Footrest assembly for attachment to a chair

Abstract

A footrest assembly for attachment to a chair is provided. The footrest assembly comprises a mounting frame configured to be attached to a seat portion of the chair, the mounting frame comprising a pair of brackets, a recliner frame comprising a first portion configured to be slidably received by the pair of brackets, and a second portion configured to support a footrest, the first portion pivotably connected to the second portion to define a recliner angle therebetween, and an actuator assembly configured to allow adjustment of the recliner angle between the first portion and the second portion, the actuator assembly comprises a gas spring configured to urge the second portion to an extended position, the extended position corresponding to a maximum allowable recliner angle. Further disclosed are a chair comprising a seat portion and a footrest assembly installed to the seat portion, and a method of manufacturing a footrest assembly.

1 . A footrest assembly for attachment to a chair, the footrest assembly comprising
 a mounting frame configured to be attached to a seat portion of the chair, the mounting frame comprising a pair of brackets;   a recliner frame comprising a first portion configured to be slidably received by the pair of brackets, and a second portion configured to support a footrest, the first portion pivotably connected to the second portion to define a recliner angle therebetween; and   an actuator assembly configured to allow adjustment of the recliner angle between the first portion and the second portion, the actuator assembly comprises a gas spring configured to urge the second portion to an extended position, the extended position corresponding to a maximum allowable recliner angle.   
     
     
         2 . The footrest assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the pair of brackets, the first portion and the second portion form a six-bar mechanical linkage, the six-bar mechanical linkage arranged to move from a retracted position to the extended position upon actuation of the gas spring. 
     
     
         3 . The footrest assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the second portion comprises means for attaching the footrest directly or indirectly to a main linkage of a linkage system of the second portion when the six-bar mechanical linkage is in the retracted state. 
     
     
         4 . The footrest assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein the means for attaching comprises at least one magnet. 
     
     
         5 . The footrest assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the second portion comprises a support plate shaped and dimensioned to receive the footrest. 
     
     
         6 . The footrest assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the second portion comprises an end portion shaped and dimensioned to receive the footrest. 
     
     
         7 . The footrest assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the footrest comprises a base formed from or of a medium-density fiberboard (MDF), a cushion comprising memory foam, and a clip for attachment to the end portion. 
     
     
         8 . The footrest assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the clip is formed from or of a thermoplastic compound and glass fiber. 
     
     
         9 . The footrest assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the clip comprises polyamide and at least 10% of the glass fiber. 
     
     
         10 . The footrest assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the pair of brackets comprises a base portion and a pair of ribs extending from longitudinal opposing sides of the base portion, wherein the free end of at least one of the pair of ribs is inclined towards the free end of the other rib. 
     
     
         11 . The footrest assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the pair of ribs comprises at least one slot shaped and dimensioned to receive at least one fastener. 
     
     
         12 . The footrest assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuator assembly comprises a compression spring coupled to a piston of the gas spring. 
     
     
         13 . A chair comprising a seat portion and a footrest assembly installed to the seat portion, the footrest assembly comprising
 a mounting frame configured to be attached to the seat portion of the chair, the mounting frame comprising a pair of brackets;   a recliner frame comprising a first portion configured to be slidably received by the pair of brackets, and a second portion configured to support a footrest, the first portion pivotably connected to the second portion to define a recliner angle; and   an actuator assembly configured to allow adjustment of the recliner angle between the first portion and the second portion, the actuator assembly comprises a gas spring configured to urge the second portion to an extended position, the extended position corresponding to a maximum allowable recliner angle.   
     
     
         14 . The chair according to  claim 13 , wherein the pair of brackets, the first portion and the second portion form a six-bar mechanical linkage, the six-bar mechanical linkage arranged to move from a retracted position to the extended position upon actuation of the gas spring, and wherein the second portion comprises means for attaching the footrest directly or indirectly to a main linkage of a linkage system of the second portion when the six-bar mechanical linkage is in the retracted state. 
     
     
         15 . The chair according to  claim 13 , wherein the second portion comprises an end portion shaped and dimensioned to receive the footrest. 
     
     
         16 . The chair according to  claim 15 , wherein the footrest comprises a base formed from or of a medium-density fiberboard (MDF), a cushion comprising memory foam, and a clip for attachment to the end portion. 
     
     
         17 . The chair according to  claim 13 , wherein each of the pair of brackets comprises a base portion and a pair of ribs extending from longitudinal opposing sides of the base portion, wherein the free end of at least one of the pair of ribs is inclined towards the free end of the other rib. 
     
     
         18 . The chair according to  claim 17 , wherein each of the pair of ribs comprises at least one slot shaped and dimensioned to receive at least one fastener. 
     
     
         19 . The chair according to  claim 13 , wherein the actuator assembly comprises a compression spring coupled to a piston of the gas spring. 
     
     
         20 . A method of manufacturing a footrest assembly for attachment to a chair, the method comprising
 a step of providing a mounting frame, the mounting frame configured to be attached to a seat portion of the chair, the mounting frame comprising a pair of brackets;   a step of providing a recliner frame, the recliner frame comprising a first portion configured to be slidably received by the pair of brackets, and a second portion configured to support a footrest, the first portion pivotably connected to the second portion to define a recliner angle therebetween; and   a step of providing an actuator assembly, the actuator assembly configured to allow adjustment of the recliner angle between the first portion and the second portion, the actuator assembly comprises a gas spring configured to urge the second portion to an extended position, the extended position corresponding to a maximum allowable recliner angle.