DK3278690T3 - VIP RESTRICTION DEVICE FOR RESTRICTING A LIBERTY CHAIR - Google Patents

Description

Description

The invention relates to a tilt limiting device (1) for limiting a tilting movement of a chair, having - at least two fastening elements (2) for fastening to the chair, - a pivoting carrier (6) held in a rotatable manner by the fastening elements (2), - at least one support leg (8), which is connected to the pivoting carrier (6) for conjoint rotation and is equipped at its foot end (10) remote from the pivoting carrier (6) with a displacement aid (11), and pivot limiting means (2, 14, 15) which are designed to limit the pivoting movement of the pivoting carrier (6).

The invention additionally relates to a chair having a seat, a backrest and front and rear chair legs, which each have a free set-down end, remote from the seat of the chair, for setting down on the ground, wherein the rear chair legs are arranged in side view on the side of the seat which is connected to the backrest. A tilt limiting device of the type named in the introduction has already been disclosed in GB 1475 293 A. The tilt limiting device shown there has two fastening brackets which are provided for fastening to a pivotable part of a domestic appliance. The fastening brackets holds a tube piece so as to be rotatable, the tube piece having a cylindrical centre portion and a front portion which extends at right angles to said cylindrical centre portion and is equipped with a displacement means. US 2,541,995 A describes a mobile rocking chair with tilt limiting.

Chairs for everyday use usually comprise four chair legs which are connected at one end to a seat, on which a user is able to sit. The chair legs, as a rule, contact the ground on which the chair is set down by way of their end remote from the seat. These are to be distinguished from rocking chairs with arcuate support feet, office chairs or the like.

Swiss patent document CH 196124 discloses a device for the tilt limiting of flat grinding rockers. DE 3603884 relates to a tilting cradle with a tilting table which is pivotable about approximately 90 degrees.

The present invention is based on the knowledge that many users of a chair rock or tilt from time to time on the chair in order to give in to a natural urge to move. This applies above all to children. When rocking with the chair named in the introduction, the chair is transferred from an initial position, in which all four chair legs contact the ground directly, into a rocking position in which only two of the four chair legs still reach the ground whilst the two other ones are held freely suspended at a distance from the ground. In this connection, falls resulting in injuries cannot always be reliably avoided.

The Domicile Competency Centre for Dementia in Bethlehemacker has ascertained that such rocking is also fun for many adults. This applies in particular to adult persons with brain diseases such as, for example, people with medium to severe dementia. A fall, however, can have dire consequences especially in the case of adults.

It is the object of the invention to provide a tilt limiting device and a chair of the type named in the introduction by way of which falls when rocking can be reliably avoided.

The invention achieves said object proceeding from the tilt limiting device named in the introduction as a result of a swing-out limiter comprising a swing-out limiting rod extending in a longitudinal direction, which is fastened rotatably at its hinge end to a fastening element and has a slot, wherein a stop bolt connected securely to an associated support leg extends through the slot.

Proceeding from the chair named in the introduction, the invention achieves the object as a result of the chair having such a tilt limiting device. A tilt limiting device, which can be fastened with its fastening elements to the chair, in particular in each case to a chair leg, is created according to the invention. The fastening elements comprise a pivot or rotary bearing in which a pivoting carrier is pivotably mounted. In other words, the fastening elements hold the pivoting carrier, which extends between them, so as to be rotatable on the two rear chair legs. The pivoting carrier is additionally connected non-rotatably to a support leg which swings out with the chair during rocking. The term swings out means here that in side view the angle defined between the support leg and the fastening element with respect to the pivoting carrier is enlarged. More precisely formulated, a pivot angle, which is defined by the imaginary perpendicular of the pivot bearing, that is to say of a virtual axis extending perpendicularly to the ground, and the longitudinal axis of the support leg with respect to the pivot bearing, is enlarged. As a result of the non-rotatable connection between pivoting carrier and support leg, rotation of the pivoting carrier is transferred forcibly into a rotational movement of the support leg or legs.

Furthermore, pivot limiting means, which are designed for limiting the pivoting movement of the pivoting carrier in at least one direction, are provided within the framework of the invention. The limiting of the pivoting movement is effected, for example, by limiting the maximum movement the support leg is able to swing out. In this way, the angle which the chair leg defines in side view with the ground when rocking is also limited and consequently a fall, that is to say the chair tipping up rearward, is prevented. Within the framework of the invention, the users are consequently able to rock without there being any risk of a fall. As a result, work becomes clearly easier for the supervisory staff, that is to say parents or nurses, the users being able to indulge their urge to move.

Within the framework of the invention, the swing-out limiter comprises a swing-out limiting rod extending in a longitudinal direction, which is fastened rotatably at its hinge end to a fastening element and has a slot, wherein a stop bolt connected securely to an associated support leg extends through the slot. The slot is dimensioned such that the support leg is able to move freely in the slot with its stop bolt until the stop bolt strikes against the rear end of the slot and prevents the support leg from swinging out further. A maximum pivot angle is determined as a result. In this case, the swing-out limiting rod is also mounted so as to be rotatable in the respectively assigned fastening element, as a result of which the position and alignment of the slot can be modified in dependence on the rocking position. A sliding coating of the foot end of the support leg can be considered as displacement aid in terms of the invention. The sliding coating reduces the friction between the foot end and the ground such that the user is able to slide safely with the chair when sitting. A suitable fabric covering or the like can be considered, for example, as a sliding coating.

In the case of a preferred realization of the invention, the displacement aid is a roller. When the chair is used, the roller of the foot end rolls along the ground and thus reduces the friction resistance. This also applies to a tilting movement or to rocking. In the maximum swung-out position, in which the pivot limiting means prevent the support leg from swinging out further, the rollers make it possible for the user to be able to displace the chair by way of his feet even in said maximum pivot position. This can provide a sense of well-being which promotes health.

According to a preferred design, two support legs are provided. The use of two support legs increases fall safety, production costs only being slightly increased.

The pivot limiting means advantageously include a swing-out limiter and a swing-in limiter, wherein the swing-out limiter defines a maximum pivot angle and the swing-in limiter defines a minimum pivot angle, which is defined in side view by a longitudinal axis of the support leg and an imaginary perpendicular, dropped from the pivot bearing of the pivoting carrier, with respect to said pivot bearing. The swing-in limiter consequently limits the movement of the support leg toward the chair leg. The above-defined minimum pivot angle is advantageously greater than 5 degrees. Swinging-in fully and consequently a parallel position between the support leg and the rear chair leg is avoided according to said advantageous further development. On account of the swing-in limiter, each support leg consequently always remains a little swung out. Each support leg consequently always remains a little swung-out on account of the swing-in limiter. If the force introduced during rocking from the pivoting carrier via the support leg into the displacement aid is broken down into a vertical force component, or in other words a perpendicular force component, and a horizontal force component which extends at right angles thereto, the action of the swing-in limiter can also be described such that it ensures that in each position of the chair, that is to say also in the sitting position of the chair, as a result of loading the backrest rearward at the start of the rocking, a horizontal force component is always introduced into the displacement aid and moves it in the desired rocking direction. The swing-in limiter consequently ensures that the support legs swing out when rocking rearward and do not wedge or are even moved in the direction of the chair leg.

The swing-out limiter, in contrast, limits the maximum swinging out of the support leg. If the tilt limiting device is mounted on a chair, the swing-out limiter prevents too great a rearward movement of the backrest such that falls during rocking are prevented. In the maximum swung-out position, the rear chair legs and each support leg conseguently ensure stable positioning of the chair. Even in said position, the displacement aids make it possible for a user to displace the chair.

The swing-in limiter advantageously includes at least one stop formed on a fastening element, which stop is struck by a stop bolt connected securely to an associated support leg upon reaching the minimum pivot angle.

Two support legs, which are arranged in mutually remote end regions of the pivoting carrier, are provided according to an advantageous design. The support legs are conseguently at as large a distance as possible from one another such that a high level of stability is provided. In this case, the design of the tilt limiting device is simple and conseguently cost-efficient .

According to a further development which is expedient in this regard, the support legs are held on the fastening elements such that the support legs extend in the fastened position directly behind the rear chair legs. Each rear chair leg, once the fastening elements have been mounted, conseguently lies in a place with a support leg. As a result, the stability and fall safety is increased even further.

According to an expedient further development of the chair according to the invention, each fastening element is mounted securely on a rear chair leg. The fastening element is, for example, a flat mounting plate which in side view extends beyond the chair leg toward the rear, that is to say in the direction of the rearward pivoting movement. A pivot bearing in the form of a simple through bore, through which the pivoting carrier extends with one of its free ends, is formed, for example, in the holding portion which extends beyond the chair leg. In this case, the free end of the pivoting carrier comprises, for example, an external thread in which a nut engages which prevents the pivoting carrier sliding out of the through bore of the carrier portion.

According to a further design of the chair according to the invention, the fastening elements are mounted such that the support legs contact the ground with their foot end in every tilted position of the chair. According to said advantageous design of the invention, there is constant contact between the support leg and the ground such that maximum safety is provided.

Further expedient designs and advantages of the invention are the object of the following description of exemplary embodiments of the invention with respect to the figures of the drawing, wherein identical reference symbols refer to identically acting components and wherein figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the tilt limiting device according to the invention in the normal position and figure 2 shows the tilt limiting device of figure 1 in a maximum swung-out position.

Figure 1 shows a perspective representation of the tilt limiting device 1 according to the present invention. It can be seen that the tilt limiting device 1 comprises two fastening elements 2 which are each mounted on a rear chair leg 3 of a chair which is not shown fully. In this case, each fastening element 2 is realized as a flat plate which is securely connected to the rear chair leg 3 by way of fastening means 4 such as, for example, screws or rivets. In side view, each fastening element 2 extends to the rear beyond the chair leg 3, that is to say in the direction of a rearward tilting movement, such that a holding portion 5 of each fastening element 2 extends beyond the rear chair leg 3 in the rearward direction. A through bore 17, through which extends the free end of a pivoting carrier 6 which extends in a transverse direction, is admitted as a pivot bearing in the holding portion 5 at its upper end. The said free end is provided with an external thread which engages in an internal thread of a cap nut 7. The cap nut 7 is tightened just enough so that the pivoting carrier 6 is certainly prevented from slipping out of the fastening portion 5 in the transverse direction but so that it is possible for the pivoting carrier to be able to pivot forward and rearward in the pivot bearing 17.

In addition, it is possible to see a support leg 8 which is connected securely to the pivoting carrier 6 by way of its fastening end 9. Each support leg 8 is provided with a roller 11 at its foot end 10 remote from the fastening end 9. Independently of the tilt position of the chair, the roller 11 is in constant contact with a ground 20 such that, when rocking, the support leg 8 continuously rolls along the ground 20 and consequently provides the desired fall safety. A swing-out limiting rod 12, which extends in a longitudinal direction, is provided as a swing-out limiter. The swing-out limiting rod 12 is mounted by way of its hinge end 13 so as to be rotatable in the respectively assigned fastening element 2 and in particular in the holding portion 5 thereof. Furthermore, at its end remote from the fastening end 13, the swing-out limiting rod 12 has a slot 14, through which extends a stop bolt which is securely connected to the support leg 8. A retaining nut 16 keeps the stop bolt 15 from slipping out of the slot 14 in the transverse direction, it being possible, however, for the stop bolt 15 to be displaced in the slot 14. The stop bolt 15 extends beyond the fastening element 2 in said transverse direction such that a minimum pivot angle is defined which is defined in side view by a longitudinal axis (not shown in the figure) of the support leg 8 and a perpendicular dropped from the pivot bearing 17, that is to say an axis which extends perpendicularly to the ground 20, with respect to said pivot bearing 17. In other words, the support leg 8 is never aligned parallel to the rear chair leg 3 such that a horizontal force component is always introduced into the foot end 10 during rocking. This avoids the support foot 8 becoming jammed. The stop bolt 15 and the fastening portion conseguently form a swing-in limiter.

Figure 2 shows the tilt limiting device 1 according to figure 1 in a maximum swung-out position in which the stop bolt 15 strikes against the end of the slot 14. The stop bolt 15 with the slot 14 conseguently forms a swing-out limiter which determines a maximum pivot angle which is naturally also defined between said longitudinal axis of the support leg 8 and the perpendicular dropped from the pivot bearing 17 with respect to said pivot bearing 17. In other words, rocking with the chair is limited to a maximum pivot angle. In said position shown in figure 2, the rollers 11 enable further displacement of the chair.

In this way, the user can give in to his urge to move without there being any risk of falling. This provides fun, is safe and healthy and at the same time makes work easier for any supervisory staff who may be present.

Claims (9)

A rocker restraint device (1) for limiting the rocking motion of a chair by - at least two fastening members (2) for fastening on the chair, a swing carrier (6) pivotally held by the fastening members (2), at least one supporting leg (8) ) which is non-rotatably connected to the pivot carrier (6) and on its foot (10) facing away from the pivot carrier (6) is provided with a shear aid (11) and pivot limiting means (2, 14, 15) adapted for restriction of the pivotal movement of the pivot carrier (6), characterized in that a pivot restriction (14, 15) comprises a pivotal restriction rod (12) extending longitudinally and which is pivotally attached to a fastening element (2) with its linkage end (13) and has a long hole (14), where a stop bolt (15) fixedly attached to an associated support leg (8) extends through the long hole (14). A rocker limiting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the displacement aid is a roller (11). Rocker restraint device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that two support legs (8) are arranged. Rocker limiting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the swing limiting means comprise the swing limitation (14, 15) and a swing limitation (2, 15) where the swing limitation (14, 15) determines a maximum and the swing limitation (2). 15) a minimum pivot angle defined in a side view by a longitudinal axis of the respective support leg (8) and by a pivot bearing (17) of the pivot carrier (6) in the respective fastening section (2) out of plumb said taplej e (17). Rocker restraint device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivot restraint has at least one abutment formed on a fastening element (2) as an abutment bolt (15) which is fixedly connected to an associated support leg (8). , encountered when the minimum turning angle is reached. Rocker restraint device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two support legs (8) are arranged arranged on spaced end regions of the swing carrier (6). 7. Chair with a seat, backrest and front and rear leg legs (3), each of which has a free outlet end facing away from the seat seat to the floor (20), where the rear leg legs (3) in a view seen from the side is arranged on the side of the seat connected to the backrest, characterized by a rocker restraint device (1) according to one of the preceding claims. Chair according to claim 7, characterized in that each fastening element (2) is mounted firmly on a rear chair leg (3). Chair according to claim 8, characterized in that the fastening elements (2) are mounted such that the support legs (8) are in contact with the floor (20) in any tilting position of the chair with its shearing aid (11).