U.S. patent application number 11/128635 was filed with the patent office on 2006-02-02 for chair with negative ion generator.
Invention is credited to Hans Dehli.
Application Number | 20060022495 11/128635 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35428751 |
Filed Date | 2006-02-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060022495 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dehli; Hans |
February 2, 2006 |
Chair with negative ion generator
Abstract
A chair or similar article of furniture having an embedded
negative ion generation device to clean the airspace around the
chair. The negative ion generation device may be positioned within
the headrest or similar portion of the furniture to provide the air
purification while maintaining the aesthetic appeal of the piece
furniture which would be marred by an externally mounted
system.
Inventors: |
Dehli; Hans; (Dana Point,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHRISTIE, PARKER & HALE, LLP
PO BOX 7068
PASADENA
CA
91109-7068
US
|
Family ID: |
35428751 |
Appl. No.: |
11/128635 |
Filed: |
May 13, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60571011 |
May 14, 2004 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
297/180.14 ;
297/180.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 9/002 20130101;
A47C 7/74 20130101; A47C 7/72 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/180.14 ;
297/180.1 |
International
Class: |
A47C 7/74 20060101
A47C007/74 |
Claims
1. A chair system comprising: a chair comprising a support surface
designed to support a person's body position; a negative ion
generator positioned within the chair; and an airflow system to
draw air into the negative ion generator through an intake port and
direct the air to an exhaust port remote from the intake port.
2. The chair system of claim 1 wherein the support surface
comprises a seating portion and a backrest.
3. The chair system of claim 2 wherein the negative ion generator
is positioned within the backrest.
4. The chair system of claim 1, wherein the airflow system
comprises: a fan to facilitate airflow through the negative ion
generator.
5. The chair system of claim 1, wherein the negative ion generator
further comprises: a transformer to generate a high voltage across
an air gap to ionize air passing through the gap.
6. The chair system of claim 1, further comprising: a compressible
pillow to generate airflow through movement of a user.
7. The chair system of claim 1, wherein the negative ion generator
operates on one of a 120 volt alternating current and a 5 to 50
volt direct current.
8. The chair system of claim 1, wherein the airflow system further
comprises: air ducting to be disposed within the chair to fluidly
connect the negative ion generator to the exhaust port.
9. The chair system of claim 1, a high voltage grid defining a 4 mm
to 20 mm space for air to pass through.
10. An article of furniture comprising: a first portion comprising
surfaces adapted to support a human body; a negative ion generator
substantially enclosed within the first portion; and a compressible
structure to generate airflow through the negative ion generator
using movement of a user seated on the first portion.
11. The article of furniture of claim 10, further comprising: an
air duct system providing fluid communication between the negative
ion generator and an exhaust port placed at a distance from the
negative ion generator.
12. The article of furniture of claim 10, wherein the negative ion
generator further comprises: an ion grid array to produce a voltage
greater than 120 volts across an air gap.
13. The article of furniture of claim 10, wherein the compressible
structure is a pillow.
14. The article of furniture of claim 10, further comprising: a fan
to facilitate air flow through the negative ion generator.
15. The article of furniture of claim 10, wherein the negative ion
generator is disposed within a headrest.
16. The article of furniture of claim 10, wherein the first portion
is a chair.
17. The article of furniture of claim 10, further comprising: an
air intake port positioned in a back of the article of
furniture.
18. The article of furniture of claim 11, wherein the air duct
system directs air toward an outer edge of a headrest.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/571,011, filed May 14, 2004, the disclosure of
which is incorporated fully herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a chair having a negative
ion generator, particularly where the negative ion generator is
installed largely within the surfaces of the chair.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The benefits of negative ions in the air are well known. As
a result, a number of commercial products have been developed that
generate negative ions and disperse the negative ions into the air.
The available negative ion generators have been relatively
expensive and require independent space for installation.
[0004] Research indicates that negatively charged ions neutralize
pollutants and can have a positive impact on health. Negative ions
combine with positively charged ions in the air, such as dust,
pollen, and cigarette smoke, and cause those particles to drop from
the air. The result is that air near the negative ion generator is
made clean.
[0005] Although several different negative ion generators are
commercially available, they require special placement and
installation. Many people would enjoy the benefits of negative
ions, but are reluctant to add a new piece of electrical equipment
to their residential or business environments. Moreover, the
placement of the negative ion generator impacts the area within a
room that receives cleaner air because the generators disperse the
negative ions most heavily in the area immediately surrounding the
generator.
[0006] Because people spend a great deal of their time sitting in
chairs at home, at work, or at entertainment venues, a need exists
for providing clean air in the area where people sit. Moreover, a
need exists for achieving cleaner air in a manner that is
aesthetically pleasing and convenient. As a result, a need exists
for a chair that includes a negative ion generator within the
surfaces of the chair.
[0007] Although attempts have been made to minimize the proximity
between chairs and negative ion generators, such as externally
mounting a negative ion generator to the arm of a chair, the
placement of the negative ion generators have been conspicuous and
lacking in aesthetic appeal. Positioning a negative ion generator
within the surfaces of a chair would provide the benefits of
negative ions in a space efficient and subtle manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention relates generally to a chair system
comprising a chair portion and a negative ion generator positioned
within the chair portion. This present system overcomes the
shortcomings in currently available negative ion generators and
chairs by combining both units into a single chair system. The
configuration for achieving the combined chair and negative ion
generator system can vary widely depending on the type of chair and
the preferences of the user of the chair system. Any type of chair
that is designed to support a human body may be used to achieve the
present system, by either modifying an existing chair to include a
negative ion generator, or by designing a new chair to do the same.
The type of negative ion generator used is a design choice, as is
the particular placement and orientation of the various components
of the negative ion generator within the chair. The same concepts
and principles may be applied to incorporate the negative ion
generator within any type of furniture. A chair system is presented
as an example.
[0009] The present chair system is generally configured such that
untreated air surrounding the chair portion will be received into
the negative ion generator through an air intake area, wherein the
untreated area is processed by the negative ion generator and
negative ions are then dispersed into the air through an air
exhaust area.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIGS. 1a and 1b are front and side perspective views,
respectively, of an exemplary chair system according to the present
invention;
[0011] FIGS. 2a and 2b are front and rear perspective views,
respectively, of an exemplary negative ion generator shown
positioned within the chair system of FIGS. 1a and 1b;
[0012] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of components of an
exemplary ion generator and an exemplary headrest portion of a
chair;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the components of FIG.
3 in an assembled state;
[0014] FIGS. 5a and 5b are front perspective views of the headrest
shown in FIG. 4, where the negative ion generator mounted within
the headrest is partially shown; and
[0015] FIGS. 6a, 6b, and 7 are rear views of the headrest of FIG. 4
with the negative ion generator positioned therein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The present invention overcomes the shortcomings in
currently available negative ion generators and chairs by combining
both units into a single chair system. The configuration for
achieving the combined chair and negative ion generator system can
vary widely depending on the type of chair and the preferences of
the user of the chair system. For example, any type of existing
chair or other types of furniture can be modified to include a
negative ion generator, including, but not limited to, reclining
chairs, office chairs, massage chairs, fitness chairs, automobile
chairs, sofas, restaurant booths, etc. The example of a chair is
used herein for sake of conciseness and clarity. One of ordinary
skill in the art would understand that the principles of the
disclosed invention may be applied to any type of furniture. As
used herein the term chair includes any surface suitable to support
a person's body in a partially non-linear position (i.e., not lying
completely flat in a bed), wherein the chair can receive or
accommodate, or be adapted to do so, a negative ion generator. In
addition, persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that
many types of negative ion generators are sufficient for producing
negative ions and can be used with any type of chair or other
furniture.
[0017] The exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are purely
illustrative of some options for practicing the present invention
and are not limitations on how to practice the invention.
[0018] One embodiment of the present system is depicted in FIGS. 1a
and 1b. As shown, a chair system 10 includes a back rest 12, a seat
portion 14, and arms 16. A negative ion generator 18 is positioned
in a head rest portion 20 of the back rest 12. The negative ion
generator 18 includes an air intake area 22, an ion grid 24, and an
air exhaust area 26. FIGS. 2a and 2b show the negative ion
generator 18 of FIGS. 1a and 1b in more detail. The ion generator
18 includes a high voltage transformer 28 that produces a high
voltage on the ion grid 24 to generate ions in the surrounding air.
Further, the ion generator includes a fan device 30 that assists
with distributing the negative ions being dispersed from the ion
grid 24. The high voltage transformer 28 and fan device 30 are
shown being powered by either an alternating current (AC) or direct
current (DC) power supply. The selection of power supply will
depend on the expected use and placement of the chair system. For
example, the power supply may have a voltage of 120 volts AC or 3
to 50 volts DC (including a DC provided by a battery). The power
supply may be used to provide a high voltage generated by the
transformer 28 across a set of air gaps in an ion grid 24. In one
embodiment, the air gaps may be 4 to 20 mm across. The arching
voltage across the gap provided by the transformer may be 120 volts
or higher.
[0019] Generally, untreated air (not shown) from the area
surrounding the chair enters the air intake area 22 and then enters
the ion grid 24. After entering the ion grid 24, the voltage across
the air gaps in the ion grid provided by the high voltage
transformer 28 converts the untreated air into negative ions 32,
which are dispersed outwardly by the air duct system and air
exhaust ports 26 with the assistance of the fan device 30. The
negative ions 32 then begin to perform the function of cleaning the
air surrounding the chair system by attaching to other molecules in
the air, such as dust and pollutants, and causing those molecules
to drop from the air. Thus, the person sitting in the chair system
10 enjoys freshly cleaned air. The configuration of the exhaust air
ports 26 provides a wide area of clean air surrounding the chair.
The position of the intake port 22 at a position away from the
exhaust air ports promotes the generation of a larger and cleaner
airspace in the proximity of the chair, even if a fan is not
utilized to force air through the system. In contrast, if the
intake and exhaust ports were in close proximity to one another the
same air would tend to be recycled through the system.
[0020] The negative ion generator 18 of FIGS. 1a to 2b is shown
positioned within a backrest of the chair system. The air intake
and air exhaust portions of the ion generator are shown
corresponding to two surfaces of the backrest, namely a seating
surface and an exterior surface that faces opposite the seating
surface. Generally, the seating surface faces towards the user of
the chair system and the exterior surface faces away from the user.
The air intake area is shown positioned inside the exterior surface
and facing away from the user, which means that untreated air
surrounding the chair system is drawn into the ion generator from
the exterior surface. Similarly, the air exhaust area is shown
positioned within the seating surface of the backrest, such that
the untreated air drawn into the air intake area will pass through
the ion grid and exit the ion generator through the air exhaust
area in the form of negative ions. It is understood that the
positioning and directions of the air intake and air exhaust areas
relative to the surfaces of the chair and the user can be changed
and varied. This is also true for the other components of the
particular negative ion generator that is selected for use with the
present invention.
[0021] An exemplary embodiment of the ion generator 18 having a
structure adapted for mounting within a headrest 20 of the chair
system 10 is shown in FIGS. 3 to 7. FIG. 3 is an exploded
perspective view of the components of the exemplary ion generator
18 and headrest 20. The ion generator 18 is shown having an ion
grid 34, a fan 36, and a transformer 38, which correspond to the
same components described for FIGS. 1a to 2b. The ion generator
also includes an air intake port 40, an air ducting 42, and air
exhaust ports 44. The ion generator is also shown having air
ducting caps 46, which serve to enclose recesses within the air
ducting 42, thereby forming channels for air to pass through. With
respect to he headrest 20, it is shown having a seating surface
cover 48, which faces the user when the user is sitting in the
chair system. The headrest also includes a pad 50, which provides
comfort padding for the headrest. The foam pad 50 is shown having
optional recesses 52 that are adapted to receive the air ducting 42
of the ion generator. The headrest also includes an exterior
surface cover 54 which surrounds the pad 50 and portions of the ion
generator, such that the a uniform exterior surface is formed by
the joining of the seating surface cover 48 and the exterior
surface cover 54. The exterior surface cover is shown having a
window 56, which allows the air intake port 40 to be exposed for
receiving air surrounding the chair system.
[0022] FIG. 4 shows a front perspective view of the components of
FIG. 3 in an assembled state. The figure shows the seating surface
cover 48 of the headrest 20, as well as the air exhaust ports 44 of
the ion generator 18. Also shown is an optional external pillow 58,
which can be added or removed from the headrest at the user's
discretion. The headrest 20 shown in FIGS. 3 to 7 is designed for
use as part of a chair disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No.
6,012,774 entitled "Reclining Chair With Guide Rail System," which
is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This patented
chair is simply one example of a chair that can be adapted to
include a negative ion generator according to the present
invention. Thus, the headrest 20 and ion generator 18 shown in
FIGS. 4 to 7 are merely examples of one possible configuration for
use with the patented chair. These in no way limit the broad
application of the present invention, which clearly teaches use of
multiple types of negative ion generators with multiple types of
chairs.
[0023] FIGS. 5a and 5b are front perspective views of the headrest
20 shown in FIG. 4, where the negative ion generator 18 mounted
within the headrest is partially shown. FIG. 5a shows the optional
external pillow 58, where FIG. 5b does not. These Figures show that
the air ducting, the ion grid, and the fan are positioned within
the headrest, and that only the air exhaust ports would be visible
when looking at the seating surface cover of the headrest.
[0024] FIGS. 6a, 6b, and 7 are rear views of the headrest 20 shown
in FIG. 4. Specifically, FIG. 6a shows a perspective view of the
headrest where the air intake port 40 is visible and the other
components mounted within the headrest are not shown. This view is
what a user looking at the exterior seat cover 54 of the headrest
would see. FIG. 6b is the same view as FIG. 6a, except the internal
portion of the headrest is made visible, which reveals the ion
generator mounted therein. This is similar to the view shown in
FIG. 5b. FIG. 6b shows the air ducting spanning the inside of the
headrest such that air that enters the air intake port will travel
through the air ducting and exist through the air exhaust ports in
the seat surface of the headrest. FIG. 7 is the same view as FIG.
6b, except the air intake port 40 is removed to further show the
ion grid 34, the fan 36, and the transformer 38.
[0025] The configuration of the negative ion generator and the
chair that are used to form the combined system can be varied
significantly. Some example variations include use of a forced air
system, such as in the above exemplary embodiments, where a fan
device is used to force air through the ion generator. In the
forced air system, a number of options exist including use of AC or
DC power supply, a high or low voltage, and a propeller or impeller
fan. Also, the ion generator can use a passive airflow system where
air is not forced by electrodes, or a semi-passive airflow system
where the air is moved past electrodes by physically flexing or
pumping a pillow, much like lungs. The physical flexing or
compression of the pillow or similar structure in the chair may be
caused by a user sitting in the chair such that the movements of
the user cause the pumping of air through the system. Similarly, as
noted above, the particular type of chair and where the components
of the negative ion generator are positioned within the chair is
variable.
[0026] Generally, it is desirable to maximize the amount of the
negative ion generator that is positioned within the chair and to
minimize the amount of the negative ion generator that protrudes
beyond the surfaces of the chair. This applies for chairs having a
preexisting structure that may be modified to include a negative
ion generator, as well as chairs that are designed with the
intention of including a negative ion generator. This creates an
aesthetically pleasing chair system because a user does not have to
look at an unsightly external ion generator, and it efficiently
uses space occupied by the chair by providing the chair with an
additional function.
* * * * *