Seating furniture with rocking seat

Abstract

A seating furniture has a seat which is adapted to be rocked about a swiveling axis extending parallel to the seat. The seat comprises at least two limiting elements for limiting an angle of swing about the swiveling axis. The limiting elements are attached to the seating furniture in a region of the seat and extend, relative to the swiveling axis, towards opposite sides of the floor.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Technical Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a seating furniture having a seat which is adapted to be rocked about a swiveling axis extending parallel to said seat, wherein the angle of swing about the swiveling axis is limited.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] A seating furniture having a rocking seat is known for example from DE 199 14 643 A1. A downward extending supporting tube is disposed at the center of the seat on a lower surface thereof which faces the floor. A tubular element, the longitudinal axis of which defines a swiveling axis extending perpendicular to the sitting direction and parallel to the seat, is attached to the supporting tube perpendicular to the sitting direction in a region of the floor. The sitting direction is the direction in which a person looks after being seated on the seating furniture.

[0005] A beam, which extends parallel to the seat and perpendicular to the tubular element and having a certain distance from the floor, is connected to the central supporting tube. When the ends of the beam touch the floor during a rocking motion, a further turning about the swiveling axis is prevented and thus a tilting of the seating furniture avoided. Consequently, the angle of swing about the swiveling axis is limited by means of the beam. The object of the present invention is to provide a seating furniture having enhanced functionality and which is of advantage in view of ergonomics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Said object is achieved according to the present invention by a seating furniture having a seat which is adapted to be rocked about a swiveling axis extending parallel to the seat, wherein the angle of swing about the swiveling axis is limited by at least two limiting elements being attached to the seating furniture preferably in a region of the seat and extending away from the seat towards opposite sides relative to the swiveling axis. According to a first variant of the invention, the two limiting elements are both attached to the seating furniture in a region of the seat, e.g. directly to the seat. According to a second variant of the invention, a first one of the limiting elements is attached to the seating furniture in a region of the seat and a second one of the limiting elements is attached to the seating furniture in a region of a back-rest thereof, e.g. directly to the back-rest.

[0007] In accordance with the present invention the term “seat” designates the entire element in which the planar or curved two-dimensional area is formed on which a person may sit. In addition to the swiveling axis extending parallel to the seat a swiveling axis extending perpendicular to the seat may also be provided for the seat.

[0008] The limiting elements, which are arranged in the region of the seat or the back-rest, may be directly attached to the seat or the back-rest. The limiting elements may also be attached to the seating furniture at a short distance away from the seat or the back-rest, e.g. to an element which is coupled with the seat like a supporting tube which is stationary or rotatable with respect to the seat. In accordance with the invention the at least two limiting elements may also be designed as an integral, e.g. plane, structure, provided that the integral structure comprises portions extending away from the seat towards opposite sides relative to the swiveling axis. Said portions of the integral structure then form the limiting elements according to the invention.

[0009] A seating furniture comprising two, three, four or more limiting elements, which are attached on opposite sides relative to the swiveling axis in the region of the seat, e.g. on the lower seat surface or at the periphery of the seat, can be easily manufactured. Furthermore, a seating furniture of such configuration has an increased stability over conventional seats with a rocking seat.

[0010] The seat may for example take the form of a square, a circle, a triangle, a cross, a polygon or a lying eight. Preferably, substantially X-shaped seats are used. Sitting in a position which is of particular advantage in view of ergonomics can be ensured because of the substantially X-shaped configuration of the seat. This is due to the fact that an X-shaped seat is, on the whole, experienced to be most comfortable in a plurality of possible sitting positions, for example inclined backwards, forwards, to the left or to the right relative to the sitting direction.

[0011] The advantages of the X-shaped seat become particularly apparent when the sitting direction is changed relative to the swiveling axis, i.e. when another sitting position is chosen. By virtue of the X-shaped seat it can be ensured that the sitting comfort is kept constantly high, regardless of whether e.g. a sitting direction parallel or perpendicular to the swiveling axis is chosen. The X-shaped seat is also advantageous because it allows easy stacking of seating furniture.

[0012] The position of the swiveling axis relative to the sitting direction may preferably be freely chosen by the person being seated on the seat. There may be at least two different sitting positions available to a person being seated, i.e. the person may chose e.g. between sitting directions perpendicular or parallel to the swiveling axis. The swiveling axis may also form an acute angle of more than 0° and less than 90° with the sitting direction. The swiveling axis is advantageously arranged in the region of the floor, i.e. directly in the plane of the floor or slightly above it.

[0013] The limiting elements may form an angle between 65° to 85°, and in particular between 70° to 80°, with the seat in such a manner that the spacing between the limiting elements increases as the distance from the seat increases. Furthermore, the limiting elements are preferably disposed in the region of opposed ends of the seat. The limiting elements are most preferably provided in pairs, wherein an imaginary connecting line between individual limiting elements of a pair may extend perpendicular to the swiveling axis. In particular, exactly two limiting elements may be provided, the imaginary connecting line of which extends perpendicular to the swiveling axis and passes through a central point in the middle of the seat. The limiting elements may be designed as legs in the manner of the legs of a chair and may have a substantially cylindrical shape.

[0014] The swiveling axis, extending parallel to the seat, is defined by a supporting structure, which is preferably attached in the region of the lower seat surface and which extends towards the floor. The seat may be rotatable relative to the supporting structure about an axis extending perpendicular to the seat. The supporting structure may also be configured such that it may be arrested in various angular positions relative to the seat. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the supporting structure is defined by two or more separate legs. One leg each may for example be disposed on opposite ends of the seat. The swiveling axis thus matches with the imaginary connecting line of the ends of the two legs facing the floor. The legs of the supporting structure may thus form an angle between 70° to 88°, preferably between 75° to 85°, with the seat in such a manner that the spacing between the legs increases as the distance from the seat increases.

[0015] In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention the supporting structure, which defines the swiveling axis, comprises a central supporting element, which is e.g. disposed on the lower seat surface. At its end facing away from the seat the supporting element may comprise an element, which extends parallel to the seat and defines a swiveling axis extending perpendicular to the supporting element. The supporting structure has thus substantially the form of an upside-down T. The supporting element as well as the element defining the swiveling axis may for example be tubular in shape.

[0016] In accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention the supporting structure is formed as a plane or frame-like element, e.g. in the form of a rectangle being disposed at the lower seat surface.

[0017] The seat, the limiting elements and the supporting structure, which define the swiveling axis, may be vertically adjustable so that the seating furniture may individually be adapted to the height of a person or the working environment of the person, respectively. It is also possible to make any of these components resilient or to provide any of these components with a resilient member in order to increase the sitting comfort. Moreover, it is also conceivable to make said components detachable. In this manner it is possible to reduce the space requirements of the seat, which facilitates transportation thereof. Transportation can also be facilitated if the seating furniture has a foldable construction.

[0018] The seat may further comprise a back-rest. The back-rest is preferably of such functionality that it provides a uniformly good hold in various sitting directions relative to the swiveling axis. In accordance with one embodiment the seat comprises, in a peripheral region, i.e. at the edge, a receiving aperture for the back-rest so that the back-rest may be detachably connected with the seat. The seat preferably comprises at least one further receiving aperture, which is offset relative to the first receiving aperture by an angle of from 45° to 90° relative to an axis extending perpendicular to the seat and passing through the center of the seat. The back-rest may thus be detachable and adapted to the respective sitting position by changing between the two receiving apertures. Instead of a detachable back-rest, also a back-rest may be provided which may be swiveled either continuously or between predetermined angular positions about an axis extending perpendicular to the seat.

[0019] The back-rest may have a shaft, which comprises, at an end facing away from the seat, a supporting member. The supporting member is preferably configured such that it may be attached to the shaft in at least two different positions. The supporting member may thus be arranged for example in a first position parallel to the sitting direction and in a second position perpendicular to the sitting direction.

[0020] In case the seat is X-shaped, the seat preferably comprises two sections extending perpendicular to each other, wherein the swiveling axis may extend parallel to the first section of the X and perpendicular to the second section of the X. It is possible to dispose the limiting elements in the region of opposite ends of the first section and to dispose the legs, defining the swiveling axis, in the region of opposite ends of the second section.

[0021] In order to increase the sitting comfort the seat may be upholstered. Furthermore, it may be curved downwards (concave) or curved upwards (convex) with respect to the floor. In case of an X-shaped seat the concave or convex shape may be realized by making both sections U-shaped, wherein the ends of each section are at a greater or lesser distance from the floor than the respective centers of the sections.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Further advantages and details of the present invention will become apparent from the embodiments and drawings, in which

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a seating furniture in accordance with the present invention;

[0024] FIGS. 2a-2d show the use of the seating furniture shown in FIG. 1;

[0025] FIGS. 3a-3c show a second embodiment of a seating furniture in accordance with the present invention;

[0026] FIGS. 4 to 22 show further embodiments of a seating furniture in accordance with the present invention;

[0027] FIGS. 23a to 23m show various embodiments of seats; and

[0028] FIGS. 24a to 24b show an embodiment of a foldable seating furniture.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFFERED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0029] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a seating furniture in accordance with the present invention in the form of a stool 10. Stool 10 comprises an X-shaped seat 12 having two sections 14, 16 extending perpendicular to each other. Stool 10 is placed on a floor 18.

[0030] Seat 12 is curved such that the ends of sections 14, 16 are extending slightly upwards. The X-shaped seat 12 makes it possible to be comfortably seated on stool 10 in two sitting directions perpendicular to one another. The sitting direction may either be parallel or perpendicular to e.g. section 14.

[0031] Stool 10 comprises two legs 22, 24 of equal length 1, which are connected to the lower surface 26 of seat 12 in a region of opposite ends of section 14. Legs 22, 24 slightly stand off from seat 12 towards the outside and form an angle of about 850 with seat 12. Legs 22, 24 could also have different lengths.

[0032] Stool 10 comprises two further legs 28, 30 of equal length 1′. Legs 28, 30 are connected to the lower surface 26 of seat 12 in a region of opposite ends of section 16. Legs 28, 30 slightly stand off from seat 12 towards the outside and form an angle of about 750 with seat 12. Legs 28, 30 could also have different lengths.

[0033] Length l′ of legs 28, 30, which are disposed in the region of opposite ends of section 16, is somewhat less than length 1 of legs 22, 24, which are disposed in the region of opposite ends of section 14. Legs 28, 30 form an angle with seat 12 which is by 10° more acute than that of legs 22, 24. The effective length leff=l·sin85° of legs 22, 24 is thus greater than the effective length l′eff=l′·sin 75° of legs 28, 30. Due to the different effective lengths, seat 12 can be rocked about a swiveling axis 32, which coincides with the imaginary connecting line of the free ends of legs 22, 24 having the greater effective length and being disposed on the floor 18. The swiveling axis 32 extends parallel to section 14 and perpendicular to section 16 of seat 12.

[0034] The rocking motion of the seat 12 about the swiveling axis 32 is limited by the legs 28, 30 having the shorter effective length. When one of said legs 28, 30 comes into contact with the floor 18 it prevents a further turning about the swiveling axis 32. The turning about the swiveling axis 32 is thus limited to a maximum angle of swing &agr;.

[0035] A person being seated on stool 10 shown in FIG. 1 may either balance on legs 22, 24 so that the two other legs 28, 30 are suspended in the air (rocking position, unstable balance). However, the person may also place e.g. a further leg 28 on the floor 18, as is shown in FIG. 1, so that only one leg 30 is suspended in the air (rest position, stable balance).

[0036] In FIGS. 2a to 2d the use of stool 10 shown in FIG. 1 is illustrated in more detail. In FIG. 2a sitting direction and swiveling axis are in parallel to one another. As illustrated in FIG. 2a, a person 36 seated on stool 10 is currently holding his balance, but may rock to the left or to the right relative to the sitting direction or place the left or right leg 28, 30 of stool 10 on the floor 18, respectively.

[0037] In the illustration shown in FIG. 2b person 36 has changed the sitting direction. The sitting direction now extends perpendicular to the swiveling axis and person 36 rests on the rear leg 28. In FIG. 2c person 36 is currently holding his balance, but may rock forwards or backwards relative to the sitting direction. In FIG. 2d person 36 is inclined forwards, e.g. in order to work, and rests on leg 30 of stool 10.

[0038] A further embodiment of a seating furniture in accordance with the present invention in the form of a chair 38 is illustrated in FIGS. 3a to 3c. Chair 38 has the same configuration as stool 10 shown in FIG. 1 as far as the rocking mechanism is concerned, so that a detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0039] Chair 38 shown in FIG. 3a is provided with a single receiving aperture 40 for a back-rest in order to provide an improved hold during a rocking motion. The back-rest may be detachably attached in the receiving aperture 40. Chair 38 shown in FIGS. 3b and 3c comprises, apart from a first receiving aperture 40 for a back-rest, a further receiving aperture 42 for the back-rest. The further receiving aperture 42 is offset relative to the first receiving aperture 40 by an angle of 90° relative to an axis extending perpendicular to seat 12. By exchanging the back-rest between the two receiving apertures 40, 42 it may be ensured that a person seated on chair 38 is provided with sufficient hold in both sitting directions shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b. The back-rest disposed in the receiving aperture 42 shown in FIG. 3b comprises a shaft 44 and an upholstered supporting member 46 disposed on the shaft. Supporting member 46 having the form of a head of a horse may be disposed on shaft 44 in two different positions, namely perpendicular (FIG. 3b) and parallel (FIG. 3c) to the sitting direction. Chair 38 may thus also be used as a rocking-horse (FIG. 3c).

[0040] Further embodiments of the seating furniture in accordance with the present invention are shown in FIGS. 4 to 22. Like elements are given like reference numerals.

[0041] Chair 38 shown in FIG. 4 has a seat 12 which is rotatable relative 50 legs 22, 24, 28, 30. For this purpose an X-shaped support 50 is provided, which is connected to the seat 12 by means of a hinge 51. One of legs 22, 24, 28, 30 is each disposed at one of the four ends of the X-shaped support 50. The X-shaped seat 12 of chair 38 is formed by to two upholstered and intersecting sections 14, 16 being disposed perpendicular to one another.

[0042] Stool 10 shown in FIG. 5 has two shorter legs 28, 30 and each shorter leg 28, 30 is provided with a resilient element 52, 54. One resilient element 52, 54 each is disposed at a free end of each leg 28, 30 and dampens the touch down of the respective leg 28, 30 on the floor 18. For example helical springs or rubber cylinders are suited for the resilient elements 52, 54.

[0043] Stool 10 shown in FIG. 6 has a similar structure as the stool shown in FIG. 5. Stool 10 comprises two short hollow cylinders 58, 60 which radially surround the two short legs 28, 30 at the outside and are guided in a freely sliding manner along legs 28, 30. The length of the hollow cylinders is chosen such that the hollow cylinders 58, 60 are in constant contact with the floor 18 due to their weight regardless of the rocking position of stool 10. Resilient elements, as shown in FIG. 5, may be arranged within the hollow cylinders 58, 60 in order to dampen the rocking motion.

[0044] FIGS. 7a to 7c show stools 10 having a supporting structure 64 in the form of an upside-down T which is attached to seat 12. Supporting structure 64 comprises a supporting tube 66 extending perpendicular to seat 12 and a traverse tube 68 extending perpendicular to supporting tube 66 and parallel to seat 12. Traverse tube 68 defines the swiveling axis 32 for seat 12 in the plane of the floor 18.

[0045] A common stationary tube 70 passes through each of the traverse tubes 68 of the three stools 10 depicted in FIG. 7b. Stationary tube 70 permits lining up of stools 10. Stool 10 depicted in FIG. 7c has a rotatable seat 12.

[0046] Stool 10 shown in FIG. 8 comprises a square seat 12. Plane structures 74, 76 extending perpendicular to seat 12 are disposed on two opposite sides of seat 12. Each one of the two plane structures 74, 76 has a V-shaped profile at its free end facing away from seat 12. The tip 78, 80 of each V faces the floor 18.

[0047] The two plane structures 74, 76 combine the supporting structure (which defines the swiveling axis 32) and the limiting elements in an integral manner. The swiveling axis 32 is given by the imaginary connecting line of tips 78, 80 of the two Vs. In total four end faces 82, 84, 86, 88 of the plane structures 74, 76, extending perpendicular to seat 12 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, serve as limiting elements extending away from seat 12 towards opposite sides relative to the swiveling axis 32.

[0048] Stool 10 shown in FIG. 9 is configured in such a manner that the shorter legs 28, 30 intersect or cross each other below seat 12. The two shorter legs 28, 30 may be connected to each other either fixedly or resiliently at the point of intersection 92 of the two legs 28, 30.

[0049] Stool 10 shown in FIG. 10 has four legs 22, 24, 28, 30 which are vertically adjustable at their respective free ends. According to an embodiment not depicted in FIG. 10, only the pair of shorter legs 28, 30 or only the pair of longer legs 22, 24 is vertically adjustable.

[0050] Stools 10 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 have a seat 12 which resembles a lying eight. A supporting structure 64 in the form of an upside-down T extends away from the center of the eight towards the floor 18.

[0051] Each stool 10 comprises a foothold 96. Stool 10 shown in FIG. 11 has a rod-shaped or tubular foothold 96 which is rotatably disposed at one of the two shorter legs 28, 30. In the position depicted in FIG. 10 the foothold 96 extends substantially perpendicular to leg 28. Foothold 96 can be folded to rest upon leg 28. Stool 10 shown in FIG. 12 has a foothold 96 which is integrally formed at the supporting structure 64. The traverse beam 68 of the T is curved in such a manner that portions which are parallel to the floor 18 are created somewhat above the floor 18, which portions serve as footholds 96.

[0052] Chairs 38, shown in FIGS. 13a to 13c and 14, comprise a back-rest composed of a shaft 44 and a supporting member 46 attached to the shaft 44. Chair 38 shown in FIG. 13a has a supporting member 46 which can be rotated about an axis of rotation extending parallel to seat 12 for making seating more comfortable. In chair 38 shown in FIG. 13b the supporting member 46 is additionally provided with a resilient element 98. Resilient element 98 is disposed between supporting member 46 and shaft 44 and dampens the movements of supporting member 46. Chair 38 according to FIG. 13c has a supporting member 46 which is vertically adjustable along shaft 44. Chair 38 depicted in FIG. 14 has a shaft 44. An inclination of shaft 44 relative to seat 12 can be freely adjusted.

[0053] Stool 38 illustrated in FIG. 15 has a handhold 100 which is disposed at an end face of seat 12.

[0054] In stool 10 shown in FIGS. 16a to 16c the two shorter legs 28, 30 are hingedly attached to seat 12 by means of hinges 104, 106 and may be arrested within a certain angular range in arbitrary angular positions. Stool 10 according to FIG. 16c has rolls 105 attached to the free ends of the shorter legs 22, 24.

[0055] Stool 10 shown in FIG. 17 has a vertically adjustable seat 12. A supporting structure 110 of stool 10 is H-shaped and comprises two vertical legs 22, 24 connected to each other by a horizontal element 25. One hollow cylinder each is guided along the two vertical legs 22, 24. Each hollow cylinder is fixedly connected to seat 12 and may be arrested in arbitrary vertical positions relative to the vertical legs 22, 24.

[0056] Stool 10 shown in FIG. 18 has two longer legs 22, 24 which may be pivoted relative to seat 12 and parallel to an imaginary connecting plane of the two shorter legs 28, 30. The pivoted legs 22, 24 may be arrested within a predetermined angular range in arbitrary angular positions relative to seat 12 so that the tilting point of stool 10 is adjustable.

[0057] Stool 10 of FIG. 19 has four rolls 105 attached to free ends of legs 22, 24, 26, 28, respectively.

[0058] Each of chairs 38 shown in FIGS. 20a and 20b comprises a shorter leg 30 which is attached to a shaft 44 of a back-rest. Chair 38 according to FIG. 20a has a shorter leg 30 which is moveable within an imaginary connecting plane of shorter legs 28, 30. This permits selection of a more stable sitting position by arresting leg 30 in a suitable angular position. The center of motion of leg 30 is disposed at the shaft 44 of the back-rest. A rod 112 which is movably attached to leg 30 and guided within seat 12 may be arrested in the region of seat 12. By arresting rod 112 leg 30 may be fixed in the desired angular position.

[0059] Chair 38 depicted in FIG. 20b has a shaft 44 which is formed from a metal tube and which is bent in the shape of an U at its end facing away from seat 12. The shorter leg 30 is integrally formed with a free portion of the U extending towards floor 18. A spring 107 is disposed between the free portion of the U extending towards floor 18 and the portion of the U attached to seat 12.

[0060] A stool 10 having a plane supporting structure 114 is shown in FIG. 21. The plane supporting structure 114 passes through the center of seat 12 and extends perpendicular to the imaginary connecting plane of the two shorter legs 28, 30.

[0061] Chair 38 according to FIG. 22 has a support 116 attached to shaft 44 of the back-rest and extending away from seat 12. Support 116 can be used e.g. for supporting a book when a person is sitting on chair 38 with its chest in contact with support member 46.

[0062] In FIGS. 23a to 23m various embodiments of seats 12 are depicted. Seats 12 can be planar, saddle-shaped, shaped in the form of intersecting cylinders, etc. The periphery of seats 12 can be a square, a cross, a circle, a triangle, etc.

[0063] In FIGS. 24a to 24c a foldable stool 10 is illustrated. For the purpose of folding stool 10 the legs 22, 24, 28, 30, which are rotatable in pairs 22, 24 and 28, 30 about a common axis of rotation, are first rotated such (see arrow in FIG. 24a) that they lie within a common plane. Then, seat 12, which is connected to one of the pairs of legs 28, 30 by means of a hinge 120, is folded such (see arrow in FIG. 24b) that seat 12 extends perpendicular to the common plane of legs 22, 24, 28, 30 (FIG. 24c).

Claims

1. A seating furniture comprising

a) a seat which can be rocked by a limited angle of swing relative to a swiveling axis, the swiveling axis extending parallel to the seat; and

b) at least two limiting elements limiting the angle of swing, the limiting elements being attached to the seating furniture in a region of the seat and extending away from the seat towards opposite sides relative to the swiveling axis.

2. The seating furniture according to

claim 1, wherein the seat is substantially X-shaped.

3. The seating furniture according to

claim 2, wherein the seat has two sections extending at right angles to each other and wherein the swiveling axis extends parallel to a first one of the two sections and perpendicular to a second one of the two sections.

4. The seating furniture according to

claim 1, wherein a sitting position relative to the swiveling axis may be freely chosen.

5. The seating furniture according to

claim 1, wherein the swiveling axis is disposed in a region of a floor.

6. The seating furniture according to

claim 1, wherein the limiting elements extend at an angle between 65° to 85° relative to the seat.

7. The seating furniture according to

claim 1, wherein the limiting elements are disposed in a region of opposite ends of the seat.

8. The seating furniture according to

claim 1, wherein the limiting elements are legs.

9. The seating furniture according to

claim 1, wherein the swiveling axis is defined by two legs, the legs being disposed in a region of opposite ends of the seat.

10. The seating furniture according to

claim 1, wherein a supporting structure is disposed in a region of a lower surface of the seat, the supporting structure comprising, at a free end thereof facing away from the seat, an element defining the swiveling axis.

11. The seating furniture according to

claim 10, wherein the supporting structure is at least one of vertically adjustable, provided with resilient elements or detachable.

12. The seating furniture according to

claim 1, wherein at least one of the seat and the limiting elements is at least one of vertically adjustable, provided with resilient elements or detachable.

13. The seating furniture according to

claim 1, wherein a first receiving aperture for a back-rest and a second receiving aperture for the back-rest are provided in the seat and wherein the second receiving aperture is offset relative to the first receiving aperture by an angle of 45° to 90° relative to an axis extending perpendicular to the seat.

14. The seating furniture according to

claim 1, wherein the seating furniture is foldable.

15. A seating furniture comprising

a) a seat which can be rocked by a limited angle of swing relative to a swiveling axis, the swiveling axis extending parallel to the seat and the seat being substantially X-shaped; and

b) at least two limiting elements limiting the angle of swing, the limiting elements being attached to the seating furniture in a region of seat and extending away from the seat towards opposite sides relative to the swiveling axis.

16. The seating furniture according to

claim 15, wherein a sitting position relative to the swiveling axis may be freely chosen.

17. A seating furniture comprising

a) a seat which can be rocked by a limited angle of swing relative to a swiveling axis, the seat having two sections extending approximately at right angles to each other, the swiveling axis extending parallel to a first one of the two sections, perpendicular to a second one of the two sections and parallel to the seat such that a sitting position relative to the swiveling axis may be freely chosen; and

b) at least two limiting elements limiting the angle of swing, the limiting elements extending away from the seat towards opposite sides relative to the swiveling axis.

18. A seating furniture comprising

a) a seat which can be rocked by a limited angle of swing relative to a swiveling axis, the swiveling axis extending parallel to seat; and

b) at least two limiting elements limiting the angle of swing and extending away from the seat towards opposite sides relative to the swiveling axis, a first one of the limiting elements being attached to the seating furniture in a region of the seat and a second one of the limiting elements being attached to the seating furniture in a region of a back-rest.

19. The seating furniture according to

claim 18, wherein the seat is substantially X-shaped.

20. The seating furniture according to

claim 19, wherein a sitting position relative to the swiveling axis may be freely chosen.