EP2777434A1

EP2777434A1 - Multi-use chair

Info

Publication number: EP2777434A1
Application number: EP14397507.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Suvi Viander
Original assignee: Stabela
Current assignee: Stabela
Priority date: 2013-03-11
Filing date: 2014-02-20
Publication date: 2014-09-17
Also published as: FI20135228A

Abstract

The invention relates to a chair system for multiple uses. The chair system comprises a chair (10) and a support (20). The chair (10) comprises a seat (11), four legs (13) and a support frame (14) that is fixed underneath the seat (11). The support frame (14) comprises at least a first mounting place (15) and a second mounting place (15) for the support (20), and the first mounting place (15) is on a different side of the chair (10) with respect to the second mounting place (15). The support (20) is suitable to be releasably connected to the support frame (14) through mounting places (15) so that when the support (20) is connected through the first mounting place (15) the support (20) is for different use with respect to when the support (20) is connected through the second mounting place (15). The invention further relates to a kit for retrofitting a chair (10).

Description

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to multi-use chair for sitting and physical exercises, and a kit for retrofitting a regular chair.

Background

Physical therapy is a branch of rehabilitative health that uses specially designed exercises and equipment to help patients regain or improve their physical abilities. Physical therapy is appropriate for many types of patients, from infants born with musculoskeletal birth defects to adults suffering from sciatica or the after-effects of injury or surgery and to elderly post stroke patients. In addition to physiotherapist there are fitness professionals that use specially designed exercises and equipment to promote and/or support training and recovery process of individuals after strain and different kind of injuries. Several kinds of equipment are nowadays used for rehabilitating and training patients and athletes. In commercial gyms, special physiotherapy units of hospitals, rehabilitation institutions and in people's homes there may be a number of special equipment for different kind of exercises. Each piece of equipment may be designed especially for a specific movement.

Summary

Now there has been invented an improved chair system for sitting and for several physical exercises and stretches i.e. the chair system is a so called multi-use chair for a plurality of functions. The chair system comprises a chair and a specially designed additional support structure that is suitable to be releasably connected to a support frame of the chair on different sides of the chair and also in two different positions, upwards and downwards. The connecting place and connecting position depends on the use of the chair system in question.
The present application relates generally to a multi-use chair i.e. chair systems, wherein the chair system can be used for multiple uses in addition to sitting. Various embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.
According to a first aspect, there is provided a chair system for multiple uses, comprising a chair and a support, wherein said chair comprises a seat, four legs and a support frame, and wherein said support frame is fixed underneath said seat. Said support frame comprises at least a first mounting place and a second mounting place for said support, wherein said first mounting place is on a different side of said chair with respect to said second mounting place. Said support is suitable to be releasably connected to said support frame through said first and second mounting places so that when said support is connected through said first mounting place said support is for different use with respect to when said support is connected through said second mounting place.
According to an embodiment, said chair further comprises a backrest, wherein said backrest comprises at least one horizontal pole and a curve in the upper part of said backrest, wherein said curve is on the other side of the backrest than said seat, and wherein said curve is convex towards said seat. According to an embodiment, said support comprises at least two plugs and said mounting places comprise at least two sockets for said at least two plugs of said support. According to an embodiment, said support comprises at least one horizontal pole and a handle structure. According to an embodiment, said support is suitable to be connected to said frame support so that said rest of said support is upwards or downwards. According to an embodiment, said support frame comprises four mounting places for said support, wherein said mounting places are arranged to the back side, front side, left side and right side of said chair. According to an embodiment, the mounting place of the back side is for stocking said support underneath the seat. According to an embodiment, said chair system further comprises a second support and wherein supports are suitable to be used as armrests on both sides of said chair.
According to a second aspect, there is provided a kit for retrofitting a chair comprising a support, and a support frame, wherein the support is suitable to be fixed underneath a chair and wherein said support frame comprises at least a first mounting place and a second mounting place for said support, wherein said first mounting place is on a different side of said chair with respect to said second mounting place, and wherein said support is suitable to be releasably connected to said support frame through said first and second mounting places so that when said support is connected through said first mounting place said support is for different use with respect to when said support is connected through said second mounting place.
According to an embodiment, said support comprises at least two plugs and said mounting place comprises at least two sockets for said at least two plugs of said support.

Description of the Drawings

In the following, various embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings, in which

Figs. 1a-f: show a chair of a chair system according to an embodiment of the invention;
Figs. 2a-b: show a support of a chair system according to an embodiment of the invention;
Figs. 3a-b: show a chair system according to an embodiment of the invention;
Figs. 4a-b: show a chair system in use according to an embodiment of the invention;
Figs. 5a-b: show a chair system in use according to an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 6: shows a chair system in use according to an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 7: shows a chair system in use according to an embodiment of the invention; and
Fig. 8: shows a chair system in use according to an embodiment of the invention.

Description of Example Embodiments

An example embodiment of the present invention and its potential advantages are understood by referring to figures 1 through 7 of the drawings.
Fig. 1a-f show a chair of a chair system according to an embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 1 a shows a chair 10 diagonally from a back-side view. The chair 10 comprises a seat 11, a backrest 12, four legs 13 and a support frame 14 for a support (not shown in figs. 1a-f). The chair 10 can be made of any suitable material, for example, wood or wood veneer. However, the material of the chair 10 needs to be heavy enough so that the chair 10 is stable enough for exercising and stretching. The support frame 14 is fixed underneath the seat 11 by any suitable fixing means, for example, by screws or gluing. The support frame 14 comprises mounting places 15 for the support (not shown). In fig. 1a are shown two mounting places 15 on the back side and the right side of the chair 10. However, it is preferred but not necessary that there are mounting places 15 on each (back, front, right and left) side of the chair 10. Mounting places 15 comprise two sockets 19 for two plugs of the support (not shown). Sockets may be openings of any shape suitable for plugs of the support. The backrest 12 comprises three horizontal poles 16 and a backrest support 17 in the upper part of the backrest 12. The number of poles 16 is not restricted to three. It is also possible that there are two poles, four poles, five poles or even more poles. The backrest support 17 comprises a curve 18. The curve 18 is on the opposite side of the backrest support 17 than said seat 11, and the curve 18 is convex towards said seat 11. It is also possible that the seat 11 is cushioned.
The backrest support 17 can be formed as a separate part of the backrest 12 as in fig. 1a-f, but it is also possible that it is only an additional horizontal pole comprising a curve corresponding to curve 18. In fig. 1a-f the upper part of the backrest 12 is narrower that a lower part of the backrest 12, but it is also possible that it has a similar width. In addition, it is possible that the backrest 12 has some other shape, for example, a backrest without poles or that there is no backrest 12 at all.
Fig. 1b shows the chair 10 from the front side. In fig. 1b is shown the seat 11, the backrest 12, legs 13 and the support frame 14 comprising a mounting place 15 for a support (not shown). In addition, there is shown the backrest support 17. In fig. 1b is shown the mounting place 15 of the front side of the chair 10.
Fig. 1c shows the chair 10 from the back side. In fig. 1c is shown the seat 11, the backrest 12, legs 13 and the support frame 14 comprising a mounting place 15 for a support. In addition, there is shown the backrest support 17 with the curve 18 in the upper part of the backrest 12. In fig. 1c is shown the mounting place 15 of the back side of the chair 10.
Fig. 1d shows a side view of the chair 10, a left side view. In fig. 1d is shown the seat 11, the backrest 12, legs 13 and the support frame 14 comprising a mounting place 15 for a support. In addition, it is shown the backrest support 17 in the upper part of the backrest 12. In fig. 1d is also shown the mounting place 15 of the left side of the chair 10.
Fig. 1e shows a top view of the chair 10. In fig. 1e is shown the seat 11, back legs of legs 13 and the backrest support 17 with the curve 18.
Fig. 1f shows a bottom view of the chair 10. In fig. 1f is shown four legs 13, underside of the seat 11 and the support frame 14. The support frame 14 is a frametype structure comprising a middle pole 14' and two cross poles 14" so that a support can be connected to the support frame 14 steadily from each side. A support is connectable to the support frame 14 through the mounting places by pushing bars of the support through the sockets of the mounting places. When the support is inserted through the mounting places on the side (left or right) of the chair, the middle pole 14' supports the support. A part of bars of said support in a connected state is shown by dash lines. Whereas, when the support is inserted through the mounting places on the front or on the back of the chair 10, the middle poles 14" support(s) the support.
Figs. 2a-b show a support of a chair system according to an embodiment of the invention. The support 20 is suitable to be connected to the chair of a chair system according to embodiments of the invention shown in figures 1a-f. The support 20 can be made of any suitable material, for example, wood or wood veneer. The support 20 comprises two horizontal poles 21 between bent bars 22. The number of poles 21 is not restricted to two. It is also possible that there is one pole, three poles, or even more poles. First end of the bars comprises a handle structure 23. The handle structure 23 may be cushioned lightly and covered with fabric or leather upholstery. The second part of the bars 22 are plugs 24 that are arranged to be pushed/inserted through sockets of a mounting place of a support frame so that the support 20 connects to the chair steadily. The shape of the plug 24 corresponds to the shape of an opening of the socket. The shape is not restricted.
Figs. 3a-b show a chair system according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 3a shows a chair system 30, wherein a support 31 is in a storage position under a chair 32. In the storage position the support 31 is connected to a support structure 33 to the back side of the chair 32 and downwards so that the handle part of the support 31 is towards the floor.
Fig. 3b shows a chair system 30 comprising a chair 32 and two supports 31, wherein one support 31 is connected to the left side of the chair 32 as a left armrest and the other support 31 to the right side of the chair 32 as a right armrest. However, it is also possible that the chair system 30 has only one support 31 that is used as an armrest. Use of two supports 31 as armrests may help a user to stand up from a seated position.
Figs. 4a and 4b show a chair system 40 in use according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig 4a shows the use situation from the right side and fig. 4b shows the same use situation from the front. In both figures, a support 41 is connected downwards to a frame structure 42 and on the front of the chair 43. The user 44 is using the chair system 40 in a seated posture. With help from the support 41 the user 44 can practice proper hip/knee flexion with supportive muscle activation by sliding the medial side of his foot up and down on the edge of the support 41.
Figs. 5a and 5b show a chair system 50 in use according to an embodiment of the invention. In both figures, a support 51 is connected downwards to a frame structure 52 and on the front of the chair 53. The user 54 is using the chair system 50 in a seated posture and the user 54 has placed the sole of his foot 56 on a pole 55 of the support 51. Having the support 51 in the above mentioned position (downwards and in front of the chair 53) and by placing the sole of his foot 56 on the pole 55 of the support 51, the user 54 can practice the neutral lumbar spine positioning, shown in fig. 5a, or mobilize his ankle structures, shown in fig. 5b.
Fig. 6 shows a chair system 60 in use according to an embodiment of the invention. In figure 6, a support 61 is connected downwards (i.e. handle structure is towards the floor) to a frame structure 62 and on the side of the chair 63. The user 64 is using the chair system 60 again in a seated posture and the user 64 has placed the sole of his foot 66 on a pole 65 of the support 61. In this position, sitting sideways the user 64 is able to stretch his hip area while stabilizing the other one.
Fig. 7 shows a chair system 70 in use according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 7 shows a position where the chair system 70 provides help for user's 75 balance with a backrest support 71 of a backrest 72. The user 75 can hold on to the backrest support 71 and he 75 is able to lean his shin 76 against a curve 73 of the backrest support 71. This type of posture encourages the proper alignment of the hip, the knee and the ankle. Poles 74 of the backrest 72 allow the user 75 to find a right height for his foot to stretch the hip and the pelvic area effectively. In a standing position behind the chair system 70 the user 75 can practice, for example, sagittal plane stretches in the hip and the pelvic area in upright, controlled posture, awareness of the neutral lumbar spine while stretching the hips, how one should bear weight on the supportive lower extremity, and proper upper body positioning during challenged and asymmetric lower extremity positions.
Fig. 8 shows a chair system 80 in use according to an embodiment of the invention. In figure 8, a support 81 is connected upwards (i.e. handle structure is towards a ceiling) to a frame structure 82 and on the side of the chair 83. The user 84 is using the chair system 80 in a standing position on the side of the chair system 80. The user's 84 foot 85 is placed on the handle structure of the support 81 and the user 84 can help his balance by holding on to the upper part of a backrest 86. In this position the user 84 can effectively stretch the back of his thigh (hamstrings) and at the same time correct his weight bearing on the lower extremity placed on the floor.
A chair system according to this invention gives a user a chance to practice proper alignment of the lower extremities and neutral lumbar spine and possibilities to practice are not restricted to shown embodiments. In addition, the chair system according to this invention can be used as a normal chair. The chair system can be an aid for different kind of individual or group sessions where a trainee needs a little bit of extra support. Dancing around, doing balancing activities, performing senior aerobics etc. around the chair is possible and the height of the backrest (chair system) allows this better than a height of a backrest of a typical/normal chair. The backrest and the top handle (upper part of the backrest) give a trainee a reliable structure to hold on to also while performing different exercises in seated position.
It should also be mentioned that the mounting place can be any type of mounting place wherein the support can be connected i.e. the plug-socket connection is just one example. There could be, for example, a hook structure or one wide opening in the support structure.
It is obvious that the present invention is not limited solely to the above-presented embodiments, but it can be modified within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

A chair system for multiple uses, comprising:
a chair (10) and a support (20), wherein said chair (10) comprises a seat (11), four legs (13) and a support frame (14), and wherein said support frame (14) is fixed underneath said seat (11), and wherein said support frame (14) comprises at least a first mounting place (15) and a second mounting place (15) for said support (20), wherein said first mounting place (15) is on a different side of said chair (10) with respect to said second mounting place (15), and wherein said support (20) is suitable to be releasably connected to said support frame (14) said first and second mounting places (15) so that when said support (20) is connected through said first mounting place (15) said support (20) is for different use with respect to when said support (20) is connected through said second mounting place (15), and wherein said support (20) is suitable to be connected to said frame support (14) upwards and downwards.
A chair system according to claim 1, wherein said chair (10) further comprises a backrest (12), wherein said backrest (12) comprises at least one horizontal pole (16) and a curve (18) in the upper part of said backrest (17), wherein said curve (18) is on the other side of the backrest (12) than said seat (11), and wherein said curve (18) is convex towards said seat (11).
A chair system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said support (20) comprises at least two plugs (24) and said mounting places (15) comprise at least two sockets for said at least two plugs (24) of said support (20).
A chair system according to any of the claims 1 to 3, wherein said support (20) comprises at least one horizontal pole (21) and a handle structure (23).
A chair system according to any of the claims 1 to 4, wherein said support (20) is suitable to be connected to said frame support (14) so that said rest of said support (20) is upwards or downwards.
A chair system according to any of the claims 1 to 5, wherein said support frame (14) comprises four mounting places (15) for said support (20), wherein said mounting places (15) are arranged to the back side, front side, left side and right side of said chair (10).
A chair system according to any of the claims 1 to 6, wherein the mounting place (15) of the back side is for stocking said support (20) underneath said seat (11).
A chair system according to any of the claims 1 to 7, wherein said chair system (30) further comprises a second support (31) and wherein supports (31) are suitable to be used as armrests on both sides of said chair (10).
A kit for retrofitting a chair comprising:
a support (20), and a support frame (14), wherein the support (20) is suitable to be fixed underneath a chair and wherein said support frame (14) comprises at least a first mounting place (15) and a second mounting place (15) for said support (20), wherein said first mounting place (15) is on a different side of said chair with respect to said second mounting place (15), and wherein said support (20) is suitable to be releasably connected to said support frame (14) through said first and second mounting places (15) so that when said support (20) is connected through said first mounting place (15) said support (20) is for different use with respect to when said support (20) is connected through said second mounting place (15), and wherein said support (20) is suitable to be connected to said frame support (14) upwards and downwards.
A kit according to claim 9, wherein said support (20) comprises at least two plugs (24) and said mounting place (15) comprises at least two sockets for said at least two plugs (24) of said support (20).