Chair

Abstract

To provide a chair that can reduce fatigue in the arms and hands when, for example, operating a smartphone or reading while sitting on the chair for a long period of time. [Solution] A chair 10 has at least the seat and backrest portions, of which a user sits on 11, a backrest portion 12, and armrest portions, and an armhole 13 for the user to pass through is drilled in at least one of the seat 11, backrest portion 12, and armrest portions. Of a pair of left and right armholes 13 drilled in the backrest portion 12, by passing the left arm through the right armhole 13, the number of fulcrums supporting the arms and hands when operating a smartphone S increases, distributing the force applied to these arms and hands, thereby reducing fatigue when operating the smartphone S for long periods of time.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a chair that reduces arm fatigue when using a smartphone for long periods of time, for example. [Background technology]

[0002] In today's smartphone society, people often operate their smartphones for long periods of time, for example, playing games or browsing the Internet, while sitting on a chair in the living room of their home. In this case, the most common postures for viewing smartphones are facing forward, facing sideways, facing up, facing down, etc. (for example, the facing forward position described in Non-Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Non-Patent Document 1] [Retrieved December 3, 2024], Internet<URL;https: / / item.rakuten.co.jp / suwalabo / rmbs-55 / > Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when using a smartphone for a long time while sitting on a conventional chair, the weight of the smartphone must be supported by the hands and arms, which quickly makes the user tired. In particular, the fatigue increases when the smartphone is held in one hand.

[0005] As a result of intensive research, the inventor discovered that by drilling armholes through at least one of the backrest and armrests, the number of fulcrums for supporting the smartphone increases, distributing the burden on the arms and hands, and reducing fatigue when using the smartphone for long periods of time, and thus completed the present invention. This also applies when reading or performing a certain task while sitting on a chair for a long period of time.

[0006] The present invention has been developed in consideration of the problems inherent in the past, and aims to provide a chair that can reduce fatigue in the arms and hands when sitting in the chair for long periods of time, for example, when operating a smartphone or reading. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The invention described in claim 1 is a chair having at least a seat portion on which a user sits, a backrest portion, and armrest portions, characterized in that an armhole through which the user can pass their arms is drilled in at least one of the seat portion, the backrest portion, and the armrest portion.

[0008] There is no limit to the type of chair. For example, it may be a one-seater or a two-seater or more. It may or may not have legs under the seat. It may also have armrests or not. The materials, shapes, sizes, etc. of the seat, backrest and armrests are all optional. The shape of the armhole is not limited, and may be, for example, rectangular, circular, elliptical, triangular, etc., when viewed from the front.

[0009] The size of the armholes may be any size as long as the user's arms can fit through them. For example, if the user is limited to children, the size of the armholes will be small, and if the user is limited to adult men, the size of the armholes will be large. Furthermore, the number of armholes formed is optional, for example, one or two or more.

[0010] The invention described in claim 2 is the chair described in claim 1, characterized in that a plug cushion that covers the armhole is removably inserted into the armhole.

[0011] The plug cushion may have any structure, for example, a bag made of any type of fabric and filled with a sponge, batting, or the like. The shape, size and number of plug cushions used may be modified as appropriate according to the armholes provided in the chair.

[0012] The invention described in claim 3 is the chair described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the armhole is a long hole with a length of 10 cm to 30 cm and a width of 7 cm to 25 cm.

[0013] If the vertical length of the armhole is less than 10 cm, the height of the armhole is too low, making it difficult for a user, such as a child, to insert their arm through. If it exceeds 30 cm, the height of the armhole is too high, reducing the strength of the backrest and not only does it not increase the number of fulcrums that support the inserted arm in the vertical direction significantly, so the force on the arms and hands cannot be sufficiently distributed.

[0014] If the armhole length is less than 7 cm, the width is too narrow, making it difficult for a user, such as a child, to insert their arm through. If it exceeds 25 cm, the armhole width is too wide, reducing the strength of the backrest and not increasing the number of fulcrums for supporting the inserted arm in the vertical direction so much that the force on the arm and hand cannot be sufficiently distributed.

[0015] A particularly preferred armhole size is 15 to 20 cm in length and 10 to 15 cm in width. This range allows the number of fulcrums that support the arms and hands inserted through the armhole to be increased in any direction for both children and adults, further distributing the force on the arms and hands.

[0016] The invention described in claim 4 is a chair according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the armholes are arranged on opposite sides of the left and right sides of the backrest. The armholes perforated in the backrest may be a pair on the left and right, or two or more pairs on the left and right.

[0017] The invention described in claim 5 is a chair as described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the chair has a partial chair divided into several parts from a long, horizontal chair for seating multiple people, each partial chair having a plurality of partial seat portions divided horizontally from the seat portion and a plurality of partial backrest portions divided horizontally from the backrest portion, and at least the adjacent partial seat portions, among the adjacent partial seat portions and the adjacent partial backrest portions, are hooked together by a hooking member.

[0018] The number of partial chairs can be any number, provided it is two or more. The shapes of the partial chairs may be the same or different. For example, the partial chairs at the left and right ends of the chair may each have an armrest. In this case, each armrest may have a lower armrest connected to the seat so as to be bendable in the front-rear direction, and an upper armrest connected to the backrest so as to be bendable in the front-rear direction, but connected to the lower armrest directly below so as to be able to rise and fall. The number and shapes of the partial seat portions and partial backrest portions may be appropriately changed according to the number and shapes of the partial seat chair.

[0019] Furthermore, the invention described in claim 6 is a chair as described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the armhole is drilled in at least one of the left and right side portions of the backrest portion, and the backrest portion is curved in an arc shape with its widthwise middle portion facing rearward.

[0020] The armhole may be provided only on the left side of the backrest, only on the right side, or on both sides. The degree of curvature of the backrest is optional. Effect of the Invention

[0021] In the chair of the present invention, by passing one's arms through the armholes drilled in at least one of the backrest and armrests, the number of fulcrums supporting the arms and hands increases when, for example, operating a smartphone or reading, and the force applied to the arms and hands is distributed, reducing fatigue when operating a smartphone or the like for long periods of time.

[0022] In particular, according to the present invention described in claim 2, by blocking the armholes with plug cushions, the backrest does not feel strange when the chair is used normally. In addition, the plug cushion removed from the armhole can be used as an elbow rest or pillow, for example.

[0023] According to the present invention described in claim 3, the armholes are long, measuring 10-30cm in length and 7-25cm in width, so that they can accommodate different arm sizes from children to adults. In particular, the long armholes make it easier for the upper part of the armhole formation to support the shoulders of the user.

[0024] Furthermore, according to the present invention described in claim 4, the armholes are arranged on the left and right sides of the backrest, so that the arm that is easier to use to operate a smartphone can be passed through the left or right armhole, allowing the user to take a comfortable posture.

[0025] Furthermore, according to the present invention as described in claim 5, in a multi-seater chair, for example, depending on the mood of each user due to diversification of entertainment, the horizontally long chair can be released from the hooking member and separated into multiple partial chairs for individual use.

[0026] In this case, for example, in the partial chair at the very end, by passing the arms through armholes drilled in at least one of the corresponding partial backrest and armrest portions, the number of fulcrums for supporting a smartphone or the like is increased, distributing the burden on the arms and hands and reducing fatigue when operating the smartphone or the like for long periods of time.

[0027] It should be noted that the same effect can be obtained when a long, multi-seater chair is in normal use, for example, when a user sits at the very end of the chair.

[0028] Furthermore, according to the present invention as described in claim 6, the backrest portion is curved in an arc shape with the middle part in the width direction facing backward, so that the upper body of the user can easily fit into the backrest portion regardless of the posture of the user sitting on the chair. In addition, because the backrest curves backward in an arc, even when the backrest is reclined almost completely flat, there is always a gap between the left and right sides of the backrest, where the armholes are located, and the floor. As a result, even when the backrest is reclined significantly, it is easy to put your arms through the armholes. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the state in which the one-person chair of the first embodiment of the present invention is in a sideways position with only one armhole in use. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view of a single-seater chair according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the single-seater chair of the first embodiment of the present invention in a sideways position with two armholes in use. [Figure 4] 1 is an enlarged perspective view of a main portion of a one-person chair according to a first embodiment of the present invention, showing the chair in a prone position with two armholes in use; FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a two-seater chair according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a two-seater chair according to a second embodiment of the present invention, divided into left and right partial chairs. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is an enlarged bottom view of a main portion of a two-seater chair according to a second embodiment of the present invention, showing the state in which adjacent left and right partial chairs are fastened to each other. [Figure 8]FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the left and right partial chairs of a two-seater chair according to a second embodiment of the present invention when connected to each other and used separately. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of a main portion of the left half of the two-seater chair according to the second embodiment of the present invention, showing the state in which the chair is in use. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] An embodiment of this invention will now be described in detail. EXAMPLES

[0031] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a chair 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a seat portion 11 on which a user sits and a backrest portion 12 whose base end is rotatably connected to the rear end portion of the seat portion 11. The chair 10 has a main frame (not shown) which serves as the core material, a main cushion approximately 16 cm thick made of polypropylene cotton and urethane foam which covers the main frame, and a cushion cover made of polyester fabric which covers the main cushion.

[0032] The main body frame is made of steel pipes. This main body frame is made up of a rectangular seat frame that serves as the core of the seat 11, which is 78 cm long and 66 cm wide, and a vertically long rectangular backrest frame that serves as the core of the backrest 12, which is 68 cm high and 66 cm wide. A pair of angle adjusters on the left and right connect the two frames together to enable 18-step rotation in the front-back (up-and-down) direction.

[0033] 4, the backrest 12 is curved in an arc shape with the middle part in the width direction facing backward. Therefore, the upper half of the body can easily fit on the backrest 12 regardless of the posture of the user sitting on the chair 10.

[0034] The feature of the chair 10 of the first embodiment is that a pair of armholes 13 for the user to pass their arms through are provided on the left and right sides of the backrest portion 12, approximately in the middle in the height direction. Each armhole 13 is a generally rectangular through-hole, 17 cm long and 12 cm wide, penetrating the front and back surfaces of the backrest 12. Armholes 13 of this size are suitable for the different arm sizes of people from children to adults.

[0035] In particular, since each armhole 13 is elongated here, the upper portion of the armhole formation portion can easily support the shoulders of the user. As described above, since the backrest 12 is curved backward in an arc shape, even when the backrest 12 is reclined almost flat as shown in Fig. 4, a large gap is always formed between the floor and the left and right sides of the backrest 12, where the armholes 13 are arranged. This makes it easy to put your arms through the armholes 13, even when the backrest 12 is reclined significantly.

[0036] Furthermore, a pair of plug cushions 14, each of which is a cushion body measuring 17 cm in length, 12 cm in width, and approximately 16 cm in depth, are detachably fitted into these armholes 13. In this way, since the armholes 13 are covered with the plug cushions 14, there is no discomfort in the backrest 12 when the chair 10 is used normally.

[0037] Next, a method of using the chair 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Here, the usage in three positions will be described with reference to Figures 1, 3 and 4.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 1, when using the chair 10, first, the plug cushion 14 is removed from the armhole 13 on the right side of the backrest 12, and then the user sits sideways on the chair 10 with the backrest 12 tilted back. In this position, the left arm, which faces downward, is inserted through the open armhole 13 up to the shoulder, and the user operates the smartphone S with the left hand. At this time, if the removed plug cushion 14 is used as a cushion for resting the hands or elbows, fatigue in the hands and arms can be further reduced. In addition, the plug cushion 14 can be used as a small pillow or the like.

[0039] In this way, by passing the arms through the armholes 13 drilled in the backrest portion 12, the number of fulcrums supporting the smartphone S increases, distributing the burden on the arms and hands, thereby reducing fatigue when operating the smartphone S for long periods of time.

[0040] In addition, since the armholes 13 are disposed on the left and right sides of the backrest 12, the user can, for example, pass the arm that is easier to operate the smartphone S through the left or right armhole 13. This allows the user to take a comfortable posture.

[0041] Next, with reference to FIG. 3, another method of using the chair 10 utilizing the two armholes 13 will be described. That is, first, the corresponding plug cushions 14 are removed from both armholes 13. After that, the user sits sideways on the chair 10 and inserts his / her left arm from the left armhole 13 to the right armhole 13 in turn. In this state, the user operates the smartphone S with the left hand exposed forward from the right armhole 13.

[0042] At this time, the shoulder and wrist of the left arm are supported by the portions where the two armholes 13 are formed, so fatigue caused when using the smartphone S for a long period of time is reduced compared to when only one armhole 13 as shown in Figure 1 is used.

[0043] Next, referring to FIG. 4, yet another method of using the chair 10 utilizing the two armholes 13 will be described. First, the backrest 12 of the chair 10 is tilted until it approaches the floor, and then the plug cushions 14 are removed from both armholes 13.

[0044] After that, the user sits face down on the chair 10, inserts both arms into the corresponding armholes 13 up to the shoulders, and operates the smartphone S with both elbows on the floor via the plug cushions 14. At this time, if necessary, the user can rest their chin on the upper part of the backrest 12 to reduce fatigue in the user's head, shoulders, etc.

[0045] Second Embodiment Next, a chair 10A according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the feature of the chair 10A of the second embodiment is that it is a long, horizontal two-seater chair with armholes 13 and armrests 15, and can be separated into two partial chairs, left and right, 16 and 17.

[0046] Each partial chair 16, 17 has left and right partial seat portions 18, 19 obtained by dividing the seat portion 11 in half horizontally, left and right partial backrest portions 20, 21 obtained by dividing the backrest portion 12 in half horizontally, and upper and lower partial armrest portions 22, 23 obtained by dividing the armrest portion 15 in half vertically. Of these, the left and right seat portions 18, 19 are detachably connected to each other by a pair of left and right male and female hook-and-loop fasteners (hook members) 30, 31 arranged on the undersides of the ends where they meet (see FIG. 7). The left and right backrest portions 20, 21 are not connected and can be raised and lowered separately.

[0047] The upper and lower armrests 22 and 23 have rectangular upper and lower armrest frames (not shown) that serve as core materials, and upper and lower armrest cushions that are approximately 16 cm thick and made of polypropylene cotton and urethane foam that cover them. The upper and lower armrest cushions are covered with the cushion covers of Example 1 that are enlarged to the corresponding shapes.

[0048] Of these, the upper armrest portion 22 is connected to the backrest portion 12 and also serves as the backrest portion 12, while the lower armrest portion 23 is connected to the seat portion 11 and also serves as the seat portion 11. The upper armrest frame is connected to the adjacent backrest frame by a pair of separate upper and lower angle adjusters (not shown) so that it can rotate left and right in 14 steps, while the lower armrest frame is connected to the adjacent seat frame by a pair of separate upper and lower angle adjusters so that it can rotate left and right in 14 steps.

[0049] Furthermore, these upper and lower armrest frames are connected via the same angle adjuster (not shown) as in the first embodiment so as to be rotatable in 18 steps in the front-rear direction. Two upper and lower armholes 13, each of which is covered by a plug cushion 14, are provided in the center of the upper and lower armrests 22, 23 of each partial seat cushion 16, 17.

[0050] Next, a method of using the chair 10A according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 9. Here, the usage in three positions will be described with reference to Figures 5, 8 and 9.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 5, when this is normally used as a two-seater chair 10A, first, plug cushions 14 are inserted into the two pairs of armholes 13 on the left and right sides of the upper armrest portion 22, which also serves as the backrest portion 12, and the lower armrest portion 23, which also serves as the seat portion 11, to create a two-seater sofa.

[0052] In this state, for example, as shown in Fig. 8, in the left-side partial chair 16, the upper armrest 22 is tilted, while the lower armrest 23 is raised slightly. In this state, the plug cushion 14 is removed from the armhole 13 of the left-side upper armrest 22, and the user lying on his / her side inserts his / her right shoulder into the armhole 13 to operate the smartphone S. At this time, the removed plug cushion 14 is used as an armrest.

[0053] 9, the plug cushion 14 is also removed from the armhole 13 of the lower armrest 23 that is raised diagonally upward. Then, another user lying on his / her side inserts his / her right shoulder into the armhole 13 of the lower armrest 23 to operate the smartphone S. At that time, one plug cushion 14 is used as a pillow, while the other plug cushion 14 is used as a hand rest.

[0054] Although not shown, the left and right seat parts 16, 17 can be used separately by removing the pair of male and female hook-and-loop fasteners 30, 31 on the undersides of the left and right seat parts 18, 19. In this case, too, it is possible to operate the smartphone S in various positions using each armhole 13. Of course, it can be used not only for the smartphone S, but also for reading, etc. The other configurations, operations, and effects are almost the same as those of the first embodiment, so the description will be omitted. [Industrial Applicability]

[0055] This invention is useful as a chair technology that makes it easier for your arms to stay tiring when using a smartphone for long periods of time. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 10,10A Chair 11 Seat area 12 Backrest 13 Armhole 14 Plug Cushion 15 Armrest 16 Left part chair 17 Right side chair 18 Left seat 19 Right seat part 20 Left backrest 21 Right backrest 30 Male hook and loop fastener (hook member) 31 Female hook and loop fastener (hook member)

Claims

1. A chair having at least a seat portion on which a user sits, a backrest portion, and an armrest portion, A chair characterized in that an armhole through which a user's arms can be passed is formed in at least one of the seat portion, the backrest portion and the armrest portion.

2. 2. The chair according to claim 1, wherein a plug cushion for closing said armhole is removably fitted in said armhole.

3. 3. The chair according to claim 1, wherein the armhole is a long hole measuring 10 cm to 30 cm in length and 7 cm to 25 cm in width.

4. 3. The chair according to claim 1, wherein the armholes are disposed on opposite sides of the backrest, one on the left and one on the right.

5. The chair has a plurality of partial chairs divided into a plurality of horizontally long chairs for multiple people, Each partial chair has a plurality of partial seat parts obtained by dividing the seat part laterally, and a plurality of partial backrest parts obtained by dividing the backrest part laterally, 3. The chair according to claim 1, wherein at least the adjacent partial seat portions, out of the adjacent partial seat portions and the adjacent partial backrest portions, are hooked together by a hook member.

6. The armhole is provided in at least one of the left and right side portions of the backrest, 3. The chair according to claim 1, wherein the backrest is curved in an arc shape such that a middle portion in the width direction of the backrest faces rearward.

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