EP1393658B1 - Set of office chairs for male and female anatomy - Google Patents

Abstract

The chair (11) has a foot (13) with five casters supporting a vertical column which allows the chair to swivel. The chair has a square or rectangular generally flat cushion (14) with a groove (21) in the top surface, running in a longitudinal direction (L) from the front edge of the cushion toward the back. There is a divided raised cushion (20) at the back. A wedge (22) fills the split in the cushion. There is a backrest (15) on a separate support at the back.

Description

The invention relates to an office chair set consisting of a first type of office chairs and a second type of office chairs, wherein the office chairs both the first and the second genus each have a pedestal for supporting the respective office chair relative to a bottom surface, a seat and a backrest.

There are known in the art a variety of structural configurations for office chairs. The number of people performing several hours of office work while sitting is steadily increasing. At the same time, the health problems that usually arise due to several hours of sitting posture increase.

Much of the health problems are orthopedic. However, there are also health risks to soft tissues, especially the genitals to be feared.

In the prior art, e.g. in DE 196 42 348 A, a variety of office chair constructions have been developed for each health problem, which should avoid the health problem from the outset or at least alleviate. However, this presupposes that the respective user of an office chair knows his health problem or at least his individual health risk.

In fact, on the other hand, a large number of office chair users perform their often long-term professional activity on a completely wrong office chair.

The object of the present invention is to provide an office chair set in which the risk for an office chair user to sit on a relatively unfit for him office chair, is considerably reduced.

This object is achieved with an office chair set according to the features of claim 1. An essential The core idea of the invention is in each case that now no longer for each individual problem in retrospect the right office chair is selected, but that in each case the presumed suitable office chairs are set in an office chair set for large user groups. Concretely, an office chair set consisting of a first type (A) of office chairs and a second type (B) of office chairs is provided, wherein the office chairs of both the first and the second genus each have a pedestal for supporting the respective office chair relative to a bottom surface, a seat and a backrest, wherein the first type (A) of office chairs differs from the second category (B) of office chairs by the design of the seat surface, and wherein the seat surface of the office chairs of the first class (A) of the male anatomy and the seat surface of the Office chairs of the second kind (B) is adapted to the female anatomy.

With the invention, it is now avoided that a large number of office chair users are ignorant of sitting for many years on a gender-specific not designed office chair. In any case, the choice of an office chair now creates the possibility of significantly minimizing health risks and burdens purely on the basis of the gender of the future office chair user.

The office chairs of both the first and second genus each have the same pedestal. On the one hand, this measure reduces the production costs for the different office chairs of an office chair set. On the other hand, a common image is maintained, so that the gender-specific modifications do not extend from the outset to the pedestal.

Similarly, in the office chairs of the first type (A) and the second type (B) are provided in each case the same backrests. This also reduces the production costs and ensures a uniform appearance.

According to the invention, the relevant modifications between an office chair of the first type (A) and an office chair of the second type (B) are to lie in the configuration of the respective seating surfaces. In a first variant, the office chairs of the first and second types differ from the other type by a different embodiment of a front central region of the seat. This area is defined symmetrically to the longitudinal central axis (symmetry axis of the office chair). From the front seat edge it is offset by about 12 to 25 cm to the back line to the rear. Overall, the front central region comprises an extension of about 5 to 15 cm in any direction. In this so-defined front, central area, measures should be taken in an office chair of the first type (A) in order to reduce or completely avoid stress on the genitals, in particular the testes of a male office chair user. These measures can take different forms in the specific technical embodiment. It may be provided for example a complete recess or depression in the seat. Alternatively, it is also possible to provide a groove extending over a further region or an incision open to the front or rear edge of the seat. Also, by a less firm padding the desired effect can be achieved. Different possibilities can also be combined with one another, for example a lowered, less firm padding. In the case of an office chair of the second type (B), however, the seat surface in these areas can be made smooth.

A further different embodiment of the seat surfaces may be useful in a rear strip-shaped support area extending transversely to the longitudinal center axis (symmetry axis). In this strip-shaped support area is carried out a support of the spine. This allows the postural pelvis to be selectively raised or lowered. Because men are much less likely to have a hollow back than women, on average women require less elevation of the postural pelvis. In individual cases even a lowering can make sense.

In an office chair of the first kind, the rear strip-shaped support region of the seat surface is preferably designed such that it comprises a pelvic support rising in the direction of the backrest. In office chairs of the second genus (female genus), the strip-shaped support area, however, increase less sharply than office chairs of the first kind. If office chairs without adjustable pelvic support are offered, an office chair of the first type preferably comprises a pelvic support rising more sharply than an office chair of the second type. If the office chairs are equipped with adjustable pelvic support the setting areas in an office chair of the first type may be provided differently than in an office chair of the second type. In an office chair of the first type (A), for example, the pelvic support could be changed between neutral (in a plane with the front part of the seat) and a maximum gradient MS _A. In the case of an office chair of the second type (B), on the other hand, the pelvic support could even be brought into a position sloping backwards and only into a position with a gradient MS _B which is less inclined than in MS _A. It would therefore be the case here that the gradient MS _{A is} greater than the gradient MS _B.

Finally, it would also be useful to provide for an adjustable pelvic support the office chairs of the two genera (A) and (B) with different initial settings of the pelvic support or provide a reset position, each gender specific in men differently (steeper) than women is.

The invention will be further explained in terms of further features and advantages with reference to the description of further embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1a

einen Repräsentanten eines Bürostuhls der ersten Gattung (A) bei einer Ausführungsform eines Bürostuhlsatzes

Fig. 1b

einen Repräsentanten der zweiten Gattung (B) eines Bürostuhls bei der Ausführungsform eines Bürostuhlsatzes nach Fig. 1a.

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Fig. 1a

a representative of an office chair of the first kind (A) in an embodiment of an office chair set

Fig. 1b

a representative of the second type (B) of an office chair in the embodiment of an office chair set according to Fig. 1a.

In Figs. 1a and 1b an embodiment of an office chair set is shown, each with a representative of an office chair of the first type (A) (Fig. 1a) and an office chair of the second type (B) (Fig. 1b). The office chairs 11, 12 respectively illustrated in FIGS. 1a and 1b each include a base frame 13, a backrest 15 and a differently configured seat surface 14, 16. In the case of the office chair set represented here, the back rests 15 are each of the same design. The embodiment of an office chair set illustrated here shows for the office chairs 11, 12 of the first type (A) and the second type (B) differences in each case in a central area 17, as in a strip-shaped seating area 18.

The central region 17 is arranged in the front region of the seat surface 14, 16 symmetrically to the longitudinal axis L and relative to the front edge of the seat surface 14, 16 slightly offset to the back towards the rear. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated here, the different configuration of the office chairs 11, 12 of the first type (A) and the second type (B) in the titral area 17 comprises a formation of a channel 21 in the office chair 11 of the first type. The channel 21 in the seat surface 14 of the office chair 11 of the first type runs parallel to the longitudinal central axis L and causes that in normal sitting position of a male user no, or at least significantly less pressure forces acting on the genitals. In contrast, in the case of the office chair 12 of the second type (B), the central area 17 is designed to be continuous with the remainder of the front part of the seat surface 14, so that no special measures are provided here.

Furthermore, the office chairs 11, 12 of the first type (A) and the second type (B) of the illustrated embodiment of an office chair set differ in that the strip-shaped support area designed differently, at least different preset or is different adjustable. The strip-shaped support region extends approximately orthogonally to the longitudinal central axis and closes off the seat surface 14, 16 in each case towards the rear. In the office chair 11 of the first type (A), the strip-shaped support portion is slightly inclined upwardly toward the seat back, so that the seat surface in the rear portion rises toward the seat back. As a result, the postural pelvis of a male user is deliberately raised slightly, which improves the sitting position.

In an office chair 12 of the second type (B), however, the pelvic support 20 is in a position aligned with the rest of the seat surface 16, ie, neither an ascending nor a descending position is selected. In addition, one can at the office chair 11 of the first type inserted wedge piece 22 may be removed, so that a recess 19 is formed for the tailbone of a female user.

The seat surfaces 14, 16 of the office chairs 11, 12 of the first type (A) and the second type (B) also differ by the type of padding wherein the seat surface 16 of an office chair 12 of the second genus (B) is shorter as a seat 14 of an office chair 11 of the first type (A), since female users tend to sit very far forward in existing state-of-the-art office chairs in order to avoid a long bearing surface on the underside of the thighs. This often occurs unconsciously or consciously in the consideration that otherwise negative influences on the blood vessels, especially the veins, make themselves felt. Also, for example, the seat surface 14 of an office chair 11 of the first type (A) could be made harder than a seat surface 16 of an office chair 12 of the second type (B).

All in all, the present invention is based on the finding that, at least in statistical terms, there are considerable differences in the requirements for an office chair between a male user and a female user.

The invention is ultimately based on the finding that significant health impairments or risks would already be avoided if office chairs were clearly designed for male or female users. Hereby, the invention goes a completely different way than the efforts made hitherto according to the prior art. Traditionally, while initially a user had to know his needs, risks, and potential health problems accurately, and also to be in the appropriate place, i. had to articulate when choosing the office chair or assignment of an office chair in the office, and then in a rare individual case got a customized solution, the invention now goes a completely different way. It is based on the fact that very few users know enough about their specific seating requirements, and that even when selecting and assigning an office chair the requirements of the user are not taken into account.

With the inventive concept, however, health risks or problems can be reduced or avoided in a large number of cases by providing a gender-specific chair for the user from the outset. Therefore, a male user no longer has to perform his daily sitting activity for several hours on an office chair designed for female anatomy carry out. Likewise, a female user in the future no longer has to sit on an uncomfortable, health-problematic office chair tailored to the male anatomy.

The acceptance of office chairs can generally be increased by weight-monitoring and / or weight-reducing measures. These measures are claimed independently or in combination with the office chair set described above as an independent invention.

In a first embodiment, the seat is movable within narrow limits, preferably suspended pendulum. As a result, as a result of rocking movements or efforts to bring the center of gravity close to the abdomen, blood circulation and digestion of the user are stimulated. As a result, the lack of movement inevitably occurring during sitting can be partially compensated for and, ideally, weight loss while sitting can be achieved.

In a further supplementary or alternative embodiment, for example, a balance may be integrated in the foot frame. The measurement results of this balance can be output acoustically or optically, stored, for example, or used as a parameter for other processes.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

A

First genus

B

Second genus

11.12

office chairs

13

foot frame

14.16

seat

15th

backrest

17

Central area

18

Strip-shaped support area

19

recess

20

Beck support

21

gutter

22

wedge

L

Längsnvttelachse

Claims (7)

1. Office chair set consisting of a plurality of office chairs which are the same with respect to the design of their pedestal (13) and their back rest (15) comprising precisely one first type (A) of office chairs (11) and a second type (B) of office chairs (12), wherein the office chairs (11, 12) both of the first and of the second type have in each case a pedestal (13) for supporting the particular office chair (11,12) with respect to a floor surface, a seating surface (14) and a back rest (15), wherein the first type (A) of office chairs differs from the second type (B) of office chairs due to the design of the seating surface (14, 16), wherein the seating surface (14) of the office chairs (11) of the first type (A) is adapted to the male anatomy and the seating surface (16) of the office chairs (12) of the second type (B) is adapted to the female anatomy, and wherein the seating surface (16) of the office chairs (12) of the second type (B) has dimensions which are shorter than the seating surface (14) of the office chairs (11) of the first type (A).
2. Office chair set according to claim 1, characterised in that the seating surfaces (14,16) of the office chairs of the first or second type (A, B) differ from the particular other type (B, A) due to a different design of a front central region (17) of the seating surface (14, 16).
3. Office chair set according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the seating surfaces (14, 16) of the office chairs (11,12) of the first or second type (A, B) differ from the particular other type (B, A) due to a different design of a rear strip-like supporting region (18) which defines the seating surfaces (14, 16) with respect to the back rest.
4. Office chair set according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a recess (21) and/or depression is incorporated into the seating surface (14) in the front, central region (17) of the seating surface (14) of the first type (A) of office chairs (11) adapted to the male anatomy.
5. Office chair set according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the seating surface (16) is provided essentially as a continuous surface without recess (21) and/or depressions in the front, central region (17) of the seating surface (16) of the second type (B) of office chairs (12) adapted to the female anatomy.
6. Office chair set according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the rear, strip-like supporting region of the seating surface of the type (A) adapted to the male anatomy comprises a pelvic support (20) rising in the direction of the back rest (15).
7. Office chair set according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that in the case of the office chairs (12) of the second type (B) (female type), the strip-like supporting region (18) rises less severely with respect to the back rest (15) than in the case of the first type (A).

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