EP0688521B1 - Seating furniture with multiple positions - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device intended for sit, such as a seat, armchair, chair, bench.

The essential purpose of this device is to ensure the best possible holding of the spine of a user, and therefore alleviate back pain by a sitting position in orthorachism of the column vertebral.

This goal is achieved due, on the one hand, to the structure specific of the seat and, on the other hand, multiples seat and backrest adjustment possibilities.

There are a large number of seats that have been described and who try to ensure a better hold of the column vertebral.

• des appuis ponctuels
• une cyphose
• un contact tangentiel des tubérosités ischiatiques sur l'assise provoquant le glissement en avant.

The seats whose back forms an almost perpendicular angle with the seat do not allow the sacrum to reach the back, the result is an obliquity of the spine:

• ad hoc support
• kyphosis
• a tangential contact of the ischial tuberosities on the seat causing the sliding forward.

In order to avoid these drawbacks, so-called seats curved were invented.

The posterior curve repels the column in lordosis without avoid occasional support. If the user tries to reach the back with the sacrum, it accentuates lordosis.

According to the state of the art, the body supports being made by the ischial tuberosities on the horizontal part of the seat and by a point of the dorsal column on the part vertical, the lumbar spine does not have direct support.

So we see disappear physiological lordosis and establish a cyphotic tendency aggravated by the fact that the ischial tuberosities, undergoing forces tangential to the horizontal wall, tend to slide forward.

The state of the art can be defined by document EP-A-0.167.435 of the plaintiff, who offers a seat of the type comprising a seat part supported by feet and a backrest and the seat part of which consists of two parts whose planes form between them two angles intended for position the femurs, pelvis and spine, the seat part only has two support planes, the first part is a plan substantially horizontal and the second part is directly connected to the backrest, characterized in that this second part is flat in plane inclined downwards only intended for the spine and forms with the backrest, its corresponding end, an acute angle α of the order of 15 ° which is the lowest point at the bottom end of the backrest and that said seat part forms, with its first part, only intended for femurs, and its second part intended only for the spine, a first dihedral angle with an upper vertex and a second dihedral angle with lower apex, formed by the intersection of the said second part and the file, and that the part connected to the backrest is slightly longer than the other part of the seat and the two parts of the seat form between them, on the concave side, an angle β of the order of 150 °.

This document indicates a good knowledge of the problems and solutions to remedy back pain caused by possible poor holding of the spine of the user. However, in this mode there is no realization, possibility of adjusting the position of the seat.

The following document DE-A-3,138,123 describes a seat whose seat part consists of several parts, at least three, whose planes form angles between them intended to position the lower limbs, pelvis and spine. If the Figures 1 to 10 show a good knowledge of the problem, the recommended solution actually results in a molding of the parts soft against a rounded arched relief, which does not not allow a corrective effect on the curvatures of the column vertebral.

On the contrary, the different plans oblige the tuberosities ischiatic to descend into a "hole" or "hollow" (see figure 11), which prevents tilting back (see the dotted lines in Figure 8).

Document US-A-4,099,774 proposes a seat having a new structure in which the seat and seat cushions backrest are fixed to the seat frame. There is a possibility depth adjustment and a possibility of height adjustment of the backrest in relation to the seat.

Of course, these adjustment means are important for allow the seat to be adapted to the user's morphology. But this adaptability is completely insufficient for allow to place the spine in position orthorachism, that is to say complete rest.

Document FR-A-2.072.977 proposes a tilting chair comprising a seat part, a backrest so connected fixed to the latter and provided with a part forming a headrest as well that a tubular upright carrying the seat and the back, a person seated in the chair who can lean back tilt the seat and backrest around a horizontal axis placed in the tubular upright, characterized in that a control device capable of being actuated by the tilting movement of the seat part makes it possible to make pivot on the one hand an anterior part, provided on the front side of the seat part, with respect to this part around a horizontal axis arranged on the latter and on the other hand, at means of an intermediate organ capable of being put into action and out of action, the part forming the headrest relative to the folder around a second horizontal axis arranged on this latest.

This document is a tilting chair which can be tilted the backrest so that the spine is applied to it by the weight of the body. The part forming the seat is in a single part, of which one plan. The front part is only used for the legs. The seat / backrest angle is fixed at 90 °.

Document FR-A-2.651.657 of the applicant relates to a seat which is formed by a frame which forms a support for the seat part, feet, and a vertical stem which forms the support for the file. Hanging from this vertical gallows the backrest which is articulated at its lower end or base with the seat part. The seat part consists of two seat plans articulated between them and the support plan in counter-slope is articulated, also, at the base of the backrest suspended. The first support plane which is substantially horizontal is slidably mounted in a slide on the support formed by the chassis; a fixing means makes it possible to block it in the desired position.

This last document, like the previous document EP-A-0.167.435, allows many adjustments, however different adjustment parameters are dependent on each other it is impossible to modify only one of the parameters without training ipso facto the modification of the other adjustment parameters.

Instead of casting a seat on the spine for the support, it is necessary to mold the column on a seat whose profile keeps it in the correct position.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a seat with two planes and a backrest, the positions of which can be changed independently, in order to adapt to the morphology of any user.

For this, the backrest is adjustable in depth so that the horizontal plane of the seat is always located under the femurs of the user, while the counter-plan is adjustable angularly depending on the position of the tuberosities ischial.

It is thus possible to adapt the seat to the morphology of the user, while keeping for objective the good behavior of the backbone of said user when seated in orthorachism.

To this end, the present invention relates to a device, intended to allow a person to sit, such as a seat, an armchair, chair or bench, of the type which includes a backrest and seat made up of two support planes forming, between them, an obtuse angle β downwards, the foreground of the seat being in a substantially horizontal position and the second plane of the seat being inclined in a slope relative to the backrest with which it cooperates, the backrest forming an acute angle γ with respect to the vertical; the foreground of the seat is intended to receive the femurs of a user, the second plane to receive the ischiae, the foreground being of a length lower than the second plane, characterized in that it comprises means for depth adjustment of the position of the backrest by relative to the seat and angular adjustment means of the second plane of the seat relative to the foreground of said seat, the respective positions are changed independently, so that the angles β and γ are adjustable in order to adapt to the morphology of any user.

These characteristics are mainly due to the fact that the interface between the foreground and the background plane of the seat is formed by at least one articulation axis.

According to one embodiment, the angular adjustment of the second plane of the seat relative to the foreground of said seat and / or the depth adjustment of the backrest and / or the adjustment angular of said backrest is ensured, for each adjustment, by at minus an adjustment screw with the free end in contact or secured, while remaining mobile in rotation about its axis longitudinal, to the element to be adjusted, and whose threaded body cooperates with a threaded fixed point on the chassis of the device.

According to another embodiment, the angular adjustment of the second plane of the seat relative to the first plane of said seat and / or adjustment of the backrest and / or adjustment angular of said backrest is ensured, for each adjustment, by at minus a link, one end of which is hinged on the element to be adjusted and the other end of which is movable in a fixed window of the device chassis, the assembly being locked in position by a clamping means.

According to yet another embodiment, the adjustment angle of the second plane of the seat relative to the first plane said seat and / or the depth adjustment of the backrest and / or the angular adjustment of said backrest is ensured, for each adjustment, by at least one rack and pinion rod articulated by one of its ends on the element to be adjusted, the connecting rod rack cooperating with a fixed lug, locking in position, carried by the chassis of the device.

Still according to another embodiment, the adjustment angle of the second plane of the seat relative to the first plane said seat and / or the depth adjustment of the backrest and / or the angular adjustment of said backrest is ensured by a longitudinal member inverted V shape, articulated along an axis to the chassis of the device, one of the arms of the spar being in contact or secured to the element to be adjusted the other arm comprising a lug fixed, said spar and the lug being movable in a window carried by said chassis, the spar and said lug being blocked in position by a locking screw.

Whatever the embodiment, the setting in backrest depth ensured by at least two tubes concentric that can slide into each other and be locked in position relative to each other by means of screws blocking, one of the tubes constituting the chassis of the device, the other tube being integral with the back of said device.

The angle β is substantially 130 degrees (°) and the angle γ is approximately 15 °, which creates an angle α close to 35 ° (between the second plane of the seat and the backrest) which is specific to each user.

La figure 1 représente une vue d'ensemble en perspective d'un siège selon l'invention.

La figure 2 représente une vue de côté d'un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention.

La figure 3 représente une vue de côté d'un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention.

La figure 4 représente une vue de côté d'un troisième mode de réalisation de l'invention.

La figure 5 représente une vue de côté d'un quatrième mode de réalisation de l'invention.

The attached drawings are given as indicative and non-limiting examples. They represent several preferred embodiments according to the invention. They will allow the invention to be easily understood.

Figure 1 shows an overall perspective view of a seat according to the invention.

FIG. 2 represents a side view of a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 shows a side view of a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 shows a side view of a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 represents a side view of a fourth embodiment of the invention.

The present invention relates to a device 1 intended for allow a person to sit.

This device 1 is represented in FIGS. 1 to 5 by a chair 1.

This chair 1 is of the classic type since it has a backrest 2 and a seat 3.

This seat 3 also has characteristics which are known and clearly visible in FIG. 2.

This seat 3 consists of two support planes forming between them an obtuse angle β downwards. This angle β corresponds to the inclination of the second plane 5 of the seat 3 with the horizontal.

The foreground 4 of the seat 3 has a position which is substantially horizontal. It is intended to receive the femurs of a user.

The second plane 5 of the seat 3 is, in turn, inclined in against the backrest 2. This second plan 5 is intended to receive the user's ischia.

The second plane 5 forms with the backrest 2 an acute angle α.

File 2, for its part, forms an acute angle γ with respect to vertically.

The two angles β and γ, well defined, can therefore be adjusted to obtain an angle α well suited to the morphology of the user. But adjusting the angles β and γ also allows the depth adjustment of the second plane 5 relative to the backrest 2, always with the aim of marrying the shapes of the pelvis as well as possible said user.

In Figure 2 we can see all the possibilities of adjustment available on the chair 1.

These different settings are of course also present in Figures 1 and 3 to 5.

This figure 2 shows four adjustment possibilities.

First there is a possibility of angular adjustment of file 2. This adjustment is made according to F1 when the part upper of backrest 2 is adjusted forwards and according to F2 when the upper part of the backrest 2 is adjusted towards the rear, which makes it possible to vary the angle γ.

Backrest 2 can also be adjusted in depth by relative to the seat 3. This adjustment when carried forward for the entire file 2, is done according to F3. When the adjustment is done, conversely, backwards, it is carried out according to F4. This setting increases or decreases the length of the second plane 5 of the seat 3.

The other adjustment possibilities affect the seat 3.

First there is a possibility of angular adjustment of the second plane 5 of the seat 3 relative to the first plane 4, which allows to vary the angle β.

This adjustment is made according to F5 when the rear end of the second plane 5 goes upwards and according to F6 when this rear end goes down.

The last setting is more classic. It is only a setting either upwards according to F7, or downwards according to F8 of the entire seat 3, and even of the entire chair 1 (backrest 2 + seat 3).

These adjustments obviously require the presence of means specific settings.

These adjustment means can be angular as regards concerns the position of the backrest 2 relative to the seat 3 but also with regard to the second plane 5 of the seat 3 by relation to the foreground 4.

The adjustment means can also be in depth with regard to the position of the backrest 2 in relation to the seat 3 but also means for adjusting the height of the all of said seat 3 or all of chair 1.

Adjusting the angles β and γ will make it possible to obtain an angle α, present between the second plane 5 of the seat 3 and the backrest 2, this angle α being specific to the morphology of the user, just like the length of said second plane 5.

The two adjustment angles are β and γ, consisting of a share, by a mobile segment (second plan 5 for β and file 2 for γ) and on the other hand, by a fixed reference (the horizontal for β and the vertical for γ).

β is the angle of adjustment of the seat 3 and γ is that of file 2.

The two mobile segments, previously described, define the angle α.

In Figures 2 to 5, which are four different modes of realization of the invention, there are common points.

The most important point is the presence of an axis hinge 6 or 16 at the frame 27, 28, 29 or 30 of the device 1.

This articulation axis 6 or 16 is present at the interface between the first plane 4 and the second plane 5 of said seat 3.

It is this axis 6 or 16 which will allow the angular adjustment of the second plane 5 compared to the first plane 4 according to F5 or F6.

In all embodiments, the setting can use the adjustment screws referenced 7 to 12 which have a free end which can either be supported or secured while remaining mobile in rotation about its longitudinal axis to the element to be adjusted and whose threaded body of said screw 7 to 12 cooperates with a threaded fixed point located at the frame 27 to 30 constituting the device 1.

In Figure 2, such a screw is present under the reference 26. It will allow the angular adjustment according to F1 or F2 of the file 2.

In Figure 3, the screw 7 also allows adjustment angular according to F1 or F2 of file 2.

In Figures 4 and 5, there are in each case two screws 8, 9, 10 and 11 which allow the adjustments.

In FIG. 4, the screw 8 allows the angular adjustment according to F1 or F2 of backrest 2 while screw 9 allows adjustment angular of the second plane 5 of the seat 3 according to F5 or F6.

Finally in FIG. 5, the angular adjustment according to F1 or F2, but also the depth adjustment of the backrest 2, are made using two screws 10 and 11 which cooperate. According to what embodiment, the angular adjustment of the second plane 5 of the seat 3 relative to the foreground 4 of said seat 3 is provided for each adjustment by at least one link 13 of which one of the ends is articulated on the element to be adjusted, i.e. the second plane 5, and the other end of which is movable in a fixed window 14 of the chassis 30, the assembly being able to be blocked in position by a clamping means 15. This embodiment of the invention allows angular adjustment of the second plane 5 according to F5 or F6.

According to the embodiment of Figure 3, the setting angular of the second plane 5 of the seat 3 relative to the first plan 4 is ensured for each adjustment by a connecting rod rack 17 articulated by one of its ends on the second plan 5 which must be set according to F5 or F6. To this end, the rack rod 17 cooperates with a fixed lug 18 allowing locking in position on the chassis 28.

According to FIG. 2, the angular adjustment of the second plane 5 of the seat 3 relative to the foreground 4 is provided by another embodiment. This is ensured by a shaped spar of inverted V 22 which is articulated along an axis 16 relative to the frame 27 of the device 1. One of the arms of the beam 22 is supported or is integral with the second plane 5 of the seat 3 while the other arm comprises a fixed lug 31 which is movable at inside a window 32 made on the frame 27. This window 32, longitudinal, extends vertically and delimits the amplitude of adjustment of the second plane 5 relative to the first plan 4. The assembly is immobilized in position via a locking screw 33.

According to Figures 3 and 4, the depth adjustment of the backrest 2 is provided by two concentric tubes 19 and 20 which can slide one 19 into the other 20. These two tubes 19 and 20 are locked in position one 19 relative to the other 20 by via locking screw 21. The tube 20 is in fact constituted in the figures by the frame 28 or 29. The other tube 19 is in solidarity with file 2.

In these two embodiments, it is possible to adjust file 2 in depth according to F3 or F4, playing on the one hand on the locking screws 21, and on the other hand on the adjusting screws 7 or 8.

In all the figures, the height adjustment of the seat 3 is provided in a fairly conventional manner by a jack 23 connecting the chassis 27 to 30 at the foot 24 of the device 1 clearly visible on the figure 1. This allows adjustment according to F7 or F8.

Finally, according to an embodiment presented in FIG. 2, the support tube 34 of the backrest 2 and said backrest 2 are articulated together to allow adjustment according to F1 or F2 and are blocked in position by means of a simple clamping screw 26.

This chair 1 is particularly intended for situations long sitting.

Its shape is studied to tilt the top of the pelvis towards the back, so as to place the spine in orthorachism, that is to say in complete rest, the different adjustment means enabling this result to be achieved for all user morphologies.

REFERENCES

1.

Device for sitting or chair

2.

Chair back 1

3.

Seat of the chair 1

4.

Foreground of the seat 3

5.

Second seat plane 3

6.

Axis of articulation between planes 4 and 5

7 to 12.

Set screw

13.

Rod

14.

Chassis window 12

15.

Clamping method

16.

Axis of articulation of plans 4 and 5

17.

Rack rod

18.

Fixed locking pins in position

19.

Inner concentric tube

20.

Concentric outer tube

21.

Locking screw

22.

U-shaped spar

23.

Cylinder

24.

Device 1 foot

26.

Clamping screw

27 to 30.

Frame

31.

Fixed pin

32.

Chassis window 27

33.

Locking screw

34.

Backrest support tube 2

α.

Angle between the second plane 5 of the seat 3 and the backrest 2

β.

Angle between horizontal and second plane 5

γ.

Angle between vertical and backrest 2

F1.

Forward adjustment of the upper part of the backrest 2

F2.

Backward adjustment of the upper part of the backrest 2

F3.

Forward adjustment of the entire backrest 2

F4.

Rear adjustment of the entire backrest 2

F5.

Upward adjustment of the rear end of the second plane 5 from seat 3

F6.

Downward adjustment of the rear end of the second plane 5 from seat 3

F7.

Upward adjustment of the entire seat 3

F8.

Downward adjustment of the entire seat 3

Claims (8)

1. Device (1) designed to be used for sitting, such as a seat, an armchair, a chair (1) or a bench, of a type which includes a back (2) and a sitting surface (3) consisting of two support planes which together form downwardly an obtuse angle β, the first plane (4) of the sitting surface (3) being in a roughly horizontal position and the second plane (5) of the sitting surface (3) being inclined relative to the back (2) with which it acts, the back (2) forming an acute angle γ relative to the vertical; the first plane (4) of the sitting surface (3) being designed to receive the femurs of a sitting person, the second plane (5) to receive the ischia, the first plane (4) being shorter than the second plane (5), characterised in that
      it has means for adjusting the depth of the back (2) relative to the sitting surface (3) and means for angular adjustment of the second plane (5) of the sitting surface (3) relative to the first plane (4) of the said seat (3), the respective positions being modified independently so that the angles β and γ are adjustable in order to adapt to the morphology of any user whatsoever.
2. Device according to claim 1 characterised in that the interface between the first plane (4) and the second plane (5) of the sitting surface (3) consists of at least one hinge pin (6 or 16).
3. Device according to any one of claims 1 or 2 characterised in that the angular adjustment of the second plane (5) of the sitting surface (3) relative to the first plane (4) of the said sitting surface (3) and/or the adjustment of the depth of the back (2) and/or the angular adjustment of the said back (2) is ensured, for each adjustment, by at least one adjusting screw (7 and 12) whose free end, while remaining mobile in rotation around its longitudinal axis, bears on or joins the elements to be adjusted, and whose threaded body acts with a tapped fixed point of the chassis (27 to 30) of the device (1).
4. Device according to any one of claims 1 or 2 characterise in that the angular adjustment of the second plane (5) of the sitting surface (3) relative to the first plane (4) of the said sitting surface (3) and/or the depth adjustment of the back (2) and/or the angular adjustment of the said back (2) is provided, for each adjustment, by at least one rod (13), one of the ends of which is articulated on the part to be adjusted and whose other end is mobile in a fixed window (14) of the chassis (30) of the device (1), the assembly being blocked in position by tightening means (15).
5. Device according to any one of claims 1 or 2 characterised in that the angular adjustment of the second plane (5) of the sitting surface (3) relative to the first plane (4) of the said sitting surface (3) and/or the depth adjustment of the back (2) and/or the angular adjustment of the said back (2) is provided by at least one racked rod (17) articulated at one of its ends on the element to be adjusted, the racked rod (17) acting with a fixed locating pin (18) to lock in position, carried by the chassis (28) of the device (1).
6. Device according to any one of claims 1 or 2 characterised in that the angular adjustment of the second plane (5) of the sitting surface (3) relative to the first plane (4) of the said sitting surface (3) and/or the depth adjustment of the back (2) and/or the angular adjustment of the said back (2) is provided by an inverted V-shaped section (22), articulated on a pin (16) of the said chassis (27) of device (1), one of the arms of the section (22) being in contact or joined to the part to be adjusted, the other arm comprising a fixed locating pin (31), the said section (22) and the pin (31) being mobile in a slot (32) in the said frame (27), the section (22) and the said pin (31) being blocked in position by a blocking screw (33).
7. Device according to claim 1 characterised in that the depth adjustment of the back (2) relative to the sitting surface (3) is provided by at least two concentric tubes (19 and 20) capable to slide one (19) in the other (20) and to be blocked in position, one (19) relative to the other (20) by a blocking screw (21), one (20) of the tubes comprising the frame (28 or 29) of device (1), the other tube (19) being an integral part of the back (2) of the said device (1).
8. Device according to claim 1 characterised in that angle β is roughly 130° and angle γ is roughly 15° thereby creating an angle α close to 35°, between the second plane (5) of the sitting surface (3) and the back (2), which is specific to each user.

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