seating furniture

Abstract

Seating furniture with a seat (1) which can be pivoted about a first axis (1c) and which extends parallel to the seat (1) and a backrest (2) which can be pivoted about a second axis (2c) and which extends parallel to the backrest (2), characterized in that the seating furniture has a longitudinal center plane (5) and the first axis (1c) and the second axis (2c) extend in this longitudinal center plane (5).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a piece of seating furniture with a seat pivotable about a first axis and a backrest pivotable about a second axis.

[0002] In today's world, most people spend a lot of time sitting, especially while eating, driving, working, and, last but not least, relaxing on the couch. Prolonged, static sitting leads to overloading of the vertebral bone structure and stress in the muscles. The consequences of this lifestyle are obvious to everyone and lead to severe tension in the back, shoulders, and neck.

[0003] To relieve such tension, massage chairs are known, for example, which have integrated and powered massage bodies in the backrest. Although such massage chairs are perceived as very pleasant, it is of course more practical if the tension does not arise in the first place. It is therefore advantageous for people who spend a lot of time sitting to pay attention to "dynamic sitting", as small and frequent changes in sitting position can largely prevent back pain. For example, WO 03 / 068027 A1 discloses a piece of seating furniture which has a left and right seat section, each of which is mounted so that it can move around a horizontal axis. The backrest also consists of a left and a right half, which can also pivot around a horizontal axis.

[0004] The invention is based on the object of creating a piece of seating furniture that effectively counteracts any back pain, even when sitting for long periods.

[0005] According to the invention, this object is achieved by the features of claim 1, wherein the seating furniture has a seat pivotable about a first axis and a backrest pivotable about a second axis, wherein the first axis extends parallel to the seat and the second axis parallel to the backrest and the seating furniture has a longitudinal center plane, wherein the first axis and the second axis extend in this longitudinal center plane.

[0006] The longitudinal center plane is the plane that divides the seating furniture into a right and left half. Thus, the longitudinal center plane of the seating furniture, spanned by the first and second axes, coincides with the sagittal plane of a person sitting on the seating furniture. The seating furniture according to the invention enables the simultaneous mobilization of the pelvis, spine, ribs, and shoulders by requiring the user to constantly compensate for rotational and counter-rotational movements (torsion of the trunk).

[0007] A particularly effective torsion of the user's torso occurs when the first axis and the second axis intersect and the angle between the first axis and the second axis essentially corresponds to the angle between the seat and the backrest.

[0008] The term dynamic sitting means "movement while sitting," and this movement can be either active or passive. With "active dynamic sitting," the person sitting on the chair performs continuous movements, frequently changing position thanks to the movable seat and backrest. With "passive dynamic sitting," on the other hand, one or more drives are present that are capable of transmitting coordinated (synchronized) movements to the seated person. The benefits of dynamic sitting are manifold. The frequent, "forced" change of sitting position creates continuous activation of the back muscles, which prevents shortening of the various muscle groups and counteracts the onset of back pain. Furthermore, frequent changes in position have a positive effect not only on the muscles but also on the spine and intervertebral discs.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a first actuator is therefore provided for moving the pivotable seat back and forth about the first axis and / or a second actuator is provided for moving the pivotable backrest back and forth about the second axis.

[0010] When the first actuator is activated, the seated person's body weight can be shifted from the right gluteal muscle to the left, with the movement being coordinated with the entire torso and shoulders, particularly with the support of the second actuator. The seat and backrest movement is preferably very slow and continuous, for example, 40 to 500 cycles, preferably 60 to 400 cycles per hour. This gentle, rhythmic, and non-invasive movement creates natural tension in the muscles, allowing them to relax and stretch in a pleasant and natural way.

[0011] The movement primarily causes a natural activation of the muscles between the pelvis and ribs. Furthermore, the metabolism and the supply of nutrients to the muscles and intervertebral discs are stimulated. Furthermore, a reduction in fatigue due to poor posture and constant muscle strain can be observed, as well as improved breathing thanks to reduced tension in the shoulder and intercostal muscles.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the seat has a seat frame pivotable about the first axis. Furthermore, a backrest frame pivotable about the second axis can be provided on the backrest. According to a further embodiment, the seat has a main seat frame, wherein the pivotable seat frame is pivotable about the first axis relative to the main seat frame. Analogously, a main backrest frame can be provided on the backrest, wherein the pivotable backrest frame is pivotable about the second axis relative to the main backrest frame.

[0013] The pivoting seat frame and the pivoting backrest frame can be actuated by the first and second actuators, respectively, and pivot about their respective axes. The movement of the seat frame and the backrest frame is advantageously synchronized such that when the right part of the seat is lowered, the left part of the backrest moves forward, thus forcing torsion of the torso relative to the pelvis of the seated person. Subsequently, the left part of the seat is lowered, while the right part of the backrest is moved forward.

[0014] To control the first and / or second actuator, a drive control is provided, which is configured such that the first and / or second actuator executes a reciprocating pivoting movement of the seat and / or backrest. In particular, the drive control can be configured such that the speed and / or frequency of the pivoting movement triggered by the first and / or second actuator is adjustable. A continuous, reciprocating pivoting movement can be performed. Preferably, a minimum of 60 and a maximum of 400 cycles per hour are adjustable.

[0015] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the drive control is configured to control the first and / or second actuator using pulse width modulation. This allows the user to adjust the rotation / swivel speed within a wide range, even allowing values ​​so low that the movement of the seat frame / backrest is no longer noticeable.

[0016] By means of the synchronized pivoting movements of the seat frame and the backrest frame, the positive effects on the body that would otherwise be achieved during a walk can be faithfully reproduced (through passive movements) when sitting on the seating furniture according to the invention, thereby reducing the sensorimotor amnesia that develops during periods of inactivity.

[0017] Further embodiments of the invention are presented in more detail in the following description and the drawing.

[0018] In the drawing show Fig. 1 schematic representation of a piece of seating furniture in a first pivoting position of seat and backrest, Fig. 2 schematic representation of a seating furniture in a second swivel position of seat and backrest, Fig. 3a Three-dimensional, schematic representation of the seat or backrest, Fig. 3b schematic side view of the seat or backrest in a first pivoting position, Fig. 3c schematic side view of the seat or backrest in a middle position, Fig. 3d schematic side view of the seat or backrest in a second swivel position, Fig. 4 a block diagram of a control device, Fig. 5 schematic representation of a recliner chair in an upright basic position and Fig. 6 schematic representation of a reclining chair in a reclined position.

[0019] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 schematically illustrates the seating furniture according to the invention, with any upholstery omitted. It comprises a pivotable seat 1 and a pivotable backrest 2. For this purpose, the seat 1 provides a main seat frame 1a and a pivotable seat frame 1b, wherein the pivotable seat frame 1b is pivotally mounted on the main seat frame 1a about a first axis 1c. Similarly, the backrest 2 comprises a main backrest frame 2a and a pivotable backrest frame 2b, wherein the pivotable backrest frame 2b is pivotally mounted on the main backrest frame 2a about the second axis. The main seat frame and the backrest frame are fastened in a frame 3 of the seating furniture, wherein the frame 3 is supported on a support surface via legs 4.

[0020] The seating furniture has a longitudinal center plane 5 (see Fig. 2), which divides the seating furniture into a right and a left half and coincides with the sagittal plane of a person sitting on the seating furniture. The first axis 1c and the second axis 2c extend in this longitudinal center plane 5, with the first axis 1c and the second axis 2c intersecting at an angle that essentially corresponds to the angle between the seat 1 and the backrest 2.

[0021] Although the movement of the pivoting seat frame 1b and the pivoting backrest frame 2b can be actively performed by the person sitting on the seating furniture, the illustrated embodiment provides a first actuator 6 for reciprocating the pivoting seat frame 1b about the first axis 1c. Furthermore, the pivoting backrest frame 2b is reciprocated about the second axis 2c by means of a second actuator 7.

[0022] The structure and function of the seat 1 and the backrest 2 are very similar and are explained below using the Fig. 3a to 3d are explained in more detail using the example of the seat 1. However, the explanations also apply correspondingly to the backrest 2. The main seat frame 1a is designed as a rectangular frame in the illustrated embodiment and is firmly connected to the frame 3 of the seating furniture via fastening means 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d. The fastening is carried out, for example, by means of screw connections. Two articulation points 9a, 9b are provided on two opposite areas of the main seat frame 1a, to which the pivotable seat frame 1b is pivotably connected about the first axis 1c. The pivotable seat frame 1b is also designed here as a rectangular frame, which provides a cross member 1.1a parallel to the first axis 1c. The first actuator 6 is designed as a linear actuator, which is coupled at one end approximately centrally to the cross member 1.1a of the pivotable seat frame 1b and at its other end to the main seat frame 1a.

[0023] The main seat frame 1a and the swivel seat frame 1b are in the Fig. 3c are aligned parallel to each other. Actuation of the first actuator 6 in the direction of arrow 10 causes the pivotable seat frame 1b to rotate about the first axis 1c, whereby the Fig. 3b is raised and the right half is lowered. The maximum pivot angle α can preferably be in the range of 5 to 20°. This results, for example, in a height difference h between the left and right edges of the pivotable seat frame 1b in the range of 20 to 80 mm. Actuation of the first actuator 6 in the opposite direction ( Fig. 3d, arrow 11) causes the pivoting seat frame 1b to rotate counterclockwise about the first axis 1c.

[0024] To control the first and / or second actuator 6, 7, a drive control 12 ( Fig. 4) is provided, which is designed such that the first and / or second actuator 6, 7 causes a back and forth pivoting movement of the seat 1 and / or the backrest 2 between the two Fig. 3b and Fig. 3d. However, it is of course also conceivable for the pivot angle α to vary. Furthermore, it can be provided that the user can adjust the speed and / or frequency of the pivoting movement triggered by the first and / or second actuator 6, 7. For this purpose, in particular, a remote control 13 or an actuating device provided on the seating furniture can be provided.

[0025] The drive control 12 essentially comprises a voltage source 12a, a microprocessor 12b and a MOSFET H-bridge 12c, 12d assigned to each of the two actuators, so that the first and / or second actuator can be controlled in a wide frequency range by means of pulse width modulation.

[0026] In the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 shows a piece of seating furniture according to a second embodiment of the invention, which is a recliner chair in an upright basic position ( Fig. 5) and in a reclined position ( Fig. 6). The recliner also has a seat with a pivoting seat frame 1b and a backrest 2 with a pivoting backrest frame 2b. Furthermore, a footrest 14 is provided, which can be moved from a retracted position ( Fig. 5) into an extended position ( Fig. 6). Furthermore, a seat and backrest adjustment mechanism 16 is provided, which adjusts the recliner chair between the upright basic position ( Fig. 5) and the reclined position ( Fig.6) can be adjusted in a generally known manner. In the reclined position, the angle between the seat and backrest is significantly greater than in the basic position. Furthermore, the front edge of the seat can be slightly raised in the reclined position, and the footrest 14 is extended. Otherwise, the pivoting seat frame and the pivoting backrest frame 2b also take over the mobilization of the pelvic and back areas.

[0027] In both exemplary embodiments, the pivoting backrest frame 2b in particular causes the shoulder to move forwards and backwards, while the pelvis is moved up and down by the movable seat frame. Particularly efficient mobilization occurs when the movement of the backrest frame 2b and the seat frame 1b are synchronized with one another. In particular, a counter-synchronization can be set, in which the right half of the backrest frame is moved forwards and the left half of the seat frame is moved upwards, with the left half of the backrest frame subsequently moving forwards and the right half of the seat frame upwards. The back-and-forth pivoting movement of the pivoting seat frame 1b and the pivoting backrest frame 2b can be started and stopped via the remote control 13.It is also conceivable to execute a predefined number of swivel cycles and then automatically terminate the swivel movements. Furthermore, the speed and / or frequency of the reciprocating swivel movement can be set and modified. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 03 / 068027 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Seating furniture with a seat (1) pivotable about a first axis (1c) extending parallel to the seat (1) and a backrest (2) pivotable about a second axis (2c) extending parallel to the backrest (2), characterized by that the seating furniture has a longitudinal center plane (5) and the first axis (1c) and the second axis (2c) extend in this longitudinal center plane (5). [2] Seating furniture according to claim 1, characterized by that the first axis (1c) and the second axis (2c) intersect and the angle between the first axis (1c) and the second axis (2c) substantially corresponds to the angle between the seat (1) and the backrest (2). [3] Seating furniture according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by that the seat (1) has a seat frame (1b) which can pivot about the first axis (1c). [4] Seating furniture according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the backrest (2) has a backrest frame (2b) which can pivot about the second axis (2c). [5] Seating furniture according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by that the seat (1) has a main seat frame (1a) and the pivotable seat frame (1b) is pivotable relative to the main seat frame (1a) about the first axis (1c). [6] Seating furniture according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by that the backrest (2) has a main backrest frame (2a) and the pivotable backrest frame (2b) is pivotable relative to the main backrest frame (2a) about the second axis (2c). [7] Seating furniture according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by that a first actuator (6) is provided for moving the pivotable seat (1) back and forth about the first axis (1c). [8] Seating furniture according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized bythat a second actuator (7) is provided for moving the pivotable backrest (2) back and forth about the second axis (2c). [9] Seating furniture according to claims 7 and 8, characterized by that a drive control (12) is provided for controlling the first and / or second actuator (6, 7), wherein the drive control (12) is designed such that the first and / or second actuator (6, 7) exert a back and forth pivoting movement of the seat (1) and / or the backrest (2). [10] Seating furniture according to claim 9, characterized by that the drive control (12) is designed such that the speed of the pivoting movement triggered by the first and / or second actuator (6, 7) is adjustable. [11] Seating furniture according to claim 9 or 10, characterized bythat the drive control (12) is designed such that the frequency of the back and forth movement of the seat (1) and / or the backrest (3) triggered by the first and / or second actuator (6, 7) is adjustable. [12] Seating furniture according to claim 11, characterized by that the drive control (12) is designed to control the first and / or second actuator (6, 7) by means of pulse width modulation. [13] Seating furniture according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by that the longitudinal center plane (5) of the seating furniture spanned by the first and second axes (1c, 2c) coincides with the sagittal plane of a person sitting on the seating furniture.

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