DE29705366U1 - Seating furniture with a backrest - Google Patents

Description

PATENT ATTORNEYS · EUROPEAN BÄfl^ÄfTORjilte * * * '· J "j

Dannenberg · School ⁵ ·" QUb£l* » ^:

ASSOCIATED WITH KÜHNEN ■ WACKER & PARTNER GROSSE ESCHENHEIMER STRASSE 39, D-60313 FRANKFURT KWP

Patent attorneys
GERDA DANNENBERG PA, EP, Dipl.-Ing.

SIEGMAR SCHUBERT PA, EP, Dipl.-Ing.

DiETHER GUDELf PA, EP. Df. phil.

Telephone: 069-287274 Telephone: 069-287464 Fax: 069-287242

FRANKFURT

March 21. 1997
SS/IS

Otto Zapf

Theresienstrasse 28 61462 Königstein RAINER A. KÜHNEN PA, EP, Dipl.-Ing.

PAUL A. WACKER

PA, EP, Dipl.-Ing. Oipl.-Wirtsoh.-Ing.

DR. PETER WEINHOLD

PA, EP, Dr. rer. nat. Dipl.-Chem.

DR. PETER FÜRNISS PA, EP, Dr. rer. nat. Dipl.-Chem, FERDINAND A. BRANDL PA, EP, Dipi.-Phys.

HELMUT HÜBNER PA, EP, Dipl.-Ing.

KONRAD T. WINTER PA, EP, Dipl.-Ing.

DR. WALTER ROSS PA, EP, Dr.-Ing. Dipl.-Ing.

DR. JÜRGEN KAISER

PA, EP, Dr. rer. nat. Dipl.-Chem.

DR. WILLI POLTE PA, EP, Dr.-Ing. nat. Dipl.-Ing.

BERND HENNINGER PA, Dipl.-Ing.

DR. JÖRG DORNER PA. EP, Dr.-Ing. Dipl.-Ing.

PETER KINDERMANN PA, EP, Dipl.-Ing.

DR. DYDRA KUHLEN PA, EP, Dr.-Jur.

DR. WOLFGANG RiTTHALER PA, EP, Df. rer. nat. Dipl.-Chem.

FREISING

Seating furniture with a backrest Bench connections:

Dresdner Bank Frankfurt 04704150 00 {bank code 50080000)

Postbank Frankfurt 112 951-601 {bank code 50010060)

VAT number: DE 812127333

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Seating furniture with a backrest

The invention relates to a piece of seating furniture with a backrest which is bent at a bend in a side view, according to the preamble of claim 1.

In such a known piece of seating furniture, the backrest can be swiveled around a material horizontal axis at about armrest height (DE 38 26 290 C2). In a side view, the backrest is bent in the area of the swivel axis. An upper backrest part above the bend and a lower backrest part below the bend are inclined towards each other when viewed from the sitting position. A person sitting on the seating furniture can support themselves well on the bent backrest because the profile of the bend is adapted to the back profile. In addition, the sitting position can be easily changed by swiveling the backrest around the horizontal axis, which is particularly comfortable when sitting for longer periods. Apart from the tubular frame of this chair in the area of the chair legs and the armrest, it does not have a tubular frame, in particular the backrest is not provided with tubular frame sections. It is therefore not immediately clear how seating comfort can be increased with a piece of seating furniture of the latter type of construction.

A seat is also known with a backrest that has a lower part, to which an upper part is connected, to which an extension is formed in the middle, which supports the lower lumbar region of a person sitting on the seat (DE 41 37 588.6 Al). The extension is separated from the lower backrest part, so that the upper part of the backrest can be swiveled together with the extension by the person in relation to the lower part of the backrest. The extension supporting the lower lumbar region of the person is always particularly effective when the upper part of the backrest is pushed backwards by the back, which often happens unconsciously when sitting. However, with this seat

• · · · t I

the entire backrest is also made in one piece with the seat shell and only material recesses and/or material weakenings in the back shell should enable the upper part of the backrest to be pivoted with the extension. However, a compromise is required for this, as the material recess or material weakenings must not be so large that the service life of the backrest is significantly reduced, but on the other hand large enough to achieve the desired effect of flexibility or pivoting.

It is therefore also known to form only the lower part of the backrest on the one hand and the upper part of the backrest together with the extension on the other hand as one piece and to connect these two parts, which are initially separate, with hinges {G 93 13 841.5). The hinges can in particular be plates made of elastically flexible material that are connected to the upper part and the lower part of the backrest. This ensures a defined flexibility or repositioning of the upper part of the backrest with the extension.

However, this design is not suitable for seating furniture that has a tubular frame with side frame sections. It is therefore not easy to combine very high seating comfort with high resilience and a long service life in the latter seating furniture.

The above also applies to a known variant of the backrest of a piece of seating furniture, which is divided by a horizontal pivot axis into a lower part and an upper part, which are pivotably connected to one another by hinges, with the central extension of the upper part being fork-shaped downwards (G 295 12 723.6). At least one elastic belt can be stretched between prong-shaped parts of the fork. The upper part and the lower part can be connected to one another by lateral hinges made of spring steel or the like, with a bend line being located in the area of these hinges. This means that areas of the upper part can

, and the lower part, as far as it is connected to the upper part, can only be swivelled by pressing the back against the backrest and can be elastically adjusted, thus achieving very good seating comfort.

In contrast, the present invention is based on the object of increasing the seating comfort in seating furniture whose backrest is limited by a frame and has such lateral frame sections.

Surprisingly, a very high level of seating comfort can be achieved even when sitting on the seating furniture for a longer period of time, even if its backrest is limited by a frame or at least includes side frame sections, in that the seating furniture is designed in the area of the backrest according to the further characterizing features of claim 1. It is important that here permanently elastic connecting elements between an upper backrest part and a lower backrest part are placed on the outside on or in the frame.

By dividing the side frame sections according to the invention, in the area of the armrest height at the bend of the backrest into an upper frame subsection and a lower frame subsection and the permanently elastic connecting element between these frame subsections, the frame at the bend is given a defined elastic flexibility in contrast to an otherwise essentially rigid frame. By only filling the upper frame subsections with part of the backrest filling, namely

„&lgr; is connected to the filling upper part, while a filling lower part area, which extends downwards from the filling upper part, is not fixed relative to the side frame sections, the underfilling part area can pivot relative to the remaining filling of the backrest if

g ₅ pressure is exerted on the filling top by the seated person - even involuntarily. In this case, the lumbar region of the seated person is additionally supported.

At points where the frame subsections are divided and permanently elastically connected to one another, and which are therefore referred to as separation and permanently elastic connection points, there is a virtual pivot axis of the upper part of the filling and the lower part of the filling connected to it. This means that the sitting position can be easily changed, especially when sitting for longer periods. This increases the effect achieved by the backrest profile bent at the bend for seating comfort. - The above comfort-enhancing effect is achieved using uncomplicated technical means.

Particularly advantageously, according to claim 2, an upper frame subsection and a lower frame subsection of the lateral frame sections are connected to one another via at least one permanently elastic element. The frame subsections therefore also serve as effective abutments for the permanently elastic connecting element when pivoting against its restoring force or moment. The latter applies in particular if the connecting elements according to claim 13 are arranged in tubular frame subsections, which is also aesthetically pleasing.

The invention is further preferably used in a piece of seating furniture in which the frame is closed on the top of the backrest, i.e. the upper frame subsections together with a cross section form a one-piece upper frame part. The forces generated when the filling top part is bent back can be evenly transferred to the upper frame part and from there to the permanently elastic connecting elements.

In one embodiment of the seating furniture, the filling can be padded, with the frame lying outside the filling. However, according to claim 5, it is also possible to over-pad the filling together with at least the side frame sections, with the separating and permanently elastic connection point of

are completely invisible from the outside.

In a first variant of the backrest, the entire filling part, which can be pivoted between the lower frame sections, is connected to the upper part of the filling in a preferably one-piece, fixed connection. In this case, the pivotability, which is ensured by the special design of the frame, means that the entire lower part of the filling is pivoted depending on the pressure on the upper part of the filling.

In a second variant of the backrest, an extension is formed on the bottom of the upper part of the filling, as is known in principle, which can be swiveled into a cutout in the lower part of the filling. In this case too, the swiveling can take place as a result of the design of the frame.

To further increase comfort, in a third variant, which is a modification of the second variant, the extension on the filling top is fork-shaped with downward-pointing prong-like sections, between which at least one elastic belt is stretched. The elastic belt between the prong-shaped parts can adapt well to the lower area of the back of the person sitting and is perceived as increasing seating comfort.

In yet another variant of the backrest, the lower part of the filling is only designed in a middle area of the backrest as an extension of the upper part of the filling without an adjacent lower part of the filling, and is therefore free in the area of the lower part of the backrest. This results in a particularly light seating furniture construction.

The extension can be curved backwards, particularly in the latter variant, to increase seating comfort.

However, according to claim 11, it is also possible, as is known per se, to form the filling upper part and/or filling lower part in

to be formed entirely arched if the latter is not only formed as an extension of the upper part of the filling.

The permanently elastic connecting element that connects the frame subsections is made of spring steel. During production, this spring steel can be easily pre-formed into the desired bend shape that corresponds to the resting position of the upper and lower backrest sections.

The invention can be implemented with different types of frame construction, two typical types of which are specified in claims 13 and 14.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below using a drawing with six figures, from which further essential features emerge. It shows:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a first

Embodiment of the seating furniture; Fig. 2 a section through a portion of the first embodiment at a separating and permanently elastic connection point in a front view

Fig. 3 a section through the separation and connection point according to claim 2, but from the side

seen, and

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view from behind of a second embodiment of the seating furniture,

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view from the front of a third embodiment of the seating furniture and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a variant of the third embodiment.

In Fig. 1, a perspective view from above shows a piece of seating furniture with a tubular frame, which consists of an upper frame part, generally designated 1, and a lower frame part 2. The upper frame part 1 comprises

borders an upper backrest part 3. The lower frame part represents a boundary for a lower backrest part 4 and a seat surface 5, which is separated from the backrest part apart from a connection via the frame parts 1, 2. The upper frame part 1 and the lower frame part

2 are each one-piece in the present embodiment.

From Fig. 1 it can be seen how the upper backrest part

3 are arranged at an obtuse angle to each other in relation to the lower backrest part 4, the inclination being fixed by the design of the backrest. In other words, the backrest is bent around a bend line 6 shown with a broken line 6.

The frame with the upper frame part 1 and lower frame part 2 can be understood as a continuous frame separated and connected at separating and permanently elastic connection points 7, 8. The backrest, consisting of the upper backrest part 3 and the lower backrest part 4, can be pivoted about an undesignated virtual axis of rotation, which goes through the separating and permanently elastic connection points 7, 8 and lies in the area of the bend line 6, as indicated in Fig. 1 with arrows 9 and 10. The backrest is also designed in such a way that when the seated person presses on the upper backrest part 3 in the direction of arrow 9, the lower backrest part 4 pivots and supports itself against the lower lumbar region of the seated person in the direction of arrow 4. This effect includes the fact that only the upper backrest part 3 is connected to the frame, namely to the upper frame part 1 all the way around, while the lower backrest part 4, as mentioned, is not directly connected to the frame, but only via the upper backrest part 3.

The design of the separating and elastic connection point 7 is shown in detail in Fig. 2 and 3, in which sections of an upper frame subsection 11 and a lower frame subsection 12, which are connected to the separating and elastic

static connection point 7. In Figs. 3 and 4, cutouts of the upper backrest part 3, which is firmly connected to the upper frame subsection 11, and a cutout of the lower backrest part 4, which is not connected to the frame, are also indicated.

From Fig. 2 and 3 it can be seen how a permanently elastic connecting element 13 is arranged in the upper frame subsection 11 and the lower frame subsection 12, connecting these two frame subsections to one another in the area of the separation and permanently elastic connection point. The bending of the permanently elastic connecting element 13, which can be seen from Fig. 3, is practically equal to the mutual inclination of the upper backrest part 3 to the lower backrest part 4 around the bending line 6.

It should be noted at this point that the backrest consisting of the backrest parts 3, 4 in Fig. 1 to 3 is shown in its rest position, i.e. not pivoted.

From Fig. 2 and 3 it can also be seen that the mutually facing ends of the upper frame subsection 1 and the lower frame subsection 12 of the tubular frame are closed with closure elements 14, 15 in which the permanently elastic connecting element 13 is mounted. It can be expedient for one end of the permanently elastic connecting element 13, for example the end which extends into the upper frame subsection 11, to be displaceable relative to this frame subsection in the direction of the main axis of the connecting element (not shown), so that when the backrest is pivoted about the virtual horizontal axis at the separating and permanently elastic connecting points 7, 8, no unnecessary stresses or deformations of the permanently elastic connecting element occur.

In Fig. 3, the pivotability of the upper backrest part 3 and the lower backrest part 4 - usually by

Pressure on the upper backrest part 3 by the back of the seated person - again indicated by arrows 16, 17. The position of the lower backrest part 4' in a swivel position is marked with a broken line.

The seating furniture shaped as an armchair according to Fig. 1 to 3 is designed without armrests, but for the position of the bend line 6 it can be assumed that the height of the armrests is normally at the level of this bend line.

The embodiment of the seating furniture according to Fig. 4 as a chair differs from the previous embodiment in that there is no one-piece, self-contained upper frame part, but only two lateral upper frame subsections 18, 19. These are followed by lower frame subsections 20, 21, which merge into the rear legs 22, 23 of the chair. A third and a fourth tubular frame part 24, 25 is connected to the lower frame subsection 20 and 21 respectively and extends from this over the area of a separate seat surface 37 to the front legs 26, 27. In this chair construction, the seat surface 32 and an upper backrest part 26 are self-supporting. The upper backrest part extends downwards by an extension 29, which practically forms the lower backrest part because it is free-standing and not limited by other lower backrest parts. The extension 29 is provided with a curvature 30 towards the back of the chair to increase seating comfort, as indicated in the drawing. The curvature is in turn inclined forwards relative to the main section, which is not designated, of the upper backrest part 28, specifically around a bending axis, the extension of which runs through separating and permanently elastic connecting points 30, 31. These separating and permanently elastic connecting points 30, 31 can be designed as in the embodiment according to Figs. 2 and 3.

In a third embodiment of the seating furniture according to Fig. 5, a chair, its frame consists of a solid wooden profile with an upper frame part 33 and a lower frame part 34. Separating and connecting points 35, 36 between these frame parts are again designed to be permanently elastic, in that the frame parts 33, 34 that meet at the connecting points 35, 36 are each connected to one another by a permanently elastic connecting element 37 or 38, which represents a permanently elastic insert. Each of the two connecting elements 37, 38 extends into an upper frame subsection 39 or 40 and a lower frame subsection 41 or 42. This means that when a person sitting on such a chair leans back, an upper backrest part 43 can move back, while at the same time a lower backrest part 44 connected to it swings forwards to support the lower lumbar region, as indicated by arrows not shown. The upper backrest part 43 and lower backrest part 44, which essentially consist of a filling, can be padded, as indicated in the drawing.

The variant of the third embodiment according to Fig. 6 differs from that in that separating and connecting points 47, 48 are formed between an upper frame part 45 and a lower frame part 46, in which permanently elastic connecting elements are embedded in the upper and lower frame subsections 49 - 52 in a way that is invisible from the outside. This makes the chair particularly aesthetically pleasing despite the advantageous function described above.

In another variant, the solid frame can also be made of plastic instead of wood.

Claims (14)

Protection claims: 1. Seating furniture with a backrest, in which an upper backrest part is formed above a bend and a lower backrest part is formed below the bend, which are inclined towards each other towards the front, wherein the upper backrest part and at least one backrest section connected to it in particular in one piece in the area of the lower backrest part can be pivoted about a horizontal axis in the area of the bend axis, characterized in that in a seat whose backrest has a frame with lateral frame sections, the lateral frame sections in the area of the armrest height at the bend are each divided into an upper frame sub-section (11 or 18, 19 or 39, 40 or 49, 50) and a lower frame sub-section (12 or 20, 21 or 41, 42 or 51, 52), which are permanently elastically connected to each other in this area, that with the upper frame sub-sections (11 or 18, 19) is connected to an upper filling part and at least one lower filling part area connected thereto is pivotable relative to the lower frame subsections (12 or 20, 21). 2. Seating furniture according to claim 1, characterized in that an upper frame subsection (11 or 18, 19 or 39, 40 or 49, 50) and a lower frame subsection (12 or 20, 21 or 41, 42 or 51, 52) are connected to one another via at least one permanently elastic connecting element (13 or 37, 38). 3. Seating furniture according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the upper frame subsections (11 or 39, 40 or 49, 50) together with a transverse section form a one-piece upper frame part (1). 4. Seating furniture according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling is padded, the frame being located outside the filling. 5. Seating furniture according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the filling is padded together with at least the side frame sections. 6. Seating furniture according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an entire filling lower part, which can be pivoted between the lower frame subsections (12), is firmly connected to the filling upper part, preferably in one piece. 7. Seating furniture according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that an extension is formed on the bottom of the filling upper part, which can be pivoted into a cutout in the filling lower part. 8. Seating furniture according to claim 7,
characterized in that the extension on the filling upper part is fork-shaped with downward-pointing prong-like sections, between which at least one elastic belt is stretched. 9. Seating furniture according to claim I ₁ characterized in that the filling base is only in a central area ··· ·· Sit the backrest is designed as an extension (29) of the filling upper part adjacent to the filling lower part. 10. Seating furniture according to claim 9, characterized in that the extension is curved backwards (curvature 30). 11. Seating furniture according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the upper part of the filling and/or the lower part of the filling is/are curved. 12. Seating furniture according to one of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that the permanently elastic connecting element (13; 37, 38) consists of spring steel. 13. Seating furniture according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame is tubular and that the permanently elastic connecting elements (13) are arranged in tubular frame subsections (11 or 18, 19; 12 or 20, 21). 14. Seating furniture according to one of claims 1-12, characterized in that the frame consists of an upper frame part (33) and a lower frame part (34) made of a wooden profile.