EP1025879A1

EP1025879A1 - Chair or like with a built in gymnastic equipment

Info

Publication number: EP1025879A1
Application number: EP00830046A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Monica Pontani
Original assignee: Vital Srl
Current assignee: Vital Srl
Priority date: 1999-02-05
Filing date: 2000-01-26
Publication date: 2000-08-09
Also published as: TW531395B; ITRM990083A1; CN1263751A

Abstract

The invention relates to a chair (1; 11) or like with a built in gymnastic equipment (7; 17), characterised in that it comprises a seating element (1; 11), provided with at least one plane (2; 12) to be seated and support legs (3, 4; 13, 14) for said plane (2; 12), and a gymnastic equipment (7; 17), being it provided coupling means (8, 9; 18, 19) between said seating element (1; 11) and said gymnastic equipment (7; 17) so that said gymnastic equipment (7; 17) can assume two positions, respectively a rest position, where it is substantially contained within the space occupied by the seating element (1; 11), and a use position, allowing its utilisation directly from the seating element (1; 11).

Description

The invention relates to a chair or like with a built in gymnastic equipment.
More specifically, the invention concerns a chair of the above kind providing a gymnastic equipment, particularly a cyclette, coupled in such a way to be used directly on the same chair, and to be put back with in the space occupied by the chair, in such a way to allow the standard use of the same chair.
Preliminarily, it is wished to point out that in the following the specification will be mainly referred to a chair provided with a built in cyclette, but that the basic principle according to the invention can be applied to a different kind of seat, such as a armchair, etc., and that the gymnastic equipment can be any equipment that can be used remaining seated.
As it is well known, in the last years a remarkable diffusion of the physical activity occurred, and consequently a remarkable development of the equipments allowing the training.
Many more or less sophisticated equipments, have been realised to be used within gymnasiums or sport centers, allowing to carry out the most various kind of physical exercises.
A high number of equipments have been realised to allow to carry out the physical exercises at home, with the place of working, or in any case without the need of going to a gymnasium.
Particularly, since many years home cyclettes are present, the cyclette being a typical equipment allowing to exercise without requiring a big space, and at the same time providing a physical exercise suitable for every body.
Furthermore, the home cyclette can be used watching TV, or reading a magazine or a book, obviously in function of the effort to be done.
However, not always it is possible the presence of gymnastic equipments within private rooms, such as houses, offices, hotels, rehabilitation centers, etc.. In fact, in many cases, a sufficient space is not available to always have the equipment at hand. Further, very often the equipment is not suitable for the room, spoiling the global esthetical aspect obtained by the furnishing, either at home of in the office.
Finally, just for ethic problems, the gymnastic equipment cannot be kept in vista also when not used, particularly in offices or other working places.
In view of the above, the applicant has realised the solution suggested according to the present invention, allowing to solve all the above mentioned drawbacks.
Main object of the present invention is therefore that of providing a chair or other kind of seat with a gymnastic equipment, particularly a cyclette, built in in such a way to be able to use the equipment when desired and to put it back within the space occupied by the chair when not used, so that space is not uselessly occupied and not to be in vista when not necessary.
Further object of the present invention is that of providing a solution of the above kind allowing to use the gymnastic equipment directly remaining seated.
Still an object of the present invention is that of providing a technical solution allowing a predisposition and an elimination of the gymnastic equipment in a very fast and simple way.
Another object of the present invention is that of providing an extremely valid solution either under the practical and esthetical point of view, thus being a valid furnishing element both at home and in the office.
A further scope of the present invention is that of providing a solution that can be retrofitted on the existing chairs.
It is therefore specific object of the present invention a chair or like with a built in gymnastic equipment, characterised in that it comprises a seating element, provided with at least one plane to be seated and support legs for said plane, and a gymnastic equipment, being it provided coupling means between said seating element and said gymnastic equipment so that said gymnastic equipment can assume two positions, respectively a rest position, where it is substantially contained within the space occupied by the seating element, and a use position, allowing its utilisation directly from the seating element.
According to the preferred embodiment of the chair of the present invention, said gymnastic equipment is a home cyclette.
Preferably, according to the invention, said seating element can provide a back and/or two armrests, being it also possible that said back and said armrests are adjustable.
Always according to the invention, said chair with built in gymnastic equipment can provide a handlebar.
According to the invention, said gymnastic equipment can be pivoted on the legs of said seating element, and the plane can be pivoted in such a way to be lifted, allowing the rotation of said gymnastic equipment, to reach the two positions, respectively rest and use positions.
Said gymnastic equipment can e further provided with a sliding guide to adjust its position with respect to the seating element, to allow an optimum use of the gymnastic equipment by the user.
Still according to the invention, said gymnastic equipment can be slidably provided on a longitudinal guide, provided below the seating plane, in such a way to be able to move to respectively reach the two rest and use positions.
Furthermore, the position of said gymnastic equipment along said longitudinal guide can be adjusted with respect to the seating element, to allow an optimum use of the gymnastic equipment by the user.
Always according to the invention, said handlebar can be foldably coupled, by hinging or telescopically, with said gymnastic equipment, or it can be foldably coupled, by hinging or telescopically, with said seating element.
Furthermore, said handlebar can be provided with a display, and the gymnastic equipment with suitable electronics, to allow to carry out more sophisticated exercises with the same gymnastic equipment.
The present invention will be now described, for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, with particular reference to the figures of the enclosed drawings, wherein:
figure 1 is a lateral view of a first embodiment of a chair according to the invention;
figure 2 is a front view of the chair of figure 1;
figures 3a and 3b show a lateral view of the various steps of the preparation of the gymnastic equipment of the chair of figure 1;
figure 4 is a lateral view of the seat of figure 1 with the equipment prepared and the user schematically shown;
figure 5 is a lateral view of the seat of figure 1 with the equipment prepared, with the handlebar and user schematically shown;
figure 6 is a lateral view of a second embodiment of a chair according to the invention;
figure 7 is a front view of the chair of figure 5;
figures 8a and 8b show a lateral view of the various steps of the preparation of the gymnastic equipment of the chair of figure 6;
figure 9 is a lateral view of the seat of figure 6 with the equipment prepared and the user schematically shown; and
figure 10 is a lateral view of the seat of figure 6 with the equipment prepared, with the handlebar and user schematically shown.
In all the figures of the enclosed drawings a kind of chair and of gymnastic equipment are shown for illustrative and not limitative purposes, and they must not be used to unduly limit the scope of the invention.
Observing first the figures from 1 to 4, it is shown a first embodiment of the chair according to the invention, providing a chair 1, provided with a plane 2, front legs 3 and rear legs 4, a back 5 and armrests 6.
Under the plane 2, among the legs 3 and 4, a gymnastic equipment 7, particularly a home cyclette, is provided, coupled with the front legs 3 of the chair 1 by the positioning guide 8, hinged in the hinging point 9.
Observing now particularly figures from 3a to 3d, it can be noted how the gymnastic equipment 7 of the chair 1 according to the invention is prepared, to be used directly remaining seated on the chair 1.
First, the plane 2 is lifted (figure 3a), and thus, acting on the hinge 9, the gymnastic equipment 7 is rotated of 180°, positioning the same in front of the front legs 3 of the chair 1 (figure 3b).
Once reached the position of figure 3c, it is adjusted the positioning guide 8, to allow an optimum use of the cyclette by the user, who, as clearly shown in figure 4, remains seated on the chair 1.
Frontally, wheels 10 are provided on the positioning guide, facilitating the sliding of the guide 8 along with the gymnastic equipment coupled to the same.
Obviously, the gymnastic equipment 7 could be of a different kind, and realised in a more or less sophisticated way, in function of the specific needing, as well as the chair can be of any kind, a home or office chair, or a armchair. Furthermore, to allow a more easy use of the same, it is possible to realise adjustable back 5, plane 2 and armrests 6, to allow an optimum use of the chair according to the invention.
In figure 5, a chair 1 according to the invention is shown, providing also a handlebar 30, adjustable in height by the screw 31 and the two telescopically coupled parts. In this embodiment, said handlebar 30 is coupled with the guide 8 and can be put back below the chair 1 when the gymnastic equipment is not used, but it is well evident that it can be used in a different way, for example coupled with the armrests 6. Furthermore, in the figure it is shown a very simple embodiment of the handlebar, but it is well evident that all the more sophisticated features , such as a display, provided with suitable electronics, allowing to sophistically manage the gymnastic equipment 7.
Coming now to observe the figures from 6 to 9, it is shown a second embodiment of the chair according to the invention, providing a chair 11, provided with a plane 12, front legs 13 and rear legs 14, a back 15 and armrests 16.
Under the plane 12, among the legs 13 and 14, a gymnastic equipment 17, particularly a home cyclette, is provided, coupled with the front legs 13 of the chair 11 by the linear positioning guide 18, coupled on the rear with the rear legs 13 of the chair 11, provided with sliding wheels 19 and with a handle 20 to extract the gymnastic equipment.
In this embodiment, as it is evident from figures 8a and 8b, it is not necessary to lift the plane 12 that can also be fixed, to prepare the gymnastic equipment 17. In fact, to prepare the gymnastic equipment 17 of the chair 11 according to the invention to use the same directly remaining seated on the chair 11, it is simply necessary to act on the handle 20 to bring the equipment 17 in the position of figure 8a (figure 8b shows an intermediate position during the extraction).
Once reached the position of figure 8c, it is adjusted the positioning guide 18, to allow an optimum use of the cyclette by the user, who, as clearly shown in figure 9, remains seated on the chair 11.
Obviously, in this case too, the gymnastic equipment 17 could be of a different kind, and realised in a more or less sophisticated way, in function of the specific needing, as well as the chair can be of any kind, a home or office chair, or a armchair. Furthermore, to allow a more easy use of the same, it is possible to realise adjustable back 15, plane 12 and armrests 16, to allow an optimum use of the chair according to the invention.
In figure 10, a chair 11 according to the invention is shown, providing also a handlebar 40, adjustable in height by the screw 41 and the two telescopically coupled parts. In this embodiment, said handlebar 40 is coupled by hinging to the plane 12 of the chair 11, but it is well evident that it can be used in a different way, for example coupled with the armrests 16, or as shown in the preceding figure. Furthermore, in figure 10 it is shown a very simple embodiment of the handlebar 40, but it is well evident that all the more sophisticated features , such as a display, provided with suitable electronics, allowing to sophistically manage the gymnastic equipment 17.
By the solution suggested according to the present invention, it is possible to carry out the exercise remaining seated on the chair, so that it is possible to train also during the work. In any case, the chair according to the invention allows to maintain the gymnastic equipment in a room without being always in vista.
The present invention has been described for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that modifications and/or changes can be introduced by those skilled in the art without departing from the relevant scope as defined in the enclosed claims.

Claims

Chair or like with a built in gymnastic equipment, characterised in that it comprises a seating element, provided with at least one plane to be seated and support legs for said plane, and a gymnastic equipment, being it provided coupling means between said seating element and said gymnastic equipment so that said gymnastic equipment can assume two positions, respectively a rest position, where it is substantially contained within the space occupied by the seating element, and a use position, allowing its utilisation directly from the seating element.
Chair or like according to claim 1, characterised in that said gymnastic equipment is a home cyclette.
Chair or like according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said seating element provides a back and/or two armrests.
Chair or like according to claim 3, characterised in that, said back and said armrests are adjustable.
Chair or like according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said chair with built in gymnastic equipment provides a handlebar.
Chair or like according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said gymnastic equipment is pivoted on the legs of said seating element, and the plane is pivoted in such a way to be lifted, allowing the rotation of said gymnastic equipment, to reach the two positions, respectively rest and use positions.
Chair or like according to claim 6, characterised in that said gymnastic equipment is provided with a sliding guide to adjust its position with respect to the seating element, to allow an optimum use of the gymnastic equipment by the user.
Chair or like according to one of the preceding claims 1 - 5, characterised in that said gymnastic equipment is slidably provided on a longitudinal guide, provided below the seating plane, in such a way to be able to move to respectively reach the two rest and use positions.
Chair or like according to claim 8, characterised in that the position of said gymnastic equipment along said longitudinal guide is adjusted with respect to the seating element, to allow an optimum use of the gymnastic equipment by the user.
Chair or like according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said handlebar is foldably coupled, by hinging or telescopically, with said gymnastic equipment, or it is foldably coupled, by hinging or telescopically, with said seating element.
Chair or like according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said handlebar is provided with a display, and the gymnastic equipment with suitable electronics, to allow to carry out more sophisticated exercises with the same gymnastic equipment.
Chair or like according to each one of the preceding claims, substantially as illustrated and described.