Multifunctional seating unit

Abstract

A multifunctional seating unit includes a frame constituted by a pair of supports which are crossed in an X-like arrangement, each one of the supports defining a pair of first and second legs, pivoted in an X-like arrangement, and a first plate and a second plate, which are associated rotatably with a first armrest and a second armrest. The frame includes a parallelogram mechanism adapted to allow a partial raising/lowering and a partial narrowing/widening of the first and second armrests and of a seat which constitute the seating unit and a partial narrowing/widening of the pair of first and second legs. The seating unit includes a back composed of a first case and a second case which are lateral and collapsible onto a fixed central support.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A multifunctional seating unit, comprising a frame constituted by a pair of supports crossed in an X-like arrangement, wherein each one of said supports defines a pair of first and second legs, pivoted in an X-like arrangement, and a first plate and a second plate, which are associated rotatably with a first armrest and a second armrest, said frame comprising a parallelogram mechanism adapted to allow a partial raising/lowering and a partial narrowing/widening of said first and second armrests and of a seat which constitute said seating unit and a partial narrowing/widening of said pair of first and second legs, said seating unit comprising a back composed of a first case and a second case which are lateral and collapsible onto a fixed central support. 
     
     
         11 . The seating unit according to  claim 10 , wherein said pair of first and second legs is associated in an upper region, at one end, with said first and second plates, which are arranged mutually opposite and have a substantially trapezoidal shape when viewed from the front, each one of said first and second plates comprising a longer parallel side, which is directed toward the ground, and a shorter parallel side, which is parallel to the longer parallel side and is directed in the opposite direction, said longer parallel sides being blended with said shorter parallel sides by first inclined sides, which meet at the pivoting point of said first and second legs, and by second sides which are inclined and directed toward the outside of said seating unit and have a lower inclination with respect to the inclination of said first side. 
     
     
         12 . The seating unit according to  claim 11 , wherein in a condition in which the seating unit is lowered and widened, so as to define an armchair, said first sides assume a position such that a first V-shaped split is formed between them, defining a means adapted to limit/block the movement of said supports. 
     
     
         13 . The seating unit according to  claim 11 , wherein first ends of said first and second armrests are rotatably associated, by way of first sliding or guiding bars that are arranged longitudinally with respect to said seating unit, in a meeting point between said second sides and said longer parallel sides. 
     
     
         14 . The seating unit according to  claim 13 , wherein second bars for anchoring first ends of straps, which are subsequently guided in a direction of the ground on said first sliding or guiding bars, are stably positioned, longitudinally with respect to said seating unit, at the second ends, which are free, of said first and second armrests. 
     
     
         15 . The seating unit according to  claim 14 , wherein third bars, for the sliding or guiding of said straps, which are arranged above said third bars, are positioned at the meeting point between said second sides and said shorter parallel sides, longitudinally with respect to said seating unit, said third bars lying, in every condition of motion of said seating unit, on a plane that lies above a plane on which said first bars lie, or at the most on a same plane. 
     
     
         16 . The seating unit according to  claim 14 , wherein second ends of said straps are associated, longitudinally with respect to said seating unit, with fourth sliding or guiding bars, which are coupled between said first and second legs of said seating unit, in a region that is adjacent to said pivoting point of said supports crossed in an X-like arrangement, said fourth bars lying, in every condition of motion of said seating unit, on a plane that lies below the plane on which said first bars lie, and in a region that is closer to said pivoting point with respect to said third bars. 
     
     
         17 . The seating unit according to  claim 10 , wherein each one of said first and second cases comprises a lower end face, which lies above said first and second legs arranged to the rear of said seating unit, a third outer side, stably connected respectively to said first and second armrests, a fourth inner side, and an upper end face. 
     
     
         18 . The seating unit according to  claim 17 , wherein in a condition in which the seating unit is lowered and widened, so as to form said armchair, said fourth sides assume a position such that a second V-shaped split, concealed by said central support, is formed between them.