U.S. patent application number 13/811213 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-09 for seat device for supporting a sitting person.
This patent application is currently assigned to INNO-MOTION AG. The applicant listed for this patent is Patrik Kuenzler. Invention is credited to Patrik Kuenzler.
Application Number | 20130113252 13/811213 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44474955 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130113252 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kuenzler; Patrik |
May 9, 2013 |
SEAT DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING A SITTING PERSON
Abstract
A seat device for supporting a sitting person includes: a first
movably supported partial seat for supporting the person and a
second partial seat for supporting the person, which is movably
supported independently of the first partial seat and which can be
combined with the first partial seat to form a whole seat. In order
to enable better sitting, for each partial seat a pivot bearing
spring device is provided, said pivot bearing spring device having
a first pivot axis extending in a longitudinal direction, about
which the respective partial seat can be pivoted while sprung with
a first spring constant, and a second pivot axis extending in a
transverse direction, about which the respective partial seat can
be pivoted while sprung with a second spring constant, wherein each
partial seat is associated with the respective pivot bearing spring
device by means of a lever arm.
Inventors: |
Kuenzler; Patrik; (Zurich,
CH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kuenzler; Patrik |
Zurich |
|
CH |
|
|
Assignee: |
INNO-MOTION AG
Zurich
CH
|
Family ID: |
44474955 |
Appl. No.: |
13/811213 |
Filed: |
July 18, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
July 18, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2011/003570 |
371 Date: |
January 18, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/284.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 7/14 20130101; A47C
9/002 20130101; A47C 7/142 20180801; A47C 7/024 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/284.3 |
International
Class: |
A47C 7/14 20060101
A47C007/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 22, 2010 |
EP |
10170378.3 |
Claims
1. Seat device (1) for supporting a sitting person, with: a first
movably supported partial seat (101) for supporting the person, a
second partial seat (103) for supporting the person, which is
movably supported independently of the first partial seat (101) and
which can be combined with the first partial seat to form a whole
seat, characterized by the fact that for every partial seat (101,
103), a pivot bearing spring device (115) with a first swivel axis
running in a longitudinal direction, around which the respective
partial seat (101, 103) can be pivoted while sprung with a first
spring stiffness, and a second swivel axis running in a transverse
direction, around which the respective partial seat (101, 103) can
be pivoted while sprung with a second spring stiffness, is
provided, whereby the respective partial seat (101, 103) is
associated with the respective pivot bearing spring device (115) by
means of a lever arm (109).
2. Seat device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that
each of the pivot bearing spring devices (115) has a first elastic
bearing (121) and a second elastic bearing (123) arranged near the
first elastic bearing (121), whereby the elastic bearings (121,
123) are arranged adjacent to each other such that the first swivel
axis runs between the elastic bearings (121, 123) and the second
swivel axis runs through the elastic bearings (121, 123).
3. Seat device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that
the first elastic bearing (121) is associated with a first partial
lever arm (111) of the lever arm (109) and the second elastic
bearing (123) is associated with a second partial lever arm (113)
of the lever arm (109).
4. Seat device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that
for every partial seat (101, 103), a pivot bearing (35) is provided
for turning the partial seats (101, 103) around a third swivel axis
running in the vertical direction.
5. Seat device according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that
the respective pivot bearing (35) is arranged below the elastic
bearing (121, 123) of the respective pivot bearing spring device
(115).
6. Seat device according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that
the pivot bearings (35) associated with the partial seats (101,
103) are associated with a common base plate (29).
7. Seat device according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that
the base plate (29) can be rotated, by means of a spring device,
around an axis of rotation (39) running in the vertical direction,
can be adjusted in height along this axis and/or is
spring-supported.
8. Seat device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that
the first partial seat (101) is relatively movably supported by
means of a first suspension (105) and the second partial seat (103)
by means of a second suspension (107), whereby each of the
suspensions (105, 107) has at least three partial seat elastic
bearings.
9. Seat device according to claim 8, characterized by the fact that
the suspensions (105, 107) have a first partial seat elastic
bearing and a second partial seat elastic bearing, which are
arranged one after the other along the longitudinal direction and
have a third partial seat elastic bearing arranged adjacent to the
first and second partial seat elastic bearing.
10. Seat device according to claim 9, characterized by the fact
that the third partial seat elastic bearings of the suspensions
(105, 107) are arranged adjacent to each other.
11. Seat device according to claim 8, characterized by the fact
that the suspensions (105, 107) each have a fourth partial seat
elastic bearing, whereby the third partial seat elastic bearing and
the fourth partial seat elastic bearing are arranged one after the
other along the longitudinal direction.
12. (canceled)
13. Seat device according to claim 8, characterized by the fact
that the partial seat elastic bearings are arranged such that they
form a triangle, a rectangle or preferably a trapezium.
14. Seat device according to claim 8, characterized by the fact
that the partial elastic bearings of the respective partial seat
(101, 103) are arranged inclined downwards pointing away from each
other.
15. Seat device according to claim 8, characterized by the fact
that at least one of the partial seat elastic bearings is designed
as a partial seat spring leg (139).
16. Seat device according to claim 15, characterized by the fact
that the partial seat spring leg (139) has a spring rod (141) with
an upper spring stop (143) and a lower spring stop (145), between
which an upper elastic spring (149) and a lower elastic spring
(151) are arranged, between which a central spring stop (147) is
arranged which is slidable in the longitudinal direction with
reference to the spring rod (141).
17. Seat device according to claim 16, characterized by the fact
that the central spring stop (147) wobbles relative to the spring
rod (141).
18-20. (canceled)
21. Seat device according to claim 1, characterized by a first
spring damper device arranged below the first partial seat (101)
and a second spring damper device arranged below the second partial
seat (103), whereby each of the spring damper devices has an
elastic body arranged at the centre of the respective partial seat
(101, 103), by means of which the partial seats (101, 103) can be
moved in a spring-damped manner along the vertical direction and
can be pivoted around the longitudinal direction and the transverse
direction.
22-39. (canceled)
40. Couch device, comprising a seat device (1) according to claim 1
having components that support at least the pelvis, the upper body
and the head of a person in a lying position.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a seat device for supporting a
sitting person, with a first movably supported partial seat for
supporting the person and a second partial seat for supporting the
person, which is movably supported independently of the first
partial seat and which can be combined with the first partial seat
to form a whole seat.
[0002] Seat devices with partial seats for supporting a sitting
person are known. The person can sit onto both partial seats, in
which the partial seats can support the person independently of
each other. WO 93/19648 relates to an actively dynamic seat device,
comprising a foot part, an intermediate piece connected with the
foot part and a seat part connected with the intermediate piece,
whereby the seat part has two parts.
[0003] The seat halves are independent from each other, mainly
connected vertically with the intermediate piece via a spring and
each has a carrier part and a seat half affixed to it. Each seat
half is supported onto the carrier part, tiltable to the front and
back. WO 99/16335 A1 publishes a seat with a pair of seat bodies,
which both have a vertical movement as well as a rocking movement
to the front and back. An adjustable stiff seat arrangement with
sensors is known from the US 2003/0073552 A1, whose framework
supports the entire body of the user and allows for resistance
exercises.
[0004] The task of the invention is to allow for better sitting
and/or lying, i.e. fatigueless and especially comfortable sitting
and/or lying.
[0005] In order to serve this task, in a seat device for supporting
a sitting person, with a first movably supported partial seat for
supporting the person and a second partial seat for supporting the
person, which is movably supported independently of the first
partial seat and which can be combined with the first partial seat
to form a whole seat, for each partial seat a pivot bearing spring
device is provided, said pivot bearing spring device having a first
pivot axis extending in a longitudinal direction, about which the
respective partial seat can be pivoted while sprung with a first
spring constant, and a second pivot axis extending in a transverse
direction, about which the respective partial seat can be pivoted
while sprung with a second spring constant, whereby each partial
seat is associated with the respective pivot bearing spring device
by means of a lever arm.
[0006] The person can sit such that the left half of the body is
supported or placed onto the first partial seat and the right half
of the body is supported or placed onto the second partial seat.
Advantageously, two degrees of flexibility are given for every
partial seat, whereby an especially relaxed and comfortable sitting
is possible. Different spring stiffnesses can be implemented for
these degrees of flexibility using the pivot bearing spring devices
associated with the partial seats.
[0007] It is, for example, possible to allow for swinging to the
front and back, i.e. a rocking movement of the person with
comparatively low resistance. This can be easily controlled by the
sitting person by placing his/her feet onto a base, on which the
seat device is arranged. Swinging movements to the right and left
can e.g. take place with a considerably greater stiffness; this
lends the sitting person a higher degree of safety, whereby relaxed
and free sitting is still possible, since the left and the right
halves of the person's body are supported independently of each
other.
[0008] In case of exemplary implementations of the seat device,
each of the pivot bearing spring devices has a first elastic
bearing and a second elastic bearing arranged near the first
elastic bearing, whereby the elastic bearings are arranged adjacent
to each other such that the first swivel axis runs between the
elastic bearings and the second swivel axis runs through the
elastic bearings. Elastic bearings can e.g. refer to a rubber
bearing, especially with elastomer as spring material. It is
however also possible to use a spiral spring as elastic bearing.
The elastic bearings arranged adjacent to each other can implement
different spring stiffnesses of the swivel axes of the pivot
bearing spring devices of the partial seats.
[0009] A rocking movement of the person to the front and back, i.e.
swinging of the partial seats around the second swivel axis can
take place with less spring stiffness as compared to a rocking
movement to the right and left, in connection with a swinging
movement of the partial seats around the first swivel axis. Also,
the individual elastic bearings of the pivot bearing spring device
can be identical or different, e.g. in length, shape and/or
elasticity. In a preferred form of implementation, the two lateral
elastic bearings can have spring stiffnesses different from the two
medial elastic bearings.
[0010] In other exemplary implementations of the seat device, the
first elastic bearing is associated with a first partial lever arm
of the lever arm and the second elastic bearing with a second
partial lever arm of the lever arm. Each of the partial lever arms
can be supported separately by means of the respective associated
elastic bearing.
[0011] In other exemplary implementations of the seat device, for
every partial seat, a pivot bearing is provided for turning the
partial seats around a third swivel axis running in the vertical
direction. The partial seats have a third degree of flexibility
corresponding with the pivot bearing. The seat device can follow an
opening and closing or spreading movement of the person's legs.
[0012] In other exemplary implementations of the seat device, the
respective pivot bearing is arranged below the elastic bearing of
the respective pivot bearing spring device. Swinging movements
around the first and/or the second swivel axis can thus be
converted into rocking movements of the person by means of the
lever arm. By means of the pivot bearing, the elastic bearings
arranged above it, the lever arms as well as the partial seats can
be swung together around the respective third swivel axis.
[0013] In other exemplary implementations of the seat device, the
pivot bearings associated with the partial seats are associated
with a common base plate. The base plate can e.g. be designed as a
cross brace and can take in the bearing loads required for
supporting the person.
[0014] In other exemplary implementations of the seat device, the
base plate can be rotated, by means of a spring device, around an
axis of rotation running in the vertical direction, can be adjusted
in height along this axis and/or is spring-supported. The function
of a height-adjustable and spring-supported swivel chair can be
implemented by means of the spring device. For this, the spring
device can e.g. have a gas spring.
[0015] In case of a seat device for supporting a sitting person,
with a first movably supported partial seat for supporting the
person and a second partial seat for supporting the person, which
is movably supported independently of the first partial seat and
which can be combined with the first partial seat to form a whole
seat, the task is also served by relatively movably supporting the
first partial seat by means of a first suspension and the second
partial seat by means of a second suspension, whereby each of the
suspensions has at least three partial seat elastic bearings. A
labile support can be provided for every partial seat, i.e. for
every half of the body of the sitting person; this demands constant
small adjustment movements for a natural position control of the
sitting person. It was revealed that the sitting person finds this
especially comfortable and relaxed. Here, relatively movable can
refer to a support of the respective partial seat with multiple
degrees of flexibility, e.g. up to six degrees of flexibility,
whereby movements of the partial seats are restricted
elasto-mechanically with corresponding spring stiffnesses. It is
thus possible that the person sits stably when it comes to larger
movements of the partial seats; however great flexibility,
especially locally instable statuses develop around a balanced
position, which are balanced by means of corresponding natural
position control cycles of the sitting person.
[0016] In other exemplary implementations of the seat device, the
suspensions have a first partial seat elastic bearing and a second
partial seat elastic bearing, which are arranged one after the
other along the longitudinal direction and have a third partial
seat elastic bearing arranged adjacent to the first and second
partial seat elastic bearing. Partial seat elastic bearing can also
refer to a rubber bearing and/or a spiral spring. The individual
partial seat elastic bearings can be identical or different, e.g.
in length, shape and/or elasticity. A three-point support develops
here, which allows for flexibility, restricted against the
corresponding spring stiffnesses, in all translational as well as
rotatory degrees of flexibility. It is thus possible to assign the
three partial seat elastic bearings to the partial seats such that
the afore-described desirable instable statuses develop for certain
movements of the person.
[0017] In other exemplary implementations of the seat device, the
three partial seat elastic bearings of the suspensions are arranged
adjacent to each other. Thus, the two partial seats can be
supported such that, in case of a rocking movement of the person to
the front and back, a bearing reaction force that allows the person
to open and close his/her legs easily develops at the partial
seats; this provokes the afore-described balancing reactions of the
person and eventually provides comfortable sitting.
[0018] In other exemplary implementations of the seat device, the
suspensions have a fourth partial seat elastic bearing, whereby the
third partial seat elastic bearing and the fourth partial seat
elastic bearing are arranged one after the other along the
longitudinal direction. By means of the additional partial seat
elastic bearing, stiffness can be modified such that the
afore-described bearing reaction force is lower.
[0019] In other exemplary implementations of the seat device, the
third and the fourth partial seat elastic bearings are arranged at
a distance from each other, which is smaller than the distance
between the first and the second partial seat elastic bearings. By
means of a corresponding difference of distance between the partial
seat elastic bearings, the bearing reaction force during the
person's rocking movement to the front and back can be set or
adjusted such that this represents a measure suitable for
comfortable sitting.
[0020] In other exemplary implementations of the seat device, the
partial seat elastic bearings are arranged such that they form a
triangle, a rectangle or preferably a trapezium. The
characteristics of the suspensions can be selected or modified by
means of the arrangement.
[0021] The number of partial seat bearings per partial seat is
preferably three (2+1), more preferably four (2+2) or can also be
more than four.
[0022] In other exemplary implementations of the seat device, the
partial seat elastic bearings of the respective partial seat are
arranged inclined downwards pointing away from each other. This
arrangement, i.e. inclined downwards pointing away from each other,
results in a stabilizing characteristic of the suspensions, whereby
instability consciously perceived by the person can be reduced. The
incline or a corresponding angle of the partial seat elastic
bearing to a vertical axis of the seat device can be selected such
that the actual instability of the suspension is no longer
consciously felt by the person, but the natural position control of
the person still results in the afore-described balancing or
adjusting movements; this subconsciously triggers the feeling of
especially comfortable sitting.
[0023] In other exemplary implementations of the seat device, at
least one of the partial seat elastic bearings is designed as a
partial seat spring leg. The tractive and shearing forces
developing when supporting the person can be managed and taken in
by means of the spring leg.
[0024] In other exemplary implementations of the seat device, the
partial seat spring leg has a spring rod with an upper and a lower
spring stop, between which an upper elastic spring and a lower
elastic spring are arranged, between which a central spring stop is
arranged slidable in the longitudinal direction with reference to
the spring rod. Optionally, the central spring stop can be
spring-supported movably with reference to the upper or lower
spring stop. In this connection, elastic spring can refer to a
spring device that brings spring forces to relative movements of
the spring stop with reference to the upper and/or lower spring
stop, e.g. an elastomer spring or a spiral spring.
[0025] In other exemplary implementations of the seat device, the
central spring stop is wobbling relative to the spring rod. Not
only translational movements relative to the other spring stops,
but also the wobbling movements can be spring-damped by means of
the partial seat spring leg. Elastic springs can also have damping
characteristics, especially if they have been designed as material
springs or elastomer springs.
[0026] In other exemplary implementations of the seat device, the
central spring stop is discoid with a recess or an opening, whereby
the spring rod reaches into the recess or through the opening. The
spring rod can be put through the recess or the opening of the
discoid central spring stop, whereby the central spring stop is
movable relative to the spring rod and can be controlled using the
same.
[0027] In other exemplary implementations of the seat device, the
upper spring stop is associated with one of the partial seats. The
bearing forces required for supporting a person can be transferred
to the partial seats by means of the upper spring stop.
[0028] In other exemplary implementations of the seat device, the
central spring stop is associated with at least one element of the
following group: the base plate, one of the lever arms, a partial
seat base plate that is or can be associated with the lever arms.
The bearing forces can further be transferred to the rest of the
seat device via the central spring stop. A spring-damping behavior
develops between the upper spring stop and the central spring stop;
this mainly corresponds to a rubber bearing. Thus with the spring
leg, it is also possible, e.g. in case of an intense back and forth
and/or to and fro rocking of the person between the lower spring
stop and the central spring stop, to transfer tractive forces onto
the partial seats in a spring-damped manner by means of the spring
rod. As a result, even in case of an intense to and fro rocking of
the person, a tractive force can be transferred onto the
corresponding partial seat in a spring-damped manner by means of
the partial seat spring leg.
[0029] In case of a seat device for supporting a sitting person,
with a first movably supported partial seat for supporting the
person and a second partial seat for supporting the person, which
is movably supported independently of the first partial seat and
which can be combined with the first partial seat to form a whole
seat, the task is also served by providing a first spring damper
device arranged below the first partial seat and a second spring
damper device arranged below the second partial seat, whereby each
of the spring damper devices has an elastic body arranged at the
centre of the respective partial seat, by means of which the
partial seats can be moved in a spring-damped manner along the
vertical direction and can be swung around the longitudinal
direction and the transverse direction. Thus, the person or the
respective half of the person's body can be supported with at least
three degrees of flexibility. This also results in the
afore-described positive sitting feel.
[0030] In other exemplary implementations of the seat device, the
elastic body is made up of an elastic material, rubber, a spiral
spring and/or an elastomer. As a result, the elastic body can be
implemented easily.
[0031] In other exemplary implementations of the seat device, the
elastic body is filled with gas, liquid or another type of rubber
and/or elastomer. As a result, a characteristic, especially spring
stiffness in at least one of the degrees of flexibility, can be set
by means of the filling, which can e.g. be under pressure.
[0032] In other exemplary implementations of the seat device, the
elastic body is designed to be long, cylindrical, rectangular,
triangular or trapeziform. Different spring stiffnesses can be
selected or set for different degrees of flexibility by means of
the shape of the elastic body.
[0033] In case of a seat device for supporting a sitting person,
with a first movably supported partial seat for supporting the
person and a second partial seat for supporting the person, which
is movably supported independently of the first partial seat and
which can be combined with the first partial seat to form a whole
seat, the task is also served by providing, for each of the partial
seats, an incline adjustment device for setting an incline of the
respective partial seat running along the longitudinal direction;
providing every partial seat with a first bar (swivel arm)
swivel-supported around a swivel axis running along the transverse
direction and associated with the partial seat and an eccentric
collaborating with the bar (swivel arm) and twistably-supported
around an axis of rotation running along the transverse direction.
As a result, inclines of the partial seats can be set by means of
the associated bars (swivel arms) and the associated eccentrics.
For this, the respective eccentric can be set or rotated
accordingly.
[0034] In other exemplary implementations of the seat device, the
lever arm represents the swivel axis and the axis of rotation. The
bar (swivel arm) is associated with the lever arm with a tilting
movement and the eccentric is associated with the lever arm with a
rotating movement.
[0035] In other exemplary implementations of the seat device, the
partial seat base plate has the bar or the swivel arm or the bar
forms a swivel arm for setting the incline. Movements of the bar or
the swivel arm can be directly transferred onto the partial seat
base plate, whereby a setting of the bar or the swivel arm directly
results in a setting of a corresponding incline of the partial seat
base plate.
[0036] In other exemplary implementations of the seat device, the
eccentric or the bar (swivel arm) or the bar (swivel arm) and the
eccentric can be blocked. Thus, mobility of the bar or of the
swivel arm can be restricted in a desired incline by means of the
eccentric. This selected or set incline of the bar or of the swivel
arm and/or of the relevant partial seat can be blocked so that an
inadvertent resetting or adjustment of the incline is not possible
when the person is sitting.
[0037] In other exemplary implementations of the seat device, the
eccentric is designed as a polygon, whereby the sides of the
polygon have a different distance to the axis of rotation. It is
thus possible to allow certain adjustable inclines by means of the
polygon or the different distances to the axis of rotation.
[0038] In other exemplary implementations of the seat device, a
stop surface of the bar or of the swivel arm can be created flush
to one of the sides for setting the incline. The eccentric can be
rotated around the axis of rotation such that the swivel arm stops
flush at one of the sides of the polygons, whereby an especially
good force transfer and a definite angle of inclination of the
swivel arm develop relative to the lever arm.
[0039] In other exemplary implementations of the seat device, a
first stop is provided in a first direction for limiting a swinging
movement of the respective partial seat around the second swivel
axis. By means of the first stop, a rocking movement of the person
to the front can be limited, whereby slipping down or tipping of
the person from the seat device can be avoided safely.
[0040] In other exemplary implementations of the seat device, a
second stop is provided in a second direction for limiting a
swinging movement of the respective partial seat around the second
swivel axis. The swinging movement can thus be, alternatively
and/or additionally, limited also in the opposite direction, e.g.
to prevent the person from tipping backwards.
[0041] In other exemplary implementations of the seat device, the
first stop or the second stop or the first and the second stop are
associated with the lever arm. By means of this association,
corresponding torques and/or forces required for limiting the
swinging movement can be transferred from the stop onto the lever
arm and thus onto the corresponding associated partial seat.
[0042] In other exemplary implementations of the seat device, for
limiting the swinging movement of the respective partial seat
around the second swivel axis, the first stop or the second stop or
the first and the second stop of every partial seat collaborate
with a base plate, whereby these hit the respective base plate for
limiting. The torques and/or forces required for limiting are
transferred via the base plate.
[0043] In other exemplary implementations of the seat device, each
of the pivot bearing spring devices is associated with one of the
base plates. With the association of the pivot bearing spring
devices with the base plates and the association of the stops with
the corresponding lever arm, the respective pivot bearing spring
device can be limited by means of the stop or blocked on reaching
the stop. Thereby, the pivot bearing spring devices can be bridged
or taken out of operation on reaching the respective stop.
[0044] In other exemplary implementations of the seat device, each
of the pivot bearing spring devices has a stop plate associated
with the corresponding lever arm, which collaborates with the
respective base plate for limiting the swinging movement. By means
of the stop plates, the pivot bearing spring devices can be blocked
and/or bridged on reaching the stops. The forces and/or torques
required for limiting the swinging movement of the respective
partial seat can be transferred between the respective base plate,
the stop plate and the respective lever arm.
[0045] In other exemplary implementations of the seat device, the
stop plates are, in the unloaded condition of the seat device, at a
distance from the base plate and in the loaded condition of the
seat device, they are at a smaller distance from the base plate or
hit the same. Thus, spring-damped sitting can be implemented by
means of the pivot bearing spring devices in spite of the stop.
[0046] In other exemplary implementations of the seat device, in
the loaded condition, the stop plates form a floating bearing
together with the respective base plate. The desired spring-elastic
support of the partial seat is implemented based on the degree of
flexibility of the floating bearing in spite of the stop plate.
[0047] In other exemplary implementations of the seat device, the
stop plates for forming the floating bearing are designed
wedge-shaped, whereby the first stop surface of the first stop or
the second stop surface of the second stop or both stop surfaces
border on a wedge tip that forms a contact surface of the floating
bearing. The stop plates can form a seesaw supported on the
corresponding wedge tip, whereby the wedge tip, for forming the
floating bearing, can form a slide bearing with the base plate in a
relatively slidable manner. The wedge tip can e.g. have a blunt
angle, whereby the swinging movement of the respective partial seat
can be limited in both directions. Alternatively, it is also
possible to design the wedge tip with a sharp angle, so that only
one stop surface develops, i.e. limitation in only one swinging
direction.
[0048] The task is also served with a couch device, comprising a
seat device according to one of the afore-mentioned forms of
implementation with components that support at least the pelvis,
the upper body and/or the head of a person in a lying or sitting
position. The term seat device, as used here, also includes the
term couch device. This results in the afore-described advantages.
Preferably, the legs and/or arms of the person can be supported or
seat-supported as described above.
[0049] In a preferred form of implementation, the seat device is a
wheelchair.
[0050] In other exemplary implementations of the seat device, it
has at least one sensor for determining the position of individual
moving parts relative to the device. The position and/or the angle
of body parts of the supported person can be determined directly or
indirectly by means of the position of moving parts. For instance,
the (at least one) sensor can be associated with at least one
moving part of the seat device, e.g. to one or both seat shells,
partial seats, suspensions, partial lever arms, pivot bearings,
bars, back rest, head rest, back rest and/or head rest joints, arm
rests, etc. Thus, the position or the angle of body parts such as
pelvis, thighs, spine, neck, knees, arms, legs, etc. can be
determined directly or indirectly. Preferably, the sensors
determine the position of the pelvis and/or of the torso of the
supported person, especially in a horizontal and/or vertical
plane.
[0051] Since the supported person takes up the natural position
suitable for him/her depending on the situation (resting, working,
moving) thanks to the many degrees of flexibility of the seat
device, damaged postures can be analyzed by the sensors in these
situations. The device can then be set to compensate these damaged
postures, e.g. by restricting certain degrees of flexibility and/or
bearing deflections, exchange/fixing/adjustment of elastic
bearings, and the result can be verified by the sensors. The
sensors can also inform the supported person about the damaged
postures, e.g. acoustically and/or visually.
[0052] Moreover, loss of control of the supported person can be
quickly detected by the sensors, e.g. when the person falls asleep,
in case of unconsciousness, in case of symptoms of an illness or in
case of a handicapped or ill person in a wheelchair or on a medical
seat/couch device.
[0053] Also, the position and/or angle information measured by the
(at least one) sensor can be fed to a control device, e.g. a
computer device, which, for instance, influences the control of a
vehicle such as a car, a motorcycle, a powered wheelchair, an
airplane, a boat, etc. or takes it over completely.
[0054] The position and/or angle information determined by the
sensors, especially about the pelvis and/or the torso of the
supported person, can be preferably used to control at least one of
the following characteristics of the seat device: the degrees of
flexibility, the deflection limitation, the damping
characteristics.
[0055] If the seat device is part of a vehicle, then the position
and/or angle information determined by the (at least one) sensor,
especially about the pelvis and/or the torso, can be preferably
used to control at least one of the following characteristics of
the vehicle: the speed, the lateral inclination angles, the
damping, the response behavior of brakes, acceleration regulators,
e.g. accelerator and/or steering devices such as steering wheel,
control stick, joystick.
[0056] Accordingly, besides seat devices equipped with sensors,
especially chairs, couches, wheelchairs, vehicle chairs/couches,
this invention also relates to processes using these sensor
devices, in which the sensor information conveyed by the movably
supported person preferably controls characteristics of the seat,
the couch and/or of the vehicle.
[0057] In exemplary implementations, the seat device from the
invention can be a fixed or movable part of a vehicle such as a
car, motorcycle, airplane, boat, bicycle, wheelchair, etc.
Preferably, the seat device comprises partial seats with the
afore-described partial seat elastic bearings, especially designed
with the afore-described partial seat spring legs with spring rod
and spring stops, preferably with position and angle sensor(s),
preferably for the control of vehicle characteristics like damping,
engine control, braking action, steering, etc.
[0058] In an exemplary form of implementation, in which the seat
device or a part thereof is a "movable" part of a vehicle, the seat
device or preferably only parts thereof are "carried" by the person
to be supported outside the vehicle, i.e. fixed to the person
within the scope of a piece of clothing. For example, the seat
shells with or without suspensions, elastic bearings, bars, swivel
arms, lever arms, pivot bearings, etc. as well as other parts of
the seat device that are not directly associated with the partial
seats, such as back-, neck- and/or head rest, can be carried by the
person e.g. with a relatively rigid and tight fit of the seat
shells, by connecting with aids such as belts or as part of
clothing such as trousers, suits, etc. The person to be supported
can thus himself/herself carry the seat shells or rather the
partial seats and connects them, when getting into or out of the
vehicle, with the vehicle or another part of the seat device
already installed in or on the vehicle. The carried seat vehicle or
parts thereof can then, in emergencies, facilitate a faster exit
after being unlocked from one or multiple quick or emergency locks,
since it does not hinder the exit unlike permanently installed
"bucket seats". It can also serve as mechanical protection, e.g.
for legs, hips, pelvis as well as back, neck, arms, head (depending
on the equipment) to avoid injuries in the event of accidents, e.g.
accidents of cars, bicycles, boats and airplanes.
[0059] Other advantages, features and details can be found below,
whereby at least one exemplary implementation has been described in
detail--if necessary, with reference to the drawings. Described
and/or drawn features are, themselves or in any logical
combination, the object of the invention, sometimes also
independent from the claims, and can also be the object of one or
more separate invention(s). Identical, similar and/or functionally
similar parts are designated with the same references.
FIGURES
[0060] FIG. 1 a three-dimensional view of a seat device diagonally
and from top and rear;
[0061] FIG. 2 a rear view of the seat device illustrated in FIG.
1;
[0062] FIG. 3 a lateral view of the seat device illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0063] FIG. 4 a rear view of another seat device;
[0064] FIG. 5 a rear view of another seat device;
[0065] FIG. 6 a detailed view of a partial seat spring leg of a
suspension of a partial seat of a seat device, whereby the partial
seat spring leg is illustrated in total three statuses;
[0066] FIG. 7 a lateral view of an incline adjustment device of a
partial seat of a seat device;
[0067] FIG. 8 a swivel arm of an incline adjustment device similar
to the incline adjustment device illustrated in FIG. 7; illustrated
in total three different inclines;
[0068] FIG. 9 a partial rear view of a partial seat of another seat
device with a stop for limiting a swinging movement of the partial
seat;
[0069] FIG. 10 a detailed view of the partial seat, illustrated in
FIG. 9, of a stop plate with a first stop
[0070] FIG. 11 a detailed view similar to the detailed view
illustrated in FIG. 10, whereby the stop plate has a second
stop;
[0071] FIG. 12 a detailed view similar to that in FIGS. 10 and 11,
whereby the stop plate has a first and a second stop;
[0072] FIG. 13 a lateral view of another seat device with a back
rest and a head rest;
[0073] FIG. 14 a lateral view of a seat device similar to that
illustrated in FIG. 13, whereby an arm rest is provided in
addition;
[0074] FIG. 15 a lateral view of another seat device similar to
that illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, whereby the arm rest is
associated with a base plate of the seat device;
[0075] FIG. 16 another lateral view of a seat device with a head
rest and a back rest;
[0076] FIG. 17 another lateral view of a seat device with an arm
rest, a back rest and a head rest;
[0077] FIG. 18 another lateral view of a seat device with an arm
rest, a back rest and a head rest;
[0078] FIG. 19 a lateral view of another seat device with an arm
rest;
[0079] FIG. 20 a lateral view of another seat device with a
combined u-shaped back/arm rest;
[0080] FIG. 21 a lateral view of another seat device similar to
that illustrated in FIG. 20 with a differently attached combined
back/arm rest;
[0081] FIG. 22 a lateral view of another seat device similar to
that illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21 with a differently attached
combined back/arm rest; and
[0082] FIG. 23 a lateral view of another seat device similar to
that illustrated in FIG. 20-22 with a differently attached combined
u-shaped back/arm rest.
[0083] FIG. 1 illustrates a three-dimensional view diagonally, from
top and rear of a seat device 1 for supporting a sitting person,
who is not illustrated in detail. The seat device 1 has a first
partial seat 101 with a first seat shell 3 and a second partial
seat 103 with a second seat shell 5. The partial seats 101 and 103
have an ergonomic shape and serve for supporting ischial
tuberosities as well as thighs of a sitting person. The seat shells
3 and 5 or the partial seats 101 and 103 can mainly be structured
as mirror images of each other, so that a description for only one
of the partial seats is equally applicable for the corresponding
partial seat arranged opposite to it, unless otherwise described
explicitly.
[0084] For supporting the first seat shell 3 of the first partial
seat 101, a first suspension 105 and for supporting the second seat
shell 5 of the second partial seat 103, a second suspension 107 is
provided. The seat shells 3 and 5 are associated with the
suspensions 105 and 107 by means of a lateral joint plate 7. The
joint plate 7 can be arranged optionally and has bearing slots of
the suspensions 105 or 107. It is possible to design the joint
plate 7 as one piece connected with the respective seat shell 3 or
5, e.g. by means of injection molding. Each of the suspensions 105
and 107 has a lateral buffer mechanism 9, 11 as well as a medial
buffer mechanism 15, 17. The lateral joint plates 7 are associated
with the buffer mechanisms 9, 11. The medial buffer mechanisms 15,
17 are associated with the seat shells 3 and 5 of the partial seats
101 and 103 by means of an also optional medial joint plate 13. The
medial joint plates 13 can also be one-piece parts of the relevant
seat shells 3 and 5.
[0085] The buffer mechanisms 9, 11, 15, 17 are partial seat elastic
bearings, which can e.g. be designed as rubber bearings. It is
however also possible to use other springs instead of the rubber
bearings, e.g. spiral springs.
[0086] The lateral buffer mechanisms 9, 11 can have a first partial
elastic bearing and a second partial elastic bearing. The
respective medial buffer mechanisms 15, 17 can have a third partial
elastic bearing and a fourth partial elastic bearing. It is
possible to provide only the third partial elastic bearing instead
of the third and the fourth partial elastic bearing, whereby a
triangular arrangement of the partial elastic bearings is developed
and the respective third partial elastic bearings of the
suspensions 105 and 107 of the partial seats 101 and 103 are
arranged adjacent to each other.
[0087] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the third partial elastic bearing
and the fourth partial elastic bearing, i.e. the medial buffer
mechanisms 15, 17, are provided, which are also arranged adjacent
to each other. The four partial elastic bearings of the buffer
mechanisms 15, 17 as well as 9, 11 are arranged trapeziform to each
other according to the illustration in FIG. 1.
[0088] It is also observed that the four partial elastic bearings
are arranged pointing diagonally downwards and pointing away from
each other relative to a vertical axis of the seat device, which
has not been illustrated in detail. Thus by means of the
suspensions 105 and 107, a spring-damped suspension of the seat
shells 3 and 5 is developed with total six degrees of flexibility.
The angle of the partial elastic bearings pointing away from each
other can be selected such that a negligible instability of the
seat shells 3 and 5 is still developed when a person sits on the
seat device 1. As a result, an especially relaxed sitting of the
person, who is not illustrated in detail, is facilitated by means
of the suspensions 105 and 107.
[0089] The bearing forces occurring when the person sits are
transferred onto the partial seat elastic bearings via the seat
shells 3 and 5 of the partial seats 101 and 103, especially via the
lateral joint plates 7 as well as the medial joint plates 13. The
partial seat elastic bearings or the buffer mechanisms 9, 11 as
well as 15 and 17 transfer the forces further onto a base plate 19
in a spring-damped manner. The base plates 19 are associated with
lever arms 109. Each of the lever arms 109 has a first partial
lever arm 111 as well as a second partial lever arm 113, whereby
the first partial lever arm 111 forms a lateral support 21 and the
second partial lever arm 113 forms a medial support 23. The medial
supports 23 or the second partial lever arms 113 of the lever arms
109 are arranged adjacent to each other.
[0090] The partial seats 101 and 103 are associated with a pivot
bearing spring device 115 via the lever arms 109.
[0091] In FIG. 1 a longitudinal direction of the seat device 1 is
indicated by means of a first arrow 117 and a transverse direction
of the seat device 1 is indicated by means of a second arrow
119.
[0092] The lever arms 109 or the associated partial seats 101 and
103 are slidably supported by means of the pivot bearing spring
device 115, namely with a first spring stiffness around a first
swivel axis running in the longitudinal direction and with a second
spring stiffness around a second swivel axis running in the
transverse direction. In order to facilitate the different spring
stiffnesses, a first elastic bearing 121 as well as a second
elastic bearing 123 are associated with each of the lever arms 109.
The elastic bearings 121 and 123 can be designed as rubber
bearings. It is however also possible to provide spiral springs
instead of the rubber bearings. The first elastic bearing 121 can
have lateral base buffer 25. The second elastic bearing 123 can
have a medial base buffer 27, whereby the medial base buffers of
the respective partial seats 101 and 103 are arranged adjacent to
each other.
[0093] The elastic bearings 121 and 123 are arranged adjacent to
each other, seen in the direction of the arrow 119, i.e. in the
transverse direction of the seat device 1. With this, the second
swivel axis runs through the elastic bearings 121 and 123 that are
arranged adjacent to each other. The first swivel axis along the
direction of the first arrow 117, i.e. in longitudinal direction,
runs between the elastic bearings 121 and 123. It is evident that
different spring stiffnesses develop in this case, whereby a
swinging movement around the second swivel axis, which corresponds
to a rocking of the person or of the partial seats 101 and 103 to
the front and back, counteracts a lesser spring stiffness of the
elastic bearings 121 and 123 as compared to a swinging movement
around the first swivel axis. A swinging movement of the partial
seats 101 and 103 or of the associated lever arms 109 corresponds
to a rocking of the person sitting on the seat device 1 to the
right and left. As a result, rocking to the right and left can be
limited with the higher spring stiffness; this degree of
flexibility is thus facilitated to the sitting person and still,
comparatively good safety or a corresponding feeling of safety is
provided.
[0094] The partial lever arms 111 and 113 are angled and have
bearing slots 125 for the elastic bearings 121 and 123 at their
ends pointing downwards, seen in the alignment of FIG. 1.
[0095] Corresponding counter bearings are formed by means of base
plates 29, which are associated with the first elastic bearing 121
and the second elastic bearing 123 for receiving or transferring
the bearing forces.
[0096] The base plate 29 of the first partial seat 101 as well as
the base plate 29 of the second partial seat 103 are together
associated with a joint plate 31. The joint plate extends in the
direction of the second arrow 119, i.e. in the transverse direction
of the seat device 1. For supporting the seat device 1 on a base
that is not illustrated in detail, e.g. a floor, the joint plate 31
is associated, approximately at the centre, to a chair leg 33 with
total five support surfaces. The association of the joint plate 31
to the chair leg 33 can be alternatively and/or additionally
implemented by means of a rotary spring damping device, e.g. a gas
spring 127, whereby the seat device 1 has the functionality of a
swivel chair. The gas spring 127 can be operated by means of an
control lever 129, e.g. in order to implement a height adjustment
by opening and closing a discharge valve of the gas spring 127,
which has not been illustrated in detail.
[0097] FIG. 2 illustrates a rear view of the seat device 1
illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 illustrates a lateral view of the
seat device 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The following
refers to FIG. 1-3. The base plates 29 of the partial seats 101 and
103 are associated with the joint plate 31 by means of a pivot
bearing 35. The pivot bearing 35 can be designed as a pivot
floating bearing, i.e. without the use of ball bearing devices. By
means of the pivot bearing 35, the partial seats 101 and 103 can be
twisted around an axis of rotation 39, which has e.g. been drawn on
the left in FIG. 2. In order to stop a corresponding rotation
around the axis of rotation 39, a braking mechanism 37 is provided
for every partial seat 101 and 103. The braking mechanism 37 can be
set by means of a setscrew 71, e.g. by setting a corresponding
friction coefficient between the braking mechanism 37 and a braking
surface 131 of the joint plate 31. It is possible to design the
braking surface 131 as circularly curved, whereby a constant
braking force develops during a rotation of the partial seats 101
and 103 around the respective axis of rotation 39. Alternatively
and/or additionally, it is also possible to design the braking
surfaces 131 in a shape other than circular, whereby it is e.g.
possible to facilitate a progressive braking action, e.g. in case
of correspondingly larger twist angles around a neutral position of
the partial seats 101 and 103.
[0098] A central support axis 41 of the partial seats 101 and 103
is drawn on the right near the axis of rotation 39. The central
support axis 41 can be understood as a line of action of force of
ischial tuberosities of a person sitting on the seat device 1. It
is evident that the central support axis 41 is arranged at a
distance from the axis of rotation 39 and is located further inside
with reference to the seat device 1. It is also observed in FIG. 2
that the central support axis 41 is arranged axis-symmetrically to
the suspension 105 or 107, whereby a moment of tilt of the
respective seat shells 3 and 5 develops when the person sits. For
the first seat shell 3, illustrated on the left in FIG. 2, the
moment of tilt acts in the direction of a third arrow 133 and for
the second seat shell 5, illustrated on the right in FIG. 2, in the
direction of a fourth arrow 135. For supporting this moment of
tilt, the medial buffer mechanisms 15, 17 are dimensioned smaller
than the lateral buffer mechanisms 9, 11.
[0099] With this, a person sitting on the seat shells 3 and 5 of
the seat device 1 must make a balancing movement against the
moments of tilt indicated with the arrows 133 and 135; this is no
longer realized consciously after a short time of sitting and still
decisively contributes to especially comfortable sitting.
[0100] By means of the rotary-supported gas spring 127, the partial
seats 101 and 103 that are associated with the joint plate 31 can
be twisted relative to the chair leg 33 around a central axis 43 of
the seat device 1 drawn in FIG. 2.
[0101] In the lateral view in FIG. 3, axes 45-51 are drawn for
explaining the arrangement of the partial elastic bearings of the
buffer mechanisms 9, 11, 15 and 17. The axes 45-51 can e.g. refer
to longitudinal axes of corresponding rubber bearings of the
partial elastic bearings of the suspension 105 or 107, which do not
lie in the image plane of FIG. 3. The first suspension 105 is
visible in FIG. 3, whereby lateral anterior buffer 9 has a lateral
anterior longitudinal axis 45, a lateral posterior buffer mechanism
11 has a lateral posterior longitudinal axis 47, a medial anterior
buffer mechanism 15 has a medial anterior longitudinal axis and a
medial posterior buffer mechanism 17 has a medial posterior
longitudinal axis. It is observed that the longitudinal axes 51 and
49 have a smaller distance than the longitudinal axes 47 and 45.
Moreover, the longitudinal axes 51 and 49 lie between the
longitudinal axes 47 and 45. The longitudinal axes 45-51
illustrated in FIG. 3 refer to projections on the image plane of
FIG. 3. The longitudinal axes 45-51 are at a solid angle from each
other and diverge downwards, seen in the alignment of FIG. 1-3. It
is possible that the longitudinal axes 49 and 51 of the medial
buffer mechanisms 15 and 17 coincide, whereby only one of the
buffer mechanisms is provided so that the buffer mechanisms 9, 11
and 15 are arranged triangularly.
[0102] A bar 53 is associated with the partial elastic bearings or
the buffer mechanisms 9, 11, 15, 17 for the transfer of bearing
forces; this bar has a bearing slot 137 for every partial elastic
bearing or buffer mechanism 9, 11, 15, 17. The bar 53 can be
tightly joint with the partial lever arms 111 and 113 of the lever
arms 109 by means of the holes 55 and a bolt 57 gripping through
the holes. For this, the bar 53 can have a t-shaped cross-section,
whereby a downward-pointing, centrally arranged rib of the t-shaped
cross-section can be arranged between the partial lever arms 111
and 113 and can be fixed by means of the holes 55 and the bolt 57.
A cotter pin 59 can be provided in order to secure the bolt 57.
[0103] An incline can be set along the longitudinal direction of
the seat shells 3 and 5 of the partial seats 101 and 103, which has
been indicated with the first arrow 117, by means of a screw 61.
For this, the bar can be rotary-supported around the bolt 57,
whereby for setting the incline or the element angle, the
downward-projecting rib of the bar 53 can be fixed in a
frictionally engaged and/or force-fit manner between the partial
lever arms 111 and 113. For this, the partial lever arms 111 and
113 can be pulled together by means of the screw 61 until they abut
on the rib of the bar 53 in a frictionally engaged and/or force-fit
manner.
[0104] The partial lever arms 111 and 113 have a number of holes
63, into which the screw 61 can be inserted. For presetting the
incline, the screw 61 can be optionally inserted into one of the
holes 63, whereby the screw 61 first forms a stop for the swinging
movement of the bar 53 around the bolt 57. For each of the holes
63, a different incline of the seat shells 3 and 5 of the partial
seats 101 and 103 develops when the bar 53 hits the screw 61. In
the stopping position, the afore-described force and/or friction
closure can be generated by tightening the screw 61.
[0105] For limiting the angle of rotation of the pivot bearing 35,
bolts 65 can be provided, which can be inserted into the holes 67
of the joint plate 31. For this, the joint plate 31 can have a
number of holes 67 lying on a radius, into which a corresponding
bolt 65 can be inserted depending on the desired swivel angle of
the partial seats 101 and 103 around the axis of rotation 39. For
limiting the angle of rotation, the base plates 29 have a
protrusion 69, which forms a stop, collaborating with the bolt 67,
for limiting the swivel angle.
[0106] For fixing the bar 53 to the partial levers 111 and 113,
these can have holes 73, through which the bolt 57 grips.
[0107] FIG. 4 illustrates a rear view of another seat device 1.
According to a partial aspect of the invention, as evident from
FIG. 4, the pivot bearing spring devices 115, the pivot bearings 35
as well as the lever arms 109 can be waived. The seat shells 3 and
5 can be directly associated with the joint plate 31 by means of
the suspensions 105 and 107. Another difference is that the base
plate 19 of the suspensions 105 and 107 does not have a bar 53 or a
t-shaped cross-section and is or can be directly associated with
the joint plate two-dimensionally.
[0108] FIG. 5 illustrates another rear view of the seat device 1.
According to another partial aspect of the invention, in comparison
with the illustration in FIG. 4, the pivot bearing 35 and the
associated braking mechanism 37 can still be provided for every
partial seat 101 and 103. If necessary, similar to the illustration
in FIG. 1-3, also a limitation of the swivel angle can be provided
by means of the bolt 65, the holes 67 and the protrusion 69 of the
base plate 29.
[0109] FIG. 6 illustrates a detailed view of a suspension 105
similar to the suspension 105 illustrated in FIG. 1. This is a
detailed view of one of the partial elastic bearings, which has
been designed as a partial seat spring leg 139 according to another
partial aspect of the invention. The partial seat spring leg 139 is
illustrated in FIG. 6 in total three different positions.
[0110] The partial seat spring leg 139 has a spring rod 141 with an
upper spring stop 143 and a lower spring stop 145. The spring stops
143 and 145 are either associated with or are part of the spring
rod 141. Moreover, the partial seat spring leg 139 has a central
spring stop 147. The central spring stop 147 acts on both sides,
whereby an upper elastic spring 149 is arranged between the upper
spring stop 143 and the central spring stop 147 and a lower elastic
spring 151 is arranged between the central spring stop 147 and the
lower spring stop 145.
[0111] The elastic springs 149 and 151 can e.g. refer to material
springs such as elastomer springs and/or rubber springs. It is
however also possible to design these as spiral springs, which can
be loaded with pressure.
[0112] The elastic springs 149 and 151 have an opening, e.g. a
centric drilling, in which the spring rod 141 is arranged for
controlling the elastic springs 149 and 151. It is observed that
the central spring stop 147 also has an opening, e.g. a drilling,
through which the spring rod 141 grips. The central spring stop 147
is thus to and fro-movably supported along a longitudinal direction
of the partial seat spring leg 139, which has been indicated in
FIG. 6 by means of a fifth arrow 153.
[0113] Either the central spring stop 147 and the upper spring stop
143 or the central spring stop 147 and the lower spring stop 145 or
all three spring stops together can serve for feeding bearing
forces into the partial seat spring leg 139.
[0114] According to the illustration in FIG. 6, the lateral joint
plate 7 is associated with the upper spring stop 143 or has the
upper spring stop 143. The base plate 19 has the central spring
stop 147 or is associated with the same. It is evident that the
partial seat spring leg has an identical shear and traction
characteristic in case of an assumed identical layout of the
elastic springs 149 and 151. Accordingly, only the upper elastic
spring 149 deforms, which is indicated in the central illustration
in FIG. 6 or the lower elastic spring 151 deforms, which is
indicated in the lower illustration in FIG. 6. In the upper
illustration in FIG. 6, a neutral position of the partial seat
spring leg 139 is illustrated, whereby the central spring stop 147
is located centrally between the other spring stops 143 and
145.
[0115] Alternatively and/or additionally, it is possible that the
central spring stop 147 is provided or supported at the spring rod
141 with a wobbling movement. This results in further rotatory
degrees of flexibility for supporting the central spring stop 147
according to the wobbling movement.
[0116] The upper spring stop 143 is associated with the
corresponding associated seat shell 3, 5 of the corresponding
partial seat 101, 103 by means of the joint plate 4. The central
spring stop 147 is associated, by means of the base plate 19, with
the rest of the seat device 1, especially with the joint plate 31
and/or the base plate 29 and/or the pivot bearing spring device 115
and/or the partial lever arms 111, 113 or one of the lever arms
109.
[0117] FIG. 7 illustrates a detailed view of an incline adjustment
device 155 for setting an incline of the seat shells 3 and 5 of the
partial seats 101 and 103, which runs along the longitudinal
direction. According to a partial aspect of the invention, the
incline adjustment device 155 has an eccentric 157. It is observed
that there are the lateral support 21 of the first partial lever
arm 111 and the medial support 23 of the second partial lever arm
113, between which the bar 53 grips. The incline adjustment device
has the afore-described holes 55, into which the bolt 57 can be
inserted in order to form a pivot bearing for the bar 53.
[0118] As a difference, according to the partial aspect of the
invention, only a single hole 63 is provided instead of the number
of holes 63, into which the screw 61 can be engaged. Alternatively
and/or additionally, the screw 61 can be designed only as a bearing
pin. The eccentric 157 is rotary-supported by means of the screw 61
gripping through the hole 63. Here, the eccentric 157 is designed
as an eccentric polygon, e.g. as a square, whereby the screw 61 is
arranged eccentrically such that it has different distances from
lateral surfaces 159 of the eccentric polygon 165.
[0119] FIG. 8 illustrates three different settings of the incline
adjustment device 155, whereby one of the lateral surfaces 159
flatly abuts on or hits a stop surface 161 of the bar 53. It is
observed that different inclines of the bar 53 can be set due to
the different distances of an eccentric drilling 163 of the
eccentric 157. Alternatively and/or additionally, it is possible
that the bar 53 that forms a swivel arm and/or the eccentric 157
can be blocked, e.g. by means of the screw 61 and/or by means of
another screw as a replacement for the bolt 57. In order to hold
the bolt 57, the bar 53 and the partial lever arms 111 and 113 have
corresponding holes 73 or drilling.
[0120] FIG. 9 illustrates a partial rear view of a first partial
seat 101 of a seat device 1 similar to the seat device 1 in FIG.
1-3. According to another partial aspect of the invention, a stop
plate 167 is provided to limit the swinging movement of the first
partial seat 101 around the second swivel axis indicated with the
second arrow 119. The stop plate 167 acts as a limiter for the
swinging movements around the second swivel axis.
[0121] FIG. 10-12 illustrate different partial aspects of the
invention, i.e. exemplary implementations of the stop plate 167
illustrated in a lateral view. As evident in FIGS. 10-12, the stop
plate 167 is firmly associated, especially in a torque-proof
manner, with the supports 21, 23 or the partial lever arms 111, 113
of the lever arm 109. For this, the lever arm 109 as well as the
stop plate 167 can have drillings 169, e.g. two drillings 169
arranged adjacent to each other, through which corresponding
fasteners such as screws, bolts, rivets and/or similar can be
engaged for fixing the stop plate 167. For limiting the swinging
movement in a first direction, which is indicated in FIG. 10 with a
sixth arrow 171, the stop plate 167 has a first stop 173. The first
stop 173 acts together with the base plate 29 or can hit the base
plate 29 for limiting the swinging movement. The stop plate 167 is
wedge-shaped and has a wedge tip 175, which forms, with the first
stop 173, a sharp angle with reference to the rest of the stop
plate 167. The wedge tip 175 is arranged at a distance 177 from the
base plate 29; FIG. 10 illustrates the seat device 1 in an unloaded
condition. In a loaded condition, i.e. when a person is sitting on
the first partial seat 101, the distance 177 can reduce, especially
so much that the wedge tip 175 is in an abutting contact with the
base plate 29. Thereby, the stop plate 177 can form a floating
bearing with the wedge tip 175, whereby the wedge tip 175 is to and
fro-movably supported relative to the base plate and the wedge tip
175 illustrates a seesaw or the second swivel axis or a swivel axis
running parallel to the second swivel axis. It is evident that in
case of a deflection of the first partial seat 101 in the direction
of the sixth arrow 171, this can be limited by means of the first
stop 173, whereby the first stop 173 hits the base plate 29.
[0122] FIG. 11 illustrates, according to another partial aspect of
the invention, a lateral view of another stop plate 167, which
unlike the illustration in FIG. 10, has a second stop 179 that is
arranged like a mirror image. The swinging movement around the
second swivel axis in a second direction, which is indicated in
FIG. 11 with a seventh arrow 181, can be limited by means of the
second stop 179. As regards the function of the second stop 179,
refer to the description of FIG. 10.
[0123] According to another partial aspect of the invention, FIG.
12 illustrates a lateral view of a stop plate 167, which unlike the
illustration in FIGS. 10 and 11, has a first stop 173 and a second
stop 179. The first stop 173 and the second stop 179 are arranged
in a sharp angle to the right and left of the wedge tip 175. It is
evident that, in the neutral position of the seat device 1
illustrated in FIG. 12, the first stop 173 and the second stop 179
have different angles to a surface of the base plate 29. A
differently advanced deflection of the first partial seat 101 in
the first direction 171 indicated with the sixth arrow and in the
second direction indicated with the seventh arrow 181 take place
according to the different angles.
[0124] As regards the function of the stops 173 and 179, refer to
FIGS. 10 and 11.
[0125] FIG. 13 illustrates a lateral view of another seat device 1
similar to the seat device 1 illustrated in FIG. 5. The seat device
1 from FIG. 13 has a back rest 75 and a head rest 77. The back rest
75 and the head rest 77 are pivot-movably associated with the joint
plate 31 by means of a base joint 79. The base joint 79 is
associated with a base back joint 83 by means of a base connecting
piece 81. The base back joint 83 pivot-movably supports a back part
connecting piece 85 relative to the base connecting piece 81. The
back rest 75 and the head rest 77 are associated with the back part
connecting piece. The back rest 75 is pivot-movably associated with
the back part connecting piece by means of a back rest joint 87.
The head rest 77 is pivot-movably associated with a head rest
connecting piece 89 by means of a head rest joint 91, whereby the
head rest connecting piece 89 is arranged between the head rest
joint 91 and the back rest joint 87.
[0126] According to another partial aspect of the invention, FIG.
14 illustrates another seat device 1 similar to the seat device 1
illustrated in FIG. 13. This seat device 1 additionally has an arm
rest 93. The arm rest 93 is associated with an arm rest support 97
by means of an arm rest joint 95. The arm rest support 97 is firmly
associated with the back part connecting piece.
[0127] FIG. 15 illustrates another seat device 1 according to
another partial aspect of the invention. The seat device 1 from
FIG. 15 is structured similar to the seat devices 1 from FIGS. 13
and 14. Only, the arm rest 93 is directly associated with the base
plate 19 by means of the arm rest support 97, i.e. without the arm
rest joint 95, whereby the arm rest 93 is not supported by the
suspension 105.
[0128] FIG. 16 illustrates another seat device 1, which is
structured similar to the seat device 1 illustrated in FIG. 1-3.
According to another partial aspect of the invention, the seat
device 1 from FIG. 16 has a back rest 75 and a head rest 77, which
are arranged and supported similar to the illustration in FIG. 13.
Refer to the description of FIG. 13.
[0129] FIG. 17 illustrates another seat device 1 similar to the
illustration in FIG. 16, whereby the seat device 1 from FIG. 17
has, according to another partial aspect of the invention, a back
rest 75, a head rest 77 as well as an arm rest 93; these are
supported similar to the illustration in FIG. 14. Refer to the
description of FIG. 14.
[0130] FIG. 18 illustrates another seat device 1, which is
structured similar to the seat devices 1 from FIGS. 16 and 17.
According to another partial aspect of the invention, the seat
device 1 from FIG. 18 has a back rest 75, a head rest 77 as well as
an arm rest 93, which are fixed and supported similar to the
illustration in FIG. 15. Refer to the description of FIG. 15.
[0131] FIG. 19 illustrates another seat device 1, which is
structured similar to the seat devices 1 from FIG. 1-3. According
to another partial aspect of the invention, the seat device 1 from
FIG. 19 has only an arm rest 93, which is directly associated with
the joint plate 31; this association is implemented by means of the
arm rest support 97 and the arm rest joint 95.
[0132] FIG. 20 illustrates another seat device 1, which is
structured similar to the seat device 1 from FIG. 1-3. According to
another partial aspect of the invention, a u-shaped arm and back
support 99 is provided. The u-shaped arm and back support is also a
handle, whereby the person sitting on the seat device 1 can sit
inside the U of the u-shaped arm and back support 99. The
association of the u-shaped arm and back support 99 is implemented
pivot-movably by means of the arm rest joint 95 relative to the arm
rest support 97. The arm rest support 97 is firmly associated with
the joint plate 31.
[0133] FIG. 21 illustrates another seat device 1, which is
structured similar to the seat device 1 from FIG. 1-3. According to
another partial aspect of the invention, the association of the
u-shaped arm and back support 99 is implemented pivot-movably by
means of the back rest joint 87 via the back part connecting piece
85, pivot-movably via the base back joint 83 via the base
connecting piece 81, pivot-movably by means of the base joint 79
with the joint plate 31.
[0134] FIG. 22 illustrates another seat device 1, which is
structured similar to the seat device 1 from FIG. 21. According to
another partial aspect of the invention, the only difference is
that the base joint 79 is not associated with the joint plate 31,
but with the chair leg 33. Thus, the u-shaped arm and back support
99 does not move with any movements of the partial seats 101 and
103.
[0135] FIG. 23 illustrates another seat device 1, which is
structured similar to the seat device 1 from FIG. 22. According to
another partial aspect of the invention, the arm rest joint 95 is
provided for supporting the u-shaped arm and back support 99. The
arm rest joint 95 is pivot-movably associated with the chair leg 33
by means of the arm rest support 97 and by means of the base joint
79.
[0136] All afore-described features of the seat device 1, if
necessary with reference to FIG. 1-23, can be combined with other
partial aspects of the invention. Moreover, all partial aspects can
represent independent inventions.
TABLE-US-00001 REFERENCES 1 Seat device 93 Arm rest 3 First seat
shell 95 Arm rest joint 5 Second seat shell 97 Arm rest support 7
Joint plate 99 Arm and back support 9 Lateral buffer mechanism 101
First partial seat 11 Lateral buffer mechanism 103 Second partial
seat 13 Medial joint plate 105 First suspension 15 Medial buffer
mechanism 107 Second suspension 17 Medial buffer mechanism 109
Lever arm 19 Base plate 111 First partial lever arm 21 Lateral
support 113 Second partial lever arm 23 Medial support 115 Pivot
bearing spring device 25 Lateral base buffer 117 First arrow 27
Medial base buffer 119 Second arrow 29 Base plate 121 First elastic
bearing 31 Joint plate 123 Second elastic bearing 33 Chair leg 125
Bearing slot 35 Pivot bearing 127 Gas spring 37 Braking mechanism
129 Control lever 39 Axis of rotation 131 Braking surface 41
Central support axis 133 Third arrow 43 Central axis 135 Fourth
arrow 45 Lateral anterior longitudinal axis 137 Bearing slot 47
Lateral posterior longitudinal axis 139 Partial seat spring leg 49
Medial anterior longitudinal axis 141 Spring rod 51 Medial
posterior longitudinal axis 143 Upper spring stop 53 Bar 145 Lower
spring stop 55 Holes 147 Central spring stop 57 Bolt 149 Upper
elastic spring 59 Cotter pin 151 Lower elastic spring 61 Screw 153
Fifth arrow 63 Holes 155 Incline adjustment device 65 Bolt 157
Eccentric 67 Holes 159 Lateral surface 69 Protrusion 161 Stop
surface 71 Setscrew 163 Eccentric drilling 73 Holes 165 Eccentric
polygon 75 Back rest 167 Stop plate 77 Head support 169 Drillings
79 Base joint 171 Sixth arrow 81 Base connecting piece 173 First
stop 83 Base back joint 175 Wedge tip 85 Back part connecting piece
177 Distance 87 Back rest joint 179 Second stop 89 Head support
connecting piece 181 Seventh arrow 91 Head support joint
* * * * *