US20100301651A1

US20100301651A1 - Memory apparatus for the back of a chair

Info

Publication number: US20100301651A1
Application number: US12/671,185
Authority: US
Inventors: Kyoung Ho Yoon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-07-31
Filing date: 2008-07-30
Publication date: 2010-12-02
Also published as: JP2010535061A; EP2178418A1; WO2009017357A1; KR20100012126A; CN101784214B; KR20100012127A; KR101094604B1; CN101784214A; KR20090012796A; KR100916753B1

Abstract

A memory device installed in a backrest of a chair is disclosed. The memory device includes a plurality of support shafts, a plurality of housings receiving the plurality of support shafts, a support block inserted in the respective housings and having a plurality of fixing grooves formed on both sides thereof, a spring for resilient supporting the support block, a setting block having one end rotatably receiving the support shaft, in a state where the setting block is inserted in both sides of the housing, and the other end with a fixing boss inserted in the fixing groove, a setting spring for resiliently supporting the setting block, a rotary lever connected to the setting block via a wire, a support plate connected to the rotary lever by a hinge, and having a setting groove and a release groove formed on an surface thereof, an operation lever resiliently installed on the rotary lever by a support spring, and a setting pin integrally formed with the operation lever and selectively inserted in the setting groove or the release groove. The memory device further includes a housing having a receiving hole which is stacked on an upper portion of the support shaft, with a portion of a lower part of the backrest of the chair being stacked with the support blocks. The housing is installed at a portion corresponding to cervical vertebra, and has a plurality of pocket grooves, a support pocket is inserted in the respective pocket grooves, and a guide shaft protrudes from the respective pocket grooves.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a memory device installed in a backrest of a chair, and more particularly to a memory device including a plurality of support blocks installed in a backrest supporting an upper body of a user when the user seating on a chair leans against the backrest, in which an arranged state of the respective support blocks is changed and set in accordance with the pressure applied from the upper body of the user, so that the shape of the backrest is set to be suitable for a body posture and habit of the user leaning against the backrest, and the set shape is maintained to minimize fatigue, although the user uses the chair for a long time.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, a chair is a means for comfortably supporting a human body when workers or students perform various operations in offices or schools. The chair is manufactured by laying emphasis on a backrest function so as to be suitable for rest or operation.
However, there is a problem that, since the chair has a simple structure consisting of a backrest, a seat plate and legs which are integrally formed, the chair does not properly cope with the flexure of the human body. When the user takes a seat for a long time, a seat is hard on user's back.
In order to solve the above problem of the simple chair, however, functional chairs of various shapes are needed. In particular, it is keenly required for a backrest capable of comfortably supporting an upper body of a user.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

An upper body (spinal structure) of a user mainly includes, as shown in FIG. 1, lumbar vertebrae, thoracic vertebrae and cervical vertebrae which are successively connected to the pelvis.
The backbone consists of 26 bones, i.e., 7 cervical vertebrae, 12 thoracic vertebrae, 5 lumbar vertebrae, and a mean physiognomy. A spinal length of an adult is about 71 to 75 cm, and fibrillar cartilage called as an intervertebral disc is interposed between bones to protect the bones.
The backbone is bent in an S shape when viewing at its side, which is referred to as flexure. An adult has four flexures, in which the flexure of a neck is inherent, and the flexure of a waist is formed at toddling time after birth.
Recently, spread of automobiles and change or working body posture bring to increase working hours and time required to take a seat. Wells classifies the body posture into a mankind type and an anthropoid type, and does not deny the fact in that people are degenerated as the body posture of anthropoid type with development of civilization.
A seating posture is more important than a standing posture, since peoples spend a large part of their time on a chair. The standing posture is controlled by an intension, while the seating posture is depending upon artificial elements rather than the intension. Therefore, selection of a comfort chair is needed. In this instance, a height, depth and slope of a seat plate and a slope and bent portion of a backrest are important. The height of the seat plate is identical to a length of a lower leg, and is desirable to maintain a femoral region horizontally or slightly increase a height of a knee. If the seat plate is too high, an extensor of a waist acts to likely induce fatigue. If the depth of the seat plate is longer than a length of the femoral region, a rear side of the knee is compressed, and if a user seats on the seat plate for a long time, it may induce interruption in blood circulation.
According to the slope of the seat plate, a chair for office is 3 to 5 degrees, and a chair for rest is 15 degrees. According to the slope of the backrest, a chair for office is 110 to 110 degrees, while a chair for rest is 115 to 130 degrees.
The bent portion of the backrest should be smooth in comparison with a bent portion of a lumbar region when standing. The reason is that if the bent portion is acute, stress may be applied to discs to induce fatigue on the waist.
A cushion is built in the backrest to provide a user with the comfort, or a chair having a backrest which is bent similar to the upper body is utilized.
The Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems.
An object of the present invention is to provide a memory device installed in a backrest of a chair, in which a shape of the backrest is set to be suitable for a body posture and habit of a user leaning against the backrest, and the set shape is maintained to provide the user with comfort, although the user uses the chair for a long time.

Technical Solution

In order to achieve the above and other objects, there is provided a memory device installed in a backrest of a chair including a plurality of support shafts, a plurality of housings receiving the plurality of support shafts, a support block inserted in the respective housings and having a plurality of fixing grooves formed on both sides thereof, a spring for resilient supporting the support block, a setting block having one end rotatably receiving the support shaft, in a state where the setting block is inserted in both sides of the housing, and the other end with a fixing boss inserted in the fixing groove, a setting spring for resiliently supporting the setting block, a rotary lever connected to the setting block via a wire, a support plate connected to the rotary lever by a hinge, and having a setting groove and a release groove formed on an surface thereof, an operation lever resiliently installed on the rotary lever by a support spring, and a setting pin integrally formed with the operation lever and selectively inserted in the setting groove or the release groove.
The memory device further includes a housing having a receiving hole which is stacked on an upper portion of the support shaft, with a portion of a lower part of the backrest of the chair being stacked with the support blocks. The housing is installed at a portion corresponding to cervical vertebra, and has a plurality of pocket grooves, a support pocket is inserted in the respective pocket grooves, and a guide shaft protrudes from the respective pocket grooves.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS

With the above description, the memory device installed in the backrest of the chair according to the present invention including the plurality of support blocks which are densely stacked in a vertical direction of the backrest so as to be deformed within a predetermined range has effects of setting a deformed level of the support blocks to correspond to the spinal shape and habit of the use which leans against the backrest, and providing the user with the comfort to minimize the fatigue, although the user uses the chair for a long time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a photograph showing the spinal structure of an upper body of a human;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a memory device installed in a backrest of a chair according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a memory device engaged to the backrest of a chair and an operation part of the memory device;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a memory device engaged to a backrest of a chair;

FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating the operation of a memory device;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a back contacting part which is deformed in a wave shape by the pressure applied to a memory device;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are front views illustrating memory devices according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a memory device installed in a backrest of a chair according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating an application of the memory device in FIG. 9.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A memory device installed in a backrest of a chair according to embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to accompanied drawings.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a memory device installed in a backrest of a chair according to an embodiment of the present invention. The memory device of the present invention includes a plurality of support shafts 300, horizontally positioned in an inside of the backrest of the chair, for supporting housings which are movably engaged with a support block 120 that will be described hereinafter. Preferably, four support shafts are provided.
The plurality of housings 110 are constantly stacked by the support shafts 300, and are provided with insertion holes 111 for receiving the support shafts 300. The supports shafts 300 are inserted in the insertion holes 111 when the plurality of housings 110 is stacked on each other. An interval maintaining member 310 is interposed between the housings 110 in order to adjust an interval between the stacked housings 110.
The respective housings 110 has a receiving groove 112 of a certain size formed on the front surface thereof, and the support block 120 is inserted in the receiving groove in such a way that the support block 120 is movable in front and rear directions of the backrest of the chair within a predetermined range.
A pair of guides 114 are formed in the inside of the receiving groove 112 of the housing 110, and a guide groove 121 is formed in the support block 120 to receive the guide 114. A spring groove 121 a is formed on one side of the guide groove 121 to receive a spring 122 for urging the support block 120 in a front direction. A stopper 125 protrudes from the upper surface of the support block 120 to restrict a moving amount of the support block 120.
A plurality of fixing grooves 126 are formed on both sides of the support block, and an arc portion 124 is formed on the front surface of the support block 120. An extension 123 may be extended from both sides of the front surface of the support block 120.
A setting block 320 is respectively installed on both inner sides of the housing 110, and a rotational member 322 which is rotatably inserted in the support shaft 300 is provided on the setting block 320.
A fixing boss 321 is respectively formed on both opposite surfaces of the setting blocks 320, and is inserted in any one of the fixing grooves 126 to stop the support block 120, in which a movable range of the support block 120 is set in the housing 110. A setting spring 324 is installed between the rotational members 322 to apply stencil force to the rotational members 322, so that both setting blocks 320 are moved inwardly on the basis of the support shafts 300.
FIG. 3 is a view illustrating the memory device engaged to the backrest of the chair in a cross section and an operation part of the memory device in a plan. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the memory device engaged to the backrest of the chair.
The ouster surface of the respective setting blocks 320 is connected to a rotary lever 340 via a wire 330, with the connected portion being installed at a certain position of the chair on a support plate 370 by a hinge 373. A setting groove 372 and a release groove 371 are formed on one surface of the support plate to control operation of the rotary lever 340.
The support plate 370 may be installed on any portion if it is not inconvenient when a bottom surface of a seat board of the chair or the chair is used.
The rotary lever 40 is provided with an operation lever 350 which is applied with a resilient force from a support spring 351. A setting pin 360 is integrally formed with the operation lever 350, and is selectively inserted in the setting groove 372 or the release groove 371.
Although the support block 120 can be installed on the inner surface of a backrest cover 180 forming the surface of the backrest of the chair, it is preferable in that a cushion 190 is interposed between the backrest cover 180 and the support block 120.
Also, a heater 200 may be installed on the inner surface of the backrest cover 180.
FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating the operation of the memory device installed in the backrest of the chair according to the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the back contacting part which is deformed in a wave shape by the pressure applied to the memory device. FIGS. 7 and 8 are front views illustrating memory devices according to another embodiment of the present invention.
With the memory device installed in the backrest of the chair according to the present invention, when the flexure of the backrest is adjusted so as to meet the spinal shape and habit of a user, the respective support blocks 320 is rotated outwardly in order to separate the fixing boss 321 formed on the setting block 320 from the fixing groove 126, as shown in FIG. 5.
In this instance, by rotating the rotary lever 340 in a pulling direction of the wire 330 and then releasing the external force from the operation lever 350, the setting pin 360 is moved by the restoring force of the support spring 351, and the setting pin 360 is inserted into the release groove 371, so that the wire 330 is maintained in a state of tension.
When the wire 330 is pulled, the pair of the setting blocks 320 are rotated outwardly, so that the fixing boss 321 is separated from the fixing groove 126. And, the support block 120 protrudes forwardly from the backrest by the resilient force of the spring 122.
The support block 120 is stably moved by the guide 114 which is inserted in the guide groove 121. When the stopper 125 formed on the upper surface of the support block 120 comes in contact with the inner surface of the housing 110, the support block is not moved, so that the moving range of the support block is determined.
If a user seated on the chair leans against the backrest, the plurality of support blocks 120 stacked along a vertical direction of the backrest at dense intervals are moved by the force applied from the upper body of the user. The plurality of support blocks 120 are deformed to correspond to the spinal shape and habit of the user, as shown in FIG. 6.
Consequently, the plurality of support blocks 120 serve as a cushion of supporting the upper body of the user.
After the plurality of support blocks 120 are moved to correspond to the flexure of the upper body of the user, the positions of the support blocks 120 are fixed. In this instance, the fixing boss 321 formed on the setting block 320 is engaged to the fixing groove 126 formed on the support block 120.
When the setting pin 360 is separated from the release groove 371 by pulling the operation lever 350 and then the rotary lever 340 is rotated, the pulling force applied to the wire 330 is released. Thus, the setting block 320 is rotated by the restoring force of the setting spring 324.
The setting block 320 is rotated inwardly, and the fixing boss 321 formed on the other end of the setting block 320 is engaged to the fixing groove 126 to prevent movement of the support blocks 120.
Therefore, if the plurality of support blocks 120 is deformed to correspond to the flexure of the upper body of the user, the flexure of the backrest is adjusted in accordance with the body posture of the user. Even though the user seats on the chair for a long time, the user can feel the comfort, and thus minimize the fatigue.
In the case where the heater 200 is built in the backseat cover 180, the user can selectively operate the heater 200 to use it as an auxiliary medical instrument, as well as a thermostat. The comfort is increased by the arc portion 124 formed on the surface of the respective support blocks 120 and the cushion 190.
Also, if the user is changed, the above process is repeated so that flexure of the backseat is easily adjusted to correspond to flexure of each user. Therefore, many users can use the chair.
The support blocks 120 may be installed at regular intervals, as shown in FIG. 7, with the support blocks being separated, or the support blocks corresponding to lumbar vertebra may be contiguously installed, while the support blocks corresponding to thoracic vertebra and cervical vertebra may be separated from each other, as shown in FIG. 8. In this instance, it can be adjusted by using the size of the interval maintaining member 310.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a memory device installed in a backrest of a chair according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating an application of the memory device in FIG. 9. Another housing 510 having a receiving hole 511 is stacked on the upper portion of a support shaft 300, with a portion of a lower part of the backrest of the chair being stacked with support blocks.
Preferably, the housings 510 are installed at a portion corresponding to the cervical vertebra. The each housing 510 has a plurality of pocket grooves 512 which are arranged in series, in which support pockets 400 are inserted in the pocket grooves 512. The support pockets 400 are inserted in the pocket grooves 512 in such a way that the support pocket 400 is movable in front and rear directions. A stop pin 402 is formed on the upper surface of the support pocket 400.
A guide shaft 513 is formed in an inside of each pocket groove 512, and a guide groove 402 for receiving the guide shaft 513 is formed on the support pocket 400. A pocket spring 422 is built in the guide groove 400 to urge the support pocket 400 forwardly.
Therefore, the support pockets 400 are deformed within a determined range by the force applied from the exterior. When a user leans against the backrest, the thoracic vertebra and the lumbar vertebra of the user deform the support blocks 120 to selectively set the support blocks in accordance with the body posture of the user. The support pockets 400 installed on the portion corresponding to the cervical vertebra are deformed in accordance with the body posture of the user, and then are returned to its original position when the force is removed, thereby providing the user with the comfort.
While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment and the drawings. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and variations within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A memory device installed in a backrest of a chair, comprising:

a plurality of support shafts 300;

a plurality of housings 110 receiving the plurality of support shafts 300;

a support block 120 inserted in the respective housings 110 and having a plurality of fixing grooves 126 formed on both sides thereof;

a spring 122 for resilient supporting the support block 120;

a setting block 320 having one end rotatably receiving the support shaft 300, in a state where the setting block is inserted in both sides of the housing 110, and the other end with a fixing boss 321 inserted in the fixing groove 126;

a setting spring 324 for resiliently supporting the setting block 320;

a rotary lever 340 connected to the setting block 320 via a wire 330;

a support plate 370 connected to the rotary lever 340 by a hinge 373, and having a setting groove 372 and a release groove 371 formed on an surface thereof;

an operation lever 350 resiliently installed on the rotary lever 340 by a support spring 351; and

a setting pin 360 integrally formed with the operation lever 350 and selectively inserted in the setting groove 372 or the release groove 371.

2. The memory device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an arc portion 124 is formed on a front surface of the support block 120 in view of ergonomics, and an extension 123 is respectively formed on both sides of the support block 120.

3. The memory device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an interval maintaining member 310 is formed on the support shaft 300 to maintain an interval between the housings 110.

4. The memory device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a housing 510 having a receiving hole 511 stacked on an upper portion of the support shaft 300, with a portion of a lower part of the backrest of the chair being stacked with the support blocks 120, in which the housing 510 is installed at a portion corresponding to cervical vertebra, and has a plurality of pocket grooves 512; a support pocket 400 is inserted in the respective pocket grooves 512; and a guide shaft 513 protrudes from the respective pocket grooves 512.