EP4081072B1 - Chair and joint system for a chair or a seating apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a chair or a joint system for a chair or a seating device.

There are various chairs and seating systems that can typically be divided into three sections: a ground-level base section (base or a support), an intermediate section (e.g. several legs or a chair column) and an upper seat section (seat or seat part). Traditionally most chairs, stools or seats have had a rigid connection for the two interfaces between the base, intermediate section and seat. Recent developments have provided a flexible connection for at least one of these interfaces with an associated return mechanism.

The present invention deals with those seats that are also referred to as active dynamic chairs, in particular designed as a pendulum seat or pendulum chair with a flexible connection between the base and the intermediate section, here a chair column.

Such movable or active-dynamic chairs differ from static chairs in that the chair user sitting on the chair can perform movements of the torso and the body together with the seat part, which is not possible with static chairs. Human physiology prefers dynamic movements to static rest, even when sitting. Chairs that simultaneously support the weight of the legs should not only allow dynamic movement, but also provide ergonomic support for the seat user. In most cases, seating furniture is equipped with appropriately designed seats and backrests in the most anatomically favorable position possible, so that the body, especially the back, is supported. Such seating furniture is often felt to be comfortable, but has the decisive disadvantage that the body only sits passively, ie the back muscles are hardly stressed and the intervertebral discs experience a permanent pressure load. Prolonged use of these seating devices can lead to degeneration of the back muscles and wear of the intervertebral discs. Health damage and pain in the back and hip area are a frequent consequence of static or passive sitting. For this reason, active dynamic seating devices developed that enable so-called active dynamic sitting, in which the back muscles and the intervertebral discs are always slightly in action. This active dynamic sitting posture is achieved in practically all cases by the actual seat of the seat device being held in an unstable, ie movable, position and allowing the seat user to swing back and forth from a rest position to a laterally deflected position.

Such an active dynamic pendulum chair is, for example, from DE 42 44 657 02 known. A generic seat device is described here, which consists of a foot part, an intermediate piece connected to the foot part and a seat part rigidly connected to the intermediate piece, the intermediate piece being held in an opening of the foot part so that it can be tilted in any lateral direction by means of an elastically deformable connecting element and in the is returned to its neutral position (rest position) in the unloaded state. That's how it shows US5921926 an active-dynamic pendulum chair, which is also based on the principle of an inverted pendulum. Such chairs have a defined path of travel and structural return mechanism, while also incorporating a guard to prevent the chair from tipping over. However, when the seat swings backwards, it tilts from the horizontal position to an inclined position pointing away from the center of the body. Such pendulum chairs allow the seat to swing back and forth from the non-deflected initial position to various deflected positions, causing the seat surface to tilt from its horizontal position to an inclined position. The tilt angle depends on the direction of the deflection and the degree of the deflection.

In the EP 0 808 116 B1 describes a self-aligning bearing which is arranged between the column and the foot part. The self-aligning bearing is designed as an anti-vibration metal and consists of an essentially tubular upper part, the upper end of which is used for the wedge connection, a lower part which is firmly attached to an arm of the foot part and one between the upper part and lower part arranged elastic material. The pendulum bearing allows a back and forth

swinging of the seat part. Another example of such a joint arrangement is from US2008/143162A1 known.

In principle, however, there is a need for the pendulum joints of such chairs to have special properties in terms of safety, mobility, restoring force (in particular depending on the weight of the seat user) and simple technical manufacturability.

Based on the state of the art, the present invention is therefore based on the task of optimizing the aforementioned aspects and providing an active dynamic chair in which the seat user can perform safe and varied movements of the seat part in a defined range of motion and the pendulum joint can be produced inexpensively and has a long service life.

This object is achieved by the combination of features according to claim 1.

According to the invention, a joint arrangement comprising a hollow-cylindrical receiving cylinder, which extends in one direction of the cylinder axis, is designed to receive one end of a chair column of an active-dynamic pendulum chair, with the latter being movably mounted in an essentially hollow-cylindrical outer joint shell, which is composed of two or more parts made up of joint shell segments is, wherein the movable mounting of the receiving cylinder is realized by means of deformable elastic elements, which are arranged in a bearing gap between an outer wall section of the receiving cylinder and an inner wall section of the joint shell and the receiving cylinder can be actuated in a force-dependent manner, whereby the shape and position can be changed. or the position of the elastic elements is changed in that the gap dimension of the bearing gap changes, preferably decreases, viewed in a radial direction when the receiving cylinder is actuated in a cylinder axis direction.

The concept therefore uses opposite outer lateral surfaces of the receiving cylinder, which are oriented in the same way in the bevel in the cone angle, on the one hand and inner lateral surfaces of the bearing shell on the other hand, between which a bearing gap is intended to accommodate elastic elements. Due to the translational displacement of the receiving cylinder in the axial direction, the gap size is reduced because the conical lateral surfaces then move towards one another and an elastic element lying between them is elastically deformed and possibly displaced along the lateral surface or is moved along this surface.

An embodiment of a joint arrangement is therefore particularly advantageous, in which the movable mounting of the receiving cylinder is realized by means of deformable elastic elements which are arranged in the bearing gap between a conically tapering outer wall section of the receiving cylinder and a conically tapering inner wall section of the joint shell and the receiving cylinder can be actuated as a function of force in a cylinder axis direction, as a result of which the shape and/or position of the elastic elements changes by the gap dimension of the bearing gap decreasing in a radial direction (Rs), in particular along the entire circumference.

It is also advantageous if the conical lateral surfaces mentioned run or are oriented parallel to one another, so that when viewed in translation in the axial direction of the receiving cylinder, the bearing gap between them changes linearly proportionally. Alternatively, however, it can also be provided that the bevel, i.e. the angle of the conical lateral surfaces, is designed to be slightly different in relation to the axial direction of extent.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the outer wall of the receiving cylinder has at least a first upper and a second lower wall section offset in the direction of the cylinder axis, each tapering, and between the two wall sections preferably a radially constricted wall section with a smaller diameter is provided, which preferably viewed in a longitudinal section through the receiving cylinder, has a concave shape.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the outer wall of the receiving cylinder is preferably also provided at the lower end of the upper concave wall section with a projection that extends radially outwards in the direction of the bearing gap, which preferably runs partially or completely circumferentially along the outer wall and against which an elastic element arranged in the bearing gap in this area bears.

Also advantageous is a solution in which the outer wall of the receiving cylinder is provided at the lower end of the lower concave wall section, which extends radially outwards in the direction of the bearing gap and which preferably runs partially or completely circumferentially along the outer wall and against which an im Bearing gap in this area arranged elastic element stores.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the inner wall of the hollow-cylindrical outer joint shell has at least a first upper and a second lower inner wall section, offset in the cylinder axis direction (Z), each tapering conically, and between the two inner wall sections a radially inwardly extending projection is provided, which preferably extends in the circumferential direction partially or completely circumferentially along the inner wall. The aforesaid measures of the projections define, in particular, end-side limitations in order to limit the translational displacement of both the elastic elements and the receiving cylinder. Thus, these projections also represent end stops of the bearing.

It is also advantageous if the respective conically tapering inner wall sections are opposite the conically tapering outer wall sections viewed in the radial direction and are relatively offset in their position in the axial direction in order to achieve the intended and permissible immersion depth of the To define receiving cylinder in the hollow cylindrical joint shell.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the elastic elements placed in the bearing gaps are ring-shaped and are arranged in the bearing gap in a completely circumferential manner. Ring-shaped elastic rings with a circular or oval cross-section are suitable for this purpose.

It is particularly favorable when the force required to actuate the receiving cylinder increases in a cylinder axis direction, in that the gap size decreases due to the relative displacement of said lateral surfaces and the elastic elements are thereby increasingly compressed and deformed with increasing force. This is used to automatically change the deflectability of the seat and the chair column in the pendulum direction of such a chair, depending on the weight of the seat user, and with increasing weight of a seat user, the receiving cylinder dips more downwards into the hollow-cylindrical joint shell and thus the deformation of the elastic Elements increases, but this limits the deflection of the pendulum chair more.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to a seat with a chair column, the end of which is fastened in a joint arrangement according to the invention which is close to the floor, in particular its lower end is inserted into the hollow-cylindrical receiving cylinder.

1. a. Befestigen eines ersten elastischen ringförmigen Elements am Außenmantel des hohlzylinderförmigen Aufnahmezylinders im Bereich des oberen konisch zulaufenden Wandabschnittes und
2. b. Befestigen eines zweiten elastischen ringförmigen Elements am Außenmantel des hohlzylinderförmigen Aufnahmezylinders im Bereich des unteren konisch zulaufenden Wandabschnittes und dann das
3. c. Einbringen des Aufnahmezylinders zwischen die Gelenkschalensegmente und Verbinden der Gelenkschalensegmente mittels Verbindungsmittel.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to simplified assembly, namely an assembly method for assembling the parts of a joint arrangement as described, with the following steps:

1. a. Fastening a first elastic ring-shaped element to the outer casing of the hollow-cylindrical receiving cylinder in the region of the upper wall section tapering in a conical manner and
2. b. Fastening a second elastic ring-shaped element to the outer casing of the hollow-cylindrical receiving cylinder in the area of the lower conically tapering wall section and then that
3. c. Insertion of the receiving cylinder between the joint shell segments and connection of the joint shell segments by means of connecting means.

Other advantageous developments of the invention are characterized in the dependent claims or are presented in more detail below together with the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the figures.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Gelenkanordnung in einer nicht zusammengebauten Zusammenstellung;

Fig. 2

eine teilgeschnittene perspektivische Ansicht auf eine erste nicht ausgelenkte Position der Gelenkanordnung gemäß Figur 1;

Fig. 3

eine teilgeschnittene perspektivische Ansicht auf eine zweite, nämlich vertikal belastete Position der Gelenkanordnung gemäß Figur 1, bei der eine Kraft von oben auf die Pendelsäule wirkt;

Fig. 4

eine Schnittansicht durch die Ansicht gemäß Fig. 2;

Fig. 5

eine Schnittansicht durch die Ansicht gemäß Fig. 3 und

Fig. 6

eine Ansicht zur Erläuterung der Schrägung der konisch zulaufenden Mantelflächen.

Show it:

1

a perspective view of an embodiment of a joint assembly according to the invention in an unassembled configuration;

2

a partially sectioned perspective view of a first undeflected position of the joint arrangement according to FIG figure 1 ;

3

according to a partially sectioned perspective view of a second, namely vertically loaded position of the joint arrangement figure 1 , where a force acts on the pendulum column from above;

4

a sectional view through the view according to FIG 2 ;

figure 5

a sectional view through the view according to FIG 3 and

6

a view to explain the slope of the conically tapering lateral surfaces.

In the following the invention with reference to the Figures 1 to 6 explained in more detail, with the same reference numbers in the figures indicating the same functional and/or structural features.

In the figure 1 12 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a joint assembly 10 in accordance with the present invention in an unassembled state Assembled shown showing the essential individual parts.

The joint arrangement 10 comprises a hollow-cylindrical receiving cylinder 20 which is arranged centrally and extends in a direction Z of the cylinder axis. In this view, the part close to the ground is at the bottom, while a chair column 30 of an active dynamic pendulum chair extends upwards away. The chair column 30 is inserted into the cylindrical seat of the receiving cylinder 20, as shown in FIGS Figures 2 to 5 you can see.

Furthermore, two joint shell segments 45 of a two-part, hollow-cylindrical outer joint shell 40 are shown. The two joint shell segments 45 are connected to one another by connecting means 46, so that the joint shell 40 receives the receiving cylinder 20, forming a bearing gap 60, as is shown in FIGS Figures 2 to 5 is shown.

The flexible mounting of the receiving cylinder 20 in the joint socket 40 is realized by means of two deformable, elastic ring elements 50 . These are variable in shape and position in said bearing gap 60 between an outer wall section 21, 22 of the receiving cylinder 20 and an inner wall section 41, 42 of the joint shell 40, namely between a conically tapering outer wall section 21, 22 of the receiving cylinder 20 and a conically tapering inner wall section 41, 42 of the joint shell 40.

The receiving cylinder 20, as in the Figures 3 and 5 shown force dependent from the position as in the figures 2 and 4 shown downwards. This change the shape and position of the elastic elements 50, as well as in the Figures 3 and 5 compared to the figures 2 and 4 is recognizable.

In the figure 2 the progression of the circumferential bearing gap is clearly visible, in which the gap size changes as a function of the height viewed in the radial direction Rs, but is constant when viewed in the direction of rotation. In other words, viewed in the cross-sectional direction, the gap dimension is constant all the way around and is therefore constant the distance between the outer surface depends on the difference between the outer diameter of the receiving cylinder 20 in this area and the inner diameter of the joint shell 40 in this sectional plane.

The gap dimension of the bearing gap 60 decreases in the region of the conical lateral surfaces in the radial direction (Rs) viewed downwards when the receiving cylinder 20 is actuated in the cylinder axis direction Z. As a result, the elastic ring elements 50 are deformed.

The outer wall of the receiving cylinder 20 has a first, ie, upper, and a second, ie, lower, offset in the direction of the cylinder axis Z, each tapering wall section 21 and 22 respectively. As in the Figures 1 to 5 As can be seen in each case, a radially constricted wall section 26 with a smaller diameter is provided between the two wall sections 21, 22 and has a concave shape. In the direction of this concave shape, a projection 43 protrudes from the inner wall surface of the bearing shell 40.

The outer wall of the receiving cylinder 20 has, at the lower end of the upper concave wall section 21, a projection 23 which protrudes radially outwards in the direction of the bearing gap 60. This is provided on the outer wall in an annular manner. The elastic ring element 50 arranged in this area in the bearing gap 60 rests against this projection 23, as is shown, for example, in FIG Figure 2 and 3 is good to see.

Also provided on the outer wall of the receiving cylinder 20 at the lower end of the lower concave wall section 22 is a projection 24 which extends radially outwards into the bearing gap 60 and also runs completely around the outer wall in the circumferential direction and against which a bearing gap 60 in this Area arranged further, namely second elastic ring element 50 stores. Advantageously, the two concave outer lateral surfaces on the receiving cylinder 20 are approximately identical in shape.

As can further be seen from the figures, the inner wall of the hollow-cylindrical outer joint shell 40 has a first upper and a second lower inner wall section 41 and inner wall section 42, offset in the direction of the cylinder axis Z, each tapering conically. The aforementioned projection 43 is provided between the two inner wall sections 41, 42, which also runs all the way around in the circumferential direction along the inner wall. Furthermore, lugs 47 are provided on the joint shell, which in this exemplary embodiment are arranged all the way around, but can also only be attached in sequential sections. These serve as counter bearings for the elastic elements 50.

In the figure 6 a view for explaining the bevel of the conically tapering lateral surfaces is shown. The respective cone angles α relative to the vertical S are equal in magnitude and represent alternating angles. The distance between the parallel wall sections corresponds to the diameter D of the elastic ring element 50, which is circular in cross section.

The implementation of the invention is not limited to the preferred exemplary embodiments specified above. Rather, a number of variants are conceivable which make use of the solution shown even in the case of fundamentally different designs. For example, the housing shell 40 can be provided with a flange at the lower end in order to attach it to a stand or base plate close to the floor.

Claims (11)

1. A joint arrangement (10), comprising a hollow cylindrical receiving cylinder (20) that extends in a cylinder axis direction (Z) and is designed to receive one end of a chair column (30) of an active-dynamic wobble chair, the latter being movably mounted in a substantially hollow cylindrical outer joint shell (40) that is composed of two or more parts made up of joint shell segments (45), the movable mounting of the receiving cylinder (20) being achieved by means of deformable elastic elements (50) that are arranged in a bearing gap (60) between respectively an outer wall portion (21, 22) of the receiving cylinder (20) and an inner wall portion (41, 42) of the joint shell (40) and the receiving cylinder (20) can be actuated in a force-dependent manner, which changes the shape and/or position of the elastic elements (50) as a result of a change, preferably a reduction, in the clearance of the bearing gap (60) as viewed in a radial direction (Rs) when the receiving cylinder (20) is actuated in a cylinder axis direction (Z).
2. The joint arrangement (10) as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the movable mounting of the receiving cylinder (20) is achieved by means of deformable elastic elements (50) that are respectively arranged so as to be variable in shape and position in a bearing gap (60) between a conically tapering outer wall portion (21, 22) of the receiving cylinder (20) and a conically tapering inner wall portion (41, 42) of the joint shell (40) and the receiving cylinder (20) can be actuated in a force-dependent manner in a cylinder axis direction (Z), which changes the shape and/or position of the elastic elements (50) as a result of a reduction in the clearance of the bearing gap (60) as viewed in a radial direction (Rs), particularly along the entire circumference.
3. The joint arrangement (10) as set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer wall of the receiving cylinder (20) has at least one first upper and one second lower wall portion (21, 22), each of which is offset in the cylinder axis direction (Z) and tapers conically, and that there is a radially constricted wall portion with a smaller diameter between the two wall portions (21, 22) which, as seen in a longitudinal section through the receiving cylinder (20), has a concave shape.
4. The joint arrangement (1) as set forth in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the outer wall of the receiving cylinder (20) is provided at the lower end of the upper concave wall portion (21) with a projection (23) which extends radially outward in the direction of the bearing gap (60) and which preferably extends partially or completely around along the outer wall in the circumferential direction and against which abuts an elastic element (50) that is arranged in this region in the bearing gap (60).
5. The joint arrangement (10) as set forth in one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer wall of the receiving cylinder (20) is provided at the lower end of the lower concave wall portion (22) with a projection (24) which extends radially outward in the direction of the bearing gap (50) and which preferably extends partially or completely around along the outer wall in the circumferential direction and against which abuts an elastic element (50) that is arranged in this region in the bearing gap (60).
6. The joint arrangement (1) as set forth in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner wall of the hollow cylindrical outer joint shell (40) has at least one first upper and one second conically tapering lower inner wall portion (41, 42) that are respectively offset in the cylinder axis direction (Z), and that a radially inwardly extending projection (43) is provided between the two inner wall portions (41, 42) which preferably extends partially or completely around along the inner wall in the circumferential direction.
7. The joint arrangement (1) as set forth in claim 6, characterized in that the respective conically tapering inner wall portions (41, 42) are situated opposite the conically tapering outer wall portions (21, 22) as viewed in the radial direction.
8. The joint arrangement (1) as set forth in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastic elements (50) are ring-shaped and are arranged so as to extend completely around in the bearing gap (60).
9. The joint arrangement (1) as set forth in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the force that is required to actuate the receiving cylinder (20) in a cylinder axis direction increases as the clearance decreases due to the relative displacement of said lateral surfaces, and the elastic elements (50) are thereby increasingly compressed and deformed with increasing force.
10. A wobble chair having a seat with a chair column whose end is fastened in a floor-level joint arrangement (10) according to the invention, the lower end thereof being inserted particularly into the hollow cylindrical receiving cylinder (20).
11. A method for assembling the parts of the joint arrangement (10) as set forth in one of preceding claims 2 to 9, comprising the following steps:

    a. fastening a first elastic ring-shaped element (50) to the outer lateral surface of the hollow cylindrical receiving cylinder (20) in the vicinity of the conically tapering upper wall portion (21) and

    b. fastening a second elastic ring-shaped element (50) to the outer lateral surface of the hollow cylindrical receiving cylinder (20) in the vicinity of the conically tapering lower wall portion (22), and then

    c. inserting the receiving cylinder (20) between the joint shell segments (45) and connecting the joint shell segments (45) by means of connecting means (46).

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