Abstract
The invention relates to a lumbar support (1) for a chair with a backrest comprising backrest carriers (7) which are pivotable independently of each other, wherein the lumbar support comprises support regions (10a, 10b) which are each mounted on a spring element (2). The spring action of each spring element (2) is individually adjustable. In this arrangement, the spring elements (2) are arranged on a carrier (5), which can be articulated to the backrest carriers (7) of the backrest of the chair, which are pivotable independently of each other. The invention further relates to a chair with a backrest, which is formed from backrest carriers (7) which are pivotable independently of each other and which also comprises the aforementioned lumbar support (1). In this case, the lumbar support (1) is articulated to the backrest carriers (7) which are pivotable independently of each other.
Claims
1. A lumbar support (1) for a chair with a backrest which comprises includes backrest carriers (7) which are pivotable independently of each other, wherein the backrest support comprises: support regions (10a, 10b): spring elements (2), wherein the support regions (10a, 10b) are each mounted resiliently on a separate spring element (2), each said spring element (2) having a spring action, and wherein the spring action of each spring element (2) is individually adjustable; and a carrier (5), each of the spring elements is arranged on a the carrier (5), which wherein the carrier can be articulated by means of the backrest carriers, which are pivotable independently of each other.
2. The lumbar support according to claim 1, wherein the spring elements (2) each comprises a leaf spring (2).
3. The lumbar support according to claim 2, wherein the spring action is adjustable via a bearing element (3) movable along a longitudinal axis of the leaf spring (2).
4. The lumbar support according to claim 3, wherein the bearing element is moved along the longitudinal axis of the leaf spring (2) via a tapping mechanism (4).
5. The lumbar support according to claim 1, wherein the support regions (10a, 10b) are each mounted on the associated spring element (2) by means of a lever mechanism (6a, 6b).
6. The lumbar support according to claim 5, wherein the support regions (10a, 10b) are movable relative to the carrier (5) synchronously via a gear unit (11) operatively connected to the respective lever mechanism (6a, 6b).
7. The lumbar support according to claim 1, wherein the backrest carriers each include a guide, and the support regions (10a, 10b) are each formed in such a way that they can engage in the guides in the backrest carriers (7) which are pivotable independently of each other.
8.-9. (canceled)
Description
[0016] Specific embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. Identical or equivalent elements are identified by the same reference symbol.
[0017] They show:
[0018] FIG. 1 a schematic rear view of the lumbar support according to the invention in an upper position;
[0019] FIG. 2 a schematic rear view of the lumbar support according to the invention in a middle position;
[0020] FIG. 3 a schematic rear view of the lumbar support according to the invention in a lower position;
[0021] FIG. 4 a sectional view of the lumbar support according to the invention taken along the line A-A in FIG. 2;
[0022] FIG. 5 a schematic plan view of the chair according to the invention;
[0023] FIG. 6 a schematic plan view of the chair according to the invention in a position of the backrest which is inclined at one side; and
[0024] FIG. 7 a schematic side view of the chair according to the invention in a position of the backrest which is inclined at one side.
[0025] The lumbar support 1 shown in FIG. 4 has two support regions 10a, 10b which are each mounted on a spring element 2, which is designed as a leaf spring, via a lever 6a and a coupling member 6b. The spring element 2 is, in turn, arranged on a carrier 5, to which the two support regions 10a, 10b are also connected. The design of the individual support regions 10a, 10b is known from the state of the art and will not be discussed further in the following.
[0026] On each of the leaf springs 2 is arranged in each case a movable bearing element 3, which is movable along a longitudinal axis of the leaf spring 2. In the embodiment shown, the position of the bearing element along the longitudinal axis of the leaf spring 2 is adjusted via a steep-thread spindle 4. In general, the position of the bearing element 3 can be adjusted by any arbitrary threading mechanism. The steep-angle spindle 4 is operable by a user via a control element 8. The operating element can, for example, be configured as a rotary knob.
[0027] If, for example, a force acts on the support region 10a, this is transferred to the spring element 2, on which the support region 10a is mounted. Due to the action of the force, the spring element is curved at the position of the bearing element 3, and the lumbar region which exerts the force on the supporting region 10a, is supported by the latter. By the movement of the bearing element 3 along the leaf spring 2, the point of curvature can be displaced along the longitudinal axis of the leaf spring 2 so that the spring action of the leaf spring 2 can be adjusted infinitely. Thus, the force acting on the lumbar region of a seated person can be adjusted according to his/her desires or preferences, wherein no adjustment takes place in the depth direction, i.e. in the direction of the surface normal of the seat back. In the lumbar support 1 shown in FIG. 4, the support region 10a is responsible, for example, for supporting the lumbar region located to the left of the spine of a seated person, and the support region 10b for the lumbar region to the right of the spine of a seated person. A uniform support effect by the two support regions 10a, 10b on the lumbar region is perceived as unpleasant by many individuals so that an asymmetrical adjustment of the support action of the lumbar support adapted to the individual needs of the seated person is advantageous. By means of the position of the bearing element 3 adjustable via the tapping mechanism along the longitudinal axis of the spring element 2, the supporting action of the individual supporting regions 10a, 10b can be adjusted individually to the needs of a seated person.
[0028] Furthermore, FIG. 4 shows the bearing of the lumbar support 1 in the backrest carriers 7 of a chair. In this case, regions of the carrier 5 of the lumbar support 1, which are in engagement with the backrest carriers 7, are designed as a joint head 9a. Furthermore, regions of the backrest carriers 7, which are in engagement with the lumbar support 1, are designed as an joint socket 9b, so that an articulated connection is provided between the lumbar support 1 and the backrest carriers 7.
[0029] FIG. 4 also shows that the support regions 10a, 10b are bearing on the associated spring elements 2 via coupling members 6b and levers 6a. The levers 6a are thereby operatively connected to a synchronized gear 11 so that a synchronous movement of the support regions 10a, 10b via the levers 6a and the coupling members 6b relative to the carrier 5 is possible.
[0030] FIG. 1 shows an upper position of the support regions 10a, 10b relative to the carrier 5 of the lumbar support 1. FIG. 2 shows a middle position of the support regions 10a, 10b, and FIG. 3 shows a lower position of the support regions 10a, 10b relative to the carrier 5. In FIGS. 1 to 3, the lumbar support 1 is in each case connected to backrest carriers 7 of a chair. As can be seen from FIGS. 1 to 3, the height of the support regions 10a, 10b relative to the carrier 5 of the lumbar support 1 can be adjusted within the backrest of a chair by the movement of the support regions 10a, 10b. Thus, the height position of the support regions 10a, 10b can be adapted to the needs of a user of the chair. By the use of the synchronized gear 11, the levers 6a move along a circular path during a height adjustment of the support regions 10a, 10b. As seen in FIG. 4, the support regions 10a, 10b are guided in guides F of the backrest carriers 7 so that the support regions 10a, 10b perform a linear movement during a height adjustment. In order to provide a compensation between the circular movement of the levers 6a and the linear movement of the support regions 10a, 10b, coupling members 6b are provided. With the above-described design, a simple, synchronous height adjustment of the support regions 10a, 10b is possible.
[0031] FIG. 5 shows a chair according to the invention with backrest carriers 7, pivotable independently of one another, which are connected by means of a strut 12 at one end. The backrest carriers 7 are connected at their other end to a pivoting mechanism of the chair. Furthermore, the chair comprises the previously described lumbar support 1, which, as shown in FIG. 4, is articulated in the backrest carriers 7.
[0032] FIG. 6 shows the chair according to the invention in a position of the backrest, which is formed from the backrest carriers 7 which can be pivoted independently of each other. Due to the articulated bearing of the lumbar support 1 in the two backrest carriers 7, the orientation of the lumbar support 1 can be adapted to the position of the backrest of the chair which is inclined at one side so that even in this position of the backrest a needs-based support for the lumbar region of a seated person through the support regions 10a, 10b is possible.
[0033] As can be seen from FIG. 7, the articulated bearing of the lumbar support 1 in the backrest carriers 7 makes it possible on the one hand to move the lumbar support in a forward-backward direction relative to the chair and in a top-down direction relative to the chair. Because of the articulated bearing, the lumbar support 1 can follow each movement of the independently pivotable backrest carriers 7 so that the support regions 10a, 10b are each ideally adapted to the sitting position of a user of the chair. The hip region or the lumbar region of a seated person can thus be supported needs-based in any possible position of the backrest formed from the backrest carriers 7 which are pivotable independently of each other.
[0034] For reasons of clarity, the backrest of the chair is shown in the figures only with the backrest carriers and the strut connecting the backrest carriers. However, it is self-evident that a suitable covering of an elastic material may be provided. Furthermore, for reasons of clarity, the chair is shown only with the backrest carriers and a partial region of the floor plate. Further structural details of the bearing of the backrest carrier have been omitted in the description.
LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS
[0035] 1 lumbar support
[0036] 2 spring element
[0037] 3 bearing element
[0038] 4 tapping mechanism
[0039] 5 carrier
[0040] 6a levers
[0041] 6b coupling member
[0042] 7 backrest carriers
[0043] 8 operating element
[0044] 9a joint head
[0045] 9b joint socket
[0046] 10a support region
[0047] 10b support region
[0048] 11 synchronous gear unit
[0049] 12 strut
[0050] F guide
