EP2292121A1

EP2292121A1 - Folding chair

Info

Publication number: EP2292121A1
Application number: EP09169390A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Joseph Ignace Marie Rottier; Peter De Visser
Original assignee: Thom H Vd Boon Bv
Current assignee: Thom H Vd Boon Bv
Priority date: 2009-09-03
Filing date: 2009-09-03
Publication date: 2011-03-09
Anticipated expiration: 2029-09-03
Also published as: EP2292121B1; DK2292121T3

Abstract

A folding chair comprising a seat and a backrest that are hinge-connected to each other. The chair has a folded position in which the seat and the backrest are substantially resting against each other, and also an unfolded position in which the seat and the backrest extend outward at an angle to each other. The backrest is provided with a lumbar support section including a section that bulges outward in the direction of the scat. The backrest comprises a seating space section located underneath the lumbar support section. The seating space section has a convex shape in the direction facing the seat.

Description

The invention relates to a folding chair comprising a seat and a backrest that are hinge-connected to each other, wherein the chair has a folded position, wherein the seat and the backrest are substantially located adjoining each other, and an unfolded position, wherein the seat and the backrest extend out at an angle in relation to each other, and wherein the backrest comprises a lumbar support section with a section that bulges outward in the direction facing the seat. The chair is for example a garden chair or camping chair.
A folding chair with an ergonomically shaped backrest is known from EP 689784 . The backrest has a lumbar support section to increase comfort when seated. The lumbar support section is embodied to support an average person's back. In practice however, even in the case of small deviations from the average, the backrest no longer properly follows the back. This means that when seated in the chair, in many cases a person's back does not properly correspond with the lumbar support section. This causes a reduction in comfort when seated and could cause back complaints.
An objective of the invention is to provide an improved folding chair.
This objective is achieved in that the backrest comprises a seating space section underneath the lumbar support section, and in that the seating space section is concave in the direction facing the seat. By "underneath" the lumbar support section, the side of the lumbar support section facing the seat is intended. In other words the seating space section of the backrest is located at the end of the backrest between the seat and the lumbar support section.
The lumbar support section extends in the transverse direction from the backrest. The seating space section is underneath the lumbar support section. The behind of a person seated in the chair according to the invention is partly accommodated in the concave seating space section. Surprisingly, because of this, the lumbar support section appears to fit well with the back of different persons of varying height and build. By using the seating space section, the lumbar support section becomes positioned correctly for different persons - even though each person's back has a different shape. This pleasant seating comfort makes the chair attractive for many people.
In one embodiment, the seating space section has a radius of curvature, R₁ of 150-250 mm, for example of approximately 200 mm. It is also possible for the convex part of the lumbar support section to have a radius of curvature, R₂ of 70-170 mm, for example of approximately 120 mm. This is favorable for comfort when seated.
It is possible that, in the unfolded position, the seat forms a seating area, wherein the convex part of the lumbar support section has a top that is determined by the point protruding furthest outward in the direction of the seat, and wherein the distance d₁, viewed perpendicular to the seating area, between the seating area and the top is 180-250 mm, for example approximately 195. The makes the chair according to the invention particularly comfortable.
In one embodiment, the lumbar support section comprises a lower end that is connected to the concave seating space section, wherein the lumbar support section, at the end facing away from the seating space section, is provided with an uppermost part that is concave in the direction facing the seat, and wherein the end of the uppermost part forms the upper end of the lumbar support section at the side facing away from the seating space section, and wherein the lumbar support section has a height that is determined by the distance between the lower end and the upper end thereof, and wherein such height is 200-300 mm, for example approximately 250 mm. This improves the comfort of the chair when seated.
For example, the concave uppermost part has a radius of curvature, R₃, of 200-300 mm, for example approximately 250 mm. A smooth transition into the backrest is formed in this manner.
Otherwise, the concave seating space section and the convex section of the lumbar support section can be connected directly to each other. It is also possible for the lumbar support section to have a straight lowermost part underneath the convex part, which is connected to the concave seating space section. Additionally, the backrest can comprise a straight section underneath the concave seating space section. The lumbar support section can furthermore be provided with a straight transition part located between the convex part and the uppermost concave part. The backrest normally has a substantially straight backrest section that is connected to the lumbar support section at the side of it that faces away from the seating space section.
In one embodiment, the backrest is provided with a frame comprising two side bars, which extend substantially parallel and at a distance from each other, as well as a fabric support member attached to the side bars, and wherein the lumbar support section and the concave seating space section are formed in each side bar. The side bars are therefore formed with the sections and/or parts and/or radii of curvature as described above. The fabric support substantially follows the shape of the side bars.
In the unfolded position it is possible for the seat to form a seating surface, wherein the support member has a lower edge that is spaced from the seating surface, and wherein the distance between the lower edge and the seating surface, viewed perpendicular to the seating surface, is 70-170 mm, for example 120 mm. An extra seating space is formed in this manner for the behind, thus increasing comfort when seated.
Also the angle between the seating surface and the backrest can be greater than 95°, preferably greater than 100°. For example, with the chair in the unfolded position the backrest can be adjusted to different angles in relation to the seating area, wherein the angle between the seating area and the backrest, in the most vertical position of the backrest, is greater than 95°, preferably greater than 100°. The chair is particularly suitable for use as a garden chair or a camping chair in this manner.
In one embodiment, the chair is provided with chair legs each comprising an underside that said undersides being aligned in a horizontal plane, when the chair is unfolded, and wherein the seating area is arranged at an angle of 5-25° in relation to said horizontal plane. Such a slight rearward leaning angle makes the chair particularly suitable for use as a garden chair or a camping chair.
The invention relates further to a method for the manufacture of a chair according to one of the preceding claims.
The invention is described in further detail with reference to a typical embodiment as shown in the figures.

Figure 1 shows a side view of a folding chair according to the invention, in the unfolded position.
Figure 2 shows a side view of the chair shown in figure 1, but in the folded position.
Figure 3 shows schematically the shape of the backrest of the chair shown in figure 1.

The folding chair as shown in figures 1 and 2 is generally referred to by 1. The chair is, for example, particularly suitable for use as a garden or camping chair. The chair 1 can be moved between the unfolded position as shown in figure 1 and the folded position shown in figure 2. The chair 1 comprises a frame 2, a seat 3 and a backrest 5.
The frame 2 can be of various embodiments. In this example the frame 2 comprises a tubular frame with four chair legs 9. The chair legs 9 are fitted with feet 10 on the underside. The feet 10, in the unfolded position, (see figure 1) are aligned in a horizontal plane. The chair 1 can be placed on its feet 10, on a flat base.
The seat 3 and the backrest 5 are hinge-connected to each other along a hinge axis 7. In the folded position as shown in figure 2, the seat 3 and the backrest 5 are substantially resting against each other, or at least parallel to each other. In the unfolded position of the chair 1, the seat 3 and the backrest 5 are positioned at an angle to each other so that a person can sit in the chair.
In this embodiment, the seat 3 comprises two longitudinal, tubular bars between which a fabric is stretched. The fabric can be made of plastic, cotton, linen or other materials. In the unfolded position the seat 3 forms a seating area that is oriented at an angle of 5-25° to the horizontal.
In the unfolded position of the chair 1, the backrest 5 can be adjusted to various angles in relation to the seating area. The chair 1 is constructed such that the angle between the seating area and the backrest 5, when the backrest 5 is in its most upright position, is greater than 95°.
The backrest 5 in this embodiment comprises a tubular frame with fabric stretched over it. The backrest 5 comprises two side bars that are substantially parallel and at a distance from each other. The side bars are each hinge-connected to the seat, forming the hinge axis 7.
The fabric is stretched between the side bars of the frame of the backrest 5. The fabric has a lower edge 20 (see figure 1), that is located at a distance from the seating area. The distance, viewed perpendicular to the seating area, is about 120 mm, for example.
The side bars of the backrest 5 according to the invention are of ergonomic form. The fabric fitted between the side bars substantially takes on the ergonomic shape of the side bars.
As clearly shown in figure 3, the side bars of the backrest 5 are each provide with a lumbar support section 12 including a section 14 that bulges in the direction facing the seat 3 (indicated by arrow A in figure 1). The convex section 14 of the lumbar support section 12 has a radius of curvature, R₂ in this embodiment of about 120 mm.
The seat 3 forms a seating area in the unfolded position. The convex section 14 of the lumbar support section has a top 12 that is determined by the point at which it protrudes farthest in the direction of the seat 3. The distance, d₁, viewed perpendicular to the seating area, between the seating area and the top, is approximately 195 mm in this embodiment.
The side bars of the backrest 5 each comprise a seating space section 16 located underneath the lumbar support section 12. The seating space section 16 has a concave shape in the direction A facing the seating space section 16. The seating space section 16 has a radius of curvature, R₁ of approximately 200 mm in this embodiment. The height, d₃ of the seating space section 16 is 150-250mm, and in this embodiment is approximately 195 mm.
Below the seating space section 16 there is a straight end section 17. The straight end section 17 has a length, d₄ for example of approximately 25 mm. The straight end section 17 can however be omitted so that the concave seating space section 16 can continue through to the lower end of the backrest 5.
The lumbar support section 12 comprises a lower end that is connected to the concave seating space section 16. The lumbar support section 12 has an uppermost part 15 that is concave facing the seat in direction A. The concave uppermost part 15 has a radius of curvature, R₃, of approximately 250 mm in this embodiment.
The upper end of the lumbar support section 12 is formed by the uppermost end of the uppermost part 15. The lumbar support section 12 in this embodiment has a height, d₂ that is determined by the distance between the lower end and the upper end of lumbar support section 12. This height, d₂ is approximately 250 mm in this embodiment.
In this embodiment, the lumbar support section 12 has a relatively short, straight lowermost part, under the convex part 14, which is connected to the concave seating space section 16. The concave seating space section 16 and the convex section 14 of the lumbar support section 12 can however be directly connected to one another (not shown).
The lumbar support section 12 also comprises a straight transition section located between the convex section 14 and the uppermost concave section 15. This transition part can however be omitted, i.e. the convex section 14 and the concave section 15 can be connected directly together (not shown).
Above the lumbar support section 12 there is the, substantially straight, backrest section 18. The backrest section 18 merges into a headrest section 20. The chair 1 is particularly comfortable when seated.
The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the figures. The person skilled in the art will recognize various applications within the scope of the invention. For example, the person skilled in the art will be able to deviate from the details mentioned above, whilst retaining the comfort of the seat according to the invention.

Claims

Folding chair (1), comprising a seat (3) and a backrest (5) that are hinge-connected to each other, wherein the chair (1) has a folded position, wherein the seat (3) and the backrest (5) are located substantially adjacent to each other and also an unfolded position wherein the seat (3) and the backrest (5) extend out at an angle from each other, and wherein the backrest (5) is provided with a lumbar support section (12) including a section (14) that bulges in the direction (A) to the seat (3), characterized in that, the backrest (5) comprises a seating space section (16) that is located underneath the lumbar support section (12) and that the seating space section (16) is concave in relation to the direction facing the seat (3).
Chair according to claim 1, wherein the seating space section (16) has a radius of curvature, R₁ of 150-250 mm, for example approximately 200 mm.
Chair according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the convex section(14) of the lumbar support section (12) has a radius of curvature, R₂ of 70-170 mm, for example of approximately 120 mm.
Chair according to any of the preceding claims wherein the seat (3) forms a seating area in the unfolded position, wherein the convex section (14) of the lumbar support section (12) has a top that is determined by the point protrudes farthest in the direction of the seat (3), and wherein the distance, d₁ viewed perpendicular to the seating area and the top is 180-250 mm, for example approximately 195 mm.
Chair according to any of the preceding claims wherein the lumber support section (12) comprises a lower end that is connected to the concave seating space section (16), and wherein the lumbar support section (12) is provided with an uppermost section (15) at the side facing away from the seating space section that is concave in the direction (A) facing away from the seat (3) and wherein the uppermost section (15), at the side facing away from the seating space section (16), forms the upper end of the lumber support section (12), and wherein the lumber support section (12) is at a height determined by the distance, (d₂) between the lower and upper ends thereof, and wherein the height is 200-300 mm, for example approximately 250.
Chair according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the concave uppermost section (15) has a radius of curvature, R₃ of 200-300 mm, for example approximately 250 mm.
Chair according to claims 5 or 6, wherein the lumbar support section (12) is provided with a straight transition part located between the convex section (14) and the concave, uppermost section (15).
Chair according any of the preceding claims, wherein a substantially straight backrest section (18) is connected to the lumber support section (12) at its side that faces away from the seating space section (16).
Chair according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the backrest (5) is provided with a frame comprising two side bars that are substantially parallel and at a distance from each other, and a fabric support member that is fitted to the side bars, and wherein the lumbar support section (12) and the concave seating space section (16) are formed in each of the side bars.
Chair according to claim 9, wherein the seat (3) forms a seating area in the unfolded position, wherein the support member has a lower edge (20) spaced from the seating area, and wherein the distance between the lower edge and the seating area, viewed perpendicular to the seating area, is 70-170 mm, for example approximately 120 mm.
Chair according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the seat (3), in its unfolded position, forms a seating area, and wherein the angle between the seating area and the backrest (5) is greater that 95°, preferably greater than 100°.
Chair according to claim 11, wherein when the chair (1) is unfolded the backrest (5) is adjustable in relation to the seating area to different angular positions, and wherein the angle between the seating area and the backrest (5) in its most upright position is greater than 95°, preferably greater than 100°.
Chair according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the seat (3), in the unfolded position, define a seating plane, and wherein the chair (1) is provided with chair legs (9) each with an underside, and wherein, said undersides are aligned in a horizontal plane in the unfolded condition of said chair (1), and wherein the seating plane is at an angle of 5-25° in relation to said horizontal plane.
Method for the manufacture of a chair according to any of the preceding claims.