stool

Abstract

A stool (1) for resting the legs of a swinging person, comprising a base on the floor and a leg rest (10) arranged above the base, which is mounted on the base for rotation about a rotation axis, wherein the mounting is designed such that the leg rest (10) can be displaced forwards in a forward movement and backwards in a backward movement after the legs have been placed on the upper support surface, wherein the leg rest (10) is mounted in a pivot bearing (27) for rotation about an axis perpendicular to the rotation axis, and the support surface extends below a radius of curvature that is equal to or greater than the radius of the rotational movement, wherein return means are provided which can automatically return the leg rest (10) to a rest position when a load is removed, wherein the leg rest (10) can be displaced forwards and backwards from the rest position, characterized in thatthat the return means are formed by a counterweight (17) arranged below the pivot bearing (27) and connected to the leg rest (10).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a stool with a base on the floor and a leg rest arranged above the base, which is mounted on the base so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis.

[0002] Stools of this type are known from EP 1 701 640 A1. The known stool has a dynamic seating device with a support surface that is tiltably and rotatably mounted on a base frame with a height-adjustable column or by means of a half ball bearing. Another stool is known from EP 2 063 738 A1 and comprises a base part and a support surface mounted on the base part by means of a tilting element. The base part and the support surface are concave, mutually directed shells, between which the tilting element in the shape of a sphere is arranged.

[0003] US 366 437 A shows a footrest with a tiltable cushion, whereby the cushion remains in the tilted position.

[0004] A pivoting footrest with a pivoting unit is known from US 3 554 600 A.

[0005] US 2 912 046 A shows an adjustable armchair with a footrest.

[0006] A tiltable foot or leg rest is known from US Pat. No. 2,528,331 A. Before use, the leg rest is first tilted and secured in various positions relative to the base by manually unlocking and relocking it.

[0007] DE 10 2005 057 231 A1 describes a foldable table and seating furniture with joints.

[0008] US Pat. No. 3,863,587 A discloses a pivoting and self-balancing seat with a pivot joint and a counterweight. Specifically, a work chair for a ship's bridge that provides a person sitting on it with a seat that is positively horizontal.

[0009] The well-known stools have the disadvantage that the combination with rocking seating is not always comfortable.

[0010] The object of the invention is therefore to create a stool which, at low production costs, allows one to rest one's legs comfortably, even in conjunction with movable seats, in particular a Hollywood swing.

[0011] This object is achieved according to the invention in that the bearing is designed in such a way that the leg rest can be displaced from the upper support surface in a forward movement to the front and in a backward movement to the rear, after the legs have been placed on it, wherein the leg rest is mounted in a pivot bearing in a rotationally fixed manner about an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation and the support surface extends below a radius of curvature which is equal to or greater than the radius of the rotational movement.

[0012] The invention is particularly directed at a stool for resting the legs of a swinging person, which can be used in conjunction with a porch swing. The user of such a porch swing sits on a seat that usually slopes backward, with the rocking motion moving the legs forward. The stool according to the invention is intended to enable the legs to be moved synchronously with the rocking motion without any longitudinal movement between the leg rest and the legs.

[0013] The invention consists of a floor-mounted or stationary support frame with a pivoting unit movable about a pivot axis for supporting the legs of a swinging person. The forward swinging motion is driven by minimal muscle power from the thigh flexor muscle. The backward swinging motion is driven by gravity or potential energy. The swinging motion occurs particularly between a turning point just before the upper middle position (between the stool and the swing) and a turning point after the middle position just before the stop opposite the support frame.

[0014] Return mechanisms are provided that automatically return the leg rest to a rest position when a load is removed. The leg rest can be moved forwards and backwards from the rest position. The return mechanisms consist of a counterweight located below the pivot bearing and connected to the leg rest.

[0015] The swivel unit preferably consists of one leg on each side, to which a cross plank is attached, upon which further cross planks are mounted. These cross planks serve as a counterweight for the support surface attached at the top and ensure that the entire swivel unit returns to a resting or center position.

[0016] A further embodiment of the invention involves using a round roller as a support element, which has two oval or round opposing surfaces in which the pivot bearings are installed. The disadvantage is that the support surface is smaller due to a smaller radius of curvature. This disadvantage can be compensated for by a roller with an oval cross-section or with a correspondingly shaped upper section, which then serves as a leg rest.

[0017] In one possible embodiment of the invention, the leg rest consists of a support element and a further support element, which are attached parallel to the support element on both sides using a flat iron. The parallel cross planks are to be attached at an angle W1 of 10° to 20°, preferably 15°. The ratio of the height of the stool H1 to the height of the pivot bearing axis H2 should, for example, be between 1.3 and 1.8. Such a design can be manufactured particularly easily and cost-effectively from standard components, while at the same time being harmoniously integrated into conventional patio furniture. For example, sections of planks from a wooden terrace or a WPC terrace can be used for the support elements.

[0018] The supporting frame preferably consists of two cross members, a spacer tube, and two side members. The side members are each composed of two angled planks screwed together, with the angle W2 being between 20° and 40°. The base area on the angled planks is 4 cm. Alternatively, height-adjustable feet and / or friction-enhancing coatings (e.g., rubber) can be installed, which reduces the overall weight without preventing the stool from slipping during use.

[0019] The total weight of the stool should be between 15 and 21 kg, preferably 18 kg, as a light weight could otherwise cause the stool to slip. Too much weight may make the stool too heavy to move easily. The total height of the stool is between 30 and 40 cm, with the ideal height being the same as the seat height of the porch swing. With the dimensions mentioned above, the circumference of the support frame in this configuration measures 50 x 50 cm.

[0020] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[0021] In the drawings shows: Fig. 1 a 3D view of the leg stool, Fig. 2 a front and side view of the leg stool, Fig. 3 a side view of the swing and the leg stool in three different swivel positions, Fig. 4 a front, side and top view of the leg stool with swivel unit, Fig. 5 a front, side and top view of the frame part, Fig. 6a a side view of the swivel unit, Fig. 6b a sectional view of Fig. 6a in exploded view, Fig. 7 a combination of a front, side and top view of the roller including support Fig. 8 a central section of the swivel unit mounted in the frame part and Fig. 9 Exploded view of the Fig. 8 components shown.

[0022] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a stool 1 according to the invention, which essentially consists of a leg rest 10, formed here by an upper pivoting unit 3, and a substructure with which the stool 1 can be placed on a subfloor, for example, a terrace. The substructure is formed, for example, by a supporting frame 5, which has an angled plank 6 at the front and rear, the ends of the angled planks 6 being connected to one another via cross elements 4.

[0023] The angled planks 6 are angled upward in the middle section and consist of two profiles that abut each other with vertical connecting surfaces (not shown here). A hole 8 is provided in the upper area of ​​these connecting surfaces, which is closed off from the outside by a cover cap. The particular advantage of the embodiment shown here is that the stool 1 can essentially be constructed from profiles that are also used for terrace construction. This not only results in cost-effective components but also a harmonious appearance when the stool 1 is used on the terrace.

[0024] The pivot unit 3 is rotatably mounted about a pivot axis in two pivot bearings 27 provided in the angled planks 6. For this purpose, the pivot unit has a lower region formed by two legs 18 connected to each other via a lower cross plank 16. A counterweight 17 can preferably be arranged on the lower cross plank 16, which returns the pivot unit 3 to a central position. This and other features of the stool 1 are described in more detail below with reference to the additional figures.

[0025] Fig. 2 shows the stool 1 from Fig. 1 in a side view from the side and from the front. It can be seen that a support designed as a cushion 2 for upholstering the stool 1 is provided on the pivot unit 3. In addition to the central area, which is articulated to the angled planks 6, the pivot unit 3 has a support area 15 provided in the upper area of ​​this central area. This support area is formed by flat irons 19 that are attached to the central area and carry two outer support elements 12. A central support element 12 is attached directly to the central area. The angled planks 19 are angled forwards and backwards, resulting in a rounded surface of the stool 1. In conjunction with the support cushion 2, this results in a rounded leg rest, which allows the stool to be used in conjunction with a Hollywood swing or other rocking chair while providing comfortable leg support.The bearing of the swivel unit is described below in connection with the . Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 described in more detail.

[0026] In Fig. Figure 3 shows an application of the stool 1 according to the invention. Here, it can be seen that the stool 1 can be positioned in front of a Hollywood swing, with the user (shown in dashed lines) sitting on the seat of the swing and resting his legs on the leg rest 10. In the upper area of ​​the Fig. 3 shows the resting position, where the swivel unit 3 is in the middle position. If the user now swings forward, as shown in the middle section, the swivel unit can also swing forward and lowers in the front section. The lower part of the Fig. 3 again shows the stool's slight backward swing when the user rocks backward. The swivel unit 3 provides a comfortable, flat support for the user's lower legs, without the edges of the leg rest 10 creating linear pressure, resulting in an unpleasant feeling of pressure.

[0027] Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show details of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shown stool 1. In Fig. 4, the support area 15 is shown in individual parts views. In Fig. Figure 4 is a schematic view of the stool 1 with the T-shaped swivel unit 3. This swivel unit 3 has a central support element 12, to which a further support element 12 is attached in parallel on both sides via two flat irons 19, wherein the angle W1 is between 10° and 20° and preferably 15°. The leg rest 10 is screwed to the top of the two legs 18. In the ratio of the total height H1 of the stool 1 and the height H2 of the axis of the pivot bearing 27, the bore 8 in the two legs 18 is between 1.3 and 1.8. In addition, the counterweight 17, consisting of two further cross planks, is attached within the two legs 18 using a lower cross plank 16. Of course, a different counterweight can also be used alternatively.

[0028] The Fig. 6 A and Fig. 6 B show in detail the fastening of the support elements 12 alternatively by means of a total of two flat irons 19 as well as the fastening of the flat iron 19 to the leg 18. In this case, one flat iron accommodates two support elements 12. Fig. 6 B is a sectional view along the Fig. 6 A drawn cutting line.

[0029] In Fig. Figure 7 shows a schematic view of a second possible embodiment of the stool 1 with a roller as a pivoting or rotating unit. This pivoting unit 3 has a roller-like shape, the surface of which forms the leg rest 10. A pleasant curvature of the leg rest 10 can also be achieved via the radius of the roller 11. If the radius of the leg rest 10 is to be increased, the roller 11 can either be designed with an oval cross-section or the area of ​​the leg rest 10 can be slightly reduced in its curvature locally. With this embodiment, too, a counterweight 17 can be provided in the lower area of ​​the roller 11, which is of course particularly suitable if the roller 11 has a non-circular cross-section or a locally padded area for the leg rest 10.

[0030] The Fig. The embodiment shown in Figure 7, on the other hand, is fully provided with a support cushion 2 that is placed around the roller 11 and secured at the edges via a Velcro strip 33. Initially opposite the roller 11 and then at the two ends of the support below each other.

[0031] In Fig. 7 shows the view on the top left a side view of the roller 11. Top right shows the partial image of the Fig. 7 shows the roller 11 in the front view, in which the butt joint of the Velcro connection 33 can be seen. In the lower part Fig. 7 the view of the roller 11 from above.

[0032] In the Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 shows the rotatable bearing of the swivel unit 3 in detail. Fig. Figure 8 shows a sectional view through the pivot bearing 27. It can be seen that a threaded rod 25 is provided in the central area, which is inserted into a spacer tube 26 and penetrates the legs 18 on both sides. Rolling bearings are provided in the legs 18 as exemplary pivot bearings 27. Of course, other bearings or even a pure plain bearing can be provided here; with sufficiently hard materials, the bearing can also be based only in the through-bore in the legs 18. The threaded rod 25 protrudes laterally from the legs 18 and penetrates the bore 8 in the angle planks 6 in the area of ​​the connecting surfaces 7 with these protruding, free ends. The angle planks 6 have a recess 9 in which nuts 23 are located, which are used to fix the threaded rod 25. Furthermore, a washer 24 is provided between the angle plank 6 and the nut 23 on both sides. By putting on orThe spacer tube is clamped between the angle planks 6 by tightening. The washer 24 prevents the spacer tube 26 from being pulled into the angle planks 6. The recess 9 is closed with a cover cap 29. Fig. 9 shows an exploded view of the individual parts of the Fig. 8 shown storage.

[0033] The Fig. 1 to Fig. The features of stool 1 shown in Figure 9 are to be seen as exemplary consumption elements and can of course also be designed differently.

[0034] Ultimately, what is essential for the invention is the fact how the swivel unit 3 is mounted on the support frame 5 and that the comfortable line of movement of the leg rest 10 is ensured. List of reference symbols 1 stool 2 cushions 3 Swivel unit 4 Cross element 5 supporting frames 6 angle plank 7 Connection surface 8 Hole 9 depression 10 Leg rest 11 roller 12 support elements 13 page element 14 Swivel unit 15 Load area 16 lower cross plank 17 Counterweight (cross plank) 18 legs 19 flat iron 20 paragraph 21 Hole 22 depression 23 Mother 24 Washer 25 threaded rod 26 spacer tube 27 pivot bearings 28 spacer 29 Cover cap 30 screw 31 dowels 32 Swing 33 Velcro H1 Height of the stool H2 Height of the pivot bearing axis W1 angle W2 angle R radius of curvature

Claims

[1] Stool (1) for resting the legs of a swinging person, comprising a base on the floor and a leg rest (10) arranged above the base, which is mounted on the base for rotation about a rotation axis, wherein the mounting is designed such that the leg rest (10) can be displaced forwards in a forward movement and backwards in a backward movement after the legs have been placed on the upper support surface, wherein the leg rest (10) is mounted in a pivot bearing (27) for rotation about an axis perpendicular to the rotation axis and the support surface extends below a radius of curvature which is equal to or greater than the radius of the rotational movement, wherein return means are provided which can automatically return the leg rest (10) to a rest position when a load is removed, wherein the leg rest (10) can be displaced forwards and backwards from the rest position, characterized bythat the return means are formed by a counterweight (17) arranged below the pivot bearing (27) and connected to the leg rest (10). [2] Stool (1) according to claim 1, characterized by in that the pivot bearing (27) enables rotation about a horizontal pivot bearing axis, wherein the stool (1) has a height H1 and the pivot bearing axis is arranged at a height H2 and the ratio of the heights H1 to H2 is between 1.3 and 1.8, wherein the pivot bearing (27) is arranged below the support surface and at a distance from the support surface which is at least 5 cm, preferably 10 cm or more. [3] Stool (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the leg rest (10) can be moved back and forth from the rest position against a front stop and against a rear stop. [4] Stool (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that the leg rest (10) has, for forming a supporting area (15), a plurality of support elements arranged one behind the other in the direction of rotation, which have a flat or curved surface, wherein the support surface is formed by the totality of the surfaces and the support elements are arranged at an angle W1 of 10° to 20° relative to the adjacent support element. [5] Stool (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the leg rest (10) is formed by a pivoting unit (3) which is pivotally mounted in the pivot bearing (27) with at least one leg (18) and extends with an upper part over the substructure, wherein the pivoting unit (3) is formed by two opposite legs (18) and the support region (15) connecting the legs (18) in the upper region facing away from the axis of rotation. [6] Stool (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized bythat the leg rest (10) is formed by a rotatable, circumferentially closed body in the form of a rolling body, a roller (11) with a round or oval cross-section, or as a cuboid body with at least two opposing, curved surfaces. [7] Stool (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the substructure is formed by two side elements (13), each having a receptacle for supporting the end region of a bolt of the pivot bearing (27) and lower standing surfaces, wherein the side elements (13) are formed by angle planks (6) and / or the side elements (13) are connected to one another via transverse elements (4) to form a circumferential support frame (5). [8] Stool (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized bythat the angle planks (6) are formed by plank- or board-shaped components arranged at an angle to one another and connected to one another at connecting surfaces (7), wherein the angle planks (6) each have a bore (8) in the upper region of the connecting surfaces (7) for receiving the bolt of the pivot bearing (27). [9] Stool (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that it has a height between 30 and 40 cm and / or is made of plastic, wood or WPC (wood / plastic composite).

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