SEATING DEVICE WITH A RECLINING FUNCTION

Abstract

A seating device (1) with a reclining function comprising a back frame (4) which provides a significant reduction in the complexity of the system, at the same time as it gives the user increased comfort both in an upright (sitting) position and in a reclining position. The back frame (4) comprises in particular two types of resilient elements (7, 8) and rotatable fasteners (6) which provide adaptive support to the lumbar spine in both a sitting and reclining position.

Claims

1-8. (canceled)

9. A seating device with reclining function comprising a seat, a backrest element and a rotatable hinge element which connects the seat to the backrest element, wherein the backrest element comprises padding and a back frame including at least one first resilient element arranged between one or more second resilient elements, wherein each resilient element and is bonded to the frame via fasteners, preferably at each end thereof, the first resilient element being curved convexly towards the back of the user when the seating device is in the sitting position, and the first resilient element being arranged to assume a curved concave shape against the user's back when the seating device is in a reclined/loaded position.

10. A back frame for use in a sitting device with reclining function, wherein the back frame comprises at least one first resilient element arranged between one or more second resilient elements, wherein each resilient element and is bonded to the frame via fasteners at each end thereof, the first resilient element being curved convexly towards the back of the user when the seating device is in the sitting position, and wherein the resilient element is arranged so that it assumes a curved concave shape against the user's back when the seating device is in the reclined/loaded position.

11. The seating device according to claim 1 or the back frame according to claim 2, wherein the fasteners are rotatable fasteners.

12. The seating device or the back frame according to claim 11, wherein the first and second resilient elements are arcuate, the first resilient element being designed so as to follow a curve with a shorter radius than the other resilient elements.

13. The seating device or the back frame according to claim 12, wherein the first resilient element and the second resilient elements are mounted with prestress in the frame.

14. The seating device or the back frame according to claim 13, wherein the first resilient element is longer than the second resilient elements, and the second resilient elements are stiffer and less resilient than the first resilient element.

15. The seating device or the back frame according to claim 14, wherein the first and second resilient elements are made of high-carbon steel wire.

16. The seating device or the back frame according to claim 15, wherein the steel wire follows a zigzag pattern.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a sketch of the chair seen from a side with an upright backrest,

[0014] FIG. 2 is a sketch of the back frame seen from the front,

[0015] FIG. 3 is a sketch of the chair with a reclining backrest without load seen from one side, and

[0016] FIG. 4 is a sketch of the chair with a reclining backrest under load seen from one side.

[0017] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] FIG. 1 shows a seating device 1 according to the invention with an upright backrest. The seating device 1 can be a chair, a sofa, a car seat, or the like. The seating device 1 comprises a seat 2, a backrest element 3 and a rotatable hinge element (not shown in the drawing) which allows reclining function.

[0019] The backrest element 3 comprises a back frame 4 and padding 5, for example in foam, where the padding 5 is arranged on one or both sides of the frame.

[0020] FIG. 2 shows the structure of the back frame 4 as well as a detailed sketch of a rotatable fastener 6, where the arrow shows how the rotatable fasteners 6 are rotated.

[0021] The back frame 4, which is formed as a forward-shaped part, comprises at least one first resilient element 7 and one or more second resilient elements 8. The first resilient elements 7 are made of a material which is suitable for being made with prestress (bias) and which can withstand deformation during use, for example high carbon steel wire, molded plastic, rubber, curved steel strip, fiber casting, etc., preferably high carbon steel wire. The second resilient elements 8 are made of a material suitable for having a supporting or resilient effect, for example steel strip, plastic plate, textile webbing, fabric, rubber mat, high carbon steel wire, molded plastic, rubber, curved steel strip, fiber casting, etc. In case the resilient elements 7, 8 are made of steel wire, they may follow a zigzag pattern. The resilient elements 7 and 8 are independently bonded to the frame preferably at each end, either directly or via fasteners 6, preferably via rotatable fasteners. The fasteners 6 can be made of, for example, plastic, metal, leather, fabric or fiber.

[0022] In one embodiment, the elements 7, 8 are resilient and arcuate before mounting. The first resilient (yielding) element 7 follows a curve which has a smaller radius compared to the radius of the one or more other resilient elements 8. The first resilient element 7 is longer than the one or more other resilient elements 8. Mounting of these elements 7, 8 on the frame 4 gives them a prestress.

[0023] The first resilient element 7 has a carefully determined prestress, matched firmness and fastening. The one or more other elements 8 are located above and below the first element 7 and are considerably firmer and flatter. Distance (position) and matched firmness are based on the ergonomics of the spine and how much the back “moves” in relation to the user's lumbar support and the effect of the user's weight on the yielding element. The chairs will be manufactured in different sizes and hardness adapted to the individual customer as well as markets in e.g. Europe and Asia.

[0024] When the user is sitting in an upright position as shown in FIG. 1, the forward-shaped or convex first resilient element 7 in the central back will largely retain the prestress (and create the desired lumbar support). The weight of the user sitting in the chair will largely decrease towards the seat 2. The pressure/weight exerted against the backrest element 3 is therefore limited in this position and the desired lumbar support is maintained.

[0025] FIG. 3 shows the seating device 1 with a reclining backrest element 3 without load. FIG. 4 shows the seating device 1 with a reclining backrest element 3 with load.

[0026] When the backrest element 3 of the seating device 1 is placed backwards, the user lying (sitting) in the chair will distribute the weight on both the seat 2 and the backrest element 3, in relation to the upright position as shown in FIG. 1. The backrest element will thereby receive a significant greater weight against it. The padding 5 in the backrest element 3 is then compressed and deformed (flattened out). The first resilient element 7 now yields and acquires a more backward-bent or even concave shape.

[0027] The fasteners 6 will, due to their rotatability, reinforce this movement from the back frame. The back frame can be forward-striving, for example so that it follows the natural curvature of the user's back.

[0028] The padding 5 in the backrest element 3 is so soft that it yields to the extent that the weight exerted against the first resilient element 7 straightens and bends it backwards, but not so soft that the other elements 8 feel uncomfortable for the user.

[0029] The other elements 8 will stretch a little, but are less affected by these forces as they are harder, tighter and yield less compared to the first resilient element 7.

[0030] The other elements 8, on the other hand, must have a carefully positioned and coordinated firmness in order to “take over” the support of the first “yielding” element 7.

[0031] All the resilient elements 7, 8 must be mounted in a coordinated relationship with each other and the design of the back frame 4.

[0032] The total effect is that the padding 5 in the back element 3 becomes flatter in the supine position and the relative lumbar support is moved downwards because the other resilient elements 8 become more prominent than the first resilient element 7 in the supine position. On a normal chair/sofa, the area for lumbar support on the back of the chair that meets the spine will move upwards when the backrest element 3 is laid down (the chair opens). On the described seating device 1, the back frame 4 will become more prominent in the supine position and a more correct position, pressure and position of the lumbar support in relation to the anatomy of the spine of the user is maintained.