EP0808117B1 - Rocker stool with contact means centrally arranged below the seat - Google Patents

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/EP96/00376 Sec. 371 Date Aug. 5, 1997 Sec. 102(e) Date Aug. 5, 1997 PCT Filed Jan. 30, 1996 PCT Pub. No. WO96/24274 PCT Pub. Date Aug. 15, 1996The device concerns a rocking stool comprising a seat surface 1 and a support structure 6 having a base 3, wherein arranged at the base end of the support structure 6 is a contact means 5 which can be pressed against the floor when the rocking stool is loaded and which is arranged centrally beneath the seat surface and which serves as a support in the rocking movement. The contact surface is pressed against the floor when the stool is loaded by virtue of elastic deformation of the support devices arranged on the support structure 6 and thus provides such a good frictional connection between the rocking stool and the floor that a travel movement of the rocking stool during the rocking movement is prevented.

Description

The invention relates to a swivel stool with a seat and a base having a foot device and one articulated pendulum device.

For example from the generic DE 42 10 098.4-16 or from WO 93/19645 already pendulum stool with an articulated Establishment between the seat and foot device known. The foot device is the same with these pendulum stools as with conventional ones Chairs, armchairs or the like trained. Also DE 42 10 099 A1 shows a pendulum stool with a vertical one Suspension and conventional foot equipment.

A disadvantage of these pendulum stools according to the prior art is that the swivel stool doesn't move over the floor can be pulled, but raised and carried have to.

Pendulum stools are also known, on the base of which there are castors are attached. These swivel stools can be easily over the ground are moved, but move very strongly during the pendulum movement while sitting.

The invention is therefore based on the object, a pendulum stool to create that allows an active-dynamic sitting and that can be easily moved over the floor without any load and has a firm contact with the ground under load, so that hiking during the pendulum movement is impossible.

The object is achieved by a when the Pendulum stool can be brought into contact with the floor, in arranged essentially centrally under the seat and as Abutment during the pendulum movement serving contact device solved.

Via the contact device arranged centrally under the seat most of the weight is transferred. Thereby arises in the contact area between the contact device and soil such a high surface pressure that an optimal Adherence of the pendulum stool to the floor is guaranteed.

A standing relief is known from DE-OS 31 07 941 A1, which is a support element on the underside of the support beam has, when loaded against the force of a return spring is pressed onto the floor. However, the support element is not comparable with the contact device according to the invention, since there is another contact point when tilting to the left towards the floor than when tipping right (see Fig. 4 of DE-A 32 07 941).

It is another advantage of the invention that the center, around which the pendulum movement takes place, in the contact point between Contact device and floor may lie. Through this training becomes the desired optimal pendulum radius very cost-effectively achieved.

In a very favorable embodiment, the contact device with the foot device over a frame, at least a strut or the like. Connected, the load when Frame, the strut or the like. Resiliently deform that the contact device is pressed onto the floor.

In an advantageous development, the distance between Contact device and floor set in the unloaded state become.

Alternative training can provide the necessary strength to deform the strut and thus the force to press the Contact device can be set on the floor.

Both the possibility of adjusting the distance and the force ideally serve to adjust to body weight the user. This is particularly important if the person using the pendulum stool only slightly want to relieve it to move it to another place or to roll. It is important that there is a slight relief of the pendulum stool the contact device from the floor can take off.

The contact device itself is advantageously made of one material trained with a high coefficient of friction. Such materials are elastomers, e.g. also rubber. It is very beneficial the contact device as a hemispherical pressure button form, with the spherical part against the ground is pressed.

In a preferred embodiment, the vertical moves Axis of the contact device according to the vertical axis of the stool with the pendulum movement. In this embodiment is the contact point between the contact device and the floor at the same time the center of the pendulum movement.

In an alternative embodiment, the Contact device in a vertical position and the Pendulum movement of the stool is controlled by a hinge above the contact device enables.

The base of the pendulum stool can be a variety of Have embodiments, but the training is preferred a central column, at the foot of which is the Contact device is arranged. Advantage of this Education is that the central pillar is weight transfers directly to the contact device and that inexpensively a spring and a height-adjustable gas spring can be integrated.

When designing the foot equipment, it is advantageous these as a circular ring or as a circular ring section 22 to train. The foot device can e.g. from a Chromed tube exist, which easily over a carpet can be pulled.

An alternative cheap training of the foot device are at least two arranged at an angle to the floor Circular disk segments. The circular disc segments can also have the shape of the tail fin of a fish.

It is advantageous to design the foot device so that they have good sliding properties with regard to ground contact having.

In an advantageous embodiment it is provided that the pendulum movement of the stool by the elastic Deformation of the frame, the struts, the circular disc segments or the like.

In a similar alternative embodiment, can resilient legs are arranged in the central column, the a pendulum movement of the central pillar around the contact point allow between contact device and floor.

In a further alternative embodiment, on Substructure with rigid hinge joints or the like. Arranged by springs up to one certain angle to the substructure. At this Embodiment slide the rigid support devices with the pendulum movement minimally above the floor and Stability is guaranteed by the springs. Advantageous about this training is that except for the Springs do not have to deform materials elastically and it thus no fatigue breaks or vibrational crack breaks can come.

Another advantageous training is that the Foot device or the resilient legs or the rigid Support devices have rollers, balls or the like the pendulum stool slightly unloaded over the To be able to move the floor.

An advantageous development of this embodiment is that the rollers, balls or the like. on the foot device or on the resilient legs or the rigid support devices compress under load. Special training is that the rollers, balls or the like the foot device or on the resilient legs or on the rigid support devices as they are for one outside viewers are no longer recognizable.

In one design variant, office chair castors are made after DIN used, which are fixed in the unloaded state, can be rolled in the lightly loaded state and in the loaded one Condition fixed again or fully compressed are.

The invention will now be described with reference to the figures explained.

Figur 1

Ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines Pendelhockers mit kreisringartiger Fußeinrichtung im unbelasteten Zustand;

Figur 2

der Pendelhocker aus Fig. 1 im belasteten Zustand;

Figur 3, 4, 5

Teilansichten verschiedener Kontakteinrichtungen bei vollem Pendelausschlag;

Figur 6

ein Ausführungsbeispiel mit einer Fußeinrichtung aus Kreisscheibensegmenten;

Figur 7

Ein Ausführungsbeispiel mit federnden Beinen;

Figur 8

eine Teilansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels mit den durch Federn gehaltenen starren Stützeinrichtungen;

Figur 9a,b,c

Ausführungsbeispiel mit kreisringartigem Unterbau und Rollen im unbelasteten und im belasteten Zustand.

Figur 10

eine Schnittansicht durch den kreisringartigen Unterbau mit ausgefederter Rolle.

Figur 11

eine Schnittansicht durch den kreisringartigen Unterbau mit ausgefederter Kugel.

Figur 12

Pendelhocker aus Fig.1 mit einstellbaren Abstand a bzw. einstellbarer Verfornungskraft.

Figur 12a

Schnittansicht eines Einstellmechnismus für die Einstellbarkeit des Abstandes a gem. Fig 12.

Figur 12b

Schnittansicht eines Einstellmechnismus für die Einstellbarkeit der Verformungskraft gem. Fig 12.

Figur 13

Schnittansicht eines alternativen Einstellmechnismus für die Einstellbarkeit des Abstandes a.

Show it:

Figure 1

An embodiment of a pendulum stool with an annular foot device in the unloaded state;

Figure 2

the pendulum stool from Figure 1 in the loaded state.

Figure 3, 4, 5

Partial views of different contact devices with full pendulum deflection;

Figure 6

an embodiment with a foot device from circular disc segments;

Figure 7

An embodiment with resilient legs;

Figure 8

a partial view of an embodiment with the rigid support means held by springs;

Figure 9a, b, c

Exemplary embodiment with an annular base and rollers in the unloaded and in the loaded state.

Figure 10

a sectional view through the annular substructure with spring-loaded roller.

Figure 11

a sectional view through the annular substructure with spring-loaded ball.

Figure 12

Pendulum stool from Fig. 1 with adjustable distance a or adjustable deformation force.

Figure 12a

Sectional view of an adjustment mechanism for the adjustability of the distance a acc. Fig. 12.

Figure 12b

Sectional view of an adjustment mechanism for the adjustability of the deformation force acc. Fig. 12.

Figure 13

Sectional view of an alternative adjustment mechanism for the adjustability of the distance a.

The embodiment shown in Figure 1 of the invention Pendulum stool consists of a seat 1 and a substructure 6 having a foot device 3 and one when the pendulum stool is loaded on the floor compressible, arranged centrally under the seat 1 and serving as an abutment during the pendulum movement Contact device 5. The seat 1 can be in X- and Y- Swing in the direction and is adjustable in height Z. The Seat 1 is vertically adjustable by a height Gas spring 16 and a downstream coil spring 15 supports.

The substructure 6 is the central in this exemplary embodiment Column 7 formed at the foot of the Contact device 5 is attached. The contact device 5 consists of a material with a high coefficient of friction. Such materials are elastomers, e.g. Rubber. The contact device 5 is in this embodiment formed as a hemispherical pressure button 9.

The seat 1, the substructure 6 and the contact device 5 are with the foot device 3 over a frame, a strut 4 or the like. Connected.

The contact device is in the unloaded state 5 at a distance a from the floor. Under pressure the frame, the strut 4 or the like deform so far, until the contact device 5 or the contact button 9 the ground is pressed.

The elastically deformable frame, strut 4 or the like connected to the foot device 3, which is an inverse U profile.

In Figure 2, the embodiment of the pendulum stool is from Figure 1 shown in the loaded state. I'm charged The frame or strut 4 on which the Circular ring section 22 is arranged as far as elastic deformed until the contact device 5 or the press button 9 is pressed onto the floor. The hardness adjustable coil spring 15 and the gas spring 16, if even to a much lesser extent are under stress something squeezed.

In Figures 3, 4 and 5, the central column 7, one Bracket 14 for receiving support devices for the Pendulum stool and the contact device 5 shown.

In FIG. 3, the central column 7 is in the holder 14 Cartanian mounted so that the vertical axis of the Contact device 5 the same pendulum motion as that vertical axis of the central column 7 executes. The vertical The axis of the holder 14 remains in a vertical Position.

In Figure 4, the axis 7 of the central pillar is the Bracket 14 and the contact device 5 firmly together connected and together lead the pendulum movements out. In this embodiment, the pendulum motion made possible by elastically deformable support devices.

In FIG. 5 there is a joint within the holder 14 provided that a pendulum movement of the central Column 7 and the elements arranged above it. The bracket 14 and the contact device 5 remain in a vertical position during the pendulum movement.

In Figure 6 is a pendulum stool with a saddle-like Seat 1, a curved base 6 with integrated Gas spring system, a foot device 3, from Circular disk segments 13 and a contact device 5 shown. They deform when loaded Circular disk segments 13 elastic until the Contact device 5 is pressed against the floor.

In Figure 7, a pendulum stool is shown in which the Support devices are designed as resilient legs 8.

The contact device is found in the unloaded state 5, as in the previously described embodiments in a certain distance above the ground. Will the swivel stool loaded according to Figure 7, the resilient deform Legs elastic until the contact device 5 the ground is pressed. Take over the resilient legs 8 further the function of enabling the pendulum movement and due to its resilient elastic deformation during the pendulum movement to generate a righting moment. In this The principle according to FIG Wear.

FIG. 8 shows a further special embodiment of a Substructure of a pendulum stool shown. On the bracket 14 are rigid support devices via hinge joints 11 attached. The rigid support devices 11 are over tension springs 12 to a predetermined Angle pulled to the central column 7. The predetermined one Angle is defined by the stop 17. Im unloaded Condition are the rigid support devices 11 through the tension springs 12 up to the stop 17 on the central column 7 used. When the pendulum stool is loaded, it lowers the central column 7, the ends of the rigid supports 11 slide, spreading outwards, over the Floor and the contact device 5 is pressed onto the floor. The pendulum motion as well as the righting moment will similar to Figure 7 by the hinge joints 10 and achieved by the tension springs 12. This also applies here Principle according to Figure 4 application.

Figure 9a shows representative of all others Embodiments the first embodiment with a annular foot device 3, on the underside thereof Rollers, balls 2 or the like are arranged around the pendulum stool move more easily over the floor when not loaded to be able to.

FIG. 9b shows a partial view of the pendulum stool from FIG 9a in the loaded state. The elastic frame Brace or the like. 4 deforms under load until the contact device 5 is pressed onto the floor.

Figure 9c also shows a partial view of the pendulum stool from Figure 9a in the loaded state, with this Variant of the roles, balls 2 or the like. In the Compress foot device 3 of the pendulum stool. The roles, Balls or the like 2 spring into the foot device 3 in this way one that they are not for an outside viewer are more recognizable. In a not shown Design variants can the roles, balls 2 or the like. be visibly deflected from the outside when loaded. It office chair castors according to DIN can also be used, who are fixed in the unloaded state, in the light let it roll in a loaded state and in a loaded state are fixed again or fully compressed.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show the detail X from FIG. 8 in section. The circular ring section 22 of the foot device is a U-profile formed, the in the interior of the U Spring mechanism is arranged. 10 shows an embodiment with rollers and Fig. 11 an embodiment with balls.

Fig. 12 shows the swivel stool from Fig.1, here between the strut 4 and the annular portion 22 of the Foot device 3 a spring bracket 19 is arranged. The Spring bracket 19 is made of spring steel and is both with the circular ring section 22 as well as with the strut 4 Rivets connected. The circular ring section 22, the spring angle 19 and the strut 4 are additionally via a screw 21 connected, which with an adjustment wheel 20 for adjustment the opening angle or the opening force of the spring angle 19 cooperates. The dial 20 is in the Brace 4 integrated and can have a recess on the Top of the strut 4 are operated.

12a shows a sectional illustration of a Adjustment mechanism for adjusting the distance a between the contact device 5 and the bottom as in Fig.12 is shown. The screw 21 is through the Circular ring section 22 of the foot device 3, by the spring angle 19 and inserted through the end face of the strut 4 and limits 20 depending on the position of the setting wheel the maximum opening angle of the spring angle 19. Je the heavier the person using the pendulum stool is the screw 21 must be tightened and the spring bracket 19 getting closed. This results in a larger distance a between the contact device 5 and the floor and it must thus a greater force for elastic deformation of the Brace 4 are used around the contact device 5 to press on the floor.

12 b shows an alternative embodiment to FIG. 12 a, where the distance a between the Contact device 5 and the floor but the force to Widening of the spring angle 19 can be set. In this embodiment, the screw 21 is opposed the force of a spring 23 is biased via the setting wheel 20, so that the spring force of the spring bracket 19 the weight of the user can be increased. The spring 23 is between the head of the screw 21 and the Arranged inside the circular ring portion 22.

13 is a further variant for setting the Distance a between the contact device 5 and the ground. The contact device 5 at the lower end of the central Column 7 is a cup-shaped nut 24 with the press button 9 formed at the bottom. For setting the distance a is on a corresponding external thread at the lower end of the central column 7 screwed in.

Claims (20)

1. A rocking stool comprising a seat surface (1), a spring structure (15, 16) supporting the seat surface in vertical direction, a support structure (6) having a base means (3) and a joint-like rocking means, characterised by a contact means (5) which can be brought into pressing contact with the floor when the rocking stool is loaded and which is arranged substantially centrally beneath the seat surface (1) and which serves as a support means in the rocking movement.
2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 characterised in that the base means (3) is connected to the contact means (5) by way of a frame or at least one strut or the like, wherein said components are elastically deformable under loading.
3. Apparatus as set forth in claims 1 and 2 characterised in that the contact means (5) is formed from a material with a high coefficient of friction.
4. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of the preceding claims characterised in that the contact means (5) is made from an elastomer, for example rubber.
5. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of the preceding claims characterised in that the contact means (5) is in the form of a hemispherical pressure knob (9).
6. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of the preceding claims characterised in that the vertical axis of the contact means (5) moves in the rocking movement in accordance with the vertical axis of the stool.
7. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of the preceding claims characterised in that the contact means (5) remains in a perpendicular position in the rocking movement of the stool.
8. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of the preceding claims characterised in that the support structure (6) is in the form of a central pillar (7) and the contact means (5) is arranged at the base end of the central pillar (7).
9. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of the preceding claims characterised in that the base means (3) is in the form of a circular ring or a circular ring portion (22) which is held by at least one strut (4).
10. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of the preceding claims characterised in that the spacing (a) between the contact means (5) and the floor is adjustable in the non-loaded condition.
11. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of the preceding claims characterised in that there is provided an adjusting means by means of which the necessary force for elastic deformation of the strut (4) and thus for pressing the contact means (5) against the ground is adjustable.
12. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of the preceding claims characterised in that the adjusting means is arranged between the circular ring portion (22) of the base means (3) and the strut (4).
13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 12 characterised in that the adjusting means has a spring angle portion (19) whose opening angle or opening force is adjustable.
14. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of the preceding claims characterised in that the base means (3) is in the form of at least two circular disk segments (13) arranged in an angular position relative to the floor.
15. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of the preceding claims characterised in that the base means (3) has good sliding properties with respect to the floor contact.
16. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of the preceding claims characterised in that the rocking movement of the stool is made possible by the elastic deformation of the frame, the struts (4), the circular disk segments (13) or the like.
17. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of the preceding claims characterised in that arranged on the central pillar (7) are resilient legs (8) which permit a rocking movement of the central pillar (7) about the contact point between the contact means (5) and the floor.
18. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of the preceding claims characterised in that arranged on the support structure (6) by way of hinge pivot joints (10) are rigid support devices (11) or the like which are drawn by springs (12) towards the support structure (6) as far as a given angle.
19. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of the preceding claims characterised in that the base means (3) or the resilient legs (8) or the rigid support devices (11) have rollers, balls (2) or the like.
20. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of the preceding claims characterised in that the rollers, balls (2) or the like are resiliently retractable on the base means (3) or on the resilient legs (8) or on the rigid support devices (11).

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