DE20001307U1 - Office fitness chair - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates, according to claim 1, to an office chair with a backrest, two armrests, a seat and an elastic element that can be actuated by muscle power for training muscles while sitting.

Training equipment for different purposes, usually designed for use in fitness or health studios, has been known for a long time. For example, DE 86 23 738.1 Ul describes a training device for spinal and intervertebral disc damage - consisting of a swivel chair with footrest, which is mounted in a tubular frame with an upper bearing and a lower bearing located horizontally below it, with the upper bearing supported by an outer tubular frame. Furthermore, two rotating tubular arms with attached handles for supporting and holding are provided on the upper bearing, as well as a continuously adjustable braking device in the upper and lower bearings. By turning the upper or lower body to the right and left while simultaneously holding on to the handles, better blood circulation can be achieved. In further development of this, the training device according to DE 87 04 9110.4 Ul has a swivel chair with footrest on five tip-proof support legs for stroking the back muscles and elastically holding the intervertebral discs.

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A leg trainer is known from DE 297 20 263.4 Ul, specifically for use by elderly and disabled people, in which at least one rope or band-shaped elastic element pre-tensioned between posts is arranged longitudinally in front of a chair or bench-like seating device. The person exercising takes a sitting position on the chair or bench-like seating device in order to stretch the rope or band-shaped elastic element directly with their legs. It is also intended to increase the resistance force by means of several elastic elements stretched parallel to one another and between the posts. The attachment to the posts can be made by means of eyelets into which the elastic element is hooked with snap hooks. Finally, the elastic element and seating device can be attached to a support, wherein the support has an adjustment mechanism in order to adjust the distance between the seating device and the elastic element.

For private use, for example, a device for training muscle groups, preferably in the back area, is known from DE 297 16 419.8 Ul, which has a chair or bench-like structure with a movable backrest. In detail, the patient sits on a seat cushion and supports his back against a back cushion, while his pelvis is held in place on the seat cushion by means of a pelvic cushion attached to the base frame. By tensing muscle groups, the gluteal muscles, which are important for body statics, can be trained. It is also intended that, in order to train the back muscles, the movable backrest is pushed backwards against the resistance of rubber elements - by moving the upper body backwards. Finally, to prevent tipping during training, the base frame has two parallel floor runners.

Finally, DE 297 13 964.9 Ul discloses an office chair with a backrest and a seat which can be forced by muscle power to rotate in opposite directions in order to achieve a training effect. In particular, a mechanism box is provided which extends horizontally from a main shaft of the seat, with a rear end of the mechanism box being hinged to a strut above to connect the backrest of the chair. The strut has a wing plate on its underside, the ends of which are connected to push-pull plates which in turn are connected to corresponding connecting elements. The connecting elements are in turn connected by means of a central rod at their middle sections in such a way that they can pivot with the central rod as a joint due to the push and pull movements of the push-pull plates, with the pivoting movement of the connecting elements actuating a pivot plate arranged below the seat of the chair. By grasping the ends of the armrests and exerting

By applying a rotational force opposite to the counter-rotational force thus generated, the user's rotational ability is increased and the training effect is achieved.

As the above assessment of the state of the art shows, various types of training equipment are known, but little attention has been paid to people who sit in offices and, in particular, to training equipment designed to strengthen muscle groups other than the back muscles. Compared to manual workers, office workers have the disadvantage that they have to sit in an office chair without any muscle movement. Office chairs that can be adjusted in all directions generally only allow for minimal muscle movement. In any case, there is a lack of inexpensive office chairs in practice that allow the training of various muscle groups. This is particularly significant because the seating industry is an extremely progressive, development-oriented industry that very quickly picks up on and implements improvements, particularly in seating comfort.

problem

The invention is based on the object of creating a cost-effective office chair that allows the office worker to train at least some important muscles while sitting in the office chair. Furthermore, a subsequent installation should be possible.

invention

These problems are solved in the office chair according to the invention in that, in order to introduce force against the spring force of the elastic element by pulling or pushing with the arms or legs, the elastic element is designed as a rubber-elastic part or as a spring, which has fastening means that can be detachably attached to a bearing of the office chair at one end and holding means at the other end.

Advantageous effects of the invention

The office chair according to the invention has the advantage that it is surprisingly easy to compensate for the one-sided strain during office work. The effort required to equip a standard office chair accordingly is relatively low, and there is also the option of retrofitting (using commercially available parts such as rubber cords or bands or spring packages). The assembly of the attachment itself can be carried out by a layperson in just a few simple steps and does not require any special knowledge or tools. The detachable attachment means that the attachment, which is designed to match the office chair (so that no protruding corners and edges are created), can be removed at any time. The position and arrangement of the bearings can be changed under

Taking average ergonomics into account, they can either be designed as fixed or, at higher cost, as adjustable (sliding bearing).

Further embodiments of the invention

In a preferred embodiment of the invention according to claim 2, the bearing is designed as an eyelet arranged on the chair frame or on the armrest.

This embodiment of the invention has the advantage that, on the one hand, a secure hold can be achieved with little effort and, on the other hand, a certain mobility (rotation or displacement) in the bearing is ensured during training.

According to claim 3, the fastening means is designed as a snap hook or as a joint or as a hook-shaped part.

In addition to the advantage of being easy to handle for the user, these fastening devices also offer a smooth adjustment and guidance to the respective training movement.

In a further development of the invention, according to claim 4, the holding means is provided with a ring or loop or a replaceable handle.

This development of the invention has the advantage that both the arm and leg muscles can be trained with the same holding means. Either the ring or the loop is grasped with the hand or the foot is inserted into the ring or the loop. The replaceable handle can be designed in the shape of a shoe for the latter purpose.

Preferably, according to claim 5, the armrest has an elbow rest to protect the elbow during training.

This allows older people in particular to train comfortably and to apply force via the elbow rather than the wrist.
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In a further development of the invention, according to claim 6, the joint is provided with a locking device for determining the pivoting and sliding position of the elastic element.

This development of the invention has the advantage of creating a quick and easy way to adapt to the user's body size, the required effort and the training progress.

It can also ensure comfort when training over a longer period of time.

Preferably, according to claim 7, in order to fix the elastic element in a rest position substantially parallel to the seat surface, said element is partially surrounded by a receptacle, wherein according to claim 8 the receptacle is designed as a hook.

By designing a resting position essentially parallel to the seat, after completing the training, any impact against the elastic element that protrudes or protrudes next to the seat in the training position and thus an obstruction during office work is safely avoided.

According to claim 9, the elastic element is designed as a spring assembly made of spiral or disc springs or spring leaves and the handle is supported on the free front end of the spring assembly.

The advantage is that the pulling or pushing force can be designed accordingly, whereby the mobility of the handle and the springs of the spring package prevent one-sided bending after frequent use.

In a further development of the invention, according to claim 10, the fastening means are designed as a molded part of the office chair.

This further development of the invention has the advantages of an elegant design as well as a secure fastening option due to the integration, whereby the additional effort is low compared to a standard office chair.

Description of the invention

Further advantages and details can be found in the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawing and the subclaims. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of the office chair according to the invention with

a rubber-elastic part for training the arm muscles,

Fig. 2 the embodiment according to Fig. 1 for training the leg muscles,
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Fig. 3 a second embodiment of the office chair according to the invention with

Spring means for training the arm muscles in side view,

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Fig. 4 the embodiment according to Fig. 3 in front view,

Fig. 5 a third embodiment of the office chair according to the invention with spring means for training the abdominal muscles in side view and

Fig. 6 shows the embodiment according to Fig. 5 in plan view.

Fig. 1 to Fig. 6 show various embodiments of the office chair according to the invention, to which springs and rubber-elastic parts (the rubber band embodiment is described in more detail below) can be attached.

According to Fig. 1, this is achieved by attaching a tubular frame 2 with armrest 3 to both sides of the office chair 1. To train the forearm, upper arm and shoulder muscles, an eyelet 4 is welded to the tubular frame 2 and one or more rubber bands 5 with snap hooks 6 are hooked into the eyelet 4. At the other end of the rubber bands 5, a ring 7 for gripping with the hand is firmly connected to the rubber band 5.
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By pulling the rubber band 5 apart upwards, the aforementioned muscles are trained. A soft elbow pad 8, which is connected to the armrest 3, protects the elbow from abrasions.

According to Fig. 2, to train the thigh muscles, the rubber band 5 with the ring 7 is hooked into the front area of the foot and by stretching the leg, the thigh muscles, among others, are mainly trained.

According to Fig. 3, in order to train the forearm, chest, shoulder, upper arm muscles, etc., a spring 9 with a handle 10 is mounted on the tubular frame 2, which is connected to the tubular frame 2 by a joint 11 with a locking mechanism 13. By pulling the spring handle 10 with the hand in the direction of the upper arm, the spring or spring package 9, which is designed as a spiral or disc spring or spring leaf, for example, is tensioned and the aforementioned muscles are trained. When the spring 9 is taken out of service (in the rest position), it can be folded back thanks to the joint-like connection and inserted into a holder, for example a welded hook 12.

According to Fig. 4, in order to train the forearm, chest, shoulder, upper arm muscles, etc., the spring 9 on the handle 10 is pressed by hand towards the middle of the body, thus training the aforementioned muscles.

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Fig. 5 shows a third embodiment of the office chair according to the invention with spring means for training the abdominal muscles. For this purpose, the office chair 1 with armrest 3 has one or more rubber bands with hooks 14 that are connected to an eyelet 15. The eyelets 15 are attached to the armrest 3.

According to Fig. 6, to train the abdominal muscles, rubber bands with hooks 14 are stretched over the stomach and hooked into the eyelets 15. The stomach is pressed in by the stretched rubber bands 5 with hooks 14 and the abdominal muscles are trained by pushing the stomach towards you and letting it go back again. This movement can be further enhanced by a rocking backrest.

All of the possible designs shown and described, as well as all of the new individual features disclosed in the description and/or the drawing and their combination with one another, are essential to the invention. For example, the joint 11 with the locking mechanism 13 for determining the pivoting and sliding position of the elastic element can be implemented by a tube screwed to the underside of the seat plate with a plug pin for receiving a second tube with a welded-on plate, the elastic element can be designed as a spring-loaded wound-up rope, etc.

Claims (10)

1. Office chair with a backrest, two armrests ( 3 ), a seat and an elastic element ( 5 or 9 ) that can be actuated by muscle power for training muscles while sitting, characterized in that for the introduction of force against the spring force of the elastic element by pulling or pushing with the arms or legs, the elastic element is designed as a rubber-elastic part ( 5 ) or as a spring ( 9 ) which has fastening means ( 6 or 14 or 11 ) that can be detachably attached to a bearing ( 4 or 15 ) of the office chair ( 1 ) at one end and holding means ( 7 or 15 or 10 ) at the other end. 2. Office chair according to claim 1, characterized in that the bearing is designed as an eyelet ( 4 or 15 ) arranged on the chair frame ( 2 ) or on the armrest ( 3 ). 3. Office chair according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening means is designed as a snap hook ( 6 ) or as a joint ( 11 ) or as a hook-shaped part ( 14 ). 4. Office chair according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding means is provided with a ring or loop ( 7 ) or a replaceable handle ( 10 ). 5. Office chair according to claim 1, characterized in that the armrest ( 3 ) has an elbow rest ( 8 ) to protect the elbow during training. 6. Office chair according to claim 1 and 3, characterized in that the joint ( 11 ) is provided with a locking device ( 13 ) for determining the pivoting and sliding position of the elastic element ( 5 or 9 ). 7. Office chair according to claim 6, characterized in that in order to fix the elastic element ( 5 or 9 ) in a rest position substantially parallel to the seat surface, said element is partially surrounded by a receptacle ( 12 ). 8. Office chair according to claim 7, characterized in that the receptacle is designed as a hook ( 12 ). 9. Office chair according to one or more of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the elastic element is designed as a spring assembly made of spiral or disc springs or spring leaves ( 9 ) and that the handle ( 11 ) is supported on the free front end of the spring assembly ( 9 ). 10. Office chair according to one or more of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the fastening means ( 6 or 14 or 11 ) are designed as a molded part of the office chair ( 1 ).