Sitting ball

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sitting device, comprising: an ellipsoidal hollow body (2), which is filled with a gaseous medium and has an expandable hollow body wall; and a casing (1), which encloses the hollow body (2) and is made of flexible material. The casing (1) can be pulled onto the hollow body (2) and pulled off same. The sitting device further comprises a weight body (3) used for positional alignment. The weight body (3) is fastened in a clamping manner between the hollow body (2) and the casing (1) because of a compressive force acting between the hollow body (2) and the casing (1). Furthermore, the present invention relates to a weight body (3) for use in a sitting device according to the invention.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a seating device comprising an ellipsoidal hollow body filled with a gaseous medium and having a stretchable hollow body wall, as well as a shell made of flexible material enclosing the hollow body, wherein the shell can be pulled onto and removed from the hollow body, and comprising a weight body for positional alignment.

[0002] Such a seating device is referred to as a seating ball, particularly when it consists of a spherical hollow body.

[0003] The fundamental problem is that hollow, gas-filled bodies with an outer shell tend to roll away from their designated base, particularly due to their round shape. The advantage of free rolling, which a ball offers for gymnastics and sports applications, can be a hindrance when used as a seat. Therefore, such seats are weighted, and the eccentric placement of the weight forces the seat into a specific position. These weights are permanently fixed to the shell or the hollow body. The disadvantage of this is that the rigid, permanent fixation of the weight makes the seat, especially when designed as a sitting ball, poorly suited or even unsuitable for use in gymnastics and sports.

[0004] From EP 3 400 989 A1, it is known to attach the weight to the outer shell of a ball consisting of a hollow body and a cover. In particular, the cover can have a pocket in which the weight is secured. The disadvantage of such a design is that, firstly, removing the weight when the inner hollow body is inflated is difficult, and secondly, the weight always occupies the same position, so that the seating area cannot be varied. Furthermore, securing the weight requires a special design of the hollow body or the cover.

[0005] From DE 10 2018 130 846 A1, a seating device is known which consists only of the gas-filled hollow body, which has no outer shell. The weight is located on the hollow body, e.g. as an external support device molded onto the hollow body.

[0006] Here too, special training of the bare ball is required in order to fix the weight to the bare ball.

[0007] From DE 297 18 292 U1, it is known to arrange a weight on the hollow body of a seating device, e.g., a sitting ball, which consists of an inner hollow body and an outer cover, in order to align the seating device. Here too, the weight can only be added or removed when the inner hollow body is empty, and it is also necessary to fix the weight within the hollow body to achieve a stable position.

[0008] The invention is based on the objective of designing a seating device of the type described above in such a way that it can be used on the one hand as a seating device with a predetermined operating position and on the other hand without restriction for the gymnastics and sports sector.

[0009] According to the invention, this is achieved, starting from a seating device according to the preamble of claim 1, in that the shell has an opening that can be closed with a closure element, which is dimensioned such that the shell can be filled with the hollow body and the closure element can then be closed after the hollow body has been inflated, wherein a weight is arranged between the shell and the hollow body, which is clamped between the shell and the hollow body by means of a pressure force generated by the hollow body filled with the gaseous medium, wherein the weight is displaceable in its position at any time due to the clamping attachment and can be easily removed by hand, wherein the shell is made of a material that has a lower coefficient of expansion than the material forming the wall of the hollow body. Ideally, the weight is positioned such that the seating device or theThe seating ball is aligned towards the base by an eccentric force generated by the weight body and in particular assumes a position in which, for example, a seating area located on the cover is offset by 180° relative to the base of the seating device.

[0010] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the weight has the shape of a disc, e.g., an optical lens with a base and a disc-shaped, e.g., convex, disc body molded onto the base, with the convex part of the disc body facing the shell. This shape ensures that the outer shape of the shell is not affected, allowing the weight to conform to the shell's shape invisibly from the outside, between the inner hollow body and the shell. Advantageously, the base of the weight can be in a straight plane, or it can be convex or concave. The tapered shape of the weight towards its circumferential edge further facilitates its adaptation to the circular shape of the shell in cross-section.

[0011] According to the invention, it is advantageous if the base of the weight body is circular. In particular, it is advantageous if the base of the weight body has a circumferential dimension that is 25% to 35% of the diameter of the shell, if the shell is spherical.

[0012] The automatic adjustment of the position of the seating device according to the invention is achieved by means of a weight which has a weight of, in particular, 30% to 50% of the weight of the seating device consisting of the shell and hollow body, excluding the weight. The aforementioned dimensions of the weight according to the invention enable optimal weight distribution and optimal adaptation of the weight to the shape of the shell and ensure that the seating device reliably assumes the position determined by the weight.

[0013] Depending on preference, the weight of the weight can be selected to achieve either strong stability of the seating arrangement according to the invention by using a heavy weight body (with the disadvantage of a high overall weight) or less stability with a lighter weight body. For moderate stability, a weight of 30% to 50% of the total weight of the seating arrangement without the weight body is advantageous.

[0014] According to the invention, it is advantageous, in order to avoid unduly restricting the flexibility of the gas-filled hollow body, i.e., the shell, to use flexible, weight-bearing materials for the weight body according to the invention, such as rubber, polyvinyl chloride, or other suitable plastics such as TPR (thermoplastic rubber), TPU (thermoplastic urethane), NBR (nitrile butadiene rubber), or silicone rubber. The weight body can be manufactured by a shaping process, such as injection molding, or from layered, plate-shaped components. According to the invention, it is also possible to manufacture a weight body shell from a flexible material filled with a gel-like mass or sand-like materials.The fundamental advantage of flexible, soft materials for manufacturing the weight is that the seating device equipped with the weight according to the invention produces minimal impact noise when dropped, or, for example, that sensitive floors are not damaged. An advantage of plastics for manufacturing the seat is that they create an adhesive surface on the weight, thus securing it more effectively within the casing. According to the invention, it can also be advantageous if the weight has a surface structure on its surface, particularly on the surface facing the casing, thereby improving the adhesion between the casing and the weight.

[0015] According to the invention, it can be advantageous if the weight is disc-shaped and, in particular, has a flat base and a contact surface opposite it, parallel and concentric to it. The diameter of the contact surface is preferably smaller than the diameter of the circular base. This design promotes a stable position of the seating arrangement with the inserted weight when, for example, the ball-shaped seating arrangement rests on the contact surface. This is because the outer flexible shell can adapt to the flat contact surface of the weight.

[0016] When a seating device is used in which a circumferential, outwardly projecting keder is formed on the outer circumference of the cover, it is advantageous to position the weight within the section of the cover bounded by the keder. To prevent the keder from being deformed outwards by the inserted weight, it is advantageous for the weight to have an outer circumferential surface that extends perpendicular to the central axis of the weight and perpendicular to an extension of the base.

[0017] Advantageously, an arc-shaped, outwardly convex transition surface is provided between the circumferential surface of the weight and the base surface. The diameter of the circumferential surface is smaller than the diameter of the circular keder. Additionally, it may be advantageous if the transition from the circumferential surface to the smaller diameter base of the weight is chamfered at an angle, particularly 45°.

[0018] The arc-shaped transition area between the base and the circumferential surface of the weight body allows for adaptation to the contour of the seat's shell.

[0019] It is also within the scope of the invention if an additional weight made of a material with a higher specific gravity than the rest of the weight body, for example steel, is inserted, particularly centrally, within the weight body. Such an additional weight can also be cast in place. To allow for easy and unobstructed arrangement of the weight body within the seating device, it is advantageous if the cover has an opening that can be closed with a zipper, hook-and-loop fastener, lacing system, or the like. Such an opening in the cover can also be dimensioned such that the cover can be filled with the hollow body: The hollow body preferably has a valve with which it can be filled with gas, e.g., air. This valve is preferably arranged in the area of ​​the closable opening.

[0020] Alternatively, it is also possible within the scope of the invention to provide a separate opening solely for the insertion of the weight body, with such an opening advantageously being provided in the desired contact area of ​​the seat device according to the invention.

[0021] It is also within the scope of the invention if the weight body is ring-shaped.

[0022] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are contained in the dependent claims. The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures. The figures show: Fig. 1 shows a section through a seating device according to the invention, Fig. 2 shows a section along section line II-II in Fig. 1, however, omitting the wall of the hollow body above the weight body, Fig. 3 a sectional view of another seating device according to the invention with keder and Fig. 4 a section through another embodiment of a weight body according to the invention.

[0023] In the figures of the drawing, identical parts are always provided with the same reference symbols, so that they are usually only described once.

[0024] As in Fig. 1As shown, a seating device according to the invention, which is advantageously designed as a spherical seating ball, has an outer cover 1, which is made in particular of a textile material, e.g. a nonwoven material or artificial leather and leather, or a woven or knitted fabric. Inside the cover 1 is an ellipsoidal, and in particular circular in cross-section, hollow body 2 filled with a gaseous medium, in particular air. In the illustrated, preferred embodiment, a round seating ball is shown as the seating device. The cover 1 is preferably formed from strip-shaped blanks that are connected to each other at their longitudinal edges, in particular sewn together.Furthermore, the cover 1 has an opening that can be closed with a closure element, in particular a zipper or the like, which is dimensioned such that the cover 1 can be filled with the hollow body 2 and the closure element can then be closed after the hollow body 2 has been inflated. A weight 3 is arranged between the cover 1 and the hollow body 2, which is clamped between the cover 1 and the hollow body 2 by means of a pressure force generated by the gas-filled hollow body 2. Advantageously, the weight 3 is arranged within the cover 1 such that it is fixed at an angle of 180° to an optional seating area 4 formed on the cover 1, so that the seating device according to the invention automatically aligns itself so that the desired seating area is oriented at an angle of 180° to the weight 3.

[0025] The material of the shell 1 is selected such that its coefficient of elongation is smaller than the coefficient of elongation of the elastic wall of the hollow body 2. This ensures that the clamping force acting on the weight body 3 is generated to a sufficiently large extent.

[0026] Advantageously, the casing 1 is made of a flexible material, such as textile, polyester, leather, imitation leather, or the like. For the hollow body wall or hollow body 2, a stretchable material such as PVC or rubber is advantageously used. It is important that the material is largely airtight.

[0027] Advantageously, the weight body 3 has the shape of a disc with a convex disc body 6, which has a particularly straight or flat base 5, wherein the convex disc body 6 is formed on the base 5.

[0028] It is within the scope of the invention if the base surface 5 has a concave or convex curved contour. In the illustrated embodiment, the base surface 5 is advantageously circular.

[0029] As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the weight body 3, with its convex, lens-shaped disc body 6, faces the shell 1 and is designed such that the outer shape of the shell 1 is not affected, so that the presence of the weight body 3 is not visible from the outside, since the weight body 3 nestles between the hollow body 2 and the shell 1 in such a way that the circular shape of the shell 1 is not impaired. The design of the disc body 6 allows it to conform to the shape of the shell 1, and at the same time, the weight body 3 according to the invention is dimensioned such that the inner hollow body 2, with its hollow body wall, adapts to the shape of the weight body 3 in the area of ​​its base 5.Advantageously, the base 5 has a circumferential dimension of such a length that it has 25% to 35% of the shell diameter, especially if the shell 1 has a circular cross-section, i.e., is spherical.

[0030] According to the invention, it is advantageous if the weight body 3 has a dead weight that is 30% to 50% of the total weight of the seating device consisting of the shell 1 and the hollow body 2 without the weight body 3.

[0031] The weight body 3 according to the invention advantageously consists of a flexible material, in particular with a higher specific gravity than the weight of the casing 1 or the weight of the material of the hollow body 2. Rubber, polyvinyl chloride, or other suitable plastics are particularly suitable for this purpose. It is also possible within the scope of the invention that the weight body 3 consists of a weight body casing filled with a sand-like or gel-like mass.

[0032] The weight body 3 can be manufactured using various shaping processes or from plate-shaped components that are then assembled to form the weight body 3 according to the invention. The use of flexible, soft materials for manufacturing the weight body 3 is advantageous because the seating device equipped with the weight body 3 according to the invention then produces minimal impact noise when dropped, or, for example, when the seating device according to the invention is used on sensitive floors, such as a seat ball according to the invention, these floors are not damaged when dropped. Furthermore, plastic-like materials for manufacturing the weight body 3 have the advantage of having an adhesive surface, which allows the weight body 3 to be better fixed within the casing 1 between the casing 1 and the hollow body 2.The weight body 3 according to the invention can also have a structured surface, which likewise improves adhesion to the casing 1. When designing the surface structure of the weight body 3 according to the invention, a design should be chosen that ensures that the structure does not press through the casing material.

[0033] To facilitate the insertion and removal of the weight body 3 according to the invention, an opening must be provided within the casing wall. This opening can be closed, for example, by means of a zipper, hook-and-loop fastener, or a lacing system. This opening can also serve for the insertion or removal of the hollow body 2, which can be filled or emptied via a valve in its wall. Within the scope of the invention, it is also possible to provide an opening solely for the insertion of the weight body 3 at a location that later forms the contact surface of the seat device according to the invention.

[0034] As in the Figs. 3 and 4 As shown, the weight body 3 advantageously has a disc-shaped disc body 6 on its base 5. Furthermore, it may be advantageous if the seating arrangement, see Figs. 3 and 4, on whose shell 1 a support area 8 opposite the seating area 4, which is bounded by a circumferential keder 9 projecting from the circumferential surface 11 of the shell 1. Within the shell section of the shell 1 bounded by the keder 9, the weight body 3 with the disc body 6 is expediently arranged.

[0035] It is advantageous if the weight body 3 has a base surface 10 opposite its base surface 5, parallel to it, and concentric with it. The base surface 10 is particularly circular, and its diameter is, for example, 50% to 60% of the diameter of the circular base surface 5.

[0036] The disc-shaped disc body 6 has, in particular, a circumferential surface 11 that is circular in cross-section perpendicular to its central axis XX. This surface extends perpendicularly to an extension of the base surface 10. The height of the circumferential surface 11 is, in particular, 45% to 55% of the total thickness of the disc body 6.

[0037] Furthermore, it is advantageous if an arc-shaped, convexly curved transition surface 12 is present between the circumferential surface 11 and the contact surface 10. This allows for an adaptation to the outer contour of the shell 1.

[0038] It is advantageous if the diameter of the disc body 6 in the area of ​​its circumferential surface 11 is smaller than the inner diameter of the bead 9. Furthermore, it is advantageous if a circumferential chamfer 13 is formed in the area of ​​the transition between the circumferential surface 11 of the disc body 6 and its base 5 at an angle of inclination, e.g., 45°, so that the diameter of the circular base 5 is smaller than the diameter of the circumferential surface 11, and in particular 90% to 95% smaller.

[0039] Regarding the remaining characteristics of weight body 3, reference is made to the explanations in connection with the Figs. 1 and 2 Reference has been made to the fact that these features may also be present.

[0040] A practical embodiment of a seating device or weight body 3 according to the invention is as follows: A ball-shaped seating device 3, e.g., a sitting ball, has, for example, an outer diameter of 650 mm. The diameter of the weight body 3 according to the invention in the region of its circumferential surface 11 is, for example, 180 mm. The overall thickness is, for example, 27 mm, and the diameter of the base 10 is, for example, 100 mm. The diameter of the base 5 is, for example, 166 mm. Reference symbol list

[0041] 1. Shell 2. Hollow body 3. Weight body 4. Seating area 5. Base area 6. Disc body 8. Support area 9. Keder 10. Support surface 11. Circumferential area 12. Transition surface 13. Chamfer

Claims

1. A seating device comprising a hollow body (2) filled with a gaseous medium, ellipsoidal in shape, with an expandable hollow body wall, and a cover (1) made of flexible material enveloping the hollow body (2), wherein the cover (1) can be pulled onto the hollow body (2) and removed therefrom, and comprising a weight body (3) serving for positional alignment, characterized in that the cover (1) has an opening that can be closed with a closure part, which is dimensioned such that the cover (1) can be filled with the hollow body (2) and subsequently the closure part can be closed after inflation of the hollow body (2), wherein a weight body (3) is arranged between the cover (1) and the hollow body (2), which is clamped between the cover (1) and the hollow body (2) by means of pressure force generated in the hollow body (2) filled with the gaseous medium, wherein the weight body (3) is displaceable in its position at any time by the clamping attachment and is easily removable by hand, wherein the cover (1) consists of a material that has a smaller expansion coefficient than the material forming the wall of the hollow body (2).

2. Seating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the weight body (3) is attached offset by 180° relative to a seating area (4) provided on the cover (1).

3. Seating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the weight body (3) is disc-shaped with a discus body (6) formed on a base surface (5) or is ring-shaped.

4. Seating device according to claim 3, characterized in that the base surface (5) has a straight, planar profile.

5. Seating device according to claim 3, characterized in that the base surface (5) is convexly or concavely curved.

6. Seating device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the base surface (5) is circular.

7. Seating device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the base surface (5) has a circumferential dimension that is 25% to 35% of the cover diameter of the cover (1) when the cover (1) has a circular cross-section.

8. Seating device according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the cover (1) has a contact area (8) opposite the seating area (4), which is delimited by a circumferential piping (9) protruding relative to a peripheral surface of the cover (1).

9. Seating device according to claim 8, characterized in that the weight body (3) is arranged in the area delimited by the piping (9) between the cover (1) and the hollow body (2).

10. Seating device according to claim 9, characterized in that the weight body (3) has a convexly formed discus body (6) formed on its base surface (5).

11. Seating device according to claim 9, characterized in that the weight body (3) has a contact surface (10) opposite its base surface (5) and running parallel thereto and arranged concentrically, and preferably the contact surface (10) is circular and its diameter is, for example, 50% to 60% of the diameter of the circular base surface (5).

12. Seating device according to claim 11, characterized in that the discus body (6) has a circumferential peripheral surface (11) that is circular in cross-section perpendicular to its central axis (X-X), which runs perpendicular to an extension of the contact surface (10), and preferably the height of the peripheral surface (11) is 45% to 55% of the total thickness of the discus body (6).

13. Seating device according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that an arcuate, convexly curved transition surface (12) is formed between the peripheral surface (11) and the contact surface (10).

14. Seating device according to any one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that the diameter of the discus body (6) in the region of the peripheral surface (11) is smaller than the inner diameter of the piping (9), and in particular is 98% to 95% of the inner diameter of the piping (9).

15. Seating device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the weight body (3) has an inherent weight that is 30% to 50% of the weight of the seating device consisting of the cover (1) and the hollow body (2) without the weight body (3).

16. Seating device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the weight body (3) consists of a flexible material with a high specific weight, preferably rubber, polyvinyl chloride or a corresponding plastic.

17. Seating device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the weight body (3) consists of a weight body cover that is filled with a sand-like material and / or a gel-like mass.

18. Seating device according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that an additional weight with a high specific weight, for example steel, is arranged within the weight body (3).

19. Seating device according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the cover (1) has in its cover wall an opening that can be closed with a closure, so that insertion of the weight body (3) and / or the hollow body (2) is possible.

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