JP7551092B2 - chair - Google Patents

Description

Article 30, paragraph 2 of the Patent Act applies. Listed in the publication listed on the certificate from December 11 to 17, 2019. Published on the website listed on the certificate from January 10 to 15, 2020. Shipped to the sales destination listed on the certificate from January 7 to February 20, 2020.

The present invention relates to a chair.

Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a conventional chair. The chair disclosed in this document comprises a seat portion having a seat surface and a backrest portion. The backrest portion is provided with a lumbar support. This lumbar support is a portion for supporting the lower back of the user, and its position in the vertical direction can be adjusted along the frame of the backrest portion.

JP 2008-119411 A

Depending on the user's body type, posture, etc., the lumbar support may be required to protrude significantly from the backrest, or to suppress protrusion. However, it has been difficult to fully meet such demands by adjusting the vertical position of the lumbar support.

The present invention was conceived in light of the above circumstances, and its objective is to provide a chair in which the position of the lumbar support in the front-to-rear direction can be adjusted as desired.

The chair provided by the present invention is a chair comprising a seat portion having a seat surface and a backrest portion, the backrest portion having a support and a movable body including a lumbar support supported so as to be movable in the front-rear direction relative to the support, and characterized by having a locking mechanism that assumes a first state that prevents the lumbar support from moving and a second state that allows the lumbar support to move.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the movable body is supported so as to be swingable relative to the support body.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism is composed of a support-side locking member provided on the support body, and a movable-side locking member provided on the movable body, which locks with the support-side locking member in the first state and is released from the lock with the support-side locking member in the second state.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism has an elastic member that applies an elastic force so that the support side locking member and the movable side locking member are locked together.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the movable body has a movable frame having a portion that extends in the left-right direction relative to the movable side engaging member.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support includes a support frame having an opening located behind the movable locking member.

According to the present invention, the fore-aft position of the lumbar support can be adjusted as desired.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a chair according to the present invention. 1 is a front view showing one embodiment of a chair according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a rear view showing one embodiment of a chair according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a left side view showing one embodiment of a chair according to the present invention. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a chair according to the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a main portion showing one embodiment of a chair according to the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a main portion of an embodiment of a chair according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a movable-side locking member of an embodiment of the chair according to the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a main portion of an embodiment of a chair according to the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a main portion of an embodiment of a chair according to the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a main portion of an embodiment of a chair according to the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a main portion of an embodiment of a chair according to the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a main portion of an embodiment of a chair according to the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of a main portion showing an example of use of an embodiment of a chair according to the present invention.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

<Chair A1>
1 to 13 show one embodiment of a chair according to the present invention. Chair A1 of this embodiment comprises a seat portion 1, legs 2, and a backrest portion 3. In addition, in chair A1, a locking mechanism 39 is formed by a support-side locking member 32 and a movable-side locking member 37, which will be described later. Chair A1 is, for example, a chair known as an office chair, but the type and use of chair A1 are not limited in any way.

1 is a perspective view of the chair A1. FIG. 2 is a front view of the chair A1. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the chair A1. FIG. 4 is a left side view of the chair A1. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the chair A1. FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and FIG. 11 to FIG. 13 are perspective cross-sectional views of the main parts of the chair A1. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the movable side locking member of the chair A1. FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are cross-sectional views of the main parts of the chair A1. In these figures, directions are defined using the terms "up", "down", "front", "rear", "right", and "left". The up-down direction generally coincides with the vertical direction, but the up-down direction may intersect with the vertical direction depending on the installation situation of the chair A1. The front-rear direction is the direction defined by the front, which corresponds to the front, and the rear, which corresponds to the back, when the user is seated on the chair A1. The left-right direction is the direction defined by the right and left when the user is seated on the chair A1. For ease of understanding, the backrest cloth 35 described below has been omitted from Figures 6 and 9 to 13. Also, Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction and intersecting with an operating lever 371 of a movable locking member 37 described below, and Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken on a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction and intersecting with an arm portion 374 of the movable locking member 37 described below.

<Seat 1>
The seat 1 is a portion that supports the buttocks and thighs of a seated user. The configuration of the seat 1 is not particularly limited, and the seat 1 of this embodiment is made up of a seat frame 11 and a seat cloth 12, and has a seat surface 13, as shown in Figures 1 to 5.

The seat frame 11 is a structural member that forms the basic structure of the seat 1. There are no particular limitations on the material of the seat frame 11, and metal, resin, etc. may be appropriately selected and used alone or in combination. As shown in Figure 1, in the illustrated example, the seat frame 11 has a ring-shaped portion that is roughly rectangular with rounded corners when viewed in the vertical direction, and a base portion located below the ring-shaped portion.

The seat cloth 12 is arranged to cover the annular portion of the seat frame 11 from above. There are no particular limitations on the material of the seat cloth 12, and natural materials, synthetic materials, etc. may be selected as appropriate. In the illustrated example, the seat cloth 12 is made of a net-like cloth.

The seat surface 13 is the surface that comes into contact with the buttocks and thighs of a seated user. The seat surface 13 is an arbitrarily curved surface for the purpose of providing comfortable support for a seated user. In this embodiment, the seat surface 13 is formed of a seat cloth 12 stretched over the seat frame 11. The seat surface 13 of the seat 1 may be formed of a seat cloth 12 that covers an elastic member such as sponge inside. In addition, when the seat 1 is formed of resin, metal, or the like without using the seat cloth 12, the seat surface 13 may be formed of the surface of a resin member, for example.

<Leg 2>
The legs 2 are portions that support the seat 1 and the backrest 3 with respect to the floor surface on which the chair A1 is placed. The configuration of the legs 2 is not particularly limited, and the legs 2 in this embodiment have a support post 21, a plurality of branches 22, and a plurality of casters 23, as shown in Figures 1 to 5. Note that in addition to the configuration of this embodiment, the legs 2 may also be configured to include, for example, four rod-shaped members or a plurality of frame-shaped members.

The support pillar 21 is connected to the base of the seat frame 11 of the seat 1 and is a rod-shaped member extending in the vertical direction. The support pillar 21 is made of, for example, metal. The multiple branches 22 are fixed to the support pillar 21 and extend radially from the support pillar 21 when viewed in the vertical direction. In the illustrated example, the leg 2 has five branches 22, but the number of branches 22 is not limited in any way. The branches 22 are made of, for example, resin or metal. The multiple casters 23 are individually provided near the tips of the multiple branches 22. The casters 23 have, for example, wheels or spherical parts, and perform the function of rolling on the floor surface, etc.

<Backrest part 3>
The backrest 3 is a portion that supports the back and waist of a seated user. The configuration of the backrest 3 is not limited in any way, and in this embodiment, the backrest 3 has a support body 30 and a movable body 33, as shown in Figures 1 to 6.

The support 30 is a part that is fixed to the seat 1. In the illustrated example, the support 30 has a support frame 31 and a support side locking member 32.

The support frame 31 is made of, for example, metal or resin, and is a part that forms the basic structure of the support body 30. As shown in Figures 4 to 6, in this embodiment, the lower part of the support frame 31 is connected to the base part of the seat frame 11 of the seat 1. The specific shape of the support frame 31 is not particularly limited, and the seat frame 11 in this embodiment is annular when viewed from the rear, and has a curved shape that bulges gently forward when viewed along the left-right direction. The support frame 31 has an opening 311. The opening 311 is an opening part of the annular support frame 31. The opening 311 is located behind the operation lever 371 of the movable side locking member 37 described later. The support frame 31 also has a pair of support parts 312. The support parts 312 are provided in the upper part of the opening 311, and are parts for supporting the movable body 33 so that it can swing.

The support side locking member 32 constitutes a locking mechanism 39 together with a movable side locking member 37 described later. As shown in Figures 6, 9 and 10, the support side locking member 32 in this embodiment is provided below the support frame 31. The support side locking member 32 may be integrally molded with the support frame 31 as in the illustrated example, or may be formed from a separate part from the support frame 31. As shown in Figures 6 and 10, the support side locking member 32 has multiple recesses 321. The recesses 321 are parts that realize the function of the locking mechanism 39 by engaging with the protrusions 375 of the movable side locking member 37 described later. In this embodiment, the multiple recesses 321 are arranged in the front-rear direction. Also, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, the multiple recesses 321 are provided at the bottom of two rows of guide grooves 322 spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction.

The movable body 33 is a part that can move relative to the support 30. As shown in Figures 1 to 6, 9 and 10, the movable body 33 in this embodiment is made up of a movable frame 34, a backrest cloth 35 and a movable side locking member 37, and has a lumbar support 36. The movable body 33 is supported by the support 30 so that the lumbar support 36 can move in the front-rear direction relative to the seat 1.

The movable frame 34 is made of, for example, resin or metal. The shape of the movable frame 34 is not limited in any way, and in the illustrated example, it is annular when viewed in the front-rear direction and has a curved shape that bulges gently forward when viewed in the left-right direction. The movable frame 34 has a pair of supported parts 341. The pair of supported parts 341 are provided on the upper part of the movable frame 34 and are supported by a pair of support parts 312 of the support frame 31. The support parts 312 and the supported parts 341 are made into a support structure of fitting or engagement, so that the movable frame 34 (movable body 33) is supported so as to be swingable around the swing center axis Os with respect to the support frame 31 (support body 30). In addition, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the movable frame 34 has a pair of finger rests 342. The pair of finger rests 342 are parts that extend in the left-right direction from the lock mechanism 39 (movable side locking member 37).

The backrest cloth 35 is arranged to cover the annular movable frame 34 from the front. There are no particular limitations on the material of the backrest cloth 35, and natural or synthetic materials may be selected as appropriate. In the illustrated example, the backrest cloth 35 is made of a net-like cloth. Note that the movable body 33 is not limited to a configuration consisting of the movable frame 34 and the backrest cloth 35, and may be made of an elastic member such as sponge inside and the backrest cloth 35 covering it, or may be made of a curved member made of resin, metal, etc. without using the backrest cloth 35.

The lumbar support 36 is a portion of the movable frame 34 and the backrest cloth 35 that bulges forward when viewed from left to right, and is a portion that supports the lower back of a seated user. The lumbar support 36 is movable in the front-rear direction relative to the seat 1 and the support frame 31 (support 30) because the movable frame 34 (movable body 33) is supported so as to be swingable around the swing center axis Os relative to the support frame 31 (support 30).

The movable side locking member 37, together with the support side locking member 32 of the support body 30, constitutes a locking mechanism 39. As shown in Figures 5, 6, 9 and 10, the movable side locking member 37 is provided on the lower part of the movable frame 34. The specific shape of the movable side locking member 37 is not limited in any way, and in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 8, it has an operating lever 371, a head 372, a recess 373, a pair of arm portions 374 and a pair of protrusions 375.

The operating lever 371 is a part for switching the locking mechanism 39 between the first state and the second state, and as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, it protrudes rearward from the lower part of the movable frame 34. The head 372 is a part that supports the operating lever 371, and has a part that protrudes upward from the operating lever 371. The recess 373 is formed in the head 372 and is recessed downward. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 9, the lower part of the elastic member 38 is housed in the recess 373. The upper end of the elastic member 38 abuts against the movable frame 34. The elastic member 38 is, for example, a helical spring. As a result, the movable side locking member 37 is biased with an elastic force directed downward against the movable frame 34.

The pair of arms 374 are connected to the head 372, and each has a vertical portion 374a extending downward relative to the operating lever 371, and a horizontal portion 374b extending rearward from the vertical portion 374a. The pair of convex portions 375 are portions that protrude downward from the tips of the horizontal portions 374b of the pair of arms 374. As shown in Figures 6 and 10, the pair of convex portions 375 can be engaged with any of the multiple concave portions 321 of the support side locking member 32. As shown in Figure 7, the horizontal portions 374b of the pair of arms 374 are freely movable in the front-rear direction with a portion of each portion inserted into a pair of guide grooves 322 provided in the support side locking member 32.

<Operation of Lock Mechanism 39>
6 shows a state in which the movable body 33 (movable frame 34) is prevented from swinging relative to the support body 30 (support frame 31) by the engagement between the support side locking member 32 and the movable side locking member 37, and the lumbar support 36 is prevented from moving in the front-rear direction relative to the seat 1. This state is referred to as a first state. Specifically, the convex portion 375 of the movable side locking member 37 is engaged with the concave portion 321 that is located furthest rearward in the front-rear direction among the multiple concave portions 321. At this time, an elastic force is applied by the elastic member 38 in a direction in which the convex portion 375 is inserted into the concave portion 321.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the operating lever 371 of the movable side locking member 37 is lifted upward. This lifting is done against the elastic force of the elastic member 38. This releases the lock between the convex portion 375 and the concave portion 321. This allows the movable body 33 (movable frame 34) to swing relative to the support body 30 (support frame 31), and allows the lumbar support 36 to move in the front-rear direction relative to the seat 1. This state is called the second state.

Next, as shown in FIG. 12, for example, the lower part of the movable body 33 is pushed forward to swing the movable body 33 around the swing center axis Os. This causes the lumbar support 36 to move forward. At this time, as can be seen from FIG. 7, the horizontal parts 374b of the pair of arms 374 of the movable side locking member 37 move forward in the pair of guide grooves 322 of the support side locking member 32, thereby suppressing shaking in the left-right direction. Next, as shown in FIG. 13, the movable side locking member 37 is lowered downward by, for example, releasing the hand that was lifting the operating lever 371. This causes the convex part 375 to engage with a recess 321 different from the recess 321 that was engaged in FIG. 6. This causes the locking mechanism 39 to again assume the first state, and the movement of the lumbar support 36 in the front-rear direction is prevented.

Next, we will explain the function of chair A1.

According to this embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 11 to FIG. 13, the lumbar support 36 can move in the front-rear direction relative to the seat 1. The locking mechanism 39 can be freely selected between a first state in which the movement of the lumbar support 36 is prevented and a second state in which the movement of the lumbar support 36 is permitted. By setting the locking mechanism 39 in the second state, the lumbar support 36 can be moved in the front-rear direction according to the user's body type, posture, etc., and by setting the locking mechanism 39 in the first state, the lumbar support 36 can be fixed at any position, and the front-rear position of the lumbar support 36 can be freely adjusted. In addition, when the user does not operate the locking mechanism 39, the locking mechanism 39 takes the first state, so that the lumbar support 36 can be prevented from moving improperly even if a force is applied to the lumbar support 36 in the front-rear direction.

The movement of the lumbar support 36 in the front-rear direction is achieved by supporting the movable frame 34 (movable body 33) so that it can swing about a swing center axis Os set above the support frame 31 (support body 30). In addition, in the first state, the position of the movable frame 34 in the front-rear direction relative to the support frame 31 is held at three points: the pair of support parts 312 and the supported part 341, and a locking mechanism 39 provided at the bottom of the lumbar support 36. This makes it possible to reduce shaking in the left-right direction even if a strong force is applied to the lumbar support 36.

The first state of the locking mechanism 39 is realized by engaging the support side locking member 32 provided below the support frame 31 with the movable side locking member 37 provided below the movable frame 34. This is suitable for more reliably and firmly preventing the movement of the movable frame 34 (movable body 33) that swings around the swing center axis Os set above.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the support frame 31 has an opening 311. The opening 311 is located rearward of the locking mechanism 39. This makes it possible to place a hand on the operating lever 371 of the locking mechanism 39 from behind through the opening 311 when performing the operations shown in Figures 11 to 13. This is suitable for smooth operation in a more natural posture.

As shown in Figures 5, 6 and 14, the movable frame 34 has a portion that extends in the left-right direction relative to the movable locking member 37. When lifting the operating lever 371 of the locking mechanism 39 shown in Figure 11, for example, as shown in Figure 14, the thumb can be placed on the convex portion 375 from below and the remaining fingers can be placed on the finger rest portion 342 of the movable frame 34 from above, thereby making it easier and more stable to lift the movable locking member 37.

The chair according to the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. The specific configuration of each part of the chair according to the present invention can be freely designed in various ways.

A1 : Chair 1 : Seat 2 : Legs 3 : Backrest 11 : Seat frame 12 : Seat cloth 13 : Seat surface 21 : Support 22 : Branch 23 : Caster 30 : Support body 31 : Support frame 32 : Support side locking member 33 : Movable body 34 : Movable frame 35 : Backrest cloth 36 : Lumbar support 37 : Movable side locking member 38 : Elastic member 39 : Lock mechanism 311 : Opening 312 : Support portion 321 : Recess 322 : Guide groove 341 : Supported portion 342 : Finger rest portion 371 : Operating lever 372 : Head 373 : Recess 374 : Arm portion 374a : Vertical portion 374b : Horizontal portion 375 : Convex portion Os : Swing central axis

Claims (6)

A seat portion having a seat surface;
A chair comprising:
The backrest portion has a support body and a movable body including a lumbar support supported so as to be movable in a front-rear direction relative to the support body,
A lock mechanism is provided that takes a first state in which the lumbar support is prevented from moving and a second state in which the lumbar support is allowed to move,
The locking mechanism includes:
A support side locking member provided on the support;
a movable-side locking member that is provided on the movable body, that is locked with the support-side locking member in the first state, and that is released from the locking with the support-side locking member in the second state,
A chair, characterized in that an operating lever for switching between the first state and the second state is provided on the movable side locking member of the movable body. The chair according to claim 1, wherein the movable body is supported so as to be able to swing relative to the support body. The movable body has a movable frame,
The operating lever protrudes rearward from a lower portion of the movable frame,
The chair according to claim 1 , wherein the movable frame is provided with a finger rest portion extending in the left-right direction from the movable-side locking member. the locking mechanism has an elastic member that urges the movable locking member downward so that the support locking member and the movable locking member are locked to each other,
4. The chair according to claim 1, wherein the engagement between the support-side engaging member and the movable-side engaging member is released by lifting the operating lever upward. The movable locking member has a head portion that supports the operating lever and a pair of arms that are connected to the head portion,
the arm portion has a vertical portion extending downward with respect to the operating lever, a horizontal portion extending rearward from the vertical portion, and a protrusion protruding downward from a tip of the horizontal portion and adapted to engage with the support-side engaging member,
5. The chair according to claim 3, wherein the horizontal portion is movable in the front-rear direction with a portion of the horizontal portion inserted in a guide groove provided in the support-side locking member. 6. The chair according to claim 1, wherein the support includes a support frame having an opening located rearwardly of the movable locking member.

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