Support device

Abstract

Support device (1a; 1b; 1c; 1d), in particular a couch, for relieving the arms, head, and spine of a person lying on their stomach, comprising a couch section (2) with a support surface (3; 3') for the person's body, a support section (4) connected to the couch section (2) for supporting the couch section (2) relative to a floor, and a locking device (5a; 5b) for locking the couch section (2) relative to the support section (4), wherein the locking device (5a; 5b) is designed such that the couch section (2) can be locked at an acute angle to the floor, characterized in that the width of the couch section (2) is reduced at an upper free end, and a headrest (12a; 12b) is arranged at the upper free end of the couch section (2), which headrest is connected to the couch section (2) so as to be pivotable about a horizontal axis of rotation (13).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a support device, in particular a couch, for relieving the arms, head and spine (back / chest / stomach) of a person lying on their stomach according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] A portable massage table is known from WO 0028935. The massage table comprises a lying section with a support surface for a person's body and several support sections in the form of feet for bracing the lying surface against the floor. To allow the massage table to be folded for transport, the feet are hinged to the lying section and can be locked in a position perpendicular to the lying section by means of a locking device in the form of struts. However, the massage table is heavy and therefore difficult to transport.

[0003] DE 79 20 409 U1 describes a bench with a device for sliding and folding a seat. Various reclining devices that can be used as massage tables or sun loungers are known from DE 28 38 521 A1, DE 26 30 439 A, DE 20 2009 012 840 U1, US 5 946 749 A, US 8 668 268 B1, and WO 2004 / 004843 A1. Such reclining devices can have a locking device for locking a reclining section at an acute angle to the floor.

[0004] The object of the invention is to create a support device which can be easily transported and requires only a small amount of storage space.

[0005] This problem is solved by reducing the width of the reclining section at one of its upper free ends and by arranging a headrest at the upper free end of the reclining section, which headrest is connected to the reclining section so that it can pivot about a horizontal axis of rotation. It has been shown that a reclining section inclined in this way is completely sufficient to support the upper body or even the entire body of a person in such a way that the arms are relieved and, in particular, do not rest on the floor or only lightly, which relieves the strain on the spine and shoulders. This means, for example, that a controller for a games console or even a book can be held with the hands for an extended period of time without strain and therefore without signs of fatigue. Such a support device is particularly lightweight and space-saving and can therefore be easily transported and stored away.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment, the support section is connected to a first free end of the reclining section, in particular the lower free end of the tiltable reclining section. The reclining section and the support section form a V-shaped or Y-shaped arrangement (when the reclining section is connected between the free ends of the support section).

[0007] Particularly preferably, the reclining section can be connected to the support section by means of a pivot joint. Alternatively, the support section can also be connected to the reclining section at a position spaced from the free ends of the reclining section, in particular by means of a pivot joint.

[0008] Particularly preferably, the reclining section extends at least 10 cm, preferably at least 20 cm or at least 15%, and in particular at least 40%, further than the support section in the direction away from the pivot joint. This results in the area below the upper free end of the tiltable reclining section remaining free, allowing objects such as a controller, a laptop, a keyboard, or a book to be easily placed there.

[0009] In an advantageous embodiment, the locking device can lock the relative position of the lying section and the support section in such a way that an intermediate angle in an angular range between 0° and 40° is present. If the locking device locks the lying section at such an angle to the support section, the lying section protrudes upward at an angle from the floor and thus forms a lying surface, for example, for a person's upper body, with the feet and, if applicable, the hips resting on the floor.

[0010] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the locking device can be designed as a spacer between the lying section and the support section. The spacer can, for example, be configured in the form of several blocks stacked one above the other or as a scissor mechanism with a screw thread for adjustment.

[0011] Preferably, the locking device can be designed for continuous adjustment of the angle, for example, by means of the aforementioned scissor mechanism. However, in a particularly easy-to-manufacture embodiment, the locking device can also be designed for adjusting the angle in predetermined steps, as is the case, for example, with the stacked blocks mentioned above.

[0012] In an advantageous embodiment, the width of the support section is reduced at an upper, free end. This ensures that the reclining section does not restrict the movement of the shoulders and arms, allowing the shoulders and arms to be used freely, for example, to hold a book or operate a keyboard. The length of the area with reduced width is advantageously at least 20 cm, particularly preferably at least 40 cm, or at least 1 / 4 to a maximum of 3 / 4 of the length of the reclining section.

[0013] As tests have shown, reducing the width of the reclining section can be particularly advantageous, at least in sections, along a circular arc. This results in both particularly good support for the body and a particularly large range of movement for the shoulders, chest muscles, and arms. The circular arc can advantageously have a radius of at least 10 cm, particularly preferably at least 30 cm.

[0014] To achieve particularly good support of the upper body, the reclining section can have a section of constant, yet reduced, width at one of its free ends. This section serves particularly to support the upper body in the area of ​​the shoulders and head and preferably has a length of at least 20 cm or at least two-thirds the length of the section with reduced width.

[0015] To provide optimal support for the head, a headrest can be arranged at the upper free end of the reclining section. The headrest can be permanently connected to the reclining section or can be slidable along a linear guide and / or pivotable about a horizontal axis of rotation, and optionally lockable. This adjustability allows for ergonomic adjustment to the individual, resulting in particularly comfortable support.

[0016] To further increase comfort, a protruding cushion for supporting the person's chin can be arranged on the headrest or at the upper free end of the reclining section. Furthermore, the headrest or the upper free end of the reclining section can have a recess, particularly a transverse one, for the person's larynx.

[0017] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a first embodiment of a support device not according to the invention; Fig. 2 a further perspective view of the support device not according to the invention of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a side view of the support device not according to the invention of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 a perspective view of a second embodiment of a support device; Fig. 5 a perspective view of a third embodiment of a support device; Fig. 6 a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a support device not according to the invention; Fig. 7 a further perspective view of the support device not according to the invention of Fig. 6 and Fig. 8 a detailed view of a fifth embodiment of a support device not according to the invention.

[0018] In Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a support device 1a, not according to the invention. The support device 1a is designed as a bed, which serves to relieve the elbows, spine and shoulders of a person lying on their stomach. For this purpose, the support device 1a comprises a lying section 2 with a support surface 3 for the person's body and a support section 4 connected to the lying section 2 for supporting the lying section 2 against a floor (not shown). In order to lock the lying section 2 against the support section 4, a locking device 5a is provided, which is pivotable with respect to Fig. 2 will be described in more detail. The locking device 5a locks the lying section 2 at an acute angle to the floor and the support section 4.

[0019] The support section 4 is pivotally connected to a lower free end of the inclined reclining section 2 by means of a pivot joint 6. This allows the reclining section 2 to be freely pivoted relative to the support section 4 about the pivot joint 6 and supported by the locking device 5a.

[0020] As from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 1, the width of the lying section 2 is reduced at an upper free end. For this purpose, the lying section 2 has a circular arc-shaped section 7 in plan view, which transitions into a section 8 with a constant, but reduced width. Due to the mirror-image design of the lying section 2 and the support surface 3 arranged thereon, which is identical in plan view, the width of the lying section 2 or the support surface 3 tapers equally on both long sides.

[0021] At the upper free end of the reclining section 2, a protruding cushion 9 is provided in the support surface 3, which cushion has the same width as the reclining section 2 or the support surface 3 in this area. The cushion 9 forms a support for the chin of a person lying on the support device 1a and is formed integrally or in multiple parts, possibly interchangeable, with the support surface 3. The cushion 9 and the support surface 3 can be formed, in particular, from soft padding, for example from a foam material, with an easily washable and / or replaceable cover.

[0022] In addition, the lying section 2 or the support surface 3 adjacent to the cushion 9 on the side of the cushion 9 facing away from the upper free end of the lying section 2 has a recess 10 which runs transversely to the longitudinal direction of the lying section 2. The recess 10 forms a free space for the larynx of a person lying on the support device 1a, so that no unpleasant pressure is exerted on the larynx.

[0023] In Fig. 2 is a further perspective view of the support device 1a not according to the invention of Fig. 1. As can be seen there, the locking device 5a is designed as a spacer between the lying section 2 and the support section 4. For this purpose, the locking device 5a comprises a plurality of blocks which are releasably fixed to one another via plug-in connections, for example in the form of dovetail connections. Instead of the dovetail connection, the individual blocks can also be securely connected to one another using pins and / or magnets. Likewise, the connection of the lowest block to the lying section 2 and / or the uppermost block to the support section 4 can be designed as a dovetail connection or using pins / magnets. By the lowest block being in contact with the support section 4 and the uppermost block being in contact with the lying section 2, a defined distance is created between the lying section 2 and the support section 4 and thus a specific angle around the pivot joint 6.By adding further blocks or removing existing blocks, the height of the locking device 5a and thus the angle between the lying section 2 and the support section 4 can be changed around the pivot joint 6.

[0024] The contact surfaces of the individual blocks of the locking device 5a are oriented relative to one another such that they intersect the axis of rotation formed by the pivot joint 6. This ensures that, regardless of how many blocks the locking device 5a comprises, the uppermost block always rests fully against the lying section. The number of blocks used allows the angle between the lying section 2 and the support section 4 to be locked in predetermined steps. The intermediate angle between the upper and lower contact surfaces of a block can be 5°, for example, so that by adding such a block, the angle between the lying section 2 and the support section 4 is increased by 5°.

[0025] As tests have shown, it is particularly advantageous that the locking device 5a can lock the mutual position of the lying section 2 and the support section 4 in such a way that an intermediate angle in an angular range between 10° and 40° is present around an apex on the axis of rotation of the rotary joint 6 and delimited by the lying section 2 and a floor contact area of ​​the support section 4, which is formed by the underside of the lowest block.

[0026] In Fig. 3 is a side view of the support device 1a not according to the invention of Fig. 1. In addition to the orientation of the mutual contact surfaces of the individual blocks of the locking device 5a, which each intersect the axis of rotation of the pivot joint 6, a projection 11 of the inclined lying section 2 relative to the support section 4 can also be seen there, which projection results from the fact that, viewed in the direction away from the pivot joint 6, the lying section 2 extends at least 10 cm, preferably at least 20 cm, further than the support section 4.

[0027] In Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a support device 1b. Essentially identical features are provided with the same reference numerals as in the embodiment according to the Fig. 1-3. As can be seen from the Fig. 4, the reclining section 2 has a separate headrest 12a at an upper free end, which is pivotably connected to the reclining section 2 about a horizontal pivot axis 13. In this embodiment, the cushion 9 and a portion 14 of the support surface 3 are also formed on the headrest 12a. By means of a releasable holding device (not shown), such as a tensioning lever, the separate headrest 12a can be released for upward and downward adjustment about the pivot axis 13 and then locked again.

[0028] A corresponding clearance for the larynx, like the recess 10 in the previous embodiment, is formed by the gap between the support surface 3 and the section 14 of the support surface of the headrest 12 in the region of the rotation axis 13. The width of the headrest 12a corresponds to the width of the reclining section 2 at the upper free end and transition to the headrest 12a, so that the section 8 extends with a reduced but constant width over the transition between the reclining section 2 and the headrest 12a.

[0029] In Fig. Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of a support device 1c. Essentially identical features are provided with the same reference numerals as in the previous embodiments. As the comparison with the embodiment in Fig. 4 shows, the headrest 12b is mounted there, in addition to the rotation axis 13, by means of two linear guides 15, so that it can be longitudinally displaced and locked in relation to the lying section 2. The linear guides 15 are oriented perpendicular to the rotation axis 13 and enable the adjustment of the headrest 12b towards the rotation axis 13 or away from the rotation axis 13. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the linear guides 15 each comprise a round shaft and a bushing which is mounted on the shaft, wherein each bushing is connected to the headrest 12b and each shaft is connected to the lying section 2 via the rotation axis 13. This allows the headrest 12b to be individually adjusted in the longitudinal direction, for example in order to position the headrest precisely for users of different sizes. At the free ends, the shafts have a section with an enlarged diameter, so that accidental detachment of the bushings from the shafts is prevented.Instead of the two linear guides 15 shown, however, only one linear guide can be provided, which must then be secured accordingly against rotation of the headrest 12b, for example, by means of a longitudinally displaceable, positive-locking shaft-hub connection. Alternatively, the linear guide 15 could also be connected directly to the reclining section 2, and the rotation axis 13 could be omitted. Such a headrest 12b, which is only adjustable in the longitudinal direction, can also be provided in the other embodiments shown. A holding device can be provided to fix the linear guide(s) 15, for example, a clamping screw arranged in the bushing.

[0030] In Fig. Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a support device 1d, not according to the invention. Essentially identical features are provided with the same reference numerals as in the previous embodiments. As the comparison with the embodiment of Fig. 1 shows, in the embodiment according to Fig. 6 Instead of a locking device 5a formed from blocks, a locking device 5b is designed in the form of a scissor mechanism, which enables a continuous adjustment of the angle between the lying section 2 and the support section 4.

[0031] As can be seen from the further perspective view of the support device 1d not according to the invention in Fig. 7, the locking device 5b comprises a handle 16 which is rotatably connected to a threaded rod 17 via an internal thread. The threaded rod 17 is rotatably mounted at its end opposite the handle 16 in a bearing point which is arranged on the pivot joint 6 and can be pivoted about the axis of rotation of the pivot joint 6. Two legs 18a, 18b extend away from the threaded rod 17, of which a first leg 18a is rotatably mounted at the opposite end on the lying section 2 and a second leg 18b is rotatably mounted at the opposite end on the support section 4. At the ends of the legs 18a, 18b facing the threaded rod 17, these are rotatably connected to one another directly or by means of an intermediate part. The axes of rotation of the legs 18a, 18b and the axis of rotation of the pivot joint 6 are aligned parallel to one another.The handle 16 rests with its side facing the pivot joint 6 against the legs 18a, 18b, so that when the handle 16 is rotated relative to the threaded rod 17, the legs 18a, 18b are tensioned or released, thus allowing the angle between the reclining section 2 and the support section 4 to be adjusted and locked. To enable complete folding of the reclining section 2 and the support section 4, recesses are provided therein, in which the elements of the locking device 5b are arranged in the folded state.

[0032] It goes without saying that, for example, the Fig. 6 and Fig. The locking device described in Figure 7 can also be used in the other embodiments. Likewise, the additional features described with reference to individual embodiments, such as the headrest, can also be used in the other embodiments.

[0033] In Fig. 8 shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of the lying section 2 with a support surface 3', as is also the case with the other embodiments of the Fig.1 to 7. Essentially identical features are provided with the same reference numerals as in the previous embodiments. For ease of illustration, the support section 4 and the locking device 5a, 5b are not shown. The support surface 3' has a flowing profile in side view, in particular over the area of ​​the cushion 9 and the recess 10. The recess 10 is lower than the rest of the support surface 3' by the amount L, preferably L is at least 2 cm, in particular at least 4 cm or 1 / 3 to 2 / 3 of the thickness of the support surface 3'. The cushion 9 protrudes upwards relative to the rest of the support surface 3', in particular over the aforementioned amount L. This results in particularly good support of the chin or head while at the same time providing sufficient space for the larynx of a lying person. List of reference symbols: 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d Support device 2 lying sections 3.3' support surface 4 support section 5a, 5b locking device 6 Swivel joint 7 Circular arc section 8 Section with reduced but constant width 9 pillows 10 recess 11 Overhang 12a, 12b Headrest 13 axis of rotation 14 Section of the support surface 15 Linear guide 16 Handle 17 Threaded rod 18a, 18b legs

Claims

[1] Support device (1a; 1b; 1c; 1d), in particular a bed, for relieving the arms, head and spine of a person lying on their stomach, comprising a lying section (2) with a support surface (3; 3') for the body of the person, a support section (4) connected to the lying section (2) for supporting the lying section (2) against a floor and a locking device (5a; 5b) for locking the lying section (2) against the support section (4), wherein the locking device (5a; 5b) is designed such that the lying section (2) can be locked at an acute angle to the floor, characterized by that the width of the lying section (2) is reduced at an upper free end and a headrest (12a; 12b) is arranged at the upper free end of the lying section (2), which headrest is connected to the lying section (2) so as to be pivotable about a horizontal axis of rotation (13). [2] Support device (1a; 1b; 1c, 1d) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the lying section (2) is articulated to the support section (4) by means of a swivel joint (6). [3] Support device (1a; 1b; 1c, 1d) according to claim 2, characterized by that, viewed in the direction away from the pivot joint (6), the lying section (2) extends at least 10 cm, preferably at least 20 cm, further than the support section (4). [4] Support device (1a; 1b; 1c, 1d) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that by means of the locking device (5a; 5b) the mutual position of the lying section (2) and the support section (4) can be locked in such a way that an intermediate angle in an angular range between 0° and 40° is present around an apex at a first free end of the lying section (2) and delimited by the lying section (2) and a floor contact area of ​​the support section (4). [5] Support device (1a; 1b; 1c, 1d) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the locking device (5a; 5b) is designed as a spacer between the lying section (2) and the supporting section (4). [6] Support device (1a; 1b; 1c, 1d) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the locking device (5a; 5b) is designed for a continuous adjustment of the angle or an adjustment of the angle in predetermined steps. [7] Support device (1a; 1b; 1c, 1d) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the width of the lying section (2) is reduced at least in sections along a circular arc (7) at an upper free end. [8] Support device (1a; 1b; 1c, 1d) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that at an upper free end the lying section (2) has a section (8) with a constant but reduced width. [9] Support device (1b; 1c) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized bythat the headrest (12a; 12b) is connected to the lying section (2) so as to be displaceable about a linear guide (15) and, if necessary, lockable. [10] Support device (1a; 1b; 1d) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by that a protruding cushion (9) for supporting a chin is arranged on the headrest (12a; 12b) or on an upper free end of the lying section (2) and / or the headrest (12a; 12b) or the lying section (2) has a recess (10), in particular a transverse recess, for a larynx at an upper free end.

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