rotary member ( 30 ) to bear against said stop member ( 36 ).   
     
     
         32 . The piece of seating furniture as defined in  claim 21 ,
 characterized by   a backrest segment pivotable relatively to said main segment about a backrest axis, wherein said backrest segment is actively coupled by means of coupling means to said rotary member in such a manner that each position of said backrest segment relative to said main segment or to a base frame is associated with an angular position of said rotary member.   
     
     
         33 . The piece of seating furniture ( 10 ;  110 ;  210 ;  310 ;  410 ) as defined in  claim 1 ,
 characterized by
 an end segment ( 60 ;  160 ;  260 ;  360 ;  460 ), on the top surface of which a supporting surface ( 62 ) is provided, 
   wherein
 said end segment ( 60 ;  160 ;  260 ;  360 ;  460 ) is movable relatively to said leg segment ( 40 ;  140 ;  240 ;  340 ;  440 ) between a stowed position and a functional position, and wherein, in its functional position, it is disposed in front of the front edge of said leg segment ( 40 ;  140 ;  240 ;  340 ;  440 ). 
   
     
     
         34 . The piece of seating furniture ( 10 ;  110 ;  210 ;  310 ;  410 ) as defined in  claim 33 ,
 characterized in that   said end segment ( 60 ;  160 ;  260 ;  360 ;  460 ) is adapted to rotate about a pivot axis of said end segment ( 6 ;  106 ;  206 ;  306 ;  406 ) relatively to said leg segment ( 40 ;  140 ;  240 ;  340 ;  440 ), wherein said pivot axis ( 6 ;  106 ;  206 ;  306 ;  406 ) of said end segment is immovable relatively to said end segment ( 60 ;  160 ;  260 ;  360 ;  460 ) and relatively to said leg segment ( 40 ;  140 ;  240 ;  340 ;  440 ).   
     
     
         35 . The piece of seating furniture ( 10 ;  110 ;  210 ;  310 ;  410 ) as defined in  claim 33 ,
 characterized in that   said end segment ( 60 ;  160 ;  260 ;  360 ;  460 ) is in its stowed position pivoted through an angle of from approximately 50° to 130° relatively to said leg segment ( 40 ;  140 ;  240 ;  340 ;  440 ) and/or is approximately parallel to said main segment ( 20 ;  120 ;  220 ;  320 ;  420 ).   
     
     
         36 . The piece of seating furniture ( 410 ) as defined in  claim 33 ,
 characterized by   a thrust mechanism comprising a thrust rod ( 476 ),
 which is actively coupled to said end segment ( 460 ) via a rigid auxiliary member ( 470 ) and 
 which, as the first control element ( 476 ,  476   a ) is adapted to cooperate with a first control track ( 483 ), the position of which is constraintly coupled to the position of said leg segment ( 440 ). 
   
     
     
         37 . The piece of seating furniture ( 410 ) as defined in  claim 36   characterized in that   said first control track ( 483 ) and said thrust rod ( 476 ,  476   a ) are adapted to each other in such a manner that when said leg segment ( 440 ) and said end segment ( 460 ) are transferred from the stowed position to the functional position
 in a first movement phase said leg segment ( 440 ) is pivoted relatively to said main segment ( 420 ) through at least 70° in the direction of the functional position, while said end segment ( 460 ) is pivoted relatively to said leg segment ( 440 ) through not more than 50° in the direction of the functional position, and 
 in a second movement phase said leg segment ( 440 ) and said end segment ( 460 ) each acquire the respective functional position thereof. 
   
     
     
         38 . The piece of seating furniture ( 410 ) as defined in  claim 36 ,
 characterized in that   said first control track ( 483 ) is provided on said forced guidance member ( 482 ), on said connecting member, or on said leg segment.   
     
     
         39 . The piece of seating furniture ( 410 ) as defined in  claim 36 ,
 characterized in that   said auxiliary member ( 470 ) has a second control element ( 476 ,  476   b ) which can be moved along a second control track ( 480   b ), wherein said second control track ( 480   b ) is preferably provided on said connecting member ( 480 ) or on said forced guidance member.   
     
     
         40 . The piece of seating furniture as defined in  claim 36 ,
 characterized in that   said auxiliary member is pivotally connected to said main segment or to a base frame of said piece of seating furniture by means of an intermediate member pivotally connected to said auxiliary member.   
     
     
         41 . The piece of seating furniture ( 10 ;  110 ;  210 ;  310 ) as defined in  claim 33 ,
 characterized in that   on said rotary member ( 30 ,  130 ;  230 ;  330 ) a first rigid end segment control element ( 92 ;  192 ;  292 ;  392 ) is provided, which is pivotally connected to said rotary member ( 30 ;  130 ;  230 ;  330 ) by means of a first articulation element and which is actively coupled to said end segment ( 60 ;  160 ;  260 ;  360 ) such that movement of said rotary member ( 30 ,  130 ;  230 ;  330 ) causes movement of said end segment ( 60 ;  160 ;  260 ;  360 ) relatively to said leg segment ( 40 ;  140 ;  240 ;  340 ).   
     
     
         42 . The piece of seating furniture ( 10 ;  110 ;  210 ;  310 ) as defined in  claim 21 ,
 characterized in that   said first articulation elements of said control elements ( 90 ,  91 ,  92 ;  190 ,  192 ;  290 ,  292 ;  390 ,  391 ,  392 ) at least partially pivotally connected
 to said rotary member ( 30 ;  130 ;  230 ;  330 ) in various angular positions relative to said rotary member axis ( 5 ;  105 ;  205 ;  305 ) and/or 
 to said rotary member ( 30 ;  130 ;  230 ;  330 ) at different distances from said rotary 
 member axis ( 5 ;  105 ;  205 ;  305 ). 
   
     
     
         43 . The piece of seating furniture ( 10 ;  110 ;  210 ;  310 ) as defined in  claim 33 ,
 characterized in that   in the functional position of said leg segment ( 40 ;  140 ;  240 ;  340 )
 a connecting line between said rotary member axis ( 5 ;  105 ;  205 ;  305 ) and a first articulation point ( 32   a ;  132   a ;  232   a ;  332   a ) of said first control element ( 90 ;  190 ;  290 ;  390 ) forms with a main direction of extension of said first control element ( 90 ;  190 ;  290 ;  390 ) an angle of not more than 20°, 
 a connecting line between said rotary member axis ( 5 ;  305 ) and a first articulation point ( 32   b ;  332   b ) of said second control element ( 91 ;  391 ) forms with a main direction of extension of said second control element ( 91 ;  391 ) an angle of not more than 20°, and/or 
 a connecting line between said rotary member axis ( 5 ;  105 ;  205 ;  305 ) and a first articulation point ( 32   c ;  132   c ;  232   c ;  332   c ) of said first end segment control member ( 92 ;  192 ;  292 ;  392 ) forms with a main direction of extension of said first end segment control member ( 92 ;  192 ;  292 ;  392 ) an angle ranging from 60 to 120°. 
   
     
     
         44 . The piece of seating furniture ( 10 ;  110 ;  210 ;  310 ) as defined in  claim 41 ,
 characterized in that   said first end segment control member ( 92 ;  192 ;  292 ;  392 ) is pivotally connected, by means of its second articulation element, to a second end segment control member ( 93 ;  193 ;  293 ;  393 ), which is pivotally connected, by means of a first articulation element, to said first end segment control member ( 92 ;  192 ;  292 ;  392 ) and, by means of a second articulation element, to said end segment ( 60 ;  160 ;  260 ;  360 ).   
     
     
         45 . The piece of seating furniture ( 10 ;  110 ;  210 ;  310 ) as defined in  claim 41 ,
 characterized in that   guide means ( 24 ;  124 ;  324 ) are provided which are immovable relatively to said main segment ( 20 ;  120 ;  220 ;  320 ) or to a base frame or to said leg segment or are positively guided according to the position of said leg segment relative to said main segment, wherein said first end segment control member ( 92 ;  192 ;  292 ;  392 ) is mounted for displacement along said guide means ( 24 ;  124 ;  324 ).   
     
     
         46 . The piece of seating furniture as defined in  claim 1 ,
 characterized by   a base frame, wherein said main segment can be moved relatively to said base frame.   
     
     
         47 . A fitting for a piece of seating furniture,
 wherein
 said fitting has first fastening means for fixing the same to a main segment or a base frame of a piece of seating furniture and second fastening means for fixing the same to a leg segment of a piece of seating furniture, 
   characterized in that
 said fitting has translatory means, by means of which said second fixing element can be moved relatively to said first fixing element along a guide track and said fitting has a pivot axis, by means of which said second fixing element can be pivoted relatively to said first fixing element. 
   
     
     
         48 . The fitting for a piece of seating furniture as defined in the generic part of  claim 47 ,
 characterized in that   said fitting has a rigid connecting member, wherein said rigid connecting member
 is pivotally connected to said first fixing element so as to be pivotable about a first pivot axis which is immovable relatively to said first fixing element, and 
 is pivotally connected to said second fixing element so as to be pivotable about a second pivot axis which is immovable relatively to said second fixing element.