EP1358821A1 - Office chair with a user-weight-dependent energy storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

The coil spring (11) has a first end (12) pressing against a first pivoted (5) lever (4) at the front end of the seat pan (6). The lower end of the lever is pivoted (3) on the fixed seat frame (1). The spring has a guide mechanism (10,13). The second end of the spring presses on a pivot (9) on the end of a second lever (8) pivoted (7) near the rear end of the seat pan. The lever holding the backrest (20) is pivoted (18) on the seat frame. A roller (16) presses against a cam surface (17) on the second lever. A locking device (19) on the back of the seat pan consists of a pin (24) on the backrest lever engaging on teeth (22) on the end of the seat pan.

Description

The invention relates to a chair with user weight dependent Power storage according to the preamble of claim 1. Such a chair has become known, for example, with the subject matter of DE 199 31 099 C2. There is a chair with independent adjustment of the biasing force of Backrest described. Between the vertically movable part of the Seat plate and the pivotal part of the backrest support is in this case a vertical directed compression spring arranged. To save a parallelogram linkage and to assign a vertical movement play to the seat plate, this is in vertically directed longitudinal slits displaceable against the force of Stored energy storage. According to the user weight is determined by the vertical displacement of the seat plate between the seat carrier and the Seat plate arranged helical compression spring more or less pressed together. After the other end of this accumulator on the Lehnenträger acts, is thus dependent on weight, the biasing force of Backrest adjusted.

When leaning backwards of the user, however, the Center of gravity of the front end of the seat plate in the direction of the rear, lean near end of the seat plate moved. However, this is in undesirably, the force of user weight acting on the seat panel reduces and accordingly undesirably the prestressed spring relaxed. Thus, the backrest is a lower biasing force assigned. This leads to the unwanted feeling that arises during the Reclining the user's backrest unexpectedly slightly backwards can pivot because the user weight is not full on the im front region of the seat plate arranged force storage acts. additional Feature of this arrangement is that because of the vertically arranged Force accumulator only a small suspension travel is available. For this reason must in a relatively complex manner two mutually parallel Compression springs are used.

After the backrest support arranged on the seat carrier beyond Swivel axis is extended forward under the seat plate, results due to this lever arm only a small swinging motion of the Backrest support. This depends on the small height of the spring used and the small slot for the pivot angle of the free front end of the Leaning arm of the backrest carrier together.

The invention is therefore the object of a chair with the User weight dependent energy storage of the type mentioned so educate that actually the user weight in every body position of the User, i. even in a reclined position, the preload force the backrest determined.

To solve the problem, the invention by the technical teaching of claim 1.

An essential feature of the invention is that the seat plate around a front, horizontal pivot axis is pivotally mounted and with its rear, lean near part against a power storage, especially in the form of a Compression spring, acts, and that further a releasable and lockable lock between the pivotable part of the backrest support and the pivotable part the seat plate is present, which engages as soon as the backrest support is pivoted back and is disengaged when the backrest in its upright position relative to the seat plate.

With the arrangement of a lock between the pivoting part of the Seat plate and the pivotal part of the backrest support is now the significant advantage that the previously mentioned in the prior art disadvantage is not more occurs.

It is preferred here that the compression spring and between backrest support and Seat plate is clamped and thereby the energy storage in or out of engagement Lock always acts both on the seat plate, as well as on the backrest support.

In another embodiment it is provided that the energy accumulator only engaged the locking acts both on the seat plate, as well as on the backrest support and that the backrest carrier in terms of its substantially upright position is held to the seat plate by means of a separate spring.

In the rest position of the seat, so a user can with his entire Put weight on the seat plate, which then due to their pivoting movement Energizer memory biased. Due to the bias of this energy storage is so at the same time also assigned a bias on the backrest support. after the Pivoting movement of the seat plate exactly in the center of gravity of the user takes place, this burdened the seat plate so that its full Body weight, which is in the center of gravity of the body on the swiveling part the seat plate acts.

Accordingly, the energy storage is biased and thus also gives the Backrest a user weight dependent preload force.

Now, as soon as the backrest support from the user's back to the back is pivoted, the aforementioned locking occurs between the Seat plate and the backrest carrier in place.

The initially biased by the body weight of the user spring remains now in this setting and it therefore does not come to an undesirable Reduction of the spring force in the shift of the center of gravity of the User backwards.

By this lock is thus always ensured that the weight of the User set spring force even when shifting the center of gravity the user is maintained, so that the backrest now with the previously adjusted spring force is pivoted backwards. It does not come to an undesirable relief of the back pivoting of the backrest.

The user thus no longer falls into a "hole, when he backs up reclines. This was the disadvantage of the prior art.

The invention is thus a synchronous mechanism which is called "real" Fully automatic with weight detection (and storage) in the center of gravity the user is equipped.

When seated, the seat springs depending on the weight of the user (50 - 100 kg) up to a swivel angle of e.g. 3 ° backwards. The backrest is here decoupled from the synchronous movement, i. she stays in the leading position stand and in the first embodiment also of the energy storage biased, which is assigned to the seat plate and in the second Embodiment via a separate spring, e.g. held a leg spring.

The mentioned leg spring can be omitted in the first embodiment.

The einfedernde seat movement now causes a Vorspannungs- and Lever arm change according to linear user weight. When leaning on the backrest is force-locked in the synchronous in this weight setting Motion sequence engaged. The preset weight remains so receive.

The lock remains as long as the user is at the Lean support is based.

If the user is up, i. This relieves the seat and backrest, then moves Mechanics in the home position (this is the lightest weight adjustment) back.

1. Progressiv gedämpftes Absitzen (ersetzt in Grenzen eine bekannte mechanische Tiefenfederung).

2. Der Sitz folgt federnd den Oberkörperbewegungen des Benutzers in die vordere/aufrechte/vorgeneigte Sitzhaltung nach.

The automatic weight measurement via the spring-loaded seat has two positive side effects:

1. Progressively damped absorption (replaces within limits a known mechanical depth suspension).

2. The seat resiliently follows the user's upper body movements into the forward / upright / reclined posture position.

The present invention describes automatically in two embodiments acting latches, which then engage when the backrest support is swung backwards.

However, the invention is not limited thereto. It's in a third Embodiment possible, instead of the automatic locking also a to provide manually operated locking. The advantage of the invention is thus compared to known weight detection automatic in that the weight the user is detected where it most effectively affects the seat, namely in the area of the body's center of gravity above the ischial tuberosities.

Another advantage is that the seat in the front, thigh-near area not is raised, as is the case with vertically movable seats after the DE 199 31 099 or a parallelogram guide according to EP 0 247 311 B1 takes place.

Another advantage is that the recorded weight is stored and by the Locking the restoring force of the backrest over the entire movement sequence is preserved progressively and not by the forcibly increasing Relief of the ischial tuberosity adjusted.

The invention provides several ways of applying the Force accumulator (compression spring) before. First, it should be noted that the Invention is not limited to the use of a helical compression spring. It For example, all known energy storage devices may be used, e.g. Disc springs, torsion spring, leaf springs, gas springs, elastomeric springs and such more.

The invention claims, moreover, several spring adjustment mechanisms, the should all be included in the subject invention.

In the first, most general execution was after the mark of the Claim 1 has claimed that the spring in the pivotable Intermediate area between the seat plate and the backrest support is arranged.

In the preferred embodiments according to the following Drawings, however, are used to transfer levers yet to achieve stronger spring preload. Such transmission levers are in the Usually designed as a two-armed lever, which with its respective front free end on the one, sliding end of the compression spring act while the other end of the compression spring at the front, near the pivot axis Part of the seat support is supported.

In the following the invention is based on only one embodiment explaining illustrative drawings. Here are the drawings and its description further features, applications and advantages of Invention forth.

Figur 1:

Schnitt durch ein erstes, bevorzugtes Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung im unbelasteten Zustand der Sitzplatte.

Figur 2:

Das Ausführungsbeispiel nach Figur 1 in belastetem Zustand.

Figur 3:

Das gleiche Ausführungsbeispiel nach Figur 1 und 2 bei herabgeschwenktem und verriegeltem Lehnenträger.

Figur 4:

Ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung im entlasteten Zustand.

Figur 5:

Das Ausführungsbeispiel nach Figur 4 im belasteten Zustand.

Figur 6:

Das Ausführungsbeispiel nach den Figuren 4 und 5 bei herabgeschwenktem und verriegeltem Lehnenträger.

Figur 7:

Das erste Ausführungsbeispiel nach den Figuren 1-3 in schematischer Darstellung.

Figur 8:

Das zweite Ausführungsbeispiel nach den Figuren 4-6 in schematischer Darstellung.

Show it:

FIG. 1:

Section through a first, preferred embodiment of the invention in the unloaded state of the seat plate.

FIG. 2:

The embodiment of Figure 1 in loaded condition.

FIG. 3:

The same embodiment of Figure 1 and 2 with lowered and locked backrest support.

FIG. 4:

A second embodiment of the invention in the unloaded state.

FIG. 5:

The embodiment of Figure 4 in the loaded state.

FIG. 6:

The embodiment of Figures 4 and 5 with lowered and locked backrest support.

FIG. 7:

The first embodiment of Figures 1-3 in a schematic representation.

FIG. 8:

The second embodiment of Figures 4-6 in a schematic representation.

In the figures 1 to 3, the embodiment shown there shows a Seat support 1, which has a cone seat 2 for a central support leg. Of course, the invention is not based on the arrangement of a central Support foot limited in the cone seat 2. It can also be a chair with four Chair legs are provided, in which also the seat mechanism according to Embodiments of Figures 1 to 6 is used.

At the front end of the seat support is a lower, first horizontal Arranged pivot axis 3, in which a lever 4 engages with its one end, and the other end carries a second horizontal pivot axis 5.

Instead of the lever 4, a slot guide can be used for this purpose ensures that the attaching to the pivot axis 5 with its front end Seat plate 6 in the direction of arrow 27 and in the opposite direction to this in relation to Seat support 1 is designed to be displaceable.

The front end of the seat plate 6 is thus with the horizontal pivot axis fifth connected while the rear, free and pivotable end of the seat plate. 6 is connected via a further pivot axis 7 with a pressure lever 8.

The pressure lever 8 engages in the space below the seat plate and above the seat support 1 and carries at its lower free end a Bearing axis 9, which receives the pressure spring guide 10.

At the pressure spring guide, the one free end of a compression spring 11 is supported, the other end 12 at the opposite part of the Pressure spring guide namely at an enlarged diameter of the Guide rod 13 is supported.

The compression spring guide 10 and the guide rod 13 are therefore telescopic one inside the other, so that the compression spring a corresponding spring force between the pivot axis 5 and the bearing axis 9 exerts. This spring force is now determined by weight depending on the user weight and then locked.

As indicated in the general part, is also in this embodiment according to Figures 1 - 3 avoided a separate spring for the backrest support 20 and instead, the force of the compression spring 11 also becomes the backrest support 20 assigned. For this purpose, the backrest support a below the seat plate. 6 extended approach, which forms a pivot axis 18 on the seat support 1.

From this extended part of the backrest support 20 branches another lever part 36 from, at the front, free end of a roller shaft 15 with a rotatable mounted on pressure roller 16 is arranged.

This pressure roller 16 is thus pivotably mounted about the pivot axis 18, in accordance with the pivotal movement of the backrest support 20 when in Arrow direction 25 and is pivoted in the opposite direction.

The pressure roller 16 acts on an edge 17 of the pressure lever 8 and spans it thus before.

Thus, the spring force of the compression spring 11 via the pressure roller 16 on the Lever part 36 of the backrest support 20 passed. This is thus in his pivoted-rest position held spring loaded by the compression spring 11.

There is a slot 14 in the seat support 1, through which the Roller axle 15 is pivotable. This slot 14 should only a corresponding Form a movement play for the roller axis 15 and thus for the backrest support 20, However, there is no guide for the roller axis 15. The slot 14 thus forms the upper (minimum) and lower (maximum) limit stop for the Backrest support 20 on the roller axis 15th

In the illustrated, unloaded state of Figure 1, the lock 19 is between Seat plate 6 and the backrest support 20 unlocked. The lock consists of a arranged at the rear end of the seat plate approach 21, an inwardly Direction of spring 11 directed toothing 22 has.

In this toothing 22, a locking rod 24 can be brought into engagement, the front upper end of a lug 23 is arranged, fixed to the Backrest support 20 is connected.

Now, the seat plate 6 by appropriate weight preload of User in the pivoted position of Figure 2 in the direction of arrow 37 to the Swivel axis 5 is pivoted, then the roller axis 9 down in Direction seat carrier 1 and simultaneously moved forward in the direction of spring 11, so that the spring 11 thereby slightly compressed and thus continue is biased.

The corresponding cam-shaped rounded outer edge 17 of the pressure lever eighth simultaneously rolls on the lever part 36 of the backrest support 20, which still on Reason for the storage of the roller shaft 15 in the lower end stop of the slot 14 in the seat support 1 is fixed. At the same time pivots and the lever 8 to the pivot axis 7 in the counterclockwise direction. Thus, the biasing force on reinforced the backrest support 20, because the greater weight of the user now this biasing force of the spring 11 has increased accordingly. At the same time with the pivoting of the seat plate 6 down in the direction of arrow 37 through the Weight of the user when sitting on top so so that the compression spring 11th pushed together, because the arranged obliquely to the direction of displacement Edge 17 of the lever 8, the compression spring 11 now biases in the longitudinal direction.

From Figure 2 shows that so that the lock 19 is still not locked is because the latch associated with the locking rod 24 is not engaged with the toothing 22 at the base 21 is located.

According to Figure 3, the weight-dependent adjustment of the compression spring is now by stored the lock 19 according to the invention.

As soon as the backrest support 20 is pivoted downward in the direction of the arrow 25, is also the firmly connected to the backrest support 23 in Counterclockwise pivoted backwards and thus gets the locking rod 24th in engagement with the toothing 22 on the opposite approach 21. Die weight-loaded position is thus locked and fixed.

The sole pivoting of the backrest support 20 in the direction of arrow 25 is only over a small tilt angle of e.g. 1 ° until the lock 19 is engaged comes, contrary to under the weight of the user biased Compression spring 11.

The remaining swing angle of the backrest support, depending on the length of the slot 14 e.g. can be up to 30 °, now takes place under coupling with the seat plate. 6 against the biased under the weight of the user compression spring 11th That the compression spring is already biased with a great force and against this great biasing force of the backrest can now continue to swung back until it reaches its end stop.

So there is the advantage that you do not "fall backwards into a hole" if the backrest is swung backwards.

In the embodiment of Figures 4-6 is for the Spring bias of the backrest support 20 uses a different principle.

The spring preload of the compression spring 11 acts on this backrest support 20 only then, when the lock 38 is engaged.

In the decoupled position of the backrest support 20, however, is for the backrest support a separate leg spring 29 is used.

Another difference to the first embodiment is that instead of the Pressure lever 8, a two-armed pivot lever 28 is used, on which the Lock 38 attacks in another way.

In this embodiment, the same parts are the same Provided with reference numerals.

On the pivot axis 7 on the rear pivotable part of the seat plate 6 is a Pivoting lever 28 is arranged, which in turn in a pivot axis 18th is pivotally mounted on the seat support 1.

The front free and pivotable lever part of this pivot lever 28 carries a Gearing 30, which with a counter toothing 33 of a locking lever 31st cooperates with a stop cam 34 which is attached to the seat support 1, is kept in its rest position.

The locking lever 31 is pivotally mounted on the backrest support 20 in the axis 32 stored.

The drive or the load of the compression spring 11 is carried out in such a way that attached to the free pivotable part of the pivot lever 28, the bearing axis 9 is that is part of the compression spring guide 10.

So that is the pressure spring guide 10 with its left end on the Bearing axis 9 with the free pivotable part of the pivot lever 28th connected.

With a pivoting of the two-armed pivot lever 28 is thus according to the compression spring 11 biased.

In the weight-loaded deflection of the seat plate 6 of Figure 5 is thus the two-armed pivot lever 28 about its pivot axis 18 in Counterclockwise pivoted, causing now the bearing shaft 9, the compression spring 11 zusammenschiebt and biased.

The drawing of Figure 5 shows that in this case the lock 38 is not yet is engaged.

Now, as soon as the backrest support 20 is pivoted in the direction of arrow 25 in FIG is now the lever approach, which is connected to the backrest support 20 and on which the axis 32 is arranged to the right through the slot 14 in Seat support 1 shifted, whereby the locking lever 31 from the stationary Stop cam 34 lifts off, because there is a corresponding in the direction of displacement inclined guide surface is present.

This is thus pivoted counterclockwise about its axis 32 and sets Then at the stop cam 34, which thus this in the locked state the gears 30, 33 engages.

Thus, the preload is locked on the backrest support and weight dependent fixed and on further pivoting of the backrest support this is thus with the spring force of the compression spring 11 pivoted, the previously weighted was set.

The pivoting of the seat plate 6 takes place in the other direction in the direction of arrow 35 below around the pivot axis 5 around.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show the two principles of the embodiments according to FIGS Figures 1-3 (Figure 7) and according to Figures 4-6 (Figure 8) in the scheme, from which the Couplings of the most important components are better to recognize each other. The same components are again provided with the same reference numerals, as in the Figures 1-6.

drawing Legend

1

seat support

2

cone holder

3

swivel axis

4

lever

5

swivel axis

6

seat plate

7

swivel axis

8th

pressure lever

9

bearing axle

10

Pressure spring guide

11

compression spring

12

The End

13

guide rod

14

slot

15

roller axis

16

pressure roller

17

Edge (pressure lever 8)

18

swivel axis

19

lock

20

backrest support

21

approach

22

gearing

23

approach

24

latch rod

25

arrow

26

recess

27

arrow

28

pivoting lever

29

Leg spring

30

gearing

31

locking lever

32

axis

33

gearing

34

stop cam

35

arrow

36

lever part

37

arrow

38

lock

Claims (21)

Chair with user weight-dependent power storage, comprising at least one backrest support (20), at least one seat support (1), at least one seat plate (6) and a coupling device for at least one chair foot, characterized in that the seat plate (6) about a front, horizontal Swivel axis (5) is pivotally mounted and with its rear, near-lean part against the energy storage device (11) acts, and that there is also a releasable and lockable lock between the pivotal part of the backrest support (20) and the pivotable part of the seat plate (6) is engaged as soon as the backrest support (20) is pivoted backwards and is disengaged when the back support (20) is in its upright position with respect to the seat plate (6). Chair according to claim 1, characterized in that the energy accumulator (11) in or out of engagement with the lock always acts both on the seat plate (6), as well as on the backrest support (20). Chair according to claim 1, characterized in that the energy accumulator (11) acts only on engagement of the locking on both the seat plate (6) and on the backrest support (20) and that the back support (20) in its substantially upright position in Reference to the seat plate (6) is held by means of a separate spring. Chair according to claim 3, characterized in that the separate spring is a leg spring (29), but it can also be other power storage such as compression spring, plate spring, gas spring, leaf spring, elastomeric springs and the like. More can be used. Chair according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the energy accumulator (11) in the intermediate region between the seat plate (6), seat support (1) and backrest support (20) is arranged. Chair according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the energy accumulator (11) is arranged neither vertically nor horizontally, but at an angle in relation to the seat plate (6). Chair according to claim 6, characterized in that the angle between the longitudinal extensions of the seat plate (6) and the energy accumulator (11) is in the range between 15 ° and 45 °. Chair according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the angle between the longitudinal extensions of the seat plate (6) and the energy accumulator (11) is about 30 °. Chair according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the energy accumulator (11) via at least one intermediate lever (8; 28) is hinged to the seat plate (6). Chair according to claim 9, characterized in that the intermediate lever (8; 28) is designed as a two-armed lever which acts with its respective front free end on one, displaceable end of the force accumulator (11), while the other end of the force accumulator ( 11) is supported on the front part of the seat support (1) near the pivot axis and / or the seat plate (6). Chair according to claim 9, characterized in that the energy accumulator (11) between the pivot axis (5) and the first free end of the intermediate lever (8) is clamped, spaced from the pivot axis (5) via the other end of the intermediate lever (8) is hinged to the seat plate (6). Chair according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the energy accumulator (11) is formed from at least one compression coil spring or tension coil spring or leg spring or plate spring or leaf spring or gas spring or elastomeric spring. Chair according to claim 12, characterized in that the energy accumulator (11) is formed from combinations of the spring types. Chair according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the locking (19, 38) takes place automatically. Chair according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the locking is done manually by the user. Chair according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the pivoting movement of the seat plate (6) takes place as accurately as possible in the center of gravity of the user. Chair according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the maximum angle of the pivoting movement of the seat plate (6) is in the range of about 1 ° to 15 °. Chair according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the maximum angle of the pivoting movement of the seat plate (6) is about 10 °. Chair according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the maximum angle of the pivoting movement of the backrest support (20) in the range of 15 ° to 45 °. Chair according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the maximum angle of the pivoting movement of the back support (20) is about 30 °. Chair according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the angle of the pivotal movement of the back support (20) until the locking of the latch (19, 38) in the range of about 1 ° to 5 °.

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