US20130154316A1

US20130154316A1 - Functional Chair

Info

Publication number: US20130154316A1
Application number: US13/767,184
Authority: US
Inventors: Jae-Hun Chung
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-08-25
Filing date: 2013-02-14
Publication date: 2013-06-20
Also published as: CA2807783A1; WO2012026758A3; CN103096760A; JP2013536039A; SG187926A1; CN103096760B; EP2609835A2; EP2609835A4; WO2012026758A2

Abstract

A functional chair which provides storage spaces of various use purposes and a new type storage structure to keep various clothes in safety without creasing. The functional chair includes: a sitting part providing a sitting area; and a backrest part upwardly standing at the rear of the sitting part for supporting a user's back. The backrest part includes a first backrest for supporting the user's back and a second backrest, which is located at the rear of the first backrest and is spaced apart from the first backrest. A storage space is formed between the first backrest and the second backrest spaced apart from the first backrest.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of pending International Patent Application PCT/KR2011/006255 filed on Aug. 24, 2011, which designates the United States and claims priority of Korean Patent Application No. 2010-0082621 filed on Aug. 25, 2010, and Korean Patent Application No. 2011-0081766 filed on Aug. 17, 2011, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a functional chair, and more particularly, to a functional chair having a storage space for storing articles therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In general, a chair has a backrest for allowing a user to lean back.
Recently, such a backrest serves not only to allow the user to lean but also to correct the user's bad sitting posture and to protect the user's lumbar.
However, such a chair generally puts emphasis on protecting the user's lumbar and does not have various functions. For instance, articles such as bags or carrying bags must be stored in a desk, a bookshelf, or a separate storage space because the chair does not have any storage space for storing the articles.
As described above, the conventional chair has several problems as follows because it does not have any storage space.
First, if the user puts his or her bag on the floor, the bag may get dirty and cause inconvenience to others. Of course, the user may put the bag on another chair, but it causes reduction of chairs for others' seating.
Moreover, when the user seats on the chair, the user lays his or her outer clothing, for instance, a coat or others, across the backrest of the chair. However, in the case that the user lays his or her outer clothing across the backrest of the chair, some of the outer clothing located at an area of the backrest where the user's back touches may be creased due to the user leaning on the backrest of the chair.
Of course, the chair may have a hook mounted on a side or a rear side thereof so as to allow the user to hang his or her outer clothing on the hook. However, some of the outer clothing may touch the ground because height of the chair may be lower than that of the outer clothing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior arts, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a new-type functional chair having a storage space for storing articles therein.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a functional chair having at least one storage space for allowing a user to easily store his or her things.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a functional chair having an adjustable storage space in consideration of sizes of articles to be stored.
To achieve the above objects, the present invention provides a functional chair including: a sitting part providing a sitting area; and a backrest part having a first backrest, which upwardly stands at the rear of the sitting part for supporting a user's back, and a second backrest, which is located at the rear of the first backrest and is spaced apart from the first backrest, wherein a storage space is formed between the first backrest and the second backrest spaced apart from the first backrest.
The storage space has at least one partition member for partitioning the storage space into several storage spaces.
The first backrest and the second backrest are formed separately and joined together by a joining part, and the joining part has a front face rotatably joined to a lower end of the first backrest and a rear face rotatably joined to a lower end of the second backrest so as to provide a laying area for laying the user's articles thereon, and includes a flat plate for separating the second backrest 44 from the first backrest.
Moreover, the functional chair further includes a contact-keeping part 60 formed between the first backrest and the second backrest to keep a close contact state of the first backrest and the second backrest.
In another aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a functional chair including: a sitting part of a flat plate type providing a sitting area on some area; a plurality of chair legs provided on the lower face of the sitting part; a backrest upwardly standing at the rear of the sitting part; and a plurality of vertical members spaced apart from the rear face of the backrest, the vertical members vertically standing on the sitting part, wherein storage spaces are respectively formed among the backrest and the vertical members for allowing a user to store his or her article in the storage spaces.
Here, the vertical members are rotatably hinge-joined to the sitting part, and the vertical member farthest from the backrest forms the storage space together with the neighboring vertical member while rotating is utilized as the auxiliary leg.
Additionally, in the case that the vertical member farthest from the backrest is set in line with the sitting part, the functional chair further includes support bars respectively inserted into at least one receiving recess formed in the rear face of the vertical member for supporting the vertical member by rotating at one end of the receiving recess.
In a further aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a functional chair including: a sitting part providing a sitting area; a plurality of chair legs provided on the lower face of the sitting part; a backrest upwardly standing at the rear of the sitting part; a pair of guides symmetrically mounted on the bottom face of the sitting part; and a vertical member slidably moving inside the guides, wherein the vertical member comprises a body of a flat plate type and an upper bracket which forms the upper face of the body and rotates on one end of the body, and when the vertical member is drawn out from the backrest, a storage space is formed between the backrest and the upper bracket according to rotation of the upper bracket.
Here, the functional chair further includes: guide grooves respectively formed in the guides; and retaining protrusions formed on sides of the vertical member and inserted into the guide grooves so as to prevent the vertical member from being separated from the guides in back and forth directions when the vertical member slidably moves.
In a still further aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a functional chair including: a sitting part of a predetermined thickness providing a sitting area; a plurality of chair legs formed on the lower face of the sitting part and extending downwardly; a backrest upwardly standing at the rear of the sitting part; a receiving portion having a space portion of a predetermined size formed inside the sitting part and an entrance formed at one side of the sitting part; and a vertical member going in and out through the entrance and forming a storage space when it is drawn out from the receiving portion, wherein the vertical member has at least two bodies of a predetermined size, each of the bodies is rotatable on a hinge shaft formed at one end portion, and at least one of the bodies perpendicularly stands in the upward direction to thereby form a storage space.
Here, the receiving portion having the space portion has retaining holes formed on the inner face of the space portion and the body has protrusions formed on the outer face thereof in such a way as to be inserted into the retaining holes, so that some of the body of the vertical member located inside the receiving portion is fixed into the receiving portion.
In another aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a functional chair including: a sitting part providing a sitting area; a backrest upwardly standing at the rear of the sitting part for supporting a user's back; and an approximately ‘
’-shaped vertical member having a body, some of the body forming a rear face of the backrest and the other being slidably mounted inside the sitting part, wherein a storage space is formed in the rear face of the backrest when the vertical member is spaced apart from the backrest.
The functional chair according to the present invention has the following effects.
First, the functional chair has the storage space formed on the rear face or the side of the backrest in various ways. Accordingly, the functional chair according to the present invention serves not only as a tool for the user's seating but also to keep the user's articles in safety.
Furthermore, because the functional chair has the storage space, there is no need to put the user's bag or briefcase on the ground or on another chair, and hence, the functional chair prevents the bag or the briefcase from causing inconvenience to others and allows to secure seats easily.
Additionally, the functional chair may provide an area to hang the user's clothing, such as a coat, thereon and can prevent the user's articles from getting dirty when the user puts the articles on the ground.
In addition, the functional chair may have a plurality of storage spaces to allow the user to dividedly store his or her articles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view showing a structure of a functional chair according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are a side sectional view and a rear perspective view showing used examples of the functional chair according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a functional chair according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are rear perspective views for explaining operational states of the functional chair by each situation according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of a functional chair according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a state where a partition member of FIG. 7 is separated.

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of a functional chair according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 10 to 13 are exemplary views showing examples of the functional chair according to the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a functional chair according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 15 and 16 are views showing examples that the functional chair according to the fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention is used.

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a functional chair according to a sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 18 to 20 are views showing examples that the functional chair according to the sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention is used.

FIG. 21 is a rear perspective view of a functional chair according to a seventh preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a view showing an example that the functional chair according to the seventh preferred embodiment of the present invention is used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will be now made in detail to the preferred embodiment of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings. For convenience in description, the embodiments will be described separately.

First Embodiment

FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate a functional chair according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in the drawings, the functional chair 1 according to the first preferred embodiment includes a sitting part 10 and a backrest part 20. The sitting part 10 provides a user a sitting area, and means an ordinary seat board.
Moreover, a plurality of chair legs 12 formed integrally with the bottom face of the sitting part 10. However, the chair legs 12 may be manufactured separately from the sitting part 10 and joined to the sitting part 10 like legs of an office chair. Of course, in the case that the functional chair does not need chair legs like a legless chair, the chair legs are not provided.
The backrest part 20 includes a first backrest 22 and a second backrest 24 which are separated from each other. In this embodiment, the first backrest 22 and the second backrest 24 are formed integrally at the rear of the sitting part 10. However, the first backrest 22 and the second backrest 24 may be respectively joined to the sitting part 10 after the sitting part and the backrest part 20 are manufactured separately. In this case, the backrest part 20 must have a storage space 2 formed between the separated backrests 22 and 24.
The first backrest 22 of the backrest part 20 is mounted upwardly on the sitting part 10 and serves to support the back of the user who sits on the sitting part 10. Furthermore, the second backrest 24 is located at the rear of the first backrest 22 and spaced apart from the first backrest 22, and hence, the storage space 2 is formed between the first backrest 22 and the second backrest 24.
In this instance, an interval between the first backrest 22 and the second backrest 24 may be changed according to use purposes of the functional chair. In generally, it is preferable that the interval between the first backrest 22 and the second backrest 24 is as long as the user can store a simple brief case (for instance, within a range of 100 mm to 200 mm).
As shown in FIG. 2, the space formed by the interval between the two backrests 22 and 24 is used as the storage space 2. Accordingly, because the user can keep his or her articles in the storage space 2 safely, there is no need to put the user's bag or brief case on the ground or on another chair. Furthermore, the functional chair prevents the user's bag from causing inconvenience to others and allows the user to easily secure necessary seats.
Particularly, as circumstances demand, the backrest may be used as an area to lay a coat across the backrest. In other words, as shown in FIG. 3, the user can lay his or her coat across the second backrest 24 which forms the storage space 2. Then, even though the user leans back against the first backrest 22 sitting on the chair, it is prevented that the coat is creased.
In the meantime, the present invention is not restricted to the first embodiment that the first backrest 22 and the second backrest 24 of the backrest part 20 are spaced apart from each other to form the storage space 2. That is, the functional chair may be formed in such a fashion that the storage space 2 is formed if the user requires the storage space but is not formed if the user does not want the storage space 2. It will be described in a second preferred embodiment.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 4 is an exploded rear perspective view of a functional chair according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are rear perspective views for explaining operational states of the functional chair by each situation according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 4, the functional chair 3 includes a sitting part 30 and a backrest part 40. The sitting part 30 provides a sitting area to the user. The sitting part 30 has a plurality of chair legs 32 formed on the bottom face thereof.
The backrest part 40 includes a first backrest 42 and a second backrest 44.
The first backrest 42 is perpendicularly formed at the rear of the sitting part 30 and serves to support the back of the user who sits on the sitting part 30.
The second backrest 44 is separated from or gets closer to the first backrest 42. For this, a joining part 50 is provided. The joining part 50 has a front face rotatably joined to a lower end of the first backrest 42 and a rear face rotatably joined to a lower end of the second backrest 44 so as to provide a laying area for laying the user's articles thereon, and includes a flat plate for separating the second backrest 44 from the first backrest 42. In this instance, in order to rotatably join the joining part 50 and the backrests 42 and 44 with one another, some of corresponding portions of the joining part 50 and the backrests 42 and 44 are overlapped, and the overlapped portions are joined by hinges 52 and 54. Of course, the structure to rotatably join the joining part 50 and the backrests 42 and 44 with one another may be achieved by another hinge-coupling structure.
In order to keep a close contact state between the first backrest 42 and the second backrest 44, a contact-keeping part 60 is formed. The contact-keeping part 60 is to prevent the second backrest 44 from being separated from the first backrest 42 unintentionally, and includes a pair of magnets 62 and 64 correspondingly formed on the rear face of the first backrest 42 and on the front face of the second backrest 44. Of course, the contact-keeping part 60 may be constructed of a retaining ring and a retaining groove respectively formed at corresponding portions of the two backrests 42 and 44.
The functional chair according to the second preferred embodiment may selectively provide a storage space 4 between the first backrest 42 and the second backrest 44. That is, if the storage space 4 is not needed, as shown in FIG. 5, the joining part 50 gets closer to the rear face of the first backrest 42, and simultaneously the second backrest 44 also gets closer to the rear face of the first backrest 42. Then, the storage space 4 is not provided, and hence, the functional chair can secure a wider back and forth interval between chairs because a back and forth width of the functional chair is relatively narrow.
On the other hand, if the user wants the storage space 4, as shown in FIG. 6, the storage space 4 is formed when the second backrest 44 is separated from the first backrest 42. That is, when the second backrest 44 is spaced apart from the first backrest 42, the joining part 50 is laid at right angles to the first backrest 42 to form an area to put the user's articles, for instance, a bag or others, thereon, and the second backrest 44 upwardly stands in a state where it is space apart from the rear face of the first backrest 42 by the joining part 50 to thereby prevent that the articles stored in the storage space 4 fall unintentionally.
Of course, the second backrest 44 also serves as a portion where the user lays his or her coat.
In the meantime, in the second preferred embodiment, just one second backrest 44 is formed, but a plurality of second backrests 44 may be formed. In other words, the joining part 50 may be additionally joined to the rear face of the second backrest 44 to thereby form a plurality of the storage spaces.
Additionally, the joining part 50 is the flat plate, but the joining part 50 may be connected between the first backrest 42 and the second backrest 44 with a minimum area and the rest may be opened (not shown in the drawings). For instance, just the edges of the first backrest 42 and the second backrest 44 are connected with each other using a bar-type connection member. The reason is to prevent the user's coat from creasing since some of the coat extends downwardly when the user lays a long coat across the storage space 4.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of a functional chair according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a state where a partition member of FIG. 7 is separated.
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the functional chair 110 includes a sitting part 112. The sitting part 112 is an area for allowing the user to sit on. The sitting part 112 includes a plurality of chair legs 114 formed on the bottom face of the sitting part 112. Of course, the chair legs 114 may be excluded, and may adopt any form that can separate the sitting part 112 from the floor to a predetermined height.
The functional chair further includes a backrest part 116 perpendicularly stands at the rear of the sitting part 112. The backrest part 116 includes a first backrest 118 and a second backrest 119 which are spaced apart from each other. An interval between the first backrest 118 and the second backrest 119 may be changed according to use purposes of the functional chair. The first backrest 118 is disposed on the sitting part 112 and serves to support the back of the user who sits on the sitting part 112. The second backrest 119 is located at the rear of the first backrest 118 and forms a storage space by being separated from the first backrest 118.
The chair legs 114 and the first and second backrests 118 and 119 may be formed integrally with the sitting part 112 or formed detachably from the sitting part 112.
A partition member 120 is disposed in the storage space 117 formed between the first backrest 118 and the second backrest 119. The partition member 120 serves to partition the storage space 117 into several spaces.
The partition member 120 may have any shape to partition the storage space 117. For instance, the partition member 120 may be a bar formed just at the edge or a flat plate. Of course, another shape is also possible. That is, the partition member 120 can have any shape if it can partition the storage space 117. Moreover, the partition member 120 may have the same height as the first backrest 118 and the second backrest 119 or have a height different from the height of the first backrest 118 and the second backrest 119. Of course, the height of the first backrest 118 may be different from the height of the second backrest 119.
The partition member 120 needs not to be formed integrally with a bottom face 115 which provides the storage space 117. In other words, it is preferable that the partition member 120 is detachably attached to the inside of the storage space 117. For instance, the storage space 117 has a joining hole 122 formed in the bottom face 115 of the storage space 117 and the partition member 120 has a joining protrusion 124 formed on the bottom face of the partition member 120 corresponding to the joining hole 122, so that the partition member 120 can be attached or detached as occasion demands. Then, the storage space 117 can be divided into several spaces, or the several storage spaces can be united into one. Accordingly, the user can adjust the size of the storage space 117 according to a size of the article to be stored in the storage space.
The functional chair 110 having the above structure allows the user to store various articles in the storage space 117 formed on the backrest part 116, and to dividedly store different articles in the storage spaces partitioned by the partition member. In addition, the user can lay his or her clothing across the second backrest 119 or the partition member 120.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of a functional chair according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 10 to 13 are exemplary views showing examples of the functional chair according to the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 9, the functional chair 130 according to the fourth preferred embodiment includes a flat type member 131 elongated in a longitudinal direction. Hereinafter, the flat type member 131 is described as a ‘sitting part’. A part of the sitting part 131 is allotted as a sitting area, and the reference numeral ‘132’ in the drawings is designated as the sitting area.
A plurality of chair legs 133 are formed on the bottom face of the sitting part 131.
A backrest 134 upwardly and vertically stands at an approximately middle portion of the sitting part 131 to support the back of the user who sits on the sitting area 132. The backrest 134 may be formed integrally with the sitting part 131 or joined and fixed to the upper face of the sitting part 131 via bolts or other medium, such as adhesives.
The functional chair 130 further includes a plurality of vertical members 136 and 138 upwardly standing at a position spaced apart from the rear face of the backrest 134 at a predetermined interval. The vertical members 136 and 138 serve to provide a storage space for storing the user's articles on the sitting part 131. In this embodiment, there are two vertical members. In the drawings, the reference numeral ‘136’ designates a first vertical member, and ‘138’ designates a second vertical member. Of course, in consideration of the length of the sitting part 131, the size of the sitting area 132, the width of the storage space, and others, it will be obvious that at least one vertical member may be disposed. In relation with the storage space formed by the two vertical members 136 and 138, the reference numeral ‘137’ designates a first storage space, and ‘139’ designates a second storage space.
The first vertical member 136 and the second vertical member 138 are fit to a cut area formed in the sitting part 131 by means of the hinge method and have a structure to be rotatable at a predetermined angle. Namely, some of a corresponding part between the vertical members 136 and 138 and the sitting part 131 are overlapped with each other, and the overlapped portions are joined by a hinge 140. Of course, they can be joined by another structure besides the hinge.
The rotational angle of the vertical members 136 and 138 is determined by positions of the backrest 134 and other neighboring vertical members, sizes of articles to be stored in the storage space, and others. For instance, as shown in FIG. 10, in the case that there is no article in the first storage space 137, the first vertical member 136 is rotatable till it touches the rear face of the backrest 134. On the other side, not shown in the drawings, but in the case that there is an article in the first storage space 137, one end of the first vertical member 136 may not touch the rear face of the backrest 134 according to the size of the article to be stored. Likewise, the second vertical member 138 also touch the rear face of the adjacent first vertical member 136 or does not touch the rear face of the first vertical member 136 according to whether or not there is an article in the second storage space 139.
In the meantime, the second vertical member 138 is limited in its rotational angle in the direction of the first vertical member 136. That is, when the second vertical member 138 is rotated in the direction of the first vertical member 136, it is rotated within a range of a predetermined angle according to whether or not there is an article in the second storage space 139 and according to the position of the first vertical member 136. On the other hand, the second vertical member 138 may be rotated more freely in a different direction against the second vertical member 138, namely, in the opposite direction of the first vertical member 136.
FIGS. 11 to 13 illustrate examples of various rotations of the second vertical member 138.
FIG. 11 illustrates a state where the second vertical member 138 is in line with the sitting part 131. The above may be used when there is no need to provide the second storage space 139 or when the article to be stored in the second storage space 139 is long. In this instance, not shown in the drawings, but at least one receiving recess may be formed on the rear face of the second vertical member 138 and a rotational support bar is provided to one end of the receiving recess, so that the second vertical member 138 can be supported by the support bar when the second vertical member 138 is completely stretched as shown in FIG. 11.
FIG. 12 illustrates a state where the second vertical member 138 is utilized as an auxiliary leg. In other words, the user may store his or her article on the first storage space 137 or the second storage space 139 without sitting on the functional chair 130. In this instance, in the case that the article to be stored is heavy, the weight center goes toward the rear face of the backrest 134, and thereby, the functional chair 130 may fall backward. Accordingly, the second vertical member 138 is rotated at an angle of 180 degrees, so that one end is in contact with the bottom face. Of course, in this case, the second vertical member 138 must be equal in length with the chair legs 133.
Here, the function of the second vertical member 138 as the auxiliary leg is not essentially needed. The reason is that the functional chair 130 can sufficiently bear the weight of the stored article even though the user may store his or her article on the first storage space 137 or the second storage space 139 without sitting on the sitting part 131 of the functional chair 130. Therefore, the function as the auxiliary leg is provided to use the functional chair 130 more stably.
FIG. 13 illustrates a structure that the second vertical member 138 is located beneath the sitting part 131. It is utilized in the case that there is no need to form the second storage space 139 by the second vertical member 138 or that the second vertical member 138 is not used as the auxiliary leg.
As described above, in the fourth preferred embodiment, the functional chair 130 has a plurality of the storage spaces 137 and 138 by the vertical members 136 and 138 formed on the sitting part 131. Moreover, the vertical member farthest from the backrest 134 may be the storage space in itself or may be utilized as the auxiliary leg.

Fifth Embodiment

In the fifth embodiment, the vertical member for forming the storage space is not exposed to the outside but mounted under the sitting part.
Referring to FIGS. 14 to 16, the fifth preferred embodiment will be described. FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a functional chair according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 15 and 16 are views showing examples that the functional chair according to the fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention is used.
As shown in the drawings, the functional chair 160 according to the fifth preferred embodiment includes a sitting part 161 where the user can sit.
The functional chair has chair legs 162 formed at edges of the bottom face of the sitting part 161 so that the sitting part 161 is spaced apart from the floor.
The functional chair further includes a backrest 163 which upwardly stands at the rear of the sitting part 161 and supports the back of the user who sits on the sitting part 161. The backrest 163 may be formed integrally with the rear of the sitting part 161 or formed separately.
A pair of guides 165 are mounted on the bottom face of the sitting part 161 in a longitudinal direction in such a fashion that a vertical member 170 is slidably mounted. The guides 165 may have one of various forms, but must have a structure that the guides 165 can be joined to the bottom face of the sitting part 161. Additionally, the guides 165 surround some of the sides of the vertical member 170 to prevent the vertical member 170 from falling downwardly. In the drawings, the guides 165 are respectively in the form of an approximately ‘
’ shape. Here, not shown in the drawings, the sitting part 161 may have a space portion of a predetermined size formed therein and guides formed at both sides of the space portion in the same form as the guides 165, so that the vertical member 170 can be slidably moved inside the space portion.
Each of the guides 165 has a long guide groove 166. The guide groove 166 together with retaining protrusions 173, which will be described later, serve to prevent that the vertical member 170 is separated forward and backward from the sitting part 161 when the vertical member 170 moves along the guide 166.
The vertical member 170 has a body 171 like a flat plate. The retaining protrusions 173 are formed on both sides of one end of the body 171. As described above, the retaining protrusions 173 and the guide grooves 166 serve to prevent the vertical member from being separated from the guides 165.
An upper bracket 175 which forms a part of the upper face of the body 171 is joined to the other end of the upper face of the body 171 by a hinge 176. The body 171 where the upper bracket 175 is located may have an interior space formed therein for storing the user's article therein.
Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, the examples that the functional chair according to the fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention is used will be described.
First, as shown in FIG. 15, the user pulls the vertical member 170 mounted on the bottom face of the sitting part 161 in the direction of the rear face of the backrest 163. Then, the retaining protrusions 173 formed at the sides of the vertical member 170 moves along the guide grooves 166, and thereby, the vertical member 170 is drawn out. The user can pull the vertical member 170 till the retaining protrusions 173 touch one end of the inner face of the guide groove 166.
In the above state, the user rotates the upper bracket 175 on the hinge 176. In this instance, the rotational angle may be adjusted in various ways, but in this embodiment, is at right angles to the sitting part 161. It is illustrated in FIG. 16. As shown in FIG. 16, when the upper bracket 175 stands and is spaced apart from the rear face of the backrest 163 at a predetermined interval, the storage space 178 is formed between the upper bracket 175 and the backrest 163.
Then, the user can store his or her article in the storage space 178.
Of course, also in the case that the upper bracket 175 forms a part of the upper face of the body 171 without being rotated, the user can store his or her article in the interior space formed inside the body 171 or on the upper face of the upper bracket 175.
Moreover, if the user does not want the storage space 178 or when the user completes storing the article in the interior space of the body 171, the user pushes the vertical member 170 in such a fashion that the vertical member 170 is located beneath the sitting part 161.
In the meantime, in the fifth preferred embodiment, the vertical member 170 is drawn out toward the rear face of the backrest 163, but another example is also possible. For instance, the vertical member 170 mounted beneath the sitting part 161 may be drawn out from the side of the sitting part 161. In this instance, the user can store his or her article on the upper face of the vertical member 170 or in the storage space formed by the upper bracket 175 rotated. Furthermore, the vertical member 170 may be drawn out from the front of the sitting part 161. Of course, in this instance, the user cannot form the storage space by making the upper bracket 175 stand because the user has to sit on the sitting part 161. However, if the user does not sit on the sitting part 161, the user can store his or her article on the upper face of the vertical member 170 or in the storage space formed by the upper bracket 175 rotated.
As described above, in the fifth preferred embodiment, the functional chair has the vertical member 170 mounted beneath the sitting part 161 to form the storage space, and as occasion demands, the vertical member 170 is drawn out to thereby form the storage space. Additionally, the functional chair can utilize a space widely because the vertical member 170 is drawn out not only from the rear face of the backrest 163 but also the side or the front of the sitting part 161 to provide the storage space. Of course, in the case that the user does not want the storage space or the chair is located in a limited space, because the vertical member 170 is located beneath the sitting part 161, there is no inconvenience due to the vertical member 170.
In the meantime, the structure that the vertical member 170 is slidably moved may be achieved by various structures besides the above structure. For instance, the drawer structure of a general desk, which has rails and wheels rolling along the rails, may be adopted.

Sixth Embodiment

Referring to FIGS. 17 to 20, the sixth preferred embodiment will be described.
FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a functional chair according to a sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 18 to 20 are views showing examples that the functional chair according to the sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention is used.
As shown in FIG. 17, the functional chair 180 according to the sixth preferred embodiment includes a sitting part 181 for allowing the user to sit on. The functional chair 180 further includes chair legs 182 formed on the edges of the bottom face of the sitting part 181 toward the floor, so that the sitting part 181 is spaced apart from the floor.
The functional chair 180 has a backrest 183 upwardly standing at the rear of the sitting part 181 for supporting the back of the user who sits on the sitting part 181. The backrest 183 may be formed integrally with the sitting part 181 or formed separately.
The sitting part 181 has a receiving portion 185 formed therein. The receiving portion 185 is formed inside the sitting part 181 of a predetermined thickness, and has an entrance 186 formed on one side where the backrest 183 is located so as to allow a vertical member 190, which will be described later, to go in and out.
The receiving portion 185 has retaining holes 187 arranged on at least one inner side of the receiving portion 185. The vertical member 190 has protrusions 192 formed on the outer face thereof and the protrusions 192 are inserted into the retaining holes 187. Through the retaining holes 187 and the protrusions 192, the vertical member 190 does not move inside the receiving portion 185 and can keep a fixed state to some degree even though some of the vertical member 190 is drawn out from the receiving portion 185.
The vertical member 190 is mounted in the receiving portion 185. The vertical member 190 has a plate type body 191 of a predetermined thickness. The body 191 has a plurality of bodies 191 a, 191 b, 191 c and 191 d. Moreover, each of the bodies 191 a, 191 b, 191 c and 191 d has a structure to be bendable against the neighboring body. Such a structure is achieved by the hinge-coupling method. Here, it is not necessary that the body 191 of the vertical member 190 has the four bodies 191 a, 191 b, 191 c and 191 d. Namely, the number of the bodies may be changed according to the length of the sitting part 181.
The protrusions 192 are formed on the side of the body 191. The protrusion 192 has an elastic member like a spring 193 provided to the rear face thereof. So, when the vertical member 190 moves, the protrusions 192 are inserted into the retaining holes 187 or received into the body 191.
Meanwhile, in the sixth preferred embodiment, it is not necessary to form the receiving portion 185 in the sitting part 181. In other words, like the fifth preferred embodiment, a bracket is additionally mounted on the bottom face of the sitting part 181 so that the vertical member 190 is movable.
Referring to FIGS. 18 to 20, the operation of the sixth preferred embodiment having the above structure will be described.
Ordinarily, the vertical member 190 is located inside the receiving portion 185. In this case, the protrusions 192 are respectively accommodated in the retaining holes 187, and hence, the vertical member 190 does not come out unless an external force is applied to the vertical member 190.
In the case that the user who sits on the functional chair 180 has articles, such as a bag, documents, clothes or others, there is a need to form a storage space. For this, as shown in FIG. 18, the user grasps one end of the vertical member 190 accommodated in the receiving portion 185 and pulls the vertical member 190 in the direction of the rear face of the backrest 183. Then, the vertical member 190 comes out from the receiving portion 185.
As shown in FIG. 19, when only the body 191 a out of the bodies 191 a, 191 b, 191 c and 191 d of the vertical member 190 completely comes out, the user rotates only the body 191 a. Then, the storage space 195 is formed between the body 191 a and the backrest 183. So, the user can store his or her article in the storage space 195. Of course, because the storage space 195 is rotated in a state where only the body 191 a comes out, it is lower in height than the backrest 183. Therefore, it is good to store articles appropriate to the size of the storage space 195.
If the user wants a storage space greater than the storage space 195 shown in FIG. 19, the user pulls the vertical member 190 more and rotates the corresponding body. In other words, FIG. 20 illustrates a state where the bodies 191 a and 191 b out of the bodies 191 a, 191 b, 191 c and 191 d of the vertical member 190 completely come out. So, the bodies 191 a and 191 b are rotatable. It means that a storage space 196 which is greater or higher than the storage space 195 of FIG. 19 can be formed.
As described above, in the sixth preferred embodiment, the vertical member for forming the storage space may be varied in height.
In the meantime, in order to remove the storage spaces 195 and 196 shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the user rotates the body vertically standing in the opposite direction till the body is in line with the sitting part 181, and then, forcedly pushes the body into the receiving portion 185.

Seventh Embodiment

Referring to FIGS. 21 and 22, the seventh preferred embodiment will be described.
FIG. 21 is a rear perspective view of a functional chair according to a seventh preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 22 is a view showing an example that the functional chair according to the seventh preferred embodiment of the present invention is used.
As shown in FIG. 21, the functional chair 200 includes a sitting part 201 for allowing the user to sit on.
The functional chair 200 further includes chair legs 203 formed at the edges of the bottom face of the sitting part 201, so that the sitting part 201 is spaced apart from the floor.
The functional chair 200 further includes a backrest 205 upwardly standing at the rear of the sitting part 201 for supporting the back of the user who sits on the sitting part 201. The backrest 205 may be formed integrally with the rear of the sitting part 201 or formed separately.
The backrest 205 has a vertical member 207 disposed on the rear face thereof for forming a storage space. The vertical member 207 has a body of an approximately ‘
’ shape. Some of the body forms the rear face of the backrest 205 and the other of the body is accommodated in a space portion (not shown) formed inside the sitting part 201.
The functional chair according to the seventh preferred embodiment is used as follows.
FIG. 21 shows a common state of the chair. In this case, the functional chair 200 serves as a chair.
However, when the user wants to store his or her article in the chair, the user pulls the vertical member 207 formed on the rear face of the backrest 205 in the backward direction of the functional chair 200.
FIG. 22 illustrates the above state. When the user pulls the vertical member 207, the vertical member 207 is spaced apart from the rear face of the backrest 205.
Accordingly, a storage space 209 is formed by the backrest 205 and the ‘
’-shaped vertical member 207, and the user can store his or her article in the storage space 209.
Here, the vertical member 207 is in the state where some of the body is accommodated inside the sitting part 201. So, the vertical member 207 is supported by the sitting part 201, and hence, can form the storage space 209.
Meanwhile, the sitting part 201 may have retaining jaws formed therein to prevent that the vertical member 207 completely comes out from the sitting part 201.
Furthermore, it is obvious that the structure to move the vertical member 207 from the sitting part 201 may adopt one of various structures described in the fifth preferred embodiment and the sixth preferred embodiment.
As described above, the functional chair according to the present invention has at least one storage space to allow the user to store his or her article in the chair.
As described above, while the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the example embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the above embodiments of the present invention are all exemplified and various changes, modifications and equivalents may be made therein without changing the essential characteristics and scope of the present invention. Therefore, it would be understood that the technical and protective scope of the present invention shall be defined by the technical idea as defined by the following claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, the functional chair according to the present invention provides the storage space for storing the user's articles therein, and is applicable to chairs of various kinds and sizes which persons sit on.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A functional chair includes:

a sitting part providing a sitting area; and

a backrest part having a first backrest, which upwardly stands at the rear of the sitting part for supporting a user's back, and a second backrest, which is located at the rear of the first backrest and is spaced apart from the first backrest,

wherein a storage space is formed between the first backrest and the second backrest spaced apart from the first backrest.

2. The functional chair according to claim 1, wherein the storage space has at least one partition member for partitioning the storage space into several storage spaces.

3. The functional chair according to claim 1, wherein the first backrest and the second backrest are formed separately and joined together by a joining part, and

wherein the joining part has a front face rotatably joined to a lower end of the first backrest and a rear face rotatably joined to a lower end of the second backrest so as to provide a laying area for laying the user's articles thereon, and includes a flat plate for separating the second backrest 44 from the first backrest.

4. The functional chair according to claim 3, further includes a contact-keeping part 60 formed between the first backrest and the second backrest to keep a close contact state of the first backrest and the second backrest.

5. A functional chair includes:

a sitting part of a flat plate type providing a sitting area on some area;

a plurality of chair legs provided on the lower face of the sitting part;

a backrest upwardly standing at the rear of the sitting part; and

a plurality of vertical members spaced apart from the rear face of the backrest, the vertical members vertically standing on the sitting part,

wherein storage spaces are respectively formed among the backrest and the vertical members for allowing a user to store his or her article in the storage spaces.

6. The functional chair according to claim 5, wherein the vertical members are rotatably hinge-joined to the sitting part, and the vertical member farthest from the backrest forms the storage space together with the neighboring vertical member while rotating is utilized as the auxiliary leg.

7. The functional chair according to claim 6, in the case that the vertical member farthest from the backrest is set in line with the sitting part, further comprising support bars respectively inserted into at least one receiving recess formed in the rear face of the vertical member for supporting the vertical member by rotating at one end of the receiving recess.

8. A functional chair includes:

a sitting part providing a sitting area;

a plurality of chair legs provided on the lower face of the sitting part;

a backrest upwardly standing at the rear of the sitting part;

a pair of guides symmetrically mounted on the bottom face of the sitting part; and

a vertical member slidably moving inside the guides,

wherein the vertical member comprises a body of a flat plate type and an upper bracket which forms the upper face of the body and rotates on one end of the body, and when the vertical member is drawn out from the backrest, a storage space is formed between the backrest and the upper bracket according to rotation of the upper bracket.9.

9. The functional chair according to claim 8, further includes:

guide grooves respectively formed in the guides; and

retaining protrusions formed on sides of the vertical member and inserted into the guide grooves so as to prevent the vertical member from being separated from the guides in back and forth directions when the vertical member slidably moves.

10. A functional chair includes:

a sitting part of a predetermined thickness providing a sitting area;

a plurality of chair legs formed on the lower face of the sitting part and extending downwardly;

a backrest upwardly standing at the rear of the sitting part;

a receiving portion having a space portion of a predetermined size formed inside the sitting part and an entrance formed at one side of the sitting part; and

a vertical member going in and out through the entrance and forming a storage space when it is drawn out from the receiving portion,

wherein the vertical member has at least two bodies of a predetermined size, each of the bodies is rotatable on a hinge shaft formed at one end portion, and at least one of the bodies perpendicularly stands in the upward direction to thereby form a storage space.

11. The functional chair according to claim 10, wherein the receiving portion having the space portion has retaining holes formed on the inner face of the space portion and the body has protrusions formed on the outer face thereof in such a way as to be inserted into the retaining holes, so that some of the body of the vertical member located inside the receiving portion is fixed into the receiving portion.

12. A functional chair includes:

a sitting part providing a sitting area;

a backrest upwardly standing at the rear of the sitting part for supporting a user's back; and

an approximately ‘

’-shaped vertical member having a body, some of the body forming a rear face of the backrest and the other being slidably mounted inside the sitting part,

wherein a storage space is formed in the rear face of the backrest when the vertical member is spaced apart from the backrest.