Charles C Stout

US Patent:

61857696, Feb 13, 2001

Filed:

Oct 18, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/420078

Inventors:

William S. Larisey - Summerville SC
Charles M. Stout - Cincinnati OH
Brian L. Crosley - Harrison OH

Assignee:

Hill-Rom, Inc. - Batesville IN

International Classification:

A47C 1786

US Classification:

5648

Abstract:

A chair apparatus includes a base frame, an intermediate frame coupled to the base frame, and a resident support frame including a back section, a seat section, and a leg section pivotably coupled to the base frame and the intermediate frame by a plurality of links to permit the support frame to move from a chair position to a flat position. The apparatus also includes a cylinder and piston pivotably coupled between the intermediate frame and the base frame to hold the intermediate frame in a selected position relative to the base frame, a first actuator coupled to the cylinder to release the piston and permit tilting movement of the intermediate frame relative to the base frame to recline the support frame relative to the base frame, a spring assist coupled between the intermediate frame and the support frame, a locking mechanism coupled between the base frame and the support frame to hold the support frame in a desired position relative to the base frame, and a second actuator coupled to the locking mechanism to release the locking mechanism and permit movement of the support frame relative to the base.

US Patent:

61548995, Dec 5, 2000

Filed:

Oct 19, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/174702

Inventors:

Jason C. Brooke - Mt. Pleasant SC
Kendall O. Shows - Summerville SC
James F. Thomas - Mt. Pleasant SC
Michael J. Mutka - N. Charleston SC
William S. Larisey - Summerville SC
Reza Hakamiun - Charleston SC
Charles M. Stout - Cincinnati OH
Brian L. Crosley - Harrison OH

Assignee:

Hill-Rom, Inc. - Batesville IN

International Classification:

A61G 708

US Classification:

5 811R

Abstract:

A chair apparatus includes a base frame, an intermediate frame coupled to the base frame, and a resident support frame including a back section, a seat section, and a leg section pivotably coupled to the base frame and the intermediate frame by a plurality of links to permit the support frame to move from a chair position to a flat position. The apparatus also includes a cylinder and piston pivotably coupled between the intermediate frame and the base frame to hold the intermediate frame in a selected position relative to the base frame, a first actuator coupled to the cylinder to release the piston and permit tilting movement of the intermediate frame relative to the base frame to recline the support frame relative to the base frame, a spring assist coupled between the intermediate frame and the support frame, a locking mechanism coupled between the base frame and the support frame to hold the support frame in a desired position relative to the base frame, and a second actuator coupled to the locking mechanism to release the locking mechanism and permit movement of the support frame relative to the base.