EP1998645A2

EP1998645A2 - Ball chair and multifunctional furniture

Info

Publication number: EP1998645A2
Application number: EP07727349A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thomas Walser
Original assignee: Tepe-Walser Silvia
Priority date: 2006-03-27
Filing date: 2007-03-26
Publication date: 2008-12-10
Also published as: DE202007018810U1; WO2007110410A3; WO2007110410A2; US20100314916A1; DE202006004979U1

Abstract

The invention relates to a chair (20) comprising a gas-filled ball (8) and a base (1) which encloses the ball (8) at least in a lower region of the ball (8), the base (1) comprising a base plate (4). The base (1) has an internal diameter which is chosen in relation to the diameter of the ball (8) in such a manner as to laterally immobilize the ball (8) in the base (1). The ball (8) is at least partially covered by a fabric or netting (7).

Description

Ball seat furniture and multifunctional furniture

The invention relates to seating and multi-functional furniture with (sitting) ball according to the preamble of claim 1.

The present patent application claims the priority of the German Utility Model DE 20 2006 004 979 Ul, which was filed on 27.3.2006 in the name of the above-mentioned Applicant.

Often seat balls are used as a seat element, in which case there is a certain potential for danger, since such a seat ball is in any way fixed and threatens to roll away. In the conventional seat balls their mobility, lightness, tensile strength (ABS), material quality and design as a criterion in the foreground.

But there are also chairs that use a seat ball. In these cases, sitting balls are combined with various documents so that the ball does not roll away. Also known are mobile seat balls on a mobile base and seat balls with cylindrical support. An example can be found in the European patent application EP 824006 A2.

The present invention now aims to design seating furniture with a seat ball so that they are safe and stable. At the same time, the corresponding seating furniture be more comfortable to use than previous solutions and aesthetically pleasing.

The solution of this task is carried out for the device by the features of claim 1.

In a first embodiment, the invention relates to a device with a cylindrical ball holder, which encloses a translucent (sitting) ball in the lower region.

Optionally, office swivel castors, or sliders are provided under the floor of a driving bracket. This mobile ball has a rear projection and is also a lamp, decorative, television, night or emergency light, which is preferably powered by a battery with power. This keeps the seating mobile. Designs are also conceivable in which the (sitting) ball is provided in its inside with loudspeaker, beamer, voice-controlled switching parts and so on.

With a smaller ball, the cylindrical interior of the base (ball mount) can be used as storage space.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the seat ball is used on the one hand for ergonomically meaningful sitting, on the other hand as a lamp.

Especially in our urban areas, the living space is generally scarce among young people, to whom the product is referred to as a ball stool. Therefore, for larger objects offers a multiple use. Due to the regular semi-transparent surface of the ball, this dual use offers due to the regular light distribution. By using LED lamps, the power consumption is so low that burns a lamp with rechargeable battery without cables with a soft pleasant light for several days. Further advantages emerge directly from the description and the accompanying drawings.

In the following the invention will be described in detail by means of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawings. Show it :

1 shows a first device according to the invention in a schematic, lateral sectional view; FIG. 2 shows a second device according to the invention in a schematic, lateral sectional representation; FIG. 3 shows a third device according to the invention in a schematic, lateral sectional illustration; 4 shows a fourth device according to the invention in a schematic, lateral sectional representation;

5 shows the fourth embodiment in different states of motion. 6 shows a fifth device according to the invention in a schematic, lateral sectional illustration; 7 shows a sixth device according to the invention in a schematic, lateral sectional representation; 8 shows a seventh device according to the invention in a schematic, lateral sectional illustration in different states of movement; 9 shows an eighth device according to the invention in a schematic, lateral sectional view in two states of movement; 10 shows a ninth device according to the invention in a schematic, lateral sectional illustration; 11 shows a tenth device according to the invention in a schematic, lateral sectional illustration; Fig. 12 a (seat) ball according to the invention in a schematic, lateral

Section; FIG. 13 shows a further device according to the invention in a schematic, lateral sectional illustration; FIG. FIG. 14 shows a further device according to the invention in a schematic, lateral sectional illustration; FIG. FIG. 15 shows a further device according to the invention in a schematic, lateral sectional illustration; FIG. FIG. 16 shows a further (sitting) ball according to the invention in a schematic, lateral sectional illustration; FIG. 17 shows a further device according to the invention in a schematic, lateral sectional illustration. Fig. 18 shows a further device according to the invention in a schematic, lateral sectional view. 19 shows a further device according to the invention in a schematic, lateral sectional illustration. Fig. 20 shows another device according to the invention in a schematic, lateral sectional view. Fig. 21 shows a further device according to the invention in a schematic, lateral sectional view.

Constructive elements with the same function are provided in all figures with the same reference numerals.

A first embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. It is a chair 20. The chair 20 includes a ball seat 1, which is cylindrical. In the region of the underside, a stable, circular bottom 4 is fixed, which runs parallel to an imaginary end face of the cylindrical ball support 1. Underneath are office swivel castors 3 or sliders. In Figure 1, only such a role 3 is shown by way of example. In the first embodiment, a translucent (sitting) ball 8 is used, which has a slightly larger diameter, and which is inserted into the ball seat 1.

Preferably, the (sitting) ball 8 is approximately 75% milky translucent.

Due to this special type of arrangement and dimensioning, the (sitting) ball 8 can not roll away. As an alternative to the translucent (sitting) ball 8, there is the possibility of a completely transparent (sitting) ball 8, which is covered with a translucent material, or net 7, as indicated in Figure 1. Of the translucent fabric or mesh 7 may be designed to also develop the effect of a rear projection surface. It is noted here that a completely transparent ball 8 does not retain the light on its surface 2.

As a light source / light source 5 is used as an example LED lamp. An optic is conceivable, so that structures can be projected onto the spherical surface 2 of the (sitting) ball 8 in the parallel light region. As a further option, a switchable or remote control color changer can be provided.

The cone of light emanating from the light source / illuminant 5 is represented in FIG. 1 by the conical region 12.

In the base 1, the inside can be partially or completely mirrored in order to couple light of a light source / light source 5, which is located in the base 1, in the (sitting) ball 8.

If the seating 20 (light stool) serve as a lamp, so a transparent (partial) surface 2 can be selected. Then the light shines on the ceiling.

The lighting function of the Balloberfläche 2 can also be controlled with polarizing filters or color filters. This results in interesting lighting effects, which are ideally suited as tempered mood light. In clear plastic mixtures lateral light is broken, resulting in combination with a polarizing filter, adjustable rainbow color effects.

An LED lamp is preferred since it requires very little power, so that a battery 6 can operate the lamp wirelessly for almost a week without recharging the battery 6. The battery 6 is charged with a charger, for example via the socket 10 from the outside. If colorful LED bulbs are used as a lamp, then the light projects the color or a motif onto the translucent material serving as the projection surface, respectively the net 7. Through the illumination of a translucent ball membrane, the light is distributed regularly.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. Here is the (sitting) ball 8 on the edge of a cylinder element 1. Below there is a cavity 13. The support element 1 has a convex foot 11. Furthermore, a battery 6, and the lighting means 5 are integrated into the seating 20. The lighting means 5 (preferably one or more LED lamps) preferably sit below the (seat) ball 8 in the cylinder element 1 (analogous to the first embodiment).

With the combination of a (sitting) ball 8 as a seat surface and a cylinder element 1 with a convex lamp chair foot (rolling foot) 11, a particularly dynamic rolling on the (sitting) ball 8 is possible because the rolling rocking motion of the convex lamp chair Foot underside 11 is transferred virtually frictionless to the ground. The projected light is shown in Figure 2 by shading 12 on the inside of the (sitting) ball 8.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. In Figure 3, the regular light distribution of the projected light 12 is shown on the Balloberfläche. The cylindrical base 14 is deliberately shorter in this variant (in the sense of less high). To increase the lateral mobility when sitting, the cylinder diameter of the cylindrical base 14 can be reduced. The (sitting) ball 8 then rolls over the edges 15, without falling out of the cylindrical base 14 out. As additional security, in turn, a translucent fabric / net 7 can be pulled over the (sitting) ball 8 and fastened to the cylindrical wall of the base 14. This is a falling out of the (seat) ball 8 made impossible, even under extreme conditions.

Under or on the cylindrical base 14 office swivel chairs 3 or glides are mounted. In Figure 3, only such a role 3 is shown by way of example.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. It is a chair 20, in which held with a feathery membrane (seat) ball 8 with feathery, or with stiff legs 3.1 extended becomes. At the end of the legs 3.1 is either a slider, or a roller 3. The (sitting) ball 8 rests in turn in a cylindrical base 1. By the extension of the chair 20 through the legs 3.1, the silhouette is narrower, thereby the lateral Agility increased.

FIG. 5 serves as a movement diagram for the understanding of the invention. The illustrated movement is also applicable to the other embodiments of the invention. The concrete example shown is the seating furniture 20 shown in FIG. 4, where the (sitting) ball 8 is shown in different load positions. The (sitting) ball 8 moves, depending on the load, quasi in the cylindrical base 1 to the right and left, but is fixed by the base 1. For spring-elastic legs 3.1 is still a dipping / oscillating movement of the legs 3.1 added.

The membrane must be stretchable at least 10% and at most 60%, so that optimum mobility (dynamics) of the (sitting) ball 8, in particular laterally arises. Each wrapping fabric or wrap-around net 7 needs a pattern adapted to its stretch characteristics, so that mobility (in the sense of degree of freedom) is precisely defined. Depending on which side of the fabric or the network 7 expands more, the shape is changed in pressure regulation. So you can, for example, if the fabric or the net 7 strongly stretches in the standing direction, with the change in the amount of air in the (sitting) ball 8 adjust the seat height.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. The structure is similar to that in Fig. 4. Due to the enormous lateral movement of the seat 20, rollers 3 may be dangerous under certain circumstances. Therefore, gliders 16 instead of rollers 3 may be more suitable. In roles 3, these must be braked according to regulations in unused condition, so that the user does not push away when sitting the chair 20 and falls.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. The function is similar to the seating 20 of Figure 4, if you omit the legs there 3.1 including rollers 3 or sliders. In order to be able to specify the desired seat height, the (sitting) ball 8 in the embodiment according to FIG. 7 must have a larger diameter. Due to the larger air volume than in the other furniture 20, the vertical mobility is more pronounced.

The freedom of movement of the legs of the user is slightly smaller than in the case of the furniture 20 according to FIG. 4 because of the volume of the ball.

It may be a lateral lamination (panel) 17 of the rollers or slider 16 may be provided. This lamination 17 has not only an optical function. As soon as the user tilts the seating 20, the lamination 17 is positioned on the side edge 18. If the seating 20 has wheels instead of gliders 16, the seating 20 thus brakes immediately. The seating 20 is thus much safer.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. As in FIG. 5, the (sitting) ball 8 is also shown here in different states of movement. It is a chair 20 with a wider base 19, which is provided on the left with slider 16 and right with roller 3. This variant is intended for rehabilitation needs.

Many older people use therapy balls with the risk of tipping back or sideways. Due to the large base 19 (without wheels / gliders) tilting is impossible.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. The (sitting) ball 8 is shown here in two different states of motion. It is a chair 20 with a wider base 19, which is provided on the left with slider 16 and right with roller 3. This variant is also intended for rehabilitation needs. The (sitting) ball 8 is inserted in a parallelogram-like, flexible base 21 and has on the upper side a seat element or a kind of seat cushion 22. There are interesting and stimulating movements with this seating 20 possible. Nevertheless, this chair 20 is stable and safe. In any case, in the various embodiments with increased air volume, the degree of freedom of mobility is more narrowly limited. Therefore, the seating furniture 20 according to the invention preferably comprises a valve 9 in order to be able to adjust the mobility by filling the (seat) balls 8 or by discharging air.

Due to the special design of the various bases 1 or 21, the vertical mobility is more pronounced and better adjustable than with pure (conventional) seat balls.

Instead of a cylindrical base 4, it is also possible to use bases of a different construction or of a different shape (eg with a square cross-section) (see eg FIG. 9), as long as it is ensured that the (sitting) ball 8 has a firm hold in the body or on the pedestal 1, 19, 21 finds.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. This seat 20 comprises a (sitting) ball 8, which is surrounded by a fabric or net 7. The fabric or net 7 spans the membrane of the (sitting) ball 8. A funnel-shaped base 1 is fastened to a base plate 19. A second "funnel", which has an edge with holes at the lower end, is located there through which the base plate 19 with the funnel-shaped (conical) clamping part can be screwed from below in such a way that the membrane is pressed into place in a stable manner the assembly, as well as the cleaning and replacement of the membrane of the ball 8. The (sitting) ball 8 rests on the base 1. The membrane of the ball 8 is not clamped in this variant on the base 1, but in the base 1. Thus, when moved laterally, the (sitting) ball 8, protected by the membrane, rolls over the edge of the base 1, and is delimited softly from the opposite side by the same membrane, which creates the tensile load which arises when rolling away In the center of the chassis or substructure of this seat 20, a large opening is provided in the bottom plate 19, through which the ball is guided for assembly, before it is filled with air wi approx.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. It is characterized in that it is designed similar to that shown in Figure 10 Solution, but with a chassis with rollers 3 is arranged under the bottom plate 19. The chassis is advantageously lower in the center than outside on the rollers. This avoids unnecessary loss of space. In the center of the chassis is a large opening through which the (sitting) ball 8 is guided to the assembly.

The (sitting) ball 8 of another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. The (sitting) ball 8 has a large opening. The opening is closed by a lid 23. On the cover 23, a lamp or other lighting means 5, or a beamer, a movable laser, or a precise optics is mounted. By directly illuminating the inner skin of this (sitting) ball 8 a perfect reproduction quality is possible (3D effect). The use of laser lamps is also possible because protected by the ball skin no direct contact with the eyes of the beholder is possible.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. Conceivable are two or more concentric layers, which receive different image information by means of filtered ball skin (membrane). This will make an SD simulation possible. In the (sitting) ball 8, for example, a projector 25 can sit. Particularly suitable as a projector is a 3D projector.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. Schematically represented is a (sitting) ball 8 with integrated loudspeaker 24. Optionally, there are active loudspeakers, which are controlled wirelessly. An internal connection between music and light (light organ) is conceivable. The base 1 may contain the battery and the technology.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. Schematically, a built-in radio / TV receiver 26. The received image is projected directly with a 180 ° lens 27. The received sound is amplified. The bottom of the (sitting) ball 8 can be mirrored so that satellite reception is possible. By rotating or rolling the mobile multimedia stool 20, the reception can be optimized. Alternatively, a small wireless receiver can be used. Optionally, two 180 ° lenses are conceivable. Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. The (sitting) ball 8 has two layers of skin. As a result, below the opening 28 can be arbitrarily large. The handling becomes much easier.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. The seating 20 has a controllable landing gear with an integrated computer which may have one or more of the following functions:

- Visits a charging station 29 itself at a certain charging voltage;

- reacts to speech and is thus controllable via voice commands;

- as a PC multimedia speaking contact person, telephone, or control functions / control / emergency service, etc.

FIG. 18 shows a seating 20 with an adjustable working surface 30, for example for a PC, laptop computer 31, or as a writing pad. The adjustable work surface 30 may be pivotally connected via a pivotable arm 32 to the base 1 of the chair 20.

Such a piece of furniture is suitable, for example, for public areas, where it can be used, for example, as an information stand.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. The (sitting) ball 8 is inserted into a watch-glass-shaped base 1, which approximately gives the (sitting) ball 8 the shape of an "8." The base 1 forms a constriction area 33, which constricts the ball 8 and holds it in position.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. The (sitting) ball 8 is inserted in a trough-shaped base 1. The membrane of the (sitting) ball 8 has an oval shape.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. The (sitting) ball 8 is inserted in a trapezoidal base 1. The membrane of the (sitting) ball 8 has a hemispherical shape.

The membrane of the (sitting) ball 8 may be made of rubber, TPU, PU, PVC, etc. in the various embodiments. Will the (sitting) ball 8 with fabric or net 7, the membrane may be thinner than with normal balls. If the seating is illuminated from inside or outside, then a membrane can be used, the surface of which is roughened from the inside or outside to distribute the light. Have proved (sitting) balls 8 with membranes that have been processed by sandblasting. When sandblasting stencils can be used to give the ball a special look. This allows transparent (re) and non-transparent areas to be defined on the membrane.

Claims

claims

Seating furniture (20) with a gas-filled ball (8) and a base (1; 21) enclosing the ball (8) at least in a lower region of the ball (8), the base (1; 21) comprising a bottom plate (4; 19) and wherein the pedestal (1; 21) has a clear inside width which is designed relative to the diameter of the ball (8) so that the ball (8) is laterally fixed in the pedestal (1; 21) is.

2. Seating furniture (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that on the base (1; 21) or in the region of the base (1; 21) a stretchable fabric element or network element (7) is attached, the ball (8) at least partially spanned.

3. Seating furniture (20) according to claim 2, characterized in that by the extensibility and shape of the fabric element or network element (7), the freedom of movement of the ball (8) is adjustable.

4. Seating furniture (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in an upper region of the ball (8), a seat member or a seat surface (22) is mounted for sitting.

5. Seating furniture (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the base (1; 21), preferably on the bottom plate (4; 19) of the base (1; 21) slider (16) and / or rollers ( 3) are mounted.

6. Seating furniture (20) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterized in that on the base (1; 21), preferably on the bottom plate (4; 19) of the base (1; 21) a plurality of rigid or elastic legs ( 3.1) are mounted.

7. Seating furniture (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is equipped with an integrated light (5) inside the base (1, 21), or sitting inside the ball (8).

8. Seating furniture (20) according to claim 7, characterized in that the lamp (5) by means of a battery (6) is wirelessly usable.

9. Seating furniture (20) according to claim 7, characterized in that LED light emitting diodes or laser serve as a lamp (5).

10. Seating furniture (20) according to claim 7, characterized in that the lamp (5) has a switched, or remotely controlled color changer, image changer, beamer or laser integrated.

11. Seating furniture (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the illuminated ball (8) is transparent or translucent.

12. Seating furniture (20) according to claim 2, characterized in that the fabric or the net (7) is translucent.

13. Seating furniture (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ball (8) has an inner rear projection and the seating (20) comprises a polarizer, color filter, structure filter or optics with diabarizing to light projection on the rear projection to design the seating (20) targeted.

14. Seating furniture (20) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the base (1, 21) has a convex bottom and can roll on all sides.

15. Seating furniture (20) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that in the base (1, 21) a storage space (13) is present, which is accessible by removing the ball (8).

16. Seating furniture (20) according to claim 7, characterized in that the ball (8) is colored with translucent or fluorescent pigments.

7. Seating furniture (20) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that a speaker, and / or radio receiver, and / or television receiver is integrated.