SEATING FURNITURE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a piece of seating furniture which comprises at least one seat in the form of a seating platform or in the form of a stool and at least one seat cushion.

[0002] Seating furniture, such as chairs, benches, stools, armchairs, and sofas, is already familiar in a wide variety of shapes and designs. Different aspects can be important in the construction or design of seating furniture, depending on the intended use (e.g., living, working, or other).

[0003] DE 20 2006 018 468 U1 shows a foam stool with a support core inside made of a material that is harder than the foam. However, the support core occupies a comparatively small volume within the stool, and furthermore, this document does not disclose any cuboid stools or seating. The use of seat cushions is also not addressed in this document.

[0004] DE 20 2015 104 535 U1 relates to a stool with a fabric covering. The core of the invention underlying this document is the use of a fabric covering made of a waterproof material. The corresponding stool has a support body inside, which can be surrounded by a cushioning material. The support body and cushioning material together form the core of the stool, and the outer layer of the stool is formed by the aforementioned (waterproof) fabric covering.

[0005] The seating furniture according to US 2016 / 367032 A1 requires a backrest according to the claims. The stools shown in this document are hollow inside.

[0006] Furthermore, DE 200 07 630 U1 shows only a seat cushion (multifunctional cushion) with a closed cover and a filling material provided in the cover.

[0007] In contrast to the prior art, the present invention seeks to take an evolutionary approach to the construction and design of a piece of seating furniture, i.e., an approach that takes human evolution into account. In other words: Which human postures and sitting positions actually correspond to human physical needs? Which sitting positions are "species-appropriate" and healthy?

[0008] Based on this new approach, the invention seeks to create a piece of seating that specifically meets the natural needs of humans, based on their evolutionary development. This seating should allow the user to assume various, species-appropriate and healthy sitting positions. Furthermore, the new seating should be versatile and allow for both static and dynamic use. Finally, the new seating should be adaptable to different environments and living areas, so that the user does not have to do without the seating in any area of ​​their life.

[0009] At least these objects are achieved by the seating furniture having the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of this seating furniture are described in the dependent claims 2 to 10.

[0010] The wording of all claims is hereby expressly incorporated by reference into this description.

[0011] According to the invention, the novel seating furniture comprises, among other things, at least one seat in the form of a seating platform or a stool, as well as at least one seat cushion. The seat has a hard core and a soft outer layer (compared to the core), with the core consisting of at least one rigid foam plastic and the outer layer consisting of at least one flexible foam plastic. According to the invention, the seat cushion has a filling of microspheres made of rigid foam plastic with a diameter of less than 2 mm.

[0012] The term "seating platform" is intended to mean, according to the invention, that the seat can also be described as a platform intended for sitting, on which the user of the seat can assume any (arbitrary) sitting position. The term "stool" used according to the invention is also intended to have a corresponding meaning. A stool is a simple piece of seating furniture, usually without a backrest, on which the user can also assume any (arbitrary) sitting position.

[0013] According to the invention, the term "seat cushion" encompasses all cushions with a generally bag-like cover, preferably made of a fabric, which is filled with the microspheres of rigid foam plastic according to claim 1. The cushion provided according to the invention serves, as will be described below, to support the sitting position on the pedestal-like or stool-like seating.

[0014] The core and outer layer of the seat are made of foam plastics (foams for short). Foam (foamed plastic) is a material consisting of a solid plastic and a gas dispersed within it.

[0015] Rigid foams are foams that exhibit relatively high resistance to deformation under compressive loads. This is due, among other things, to the fact that rigid foams are predominantly closed-cell. Flexible foams, on the other hand, are softer than rigid foams and have an open-cell structure.

[0016] According to the invention, the rigid foam used is, in particular, a polyurethane (PUR / PIR) foam or a polystyrene (PS) foam. Polyurethane (PUR / PIR) foam is known to be produced by the polyaddition of isocyanates with polyether or polyester polyols. A distinction is made between linear and cross-linked PUR foam.

[0017] In PIR foam production, a higher proportion of isocyanate is used as a raw material than in PUR foam. The corresponding differences are readily apparent to the expert (chemist).

[0018] Polystyrene (PS) foam is a plastic obtained by polymerizing styrene, which is expanded into various rigid polystyrene foams using various manufacturing processes. According to the invention, a so-called EPS rigid foam is preferably used. This expanded rigid polystyrene foam is foamed using, among other things, steam.

[0019] The flexible foam used according to the invention is preferably a polyurethane (PUR) foam. As already explained, this can be produced from isocyanates and polyether polyols, using open-cell crosslinking. In particular, the flexible foam is a polyurethane (PUR) composite foam. Such composite foams generally consist of cuttings from the production of PUR flexible foam and at least one binder. These materials are also readily known to those skilled in the art.

[0020] To determine the relative strength of foams (hardness, softness), various parameters such as the density (also called bulk density) or the compression strength can be used. The bulk density (density) is given in kg / m³ and indicates the weight of a foam block with an edge length of 1 m. The compression strength is given in kPa.

[0021] It indicates how much pressure must be applied to a foam to compress it to a certain percentage of its initial height.

[0022] In the invention, it is preferred if the core of the seating is made of a polystyrene (PS) foam having a density between 10 and 35 kg / m 3 and / or a compressive stress at 10% compression of ≥ 30 kPa. Even harder, preferred variants of such polystyrene foams can have compressive stresses at 10% compression of ≥ 90 kPa, in particular ≥ 150 kPa.

[0023] It is also preferred if the outer layer of the seat is made of a polyurethane (PUR) foam with a compression hardness (at 40%) of ≥ 15 kPa. In particular, the compression hardness (at 40%) is between 15 and 40 kPa.

[0024] The seat cushion's filling, made of rigid foam plastic microspheres with a diameter of less than 2 mm, ensures the cushion's dimensional stability, especially under weight. These small beads cannot roll away, thus largely preserving the user's seating position.

[0025] In this context, it is further preferred in the invention if the microspheres of the seat cushion filling have a diameter of less than 1.5 mm. The diameter of the microspheres is in particular between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm.

[0026] In further development, the microbeads of the seat cushion filling consist in particular of EPS rigid foam plastic (see above explanation).

[0027] According to the invention, the seat provided with the new piece of seating can, in principle, have any desired pedestal-like or stool-like shape. This allows the shape of the seat, and thus the overall design of the seating, to be adapted to the environment for which the seating is intended. The size of the seat is also fundamentally unlimited in the invention. Thus, the seat can be intended for use by one person, be it a child or an adult, or for use by at least two people, for example, by a group of people. Furthermore, very different cross-sectional areas can be selected for the seat, for example, round, oval, or square cross-sectional areas.

[0028] According to the invention, the seating arrangement has at least two flat (plane) surfaces (optionally with a slight incline). These surfaces are intended as a seating surface for the user.

[0029] In such embodiments, a second flat surface facing away from a first flat surface is preferably provided, with which the seat can then be placed on the floor. This will be explained in more detail in conjunction with the drawings. As already described, the seating furniture according to the invention comprises a seat with a hard core and a soft or softer outer layer (compared to the core). The (harder) core serves, on the one hand, to give the seat the necessary stability. On the other hand, the core ensures that the user of the seating furniture does not sink (too far) into the seat when assuming a sitting position. The (softer) outer layer serves to increase seating comfort for the user. The outer layer therefore ensures that the user does not have to sit (exclusively) on the hard core.

[0030] The described functions of the (harder) core and (softer) outer layer can be utilized according to the invention by having the outer layer surfaces provided on the seat (and usable as a seat) with different firmnesses. In other words, the outer layer is not equally soft throughout, but has different firmnesses / hardnesses (which are, of course, still softer than the core). This allows the user to select a seat surface and thus a seating position with different levels of softness.

[0031] The different firmnesses of the soft outer layer for different seating comfort can be achieved, for example, either by using different soft foam plastics for the corresponding surfaces of the outer layer or by using different thicknesses of the same soft foam plastic for different surfaces of the outer layer.

[0032] All of these aspects will also be explained in conjunction with the drawings. The seat in the invention is shaped like a cuboid or cube. In these corresponding configurations, the flat surfaces can be arranged horizontally particularly easily and thus used as a seat.

[0033] The dimensions (edge ​​lengths) a, b, and c of the cuboid are between 50 and 130 cm (a), between 50 and 90 cm (b), and between 20 and 50 cm (c). If the cuboid seating is arranged so that dimension c can be considered the height of the seating, the corresponding dimensions between 20 and 50 cm allow for comfortable seating positions for all users, from children to (tall) adults. This aspect will also be discussed further in connection with the drawings.

[0034] Preferred dimensions of the cuboid seating are, for example, 90 cm (a), 70 cm (b) and 40 cm (c), or 60 cm (a), 60 cm (b) and 40 cm (c).

[0035] Furthermore, the invention provides that the core of the seating occupies a comparatively large space within the seating itself. In other words, the volume of the core should not be too small relative to the (total) volume of the seating. This is because the (hard) core provides the seating with the necessary stability overall. Accordingly, the invention provides that the volume of the core is between 60% and 90% of the volume of the seating. Within this range, a core volume share of between 75% and 85% (each relative to the total volume of the seating) is further preferred.

[0036] Furthermore, according to the invention, the seating arrangement can have a cover or a cover that completely encloses the seating arrangement. This cover protects the seating arrangement, and in particular the outer layer, against damage and / or soiling. The cover, which is usually made of fabric, can be permanently attached or removable, for example, using a zipper. In the latter case, the cover can then be cleaned or washed and reattached to the seating arrangement.

[0037] In preferred embodiments of the seating furniture according to the invention, the seat cushion can have a round or oval cross-sectional area, i.e. a shape that is basically known from so-called yoga cushions.

[0038] In a further development, the diameter of the seat cushion, in particular the seat cushion with a round or oval cross-sectional area, is between 20 and 40 cm, preferably between 30 and 35 cm. The seat cushion can in particular have a height between 10 and 20 cm.

[0039] The microbead filling of the seat cushion is usually enclosed within a cover that serves as the undercover. A decorative cover can also be arranged around the undercover, which can also be removable. This decorative cover can, if desired, be made of the same material as the (outer) seat cover. The design of the two covers can also be coordinated.

[0040] Finally, the seating furniture according to the invention can additionally comprise a wedge-shaped part for resting on the seat. This part primarily serves as a heel wedge to support the feet when assuming a squatting position on the seat. This will be explained in more detail below. The wedge-shaped part is preferably made of a rigid foam plastic, with reference to the above explanations of this material.

[0041] The seating furniture according to the invention with its combination of the described seating and the described seat cushion is associated with a whole series of advantages.

[0042] The (harder) core of the seat ensures, on the one hand, sufficient stability, including protection against deformation during use. On the other hand, the core provides a comparatively hard and therefore stable support surface for the user, supporting them in their chosen sitting position.

[0043] At the same time, the (softer) outer layer offers the user improved seating comfort, which they wouldn't get if they were sitting directly on the core. The combination of core and outer layer is therefore an essential component for healthy sitting on a seat.

[0044] The seat cushion, with its shape-stabilizing microbead filling, supports the user's chosen sitting position, thus contributing to the desired healthy sitting posture. This support is particularly necessary for users who cannot, or are not yet able to, maintain certain sitting positions for extended periods.

[0045] These advantages are also evident in the following description, which describes some seating positions that can be assumed on the seating furniture according to the invention. These seating positions can, in principle, be assumed in all embodiments of the invention. However, they are particularly evident in the embodiment illustrated in the drawings.

[0046] From an evolutionary perspective, the sitting positions of deep squatting, heel-sitting, cross-legged sitting, and straddle sitting are particularly healthy for humans. These four basic positions can be adopted with the seating furniture according to the invention as follows: 1. Deep squat

[0047] The user (hereinafter referred to as the "user") squats on the seat. To do this, place both feet approximately hip-width apart on a substantially flat and horizontal surface of the seat. Ideally, the heels should touch the seat. Lower the buttocks as low as possible, keeping the upper body as upright as possible.

[0048] For users who aren't (yet) able to lower their heels completely, a heel wedge can be placed underneath. A seat cushion can also be used to support this squat. It can be placed, for example, under the buttocks between the legs, making the deep squat significantly easier. 2. Heel seat

[0049] In this sitting position, the user first kneels on a flat, horizontal surface. Then, the buttocks are lowered onto the heels. The insteps of the feet, as well as the lower legs, rest on the seat.

[0050] Here, the seat cushion can also be placed under the buttocks to achieve a more comfortable sitting position for the user. 3. Cross-legged

[0051] Here, the user sits cross-legged on a flat, horizontal surface of the seat. This means that the legs or lower legs are crossed in front of the body.

[0052] If the user finds this sitting position too uncomfortable, the seat cushion can be placed under the buttocks. The higher sitting position makes the cross-legged position more comfortable. 4. Straddle seat

[0053] Here, the user sits with only their buttocks (and thighs, if applicable) on a flat, horizontal surface of the seat. The legs are spread outward, and the feet are placed on the floor in front of the seat. Thus, the user sits on the seat like a (normal) stool.

[0054] All four described sitting positions can also be performed in different variations.

[0055] As already mentioned, the seat is designed to facilitate a healthy sitting position. The seat cushion either makes this position more comfortable or allows the user to maintain this position for longer (depending on their mobility or health). The seat cushion provides significant relief, especially for the knees and ankles.

[0056] A further advantage of the seating furniture according to the invention is its use for desk work, especially while standing. The starting point here is that many workplaces are already equipped with height-adjustable desks, but their standing function is still used far too rarely.

[0057] The seating furniture according to the invention can provide a solution here. Firstly, the seat can be partially pushed under the desk in a suitable arrangement at a comparatively low height. This allows the user to place one foot on the seat and also change the foot at the same time. This allows for variable, dynamic standing at the desk with the foot resting on the seat.

[0058] Furthermore, a suitably designed cuboid seat can be placed upright and used in front of the desk, similar to a bar stool. This makes working while standing significantly easier and, accordingly, reduces the barrier to using the desk's standing function.

[0059] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention in conjunction with the drawings. The individual features of the invention can be implemented individually or in combination with one another. The following description merely serves to further explain the invention without limiting the invention to the disclosure content of this description and the drawings.

[0060] The drawings show Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B the schematic representation of a preferred embodiment of the seating furniture according to the invention with seating ( Fig. 1A ) and seat cushions ( Fig. 1B ), and Fig. 2 an exploded schematic representation of a preferred embodiment of a seat according to the invention.

[0061] The Fig. 1A and 1Bshow the combination of a seat 1 and a seat cushion 5, which together form the seating furniture according to the invention.

[0062] According to Fig. 1A Seat 1 has the shape of a cuboid with the edge lengths a, b and c. By selecting this shape, seat 1 has a total of six flat surfaces, arranged in pairs opposite each other, all of which can be used as a seat. The three different surfaces, of which there are two each, are in Fig. 1A marked with the reference numerals 2, 3 and 4.

[0063] The dimensions of the seat 1 and the internal structure of the seat 1 consisting of core and outer layer are shown in Fig. 1A not shown in detail. For this purpose, Fig. 2 As explained in the description, the seat 1 can be covered by a cover that protects the outer layer, in particular, against damage and soiling.

[0064] The further component of the seating furniture according to the invention, namely the seat cushion 5, is in Fig. 1B This seat cushion 5 has a Fig. 1B A filling of microspheres (not shown) is provided. These microspheres are made of rigid foam plastic and have a diameter of less than 2 mm. The seat cushion 5 is, in relation to the seat 1, Fig. 1A Not shown to scale. It has a typical size for seat cushions, particularly with an oval cross-sectional diameter of between 20 and 40 cm. Its height is between 10 and 20 cm.

[0065] The seat cushion also has an (outer) cover, which Fig. 1B is not shown in detail. Fig. 1B However, it shows a handle / loop 6, which makes it easier to transport the seat cushion.

[0066] Out of Fig. 2shows the internal structure of a seat 21 according to the invention, which is a component of a piece of seating furniture according to the invention.

[0067] In this context, the seating 21 has a core 22 made of rigid polystyrene foam. The material used is a predominantly closed-cell, rigid foam.

[0068] The edge lengths of the core 22 are within the ranges specified in claim 11. In the case shown, edge lengths of 88 cm (a), 68 cm (b) and 36 cm (c) are preferred.

[0069] The Fig. 2 The unspecified outer layer of the seating 21, which is provided with its outer and possible seating surfaces around the core 22, is Fig. 2In the illustrated case, it is formed by elements 23, 24, 25, and 26. These elements consist of a flexible foam plastic, namely a polyurethane (PUR) composite foam. This has a significantly lower strength (hardness) than the rigid foam plastic used for core 22.

[0070] The plate-shaped elements 23, 24, 25, and 26 are assigned to the side surfaces of the core 22 with the corresponding dimensions and can, for example, be glued to the outer surfaces of the core 22. Accordingly, based on the above-mentioned preferred size of the core 22, the plate elements 23 have surface dimensions of 68 cm x 36 cm, the plate elements 24 have surface dimensions of 90 cm x 36 cm, and the plate elements 25 and 26 have surface dimensions of 90 cm x 70 cm.

[0071] How Fig. 2shows, the plate element 26 has a greater thickness / strength than the other plate elements. In the preferred case shown, the plate elements 23, 24 and 25 have a thickness of 1 cm, and the plate element 26 has a thickness of 3 cm. The greater thickness of the plate element 26 ensures that the flat (supporting) surface formed by this plate element, which can serve as a seat for the user of the seat 21, has a lower strength than the other seat surfaces of the seat 21. The seat surface formed by the plate element 26 is therefore softer due to its greater thickness than the other seat surfaces, in which only a 1 cm thick outer layer of the seat 21 is provided over the hard core 22.

[0072] This is how Fig. 2 a seating arrangement according to the invention Fig. 1A with the (total) dimensions 90 cm (a), 70 cm (b) and 40 cm (c).

[0073] As from Fig. 2As can be seen in general, the volume occupied by the core 22 within the seating 21 is relatively large. With the explicitly stated preferred dimensions, the volume share of the core 22 in the total volume of the seating 21 is 85%.

[0074] On one in the Fig. 1A and 2 With the seat 1 or 21 shown, a user can preferably assume the seating positions mentioned in the description: deep squat, heel seat, cross-legged seat, and straddle seat. To do this, the cuboid seat is placed on one of its sides, depending on the user's size or preference, and the sitting position is assumed on the opposite horizontal seat surface. The user can choose, among other things, whether to sit on a softer or less soft side surface.

Claims

1. Item of seating furniture, comprising at least one seat (1; 21) in the manner of a seat pedestal or in the manner of a stool and at least one seat cushion (5), wherein - the seat (1; 21) has a hard core composed of at least one hard foam plastic, and a soft outer layer composed of at least one soft foam plastic, - the seat (1; 21) has at least two flat surfaces for use as seating surface and at least one flat surface for use as seating surface has a lower hardness than the other surfaces for use as seating surface, - the seat (1; 21) has the form of a cuboid, wherein preferably the dimensions of the edge lengths a, b, c of this cuboidal seat (1; 21) are between 50 and 130 cm (a), between 50 and 90 cm (b) and between 20 and 50 cm (c), - the volume of the core (22) is between 60% and 90% of the volume of the seat (21), and - the seat cushion (5) has a filling of microspheres composed of hard foam plastic and having a diameter of less than 2 mm.

2. Item of seating furniture according to Claim 1, characterized in that the hard foam plastic is a polyurethane (PUR / PIR) foam or a polystyrene (PS) foam, in particular an EPS hard foam.

3. Item of seating furniture according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized in that the soft foam plastic is a polyurethane (PUR) foam or preferably a polyurethane (PUR) composite foam.

4. Item of seating furniture according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the core of the seat is composed of a polystyrene (PS) foam having a density ρ of between 10 and 35 kg / m3 and / or having a compressive stress at 10% compression of ≥ 30 kPa.

5. Item of seating furniture according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer layer of the seat is composed of a polyurethane (PUR) foam having a compression hardness (at 40%) ≥ 15 kPa, wherein the compression hardness (at 40%) is preferably between 15 and 40 kPa.

6. Item of seating furniture according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the microspheres of the filling of the seat cushion (5) have a diameter of less than 1.5 mm, preferably a diameter of between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm.

7. Item of seating furniture according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the microspheres of the filling of the seat cushion (5) are composed of EPS hard foam plastic.

8. Item of seating furniture according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the volume of the core (22) is between 75% and 85% of the volume of the seat (21).

9. Item of seating furniture according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seat cushion (5) has a round or an oval cross-sectional area.

10. Item of seating furniture according to one of the preceding claims, preferably according to Claim 10, characterized in that the diameter of the seat cushion (5) is between 20 and 40 cm, preferably between 30 and 35 cm, wherein the seat cushion in particular has a height of between 10 and 20 cm.