US20020043868A1

US20020043868A1 - Seat back, more particularly, for an active-dynamic seating device

Info

Publication number: US20020043868A1
Application number: US09/854,191
Authority: US
Inventors: Josef Glockl
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-10-18
Filing date: 2001-05-11
Publication date: 2002-04-18

Abstract

The seat back in accordance with the invention, provided more particularly for an active-dynamic seating device 5, comprises a base part 1, a connecting means 2 and a backrest 3. Preferably the base part 1 is configured plate-shaped and its upper side is provided for mounting a foot part 4 of an active-dynamic seating device 5. As an alternative the base part 1 may be secured directly to the foot part 4 of the active-dynamic seating device 5.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The invention relates quite generally to a seat back, it relating more particularly to a seat back provided for an active-dynamic seating device.

One such active-dynamic seating device is known, for example, from German patent 42 10 098. These active-dynamic seating devices are termed as such, because they permit active-dynamic seating, resulting in the muscles of the back and intervertebral disks always being in action.

The actual seat of such an active-dynamic seating device has an unstable mounting requiring the occupant of the seat to maintain his balance in thereby training the muscles.

The need for a seat back in conjunction with such active-dynamic seating devices has become increasingly desirable of late.

Currently there are no seat backs available for active-dynamic seating devices, the reason for this probably being the technical problems involved.

For one thing, fitting this to an active-dynamic seating device is a problem since the actual seat is located unstable and any item fitted one-sided could cause the seat to tilt or even topple. For another, there is even the risk of the occupant toppling when leaning back onto the rest without taken into account the unstable location of the seat or the lack of safe standing of the active-dynamic seating device.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a seat back which is of simple configuration and which more particularly is designed for use in conjunction with an active-dynamic seating device.

The invention comprises the features as set forth in claim 1 to achieve this object. Advantageous aspects thereof read from the further claims.

In accordance therewith the seat back in accordance with the invention, intended more particularly for an active-dynamic seating device, comprises a base part, a connecting means and a backrest.

It is the base part that permits a simple and safe arrangement on the active-dynamic seating device, the connecting means enabling the backrest to be safely attached to the base part.

In a first embodiment the base part is secured to the foot part of the active-dynamic seating device.

In a second embodiment of the seat back in accordance with the invention the base part is configured plate-shaped and the upper side of the base part is provided to mount a foot part of an active-dynamic seating device. In the simplest case the foot part of the active-dynamic seating device is placed on the base part.

Claimed in addition by claim 18 is an active-dynamic seating device comprising a seat back including a base part arranged on a foot part of the seating device, a connecting means and a seat back.

In conclusion it is also to be noted that the seat back in accordance with the invention is compatible with other kinds of seating devices. For example, it is conceivable to make use of the seat back in accordance with the invention in conjunction with a kind of stool to provide the occupant with a resting position by leaning back on the seat back.

For a better understanding of the object involved, the features and advantages of the present invention preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be detailled with reference to the attached drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view in perspective of an active-dynamic seating device including a seat back in accordance with the invention in a first embodiment; [0016]
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of an active-dynamic seating device including a seat back in accordance with the invention in a second embodiment; [0017]
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of a connector in accordance with the present invention; and [0018]
FIG. 4 is a view in perspective of a sheet-metal shoe in accordance with the present invention.[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 1 there is illustrated diagrammatically a first embodiment in accordance with the present invention. Secured to a known active-[0020] dynamic seating device 5, such as, for instance a SWOPPER®, is the seat back in accordance with the invention directly connecting a foot part 4.
The seat back comprises substantially a base part [0021] 1, a connecting means 2 and a backrest 3.
The base part [0022] 1 includes a sheet-metal shoe 11 (see FIG. 4) comprising at its underside a cross member 16 on which a stud 13 is provided with a thread.
The sheet-[0023] metal shoe 11 of the base part 1 is secured to the foot part 4 of the active-dynamic seating device 5 by the stud 13 being inserted through a corresponding opening (not shown) in the foot part 4 and locked by a nut 12.
Tightening the [0024] nut 12 on the stud 13 safely and securely locks the sheet-metal shoe 11 and thus the base part 1 of the seat back to the foot part 4 of the seating device.
The base part [0025] 1 is secured to the connecting means 2 by means of a plate 14 welded to both the sheet-metal shoe 11 and the backrest 3. The two welds 15 between the plate 14 and the connecting means 2 are clearly evident.
In the first embodiment the connecting [0026] means 2 is configured by essentially upright tubes secured to the backrest 3 by means of a connector 6.
The backrest [0027] 3 consists of a frame 10, likewise fabricated tubular, and a covering of a soft material forming the surface area of the backrest. Preferably a headrest 8 may also be provided in its simplest configuration as a pad, as a roll or also height and tilt adjustable similar to an automobile headrest.
An armrest [0028] 7 (or also two armrests) can be provided on the side of the backrest 3, as suggested by the indication in FIG. 1. The at least one armrest 7 may also be configured height-adjustable preferably.
Referring now to FIG. 3 there is illustrated the [0029] connector 6 between the connecting means 2 and backrest 3 in more detail. The connecting means 2 comprises at its upper end a step of smaller diameter. It is on this step that the frame 10 of the backrest 3 can be mounted and locked in place by a screw, preferably a grub screw 9.
Active and dynamic seating on the [0030] seating device 5 is not deterimented by the seat back. Whilst the seating device 5 has all the known degrees of freedom, the seat back in accordance with the invention now simply allows the occupant of the active-dynamic seating device 5 to settle back and rest.
The tilt of the seat back is preferably adjustable (not shown), this adjustment being made in the region of the connecting [0031] means 2.
Referring now to FIG. 2 there is illustrated a second embodiment as preferred in accordance with the present invention. Here, the base part [0032] 1 is configured as a plate-shaped element on which the active-dynamic seating device 5 is placed.
The remaining configuration of the connecting means [0033] 2 and backrest 3 corresponds to that of the first embodiment, but with the difference that the base part 1 is not screwed to the foot part 4 of the seating device 5 or secured thereto by other ways and means, the seating device 5 instead being placed on the base part 1.
This embodiment is compatible with all the many [0034] different seating devices 5 currently having no backrest. With the present invention these seating devices 5 can now be equipped with a seat back.
In summary the seat back in accordance with the invention, provided more particularly for a active-[0035] dynamic seating device 5 comprises a base part 1, a connecting means 2 and a backrest 3. Preferably the base part 1 is configured plate-shaped and its upper side is provided for mounting a foot part 4 of an active-dynamic seating device 5. As an alternative the base part 1 may be directly secured to the foot part 4 of the active-dynamic seating device 5.
As regards any features of the invention not detained above, reference is made expressly to the claims and drawings. [0036]
List of Reference Numerals [0037]
[0038] 1 base part
[0039] 2 connecting means
[0040] 3 backrest
[0041] 4 foot part
[0042] 5 active-dynamic seating device
[0043] 6 connector
[0044] 7 armrest
[0045] 8 headrest
[0046] 9 grub screw
[0047] 10 frame
[0048] 11 sheet-metal shoe
[0049] 12 nut
[0050] 13 stud
[0051] 14 plate
[0052] 15 weld
[0053] 16 cross member

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A seat back, more particularly for an active-dynamic seating device, including a base part (1); a connecting means (2); and a backrest (3).

2. The seat back as set forth in claim 1 wherein said base part (1) is configured plate-shaped and its upper side is configured for mounting a foot part (4) of an active-dynamic seating device (5).

3. The seat back as set forth in claim 1 wherein said base part (1) is secured to said foot part (4) of an active-dynamic seating device (5).

4. The seat back as set forth in claim 3 wherein said connecting means (2) is secured to said base part (1) and extends upright.

5. The seat back as set forth in claim 4 wherein said connecting means (2) is configured tilt-adjustable relative to said base part (1).

6. The seat back as set forth in claim 5 wherein said backrest (3) is arranged at the upright top end section of said connecting means (2).

7. The seat back as set forth in claim 6 wherein said backrest (3) is secured to said connecting means (2) by a connector (6).

8. The seat back as set forth in claim 7 wherein one or more armrests (7) are provided.

9. The seat back as set forth in claim 8 wherein said at least one armrest (7) is configured height-adjustable.

10. The seat back as set forth in claim 9 wherein a headrest (8) is provided in the region of said top end section of said backrest (3).

11. The seat back as set forth in claim 10 wherein said base part (1) is screwed to said foot part (4) of said seating device.

12. The seat back as set forth in the claim 11 wherein said connecting means (2) is welded to said base part (1).

13. The seat back as set forth in claim 12 wherein said connector (6) is configured such that said upper end of said connecting means (2) comprises also a stepped tubular section on which a tubular lower end of said backrest (3) is mounted.

14. The seat back as set forth in claim 13 wherein said connector (6) is locked in place by a grub screw (9).

15. The seat back as set forth in claim 14 wherein said base part (1), connecting means (2) and frame (10) of said backrest (3) are made of metal.

16. An active-dynamic seating device (5) including a seat back comprising:

a base part (1) arranged on a foot part (4) of said seating device (5);

a connecting means (2); and

a backrest (3).

17. The seating device as set forth in claim 16 wherein said base part (1) is configured plate-shaped and its upper side is configured for mounting said foot part (4) of said active-dynamic seating device (5).

18. The seating device as set forth in claim 16 wherein said base part (1) is secured to said foot part (4) of said active-dynamic seating device (5).

19. A seating assembly including a seat back assembly and an active-dynamic seating device having a foot part, said seat back assembly comprising a base part arranged on said foot part of said seating device, a backrest, and connecting means for attaching said backrest to said base part.