EP4052767A1 - Multi-function chair - Google Patents

Abstract

Proposed is a multifunctional chair with a movable seat element (A), which is mounted on an unsprung support element (B), the movable seat element (A) being designed as a rotating body with a convex lower surface as a spherical segment, with a base circular surface pointing upwards (1) and a ball cap (2) directed downwards, which is movable on a bearing (3) of the unsprung support element (B) in such a way that the movements of the seat element (A) are restricted to rotational movements,- with a rod (4 ), which is mounted centrally on the underside of the movable seat element (A), and a central cylindrical recess (5) in the unsprung support element (B), whereby the movements of the seat element (A) are further restricted by the angle (ϑ) between the axis of symmetry of the unsprung support element (B) and the axis of symmetry of the movable seat element (A) is limited to a predeterminable value, - with annular en weights (6), which are detachably attachable to the outer circumference of the rod (4), whereby the restoring force and thus the effort required to deflect the seat element (A) from the equilibrium position can be variably adjusted, and- with an unsprung Bracket (7) connected to an unsprung support frame (8), which ensures accessibility to the rod (4) for the purpose of attaching the ring-shaped weights (6).

Description

The present invention relates to a multifunctional chair with a movable seat element which is mounted on an unsprung support element which, in addition to being used as a piece of seating furniture, can be used for physiotherapeutic purposes and in the fitness area.

The sedentary lifestyle has become increasingly dominant, with corresponding negative effects on overall health and fitness. In order to counteract this, a large number of different pieces of seating furniture have already been developed that enable mobile sitting.

From the DE 20 2009 011 135 U1 a seating device is known, in particular a stool, with a platform and a seat surface mounted thereon, in particular by means of a ball, with the platform and the seat surface being assigned bearing shells which are directed towards one another and are at least partially concave, between which the intermediate element is movably arranged, so that the seat surface is relatively is freely movable relative to the platform, in particular displaceable and tiltable, preferably also rotatable, and wherein a securing arrangement is provided which is designed in such a way that the seat and the platform can be coupled or are coupled to one another in order to prevent the seat from being removed from the platform and/or and the intermediate element to prevent or to a certain extent to enable, so that improper handling is prevented, which could lead to damage to the user or the floor covering by falling the ball.

The construction is relatively complicated and the movement of the seat cannot be precisely controlled.

the 20110089733 A1 describes a further seat device with a mobile seat surface, which is mounted on an unsprung support surface, with castors being provided instead of ball bearings in order to reduce the noise that occurs here. This construction also allows only limited mobility of the seat element.

the WO 2019/074903 A1 describes a further seat device that enables controlled, dynamic sitting, with the muscles, in particular of the pelvic floor, the lower back, the hips and the stomach being trained. At the same time, the alignment of the head and neck is stabilized, stress is reduced and blood circulation is improved.

The support element shall preferably comprise a convex upper surface and the seat element shall preferably comprise a convex upper surface and a concave lower surface which slides on the convex upper surface of the support element. In so doing, the seat member moves toward the front edge in the direction of travel away from the seat assembly centered over the base such that the front edge of the seat member lowers in the direction of travel.

the DE 42 10 097 describes another active dynamic seat device. It comprises three basic components, namely a seat part which is movable, a foot part which is not spring-loaded and an intermediate part which is also movable and which opens into a head part at its upper end. The movable seat part is mounted on the head part of the movable intermediate piece, ie on a component that is also movable. As a result, the movement of the seat part cannot be precisely controlled. Individually adjustable training is not possible.

The device is complex in terms of construction and susceptible to wear due to the larger number of moving basic components.

In contrast, the object of the invention was to provide an improved seat device for dynamic sitting that, with a simple, inexpensive structure, allows individually adjustable training for the prophylaxis and treatment of postural and back injuries, in particular for strengthening the pelvic floor muscles, and which Occupational safety regulations, accident prevention regulations and the provisions of the Medical Devices Act are met.

• mit einem Stab, der mittig an der Unterseite des beweglichen Sitzelementes angebracht ist, und mit einer zentralen zylinderförmigen Aussparung im ungefederten Trägerelement, wodurch die Bewegungen des Sitzelementes weiter eingeschränkt sind, indem der Winkel zwischen der Symmetrieachse des ungefederten Trägerelementes und der Symmetrieachse des beweglichen Sitzelementes auf einen vorgebbaren Wert begrenzt ist,
• mit ringförmigen Gewichten, die lösbar am äußeren Umfang des Stabes anbringbar sind, wodurch die Rückstellkraft und damit der Kraftaufwand, der zur Auslenkung des Sitzelementes aus der Gleichgewichtslage erforderlich ist, variabel einstellbar ist, und
• mit einem ungefederten Bügel, der mit einem ungefederten Haltegestell verbunden ist, wodurch die Zugänglichkeit zum Stab zwecks Anbringen der ringförmigen Gewichte gewährleistet ist.

The object is achieved by a multifunctional chair with a movable seat element, which is mounted on an unsprung support element, the movable seat element being designed as a rotating body with a convex lower surface as a spherical segment, with an upward-pointing circular base surface and a downward-pointing spherical cap which is movable on a bearing of the unsprung support element in such a way that the movements of the seat element are restricted to rotational movements,

• with a rod which is mounted centrally on the underside of the movable seat element, and with a central cylindrical recess in unsprung support element, whereby the movements of the seat element are further restricted by the angle between the axis of symmetry of the unsprung support element and the axis of symmetry of the movable seat element being limited to a predetermined value,
• with ring-shaped weights that can be detachably attached to the outer circumference of the rod, whereby the restoring force and thus the effort required to deflect the seat element from the equilibrium position can be variably adjusted, and
• with an unsprung yoke connected to an unsprung support frame, allowing access to the bar for attachment of the ring weights.

It was found that for an upright, relaxed and symptom-free posture, the training and movement initiation of the deep muscles, especially the pelvic floor, the transverse abdominal muscle (musculus transversus abdominis), and the segmental vertebrae (musculi multifidi) is of central importance. The multifunction chair according to the invention makes it possible to gradually restore essential movement patterns, in particular the pelvic tilt and erection, which have been forgotten due to the predominantly sedentary lifestyle, by significantly facilitating the direct control of the deep muscles.

The movement alignment is essential for this: the movement must start from the pelvis, but not by shifting the center of gravity of the upper body.

This can only be achieved if the movable seat element has a convex lower surface. In principle, this requirement is met by a body of revolution with a convex lower surface in the form of a spherical cap pointing downwards.

A relatively flat spherical segment is preferred, in particular with a ratio of the spherical diameter to the height of the spherical segment in the range from 15:1 to 25:1, preferably from 20:1.

The ball diameter is in particular in the range of 600-1000 mm, preferably around 800 mm. The height of the spherical segment is in particular in the range from 20 to 60 mm, preferably around 42 mm.

Metals or alloys, preferably aluminum, or also plastics that have sufficient strength and service life are suitable as materials for the movable seat element. Preferred plastic should be hard, abrasion-resistant, be vibration-damping and slide well to minimize rolling noise. Polyamide has proven particularly useful for this.

For the intended function of the multifunction chair, it is essential that the movement of the seat element can be precisely controlled by the user. This is achieved in that the movements of the seat element are restricted to rotational movements and superimposition of other movements is ruled out. The carrier element must therefore not move during use. For this it must be unsprung, rigid in itself.

The unsprung support element is designed in particular in the form of a ring with a preferably essentially flat upper and lower boundary surface. The same materials as those listed above for the movable seat element are suitable as materials. The materials must be rigid in themselves.

Preferably 3, 4 or even more ball rollers are firmly positioned in a symmetrical arrangement as bearings on the upper boundary surface. This design of the unsprung support element enables it to be manufactured economically.

The ball transfer units are made of steel or preferably made of a plastic that is suitable for minimizing rolling noise, in particular made of polyamide.

The convex lower surface of the movable seat element, which is designed as a spherical cap, and the ball rollers advantageously have a very high surface quality in order to generate as little friction and (rolling) noise as possible during movement.

The movements of the seat element are limited to rotational movements by the convex lower boundary surface of the movable seat element and by the type of mounting.

According to the invention, these are further restricted by corresponding components, namely a rod which is attached centrally to the underside of the movable seat element, and a central cylindrical recess in the unsprung support element, in that the above components reduce the angle between the axis of symmetry of the unsprung support element and the axis of symmetry of the movable Limit seat element to a predetermined value.

As a result, the rotational movement of the movable seat element is limited to a maximum predeterminable deflection in relation to the equilibrium position, thus ensuring accident-free use of the multifunctional chair.

The rod can be detachable, for example screwed on, or fixed, for example by welding. In the first case, it is also possible to attach rods with different lengths and/or weights and thus different restoring forces.

The rod preferably has a length in the range from 20 mm to 250 mm, in particular approx. 180 mm, and a diameter in the range from 10 mm to 100 mm, in particular approx. 30 mm.

The same materials as for the movable seat element and the unsprung support can advantageously be considered as materials for the rod.

The rod is advantageously significantly longer than the diameter of the cylindrical recess. A corresponding length of the rod depending on the thickness of the same and the diameter and wall thickness of the cylindrical recess ensures that the seat element still rests securely on the unsprung support element even in the position of maximum deflection. This achieves increased safety in use.

The training intensity can be advantageously varied by changing the restoring force of the central bar. As described above, rods of different lengths and/or weights can be used for this purpose.

The restoring force and thus the effort required to deflect the movable seat element from the position of equilibrium can be variably adjusted via one or more ring-shaped weights that can be detachably attached to the outer circumference of the rod. This makes individually adjustable training possible. Training intensities or stimuli can be set specifically.

Accessibility to the rod for the purpose of attaching or detaching the ring-shaped weights is ensured in that the unsprung support element is connected on one side to an unsprung holding frame by means of an unsprung bracket. The connection between the unsprung support element and the unsprung bracket can be detachable or fixed. In one embodiment, the unsprung bracket is welded to the unsprung support member. The connection between the unsprung shackle and the unsprung Holding frame can also be detachable or fixed. In one embodiment, the unsprung bracket is welded to the unsprung support frame.

The multifunction chair according to the invention can advantageously have components for locking the movable seat element and can thus be used as seating furniture with a fixed seat element.

In particular, a sleeve can be provided as a component for locking the movable seat element, which in a first position rests on a central pin on the unsprung holding frame, leaving a distance to the rod and thus not impeding its mobility, and which in a second position can be moved upwards, while fixing the rod.

The multifunction chair according to the invention can preferably have the usual additional components of seating furniture, in particular office seating furniture:
The movable seat element is advantageously equipped with a seat surface, in particular made of plastic or hard rubber, advantageously with a possibly washable cover.

The movable seat element and the unsprung support element are advantageously covered on the outside by a housing that ensures compliance with accident regulations, prevents dirt and ensures long-term compliance with functionality.

The unsprung support can preferably be continuously adjusted to the desired seat height.

At the lower end of the unsprung holding frame, a component designed as a cross or disc is advantageously attached as a "foot".

The multifunctional chair can be equipped with a standard backrest.

The multifunctional chair according to the invention is particularly advantageous in the medical-therapeutic field, in health prophylaxis and rehabilitation:
It is particularly important that the deep muscles can be reached with it:
All of the core muscles are made up of deep and superficial muscles, with the surface muscles moving and shaping the body. However, she cannot do it alone stabilize the body when the deep muscles atrophy due to a lack of stimuli.

The deep muscles are responsible for controlling the stability and position of individual vertebral segments and give our body posture. The pelvic floor and the diaphragm complete the function of this muscular corset. If the deep muscles are well trained, they tense milliseconds before every everyday movement. It supports and protects our joints and counteracts signs of wear and tear. In contrast to the surface muscles, the deep muscles are difficult to train because they cannot be contracted voluntarily and react purely reflexively.

This is where the multifunction chair according to the invention comes in: in manual therapy, the therapist's hands "guide" the pelvis. The multifunctional chair, on the other hand, specifies or supports the movement, so to speak, and creates an "understanding of movement" in the patient. The patient can then continue to train this understanding of movement independently through the movement specifications of the multifunctional chair

Using the multifunction chair according to the invention makes it possible to train the different areas of the deep muscles (chest, lumbar spine, pelvis, sacral area) separately. This enables a more conscious access and thus a direct control of the respective deep muscles, since the global muscles thereby recede into the background.

• Verbesserung der Beweglichkeit im Becken,
• Steigerung der Wahrnehmung und dadurch Setzen gezielter Trainingsreize,
• Verbesserung der Tiefenmuskulatur,
• Verbesserung der Rumpfmuskulatur,
• Verbesserung der physiologischen Körperhaltung,
• Prävention von Herz-Kreislauf-Erkrankungen durch verbesserte Durchblutung,
• Reduzieren von Beschwerden bis hin zur Beschwerdefreiheit.

The following advantages in particular can thus be achieved with the multifunctional chair according to the invention:

• improve mobility in the pelvis,
• Increase in perception and thereby setting targeted training stimuli,
• improvement of deep muscles,
• improvement of core muscles,
• improvement of physiological posture,
• Prevention of cardiovascular diseases through improved blood circulation,
• Reduction of complaints up to freedom from complaints.

The treatment or training can be integrated into everyday sedentary activities to save time. Last but not least, this can significantly reduce healthcare costs.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing and exemplary embodiments. In the figures, the same reference symbols designate the same or corresponding features.

• Figur 1: eine Prinzipskizze des erfindungsgemäßen Multifunktionsstuhls,
• Figur 2: eine schematische Ansicht einer ersten Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Multifunktionsstuhls in Gleichgewichtsstellung,
• Figur 3: eine schematische Ansicht derselben Ausführungsform in maximaler Auslenkung des beweglichen Sitzelementes (A) und
• Figur 4: eine schematische Ansicht derselben Ausführungsform in arretierter Position.

They show in detail:

• figure 1 : a basic sketch of the multifunctional chair according to the invention,
• figure 2 : a schematic view of a first embodiment of a multifunction chair according to the invention in the equilibrium position,
• figure 3 : a schematic view of the same embodiment in maximum deflection of the movable seat element (A) and
• figure 4 : a schematic view of the same embodiment in locked position.

The principle sketch in figure 1 shows a multifunctional chair according to the invention with a movable seat element A with an upper circular base surface 1 and a lower spherical cap 2 and an unsprung support element B with a bearing 3. A rod 4 is positioned centrally on the lower spherical cap 2, which has a central cylindrical recess 5 in the unsprung support element B is assigned. An unsprung bracket 7 connects the unsprung support element B to the support frame 8, leaving a clearance between the lower end of the rod 4 and the support frame 8. Detachable annular weights 6 are provided on the rod 4, which increase the restoring force of the movable seat element A. A central pin 9 is provided on the holding frame 8, on which a sleeve 10 rests, which is spaced apart from the lower end of the pin 4 in the illustration in the figure with the seat element A freely movable.

The schematic view of a first embodiment in figure 2 corresponds to the principle sketch in figure 1 , but with additional constructive details.

figure 3 shows a schematic representation of the same embodiment, but in the position of maximum deflection, ie with an angle θ between the axis of symmetry of the unsprung support element (B) and the axis of symmetry of the movable seat element (A).

figure 4 Figure 12 shows a schematic view of the same embodiment in the locked position, with the sleeve 9 pushed over the rod 4.

Reference list:

• A movable seat element
• B unsprung support element
• ϑ angle between the axis of symmetry of the unsprung support element (B) and the axis of symmetry of the spherical segment (A)

1

base circular area

2

spherical cap

3

warehouse

4

Rod

5

central cylindrical recess

6

ring weights

7

unsprung bracket

8th

unsprung support frame

9

sleeve

10

cones

Claims (4)

Multifunctional chair with a movable seat element (A) which is mounted on an unsprung support element (B), the movable seat element (A) being designed as a rotational body with a convex lower surface as a spherical segment, with a base circular surface (1) pointing upwards and a downward ball cap (2) movable on a bearing (3) of the unsprung support member (B) such that the movements of the seat member (A) are restricted to rotational movements, - with a rod (4) which is mounted centrally on the underside of the movable seat element (A) and a central cylindrical recess (5) in the unsprung support element (B), whereby the movements of the seat element (A) are further restricted by the angle (ϑ) between the axis of symmetry of the unsprung support element (B) and the axis of symmetry of the movable seat element (A) is limited to a predetermined value, - with ring-shaped weights (6) which can be detachably attached to the outer circumference of the rod (4), whereby the restoring force and thus the effort required to deflect the seat element (A) from the equilibrium position can be variably adjusted, and - with an unsprung bracket (7) which is connected to an unsprung support frame (8), whereby the accessibility to the rod (4) for the purpose of attaching the ring-shaped weights (6) is ensured. Multifunctional chair according to Claim 1, characterized in that the rod (4) is significantly longer than the diameter of the central cylindrical recess (5) in the unsprung support element (B). Multifunctional chair according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it has components for locking the movable seat element (A). Multifunctional chair according to Claim 3, characterized in that a sleeve (9) is provided as a component for locking the movable seat element (A), which in a first position rests on a central pin (10) on the holding frame (8) and is at a distance leaves the rod (3) free, and thus does not impede its mobility, and which can be displaced upwards into a second position, thereby fixing the rod (4).

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