EP0780110B1 - Chair, particularly chair for disabled person - Google Patents

Abstract

The seat, particularly a chair, comprises a backrest (1) and seat-section (3) on a mounting structure (11) Both a motor (9) and a spring unit (10) pivot in a vertical plane on fixed axes (14-21). They are coupled to a common hinge spindle (8) to the backrest, so that this moves in the vertical direction during their pivoting movement. A further hinge spindle (2) couples the backrest and seat-section together, all hinge axes being horizontal and parallel. The spindle (2) can be solidly coupled by levers (4,5) to the backrest and seat-section. The motor can be linear, with a spindle drive, or a double-acting ram, particularly hydraulic. The spring unit can be formed by a compressed-gas spring.

Description

The invention relates to seating, in particular a chair for the disabled a backrest, a seat and a support structure on which the backrest and the seat are arranged.

Old and sick people often have difficulty getting what they want Taking a sitting position or after taking one To leave the seating position without outside help.

It is already known from US Pat. No. 3,479,087 to chairs or toilet glasses with inflatable tubes to attach the seat, for example toilet glasses, in an acute-angled position to the horizontal and thereby to make it easier for the disabled or weak person to get up.

DE-OS 44 41 411 relates to an armchair which has a motor-assisted linear actuation drive mechanism with a lead screw nut, which at Rotation of a motor driven spindle is linearly movable to either to operate a lifting and swivel linkage mechanism and thereby one To cause lifting and swiveling movement of the armchair when the motor is in one is operated in the first direction. By turning the spindle in a second in the opposite direction, the armchair is lowered into the normal sitting position. By continuing to rotate in the second direction, a first cam block, which is pivotally mounted on the lead screw nut, with a first one Follower unit engaged to extend the leg rest unit cause. Another rotation in the second direction causes a second Cam block, which is pivotally mounted on the lead screw nut, with a second follower unit engages to tilt the chair to create. These sequential operations of the leg rest unit and the tilt linkage are independent and can be easily Way to be decommissioned to choose one of these features to eliminate. This construction is very complex, expensive and has only one limited area of application.

Nockenführung" aufweist, die durch Drehung einer Spindel linear beweglich ist, um wahlweise einen Hub- und Schwenkgestängemechanismus zu betätigen und dadurch eine Hub- und Vorwärtsschwenkbewegung des Sessels zu bewirken, wenn der Motor in einer ersten Richtung betrieben wird. Durch Drehung der Spindel in einer zweiten entgegengesetzten Richtung kann der Sessel in die normale Sitzposition abgesenkt werden. Eine fortgesetzte Drehung in der zweiten Richtung bewirkt ein nachfolgendes Ausfahren einer Beinunterstützungseinheit, der eine Neigungsbewegung des Sessels folgt. Diese aufeinanderfolgenden Funktionen der Beinunterstützungseinheit und des Neigungsgestänges sind unabhängig und können in einfacher Weise außer Betrieb gesetzt werden, um wahlweise eines dieser Merkmale auszuscheiden. Auch diese Konstruktion ist bauaufwendig und demgemäß teuer. Sie dürfte nur bei sehr aufwendigen sogenannten Fernsehsesseln mit hohem Komfort zur Anwendung gelangen.From DE-OS 41 22 375 an armchair is known which has a motor-assisted linear actuation drive mechanism which has a modified nut or

Cam guide "which is linearly movable by rotation of a spindle to selectively actuate a lift and swivel linkage mechanism and thereby cause a lift and swivel movement of the chair when the motor is operated in a first direction. By rotating the spindle in one In the second opposite direction, the armchair can be lowered into the normal sitting position. Continued rotation in the second direction results in a subsequent extension of a leg support unit which is followed by a tilting movement of the armchair This construction is complex and therefore expensive and should only be used with very complex so-called television armchairs with high comfort.

A portable seat support aid is previously known from US Pat. No. 5,316,370, which also means getting up from a disabled, sick or weak person from a chair. It is a pillow-like Form that is placed on the actual chair and that the person should raise that it at least comes to a stooped position. For use come compression springs that hold the relevant pillow against the weight the person should push up when triggered. A stable one Seating is not achieved in this way, although it seems questionable whether this Construction has a wide field of application at all, because in the end the furniture on which the construction must be placed has a certain stability must have and there is a risk that the seating is destroyed, damaged or at least being scratched. A uniform, comfortable seating is not achieved by this.

U.S. Patent No. 5,098,158 illustrates a much more comfortable lounger with numerous lifting aids and motors as well as springs. This construction is used and is in very complex loungers not intended for disabled, sick or weak people.

The US-PS 5,094,508 relates to a chair with a raise and lowerable and around one acute angle of inclinable seat. The individual components of the chair are composed of numerous levers, which around many articulation points are pivotable.

From US Pat. No. 5,011,224 one can also see seating that to make getting up easier.

This also applies to the design according to US Pat. No. 4,946,222, which relates to seating with lifting, lowering and tilting seat. The person can look after be tipped forward towards their feet. However, it is also possible to tilt the seating furniture into the rest position. The construction is very complex and has numerous links, levers and swivel axes like them especially for very expensive TV armchairs in the higher price ranges apply.

From US Pat. No. 4,938,533, a type of seating furniture is also known, with which to allow a person to stand on their feet.

Finally, US Pat. No. 4,552,404 relates to seating furniture that can be raised and lowered Seat like a doctor's chair.

The invention has for its object a seating of the generic type assumed type so that with the simplest construction with few Components not only the normal sitting position with intermediate positions Backrest, but also a rest position (lying position) and a position of the backrest and seat are adjustable, for the disabled, weak or sick people are put on their feet by the seating furniture themselves become.

The object is achieved by the features set out in claim 1 .

In the embodiment according to the invention, a piece of seating furniture requires only one drive motor and a spring, wherein the drive motor and spring element are under cut at an acute angle at a point with their longitudinal axes and are coupled together here by a common pivot axis, while the motor with its other end over one on the support structure immovable pivot axis in the vertical plane arranged pivotally is and the spring element itself at a distance from this pivot axis over a further parallel to this immovable pivot axis of the Motor running pivot axis also mounted on the support structure is. This way, both the backrest can be powered by just one motor swung up and down as well as backrest and seat in total up to a vertical or approximately vertical position can be pivoted around the sick, weak or otherwise disabled person in an upright position to move. This construction increases the number of lifts, in particular but also to a minimum of swivel axes and drive motors reduced, so that not only a compact, but also inexpensive, trouble-free construction results.

The spring element supports the driving force when swiveling upwards of the engine and stops even if there is a loss of energy, i.e. if the Motors backrest and seat in the desired position, for example in a vertical position so that the parts do not accidentally fail of the motor drive can fall down.

In the claims 2 to 13 inventive and advantageous embodiments are described.

In the embodiment according to claim 2 , the common pivot axis of the motor drive and the spring element is coupled to the backrest via a lever, which swivels the backrest up and down when the drive motor is actuated accordingly.

According to claim 3 , the motor is designed as a linear motor.

For this, claims 4 to 6 describe advantageous embodiments depending on the application.

For example, claim 4 describes a spindle motor as a linear motor. The spindle is connected at one end to the spring element via the common pivot axis, while the housing, in which the spindle nut is arranged, is pivotally mounted in the vertical plane via the stationary pivot axis.

In the embodiment according to claim 5 , the engine is configured as a piston-cylinder unit to be acted on alternately on both sides by pressure medium pressure, for example hydraulically, the piston rod being led out of the cylinder and being mounted via the pivot axis common to the spring element, while the cylinder is arranged at its opposite end on the stationary construction on the stationary pivot axis.

Claim 6 describes an embodiment in which the linear motor is formed by an electric motor. Here, too, a part is led out of the cylindrical housing and arranged so as to be pivotable in the vertical plane via the pivot axis common to the spring element.

According to patent claim 7 , the spring element is designed as a gas pressure spring, which supports the lifting movement of the motor to a completely vertical position of the backrest and seat.

Claim 8 describes a further advantageous embodiment.

In the embodiment according to claim 9 , the holding structure is equipped on its underside with rollers. At least one of the rollers, preferably also a plurality of rollers, can be equipped with a brake so that the seating furniture cannot accidentally roll away.

The embodiment according to claim 10 has its own drive so that disabled, old or weakened people can use battery drives or the like either in corridors, for example of hospitals, handicapped or nursing homes, or on the street with the seating furniture to move themselves. If the persons concerned want to take up a different sitting position or even stand up, this can easily be done by actuating the motor drive. Because of the simple, robust construction, only relatively low investment costs can be expected even with seating that is equipped with its own drive.

Advantageous embodiments are described in claims 11 to 13 .

Fig. 1

ein Sitzmöbel in der Seitenansicht, wobei die Rückenlehne in Sitzposition geschwenkt ist;

Fig. 2

das aus Fig. 1 ersichtliche Sitzmöbel, wobei die Rückenlehne mehr nach hinten geschwenkt wurde und

Fig. 3

das aus den Fig. 1 und 2 ersichtliche Sitzmöbel mit in annähernd vertikaler Stellung geschwenkter Rückenlehne und Sitzfläche.

The invention is partly illustrated schematically in the drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1

a seating in side view, the backrest is pivoted into the sitting position;

Fig. 2

the apparent from Fig. 1 seating, the backrest has been pivoted more back and

Fig. 3

the apparent from FIGS. 1 and 2 seating with the backrest and seat pivoted into an approximately vertical position.

Reference number 1 illustrates a backrest that has a Swivel axis 2 with a seat 3 via handlebar levers 4 and 5 in vertical Level is pivotally coupled. The handlebar levers 4 and 5 are rigid formed, the handlebar lever 4 rigid with the backrest 1 and Handlebar lever 5 is rigidly connected to the seat 3.

On the back 6, a handlebar 7 is rigidly coupled to the backrest 1, the Assigned to a motor 9 and a spring element 10 via a pivot axis 8 is. The axis 8 is arranged in a holding structure 11 which the Body of the seating, e.g. B. can be an armchair or a wheelchair.

The motor 9 is in the illustrated embodiment as a piston-cylinder unit educated. There are also other linear motors, e.g. B. spindle drives, Electric motors or the like into consideration. A piston rod 12 is made of a Cylinder 13 led out. The piston rod 12 is in the vertical direction also pivotally connected to the pivot axis 8 as the handlebar 7.

The pivot axis 8 is arranged to be movable.

A cylinder 13 of the piston-cylinder unit is vertical over one eye Plane, i.e. in the direction of X or Y on a likewise in the holding structure 11, but non-stationary pivot axis 14 is arranged. At 15, a piston mounted sealingly in the cylinder 13 is indicated. The piston-cylinder unit is alternating on both sides with fluid pressure, in particular with hydraulic oil to act on the lines, not shown from a pressure medium source, for example from a likewise not shown Pump is supplied to one or the other chamber 16 or 17. This can, for example, by means of a manually arranged in the holding structure 11, for example to be operated by the foot of an operator Pressure fluid pump happen.

The spring element 10 is also present as a piston-cylinder unit, and designed as a prestressed gas pressure spring, the piston rod of which Reference numeral 18 carries, which is led out of a cylinder 19 and also is coupled in the vertical direction with the pivot axis 8. The Center of rotation (center of rotation) of the linkages of the piston rods 12 and 18 are thus arranged orthogonally on the same pivot axis 8. For this purpose, for example, the piston rods 12 and 18 with one eye each be provided, which are mounted side by side on the pivot axis 8.

At 20, a piston of the spring element 10 is illustrated.

The cylinder 19 is at its end section facing away from the piston rod 8 a not shown eye and a pivot axis 21 also in Direction X or Y, also pivotable in a vertical plane arranged.

The pivot axes 2, 8, 21 and 14 run parallel and in the out of Drawing apparent position of the base 22 also horizontally.

The pivot axis 21, like the pivot axis 14, is stationary in FIG the support structure 11 is arranged, while the two pivot axes 2 and 8 their altitude according to a movement in the X or Y direction by panning change what is clear from a comparison of each can be seen in the figures 1 to 3 positions.

The seat 3 is supported, moreover, via rigid elements 22 on the axis 21 and thus on the support structure 11.

At 23, a rigid stop is provided on the top of the support structure 11 is attached and on which the seat 3 in a horizontal position (Fig. 1) rests.

The way the seating works is as follows:

Assume that Fig. 1 represents the starting position and the backrest 1 should be lowered. Then the chamber 16 with pressure medium, for example Hydraulic oil, applied. This has the piston rod 12 retracted into the Cylinder 13 result, the piston 20 also in via the piston rod 18 the cylinder 19 is retracted further. The backrest 1 moves in the direction X (Fig. 2), so in a flatter position. The seat 3 remains in its apparent from Fig. 1 horizontal position, since it is on the stop 23 rests.

However, if a steeper position of the backrest 1 is desired, the other chamber 17 with pressure medium, in particular hydraulic oil. This has an extension of the piston 15 and thus also the piston rod 12 from the cylinder 13.

As a result, the pivot axis 8 is raised. The backrest 1 pivots in the direction Y. The piston 20 of the spring element 10 is from the Cylinder 19 pushed out, the biased gas this movement supported. The backrest 1 can, for example, be shown in FIG. 3 Position swiveled. A person sitting on the seating is practically put on her feet so that she can walk away. The For example, a person can hold on to armrests (not shown). The Trigger movement for the pump can be done via hand switches, buttons or the like happen in the armrest or on other parts of the seating can be integrated, so that the back and forth swiveling Backrest 1 and the seat 3 can happen automatically. When swinging up in the Y direction, the seat 3 also leaves the rigid stop 23 and also moves in the Y direction. Both parts, i.e. the backrest 1 and the seat 3 are moved only by the motor 9, wherein the spring element 10 acts as a support. As you can see are through the special arrangement of the piston rods 12 and 18, but also the handlebar 7 only a few swivel axes required. Only one motor provides for together the synchronous, simultaneous and sensible swiveling and adjustment of Backrest 1 and seat 3 from the almost vertical position to any intermediate position.

Reference list

1

backrest

2nd

Swivel axis

3rd

Seat

4th

Handlebar lever

5

"

6

back

7

Handlebars

8th

axis

9

Motor, linear motor, piston-cylinder unit, spindle drive, electric motor

10th

Spring element, gas pressure spring

11

Support structure

12th

Piston rod

13

cylinder

14

Swivel axis

15

piston

16

chamber

17th

"

18th

Piston rod

19th

cylinder

20th

piston

21

Swivel axis

22

Floor

23

attack

X

Swivel direction

Y

"

bibliography

DE-OS 44 41 411

DE-OS 41 22 375

U.S. Patent 3,479,087

U.S. Patent 5,316,370

U.S. Patent 5,098,158

U.S. Patent 5,094,508

U.S. Patent 5,011,224

U.S. Patent 4,946,222

U.S. Patent 4,938,533

U.S. Patent 4,552,404

Claims (13)

1. Chair, particularly chair for disabled person, comprising a back rest (1), a seat (3) and a supporting structure (11) on which the back rest (1) and the seat (3) are arranged; a motor (9) and a spring element (10) which are slewably arranged at the supporting structure via one each horizontally aligned stationary swivel axle (14, 21), with both the motor (9) and the spring element (10) being slewably coupled with the back rest (1) via a common, equally horizontally aligned, movable swivel axle (8) in such a manner that, while swivelling and maintaining its horizontal alignment, this swivel axle (8) performs a parallel movement, and that the back rest (1) and the seat area are connected with each other via a horizontally aligned swivel axle (2).
2. Chair as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that the swivel axle (2) arranged between the back rest (1) and the seat area (3) is rigidly coupled with the back rest (1) via a rigid control lever (4) on the one hand, and via an equally rigid control lever (5) with the seat area (3).
3. Chair as claimed in Claim 1 and/or 2, characterized in that the motor (10) is designed as a linear motor.
4. Chair as claimed in Claim 1 or in any of the following claims, characterized in that the linear motor (10) is a spindle drive motor.
5. Chair as claimed in Claim 3, characterized in that the linear motor is designed alternately on both sides as a piston-cylinder unit to be acted upon with pressure medium pressure, in particular, hydraulically.
6. Chair as claimed in Claim 3, characterized in that the linear motor is an electric motor.
7. Chair as claimed in Claim 1 or any of the following claims, characterized in that the spring element (10) is designed as a gas pressure spring.
8. Chair as claimed in Claim 1 or in any of the following claims, characterized in that both the motor (9) and the spring element (10) are slewably coupled with the common swivel axle (8) via one each piston rod (12 and/or 18), while the cylinders (13) of the motor (9) on the one hand, and the cylinder (19) of the gas pressure spring, on the other, are slewably coupled with the respectively associated stationary swivel axle (14 and/or 21).
9. Chair as claimed in Claim 1 or in any of the following claims, characterized in that the supporting structure (11) is provided with castors.
10. Chair as claimed in Claim 1 or in any of the following claims, characterized in that the chair is provided with a travel drive motor for driving wheels or castors.
11. Chair as claimed in Claim 10, characterized in that the drive motor comprises a rechargeable battery.
12. Chair as claimed in Claim 10, characterized in that the drive motor is a petrol engine.
13. Chair as claimed in Claim 10, characterized in that pushbuttons for actuating the drive motor and the motor (9) are arranged inside arm rests or the like.

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