JP4692998B2 - Chair and lumbar support - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a chair having a simple lumbar support adjustment function and its lumbar support.

  The lumbar support prevents fatigue or recovers from fatigue by pressing the seated person's back and lumbar spine, and is provided along with the backrest. In this case, since the desired pressing force varies depending on the physique of the seated person, the state of the body, and the like, there are not a few cases where the lumbar support is configured so that the protruding amount can be changed.

In many cases, these usually employ a mechanism in which the entire lumbar support advances and retreats with respect to the backrest. However, in this case, mechanical parts must be arranged behind the lumbar support, and the apparatus becomes large.

Therefore, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a rotation shaft is provided in the width direction, a lumbar support is attached to this rotation shaft, and the rotation shaft is held at a predetermined rotation position, so that the amount of protrusion from the rotation shaft to the support position is The thing which can change is developed.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-50786

  However, in Patent Document 1, the support shaft is attached to the eccentric position of the columnar lumbar support, and although there is an advantage that the protrusion amount can be changed by rotating the shaft, the load applied to the lumbar support is rotated. Since the shaft has a large load, it is necessary to firmly fix the rotating shaft at a predetermined rotational position so that the lumbar support does not escape, and a robust fixing mechanism for that purpose is indispensable.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to such problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a new useful chair and its lumbar support that can change and fix the protruding amount of the lumbar support with a simple structure. It is said.

  In order to achieve this object, the present invention takes the following measures.

That is, the chair of the present invention is provided with a lumbar support, the lumbar support can be rotated via a support shaft, and a support surface that receives a load from a backrest is rotated on the outer periphery of the lumbar support at a predetermined rotational position. Provided in multiple locations with different distances from the support shaft for each position, and the shape of each support surface moves to the backrest side by the rotation with respect to the behavior that the lumbar support tries to rotationally displace from the predetermined rotation position The area preferentially bears the pressure received by the load applied to the backrest, and the pressure is applied to generate a pressing force that returns the lumbar support to the specified rotational position. By specifying the position of the support shaft relative to the lumbar support so that the back of the back is pressed against the support surface, a load is applied to the backrest. In cooperation with lumbar support backrest at al absence, characterized in that for holding the rotational position of the lumbar support in a predetermined rotational position.

In this way, each support surface is displaced from the support shaft, and the amount of protrusion from the support shaft when it becomes the pressure receiving surface will be different. Can be used. In addition, since the lumbar support is stably held by using a load applied to the back of the seated person, a special fixing mechanism for the lumbar support is unnecessary, and the structure can be simplified.

In order to properly hold the lumbar support adjusting position, the back of the backrest, provided backrest inner shell having an elastically deformable lumbar region, it is desirable to elastic contact the lumbar region to the support surface.

Thereby ensuring the smooth rotation of the lumbar support, as a specific structure embodying the above functions, the outer periphery of the lumbar support, Yes and three support surfaces projecting amount from the support shaft are different provided, each support surface It may be mentioned that the shape is substantially flat and a rounded corner is provided at the boundary between adjacent support surfaces.

As a specific configuration that ensures smooth rotation of the lumbar support and is better suited to the body, there are three support surfaces on the outer periphery of the lumbar support that differ in the amount of protrusion from the support shaft. It can be mentioned that a concave shape is formed substantially along the shape of the spine, and a rounded corner is provided at a boundary portion between adjacent support surfaces .

In order for the present invention to have a simple height adjustment function, the height based on the support shaft when receiving a load from the backrest at a predetermined rotational position even if the distance from the support shaft is the same distance as that of a part of the support surface. It is effective to have support surfaces with different positions.

In order to realize a variety of lumbar support functions using the above chairs, the lumbar support includes a prismatic block portion and a support shaft mounting portion formed on a portion displaced from the column axis of the block portion. It is desirable to provide them integrally.

Also in this case, a substantially flat shape is given to each surface of the block portion, and a rounded portion is provided between adjacent surfaces, or a concave shape that substantially follows the shape of the back is provided on each surface of the block portion. It is preferable to apply and provide rounded corners between adjacent surfaces.

In order to facilitate such replacement of the lumbar support, the block portion and the support shaft mounting portion are integrally molded with a resin, and a rotation stop portion for attaching a metal support shaft to the support shaft mounting portion is provided. It is convenient to have it.

Since the present invention has the above-described configuration, it is possible to provide a new and useful chair and its lumbar support that can accurately change and fix the protruding amount of the lumbar support with a simple structure.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The chair of the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 supports a backrest 3 on a back support 1 via a back support device 2, and the back support device 2 is a seated person seated on a seat 8. The backrest 3 is provided with a function of supporting the backrest 3 so as to be movable in the same direction in order to adapt to the twisting operation to the side or obliquely rearward and the tilting operation to the side. In addition, this chair includes a lumbar support 4, and the lumbar support 4 can be directly adjusted to a desired protrusion amount and height position through a simple structure and operation.

  More specifically, the back support rods 1 are rearward and upwardly projecting in pairs, and a backup member 12 is horizontally mounted on the projecting end via a bracket 11, which is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, a curved plate 12y having a predetermined curvature is formed by plastic deformation processing in a region reaching the left and right end portions adjacent to the central flat portion 12x and having a front surface as a backup surface 12a. Yes. Further, a bearing member 14 shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 and the like is attached to the back support rod 1 in the vicinity of the lumbar portion corresponding to the lumbar spine 1 via a bracket 13. The bearing member 14 has a standing wall 141 having a long hole 141 a extending in a substantially vertical direction, and the standing wall 141 is positioned at a portion facing the lower side edge of the backrest 3.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the backrest 3 has a cushion material (not shown) attached to the front side of a relatively hard resin-made backrest inner shell 31 having elasticity, and is stretched from above. The ground 33 is covered up to the portion extending over the back surface, and when the backrest inner shell 31 is formed, the movable member 34 shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 is integrally formed in the corresponding portion of the backup member 12. The movable member 34 has a plate shape with a rear surface as a movable surface 34a, and a curved portion 34y having a predetermined curvature larger than that of the backup surface 12a is formed in a region reaching the left and right ends adjacent to the central flat portion 34x. is doing. And this movable surface 34a is arrange | positioned in the position which faces the said backup surface 12a. That is, the facing distance d between the backup surface 12a and the movable surface 34a is set so as to gradually widen as the curved portions 12y and 34y are displaced in the width direction from the center, and the both surfaces 12a and 34a are joined. In this state, the movable surface 34a rolls with respect to the backup surface 12a while changing the contact position as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, for example, so that the backrest 3 can change its direction as indicated by an arrow in FIG. .

  Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 6, and 7 and the like, an auxiliary member 35 having an angular cross section is integrally formed at a position continuous with the movable member 34 when the backrest inner shell 31 is formed. is doing. The auxiliary member 35 is provided with a regulating surface 35a at a position where a predetermined gap P (see FIG. 7) is formed between the auxiliary surface 35a and the regulating surface 35a in a region extending from the center in the width direction to the end. Two gently curved surfaces that protrude rearward are connected to each other, and the gap P is released downward. Then, by covering the movable member 34 and the auxiliary member 35 on the backup member 12 from above, the backup surface 12a is accommodated in the gap P between the movable surface 34a and the regulating surface 35a so as to be capable of relative swinging. That is, in the state of FIG. 3 in which the movable surface 34a is not oscillating, a clearance C is secured at least in a portion other than the center in the width direction between the backup surface 12a and the regulating surface 35a, and the oscillating end shown in FIG. The restricting surface 35a is brought into contact with the backup surface 12a to restrict further swinging of the movable surface 34a. In the drawing, the edge 35ax of the regulating surface 35a is locally in contact with the backup surface 12a, but it may be made to contact widely along the curve. Further, an urging means 36 made of a compressible material such as urethane or a spring material is interposed in the central portion in the width direction between the backup surface 12a and the regulating surface 35a. The movable surface 34a is pressed against the backup surface 12a by urging.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the backrest 3 is provided with a shaft portion 37, which is a base point that can be a pivotal fulcrum on the right and left edges near the lower end, on the back support 1 side. It is fixed after passing through a long hole 141a extending in the substantially vertical direction of the bearing member 14 provided, and using the lower end of the long hole 141a as the bearing portion 14x, By using one as a rotation fulcrum and the other as a floating point, the backrest 3 can be rotated left and right as indicated by an imaginary line in FIG. Then, the shaft portion 37 serving as a floating point is disengaged from the bearing portion 14x and can be allowed to float along the long hole 141a to the upper end of the long hole 141a. Further, in the present embodiment, the shaft portion 37 is formed in a bolt shape to also serve as a fastener, and the backrest 3 is selectively tilted to the bearing member 14 by being tightened toward the standing wall 141. It can be fixed impossible.

The backrest 3 configured in this way is fixed at least in the front-rear direction to the back support 1 side via the shaft portion 37 and the bearing member 14 even when the backrest 3 is tiltable. The movable surface 34a is basically not constrained other than at least contacting the backup surface 12a in the front-rear direction. For this reason, when a biased load as shown by an arrow W in FIG. 5 acts on a position displaced from the center in the width direction with respect to the backrest 3 from the seated person, the backrest inner shell mainly constituting the backrest 3 The upper surface of the backrest 3 is twisted and deformed downward using the elasticity of 31 and the movable surface 34a is rolled while moving the contact portion with respect to the backup surface 12a. The direction of the upper part of will be changed to the left and right.

In addition, when the seated person performs a behavior of rising right shoulder or descending right shoulder, and a biasing force (for example, an arrow T in FIG. 4) in the direction of turning clockwise or counterclockwise in the back view acts on the backrest 3. The backrest 3 rotates through the shaft portion 35 and the bearing member 14, and the centerline m that vertically cuts the center in the width direction is shown as an imaginary line in FIG. It is designed to be able to be tilted by following the downward movement of the shoulder. The tilted backrest 3 may be returned to the normal position by placing a resin spring or the like at an appropriate site.

In addition to such a configuration, the present invention for positioning the lumbar support 4 and guiding it in the vertical direction using the bracket 13 as shown in FIG. The guide member 5 which is a guide part which concerns on is attached. This guide member 5 is made of a resin, and a metal support shaft 6 for wearing a lumbar support shaft is inserted into a long hole 5a formed between opposing walls 51 and 52 which are paired in the front and rear as shown in FIG. A part thereof constitutes a vertical positioning mechanism A for the lumbar support 4 in cooperation with the support shaft 6.

The vertical positioning mechanism A is a partially cylindrical recess provided at an intermittent position along the vertical direction on the front surface of the opposing wall 52 of the guide member 5 to engage the support shaft 6 with the support shaft 6. 53. In this recess 53, the space between the opposing walls 51 and 52 is expanded in the front-rear direction.

When the plate-like elastic body 54 provided at a part of the guide member 5, specifically, at the intermediate position in the width direction of the front facing wall 51 is viewed from the insertion direction of the support shaft 6, the elongated hole 5 a is narrowed. Even if the support shaft 6 is engaged with any of the recesses 53, the support shaft 6 is elastically biased toward the recess 53 as shown in FIG. At the same time, the support shaft 6 can move between the recesses 53 and 53 against the elastic body 54 as shown in FIG. The elastic body 54 of the vertical positioning mechanism A imparts rotational resistance to the support shaft 6 by pressing the support shaft 6 against the recess 53, making it difficult to turn, so that not only the vertical position of the lumbar support 4 but also the rotation angle is provided. Temporarily holds the action.

On the other hand, the backrest 3 side is elastically deformable by providing a U-shaped slit 31b in the lumbar region 31a of the backrest inner shell 31 as shown in FIGS. The outer wall is fixed to the back support rod 1 so as to correspond to the side of the lumbar region 31a, and the lumbar support 4 is positioned so as to correspond to the lumbar region 31a. That is, the lumbar support 4 is disposed at a position where the cushion material 32 is pressed forward while elastically deforming the lumbar region 31a. Needless to say, a part of the back inner shell 31 is cut out and a resin plate that can be elastically deformed is disposed so as not to hinder the corresponding structure.

  With such a configuration, when the support shaft 6 moves up and down, the support shaft 6 is engaged in each recess 53 and positioning in the height direction is performed. Since the recess 53 exists in a direction urged by the elastic body 54, if a load is applied to the backrest 3 from the seated person, the support shaft 6 is more strongly pressed against the recess 53 and engaged.

  And the grip-like operation part 7 shown in FIG.1 and FIG.10 is provided in the right-and-left both ends of this support shaft 6 in the vicinity of the right and left edges of the backrest 3, and the arm is moved backward while the seated person is seated. The left and right operation parts 7 are gripped so that the support shaft 6 can be moved up and down.

  At this time, the support shaft 6 is intermittently engaged with the left and right recesses 53 as the support shaft 6 moves in the vertical direction, and every time the support shaft 6 is engaged, the support shaft 6 is click-stopped and a click feeling is felt through the support shaft 6. Therefore, the engagement between the support shaft 6 and the recess 53 serves as a clue to move the support shaft 6 while keeping the horizontal position if viewed from a different viewpoint than the positioning function. Further, since the recess 53 described above has a partially cylindrical surface extending horizontally, the shape of the recess 53 can also give a clue for guiding the support shaft 6 horizontally.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the lumbar support 4 in this embodiment includes a prismatic block portion 41 and a support shaft mounting portion 42 formed at a portion displaced from the column axis n of the block portion 41 as a resin. It is formed by integral molding, and is provided with an anti-rotation portion 43 by a screw or the like for axially attaching the support shaft 6 to the support shaft mounting portion 42, and the substantially flat surface of each block portion 41 is shown in FIGS. A support surface S (S (1), S (2), S (3), S (4)) as shown in (d) is provided, and a rounded corner R is provided between the adjacent support surfaces S, S. ing. The support shaft 6 is attached to the support shaft mounting portion 42, and both are fixed by a rotation preventing portion 43 so as to be integrally rotatable.

That is, each support surface S is a pressure receiving surface that receives the load F evenly as shown in FIG. 11A at a predetermined rotational position, and as shown by an arrow V in FIG. When the support 4 is about to be rotationally displaced, the region that moves forward by the rotation (the lower half of the support surface S in the figure) approaches the backrest 3 and moves backward by the rotation (the upper surface of the support surface S). The load F is received with priority over the half). In other words, when each support surface S is a pressure receiving surface, the lumbar support 4 is stabilized in a posture in which the portion having the smallest distance from the support shaft 6 is the center position of the pressure reception, and from there, the lumbar support 4 is supported by the support shaft 6. If the occupant tries to rotate in the direction that increases the distance from the occupant, a pressing force is generated in the direction that reduces the distance from the seated person to the lumbar support 4, and the lumbar support 4 attempts to return to a stable direction. The operation of stably holding the lumbar support 4 at the predetermined rotational position is performed. Since the distance L (L (1), L (2), L (3), L (4)) from the support shaft 6 of the support surface S is basically different as shown in FIG. The protrusion amount (that is, L) of the support surface S can be changed depending on whether the surface S (S (1), S (2), S (3), S (4)) is a pressure receiving surface.

  When the above-described operation unit 7 is seated and gripped with both hands and a rotation operation is performed, the lumbar support 4 rotates together with the support shaft 6 so that a desired support surface S can be selected.

Even when no load is applied to the backrest 3 from the seated person, even when the support surface S (3) having the smallest protrusion amount becomes the pressure receiving surface, the resin plate 31a on the back surface of the backrest 3 is pressed to provide a cushioning material. The position of the support shaft 6 is defined so that 32 is in a slightly compressed state. Further, the support surfaces S (2) and S (4) are set at the support shaft 6, and the distances L (2) and L (4) therefrom are the same in this embodiment (FIG. 12). (See (b) and (d)), since the height position with respect to the support shaft 6 when these become the pressure receiving surface is different, it has a simple height position changing function using rotation. it can.

  Although not shown, the back support rod 1 is attached with an outer shell that conceals the mechanical parts attached to the back of the back support rod 1 and the backrest 3. As one form of this outer shell, it has a wall part which protrudes in the shape of a circle toward backrest 1 in a part of the inner shell, and a back support rod is provided at a position that is an outer wall of the wall part and can be concealed from the rear. A structure in which the above-mentioned mechanism part is accommodated in the inner cavity is conceivable. In this case, the above-mentioned tension 33 is wound around the backrest to surround the wall portion so as to surround it. It is preferable to attach in such a state.

As described above, the chair according to the present embodiment enables the lumbar support 4 to be rotated via the support shaft 6, and the support surface S (S that receives a load from the backrest at a predetermined rotational position on the outer periphery of the lumbar support 4. (1), S (2), S (3), S (4)) are provided at a plurality of positions with different distances from the support shaft 6 for each rotational position, and the shape of each support surface S is rotated by a predetermined amount. With respect to the behavior of the lumbar support 4 to be rotationally displaced from the position, the region that moves to the backrest 3 side by the rotation preferentially bears the pressure received by the load applied to the backrest 3, and the lumbar support 4 is predetermined by the pressure received. The support shaft for the lumbar support 4 is shaped so as to generate a pressing force for returning to the rotational position, and the back surface of the backrest 3 presses the support surface S in a state where no load is applied to the backrest 3 from the seated person. By defining the position, in which the lumbar support 4 even when not applied load to the backrest 3 is to hold the rotational position of the lumbar support 6 in cooperation with the backrest 3 in a predetermined rotational position.

According to this, since each support surface S deviates from the support shaft 6 and becomes a pressure receiving surface, the amount of protrusion from the support shaft 6 differs, so that the seated person selects a plurality of protrusion amounts. Can be used effectively. In addition, since the lumbar support 4 is stably held using the load applied to the backrest 3 from the seated person, a special fixing mechanism for the lumbar support 4 is not required, and the structure can be simplified. In particular, since the back support device 2 and the like that allow the backrest 3 to swing is disposed between the backrest 3 and the backrest 1 as in this embodiment, the lumbar support 4 itself is provided. By providing the holding function, it is possible to effectively avoid a situation in which space is shared between the mechanisms.

In this case , a backrest inner shell 31 having an elastically deformable lumbar region 31a is provided on the back surface of the backrest 3, and the lumbar region 31a is elastically contacted with the support surface S. Can be temporarily held, and the lumbar support 4 can be easily prevented from being randomly displaced from the selected rotational position, thereby improving the usability of the chair.

In addition, each support surface S in the present embodiment receives pressure of a load applied to the backrest 3 by giving priority to a region moving forward by the rotation with respect to a behavior in which the lumbar support 4 tries to be rotationally displaced from a predetermined rotational position. Since it bears a substantially flat shape, it is possible to effectively prevent unintentional rotation when seated with a simple structure and stabilize the state of use.

In this case, since the rounded corner portion R is provided at the boundary portion between the adjacent support surfaces S, the support surfaces S and S can be smoothly continued to ensure a smooth rotation operation, and the backrest 3 is damaged. This can also be prevented.

Further, when focusing attention on the support surfaces S (2) and S (4), the distances L (2) and L (4) from the support shaft 6 are the same distance, but when receiving a load from the backrest at a predetermined rotational position. Since the height position with respect to the support shaft 6 is different, it can be effectively utilized as a simple height adjustment mechanism.

On the other hand, the lumbar support 4 has a prismatic block portion 41 and a support shaft mounting portion 42 formed at a position displaced from the column axis n of the block portion, and is integrally provided. Various lumbar support functions can be easily realized depending on the size and displacement of the support shaft mounting portion 42.

The effect of providing a substantially flat shape on each surface of the block portion 41 and providing the rounded corner portion R between adjacent surfaces is as described.

Further, the block portion 41 and the support shaft mounting portion 42 are integrally molded with resin, and the rotation support portion 43 for attaching the metal support shaft 6 to the support shaft mounting portion 42 is provided. As a result, the block portion 41 can be easily selected and replaced.

The specific configuration of each unit is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

For example, as shown in FIG. 13, each surface of the block portion 141 is provided with a concave shape substantially along the shape of the back to provide a support surface Sa, and a rounded corner portion R is provided between adjacent surfaces. There may be. The figure (a) has shown the concave shape which curved the support surface Sa along the longitudinal cross-sectional shape of the back (or backrest 3), and the figure (b) is the cross section of the back (or backrest 3). A concave shape in which the support surface Sa is curved along the shape is shown. Of course, a concave shape incorporating these simultaneously is also possible. Such a configuration can also exhibit an initial effect with a simple configuration, provide a good feeling of support, and have an effect of not damaging the backrest by the same rounded portion R. Alternatively, the block 41 has a substantially rectangular block 241 as shown in FIG. 14A, or a substantially triangular shape as shown in FIG. The block unit 341 or the like may be used.

Other configurations can be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

The perspective view of the chair concerning one embodiment of the present invention. The exploded perspective view. The top view which fractured | ruptured the same part. The rear view. FIG. The side view which fractured | ruptured the same part. The principal part enlarged view of FIG. The expansion perspective view of the guide member in the embodiment. Action | operation explanatory drawing of the vertical positioning mechanism in the embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the operation part in the same embodiment. Action | operation explanatory drawing of the lumbar support in the embodiment. Action | operation explanatory drawing of the lumbar support in the embodiment. The figure which shows the modification of this invention. The figure which shows the other modification of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

4 ... Lumber support 6 ... Support shaft S, S (1), S (2), S (3), S (4) ... Support surface

Claims (9)

In a chair equipped with a lumbar support, the lumbar support can be rotated via a support shaft, and a support surface that receives a load from the backrest at a predetermined rotation position on the outer periphery of the lumbar support is a distance from the support shaft for each rotation position. Provided in multiple places with different shapes, the shape of each support surface is preferential to the area where the lumbar support moves to the backrest side with respect to the behavior that the lumbar support tries to rotationally displace from the predetermined rotation position. It takes the pressure of the applied load and generates a pressing force to return the lumbar support to the specified rotational position by the received pressure, and the back of the backrest presses the support surface in a state where no load is applied to the backrest from the seated person By defining the position of the support shaft with respect to the lumbar support so that the load is applied, the lumbar support is not applied to the backrest. Chair, characterized in that over preparative cooperates with backrest holding the rotational position of the lumbar support in a predetermined rotational position. The back of the backrest, the backrest inner shell having an elastically deformable lumbar region provided The chair of claim 1 which is elastically contacted the lumbar region to the support surface. Three support surfaces with different protrusions from the support shaft are provided on the outer periphery of the lumbar support. Each support surface has a substantially flat shape, and a rounded corner is provided at the boundary between adjacent support surfaces. The chair according to claim 1 or 2 . Three support surfaces with different protrusions from the support shaft are provided on the outer periphery of the lumbar support, and each support surface has a concave shape that substantially follows the shape of the back, and rounded corners at the boundary between adjacent support surfaces The chair according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a section is provided . Claim distance from the support shaft is features a different support surface height position relative to the support shaft of the case for receiving a load from the backrest at a predetermined rotational position in a portion of the support surface and the same distance 1-4 A chair according to any of the above. It is used for the chair according to any one of claims 1 to 5, and is provided integrally with a prismatic block portion and a support shaft attachment portion formed at a position displaced from the column axis of the block portion. Lumber support characterized by The lumbar support according to claim 6, wherein a substantially flat shape is imparted to each surface of the block portion, and a rounded corner portion is provided between adjacent surfaces. The lumbar support according to claim 6, wherein a concave shape substantially conforming to the shape of the back is imparted to each surface of the block portion, and a rounded corner portion is provided between adjacent surfaces. The lumbar support according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the block portion and the support shaft mounting portion are integrally molded with resin, and the rotation support portion for attaching the metal support shaft to the support shaft mounting portion is provided. .

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