Chair for health promotion

Abstract

Provided is a health promotion chair that safely loads leg muscles, prevents muscle strength decline, and contributes to maintaining health by assisting in building physical strength. 【Solution means】The health promotion chair 1 is composed of a lower member 2 and an upper member 3. The lower member includes at least an elastic member 4 that expands and contracts in the vertical direction, a support base 5 that supports the elastic member, and a seat plate fixing plate 6 for locking the upper member. The upper member includes at least a seat plate 7, an elastic member receiving portion 8, and a locking portion 9 for locking to the seat plate fixing plate. The seat plate fixing plate of the lower member and the locking portion of the upper member constitute a locking mechanism 10, and when not in use, the locking portion of the upper member is locked to the seat plate fixing plate of the lower member for fixation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a health promotion chair that safely loads the leg muscles, prevents muscle weakness, and contributes to maintaining health by assisting in building physical strength.

Background Art

[0002] With the advent of an aging society, the average life expectancy has increased, the number of elderly people has been increasing year by year, and accordingly, the number of people in need of care has also been increasing. In a long-lived society where one in four people is said to be elderly, everyone wants to live a healthy and robust life as long as possible without relying on others, and physical condition management from a young age has become an important issue.

[0003] Physical strength building for maintaining health is effective by being continuous. However, as people age, their physical strength, muscle strength, and vitality decline, their activity area becomes narrower, and they not only stop exercising but also stop moving their bodies, accelerating the decline. Also, even if one suddenly starts exercising and attempts physical strength building in the name of health, it is difficult for weakened muscles to support the body as desired, and it is also easy to get injured due to muscle damage or falls, which may also lead to accelerating the need for care.

[0004] Thus, in response to the problem of how to continue physical strength building without the risk of injury and maintain a healthy state in an aging society, various proposals have been made, including a resistance exercise called squat. Resistance exercise is an exercise that repeatedly applies a load to the muscles, including not only exercises such as push-ups, sit-ups, bench presses, and squats, but also daily movements such as standing up and sitting down from a chair, going up and down stairs, carrying a heavy shopping bag or a basket filled with laundry, and hanging laundry.

[0005] The squat exercise is an exercise that trains the lower body muscles by repeating the movement of squatting with the feet opened slightly wider than the shoulder width and pulling the buttocks backward. It acts on the quadriceps femoris, triceps surae, gluteus maximus, and gluteus medius muscles to train the legs and waist, and it is expected to improve the bone density of the bones in the lower body, promote blood circulation by increasing muscle mass, and improve basal metabolism. The squat exercise itself is not difficult, can be performed regardless of age or gender, and does not require special equipment or a large space, so it is recommended as an exercise for easily maintaining and improving physical strength.

[0006] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a squat device used for the above-described squat exercise. The squat device described in Patent Document 1 is installed on the upper part of a base with a horizontal bottom surface, and at the end of the support column opposite to the installation part of the base and the support column, there is a support column having a spring stopper with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the support column, a spring having a diameter larger than the spring stopper is inserted into the spring stopper, and a cylindrical cylinder cover is provided so as to cover the spring and the support column, and a seat plate is provided at the opposite end of the cylinder cover on the side opposite to the support column side.

[0007] In addition, Patent Document 2 discloses an invention related to a chair in which an elastic member (spring, actuator) is provided on the chair legs so as to act in the direction in which the chair seat portion moves up and down.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0008]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] The chairs disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Documents 1 and 2 are configured to have springs arranged between the legs and struts and the seat plate, and it is claimed that a person can perform a squat exercise simply by sitting on the chair or by moving up and down while sitting on the chair, enabling anyone to easily strengthen their muscle strength.

[0010] However, when a spring is arranged at the part connecting the legs and struts and the seat plate, an elastic force always acts when sitting on the chair, resulting in a lack of stability and difficulty in maintaining balance. For young people with excellent trunk strength, such an unstable state might be considered a form of training, but for the elderly, it is difficult to maintain balance for an extended period, and there is a risk of falling. Moreover, in the first place, for a chair with an unstable seat plate part, the elderly need to be cautious when sitting down. For the elderly, even a slight loss of balance can lead to falls and serious injuries, so they will hesitate to sit down, and it is impossible to promote exercise.

[0011] The present invention aims to solve the above problems, and provides a health promotion chair that allows the elderly and those lacking confidence in their physical strength to sit down with peace of mind, without being restricted by time and place, and enabling them to perform squat exercises for health promotion whenever they like.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0012] A configuration example of the health promotion chair according to the present invention for achieving the above object is as follows. Here, for the purpose of assisting the understanding of the present invention, reference numerals used in the drawings of the examples in the embodiments described later are attached to the main components constituting the solution means. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the means specified by these reference numerals, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.

[0013] 〔1〕A health promotion chair (1) for assisting the sitting-down motion and performing a squat exercise, wherein the health promotion chair (1) is composed of a lower member (2) and an upper member (3), the lower member (2) includes at least an elastic member (4) that expands and contracts in the vertical direction, a support base (5) that supports the elastic member (4), and a seat plate fixing plate (6) disposed above the support base (5) for locking the upper member (3), the upper member (3) includes at least a seat plate (7), an elastic member receiving portion (8), and a locking portion (9) for locking to the seat plate fixing plate (6), and a locking mechanism (10) is constituted by the seat plate fixing plate (6) of the lower member (2) and the locking portion (9) of the upper member (3), and when not in use, the locking portion (9) of the upper member (3) is locked to the seat plate fixing plate (6) of the lower member (2) to be fixed.

[0014] 〔2〕A health promotion chair in which the elastic member of the lower member is detachable.

[0015] 〔3〕A health promotion chair in which the seat plate (7) of the upper member (3) is provided with either a backrest (71), an armrest (72), or both.

[0016] 〔4〕A health promotion chair in which a rotating disk (31) is provided at the lower part of the seat plate constituting the upper member.

Advantages of the Invention

[0017] The health promotion chair for assisting the sitting motion and performing the squat exercise according to the present invention is composed of a lower member and an upper member. The lower member includes at least an elastic member that expands and contracts in the vertical direction, a support base that supports the elastic member, and a seat fixing plate for locking the upper member. The upper member includes at least a seat plate, an elastic member receiving portion, and a locking portion for locking to the seat fixing plate. The seat fixing plate of the lower member and the locking portion of the upper member constitute a locking mechanism, and it has a configuration with a locking mechanism that locks and fixes the locking portion of the upper member to the seat fixing plate of the lower member when not in use. Therefore, if it is fixed in advance with the locking mechanism, when sitting on the chair, even if one places a hand on the backrest or armrest of the upper member, one can sit stably without wobbling. And after sitting stably, by unlocking the locking mechanism at an arbitrary timing of the user and starting the squat exercise, one can exercise without the risk of falling or mental anxiety. Furthermore, at the end of the squat exercise or when not exercising, by fixing the upper member and the lower member with the locking mechanism, the expansion and contraction of the elastic member can be suppressed, and one can sit and stand up in a stable state. Even the elderly or those with little physical strength who are unsure of their footing can use it with confidence.

[0018] Moreover, for the health promotion chair according to the present invention, since the elastic member of the lower member is detachable, it can be replaced with an elastic member with good balance in consideration of the weight, height, physical strength, etc. of the user.

[0019] And the health promotion chair according to the present invention can be provided with either or both of a backrest and armrests. So, the back is stable and there are parts to hold on to on both sides. The user can also support themselves on the chair itself and sit. Even not for the squat exercise, it can be used with confidence in daily life.

[0020] Furthermore, the health promotion chair according to the present invention can be provided with a rotating plate under the seat plate that constitutes the upper member. So, the seat plate can be rotated to an arbitrary angle, and in addition to the up-and-down squat exercise, a rotating exercise can also be performed.

Brief Explanation of the Drawings

[0021]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the health promotion chair according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments.

[0023] FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of an embodiment of the health promotion chair according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view for explaining the configuration of the health promotion chair according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is an explanatory sectional view for explaining the structure of another embodiment of the health promotion chair according to the present invention, FIG. 4 is an explanatory drawing for explaining the usage method in another embodiment of the health promotion chair according to the present invention, FIG. 5 is an explanatory sectional view for explaining in detail the structure of the health promotion chair according to the present invention, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory drawing for explaining the state in which the locking mechanism is used in an embodiment of the health promotion chair according to the present invention. In the figures, 1 is a health promotion chair, 2 is a lower member, 3 is an upper member, 4 is an elastic member, 5 is a support base, 6 is a seat fixing plate, 61 is an insertion hole for the elastic member receiving portion, 7 is a seat, 71 is a backrest, 72 is an armrest, 8 is an elastic member receiving portion, 9 is a locking portion, 10 is a locking mechanism, and 31 is a rotating plate.

[0024] The health promotion chair 1 according to the present invention is a health promotion chair 1 for assisting the sitting motion and performing a squat exercise. As shown in FIG. 1, the health promotion chair 1 is composed of a lower member 2 and an upper member 3. And the lower member 2 includes at least an elastic member 4 that expands and contracts in the vertical direction, a support base 5 that supports the elastic member 4, and a seat fixing plate 6 for locking the upper member 3. Further, the upper member 3 includes at least a seat plate 7, an elastic member receiving portion 8, and a locking portion 9 for locking to the seat fixing plate 6.

[0025] The elastic member 4 that constitutes the lower member 2 of the health promotion chair 1 according to the present invention is composed of a spring made of metal, rubber, synthetic resin, or an elastic material, and has elasticity such that it contracts when a person sits and extends when the waist is lifted. The health promotion chair 1 is configured such that, from the state where the user is sitting on the chair, it assists the motion of lifting the waist, and by repeating this motion by the user, an exercise close to a squat exercise can be performed. Therefore, the elastic member 4 is selected according to the weight of the user and is detachably arranged so that it can be replaced as needed. For example, if elastic members 4 are prepared such as a lightweight type for children, a standard type for those with a weight of 40 kg or less, a heavy type for 40 - 70 kg, and an extra - heavy type for those over 70 kg, it is easy to select and suitable. Also, the support base 5 that supports the elastic member 4 may have a structure that can stably and detachably hold the elastic member 4. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a structure in which an insertion portion having a concave shape in cross - section is provided and the elastic member 4 is arranged therein, or a structure in which it fits into a support portion provided with a convex portion can be mentioned.

[0026] In the health promotion chair 1 according to the present invention, a major feature is that the lower member 2 includes a seat fixing plate 6. The seat fixing plate 6 locks the locking portion 9 provided on the upper member 3 and constitutes a locking mechanism 10 that fixes the lower member 3 and the upper member 3. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the seat plate fixing disk 6 is composed of a plate body similar to the seat plate 7 of the upper member 3, and is provided with leg portions 21 at the four corners. The health promotion chair 1 according to the present invention uses the support base 5 as the legs of the chair 1, and as shown in FIG. 2, the leg portions 21 that hold the seat plate fixing disk 6 can also be used as the legs of the chair 1, and it has a structure that gives a more stable feeling when sitting.

[0027] Also, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, although the seat plate fixing disk 6 is configured separately from the support base 5, it may be configured by connecting with the support base 5. The seat plate fixing disk 6 fixes the upper member 3 and the lower member 2 by the locking portion 9 of the upper member 3. The locking means is not particularly limited, but as long as it can be configured to release the lock of the locking mechanism 10 (release the locking by the locking portion 9) in the state where the user is seated, it is suitable because it can be easily started when the user wants to do a squatting motion when sitting on the chair. In this embodiment, the locking portion 9 is a locking mechanism 10 configured to attach an L-shaped hook to the upper member 3 and hook it on the seat plate fixing disk 6. However, a locking means may be provided on the seat plate fixing disk 6 side to lock the upper member 3. Furthermore, as long as it is a means capable of firmly fixing the upper member 3 and the lower member 2, the configuration of the locking mechanism 10 and the locking member are not particularly limited. By providing the seat plate fixing disk 6, when used as a normal chair without doing a squatting motion, the force that the upper member 3 tends to rise upward due to the elasticity of the elastic member 4 can be suppressed, and it can be configured to be comfortably used as a normal chair.

[0028] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper member 3 is provided with a backrest 71 and armrests 72. The health promotion chair 1 according to the present invention can exhibit its function as long as there is at least a support base 5 for setting the elastic member 4 and a seat plate 7 that moves up and down by the elastic member 4. However, since the present invention aims to be safely used even by the elderly or those with physical insecurities, it is preferable that the upper member 3 is provided with a backrest 71 and armrests 72.

[0029] Also, as an embodiment of the chair for health promotion according to the present invention, a rotating disk 31 for a chair may be provided below the seat plate 7 constituting the upper member 3. In other embodiments shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), a rotating disk 31 is disposed between the seat plate 7 provided with the backrest 71 and the armrest 72 and the elastic member receiving portion 8. An existing rotating disk for a chair can be used as the rotating disk 31. FIG. 4(a) shows, as movements using the chair for health promotion according to the present invention, an arrow when the upper member 3 performs a squat movement mainly involving vertical movement, and an arrow when the seat plate 7 of the upper member 3 is rotated by the rotating disk to perform a twist movement that twists the waist to the left and right. If the rotating disk 31 is provided, not only vertical movement but also rotational movement becomes possible, and it is possible to assist the movements necessary for better health promotion.

[0030] Note that FIG. 4(b) is a diagram showing the state in which the elastic member is contracted due to the load, that is, the state of the chair when the user is seated. When the user raises the waist from this state, that is, when the user stands up, the upper member 3 rises to the state shown in FIG. 4(a), and when the user sits down again, it becomes the state shown in FIG. 4(b). By repeating this, a natural squat movement is achieved.

[0031] FIG. 4(c) shows a state in which the locking mechanism is used. When using the chair as a normal chair without performing a squat movement or before starting a squat movement, the locking portion 9 is locked to the seat surface fixing plate 6 as shown in the figure to enable the locking mechanism, so that it is possible to sit stably without being affected by the elastic member 4.

[0032] FIG. 5 is an explanatory cross-sectional view for explaining in detail the structure of an embodiment of the chair for health promotion according to the present invention, and shows a state in which the elastic member 4 of the lower member 2 is fitted into the elastic member receiving portion 8 constituting the upper member 3. The elastic member receiving portion 8 is inserted into the elastic member receiving portion insertion hole 61 formed in the center of the seat surface fixing plate 6 of the lower member 2, and the elastic member 4 is set in the elastic member receiving portion 8. Then, due to the load from above during sitting, the elastic member 4 can be crushed and the sitting-down movement can be performed. After that, when the waist is slightly lifted, the elastic force of the elastic member 4 acts upward, so that the elastic force can be utilized to assist the standing-up movement. Then, again, the elastic member 4 is crushed and the sitting-down movement is performed by the sitting movement, and then the waist is slightly lifted to utilize the elastic force of the elastic member 4 to stand up. By repeating this, a movement similar to a squatting movement can be performed, and since the elastic force of the elastic member 4 is utilized, continuous movement can be performed without applying a strong load.

[0033] FIG. 6 is an explanatory drawing for explaining the state in which the locking mechanism is used in an embodiment of the health promotion chair according to the present invention. In this embodiment, locking portions 9 are provided at the left and right ends in the plan view of the seat plate 7 constituting the upper member 3, and the locking portions 9 are hung on the left and right ends in the plan view of the seat surface fixing plate 6 of the lower member 2 to be fixed, and the locking mechanism 10 is actuated. Thereby, the elastic force of the elastic member 4 when not in motion is suppressed, and even elderly people or those lacking confidence in physical strength can use it as a stable chair without wobbling.

[0034] In the above embodiment, the seat plate 7 is substantially square as shown in each figure, but the seat plate 7 may not be rectangular but circular or polygonal. In addition to arranging the support base 5 at the center, the support base 5 may be placed at the four corners, and elastic members 4 may be placed on each of them to adjust the balance.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0035] 1 Health promotion chair 2 Lower member 3 Upper member 4 Elastic member 5 Support base 6 Seat plate fixing plate 61 Elastic member receiving portion insertion hole 7 Seat plate 71 Backrest 72 Elbow rest 8 Elastic member receiver 9 Locking part 10 Locking mechanism 31 Turntable

Claims

1. A health promotion chair for assisting a standing up motion and performing a squat exercise, The health promotion chair is composed of a lower member and an upper member, The lower member includes an elastic member that expands and contracts at least in the vertical direction, a support base that supports the elastic member, and a seat plate fixing plate that is disposed above the support base and that engages the upper member; The upper member includes at least a seat plate, an elastic member receiving portion, and a locking portion for locking the seat plate to the seat plate fixing plate, A health promotion chair characterized in that a locking mechanism is formed by the seat fixing plate of the lower member and the engaging portion of the upper member, and when the chair is not in use, the engaging portion of the upper member is engaged and fixed to the seat fixing plate of the lower member.

2. 2. The fitness chair according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member of the lower member is detachable.

3. 2. The fitness chair according to claim 1, wherein the upper member is provided with either a backrest or armrests, or both.

4. 2. The fitness chair according to claim 1, further comprising a rotating plate provided under the seat plate constituting the upper member.

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