Outdoor seating

Abstract

Outdoor seating furniture comprising a base element for forming at least one seat and a back element for forming at least one backrest, characterized in that the back element is pivotably connected to the base element by means of a hinge system which forms a first axis of rotation and a second axis of rotation and enables the back element to pivot forward about the first axis of rotation and backward about the second axis of rotation, wherein the two axes of rotation are mechanically coupled to each other via a crank, characterized in that a blocking element is arranged on the crank with which the pivot angle of the back element forward about the second axis of rotation is limited.

Description

[0001] Outdoor seating is available in a wide variety of configurations. Common features of such outdoor seating often include a combination of comfort and protection for people, while also being weather-resistant.

[0002] A typical example is the so-called beach chair, which has a base element with a seat on its upper surface. A swiveling backrest with side panels is attached to this base element. Often, such beach chairs have pull-out footrests in the lower section, for resting the feet of people sitting in the chair and / or as additional seating.

[0003] These types of beach chairs have been popular with tourists in coastal regions for over 100 years. However, traditional beach chairs, especially those used for rental, must be protected from the elements and / or vandalism. For this purpose, standard beach chairs often feature a front grille that can be secured to the base with a padlock. This grille prevents unauthorized use of the beach chair.

[0004] However, this does not protect the beach chair from the elements, such as rain and / or blowing sand. For that, the beach chair needs a separate cover.

[0005] US Patent 2023 / 0301432 A1 teaches a folding chair including brackets for stacking and connecting multiple chairs together. Each folding chair comprises a backrest support element pivotally connected to a seat element, front and rear leg frames pivotally connected proximally to the front and rear ends of the opposite side struts of the seat element, respectively, and armrests pivotally connected to the opposite side struts of the backrest support element. The folding chair includes one or more first and second brackets functionally attached to the backrest and rear leg frame, respectively. Using the first and second brackets, the folding chair can be connected to another folding chair, and this in turn to one or more further folding chairs, creating a connected stack of folding chairs that can be carried and transported by a user.

[0006] German patent DE 20 2015 007 291 U1 discloses a beach chair with a lockable and foldable upper section that can be folded completely forward at an angle of 90° by means of a locking mechanism and a foldable backrest. With its upper section closed, the beach chair is now protected against the elements, vandalism, and burglary; the footrests are locked, and transport and winter storage are significantly simplified.

[0007] The present invention is based on the objective of providing an outdoor seating furniture that combines cost-effective, pleasant and comfortable use with simple and effective weather protection and durability.

[0008] This problem is solved by the outdoor seating furniture according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the outdoor seating furniture are given in dependent claims 2-9.

[0009] According to the invention, an outdoor seating furniture is provided with a base element for forming at least one seat surface and with a back element for forming at least one backrest, wherein the back element is pivotably connected to the base element by means of a hinge system which forms a first axis of rotation and a second axis of rotation and enables the back element to pivot forward about the first axis of rotation and backward about the second axis of rotation, wherein the two axes of rotation are mechanically coupled to each other via a crank.

[0010] A locking element is attached to the crank, limiting the forward swivel angle of the backrest around its second axis. This is particularly important to prevent the backrest from moving uncontrollably or erratically around its second axis when swiveling forward to cover the outdoor seating area. Instead, the backrest is limited to its first axis of rotation. This also ensures that a curved or convex side panel will not collide with the ground, as the entire backrest is raised.

[0011] The front and back specifications are defined according to the front of the backrest and the back of the backrest.

[0012] The two axes of the hinge are essentially parallel to each other.

[0013] This means that axle elements forming the respective axes of rotation are firmly coupled to each other by means of a coupling element with the function of a crank, whereby the crank is arranged on the base element so as to pivot about the first axis of rotation and, spaced apart from the first axis of rotation, itself forms a rotary bearing for the back element about the second axis of rotation.

[0014] The distance between the two axes of rotation can be, for example, between 100 and 200 mm, such as between 140 and 160 mm.

[0015] The outdoor seating can be designed, in particular, as a so-called beach chair or beach armchair. Accordingly, the outdoor seating can offer space for 2-3 people side by side on the seat, although the outdoor seating according to the invention is not limited to this size. The height of the seating can, for example, be between 1.50 m and 2.50 m.

[0016] Furthermore, the outdoor seating furniture can have pull-out footrests from the base element.

[0017] When the back element pivots around the second axis of rotation, the first axis of rotation is not actuated, or rather, no rotational movement around the first axis of rotation takes place.

[0018] Likewise, no pivoting movement of the back element around the second axis of rotation is necessary if the back element is pivoted around the first axis of rotation.

[0019] Because the crank is rotated around the first axis of rotation during a pivoting movement, the position of the second axis of rotation and thus the attachment point on the back element is also raised, so that objects located on the base element, such as seat cushions, do not collide with the back element as it continues to pivot.

[0020] The hinge system allows the backrest to be pivoted around its first axis even when an object, such as a cushion, is placed on the seat. This ensures that the backrest completely covers and at least partially surrounds the base, protecting the cushion from the elements, wind, and unauthorized access. Furthermore, the backrest is flatter than when fully extended, reducing wind resistance. Therefore, simply pivoting the backrest around its first axis is all that is needed to protect the seat and any items placed on it.

[0021] The second axis of rotation is used to adjust the angle of the backrest element according to the wishes of the person sitting in the outdoor seating furniture.

[0022] In one embodiment of the seating furniture, the hinge system comprises two lateral hinge units that together form the two axes of rotation. Each hinge unit essentially consists of a crank mounted to rotate about the first axis of rotation, which in turn forms the pivot point about the second axis. The lateral arrangement refers to the frontal view of the seating furniture, specifically the backrest. The two hinge units can be positioned on the outer sides of the backrest and / or directly above the seat surface of the base element.

[0023] The base element can have two lateral boundary walls, wherein axle elements for forming a respective first rotary bearing about the first axis of rotation are arranged on or in these two lateral boundary walls.

[0024] The respective counter-elements for forming a first rotary bearing around the first axis of rotation are arranged on the crank.

[0025] Axial elements for forming a second pivot bearing around the second axis of rotation can be arranged on the back element. The corresponding counter-elements for forming a second pivot bearing around the second axis of rotation are arranged on the crank.

[0026] An advantageous embodiment of the seating furniture provides that, in the upright position of the backrest, the first axis of rotation is further away from the backrest than the second axis of rotation. In this state, an imaginary connecting line between the two axes of rotation in the cranks can run essentially horizontally or parallel to the seat surface of the base element.

[0027] When the backrest is fully swivelled forward, the second pivot axis can be in a higher position than the first. In other words, in this position, the second pivot axis is further away from the seat surface of the base element than the first pivot axis.

[0028] Because the backrest is coupled to the crank on the second axis of rotation, the backrest also increases the distance to the seat surface, so that no collision of the backrest with a seat cushion or other objects on the seat surface of the base element occurs when the backrest has been completely folded or swiveled forward.

[0029] The present invention is not limited to this configuration, but alternatively, in the upright state of the backrest, the second axis of rotation can be arranged closer to the seat surface of the base element than the first axis of rotation, wherein the two axes of rotation run essentially in the plane or parallel to the plane of the backrest.

[0030] In this way, a swiveling movement of the backrest can also be achieved completely forward around the first axis of rotation, without a collision with cushions or other objects on the seat surface of the base element.

[0031] Similarly, the backrest can be swivelled backwards around the second axis of rotation to adjust the tilt of the backrest.

[0032] At least one lateral end element can be connected to the back element, which is arranged on the side of the base element's lateral boundary wall facing away from the back element. This lateral end element provides a relatively large surface area that can be used to display a pattern, a pictorial representation, or even a textual statement.

[0033] In some areas, there is a gap between the back element and the side end element to allow the back element to pivot around the first axis of rotation without a collision between the back element and the side boundary wall.

[0034] As mentioned, the outdoor seating may have upholstery on the seat. The backrest may also be upholstered, and depending on its thickness, this can affect the distance between the backrest and the seat when the backrest is tilted forward.

[0035] Furthermore, a receiving element can be arranged on the crank, with which a proportion of the weight force of the back element and / or a torque caused by the back element can be absorbed in a forward-swiveled position of the back element.

[0036] This receiving element and the blocking element, which can essentially be in the form of a bolt, can connect to and / or support each other. The receiving element can have a circular arc shape on a concave inner surface, in which an axle element, complementary in shape and size, is received on the backrest to form a second pivot bearing about the second axis of rotation.

[0037] A drive mechanism can be arranged to mechanically connect the backrest element to the base element, facilitating a backward movement of the backrest element from a fully forward-tilted position to an upright position. Such a drive mechanism could, for example, be a spring unit, such as a gas spring.

[0038] The base element can be designed as a swivel base, allowing the seat to rotate around a vertical axis. Such a swivel base can be made of metal.

[0039] In another embodiment, the base element is made of wood, wicker or plastic, as in a conventional beach chair, and has at least partially a cuboid shape.

[0040] Similarly, the back element can be made of wood, wicker, plastic, or a composite material made of these materials.

[0041] In the embodiment where the base element is essentially box-shaped, it can have at least one chassis on its underside, which is height-adjustable relative to the seat surface of the base element, so that the chassis can be extended downwards from the base element and can at least partially absorb the weight of the outdoor seating, thus enabling the outdoor seating to be moved. The chassis can have one or more wheels, optionally pivotable about vertical axes.

[0042] Extending the chassis can be achieved via a mechanical device, such as a spindle drive.

[0043] A lock is arranged between at least one lateral boundary wall of the base element and a lateral end element which is firmly connected to the back element, in order to block a relative movement of the lateral end element in relation to the lateral boundary wall and thus to fix the back element in a swung-down position.

[0044] Such a lock could, for example, be a bolt lock. This can prevent unauthorized opening of the seating furniture.

[0045] The outdoor seating furniture may also have a rear cover which, when the back element is swivelled forward, covers the rear, lower area of ​​the base element and thus also protects it from the elements.

[0046] Between at least one lateral boundary wall of the base element and a lateral end element that is rigidly connected to the back element, an angle fixing device may be provided. This device comprises a laterally spring-loaded detent element in one of the two elements (lateral boundary wall and lateral end element), and has several recesses in the other element (lateral boundary wall and lateral end element) into which the detent element is inserted to fix the respective angle of inclination of the back element about the second axis of rotation. The recesses are arranged along a circular arc with a radius equal to the distance to the second axis of rotation.

[0047] The outdoor seating furniture may also have a lighting device to illuminate the seating area of ​​the furniture and / or to at least partially illuminate the outside of at least one side end element.

[0048] For example, lighting can be used to create or emphasize a pattern or a pictorial representation.

[0049] The present invention will be explained below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1: The outdoor seating furniture in perspective view with the backrest in its normal position; Fig. 2: the outdoor seating furniture in perspective view with the back element completely swivelled forward; Fig. 3: the outdoor seating furniture in frontal view with the back element in its normal position; Fig. 4: a detailed view of the outdoor seating furniture in the area of ​​a side hinge unit; Fig. 5: The crank of a hinge unit in top view; Fig. 6: in a schematic representation of the outdoor seating furniture in side view with the back element in its normal position; Fig. 7: in a schematic representation of the outdoor seating furniture in a side view with the backrest element partially swivelled forward; and Fig. 8: in a schematic representation the outdoor seating furniture in a side view with the back element fully swivelled forward.

[0050] The Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows the outdoor seating element 1 in different perspective views. The outdoor seating element 1 comprises a base element 10, which forms a seat 11 on its upper surface for 2 to 3 people. A side boundary wall 12 of the base element 10 adjoins the seat 11 on both opposite sides. Furthermore, the outdoor seating element 1 comprises a back element 20, which forms a backrest 21 on its front. Two opposing side end elements 22 are connected to the back element 20, defining the left and right outer sides of the outdoor seating element 1. This means that the side boundary walls 12 of the base element 10 are located between the seat 11 and the respective side end element 22.

[0051] The present invention makes it possible to pivot the back element 20 together with the side end elements 22 completely forwards, so that the top of the back element 20 or the side end elements 22 can be placed on the floor or be located just above it.

[0052] This provides a simple way to protect objects stored in the outdoor seating furniture 1 or on the seat surface 11, and also reduces the effects of wind loads.

[0053] Out of Fig. Figure 3 shows that a lateral hinge unit 60 is arranged on each of the two outer sides 23 of the backrest 21. The two lateral hinge units 60 together form a hinge system 25. This hinge system 25 allows the backrest element to rotate about a first axis of rotation 30 and about a second axis of rotation 40, which is shown in the Fig. The 3 perspectives shown are superimposed.

[0054] Fig. Figure 3 further shows that two pull-out footstools 70 are arranged in the base element 10.

[0055] Fig. Figure 4 shows the detail of a lateral hinge unit 60. It can be seen that such a lateral hinge unit 60 includes a crank 50 which can perform a pivoting movement about the first axis of rotation 30 and enables a pivoting movement of the back element 20 about the second axis of rotation 40.

[0056] A first rotary bearing 31 is thus formed around the first axis of rotation 30, wherein axle elements for forming this first rotary bearing are arranged on the one hand in the lateral boundary wall 12 and on the other hand on the crank 50.

[0057] A second rotary bearing 41 is formed around the second axis of rotation 40, wherein axle elements for forming this second rotary bearing are arranged on the crank 50 on one side and on the back element 20 on the other.

[0058] Furthermore, a gap 24 is clearly visible here, which is designed between the backrest 21 and the side end element 22 in order to accommodate the side boundary wall 12 of the base element 10 between the backrest 21 and the side end element 22, even when the back element 20 is fully swung down.

[0059] The crank 50 itself is in Fig. Figure 5 shows the first rotary bearing 31, which forms a first axis of rotation 30 perpendicular to the plane of view. The second rotary bearing 41, which forms a second axis of rotation 40 perpendicular to the plane of view, is also visible.

[0060] The crank 50 also includes an essentially pin-shaped blocking element 51, which serves to secure the back element 20 or its backrest 21, in order to prevent the back element 20 from being pivoted about the second axis of rotation 40 when it is folded forward.

[0061] A receiving element 52, which is curved or concave, is attached to the blocking element 51 in order to receive a complementary form element formed by the back element 20 and thus support a weight and / or possibly torque absorption initiated by the back element 20.

[0062] The Fig. Figures 6-8 show different angular positions of the back element 20 in relation to the base element 10. Fig. Figure 6 shows a normally positioned state of the back element 20, the so-called zero position. Fig. Figure 7 shows a state with the back element 20 partially swivelled forward. Fig. Figure 8 shows the state of a back element 20 that has been completely swung forward.

[0063] From the Fig. Figures 6-8 show that when the back element 20 pivots forward, it only pivots about the first axis of rotation 30 in the first pivot bearing 31. The crank 50 rotates about the first axis of rotation 30.

[0064] If the back element 20 is in a fully forward-folded position, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 8, it can be seen that there is still a relatively large distance 65 between the seat surface 11 and the back element 20 or its backrest 21, which makes it possible to store things on the seat surface 11 regardless of the weather, such as seat cushions.

[0065] An adjustment movement or a swiveling of the back element 20 in the opposite direction, starting from the in Fig.The zero position shown in Figure 6 and the adjustment of the angle of the backrest 21 are carried out exclusively around the second axis of rotation 40, without any rotation around the first axis of rotation 30. Reference symbol list 1 Outdoor seating 10 Basic Element 11 Seating area 12 lateral boundary wall 20 back elements 21 Backrest 22 lateral end element 23 Outer side of the backrest 24 columns 25 hinge system 30 first axis of rotation 31 first pivot bearing 40 second axis of rotation 41 second pivot bearing 50 crank 51 Blocking element 52 Recording element 60 side hinge unit 65 distance 70 Footstool

Claims

[1] Outdoor seating furniture (1) with a base element (10) for forming at least one seat (11) and with a back element (20) for forming at least one backrest (21), wherein the back element (20) is pivotably connected to the base element (10) by means of a hinge system (25) which forms a first axis of rotation (30) and a second axis of rotation (40) and enables the back element (20) to pivot forward about the first axis of rotation (30) and backward about the second axis of rotation (40), wherein the two axes of rotation (30, 40) are mechanically coupled to each other via a crank (50), characterized by , that a blocking element (51) is arranged on the crank (50), with which the pivot angle of the back element (20) about the second axis of rotation (40) is limited forwards. [2] Outdoor seating furniture (1) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the hinge system (25) has two lateral hinge units (60) which together form the two axes of rotation (30,40). [3] Outdoor seating furniture (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the base element (10) has two lateral boundary walls (12), and axle elements for forming a respective first rotary bearing (31) about the first axis of rotation (30) are arranged on or in these two lateral boundary walls (12). [4] Outdoor seating furniture (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that axle elements are arranged on the back element (20) to form a respective second rotary bearing (41) about the second axis of rotation (40). [5] Outdoor seating furniture (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that in the upright state of the backrest (21) the first axis of rotation (30) is further away from the backrest (21) than the second axis of rotation (40). [6] Outdoor seating furniture (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that when the backrest (21) is fully swivelled forward, the second axis of rotation (40) is in a higher position than the first axis of rotation (30). [7] Outdoor seating furniture (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one lateral end element (22) is connected to the back element (20) and is arranged on the side of the lateral boundary wall (12) of the base element (10) facing away from the back element (20). [8] Outdoor seating furniture (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a receiving element (52) is arranged on the crank (50), with which a proportion of the weight force of the back element (20) and / or a torque caused by the back element (20) can be received in a forward pivoted position of the back element (20). [9] Outdoor seating furniture (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a drive device is arranged which mechanically connects the back element (20) with the base element (10), which facilitates a backward movement of the back element (20) from a fully forward tilted position into an upright position.

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