EP2762039B1 - Chair for alleviating back complaints - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a chair for the relief of back problems according to the preamble of the independent claim.

Chairs for increasing well-being, such as massage chairs, are widely known.

From the DE 10 2009 030 390 is a comfort armchair for spine relief known. The chair includes mechanically adjustable armpit supports, which help to relieve the spine. Furthermore, the backrest of the chair is designed tiltable. A disadvantage of such an embodiment of the chair is that the height adjustment of the underarm support must be specified before use and can not be made independently by the user when he is in the sitting position. In addition, an effective stretching force is firmly coupled with the inclination of the backrest.

From the US 1,356,356 is a relief chair for the spine known. The chair has an underarm and a headrest, which are independently adjustable. The support surfaces for the armpit and head are very small, so that stretching the spine distributes the entire body weight of a user only to a very small area. Thus, this chair is uncomfortable to use.

It is therefore an object of the invention to avoid the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular to provide a chair and a table that allows a pleasant, effective and versatile adjustable relief of the back while working.

To achieve the object performs a chair with the characterizing features of independent claim 1.

The object is achieved by a chair for relieving back complaints of a user with a seat surface and a backrest, wherein a backrest angle between the backrest and a vertical is adaptable. At least one support element for supporting a user's upper body is arranged on the backrest when the user is in an intended sitting position, wherein in the intended sitting position the support element is arranged below the user's armpits. The support member is formed and arranged on the backrest, that it is movable to set a desired support of the upper body at a predetermined backrest angle by the user while he is in the intended sitting position. In the present case, "vertical" denotes a mode of action of gravity. Such a chair allows a user to adjust the angle of the backrest and the support of the support elements adapted to his personal pain sensation or personal well-being. By specifying the backrest angle, a maximum available stretching force can be limited. By the adjustable support element, the actual effective stretching force can be adjusted by the user according to his wishes.

Advantageously, control elements can be present on such a chair, via which the support element can be moved by a user who is in the intended sitting position. The controls are preferably arranged in the region of an armrest of the chair. That way that can Support element particularly easy to be moved by the user.

The backrest angle is defined as the angle between the backrest and the vertical and according to the invention can be adjusted in a range of 0 ° to 90 °. In a sitting condition, the backrest angle is typically e.g. 0 ° to 10 °. The backrest angle can be up to 90 °, which corresponds to a horizontal position. As a comfortable lying position has e.g. a backrest angle of 60 ° exposed. It is understood that the seat can be oriented independently of the backrest with respect to the vertical. An angle between the backrest and the seat can thus be adjusted independently of the backrest angle, preferably in the range of 90 ° to 180 °. At an angle between the backrest and seat of e.g. 180 °, the chair is also applicable to the type of an inclined bed.

In order to support the relief of the spine, the therapy chair can be designed such that a rocking movement, in particular in the direction of back and forth, at least the backrest, executable. This can be done for example by a motor or controlled by the user himself. For this purpose, the backrest can e.g. be resiliently mounted relative to the seat, so that with appropriate movement of the user, the backrest is periodically pivotable. Likewise, the backrest may be motorized, e.g. with adjustable period, be pivotable with respect to the seat.

In this way, on the one hand, a static position can be prevented from becoming unpleasant for the user. On the other hand, a dynamically varying relief of the spine can possibly lead to a more efficient effect of the therapy chair. It is understood that the seat also rocking together with the backrest pivotally mounted on a stand of the chair or the chair in the manner of a rocking chair can be configured as a whole rocking.

The support element, in particular a support surface of the support element, is preferably formed with a soft surface, so that their use is pleasant. The controls can be attached to the chair or even wirelessly in contact with the control of the chair. According to the invention is an electronic control that controls an adjustment of the support element and the backrest. Of course, the control can also control other moving parts of the chair. The backrest and the support element can be adapted by the user at the same time, possibly with the control elements being preferred, wherein preferably two support elements are present. In particular, the backrest and the support element are independently adjustable with the controls, wherein in the case of two support elements these are preferably synchronously coupled movable. In the case of two support elements, these are preferably arranged on both sides of an upper body of the user when it is in the intended sitting position. Each of the two support elements is provided in this case to assist the user in each of an underarm area and / or upper arm area.

Through the distribution of body weight on the backrest and the support elements can be increased by a simultaneous adaptability well-being on the chair. In particular, at a given backrest angle, the support element can be adjusted or tracked so that a load is perceived as pleasant even with prolonged use. Furthermore, the user can use the chair at any time during his stay on the Adjust the chair without leaving the chair. This optimizes the effect of the chair.

Furthermore, an adjustable headrest can be arranged and designed on the chair such that, in addition, an extension of the cervical spine of the user can be achieved, wherein the headrest is preferably, optionally preferably with the operating elements, adjustable by the user.

Such an adjustable headrest allows relief of the cervical spine in exactly the mass that the user adjusts. Advantageously, a fuse may be provided which limits an adjustment of the headrest with respect to the support element, so that a load on the cervical spine is limited.

The headrest is in this case designed so that it either provides the user with a support surface for the chin and / or lower jawbone, or fixed the head, for example, by a forehead attachment element so that a train can be applied to the cervical spine.

The support element or optionally the support elements, in particular a bearing surface of the support element, can be arranged at an angle in the range of 30 ° to 90 ° to the backrest.

Such an angular range allows a pleasant, ergonomic arm posture and thus increases the comfort on the chair and thus its effectiveness. The support member may be formed such that an entire upper arm is supported and not only the armpit. In this way, a burden is better distributed by the body weight of the user, which in particular may be beneficial for prolonged use of the chair. For this purpose, the support element may comprise a correspondingly formed bearing surface.

Preferably, the backrest is adjustable relative to the seat so that the backrest angle can be at least in the range of 0 ° to 90 °. Thus, the user can take a comfortable position for him in the area between the sitting position and a lying position and optimally relieve the spine.

In addition, an inclination of the seat surface is preferably adaptable, whereby preferably the vertical height of a front edge of the seat surface is adjustable and relative to the front edge a vertical height of a rear edge is fixed. "Front" and "rear" here refer to an arrangement with respect to the backrest, with the rear being closer to the backrest. Such a tilt-adjustable seat allows optimized angulation of the thigh compared to the upper body of a user, which leads to the relief of the lumbar spine. In general, the seat will be largely aligned horizontally. In particular, in a lying position, it may be advantageous to arrange the seat largely parallel to the backrest flush with this.

The chair can be designed adjustable in height, in particular, the seat of the chair can be designed height adjustable. Preferably, the chair has a height-adjustable stand. A height-adjustable chair makes setting or getting up from the chair easy.

The seat and / or the backrest can be designed to be heatable. A heated seat and / or backrest allows for simultaneous heat treatment of the painful areas of the user so that relaxation of the muscles can occur. Thus, tensions are still solved.

The chair may include a lumbar support. A lumbar support leads to an ergonomic sitting or lying position and leads to an optimal relaxation of the user.

The seat and / or the backrest may at least partially comprise a layer of silicone, water, fango or oil. Such a designed seat or backrest has a soft surface and is at the same time heat-conducting, so that the user feels the use of the chair as pleasant, warming and thus relaxing.

The chair, in particular optionally the operating elements, may comprise a device for determining the body weight or an input element for inputting the body weight of a user.

By entering or recognizing the body weight, tensile forces can be avoided by the support elements or the headrest, which are too large for the respective body weight. For this purpose, the operating element preferably has a control which prevents excessive tensile forces by the support elements or the headrest. Too high a tractive force is, for example, a tensile force that corresponds to the total body weight, exclusively on the headrest. For example, the input of the body weight may dictate a minimum backrest angle so that the effective body weight can not exceed a predetermined value, even if the body is supported parallel to the backrest only on the support members (and not additionally at least partially on the seat surface).

The therapy chair may comprise a safety device which prevents overloading of a user, e.g. in case of accidental incorrect entry of the body weight, prevented. For example, the support elements can be mounted on the backrest via a slip clutch with a predefinable or adjustable load threshold. When the threshold value is exceeded, the support elements can be released from the slip clutch, so that the user can move e.g. with his body weight on the seat sinks. In this way it can be prevented that the spine is overstretched. In variants, the safety device may also include a measuring device for measuring the current load of the support elements. In this case, the control of the therapy chair can readjust the position of the support elements or an inclination of the chair if an overload occurs. It is understood that optionally the adjustable headrest may have an analog security device.

On the chair may continue to be formed an armrest. An armrest makes it easy to place the arm and leads to an optimized well-being. As mentioned, the control elements are advantageously arranged on the armrest if necessary.

Furthermore, a footrest may be formed on the chair, wherein the footrest is preferably designed to be adjustable independently of the setting of the backrest angle and / or optionally an inclination of the seat surface.

The formation of a foot rest prevents the user from dropping his legs and thus the forcing of veins above the knee. Furthermore, an independently adjustable footrest allows a personal comfort position of the user's feet. Thus, varicose veins are prevented.

A support surface of the support member for an upper arm may comprise at least 80 cm ² , preferably at least 100 cm ² , preferably at least 120 cm ² and especially preferably at least 150 cm ² . Such a support surface allows comfortable partial or complete application of the user's armpit and prevents the forcing of veins and arteries of the upper arm due to the support element. If the support surface for partial or complete placement of an upper arm of the user is provided, then the support surface is preferably about 200 cm ² to 400 cm ² . The use of the chair is thus more pleasant.

To solve the problem further leads a table, as a kit with a chair according to the invention, for an ergonomic attitude of the user, which includes a table top for storing documents or computer and a stand device for positioning the table top. Between a longitudinal axis of the stand device and a plane of the table top, a tabletop angle of about 15 ° to 70 °, in particular about 20 ° to 60 ° and preferably about 25 ° to 50 °, is formed. Preferably, the tabletop angle is adjustable by a user. It is understood that the table top with respect to the stand device can be mounted vertically adjustable.

The table comprises at least two side wings, which connect to a respective side edge of the table top to this and are movable with respect to the table top, in particular about a side longitudinal axis along the respective side edge pivotally arranged. The side wings are preferably hinged to the table top. The side longitudinal axes can be specified by suitable pivot bearing between the table top and side wings. The pivot bearings can be designed such that the position and / or orientation of the side longitudinal axes relative to the table top and / or the side wings are adjustable.

Such a table allows ergonomic working from a reclined position. On the one hand, the table top can be brought into an inclined position, whereby the table top is easily accessible from a chair placed in front of the table. On the other hand, the side wings can be folded into position on either side of the chair placed in front of the table after a user has gone into the chair. The side wings thus form an additional and easily accessible working surface from the chair. This is especially advantageous in the case of a therapy chair as described herein because the user does not simply move from the occupied position e.g. prevent or bend to the side to increase its range. For example, in the case of armpit support, the range is limited to approximately one arm length, based on the position of the support member of the therapy chair.

At the table, a storage bar, preferably formed along a lower edge of the table. Bottom edge here denotes a bottom edge of the table top. The storage bar is preferably formed at right angles to a table surface. Such a storage strip forms a stop against the slipping of objects when they are placed on the table top. It is understood that advantageously a corresponding storage strip can also be formed along the lower edges of each of the side wings.

Each of the side rails is tilted with the table top in a first direction about the table top angle. Deviating from the first direction, the side longitudinal axes may be inclined in a second direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the stand device. The lateral longitudinal axes are preferably in one plane the table top towards the lower edge converging inclined, in particular by an angle of about 1 ° to 20 ° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the standing device.

Such a table allows ergonomic work on a large work surface, especially when the range of a user is limited by fixing the shoulders on the chair.

The tabletop can be made of wood or another, sufficiently stable material, so that even heavy objects, such as a computer can be placed on the table.

The table top may have a height of about 30 to 100 cm, a width of about 50 to 150 cm and a thickness of about 1 to 5 cm. It is understood that, depending on the requirements, values outside of these ranges do not conflict with the idea according to the invention.

The table top is preferably formed trapezoidal, with a shorter of the two parallel side edges forms the lower edge. For a trapezoidal design, the indicated values of the width are to be understood as average width. Advantageously, the side wings are trapezoidal, wherein in this case in each case a shorter of the two parallel side edges forms the lower edge. Advantageously, the trapezoidal shapes are each formed isosceles.

To solve the problem further leads a kit from a chair as previously described and a table as previously described. Such a combination of chair and table leads to be able to work ergonomically and at the same time to relieve the spine.

The table can in principle also be designed as part of the therapy chair directly on this. In this case, a holding arm may be e.g. starting from a stand device of the therapy chair extend, on which the table top is arranged. In this case, the tabletop angle is understood to mean the direction of gravity, since in this case there is no stand-up device of the table which defines a longitudinal direction.

Figur 1

eine schematische Darstellung des Stuhls in der Sitzposition;

Figur 2

eine schematische Darstellung eines Stuhls in der Liegeposition;

Figur 3

eine schematische Darstellung eines Tisches in seitlicher Ansicht;

Figur 4

eine schematische Darstellung eines Tisches in einer frontalen Ansicht.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to figures in exemplary embodiments. Hereby shows:

FIG. 1

a schematic representation of the chair in the sitting position;

FIG. 2

a schematic representation of a chair in the lying position;

FIG. 3

a schematic representation of a table in a side view;

FIG. 4

a schematic representation of a table in a frontal view.

FIG. 1 shows a novel chair 1 with a seat 2 and a backrest 3. The backrest angle 4 between the backrest 3 and a vertical A is adjustable. The seat 2 is present horizontally, that is aligned perpendicular to the vertical A. Furthermore, the chair comprises 1 support elements 5, which on the backrest 3 with respect to a Distance from the seat 2 are adjustable. The support elements 5 protrude from the backrest 3 in such a way that they are arranged on both sides of the upper body of a user under the arms or armpits. It is understood that the support elements 5 can also be made in one piece as a single support element 5.

A user can adjust the backrest angle 4 and a position of the support elements 5 by means of control element 6. Furthermore, a headrest 7 is formed, which is also adjustable by the control element 6. The support elements 5 result in an adjustment in the direction of the headrest 7, i. in the direction away from the seat 2, to an extension of the chest and lumbar spine due to the effective body weight of the user. The adjustment of the headrest 7 leads to an extension of the cervical spine.

A larger backrest angle 4, in other words a more horizontal alignment of the backrest 3, leads to a reduction in the total effective body weight available for stretching, since a larger weight component is borne by the backrest 3. For extension, only the downhill component of the weight force is available. With an adjustment of the support elements 5, the user can determine which portion of this basically available body weight actually acts to stretch and which portion is supported, for example, by the seat surface 2. In extreme cases, the seat 2, for example, completely relieved, so that the entire available effective body weight is only supported on the support elements 5 and possibly also the headrest 7.

Furthermore, armrests 8 are formed. The operating element 6 is arranged on the armrest 8. The seat 2 and the backrest 3 are formed heated. In order to make use of the chair 1 as comfortable as possible, the seat 2 and the backrest 3 comprise a layer or cushion of silicone. Thus, the surface of seat 2 and backrest 3 is very soft. Furthermore, the chair 1 is adjustable in height. This is achieved by a height-adjustable stand 9. In addition, a footrest 12 is formed.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a chair 1 in a lying position. The chair 1 comprises analogous to FIG. 1 a seat surface 2 and a backrest 3. The backrest angle 4 between the backrest 3 and the vertical A is about 70 °. An angle 13 between the seat 2 and the backrest 3 is about 150 °. The seat 2 is arranged inclined. The inclination is achieved by a relative adjustment of the front edge 10 in relation to the rear edge 11 of the seat 2. Furthermore, the chair comprises the support element 5 and the headrest 7, which are both adjustable. The adjustment of backrest angle 4, support member 5 and headrest 7 and the inclination of the seat 2 is preferably adjusted by the user via control element 6. Furthermore, the chair 1 is height adjustable about stand 9. Also, a footrest 12 is provided which is also adjustable relative to the seat surface 2. Analogous to FIG. 1 is also the chair 1 from the FIG. 2 formed with heatable seat 2 and backrest 3.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a table 14 in a side view. The table 14 includes a table top 15 which is mounted on a pedestal 16. The table top 15 is presently arranged in a plane 22, which forms an angle 17 of 45 ° to the longitudinal axis 19 of the stand 16 has. At a lower edge of the table top 15, a storage bar 18 is formed. The table top 15 is made of wood and has a height of about 30 to 100 cm, an average width of about 50 to 150 cm and a thickness of about 1 to 5 cm.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of a table 14 from FIG. 3 in a frontal view. The table 14 includes the table top 15 and two side wings 20 (in Fig. 3 indicated by dashed lines). The side wings 20 are formed pivotable about the respective side longitudinal axis 21 of the table top plane 22 out. The table top 15 is mounted on a pedestal 16. The table top 15 has a suitable height to in front of the chair 1 (see FIG. 1 and 2 ) or can be arranged by a user at an appropriate height. The user who is on the chair 1 can thus reach each area of the table top 15 easily and comfortably. The side wings 20 also allow to expand the usable table surface on both sides of the user by these, after the user has gone on the chair 1, from both sides, for example, from the table top plane 22 folded towards him (see arrows).

The table top 15 is trapezoidal, wherein the shorter of the parallel edges of the trapezoidal forms the lower edge. The side wings 20 are also formed trapezoidal, with the shorter of the two parallel edges also forms the lower edge. In this way, a total work surface of table top surface and surface of the side wings is provided, which converges funnel-shaped in front of a user in the chair to this.

Claims (15)

1. A chair (1) for relieving back pain of a user, with a seat surface (2) and a backrest (3), wherein a backrest angle (4) of the backrest (3) with respect to a vertical is adaptable in a range of 0° to 90°, wherein at least one support element (5) for supporting the upper body of the user, when the latter is in an intended sitting or lying position, is arranged on the backrest (3), wherein the support element (5), in the intended sitting or lying position, is arranged under the armpits of the user, characterized in that the support element (5) is designed in such a way, and arranged on the backrest in such a way, that it can be moved by the user in order to obtain a desired support of the upper body at a predefined backrest angle (4) while he is in the intended sitting or lying position, wherein operating elements (6) for an electronical control are present, by means of which the support element (5) can be moved by a user in a sitting or lying position, wherein the operating elements (6) are preferably arranged in the area of an armrest of the chair (1).
2. The chair (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the backrest (3) and the support element (5) are adaptable simultaneously by the user, if appropriate preferably with the operating elements (6), wherein two support elements (5) are preferably present.
3. The chair (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an adjustable headrest (7) is arranged on the chair and is designed in such a way that an extension of the cervical spine of the user can be obtained, wherein the headrest is preferably adjustable by the user, if appropriate preferably with the operating elements (6).
4. The chair (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support element or if appropriate the support elements (5) are arranged at an angle in the range of 30° to 90° to the backrest (3).
5. The chair (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the backrest (3) is adjustable in such a way that the angle (4) between the backrest (3) and the seat surface (2) is in the range of 90° to 180°.
6. The chair (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chair (1), in particular the seat surface (2), is designed to be vertically adjustable and preferably has a vertically adjustable stand (9).
7. The chair (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that seat surface (2) and/or backrest (3) are designed to be heatable.
8. The chair (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chair (1) comprises a lumbar support.
9. The chair (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seat surface (2) and/or the backrest (3) comprise, at least in part, a layer of silicone, water, fango or oil.
10. The chair (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chair (1), in particular the operating elements (6) if appropriate, comprises a device for determining the bodyweight or an input element for inputting the bodyweight of the user.
11. The chair as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an armrest (8) is formed.
12. The chair (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an inclination of the seat surface (2) is designed to be adaptable, preferably a vertical height of a front edge (10) of the seat surface (2) is designed to be adjustable, wherein the vertical height of a rear edge (11) is fixed relative to the front edge.
13. The chair (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a footrest (12) is formed, wherein the footrest is preferably designed to be adjustable independently of the setting of the backrest angle.
14. The chair (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a bearing surface of the support element for an upper arm comprises at least 80 cm², in particular at least 100 cm², preferably at least 120 cm², and in particular preferably at least 150 cm².
15. A kit composed of a chair (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 through 14 and of a table (14).

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