EP0774222A1 - Chair adjustable to the shape of the user - Google Patents

Chair adjustable to the shape of the user Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0774222A1
EP0774222A1 EP96402402A EP96402402A EP0774222A1 EP 0774222 A1 EP0774222 A1 EP 0774222A1 EP 96402402 A EP96402402 A EP 96402402A EP 96402402 A EP96402402 A EP 96402402A EP 0774222 A1 EP0774222 A1 EP 0774222A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
seat
elements
support structure
dorsal
seat according
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Granted
Application number
EP96402402A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0774222B1 (en
Inventor
Roger Prieur
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Individual
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Individual
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C31/00—Details or accessories for chairs, beds, or the like, not provided for in other groups of this subclass, e.g. upholstery fasteners, mattress protectors, stretching devices for mattress nets
    • A47C31/12—Means, e.g. measuring means for adapting chairs, beds or mattresses to the shape or weight of persons
    • A47C31/126—Means, e.g. measuring means for adapting chairs, beds or mattresses to the shape or weight of persons for chairs

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a seat adaptable to the morphology of the user.
  • the seat disclosed in patent application WO 92/06621 constitutes an improvement to traditional relaxation chairs, in that it incorporates a device making it possible to reduce the camber of the lumbar support as the seat is tilted backwards, so as to follow the deformations of the user's spine.
  • This known seat also incorporates a support for the neck which pivots in the opposite direction to the inclination of the seat.
  • European patent application EP-A-0 240 389 relates to a seat, the back of which is formed by two parallel metal uprights on which are fixed transversely two bands articulated to each other at the lumbar region. of the user, and whose seat is formed of two bands, hinged together and to the lower band of the backrest. This document also provides for an automatic modification of the shape of the lumbar region of the seat according to the inclination thereof.
  • the upper strip of the seat back disclosed in the aforementioned patent application EP-A-0 240 389 can be adjusted in height by a rack system, lockable slide, etc., so that this seat is adaptable to users with different back heights.
  • an ergonomic seat available commercially from Herman Miller and Co., Paris, France under the trade name AERON, which incorporates a cushion mounted sliding on the rear face of the backrest, intended to form a lumbar support adjustable in height, which can have two different depths. This seat is therefore suitable for users with a more or less pronounced and more or less high camber.
  • the invention therefore provides a seat comprising a base and a support structure comprising a part seat and a back part connected to each other, said back part supporting at least two adjacent back elements, called lower and upper, and said seat part supporting at least one seat element, characterized in that that said seat and back elements are connected to the support structure by fixing means which allow translation from top to bottom, and vice versa, back elements, independently of each other, and translation from front to back, and vice versa, of said at least one seat element, along said support structure, so that the position of said back and seat elements can be adjusted according to the morphology of the user.
  • the seat comprises two seat elements, called anterior and posterior, which are adapted to slide independently of one another along the support structure.
  • the seat according to the invention further comprises a third said intermediate dorsal element, disposed between the upper and lower dorsal elements, which is preferably connected to the dorsal part of the support structure by fixing means which allow it to be moved vertically along said supporting structure, independently of the upper and lower back elements.
  • the intermediate back element suitably has a thickness less than the thickness of said upper dorsal element and / or of said lower dorsal element.
  • the upper dorsal element correctly supports the neck and the lower dorsal element conforms to the camber of the user, so that his spine retains a good profile.
  • the lower dorsal element and / or the upper dorsal element can incorporate a manually controlled air pump, intended to vary their thickness.
  • the fixing means preferably consist of a first and a second screw joined coaxially head to tail, the solid rod of said first screw being screwed into the hollow rod of said second screw, and by a helical spring, wound around said second screw , which is preferably embedded in a block of vibration-absorbing material, such as rubber.
  • the support structure preferably comprises at least one hollow rod, having a longitudinal slot, in which said fixing means are adapted to slide. Preferably, it comprises a pair of such parallel hollow rods.
  • the hollow rod can be made of any sufficiently rigid material, such as a metal - for example cast aluminum - carbon fiber, etc. and it can have a cross section of any shape, for example cylindrical, trapezoidal, square, etc.
  • the support structure can be a solid structure which has slots in which the aforementioned fixing means are adapted to slide.
  • the fastening means could also be constituted by fastening systems with loops and hooks, of the Velcro R type, pressures, etc. or by a rack or the like.
  • the seat and back elements are for example each constituted by a rigid shell which contains a foam, latex or similar structure, or by a rigid shell on which a canvas, such as polyurethane, is stretched.
  • the seat according to the invention can be used as an office seat, a relaxation chair or a motor vehicle seat, and it can be provided with all the means which usually equip these types of seats.
  • the base can be provided with means allowing its height adjustment.
  • the back part and the seat part can be hinged to each other so that the angle formed between these parts can vary. In that case, it is preferable that the position of the user's camber relative to the seat varies only slightly depending on the inclination of the seat.
  • the angle between the dorsal part and the seat part can be adjusted manually, once and for all, by the user, and not be affected thereafter by the mechanical tilting of the seat from the sitting position straightened to the lying down position and vice versa.
  • the seat can also include armrests connected to the supporting structure by means of variable length, so as to allow adjustment of the width of the seat.
  • the seat can integrate a footrest articulated to said front seating element, a device for assisting the user to stand up, called a "standing device”, etc. It will also be noted that several seats according to the invention can be assembled side by side to form a sofa or a row of seats which can be used, in particular, in public places, by means of road, air or sea passenger transport, etc.
  • the terms “upper” and “lower”, applied to the back elements, and the terms “anterior” and “posterior”, applied to the seat elements, designate the positions of these elements relative to a seat user according to the invention, along the support structure of said seat. The same is true for the adverbs "before”, “back”, “up” and “down”.
  • FIG. 1 shows a seat according to the invention used as a relaxation chair
  • a seat 1 which includes a seat 2 articulated to a backrest by conventional means, which are known to those skilled in the art.
  • the backrest is made up of three substantially rectangular lower 3, intermediate 4 and upper 5 elements, arranged one above the other and spaced from each other, which respectively form a lumbar support, a back support and a headrest.
  • These three back elements each have a length of approximately 54 cm and a width of approximately 21 cm, the total height of the backrest being approximately 78 cm when they are spaced apart as much as possible from each other.
  • These elements are included in a common expandable cover 25, made of fabric or leather, partially cut away in FIG.
  • the back elements 3, 4, 5 are slidably mounted on a support structure 60 formed by two hollow metal rods 6a and 6b, parallel and substantially vertical, forming the dorsal part, and by two similar rods, substantially horizontal (not visible in FIG. 1 ), forming the seat part of the supporting structure.
  • a side panel 7 is arranged vertically along a side edge of the seat 2.
  • the side panel 7 extends substantially from the ground to the lower edge of the back element 4.
  • a support handle 9 is provided at the upper front end of the side panel 7 to assist a user while he sits or stands up.
  • An armrest 8 of convex shape, made of a flexible material, such as fabric or leather for example, is fixed on the top of the panel 7 and extends longitudinally over a major portion of the length of said panel 7.
  • the armrest 8 supports a control panel shown at 21.
  • An elongated cushion 10 is disposed along said lateral edge of the seat 2, against the side panel 7.
  • the side panel 7 is supported, at the front, by a foot 11 and, at the rear, by a caster (shown at 24 in Figure 2), which are mounted at its respective front and rear ends.
  • a caster shown at 24 in Figure 2
  • the side panel 7 could be supported by two feet, such as 11.
  • the side panels 7, 7 ' are fixed to the seat part of the support structure by a mechanism of variable length (not shown), which makes it possible to separate the side panels 7, 7' to vary the width of the seat in according to the user's morphology.
  • a footrest 16 of conventional structure is articulated to the seat 2 and supported by metal rods 6 "a and 6" b, similar to the rods 6a and 6b.
  • the seat according to the invention when used as a relaxation chair, can incorporate all the accessories known in the art and which are conventionally provided with such seats, such as a stand-up device.
  • Figure 2 is a rear view of the seat described above, on which we see the rear panel 12 which is intended to conceal the part of the seat located below the seat 2.
  • This figure also shows that the rear faces of the back elements 3 and 5 are respectively fitted with pumps 19 and 20 which make it possible to actuate manually air cushions placed in the corresponding back elements.
  • the rear faces of these elements, as well as that of the back element 4 are respectively connected to the rods 6a and 6b by fixing means 13a and 13b which are substantially cylindrical, which will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 6.
  • the rods 6a and 6b are visible at the rear of the seat. Alternatively, they could be hidden, for aesthetic purposes, by a rigid structure such as a plywood structure, possibly dressed in fabric or leather.
  • the supporting structure 60 of the relaxation chair according to the invention is in fact made up of a dorsal part 6, which has the profile of the shape of a broken line forming an angle substantially returning to its middle , a seat part 6 'articulated to the back part 6 at 14, which has a profile in the form of a broken line forming a projecting angle substantially in the middle, and a part of footrest 6 " , articulated to the seat part 6 ′ at 15.
  • the seat part 6 ′ supports two front 17 and rear 18 seat elements, which are arranged one behind the other, and mounted sliding, along the supporting structure 60.
  • seat elements 17 and 18 each have a width of about 21 cm and the maximum depth of the seat, which can be obtained by spreading the seat elements 17, 18 as far as possible. one from the other is about 54 cm.
  • the seat elements 17, 18 and the footrest 16 are connected to the structure por teuse 60 by means of fixing means, such as 13b, which will be further described with reference to FIG. 6.
  • Each of the elements 3, 4, 5, 16, 17 and 18 consists of a plywood shell 26 containing a foam structure 27, such as Bultex R foam, or in cellular latex.
  • a foam structure 27 such as Bultex R foam, or in cellular latex.
  • the structure of the back elements and of the seat elements is not limited to this embodiment and that it is possible, as a variant, to use elements consisting of a rigid shell of substantially hemispherical shape, on which a canvas, such as polyurethane, is stretched, and which are associated with a carrying structure made of carbon fiber by fixing means which may be rigid (the stretched canvas itself conferring a certain flexibility on said elements). In this way a seat is obtained which has a very light configuration, which can be advantageous both aesthetically and from the point of view of its cost price.
  • the support structure 60 consists, as described above, of pairs of parallel hollow rods.
  • the number of rods forming the support structure is not limited.
  • the inclination of the seat, the raising of the footrest, the spacing of the armrests, the inflation of the air cushions and the other functions of the seat according to the invention can be controlled either manually - for example, as regards the '' tilting, by the pressure of the body on the backrest and / or by movement of the armrests - either automatically, using one or more control buttons which can be located, for example, on the internal face of the side panels 7, 7 'or on a control panel arranged on top of the armrests 8, 8', as illustrated in 21 'in FIG. 3.
  • a motorized seat provided with a control panel, it will be possible to in addition provide for the possibility of electronically memorizing a certain number of seat adjustments. It is also possible to provide a combination of manual and automatic controls.
  • Figures 4 and 5 show another embodiment of the seat according to the invention, which is used as an office chair. Parts of this seat that are the same or similar to corresponding parts of the seat shown in Figures 1 to 3 will be designated by the same reference numerals, added to 100, and will not be further described below.
  • the seat 101 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 differs from the seat illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 in that it consists of a base 111 with five branches, incorporating an oleopneumatic cylinder intended to vary the height of the seat, the structure of which is well known to those skilled in the art, which supports the seat part 106 ′, in the vicinity of the posterior and anterior ends thereof.
  • two arcuate rods 107 and 107 ' project forward, upward and outward from the joint 114 of the dorsal portion 106 to the seat portion 106'.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates a fixing means 13a which connects the rigid shell 26 of a dorsal element to the hollow metal rod 6a of the seat shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.
  • the fixing means 13a comprises a hollow screw 30 with a round head and cruciform impression, which extends in a passage 37 formed through the thickness (approximately 12 mm) of the rigid shell 26, and the head of which rests on the internal surface of said shell.
  • the free end of the screw 30 extends transversely in a longitudinal slot 36 provided in the hollow metal rod 6a.
  • the wall of the cavity of the screw 30 is threaded and adapted to cooperate with the external thread of a screw 31 with a cylindrical head and a hexagonal cavity.
  • the head of the screw 31 is pressed against the internal surface of the hollow metal rod 6a, which is of trapezoidal section in this embodiment, transversely with respect to and on either side of said longitudinal slot 36, so that the screw rod 31 extends through the longitudinal slot 36 and into the screw 30.
  • a Teflon washer R 32 is interposed between the head of the screw 31 and the internal wall of the hollow rod 6a.
  • a helical spring 34 is wound around the screw 30, in the region of the screw 30 which is located between the hollow rod 6a and the back element to be assembled therewith.
  • the spring 34 is embedded in a block 35 of vibration-absorbing elastomeric material, such as rubber, which has a diameter of about 44 mm and a length of about 22 mm.
  • the operation of the fixing means is as follows.
  • a user wishes to modify the structure of the seat according to the invention to adapt it to his morphology, it is sufficient for him or a third party to stand behind the seat and, only after having pressed his thumbs against the turned supporting structure towards him, he exerts a pressure with both hands, using his other fingers, on the user side face of the back element to be adjusted, in the extension of the two fixing means 13a, 13b, for example at the locations indicated by crosses in FIG. 1.
  • the pressure exerted compresses the spring 34 and, simultaneously, the elastomer block 35.
  • the compression of the means elastic puts the head of the screw 31 out of support with the washer 32 (position shown in dotted lines) and thus frees the head of the screw 31 in the housing 38 defined by the internal walls of the hollow rod 6a, housing 38 in which said screw 31 can al ors be moved in substantially vertical translation, guided along the longitudinal slot 36.
  • the back element can thus be moved from bottom to top and vice versa, to a desired position.
  • the spring 34 and the elastomeric material 35 expand to their rest position illustrated in FIG. 6, in which the head of the screw 31 is in abutment against the washer 32 : the back element is then kept in the new chosen position.
  • the same operation can be repeated to adjust all the back elements of the embodiments illustrated in the previous figures.
  • the adjustment of the seat elements is done in a similar manner by exerting a pressure with both hands on the user side face of said elements, in the extension of the fixing means, then by moving said elements in substantially horizontal translation, along the parts of 'corresponding seat.
  • the elasticity of the spring 34 and of the elastomeric material 35 must be such that normal or sudden movements of the body of the user, exerting pressure both on the back elements and on the seat elements, are not not sufficient to release the head of the screw 31 inside the housing 38.
  • the previously described fixing means confer a certain flexibility on the back elements and the seat elements, which further increases the comfort of the seat according to the invention.
  • the invention provides a seat which is suitable for any type of user, whatever its morphology, thus offering the user maximum comfort associated with prevention of spinal pain.

Abstract

The seat comprises a base (11) and a structure (60) consisting of a seat part (6') connected to a back part (6). The back part supports at least two adjacent lower and upper dorsal parts (3,4,5). The seat supports seat parts (17,18) which can slide independently of each other. The seat and dorsal parts are connected to the structure by fixings (13a,13b). These fixings allow translation from top to bottom of the dorsal parts independently of each other and translation from front to rear of the seat along the length of the structure. This enables the position of the dorsal and seat parts to be adjusted as a function of the morphology of the user. The fixings are constituted by first and second bolts which are joined coaxially head to toe. The full shank of the first bolt is screwed into the hollow shank of the second bolt. A helicoidal spring is wound round the second bolt and embedded in a block of vibration absorber material.

Description

La présente invention concerne un siège adaptable à la morphologie de l'utilisateur.The present invention relates to a seat adaptable to the morphology of the user.

Depuis quelques années, les constructeurs de sièges domestiques ou de bureau se préoccupent davantage du confort de l'utilisateur, qui est amené à passer une grande partie de son temps assis, que ce soit dans le cadre de son travail, par exemple devant un ordinateur, ou pendant ses loisirs, par exemple devant la télévision. Des efforts ont donc été faits pour développer des sièges qui offrent une grande souplesse d'utilisation et un confort optimal dans toutes les positions et, en particulier, des sièges offrant un support réglable au niveau de la nuque et de la cambrure lombaire de l'utilisateur.For a few years, the manufacturers of domestic or office seats have been more concerned with the comfort of the user, who is required to spend a large part of his time sitting, whether in the context of his work, for example in front of a computer. , or in his spare time, for example in front of the television. Efforts have therefore been made to develop seats which offer great flexibility of use and optimal comfort in all positions and, in particular, seats offering adjustable support at the nape of the neck and lumbar arch of the user.

Par exemple, le siège divulgué dans la demande de brevet WO 92/06621 constitue une amélioration aux fauteuils de relaxation traditionnels, en ce sens qu'il intègre un dispositif permettant de réduire la cambrure du support lombaire au fur et à mesure que le siège est basculé vers l'arrière, de façon à suivre les déformations de la colonne vertébrale de l'utilisateur. Ce siège connu intègre en outre un support pour la nuque qui pivote en sens inverse de l'inclinaison du siège.For example, the seat disclosed in patent application WO 92/06621 constitutes an improvement to traditional relaxation chairs, in that it incorporates a device making it possible to reduce the camber of the lumbar support as the seat is tilted backwards, so as to follow the deformations of the user's spine. This known seat also incorporates a support for the neck which pivots in the opposite direction to the inclination of the seat.

De son côté, la demande de brevet européenne EP-A-0 240 389 concerne un siège dont le dossier est formé de deux montants métalliques parallèles sur lesquels sont fixés transversalement deux bandeaux articulés l'un à l'autre au niveau de la région lombaire de l'utilisateur, et dont l'assise est formée de deux bandeaux, articulés entre eux et au bandeau inférieur du dossier. Ce document prévoit également une modification automatique de la forme de la région lombaire du siège en fonction de l'inclinaison de celui-ci.For its part, European patent application EP-A-0 240 389 relates to a seat, the back of which is formed by two parallel metal uprights on which are fixed transversely two bands articulated to each other at the lumbar region. of the user, and whose seat is formed of two bands, hinged together and to the lower band of the backrest. This document also provides for an automatic modification of the shape of the lumbar region of the seat according to the inclination thereof.

L'inconvénient de ce type de sièges est qu'ils ne sont pas adaptés à des utilisateurs ayant des morphologies différentes. Or, compte tenu du fait que les sièges, tels que les fauteuils de relaxation ou les sièges de bureau, ont une durée de vie relativement longue et sont relativement coûteux, il existe actuellement un besoin en des sièges qui soient non seulement adaptables aux différentes positions que l'utilisateur est susceptible de prendre -de la position assise redressée à la position allongée-, mais qui puissent également convenir à des utilisateurs différents. De plus, l'allongement de l'espérance de vie des utilisateurs nécessite de concevoir un siège qui puisse suivre l'évolution de la morphologie d'un utilisateur particulier, notamment la réduction de sa taille, qui peut être de plusieurs centimètres en quelques années.The disadvantage of this type of seats is that they are not suitable for users with different body shapes. However, taking into account the fact that seats, such as relaxation chairs or office chairs, have a relatively long lifespan and are relatively expensive, there is currently a need for seats which are not only adaptable to the different positions that the user is likely to take from the position seat straightened in the lying position, but which may also be suitable for different users. In addition, increasing the life expectancy of users requires designing a seat that can follow the evolution of the morphology of a particular user, in particular the reduction in size, which can be several centimeters in a few years .

Certains sièges connus ont tenté de répondre à ces besoins.Certain well-known offices have attempted to meet these needs.

Ainsi, dans une forme d'exécution, le bandeau supérieur du dossier du siège divulgué dans la demande de brevet EP-A-0 240 389 précitée peut être réglé en hauteur par un système de crémaillère, de glissière blocable, etc., de sorte que ce siège est adaptable à des utilisateurs ayant des hauteurs de dos différentes. On connaît par ailleurs un siège ergonomique disponible dans le commerce auprès de Herman Miller et Cie, Paris, France sous la dénomination commerciale AERON, qui incorpore un coussin monté coulissant sur la face arrière du dossier, destiné à former un support lombaire réglable en hauteur, qui peut avoir deux profondeurs différentes. Ce siège est donc adapté à des utilisateurs ayant une cambrure plus ou moins prononcée et plus ou moins haute.Thus, in one embodiment, the upper strip of the seat back disclosed in the aforementioned patent application EP-A-0 240 389 can be adjusted in height by a rack system, lockable slide, etc., so that this seat is adaptable to users with different back heights. There is also known an ergonomic seat available commercially from Herman Miller and Co., Paris, France under the trade name AERON, which incorporates a cushion mounted sliding on the rear face of the backrest, intended to form a lumbar support adjustable in height, which can have two different depths. This seat is therefore suitable for users with a more or less pronounced and more or less high camber.

Toutefois, à la connaissance du demandeur, il n'existe actuellement aucun siège qui soit réellement adaptable à toutes les morphologies, c'est-à-dire à des utilisateurs qui, bien qu'ayant éventuellement la même taille, ont une cambrure lombaire et une nuque plus ou moins haute, des jambes et un dos plus ou moins longs.However, to the knowledge of the applicant, there is currently no seat which is truly adaptable to all body types, that is to say to users who, although possibly having the same size, have a lumbar arch and a more or less high neck, more or less long legs and back.

L'invention propose donc un siège comportant un piètement et une structure porteuse comprenant une partie d'assise et une partie dorsale connectées l'une à l'autre, ladite partie dorsale supportant au moins deux éléments dorsaux adjacents, dits inférieur et supérieur, et ladite partie d'assise supportant au moins un élément d'assise, caractérisé en ce que lesdits éléments d'assise et dorsaux sont reliés à la structure porteuse par des moyens de fixation qui permettent une translation de haut en bas, et réciproquement, des éléments dorsaux, indépendamment les uns des autres, et une translation d'avant en arrière, et réciproquement, dudit au moins un élément d'assise, le long de ladite structure porteuse, de façon à ce que la position desdits éléments dorsaux et d'assise puisse être réglée en fonction de la morphologie de l'utilisateur.The invention therefore provides a seat comprising a base and a support structure comprising a part seat and a back part connected to each other, said back part supporting at least two adjacent back elements, called lower and upper, and said seat part supporting at least one seat element, characterized in that that said seat and back elements are connected to the support structure by fixing means which allow translation from top to bottom, and vice versa, back elements, independently of each other, and translation from front to back, and vice versa, of said at least one seat element, along said support structure, so that the position of said back and seat elements can be adjusted according to the morphology of the user.

Selon une variante préférée de l'invention, le siège comprend deux éléments d'assise, dits antérieur et postérieur, qui sont adaptés à coulisser indépendamment l'un de l'autre le long de la structure porteuse.According to a preferred variant of the invention, the seat comprises two seat elements, called anterior and posterior, which are adapted to slide independently of one another along the support structure.

Avantageusement, le siège selon l'invention comprend en outre un troisième élément dorsal dit intermédiaire, disposé entre les éléments dorsaux supérieur et inférieur, qui est de préférence relié à la partie dorsale de la structure porteuse par des moyens de fixation qui lui permettent d'être déplacé verticalement le long de ladite structure porteuse, indépendamment des éléments dorsaux supérieur et inférieur.Advantageously, the seat according to the invention further comprises a third said intermediate dorsal element, disposed between the upper and lower dorsal elements, which is preferably connected to the dorsal part of the support structure by fixing means which allow it to be moved vertically along said supporting structure, independently of the upper and lower back elements.

L'élément dorsal intermédiaire a convenablement une épaisseur inférieure à l'épaisseur dudit élément dorsal supérieur et/ou dudit élément dorsal inférieur. De cette manière, l'élément dorsal supérieur soutient correctement la nuque et l'élément dorsal inférieur se conforme à la cambrure de l'utilisateur, de sorte que sa colonne vertébrale conserve un bon profil. Avantageusement, pour qu'ils se conforment davantage à différents types de morphologies, l'élément dorsal inférieur et/ou l'élément dorsal supérieur peuvent intégrer une pompe à air commandée manuellement, destinée à faire varier leur épaisseur.The intermediate back element suitably has a thickness less than the thickness of said upper dorsal element and / or of said lower dorsal element. In this way, the upper dorsal element correctly supports the neck and the lower dorsal element conforms to the camber of the user, so that his spine retains a good profile. Advantageously, so that they conform more to different types of morphology, the lower dorsal element and / or the upper dorsal element can incorporate a manually controlled air pump, intended to vary their thickness.

Les moyens de fixation sont de préférence constitués par une première et une seconde vis réunies coaxialement tête bêche, la tige pleine de ladite première vis étant vissée dans la tige creuse de ladite seconde vis, et par un ressort hélicoïdal, enroulé autour de ladite seconde vis, qui est de préférence noyé dans un bloc de matériau amortisseur de vibrations, tel que du caoutchouc. Dans ce cas, la structure porteuse comprend de préférence au moins une tige creuse, présentant une fente longitudinale, dans laquelle lesdits moyens de fixation sont adaptés à coulisser. De préférence, elle comprend une paire de telles tiges creuses parallèles. La tige creuse peut être constituée de tout matériau suffisamment rigide, tel qu'un métal -par exemple de l'aluminium moulé-, de la fibre de carbone, etc. et elle peut avoir une section transversale de forme quelconque, par exemple cylindrique, trapézoïdale, carrée, etc. Selon une autre possibilité, la structure porteuse peut être une structure pleine qui possède des fentes dans lesquelles les moyens de fixation précités sont adaptés à coulisser.The fixing means preferably consist of a first and a second screw joined coaxially head to tail, the solid rod of said first screw being screwed into the hollow rod of said second screw, and by a helical spring, wound around said second screw , which is preferably embedded in a block of vibration-absorbing material, such as rubber. In this case, the support structure preferably comprises at least one hollow rod, having a longitudinal slot, in which said fixing means are adapted to slide. Preferably, it comprises a pair of such parallel hollow rods. The hollow rod can be made of any sufficiently rigid material, such as a metal - for example cast aluminum - carbon fiber, etc. and it can have a cross section of any shape, for example cylindrical, trapezoidal, square, etc. According to another possibility, the support structure can be a solid structure which has slots in which the aforementioned fixing means are adapted to slide.

En variante, les moyens de fixation pourraient également être constitués par des systèmes d'attache à boucles et crochets, du type VelcroR, des pressions, etc. ou encore par une crémaillère ou analogue.As a variant, the fastening means could also be constituted by fastening systems with loops and hooks, of the Velcro R type, pressures, etc. or by a rack or the like.

Les éléments d'assise et dorsaux sont par exemple chacun constitués par une coque rigide qui contient une structure en mousse, en latex ou analogue, ou par une coque rigide sur laquelle est tendue une toile, telle que du polyuréthanne.The seat and back elements are for example each constituted by a rigid shell which contains a foam, latex or similar structure, or by a rigid shell on which a canvas, such as polyurethane, is stretched.

Le siège selon l'invention peut être utilisé comme siège de bureau, fauteuil de relaxation ou siège de véhicule automobile, et il peut être pourvu de tous les moyens qui équipent habituellement ces types de sièges. Ainsi, le piètement peut être muni de moyens permettant son réglage en hauteur. De plus, la partie dorsale et la partie d'assise peuvent être articulées l'une à l'autre de façon à ce que l'angle formé entre ces parties puisse varier. Dans ce cas, il est préférable que la position de la cambrure de l'utilisateur par rapport au siège ne varie que faiblement en fonction de l'inclinaison du siège. En variante, l'angle entre la partie dorsale et la partie d'assise peut être réglé manuellement, une fois pour toutes, par l'utilisateur, et ne pas être affecté ensuite par le basculement mécanique du siège de la posiion assise redressée à la position allongée et vice-versa. Le siège peut également comprendre des accoudoirs reliés à la structure porteuse par des moyens de longueur variable, de façon à permettre un réglage de la largeur de l'assise. Enfin, le siège peut intégrer un repose-pieds articulé audit élément d'assise antérieur, un dispositif d'assistance à la remise debout de l'utilisateur, dit "dispositif de mise debout", etc. On notera en outre que plusieurs sièges selon l'invention peuvent être assemblés côte à côte pour former un canapé ou une rangée de sièges utilisable, en particulier, dans les lieux publics, les moyens de transport routier, aérien ou maritime de voyageurs, etc.The seat according to the invention can be used as an office seat, a relaxation chair or a motor vehicle seat, and it can be provided with all the means which usually equip these types of seats. Thus, the base can be provided with means allowing its height adjustment. In addition, the back part and the seat part can be hinged to each other so that the angle formed between these parts can vary. In that case, it is preferable that the position of the user's camber relative to the seat varies only slightly depending on the inclination of the seat. As a variant, the angle between the dorsal part and the seat part can be adjusted manually, once and for all, by the user, and not be affected thereafter by the mechanical tilting of the seat from the sitting position straightened to the lying down position and vice versa. The seat can also include armrests connected to the supporting structure by means of variable length, so as to allow adjustment of the width of the seat. Finally, the seat can integrate a footrest articulated to said front seating element, a device for assisting the user to stand up, called a "standing device", etc. It will also be noted that several seats according to the invention can be assembled side by side to form a sofa or a row of seats which can be used, in particular, in public places, by means of road, air or sea passenger transport, etc.

L'invention sera mieux comprise à la lumière de la description détaillée et non limitative suivante, prise en combinaison avec les dessins annexés dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue schématique de face, partiellement arrachée, d'un siège selon l'invention ;
  • la figure 2 est une vue schématique, partiellement arrachée, de l'arrière du siège illustré à la figure 1 ;
  • la figure 3 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne III-III des figures 1 et 2 ;
  • la figure 4 est une vue schématique de face d'un autre type de siège selon la présente invention ;
  • la figure 5 est une vue schématique de côté du siège illustré à la figure 4 ; et
  • la figure 6 est une vue schématique en coupe horizontale, prise le long de la ligne VI-VI de la figure 3, d'un moyen de fixation d'un élément de dossier à la structure porteuse.
The invention will be better understood in the light of the following detailed and nonlimiting description, taken in combination with the appended drawings in which:
  • Figure 1 is a schematic front view, partially broken away, of a seat according to the invention;
  • Figure 2 is a schematic view, partially broken away, of the rear of the seat illustrated in Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is a sectional view along line III-III of Figures 1 and 2;
  • Figure 4 is a schematic front view of another type of seat according to the present invention;
  • Figure 5 is a schematic side view of the seat illustrated in Figure 4; and
  • Figure 6 is a schematic view in horizontal section, taken along the line VI-VI of Figure 3, of a means of fixing a backrest member to the support structure.

Dans le cadre de cette description, les termes "supérieur" et "inférieur", appliqués aux éléments dorsaux, et les termes "antérieur" et "postérieur", appliqués aux éléments d'assise, désignent les positions de ces éléments par rapport à un utilisateur du siège selon l'invention, le long de la structure porteuse dudit siège. Il en est de même des adverbes "avant", "arrière", "haut" et "bas".In the context of this description, the terms "upper" and "lower", applied to the back elements, and the terms "anterior" and "posterior", applied to the seat elements, designate the positions of these elements relative to a seat user according to the invention, along the support structure of said seat. The same is true for the adverbs "before", "back", "up" and "down".

Si l'on se réfère tout d'abord à la figure 1, qui représente un siège selon l'invention utilisé comme fauteuil de relaxation, on voit un siège 1 qui comprend une assise 2 articulée à un dossier par des moyens classiques, qui sont connus de l'homme de l'art. Le dossier est constitué de trois éléments inférieur 3, intermédiaire 4 et supérieur 5 sensiblement rectangulaires, disposés les uns au-dessus des autres et espacés les uns des autres, qui forment respectivement un support lombaire, un support dorsal et un repose-tête. Ces trois éléments dorsaux ont chacun une longueur d'environ 54 cm et une largeur d'environ 21 cm, la hauteur totale du dossier étant d'environ 78 cm lorsqu'ils sont espacés au maximum les uns des autres. Ces éléments sont inclus dans une housse commune extensible 25, en tissu ou en cuir, partiellement arrachée à la figure 1 pour montrer la structure interne du dossier, ladite housse étant destinée à dissimuler les éléments dorsaux à la vue. Les éléments dorsaux 3, 4, 5 sont montés coulissants sur une structure porteuse 60 formée de deux tiges métalliques creuses 6a et 6b, parallèles et sensiblement verticales, formant partie dorsale, et de deux tiges similaires, sensiblement horizontales (non visibles à la figure 1), formant partie d'assise de la structure porteuse.If we first refer to Figure 1, which shows a seat according to the invention used as a relaxation chair, we see a seat 1 which includes a seat 2 articulated to a backrest by conventional means, which are known to those skilled in the art. The backrest is made up of three substantially rectangular lower 3, intermediate 4 and upper 5 elements, arranged one above the other and spaced from each other, which respectively form a lumbar support, a back support and a headrest. These three back elements each have a length of approximately 54 cm and a width of approximately 21 cm, the total height of the backrest being approximately 78 cm when they are spaced apart as much as possible from each other. These elements are included in a common expandable cover 25, made of fabric or leather, partially cut away in FIG. 1 to show the internal structure of the backrest, said cover being intended to conceal the back elements from view. The back elements 3, 4, 5 are slidably mounted on a support structure 60 formed by two hollow metal rods 6a and 6b, parallel and substantially vertical, forming the dorsal part, and by two similar rods, substantially horizontal (not visible in FIG. 1 ), forming the seat part of the supporting structure.

Un panneau latéral 7 est disposé verticalement le long d'un bord latéral de l'assise 2. Le panneau latéral 7 s'étend sensiblement depuis le sol jusqu'au bord inférieur de l'élément dorsal 4. Une poignée de soutien 9 est prévue à l'extrémité supérieure avant du panneau latéral 7 pour assister un utilisateur tandis qu'il s'assied ou se relève. Un accoudoir 8 de forme bombée, en un matériau souple, tel que du tissu ou du cuir par exemple, est fixé sur le dessus du panneau 7 et s'étend longitudinalement sur une portion majeure de la longueur dudit panneau 7. L'accoudoir 8 supporte un tableau de commande représenté en 21. Un coussin allongé 10 est disposé le long dudit bord latéral de l'assise 2, contre le panneau latéral 7. Le panneau latéral 7 est supporté, à l'avant, par un pied 11 et, à l'arrière, par une roulette (représentée en 24 à la figure 2), qui sont montés à ses extrémités avant et arrière respectives. En variante, le panneau latéral 7 pourrait être supporté par deux pieds, tels que 11.A side panel 7 is arranged vertically along a side edge of the seat 2. The side panel 7 extends substantially from the ground to the lower edge of the back element 4. A support handle 9 is provided at the upper front end of the side panel 7 to assist a user while he sits or stands up. An armrest 8 of convex shape, made of a flexible material, such as fabric or leather for example, is fixed on the top of the panel 7 and extends longitudinally over a major portion of the length of said panel 7. The armrest 8 supports a control panel shown at 21. An elongated cushion 10 is disposed along said lateral edge of the seat 2, against the side panel 7. The side panel 7 is supported, at the front, by a foot 11 and, at the rear, by a caster (shown at 24 in Figure 2), which are mounted at its respective front and rear ends. As a variant, the side panel 7 could be supported by two feet, such as 11.

Des éléments semblables aux éléments décrits ci-dessus sont prévus le long du second bord latéral de l'assise 2 et identifiés par les mêmes chiffres de référence suivis du signe prime. La description précédente s'applique donc mutatis mutandis à ces éléments qui ne seront pas davantage décrits.Elements similar to the elements described above are provided along the second lateral edge of the seat 2 and identified by the same reference numbers followed by the prime sign. The above description therefore applies mutatis mutandis to these elements which will not be described further.

Les panneaux latéraux 7, 7' sont fixés à la partie d'assise de la structure porteuse par un mécanisme de longueur variable (non représenté), qui permet d'écarter les panneaux latéraux 7, 7' pour faire varier la largeur du siège en fonction de la morphologie de l'utilisateur.The side panels 7, 7 'are fixed to the seat part of the support structure by a mechanism of variable length (not shown), which makes it possible to separate the side panels 7, 7' to vary the width of the seat in according to the user's morphology.

Un repose-pieds 16 de structure classique est articulé à l'assise 2 et supporté par des tiges métalliques 6"a et 6"b, similaires aux tiges 6a et 6b.A footrest 16 of conventional structure is articulated to the seat 2 and supported by metal rods 6 "a and 6" b, similar to the rods 6a and 6b.

En outre, le siège selon l'invention, lorsqu'il est utilisé comme fauteuil de relaxation, peut incorporer tous les accessoires connus dans l'art et dont sont classiquement pourvus de tels sièges, tels qu'un dispositif de mise-debout.In addition, the seat according to the invention, when used as a relaxation chair, can incorporate all the accessories known in the art and which are conventionally provided with such seats, such as a stand-up device.

La figure 2 est une vue arrière du siège précédemment décrit, sur laquelle on voit le panneau arrière 12 qui est prévu pour dissimuler la partie du siège située en-deçà de l'assise 2. Cette figure montre également que les faces arrière des éléments dorsaux 3 et 5 sont respectivement munies de pompes 19 et 20 qui permettent d'actionner manuellement des coussins d'air placés dans les éléments dorsaux correspondants. Les faces arrière de ces éléments, ainsi que celle de l'élément dorsal 4, sont respectivement reliées aux tiges 6a et 6b par des moyens de fixation 13a et 13b sensiblement cylindriques, qui seront décrits avec davantage de détails par référence à la figure 6.Figure 2 is a rear view of the seat described above, on which we see the rear panel 12 which is intended to conceal the part of the seat located below the seat 2. This figure also shows that the rear faces of the back elements 3 and 5 are respectively fitted with pumps 19 and 20 which make it possible to actuate manually air cushions placed in the corresponding back elements. The rear faces of these elements, as well as that of the back element 4, are respectively connected to the rods 6a and 6b by fixing means 13a and 13b which are substantially cylindrical, which will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 6.

Dans la forme d'exécution des figures 1 à 3, les tiges 6a et 6b sont visibles à l'arrière du siège. En variante, elles pourraient être dissimulées, à des fins esthétiques, par une structure rigide telle qu'une structure en bois multiplis, éventuellement habillée de tissu ou de cuir.In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, the rods 6a and 6b are visible at the rear of the seat. Alternatively, they could be hidden, for aesthetic purposes, by a rigid structure such as a plywood structure, possibly dressed in fabric or leather.

Sur la figure 3, on voit que la structure porteuse 60 du fauteuil de relaxation selon l'invention est en fait constituée d'une partie dorsale 6, qui a de profil la forme d'une ligne brisée formant un angle rentrant sensiblement en son milieu, d'une partie d'assise 6' articulée à la partie dorsale 6 en 14, qui a de profil la forme d'une ligne brisée formant un angle saillant sensiblement en son milieu, et d'une partie de repose-pieds 6", articulée à la partie d'assise 6' en 15. La partie d'assise 6' supporte deux éléments d'assise antérieur 17 et postérieur 18, qui sont disposés l'un derrière l'autre, et montés coulissants, le long de la structure porteuse 60. Ces éléments d'assise 17 et 18 ont chacun une largeur d'environ 21 cm et la profondeur maximale de l'assise, qui peut être obtenue en écartant le plus possible les éléments d'assise 17, 18 l'un de l'autre, est d'environ 54 cm. Les éléments d'assise 17, 18 et le repose-pieds 16 sont reliés à la structure porteuse 60 par l'intermédiaire de moyens de fixation, tels que 13b, qui seront davantage décrits par référence à la figure 6.In FIG. 3, it can be seen that the supporting structure 60 of the relaxation chair according to the invention is in fact made up of a dorsal part 6, which has the profile of the shape of a broken line forming an angle substantially returning to its middle , a seat part 6 'articulated to the back part 6 at 14, which has a profile in the form of a broken line forming a projecting angle substantially in the middle, and a part of footrest 6 " , articulated to the seat part 6 ′ at 15. The seat part 6 ′ supports two front 17 and rear 18 seat elements, which are arranged one behind the other, and mounted sliding, along the supporting structure 60. These seat elements 17 and 18 each have a width of about 21 cm and the maximum depth of the seat, which can be obtained by spreading the seat elements 17, 18 as far as possible. one from the other is about 54 cm. The seat elements 17, 18 and the footrest 16 are connected to the structure por teuse 60 by means of fixing means, such as 13b, which will be further described with reference to FIG. 6.

Chacun des éléments 3, 4, 5, 16, 17 et 18 est constitué d'une coque en bois multiplis 26 contenant une structure en mousse 27, telle que de la mousse BultexR, ou en latex alvéolé. Il est bien entendu que la structure des éléments dorsaux et des éléments d'assise n'est pas limitée à cette forme d'exécution et qu'il est possible, en variante, d'utiliser des éléments constitués d'une coque rigide de forme sensiblement hémisphérique, sur laquelle est tendue une toile, telle que du polyuréthanne, et qui sont associés à une structure porteuse en fibre de carbone par des moyens de fixation qui peuvent être rigides (la toile tendue conférant elle-même une certaine flexibilité auxdits éléments) . On obtient de cette manière un siège qui a une configuration très légère, ce qui peut être avantageux tant sur le plan esthétique que du point de vue de son prix de revient.Each of the elements 3, 4, 5, 16, 17 and 18 consists of a plywood shell 26 containing a foam structure 27, such as Bultex R foam, or in cellular latex. It is understood that the structure of the back elements and of the seat elements is not limited to this embodiment and that it is possible, as a variant, to use elements consisting of a rigid shell of substantially hemispherical shape, on which a canvas, such as polyurethane, is stretched, and which are associated with a carrying structure made of carbon fiber by fixing means which may be rigid ( the stretched canvas itself conferring a certain flexibility on said elements). In this way a seat is obtained which has a very light configuration, which can be advantageous both aesthetically and from the point of view of its cost price.

Dans la forme d'exécution illustrée, la structure porteuse 60 est constituée, comme il est décrit plus haut, de paires de tiges creuses parallèles. Toutefois, même si cette variante est préférée du fait qu'elle offre, à moindre coût, une stabilité suffisante aux éléments dorsaux et d'assise, le nombre de tiges formant la structure porteuse n'est pas limité.In the illustrated embodiment, the support structure 60 consists, as described above, of pairs of parallel hollow rods. However, even if this variant is preferred because it offers, at lower cost, sufficient stability to the back and seat elements, the number of rods forming the support structure is not limited.

L'inclinaison du siège, le soulèvement du repose-pieds, l'écartement des accoudoirs, le gonflement des coussins d'air et les autres fonctions du siège selon l'invention peuvent être commandées soit manuellement -par exemple, en ce qui concerne l'inclinaison, par la pression du corps sur le dossier et/ou par déplacement des accoudoirs-, soit automatiquement, à l'aide d'un ou plusieurs boutons de commande qui peuvent être situés, par exemple, sur la face interne des panneaux latéraux 7, 7' ou sur un tableau de commande disposé sur le dessus des accoudoirs 8, 8', comme illustré en 21' à la figure 3. Dans le cas d'un siège motorisé, pourvu d'un tableau de commande, on pourra en outre prévoir la possibilité de mémoriser électroniquement un certain nombre de réglages du siège. On peut également prévoir une combinaison de commandes manuelles et automatiques.The inclination of the seat, the raising of the footrest, the spacing of the armrests, the inflation of the air cushions and the other functions of the seat according to the invention can be controlled either manually - for example, as regards the '' tilting, by the pressure of the body on the backrest and / or by movement of the armrests - either automatically, using one or more control buttons which can be located, for example, on the internal face of the side panels 7, 7 'or on a control panel arranged on top of the armrests 8, 8', as illustrated in 21 'in FIG. 3. In the case of a motorized seat, provided with a control panel, it will be possible to in addition provide for the possibility of electronically memorizing a certain number of seat adjustments. It is also possible to provide a combination of manual and automatic controls.

Les figures 4 et 5 représentent une autre forme d'exécution du siège selon l'invention, qui est utilisé comme siège de bureau. Les parties de ce siège qui sont identiques ou similaires à des parties correspondantes du siège illustré sur les figures 1 à 3 seront désignées par les mêmes chiffres de référence, additionnés de 100, et ne seront pas davantage décrites ci-après.Figures 4 and 5 show another embodiment of the seat according to the invention, which is used as an office chair. Parts of this seat that are the same or similar to corresponding parts of the seat shown in Figures 1 to 3 will be designated by the same reference numerals, added to 100, and will not be further described below.

Comme on le voit, le siège 101 illustré sur les figures 4 et 5 se différencie du siège illustré sur les figures 1 à 3 en ce qu'il est constitué d'un piètement 111 à cinq branches, intégrant un vérin oléopneumatique destiné à faire varier la hauteur de l'assise, dont la structure est bien connue de l'homme de l'art, lequel supporte la partie d'assise 106', au voisinage des extrémités postérieure et antérieure de celle-ci. De plus, deux tiges arquées 107 et 107' se projettent vers l'avant, vers le haut et vers l'extérieur depuis l'articulation 114 de la partie dorsale 106 à la partie d'assise 106'. Ces tiges 107, 107' comprennent chacune, au voisinage de leur extrémité libre, une partie rectiligne sensiblement horizontale qui supporte respectivement un accoudoir 108, 108', orienté longitudinalement sur toute la longueur de ladite partie rectiligne et plus large que celle-ci.As can be seen, the seat 101 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 differs from the seat illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 in that it consists of a base 111 with five branches, incorporating an oleopneumatic cylinder intended to vary the height of the seat, the structure of which is well known to those skilled in the art, which supports the seat part 106 ′, in the vicinity of the posterior and anterior ends thereof. In addition, two arcuate rods 107 and 107 'project forward, upward and outward from the joint 114 of the dorsal portion 106 to the seat portion 106'. These rods 107, 107 'each comprise, in the vicinity of their free end, a substantially horizontal rectilinear part which respectively supports an armrest 108, 108', oriented longitudinally over the entire length of said rectilinear part and wider than the latter.

La figure 6 illustre un moyen de fixation 13a qui relie la coque rigide 26 d'un élément dorsal à la tige métallique creuse 6a du siège représenté sur les figures 1 à 3. Comme on le voit sur cette figure, le moyen de fixation 13a comprend une vis creuse 30 à tête ronde et empreinte cruciforme, qui s'étend dans un passage 37 ménagé au travers de l'épaisseur (12 mm environ) de la coque rigide 26, et dont la tête s'appuie sur la surface interne de ladite coque. L'extrémité libre de la vis 30 s'étend transversalement dans une fente longitudinale 36 prévue dans la tige métallique creuse 6a. La paroi de la cavité de la vis 30 est filetée et adaptée à coopérer avec le filetage extérieur d'une vis 31 à tête cylindrique et empreinte hexagonale. La tête de la vis 31 est appuyée contre la surface interne de la tige métallique creuse 6a, qui est de section trapézoïdale dans cette forme d'exécution, transversalement par rapport à, et de part et d'autre de, ladite fente longitudinale 36, de sorte que la tige de la vis 31 s'étend à travers la fente longitudinale 36 et dans la vis 30. Une rondelle en TéflonR 32 est interposée entre la tête de la vis 31 et la paroi interne de la tige creuse 6a. Un ressort hélicoïdal 34 est enroulé autour de la vis 30, dans la région de la vis 30 qui est située entre la tige creuse 6a et l'élément dorsal à assembler à celle-ci. Le ressort 34 est noyé dans un bloc 35 de matériau élastomère amortisseur de vibrations, tel que du caoutchouc, qui a un diamètre d'environ 44 mm et une longueur d'environ 22 mm. Deux rondelles, telles que 33, en TéflonR ou en métal, maintiennent le bloc élastomère 35 en appui contre la tige creuse 6a et la coque rigide 26, respectivement.FIG. 6 illustrates a fixing means 13a which connects the rigid shell 26 of a dorsal element to the hollow metal rod 6a of the seat shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. As can be seen in this figure, the fixing means 13a comprises a hollow screw 30 with a round head and cruciform impression, which extends in a passage 37 formed through the thickness (approximately 12 mm) of the rigid shell 26, and the head of which rests on the internal surface of said shell. The free end of the screw 30 extends transversely in a longitudinal slot 36 provided in the hollow metal rod 6a. The wall of the cavity of the screw 30 is threaded and adapted to cooperate with the external thread of a screw 31 with a cylindrical head and a hexagonal cavity. The head of the screw 31 is pressed against the internal surface of the hollow metal rod 6a, which is of trapezoidal section in this embodiment, transversely with respect to and on either side of said longitudinal slot 36, so that the screw rod 31 extends through the longitudinal slot 36 and into the screw 30. A Teflon washer R 32 is interposed between the head of the screw 31 and the internal wall of the hollow rod 6a. A helical spring 34 is wound around the screw 30, in the region of the screw 30 which is located between the hollow rod 6a and the back element to be assembled therewith. The spring 34 is embedded in a block 35 of vibration-absorbing elastomeric material, such as rubber, which has a diameter of about 44 mm and a length of about 22 mm. Two washers, such as 33, made of Teflon R or metal, hold the elastomer block 35 in abutment against the hollow rod 6a and the rigid shell 26, respectively.

Il est bien entendu que des moyens de fixation identiques sont prévus entre chacun des éléments dorsaux et d'assise et chacune des parties dorsale et d'assise correspondantes, qui sont globalement illustrés sur les figures 1 à 5.It is understood that identical fixing means are provided between each of the back and seat elements and each of the corresponding back and seat parts, which are generally illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5.

Le fonctionnement des moyens de fixation est le suivant. Lorsqu'un utilisateur souhaite modifier la structure du siège selon l'invention pour l'adapter à sa morphologie, il suffit que lui-même ou un tiers se place derrière le siège et, qu'après avoir appuyé ses pouces contre la structure porteuse tournée vers lui, il exerce une pression des deux mains, à l'aide de ses autres doigts, sur la face côté utilisateur de l'élément dorsal à régler, dans le prolongement des deux moyens de fixation 13a, 13b, par exemple aux endroits indiqués par des croix à la figure 1. La pression exercée comprime le ressort 34 et, simultanément, le bloc élastomère 35. Du fait que la distance de la tête de la vis 30 à la tête de la vis 31 est constante, la compression des moyens élastiques met la tête de la vis 31 hors d'appui avec la rondelle 32 (position représentée en pointillés) et libère ainsi la tête de la vis 31 dans le logement 38 défini par les parois internes de la tige creuse 6a, logement 38 dans lequel ladite vis 31 peut alors être déplacée en translation sensiblement verticale, guidée le long de la fente longitudinale 36. L'élément dorsal peut ainsi être déplacé de bas en haut et réciproquement, jusqu'à une position voulue. Lors du relâchement de la force appliquée par l'utilisateur, le ressort 34 et le matériau élastomère 35 se dilatent jusqu'à leur position au repos illustrée à la figure 6, dans laquelle la tête de la vis 31 est en appui contre la rondelle 32 : l'élément dorsal est alors maintenu dans la nouvelle position choisie. La même opération peut être répétée pour régler tous les éléments dorsaux des formes d'exécution illustrées sur les figures précédentes.The operation of the fixing means is as follows. When a user wishes to modify the structure of the seat according to the invention to adapt it to his morphology, it is sufficient for him or a third party to stand behind the seat and, only after having pressed his thumbs against the turned supporting structure towards him, he exerts a pressure with both hands, using his other fingers, on the user side face of the back element to be adjusted, in the extension of the two fixing means 13a, 13b, for example at the locations indicated by crosses in FIG. 1. The pressure exerted compresses the spring 34 and, simultaneously, the elastomer block 35. Because the distance from the head of the screw 30 to the head of the screw 31 is constant, the compression of the means elastic puts the head of the screw 31 out of support with the washer 32 (position shown in dotted lines) and thus frees the head of the screw 31 in the housing 38 defined by the internal walls of the hollow rod 6a, housing 38 in which said screw 31 can al ors be moved in substantially vertical translation, guided along the longitudinal slot 36. The back element can thus be moved from bottom to top and vice versa, to a desired position. When the force applied by the user is released, the spring 34 and the elastomeric material 35 expand to their rest position illustrated in FIG. 6, in which the head of the screw 31 is in abutment against the washer 32 : the back element is then kept in the new chosen position. The same operation can be repeated to adjust all the back elements of the embodiments illustrated in the previous figures.

Le réglage des éléments d'assise se fait de façon analogue en exerçant une pression des deux mains sur la face côté utilisateur desdits éléments, dans le prolongement des moyens de fixation, puis en déplaçant lesdits éléments en translation sensiblement horizontale, le long des parties d'assise correspondantes.The adjustment of the seat elements is done in a similar manner by exerting a pressure with both hands on the user side face of said elements, in the extension of the fixing means, then by moving said elements in substantially horizontal translation, along the parts of 'corresponding seat.

Il est bien entendu que l'élasticité du ressort 34 et du matériau élastomère 35 doit être telle que des mouvements normaux ou brusques du corps de l'utilisateur, exerçant une pression tant sur les éléments dorsaux que sur les éléments d'assise, ne soient pas suffisants pour libérer la tête de la vis 31 à l'intérieur du logement 38.It is understood that the elasticity of the spring 34 and of the elastomeric material 35 must be such that normal or sudden movements of the body of the user, exerting pressure both on the back elements and on the seat elements, are not not sufficient to release the head of the screw 31 inside the housing 38.

Par suite, les moyens de fixation précédemment décrits confèrent une certaine flexibilité aux éléments dorsaux et aux éléments d'assise, ce qui accroît encore le confort du siège selon l'invention.As a result, the previously described fixing means confer a certain flexibility on the back elements and the seat elements, which further increases the comfort of the seat according to the invention.

Ainsi, comme cela ressort de la description précédente, l'invention propose un siège qui convient à tout type d'utilisateur, quelle que soit sa morphologie, offrant ainsi à l'utilisateur un confort maximal associé à une prévention des douleurs vertébrales.Thus, as is apparent from the preceding description, the invention provides a seat which is suitable for any type of user, whatever its morphology, thus offering the user maximum comfort associated with prevention of spinal pain.

Claims (9)

Siège comportant un piètement (11 ; 111) et une structure porteuse (60 ; 160) comprenant une partie d'assise (6' ; 106') et une partie dorsale (6 ; 106) connectées l'une à l'autre, ladite partie dorsale (6 ; 106) supportant au moins deux éléments dorsaux (3,4,5 ; 103,104,105) adjacents, dits inférieur et supérieur, et ladite partie d'assise (6' 106') supportant au moins un élément d'assise (17, 18 ; 117,118), caractérisé en ce que lesdits éléments d'assise (17,18 ; 117,118) et dorsaux (3,4,5 ; 103,104,105) sont reliés à la structure porteuse par des moyens de fixation (13a,13b ; 113a,113b) qui permettent une translation de haut en bas, et réciproquement, des éléments dorsaux (3,4,5 ; 103,104,105), indépendamment les uns des autres, et une translation d'avant en arrière, et réciproquement, dudit au moins un élément d'assise (17,18 ; 117,118), le long de ladite structure porteuse (60 ; 160), de façon à ce que la position desdits éléments dorsaux (3,4,5 ; 103,104,105) et d'assise (17,18 ; 117,118) puisse être réglée en fonction de la morphologie de l'utilisateur.Seat comprising a base (11; 111) and a support structure (60; 160) comprising a seat part (6 '; 106') and a back part (6; 106) connected to each other, said part back part (6; 106) supporting at least two adjacent back elements (3,4,5; 103,104,105), called lower and upper, and said seat part (6 '106') supporting at least one seat element ( 17, 18; 117,118), characterized in that said seat (17,18; 117,118) and back (3,4,5; 103,104,105) elements are connected to the support structure by fixing means (13a, 13b; 113a, 113b) which allow a translation from top to bottom, and vice versa, back elements (3,4,5; 103,104,105), independently of each other, and a translation from front to back, and vice versa, of said at least a seat element (17,18; 117,118), along said support structure (60; 160), so that the position of said back elements (3,4,5; 103,1 04.105) and seat (17.18; 117,118) can be adjusted according to the morphology of the user. Siège selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ladite partie d'assise est constituée de deux éléments d'assise (17,18 ; 117,118) adjacents, dits antérieur et postérieur, qui sont adaptés à coulisser indépendamment l'un de l'autre.Seat according to claim 1, characterized in that said seat part consists of two adjacent seat elements (17,18; 117,118), called anterior and posterior, which are adapted to slide independently of one another . Siège selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de fixation (13a,13b ; 113a,113b) sont constitués par une première (31) et une seconde (30) vis réunies coaxialement tête bêche, la tige pleine de ladite première vis (31) étant vissée dans la tige creuse de ladite seconde vis (30), et par un ressort hélicoïdal (34), enroulé autour de ladite seconde vis (30), qui est de préférence noyé dans un bloc (35) de matériau amortisseur de vibrations, tel que du caoutchouc.Seat according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said fixing means (13a, 13b; 113a, 113b) consist of a first (31) and a second (30) screws joined coaxially head to tail, the solid rod of said first screw (31) being screwed into the hollow rod of said second screw (30), and by a helical spring (34), wound around said second screw (30), which is preferably embedded in a block (35) of vibration absorbing material, such as rubber. Siège selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend en outre un troisième élément dorsal (4 ; 104) dit intermédiaire, disposé entre les éléments dorsaux supérieur (5 ; 105) et inférieur (3 ; 103), et en ce que l'élément dorsal intermédiaire (4 ; 104) a une épaisseur inférieure à l'épaisseur dudit élément dorsal supérieur (5 ; 105) et/ou dudit élément dorsal inférieur (3 ; 103).Seat according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it further comprises a third back element (4; 104) said to be intermediate, disposed between the upper (5; 105) and lower (3; 103) back elements ), and in that the intermediate dorsal element (4; 104) has a thickness less than the thickness of said upper dorsal element (5; 105) and / or of said lower dorsal element (3; 103). Siège selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ledit élément dorsal inférieur (3 ; 103) et/ou ledit élément dorsal supérieur (5 ; 105) intègre une pompe à air (19,20) commandée manuellement, destinée à faire varier son épaisseur.Seat according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said lower back element (3; 103) and / or said upper back element (5; 105) incorporates a manually controlled air pump (19,20), intended for vary its thickness. Siège selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce que ladite structure porteuse (60 ; 160) comprend au moins une tige creuse (6a,6b ; 106a,106b), présentant une fente longitudinale (36), dans laquelle lesdits moyens de fixation (13a,13b ; 113a,113b) sont adaptés à coulisser.Seat according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the said support structure (60; 160) comprises at least one hollow rod (6a, 6b; 106a, 106b), having a longitudinal slot (36), in which said fixing means (13a, 13b; 113a, 113b) are adapted to slide. Siège selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que lesdits éléments d'assise (17,18 ; 117,118) et dorsaux (3,4,5 ; 103,104,105) sont chacun constitués par une coque rigide (26) qui contient une structure (27) en mousse, en latex ou analogue, ou par une coque rigide sur laquelle est tendue une toile, telle que du polyuréthanne.Seat according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said seat (17,18; 117,118) and back (3,4,5; 103,104,105) elements each consist of a rigid shell (26) which contains a structure (27) of foam, latex or the like, or by a rigid shell on which is stretched a fabric, such as polyurethane. Siège selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ladite partie dorsale (6 ; 106) et ladite partie d'assise (6' ; 106') sont articulées l'une à l'autre de façon à ce que l'angle formé entre celles-ci puisse varier.Seat according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said back part (6; 106) and said seat part (6 '; 106') are hinged to each other so that the 'angle formed between them can vary. Siège selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend des accoudoirs (8,8') reliés à ladite structure porteuse (60) par des moyens de longueur variable.Seat according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes armrests (8,8 ') connected to said support structure (60) by means of variable length.
EP19960402402 1995-11-16 1996-11-12 Chair adjustable to the shape of the user Expired - Lifetime EP0774222B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9513583 1995-11-16
FR9513583A FR2741249B1 (en) 1995-11-16 1995-11-16 SEAT ADAPTABLE TO THE MORPHOLOGY OF THE USER

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0774222A1 true EP0774222A1 (en) 1997-05-21
EP0774222B1 EP0774222B1 (en) 2002-04-03

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19960402402 Expired - Lifetime EP0774222B1 (en) 1995-11-16 1996-11-12 Chair adjustable to the shape of the user

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EP (1) EP0774222B1 (en)
DE (1) DE69620345T2 (en)
FR (1) FR2741249B1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1327404A1 (en) * 2002-01-07 2003-07-16 Lovato s.r.l. An elastic element of support of a part of the body
CN110179285A (en) * 2018-02-22 2019-08-30 佛山市南海德天家具有限公司 A kind of screw rod transversal-push type hardness regulating device and its seat, mattress

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH446637A (en) * 1966-01-18 1967-11-15 Mario Dr Med Rizzi Backrest on a seat
EP0240389A1 (en) 1986-03-05 1987-10-07 Eurosit Adjustable chair
DE8815292U1 (en) * 1988-12-08 1989-02-02 H. Draeger Gmbh, 6800 Mannheim, De
WO1992006621A1 (en) 1990-10-12 1992-04-30 J.E. Ekornes A/S Arrangement in a recline chair
US5228747A (en) * 1989-12-18 1993-07-20 Greene Kenneth M Seating system

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH446637A (en) * 1966-01-18 1967-11-15 Mario Dr Med Rizzi Backrest on a seat
EP0240389A1 (en) 1986-03-05 1987-10-07 Eurosit Adjustable chair
DE8815292U1 (en) * 1988-12-08 1989-02-02 H. Draeger Gmbh, 6800 Mannheim, De
US5228747A (en) * 1989-12-18 1993-07-20 Greene Kenneth M Seating system
WO1992006621A1 (en) 1990-10-12 1992-04-30 J.E. Ekornes A/S Arrangement in a recline chair

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1327404A1 (en) * 2002-01-07 2003-07-16 Lovato s.r.l. An elastic element of support of a part of the body
CN110179285A (en) * 2018-02-22 2019-08-30 佛山市南海德天家具有限公司 A kind of screw rod transversal-push type hardness regulating device and its seat, mattress

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69620345D1 (en) 2002-05-08
DE69620345T2 (en) 2009-09-17
EP0774222B1 (en) 2002-04-03
FR2741249B1 (en) 1998-01-23
FR2741249A1 (en) 1997-05-23

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