WO2021229617A1

WO2021229617A1 - Multifunction chair

Info

Publication number: WO2021229617A1
Application number: PCT/IT2021/050137
Authority: WO
Inventors: giuliano mazzocco
Original assignee: Mazzocco Giuliano
Priority date: 2020-05-15
Filing date: 2021-05-11
Publication date: 2021-11-18
Also published as: IT202000011257A1

Abstract

The present invention is a multifunctional chair capable of being in a first position a common chair and in one second position a device for the physical exercise of the lumbosacral area. Such positions are permitted through the use of various elements and in particular the 5use of supports furniture and the possibility of inserting or removing the backrest.

Description

TITLE: MULTIFUNCTION CHAIR

DESCRIPTION

TECHNICAL FIELD The object of the present invention is a multifunctional chair capable of being in a first position a common chair and in a second position a device for physical exercise of the lumbosacral area. BACKGROUND ART

The present invention intends to complete the "mobile seating device" object of application IT102016000118233. This tool is useful in everyday life but sometimes it has been necessary to alternate it with a traditional seat, for this reason it was decided to simplify the life of users by giving the possibility of having both a common chair in a single tool and is the “mobile seating device” subject of application IT102016000118233. At the same time, the discovery also occurred that the backrest (18) connected to the upper platform (3) in the second position (Fig. 8) in which said platform (3) is detached from the movable supports (12 and 13) it helps to create a lumbar stimulus different from the device subject to application IT102016000118233, because in this situation (fig. 8) the backrest acts as a support for the lumbar area making delicate. The state of the art currently presents the Ergonomic Chair application US 2016/0345741, which describes an instrument having, in one of its fundamental components, a spherical shape linked both above and below it, and therefore with limited movement capacity with respect to the application IT102016000118233 in which the spherical shape is free to roll (fig. 8) between the interposed sliding platforms, and therefore results in its fundamental characteristic significantly different. Furthermore, this instrument US 2016/0345741 has a backrest connected to the lower part and unable to be integral with the seat (2) in the case in which said seat is in motion, while as previously explained the present invention describes a backrest (18) connected directly to the upper platform (3) comprising in turn the seat (2).

Lastly, in this US 2016/0345741 there are no platforms that can accentuate the lumbar angle between the trunk and the user's legs, this angle is a source of further stimulation to the back in case of seat movement but also in the case of " fixed seat "(fig. 1 and 7). From here on, said "fixed seat" will be called, for simplicity, "first position" (Fig. 1, 7), while "second position" identifies the device (1) when it is with the movable supports 12 and 13 released from the upper platform (3) (fig. 2, 6, 8).

Another state of the art document is DE 29517545, Sitzmobel mit einer spharischen, beweglichen Sitzflache, in which a device is described having as its main element a spherical shape rolling on itself. The lack of a seat that moves in all directions and of a spherical shape that does not always insist on a single central point of gravity makes this invention totally different from the IT 102016000118233.

The instrument subject of the application, Ball Chair US 6832817, describes a seat instrument comprising a spherical shape inserted inside a frame but unable to roll.

In the current state of the art, instruments with the ability to take a "first position" (fig. 1, 7) and a second position (fig. 2, 6, 8) do not appear to be reproducing a mobile seating device as described in IT102016000118233, but the further effects caused by the association of the retractable platform (19) and the backrest (18) connected to the upper platform (3) (fig. 8) are even more viewed. The application IT102016000118233 in the description states these words “If there is a total blocking of the movement as shown in Fig. 4, it can become a common means to sit. By putting 4 metal brackets for the 4 sides of the device and fixing them with screws, a total block can be obtained ", this means that a dual use of this device was already envisaged but the invention "multifunction chair" is transformed not into a stool but in a real chair. Furthermore, the invention "multifunction chair" (1) replaces generic closing elements with specific elements that greatly facilitate use. Application IT102016000118233 when it says "Putting 4 metal brackets for the 4 sides of the device" identifies 16 elements that must be assembled and disassembled while with the present invention it is sufficient to release the movable supports (12 and 13) through coupling elements (15 , 16, 17, or 41) and the multifunction chair easily assumes the two envisaged modes of common chair and mobile seating device. Consequently, the present invention constitutes an innovative element with respect to the previous state of the art.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION For greater clarity, at the bottom of this document there is a legend, with which the elements of the present invention are specified by numbers within the figures.

The multifunctional chair (1) which transforms into a mobile seating device or vice versa into a stable chair, comprises: - an upper platform (3), which in turn includes elements (17) for interlocking integral with the platform, interlocking housings (25), knurled plates (27), clamping elements (28), interlocking seats (34) with geometric shapes, an upper frame (35), a seat (2), and said platform (3) rests on the sphere (4), - a spherical solid (4) interposed between the upper platform (3) and the lower platform (5), capable of rolling between said upper platform (3) and the lower platform (5),

- a lower platform (5), and said platform (5) is able to support the sphere (4),

-a frame (6) on which the lower platform (5) is positioned,

- elastic cords (7), or springs, or other equivalent elements that connect the lower part (8) and the upper platform (3) and said elastic cords (7) allow the movement in all directions of the upper platform (3),

- a backrest (18), connected to the upper platform (3) and from it (3) which can be engaged and extracted,

- a retractable platform (19) located between the lower platform (5) and the frame (6) (Fig. 1), - of the armrests (30a and 30b).

Said multifunction chair (1) comprises two movable supports (12 and 13) hinged in one part of their ends to the lower part (8) of said chair (1), in an opposite way, by means of hinges (14) or other equivalent elements, said hinges (14) allow said movable supports (12 and 13) to rotate by approximately 90 ° or 180 ° and to take two different positions,

- in the "first position" (Fig. 1 and Fig. 7) said movable supports (12 and 13) are coupled through coupling elements (15, 16, or 41) with elements integral (17) to the upper platform (3), and said movable supports (12 and 13) together with the backrest (18) constitute a firm and stable chair,

- while in a "second position" (fig. 2, 6, 8) said movable supports (12 and 13) allow freedom of action to the upper platform (3) both with use (fig. 8) or without use (fig. 2) of the backrest (18) and in this case the multifunction chair becomes a mobile seating device. As can be seen from the drawings (fig. 6 and 7), we can have the two mobile supports connected to each other by means of levers (37, 38) in this case the blocking of said supports with consequent determination of the two positions of the multifunction chair, takes place through buttons (40, 41) or equivalent elements that block the movement of the levers (37, 38). Given that points a2 and b2 identify the pivot point of the movable supports (12 and 13), a movement of the same angular degree of said movable supports, when they are connected together (fig. 6 and 7), is possible provided that the segment al-a2 belonging to one of the rods (9 or 10) of the movable supports (12, 13) identified in Fig. 7 is equal to the segment bl-b2 found inside the arm-lever (37) placed orthogonally to said movable supports (12 and 13), and that the connecting rod (38) between the two supports has points al and bl as points of attachment and pivot, as shown in Fig. 7; said arm-lever (37) must also be firmly fixed at one end at point b2 with one of the rods (9 or 10), and as said before, b2 must be at the pivot point of said movable supports as shown in the Fig. 6 and 7.

In Fig. 1, 2, 3 and 8 it can be seen that the movable supports (12 and 13) are not connected to each other. In this case the base area (26) of the supports 12 and 13, together with the coupling elements (15, 16 and 17) in the first position situation (Fig. 1 and Fig. 7), ensure stability and firmness, thus allowing the multifunctional chair to assume what is defined as "first position".

The multifunction chair (1) has the front rods (10) of the movable supports (12 or 13) consisting of two sliding elements (10a and 10b) and coupled together by means of screws (21) and wing nuts (20) or other equivalent elements capable of allowing different heights of said front rods (10) and consequently in the case of a first position (Fig. 1 and 7) of the movable supports (12 and 13) said front rods (10) allow different inclinations of the seat ( 2). The different inclination of the seat in the case of "first position" is necessary because those suffering from back pain sometimes need various and above all comfortable solutions that depend on each person's personal situation.

The multifunction chair comprises a retractable platform (19) located between the lower platform (5) and the frame (6) (Fig. 1), and said retractable platform is able to take different positions of greater or less protrusion with respect to the frame (6 ) by sliding on the frame supports (22a and 22b) or other equivalent elements. The platform increases the angle of inclination of the pelvis and is a source of stretching of the lumbar area as well as of other multiple gymnastic functions that are associated with it.

The backrest (18) comprises one or more connecting rods (23) suitable for connecting with the interlocking housings (25) belonging to the upper platform (3), and said connecting rods (23) can be engaged and extracted from said housings to joint (25), furthermore said rods (23) are fixed with a single fixing element (24) to the backrest (18) and this allows the rotation of said rods. This mode allows you to use the multifunction chair both with the backrest but also without it. The fact that the rods are foldable also allows easy repositioning of the backrest when not in use. The connecting rods (23) include limit switches (43) of various types and designs, useful in the case of coupling with the interlocking housings (25) (Fig. 5). The connecting rods (23) are fixed with a single fixing element (24) in an eccentric way to the backrest (18) so as to allow, through the rotation of the backrest by 180 °, two different heights of said backrest (18) (Fig. 1 and 3), and in this way a diversified use of said multifunction chair is increased (1).

The upper platform (3) comprises at one of its ends inclinating mechanisms (29), said inclinating mechanisms comprise knurled plates (27) and clamping elements (28) or other equivalent elements coupled to the interlocking housings (25) for rods connection (23), and said inclination mechanisms allow to adjust the inclination of the backrest (18) (Fig. 5), and also in this case a diversified use of said multifunction chair (1) is increased.

The multifunction chair has the possibility of having a pair of armrests (30a and 30b), and said armrests (30a and 30b) comprise a joint (31) between the support bracket (32) of the user's arms and the connecting rod (33 ) capable of causing different angular positions to be assumed between said bracket (32) and said connecting rod (33), and said armrests (30a and 30b) can be engaged and extracted from the interlocking seats (34) belonging to the upper platform (3) , and said interlocking seats (34) have geometric shapes which allow different angular couplings with the armrests (30a and 30b) (Fig. 5) through the feet of the armrest (36). With this mode, by inverting the 30a with the 30b and inserting them appropriately in the interlocking seats (34) so as to be parallel to the seat, it is possible to have the seat free to move without the armrests being an obstacle (fig. 2, 5) since in this situation the support bracket of the user's arms (32) and the connecting rod (33) of the armrest are in the same line.

As is evident from Fig. 4, the joint can find the form described in which the portion 31a belonging to the support bracket (32) of the user's arms rotates around the pin 31c and at the same time is constrained to the 31b, which is an element that belongs to the connecting rod of the armrest (33). Between 31a and 31b there is an interconnection which allows an appropriate angular displacement of the support bracket (32) of the user's arms with respect to the connecting rod (33) of the armrest and therefore this allows to obtain what is described in the figures of the present documentation. However, it is clarified that given the multiplicity of forms of armrests that can be found on the market, it is possible to adopt the solution described in Fig. 5 but also other methods having the same purpose of making said armrests appear and disappear as shown in the figures of this documentation.

The movable supports (12 and 13) can be operated by mechanical (39) or electromechanical actuators or other equivalent elements (Fig. 6 and 7) and said actuators (39) actuate levers directly or indirectly connected to them. These actuators can be of various kinds and invoices as they can be found on the market.

Fig. 8 shows a simulation of the multiple movements that the invention (1) can assume in what is defined as the "second position". In this case, the backrest (18) is connected and engaged to the upper platform (3), the spherical solid (4) by rolling it is off-center with respect to the central point (42) of the lower platform (5), and the seat (2 ) is inclined, consequently this Fig. 8 allows to glimpse the technical effect that this upper platform and backrest association entails for the user, in this situation the lower back area of the user is accompanied and supported during the movement of the pelvis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The figures represent a purely exemplary but non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 1 : general representation of the invention (1) in what is defined "first position". Fig. 2: general representation of the invention (1) in what is defined "second position".

Fig. 3 : general representation of the invention (1) in what is defined "first position" but with the backrest reversed.

Fig. 4: detail of the armrest joint (31). Fig. 5: detail of the upper platform (3).

Fig. 6: version of the movable supports (12 and 13) connected to each other by means of levers in "second position" mode Fig. 7: version of the movable supports (12 and 13) connected to each other by means of levers in "first position" mode Fig. 8: simulation of a possible position of the invention (1) in what is defined "second position" with backrest (18) connected to the upper platform (3). In the figures, the numbers identify:

1 Multifunction chair

2 seat

3 upper platform comprising: 2 seat

17 elements for interlocking integral with the platform 25 interlocking housings

27 knurled plates

28 clamping elements 34 interlocking seats with geometric shapes

35 upper frame

4 spherical solid

5 lower platform

6 frame

7 elastic cords or other equivalent elements

8 lower part comprising:

5 lower platform

6 frame

9 rear rods

10 front rods comprising:

10a upper sliding element 10b lower sliding element

11 coupling support

12 movable support

13 movable support

14 hinges or other equivalent elements

15 coupling elements

16 handle nut

17 elements for interlocking integral with the upper platform

18 backrest

19 retractable platform

20 wing nut

21 screws

22a frame support 22b frame support

23 connecting rods

24 fixing elements of the connecting rods with the back

25 interlocking housings 26 base area of supports 12 and 13

27 knurled plates

28 clamping elements

29 inclination mechanisms: set of elements 25, 27, 28

30a armrest 30b armrest

31 armrest joint

32 support bracket for the user's arms 33 armrest connecting rod

34 interlocking seats with geometric shapes

35 upper frame

36 armrest foot

37 arm-lever 38 connecting rod for mobile supports

39 actuator

40 second position locking button if the mobile supports are connected to each other

41 locking button of the first position if the movable supports are connected to each other

42 center of the lower platform

43 limit switch interlocking connecting rod

Claims

1) Multifunction chair (1) that transforms into a mobile sitting device or vice versa into a stable chair, comprising:

- an upper platform (3) comprising a seat (2), and said platform (3) is adapted to rest on the sphere (4),

- a spherical solid (4) interposed between the upper platform (3) and the lower platform (5), said solid is able to roll between said upper platform (3) and the lower platform (5),

-a frame (6) on which the lower platform (5) is positioned,

- elastic cords (7), or springs, or other equivalent elements that connect the lower part (8) and the upper platform (3) and said elastic cords (7) allow movement in all directions of the upper platform (3), - a backrest (18), characterized in that said multifunctional chair (1) comprises a backrest (18) connected to the upper platform (3) and pluggable in or removable from it (3), and said multifunctional chair (1) comprises two movable supports (12 and 13) each one of said supports is pivoted at one end to the lower part (8) of said chair (1), in a way opposite to each other, by means of hinges ( 14) or other equivalent elements, said hinges (14) allow said movable supports (12 and 13) to rotate about 90 ° or 180 ° and to take two different positions, - in the first position (Fig. 1 and 7) said movable supports (12 e 13) , are coupled through coupling elements (15, 16, or 41) with elements (17) integral with the upper platform (3), and said movable supports (12 and 13) together with the backrest (18) form a steady and stable chair, - while in a second position (fig. 2, 6, 8) said mobile supports (12 and 13) allow freedom of movement to the upper platform (3) either with (fig. 8) or without (fig. 2) the use of the backrest (18) and in this case the multifunctional chair becomes a mobile sitting device; 2) multifunctional chair (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the front rods (10) of the mobile supports (12 or 13) are made up of two sliding elements (10a and 10b) and coupled by screws (21) and wing nuts (20) or other equivalent elements (Fig. 1,2), which allow different height of said front rods (10) and consequently in the case of a first position (Fig. 1 and 7) of the mobile supports (12 and 13) said front rods (10) allow different seat inclinations (2);

3) multifunctional chair (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that said multifunctional chair (1) comprises a retractable platform (19) located between the lower platform (5) and the frame (6) (Fig. 1), and said retractable platform is able to take different positions of greater or less protrusion than the frame (6) by sliding on the frame supports (22a and 22b) or other equivalent elements;

4) multifunctional chair (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that said backrest (18) comprises one or more connecting rods (23) suitable for connection with the interlocking housings (25) included in the upper platform (3), and said connecting rods (23) are pluggable in and removable from said interlocking housings (25);

5) multifunctional chair (1) according to claim 4 characterized in that said backrest (18) comprises one or more connecting rods (23) eccentrically fixed with a single fixing element (24) to the backrest (18) so as to allow, through the 180 ° rotation of the backrest, two different heights of said backrest (18) (Fig. 1 and 3); 6) multifunctional chair (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that said upper platform (3) comprises some inclination mechanisms at one of its ends (29), said inclination mechanisms comprise knurled plates (27) and clamping elements (28 ) or other equivalent elements coupled to the interlocking housings (25) for connecting rods (23), and said inclination mechanisms allow to adjust the inclination of the backrest (18) (Fig. 5);

7) multifunctional chair (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that said multifunctional chair (1) comprises a pair of armrests (30a and 30b), and said armrests (30a and 30b) comprise a joint (31) between the support bracket (32) of the user's arms and the connecting rod (33), said joint is capable of obtaining different angular positions between said bracket (32) and said connecting rod (33), and said armrests (30a and 30b) are pluggable in and removable from the interlocking seats (34) included to the upper platform (3), and said interlocking seats (34) have geometric shapes that allow different angular couplings with the armrests (30a and 30b) (Fig. 5);

8) multifunction chair (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that said movable supports (12 and 13) can be operated by mechanical (39) or electromechanical actuators or other equivalent elements (Fig. 6 and 7) and said actuators (39) operate some levers directly or indirectly connected to them.