BIFUNCTIONAL CHAIR FOR SITTING AND KNEELING
The subject matter of the invention is a convertible bi-functional chair for sitting and kneeling, which allows to change positions and relieve the spine during long-lasting work involving sitting or long travels by plane, bus or train. The bi-functional chair for sitting and kneeling comprises a movable rotating seat (1), back rest (3) and knee support (6). It is equipped with devices allowing to change the distance between the front edge of the seat and the back rest, the angle of inclination of the back rest with regard to the seat and the height of the back rest with regard to the seat, which enables converting the seat and back rest for classic sitting into a seat and back rest for kneeling and vice versa.
The subject matter of the invention is a convertible bi-functional chair for sitting and kneeling, which allows to change positions and relieve the spine during long-lasting work involving sitting or long travels by plane, bus or train.
A chair for kneeling is known from the Polish utility model no. 64081. It is a rehabilitation chair used mainly for kneeling, without a backrest, constructed in the shape of the letter X.
Another solution with a similar purpose is known from the Polish patent application P.390736. It is a convertible piece of furniture for sitting and kneeling in which a two-part kneeler assembly is supported on rotational and tilting arms mounted in brackets in a crosspiece.
Other solutions with similar uses are known, such as the solution from European patent description no. EP 0570550, in which the seat, knee support and backrest are suspended on a suitable mechanism from the supporting column based on a wheeled mount. This mechanism comprises levers allowing for moving the usable surfaces of the chair in space, depending on the needs. In this way the chair may be converted to a sitting position, sitting-kneeling position or similar. Locking the position of the seat, kneeler and backrest is effected by means of latch and bolt mechanisms.
Pieces of furniture of a similar type are also known from the Polish patent application no. P.387898. The chair described therein is equipped with a seat, two-part knee support, backrest and armrests. The kneeler assembly contains two parts. Each of these parts is able to tilt the kneeling chair and move it backwards.
A solution is also known from patent application PCT/IB2014/000114 the essential feature of which consists in the fact that the seat of the chair is dividable. Its front part converts into a kneeler. The chair possesses a two-arm seat support. Its movable arm supports the front part of the seat convertible into a kneeler and the second arm supports the back part of the seat and the backrest.
A solution in the form of a multi-purpose chair for yoga practice in which the kneeler is lowered along the seat column is known from the U.S. Pat. No. 794,672 B2.
Precise adjustment of the bi-functional chair for the function of sitting and kneeling, aside from changing the angle of inclination of the seat, requires changing the depth of the seat, the angle of the backrest in relation to the seat as well as adjustment of the height of the backrest in relation to the seat.
In kneeling form the depth of the seat is lower than during classic sitting. Depending on the manner of mounting and arrangement of the kneeler, in variants with dividable and non-dividable seat, the depth of the seat should be decreased or increased.
On account of changing the angle of inclination of the seat during conversion of the chair it is necessary to change the angle of the backrest in relation to the seat.
In order to appropriately support the lumbar section of the spine the backrest should be profiled and convex in the lumbar section. In order to ensure the appropriate placement of the backrest in both positions of the chair the backrest is preferably adjustable in height with regard to the seat.
Bi-functional chairs known from prior art do not offer the possibility to precisely adjust the device to the function of sitting and kneeling, at the same time preserving the aforementioned conditions.
The bi-functional chair for sitting and kneeling according to the invention contains a seat with adjustable angle of inclination, backrest and movable knee support. It is equipped with a device or several devices allowing to change the distance between the front edge of the seat and the backrest, the angle of inclination of the backrest in relation to the seat and the height of the backrest in relation to the seat, which enables precise conversion of the seat and backrest for classic sitting into a seat and backrest for kneeling and vice versa.
It is beneficial if the change of depth of the seat is ensured by a slide device in which the seat, being manually movable in relation to the backrest, is connected by means of the slide mechanism to the seat mount and the seat plate is rotationally connected to the chair pedestal assembly. Manual change of the angle between the backrest and the seat is enabled by the rotational connection of the frame of the backrest to the rear part of the seat plate. Manual change of the height of the backrest in relation to the seat is enabled by the connection of the backrest to the backrest support which is movable in the vertical direction.
If is beneficial if the chair for sitting and kneeling is equipped with a device maintaining the backrest angle selected by the user without the necessity to lock the movement of the backrest. Such a device does not require additional locking activities and allows the user to quickly and fluidly change the angle of inclination of the backrest by pushing with the back.
If is beneficial if the chair for sitting and kneeling is equipped with a device maintaining the backrest angle selected by the user without the necessity to lock the movement of the backrest, which possesses an assembly for equalizing the resistance of the backrest with the weight of the user. This device does not require regulating the chair for each user.
It is beneficial if the change of depth of the seat and the change of the angle between the backrest and the seat is ensured by a device in which the backrest support is connected by means of a shift and rotation mechanism with the seat plate connected rotationally to the chair pedestal assembly. It ensures manual adjustment of the angle between the backrest and the seat and the possibility to manually shorten or extend the backrest. Manual change of the height of the backrest in relation to the seat is enabled by the connection of the backrest to the backrest support which is manually movable in the vertical direction.
It is beneficial if the change of the depth of the seat and the height of the backrest in relation to the seat is enabled by a device in which the support of the seat is connected rotationally to the mount of the seat, the rear part of the seat is extended by at least 35 mm and the backrest support is shaped in such a manner, that in the sitting position the lumbar support point of the backrest located closest to the front overlaps at least 35 mm on the seat. Owing to the above, after arranging the chair in the kneeling position the rear part of the seat is automatically extended. Adequate setting of the height of the backrest is ensured by placement of the axis of the backrest support at the end of the seat plate. The height of the backrest changes automatically. Manual change of the angle between the backrest and the seat is enabled by the rotational connection of the frame of the backrest to the rear part of the seat plate.
It is beneficial if the change of the depth of the seat, the angle and the height of the backrest in relation to the seat is enabled by a device in which the support of the seat is connected rotationally to the mount of the seat, the rear part of the seat is extended by at least 35 mm and the backrest support is shaped in such a manner, that in the sitting position the lumbar support point of the backrest located closest to the front overlaps at least 35 mm on the seat. The backrest support is connected by means of sliders through the sliding component to the seat support, which ensures automatic correction of the angle between the seat and the backrest during conversion of the chair. The seat extends automatically. Adequate setting of the height of the backrest is ensured by placement of the axis of the backrest support at the end of the seat plate. The height of the backrest changes automatically.
It is beneficial if the change of the depth of the seat, the angle and height of the backrest in relation to the seat is enabled by a device in which the support of the seat is connected rotationally to the support of the seat, the rear part of the seat is extended by at least 35 mm and the backrest support is shaped in such a manner, that in the sitting position the lumbar support point of the backrest located closest to the front overlaps at least 35 mm on the seat. The rear part of the seat plate is rotationally connected to a string which on its other end is connected rotationally to the mounting plate of the backrest support. The front of the mounting plate of the backrest support is rotationally connected to a string which on its other end is rotationally connected to the seat support. This string is additionally rotationally connected to a string which on its other end is connected with the lower plate of the seat. The device enables automatic extension of the seat, automatic correction of the backrest angle, automatic correction of the height and distance of the backrest from the seat after arranging the chair in the kneeling position. The mounting plate of the backrest is affixed to the seat support by means of a rotational connection. It provides an additional function—a manually changeable angle between the backrest and the seat which aims at inclining the backrest in both positions of the chair.
It is beneficial if the change of the depth of the seat, the angle and height of the backrest in relation to the seat is enabled by a device in which the support of the seat is connected rotationally with the chair pedestal assembly, the rear part of the seat is extended by at least 35 mm and the backrest support is shaped in such a manner, that in the sitting position the lumbar support point of the backrest located closest to the front overlaps at least 35 mm on the seat. The rear part of the lower plate of the seat is rotationally connected to a string which on its other end is rotationally connected to the sliding component. This sliding component is connected to the chair pedestal assembly by means of any sliding mechanism allowing for vertical up-down movement. The device enables automatic extension of the seat, automatic correction of the backrest angle, automatic correction of the height and distance of the backrest from the seat after arranging the chair in the kneeling position. The sliding component is rotationally affixed with the chair seat support which is in turn rotationally affixed to the backrest support. This provides an additional function—a manually changeable angle between the backrest and the seat which aims at inclining the backrest in both positions of the chair.
It is beneficial if the change of the depth of the seat, the angle and height of the backrest in relation to the seat is enabled by a device in which the support of the seat is connected rotationally to the chair pedestal assembly, the rear part of the seat is extended by at least 35 mm and the backrest support is shaped in such a manner, that in the sitting position the lumbar support point of the backrest located closest to the front overlaps at least 35 mm on the seat. The rear part of the lower seat plate is rotationally connected to a string which on its other end is connected rotationally to the mounting plate of the backrest support. The plate is rotationally connected to strings which on their other sides are rotationally connected to the seat support assembly. The axes of rotation of the strings are situated in relation to each other in the form of a rhomboid. The plate is rotationally connected to the backrest support which in turn is affixed to the backrest by means of a rotational connection. The device enables automatic extension of the seat, automatic correction of the backrest angle, automatic correction of the height and distance of the backrest from the seat after arranging the chair in the kneeling position. The rotational connection provides an additional function, namely manually changeable angle between the backrest and the seat which aims to incline the backrest in both positions of the chair.
It is beneficial if the change of the depth of the seat, the angle and height of the backrest in relation to the seat is enabled by a device in which the support of the seat is connected rotationally to the chair pedestal assembly, the rear part of the seat is extended by at least 35 mm and the backrest support is shaped in such a manner, that in the sitting position the lumbar support point of the backrest located closest to the front overlaps at least 35 mm on the seat. The rear part of the seat plate is rotationally connected to a string (which on its other end is rotationally connected to the mounting plate of the backrest support). The front of the mounting plate of the backrest support is rotationally connected to a string which on its other end is rotationally connected to the chair pedestal assembly. This string is additionally rotationally connected to the string which on its other end is connected with the lower plate of the seat. The device enables automatic extension of the seat, automatic correction of the backrest angle, automatic correction of the height and distance of the backrest from the seat after arranging the chair in the kneeling position. The mounting plate of the backrest is rotationally connected to the backrest support. It provides an additional function—a manually changeable angle between the backrest and the seat. Another additional function is provided by the inclination mechanism. In the sitting position the mechanism enables the inclination of the seat by means of moving the backrest backwards which, by affecting the seat mount/chair pedestal element, increases the angle between the seat and the backrest, which is beneficial for the spine.
A beneficial result of the invention is a better support for the back of the user which is possible owing to the fact that part of the backrest supporting the lumbar section of the spine is set on an appropriate height. What is more, the depth of the seat is decreased when the chair is arranged in the kneeling position and the angle of the backrest is adjusted for both positions of the chair. What is also beneficial is the introduction of the possibility to incline the backrest backwards in both positions of the chair, so as to place it in a more or less vertical position. Another beneficial fact is the introduction of a mechanism which, in the sitting position, when the backrest is moved backwards, also causes the inclination of the seat by around 50% of the angle of inclination of the backrest, which increases the angle between the seat and the backrest.
A beneficial result of the invention resides in the fact that it is possible to market new variants of the bi-functional chair with better functionalities and introduce this form of seating in buses, trains and planes, which would facilitate travelling for people suffering from back aches.
Embodiments of the subject matter of the invention are presented on the following drawing, where:
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Claims
1. Bi-functional chair for sitting and kneeling comprising a seat with adjustable angle of inclination, backrest and movable knee support characterized in that it is equipped with devices allowing to change the distance between the front edge of the seat and the backrest, the angle of inclination of the backrest in relation to the seat and the height of the backrest in relation to the seat, which enables conversion of the seat and backrest for classic sitting into a seat and backrest for kneeling and vice versa.
2. (canceled)
3. Bi-functional chair for sitting and kneeling equipped with a seat with adjustable angle of inclination, backrest and movable knee support pursuant to claim 1, characterized in that it is equipped with a device maintaining the backrest angle selected by the user without the necessity to lock the movement of the backrest manually.
4. Bi-functional chair pursuant to claim 3 characterized in that the device maintaining the backrest angle selected by the user without the necessity to lock the movement of the backrest is constructed in such a manner that the chair pedestal (62) is connected with the chair column (63) affixed with seat support (4); the seat support (4) is rotationally connected through rotation axis (64) to the seat mount (2), which is connected to seat (1); the seat support (4) is rotationally connected through rotation axis (66) to arm (67), which is in turn, through backrest frame rotation axis (68), is connected to the backrest inclination mechanism mount (69); the backrest inclination mechanism mount (69) is rotationally connected through rotation axis (70) to string (71) connected rotationally through rotation axis (72) to the seat mount; the backrest inclination mechanism mount (69) is affixed with retaining walls (73) and (74) of spring (75) tightened by means of screw (76) through washer (77); the backrest frame rotation axis (68) is joined with spring pusher (78) pushing bolt (79) moving through an aperture in wall (73) and connected to washer (80); the seat support (4) is affixed with seat support bracket (81) with an aperture through which slides bolt (82) moved by lever (83); the bolt enters the aperture of the seat support (84) connected to seat mount (2).
5. Bi-functional chair pursuant to claim 3 characterized in that the device maintaining the backrest angle selected by the user without the necessity to lock the movement of the backrest comprises an assembly for equalizing the resistance of the backrest with the weight of the user and is constructed in such a manner that the chair pedestal (62) is connected with the chair column (63) affixed with seat support (4); the seat support (4) is rotationally connected through rotation axis (64) to the seat mount (2), which is connected to seat (1) through rotation axis (65); the seat support (4) is rotationally connected through rotation axis (66) to arm (67), which is in turn, through backrest frame rotation axis (68), is connected to the backrest inclination mechanism mount (69); the backrest inclination mechanism mount (69) is rotationally connected through rotation axis (70) to string (71) connected rotationally through rotation axis (72) to the seat mount; the backrest inclination mechanism mount (69) is affixed with retaining walls (73) and (74) of spring (75) tightened by means of screw (76) through washer (77); the backrest frame rotation axis (68) is joined with spring pusher (78) pushing bolt (79) moving through an aperture in wall (73) and connected to washer (80); the seat support (4) is affixed with seat support bracket (81) with an aperture through which slides bolt (82) moved by lever (83); the bolt enters the aperture of the seat support (84) connected to seat mount (2); the backrest rotation axis (68) is joined with lever (86) rotationally connected to slider (87), which in turn is rotationally connected to lever (88) rotationally set on axis (89) mounted on the backrest inclination mechanism mount (69); lever (88) is rotationally connected to string (90) which is rotationally connected to lever (91), which in turn is rotationally connected through axis (92) to the seat mount (2); lever (91) is rotationally connected with arm (93) which is rotationally connected to seat (1).
6. Bi-functional chair for sitting and kneeling comprising a seat with changeable angle of inclination, backrest and movable knee support pursuant to claim 1 characterized in that the seat (1) is slide connected by means of any type of sliding mechanism (7) equipped with slide lock, to the seat mount (2); seat mount (2) is rotationally connected, with any type of rotation lock, to chair pedestal assembly (4)—connection rotation axis (8); seat mount (2) is rotationally connected, with any type of rotation lock, to backrest support (5)—connection rotation axis (10); backrest support (5) is connected to backrest (3) by means of any type of sliding mechanism (14) locked in any manner, which allows for vertical sliding; if the seat is dividable knee support (6) constitutes an extension of the seat when the chair is arranged in the sitting position; if the seat is not dividable the knee support (6) is placed under the seat and is moved to the kneeling position during conversion of the chair by means of any type of mechanism.
7. Bi-functional chair for sitting and kneeling comprising a seat with changeable angle of inclination, backrest and movable knee support pursuant to claim 1 characterized in that seat mount (2) is rotationally connected, through any type of rotation lock, to the chair pedestal assembly (4)—connection rotation axis (8); seat mount (2) is connected by means of any type of rotating and sliding mechanism (15) with any type of movement lock, to backrest support (5)—connection rotation axis (16); backrest support (5) is connected by means of any type of sliding mechanism allowing for vertical movement (14), with any type of slide lock, to backrest (3); if the seat is dividable knee support (6) constitutes an extension of the seat when the chair is arranged in the sitting position; if the seat is not dividable knee support (6) is placed below the seat and is moved to the kneeling position during conversion of the chair by means of any type of mechanism.
8. Bi-functional chair for sitting and kneeling comprising a seat with changeable angle of inclination, backrest and movable knee support pursuant to claim 1 characterized in that seat mount (2) is rotationally connected, through any type of rotation lock, to the chair pedestal assembly (4)—connection rotation axis (8); the end of seat mount (2) is rotationally connected to backrest support (5)—connection rotation axis (18); backrest support (5) is shaped in such a manner that in the sitting position the lumbar support point of the backrest located closest to the front overlaps at least 35 mm on the seat; backrest support (5) is connected to backrest (3); if the seat is dividable knee support (6) constitutes an extension of the seat when the chair is arranged in the sitting position; if the seat is not dividable knee support (6) is placed below the seat and is moved to the kneeling position during conversion of the chair by means of any type of mechanism.
9. Bi-functional chair for sitting and kneeling comprising a seat with changeable angle of inclination, backrest and movable knee support pursuant to claim 1 characterized in that seat mount (2) is rotationally connected, through any type of rotation lock, to the chair pedestal assembly (4)—connection rotation axis (8); the end of seat mount (2) is rotationally connected to backrest support (5)—connection rotation axis (18); backrest support (5) is shaped in such a manner that in the sitting position the lumbar support point of the backrest located closest to the front overlaps at least 35 mm on the seat; backrest support (5) is connected to backrest (3); the chair comprises a mechanism automatically adjusting the angle between the backrest and the seat during conversion of the chair from the classic sitting position to the kneeling position, constructed in such a manner that the chair pedestal assembly (4) is rotationally connected to string (21)—connection rotation axis (22); the other end of the string (21) is rotationally connected to sliding component (24)—connection rotation axis (23); sliding component (24) is slide connected to seat mount (2) in a manner allowing for horizontal movement from the front to the end of the seat and vice versa; sliding component (24) is rotationally connected to string (25)—connection rotation axis (23); the other end of string (25) is rotationally connected to the short arm of backrest support (27)—connection rotation axis (26). If the seat is dividable the knee support (6) constitutes an extension of the seat when the chair is arranged in the sitting position; if the seat is not dividable the knee support (6) is placed under the seat and is moved to the kneeling position during conversion of the chair by means of any mechanism.
10. Bi-functional chair for sitting and kneeling comprising a seat with changeable angle of inclination, backrest and movable knee support pursuant to claim 1 characterized in that seat mount (2) is rotationally connected, through any type of rotation lock, to the chair pedestal assembly (4)—connection rotation axis (8); seat mount (2) is rotationally connected to string (29)—connection rotation axis (28); the other end of string (29) is rotationally connected to backrest support mounting plate (31)—connection rotation axis (30); the front of backrest support mounting plate (31) is rotationally connected to string (33)—connection rotation axis (32); the other end of string (33) is rotationally connected to chair pedestal assembly (4)—connection rotation axis (34); string (33) is additionally rotationally connected to string (36)—connection rotation axis (35); the other end of string (36) is rotationally connected to seat mount (2)—connection rotation axis (37); backrest support mounting plate (31) is rotationally connected, with any type of rotation lock, to backrest support (5)—connection rotation axis (38); backrest support (5) is affixed to backrest (3); if the seat is dividable knee support (6) constitutes an extension of the seat when the chair is arranged in the sitting position; if the seat is not dividable knee support (6) is placed below the seat and is moved to the kneeling position during conversion of the chair by means of any type of mechanism.
11. Bi-functional chair for sitting and kneeling comprising a seat with changeable angle of inclination, backrest and movable knee support pursuant to claim 1 characterized in that seat mount (2) is rotationally connected, through any type of rotation lock, to the chair pedestal assembly (4)—connection rotation axis (8); the rear of the seat mount (2) is rotationally connected to string (41)—connection rotation axis (40); the other end of string (41) is rotationally connected to sliding component (43)—connection rotation axis (42); sliding component (43) is slide connected by means of any type of sliding mechanism (44) to chair pedestal assembly (4); sliding component (43) is rotationally connected, with any type of rotation lock, to backrest support (5)—connection rotation axis (45); backrest support (5) is affixed to backrest (3); if the seat is dividable knee support (6) constitutes an extension of the seat when the chair is arranged in the sitting position; if the seat is not dividable knee support (6) is placed below the seat and is moved to the kneeling position during conversion of the chair by means of any type of mechanism.
12. Bi-functional chair for sitting and kneeling comprising a seat with changeable angle of inclination, backrest and movable knee support pursuant to claim 1 characterized in that seat mount (2) is rotationally connected, through any type of rotation lock, to the chair pedestal assembly (4)—connection rotation axis (8); seat mount (2) is rotationally connected to string (47)—connection rotation axis (46), the other end of string (47) is rotationally connected to backrest support mounting plate (49)—connection rotation axis (48); backrest support plate (49) is rotationally connected to strings (51) and (52)—connection rotation axes (50) and (53); the other ends of strings (51) and (52) are rotationally connected to chair pedestal assembly (4)—rotation axes (54) and (55); the ends of rotation axes (50), (53), (54) and (55) are arranged in relation to each other in the form of a rhomboid; backrest support mounting plate (49) is rotationally connected, with any type of rotation lock, to backrest support (5)—connection rotation axis (56); backrest support (5) is connected to backrest (3); if the seat is dividable knee support (6) constitutes an extension of the seat when the chair is arranged in the sitting position; if the seat is not dividable knee support (6) is placed below the seat and is moved to the kneeling position during conversion of the chair by means of any type of mechanism.
13. Bi-functional chair for sitting and kneeling comprising a seat with changeable angle of inclination, backrest and movable knee support pursuant to claim 1 characterized in that seat mount (2) is rotationally connected, through any type of rotation lock, to the chair pedestal assembly (4)—connection rotation axis (8); seat mount (2) is rotationally connected to string (29)—connection rotation axis (28); the other end of string (29) is rotationally connected to backrest support mounting plate (31)—connection rotation axis (30); the front of backrest support mounting plate (31) is rotationally connected to string (33)—connection rotation axis (32); the other end of string (33) is rotationally connected to chair pedestal assembly (4)—connection rotation axis (34); string (33) is additionally rotationally connected to string (36)—connection rotation axis (35); the other end of string (36) is rotationally connected to seat mount (2)—connection rotation axis (37); the chair comprises a mechanism which in the classic sitting position, during backwards inclination of the backrest support (5) causes backwards inclination of the seat (1) along with the mechanism and the knee support around axis (8); the mechanism is constructed in such a manner that the backrest support mounting plate (31) is rotationally connected to inclination lever (58)—connection rotation axis (32); one end of the inclination lever (58) leans on string (61) and the other end, which may be equipped with a rotating wheel (59), leans on pusher (60); inclination lever (58) is affixed to backrest support (5). Backrest (3) is affixed to backrest support (5); if the seat is dividable the knee support (6) constitutes an extension of the seat when the chair is arranged in the sitting position; if the seat is not dividable the knee support (6) is placed under the seat and is moved to the kneeling position during conversion of the chair by means of any mechanism.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 8, 2016
Publication Date: Jul 26, 2018
Inventors: Mateusz KIERYLLO (Milanowek), Andrzej KIERYLLO (Milanowek)
Application Number: 15/744,604