GB2521108A

GB2521108A - Ergonomic Seating Machine

Info

Publication number: GB2521108A
Application number: GB1316733.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Raymond
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-09-20
Filing date: 2013-09-20
Publication date: 2015-06-17
Also published as: GB201316733D0

Abstract

A machine 1 for measuring ergonomic parameters for manufacturing customised seating comprises a fixed structure 3, a moveable seating element 5, and one or more adjustable ancillary elements 7, 9, 11. The moveable seating element translates and rotates relative to the fixed structure. The adjustable ancillary elements, which will preferably simulate a backrest, a headrest and/or one or more armrests, are adjusted relative to the moveable seating element. When an optimal seating configuration which ergonomically fits a user is determined, measurements of the corresponding ergonomic parameters are taken for producing a customised, ergonomic seating such as an armchair.

Description

ERGONOMIC SEATING MACHINE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a machine for determining ergonomic parameters for manufacturing customised seating. More specifically, the present invention relates to a machine for determining ergonomic parameters for manufacturing customised seating furniture such as chairs, sofas and the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to a machine for determining: an ergonomic seating height and/or inclination; an ergonomic backrest position and/or inclination; an ergonomic headrest position and/or inclination; and/or at least one ergonomic armrest position and/or tilt angle. More specifically, the present invention relates to a machine for determining one or more such ergonomic parameters for manufacturing customised armchairs. The present invention also relates to a related method of measuring one or more of such ergonomic parameters for manufacturing customised seating, and to a related method of manufacturing customised seating.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ergonomics is the discipline of designing equipment which effortlessly and intuitively fits the human body.

Individuals have different human body physical characteristics whereby equipment of different size, dimension and design may be best suited to different individuals.

It is known to design customised equipment to fit different human body physical characteristics. In particular, it is known to design and manufacture customised furniture, including customised seating. CA 2066802 Al discloses a custom seating simulator.

There is a general desire to provide apparatus and/or methods which aim to facilitate the process of manufacturing ergonomic, customised seating.

There is also a desire to facilitate the process of acquiring, determining and/or estimating ergonomic parameters of different individuals, which can then be used for manufacturing one or more pieces of customised seating to ergonomically fit said individuals.

The present invention was conceived to provide a machine, and/or related methods, for determining such ergonomic parameters which is/are simple and/or intuitive.

The present invention aims to provide machines and/or methods which are easy to adapt to different individuals having different human body physical characteristics.

The present invention seeks at least to provide a machine for determining ergonomic parameters for manufacturing customised seating, and/or related methods, which is/are

advantageous with respect to the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a machine for determining ergonomic parameters for manufacturing customised seating, said machine comprising: a fixed structure a moveable seating element, and one or more adjustable ancillary elements, wherein the moveable seating element can move relative to the fixed structure, and the one or more adjustable ancillary elements can be adjusted relative to the moveable seating element.

The machine can be configured to determine one or more of the following ergonomic parameters: an ergonomic seating height and/or inclination; an ergonomic backrest position and/or inclination; an ergonomic headrest position and/or inclination; and/or at least one ergonomic armrest position and/or tilt angle.

It will be understood that the adjective ergonomic as used herein can essentially mean: relating to the specific characteristics of a given user.

In some embodiments, the machine can be used to determine one or more of the following ergonomic parameters relating to the user: a uniform seating height (Hi); a distal seating height, or knee height (H2); a proximal seating height or back seating height (H3); a seating inclination (e); a uniform armrest distance between two armrests (Dl); a distal armrest distance between distal ends of two armrests (D2); a proximal armrest distance between proximal ends of two armrests (D3); a first armrest tilt angle about a transversal axis (a); a second armrest tilt angle about a vertical axis (13); a distance of a proximal end of an armrest from a backrest (Li); a distance of a distal end of an armrest from a backrest (L2); a uniform backrest distance from a distal end of a seating (B1); a distance of a backrest lower end from a distal end of a seating (B2); a distance of a backrest upper end from a distal end of a seating (B3); a backrest inclination angle (y); a uniform headrest distance from a distal end of a seating (Cl); a distance of a headrest lower end from a distal end of a seating (C2); a distance of a headrest upper end from a distal end of a seating (CS); and a headrest inclination angle (o).

The machine can further comprise one or more mechanical actuating means for moving the moveable seating element relative to the fixed structure. Alternatively! one or more electrical or electronic actuating means, or pneumatic means, can be provided. Said one or more mechanical actuating means can comprise one or more mechanical actuators. The actuators can comprise one or more of the following mechanical elements: cranks, crank shafts; slots, recesses, hinges, guiding pins, grooves, linear actuating screws, sliders, sliding frames or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the one or more mechanical actuating means can comprise or form an articulated parallelogram. The actuators can be used to move the articulated parallelogram. Connecting members of the articulated parallelogram connecting the fixed structure with the moveable seating element can be independently moved by the actuators to independently angularly configure, or reconfigure, the position and/or inclination of the seating element.

The fixed structure can be a frame, a base or a pedestal. The pedestal can be configured for being supported on a floor, for example on an even surface. The fixed structure can be a reference structure. The fixed structure can be mounted on castors. It will be understood that in the present context, fixed structure can encompass portable or relocatable structures.

The moveable seating element can be adapted to receive one or more users. The moveable seating element can be a plate. The moveable seating element can comprise one or more grooves, slots, recesses, hinges or other like features for mounting thereon one or more of the adjustable ancillary elements of fro being mounted to the fixed structure.

One of said one or more adjustable ancillary elements can be a backrest simulating element.

The backrest simulating element can be reclinable and/or slideable, or repositionable and/or reconfigurable, over or on the moveable seating element.

One of said one or more adjustable ancillary elements can be a headrest simulating element. The headrest simulating element can be provided as part of the backrest simulating element, or it can be provided separately. Said headrest simulating element can be moveable with respect to said backrest simulating element. In some embodiments, the headrest simulating element can rotate and/or translate with respect to said backrest simulating element. The headiest simulating element can be hinged to the backrest simulating element.

In some embodiments, at least one of said one or more adjustable ancillary elements is an armrest simulating element. Two armrest simulating elements can be provided to simulate two armrests of an armchair. If two armrest simulating elements are provided, the armrest simulating elements can be specularly arranged on the moveable supporting element, on either side of a longitudinal axis. Said armrest simulating element(s) can translate on or over said moveable seating element. Said armrest simulating element(s) can translate in a generally longitudinal direction. Said generally longitudinal direction can be defined as a generally parallel direction with respect to said longitudinal axis. Said armrest simulating element(s) can translate in a generally transversal direction. Said generally transversal direction can be defined as a generally transversal direction with respect to said longitudinal axis. The armrest simulating element(s) can tilt about a generally transversal axis. The armrest simulating element(s) can tilt about a generally vertical axis.

The one or more adjustable ancillary elements can each be moved by a respective mechanical adjusting means. Alternatively, electrical, electronic or pneumatic adjusting means can be provided. Said one or more mechanical adjusting means can comprise one or more actuators. The actuators can comprise one or more of the following mechanical elements: cranks, crank shafts; slotted elements, hinges, guiding pins, grooves, linear actuating screws, recesses, connecting members or any combination thereof.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of measuring ergonomic parameters for manufacturing customised seating, said method comprising the steps of: moving a moveable seating element with respect to a fixed structure to determine a first ergonomic parameter; adjusting at least one adjustable ancillary element with respect to the moveable seating element to determine a second ergonomic parameter; and measuring said first and second ergonomic parameters.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing customised seating, said method comprising the steps of: providing measured first and second ergonomic parameters as described herein; and manufacturing at least one piece of customised seating according to said first and second ergonomic parameters.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly envisaged that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, unless such features are incompatible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: figure 1 is a perspective view from a side of a machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; and figures 2A-E schematically represent ergonomic parameters that can be determined and measured using the machine of figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

A machine 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in figure 1. The machine 1 comprises: a tixed structure 3; a moveable seating element 5 and a number of adjustable ancillary elements 7, 9, 11. The moveable seating element 5 can move relative to the fixed structure 3. The adjustable ancillary elements 7, 9, 11 can move relative to the seating element 5. As it will be understood, in the described embodiment, the machine 1 is used to determine a number of armchair ergonomic parameters (see figures 2A-E) to fit the personal body characteristics of an individual (not shown).

The individual sits on the machine 1 and provides feedback to an operator (also not shown) of the machine on the suitability of various machine settings, defining various machine configurations (see figures 2A-E), which, in the described embodiment, are provided to simulate an armchair (not shown). The task of the operator is to modify and/or adapt these machine settings, thereby changing machine configurations, until the individual is satisfied of the overall level of ergonomic comfort simulated by the machine 1. This ergonomic comfort is assumed representative of the ergonomic comfort of an armchair which is to be manufactured according to the settings, or configuration, of the machine 1 as selected, or approved, by the individual.

In the described embodiment, the fixed structure 3 is in the form of a rectangular base frame 4 which can optionally be fixed to a floor, or it can be simply supported on the floor. It will be appreciated that the rectangular base frame 4 does not need to be permanently fixed to the floor. In alternative embodiments, the rectangular base frame 4 could be on wheels. The wording fixed structure' is chosen herein to indicate that said fixed structure serves as a reference structure to specify the various configurations of the machine 1.

In the described embodiment, the moveable seating element 5 is in the form of a rectangular plate 6 extending either side of a longitudinal axis a-a as shown in figure 1. The rectangular plate 6 has three longitudinally extending grooves 13a on the left side of the machine and three longitudinally extending grooves 13b on the right side of the machine, as also shown in figure 1. Left and right sides of the machine are determined according to the left and right of an individual sitting on the machine 1. On the underside 14, the rectangular plate 6 is supported by a set of four hinges 16, two of which are visible in figure 1. The hinges 16 pivotally connect the underside 14 of the rectangular plate 6 to upper ends of two connecting frames 17 which are hingedly connected, at their lower ends, to the rectangular base frame 4. It will be appreciated that, in the described embodiment, the rectangular base frame 4 and the rectangular plate 6 form an articulated parallelogram 18. Other embodiments may deploy different connecting mechanisms to provide similar movement freedom of the rectangular plate 6 with respect to the rectangular base frame 4.

Movement of the rectangular plate 6 relative to the rectangular base frame 4 is effected by the operator by manipulating two mechanical actuators 20 which are shown in figure 1. In the described embodiment, the two mechanical actuators 20 are each in the form of a manually operated linear screw actuator 21. Each linear screw actuator 21 is connected to a respective sliding frame 22. The sliding frame 22 slides on the rectangular base frame 4 when the corresponding linear screw actuator 21 is operated. Each sliding frame 22 is pivotally connected, at right and left ends thereof, to lower ends of right and left connecting cranks 23, as shown in figure 1. Upper ends of the right and left connecting cranks 23 are pivotally connected partway through side beams of the connecting frames 17, as also shown infigurel.

By simultaneously operating the linear screw actuators 21 so as to simultaneously extend or retract the actuators 21, the height of the moveable seating element 5 is adjusted. A nominal vertical height Hi can be defined, in the described embodiment, as the uniform height Hi of the rectangular plate 6 when the rectangular plate 6 is horizontally disposed. This nominal vertical height could also be named average or mid height for reasons that follow. When the rectangular plate 6 is inclined, Hi is measured midway along the longitudinal length of the rectangular plate 6. When the rectangular plate 6 is inclined, an angle B is formed between the rectangular plate 6 and the horizontal, as shown in figure 2A. When the rectangular plate 6 is inclined, the distal height H2 (or knee height) of a distal end of the rectangular plate 6 is less than the proximal height H3 of a proximal end of the rectangular plate 6. If 0=0, Hi=H2=H3. A reverse inclination can also be achieved in the described embodiment. To achieve positive or negative inclinations, one of the linear screw actuators 21 is operated to lower or raise the distal or proximal end of the rectangular plate 6. The machine 1 is therefore capable of independently raising and lowering the proximal and distal ends of the rectangular plate 6 with over the rectangular base frame 4. The individual can accordingly configure and reconfigure the position and/or inclination of the rectangular plate 6 until, for example, satisfactory knee height H2, seat inclination B, and average height Hi are achieved.

In the described embodiment, the adjustable ancillary elements are: a backrest simulating element 7; a headrest simulating element 9; and left and right armrest simulating elements ii. These will now be described in turn.

The backrest simulating element 7 is mounted on a sliding frame 8 coupled to the rectangular plate 6 via a pair of innermost grooves 13a, i3b. The sliding frame 8 accommodates a mechanical actuator in the form of a linear screw actuator 2ia similar to the two linear screw actuators 21 which operate the rectangular frame 6. A pivotally mounted connecting frame ha, similar to each of the connecting frames 17 connecting the rectangular base frame 4 with the rectangular plate 6, connects an end of the sliding frame 8 with a backside portion of the backrest simulating element 7. Connecting cranks 23a (only the one located on the right hand side of the machine 1 is shown in figure i) connect a slider 22a with the connecting frame 17. The slider 22a slides relative to the sliding frame 8. The manner of operation of the linear screw actuator 21a, connecting crank 23a and connecting frame i7a is similar to the manner of operation of the corresponding parts for actuating the rectangular plate. However, the linear screw actuator 21a, connecting crank 23a and connecting frame 17a, in this instance, serve to adjust the inclination of the backrest simulating element 7. Furthermore, the backrest simulating element 7 and its inclining mechanism 17a, 21a, 23a can slide on the rectangular plate in the longitudinal direction a-a due to the sliding frame 8. The sliding frame 8 and the inclining mechanism 17a, 21a, 23a together provide an adjusting means for the backrest simulating element 7 whose position and/or inclination over the rectangular plate 6 can therefore be adjusted to fit the ergonomic requirements of the individual.

Figure 2B shows the ergonomic parameters which can be changed to fit the individual by manipulating the position and the inclination of the backrest simulating element 7. The nominal position, or average position, Bi of the backrest simulating element 7 determines the position of the backrest simulating element 7 on the rectangular plate 6. This is changed by operating the sliding frame 8. The inclining mechanism 17a, 21a, 23a is instead operated to adjust the inclination angle y. The distance between a lower end of the backrest simulating element 7 and the distal end of the rectangular plate 6 (B2) and the distance between an upper end of the backrest simulating portion 7 and the distal end of the rectangular plate 6 (B3) can both be changed by acting on the sliding frame 8 or on the inclining mechanism 17a, 21a, 23a.

In the described embodiment, a headrest simulating element 9 is pivotally mounted to the backrest simulating portion 7 via a hinge 25. By operating the hinge 25 via a headrest adjustment means 26 (which will not be described in further detail herein), it is possible to change a headrest inclination angle 6 as shown in figure 20. Since the headrest simulating element 9 is mounted on the backrest simulating element 7, the position of the headrest simulating element 9 on the rectangular plate 8 is determined by the headrest inclination angle 6 and by the position of the backrest simulating element 7. A nominal, or average, position of the headrest simulating element 9 (Cl) determines the position of the headrest simulating element 9 on the rectangular plate 6. This is also the distance between the headrest simulating element 9, when in vertical position, and the distal end of the rectangular plate 6, as shown in figure 2C. When the headrest simulating element 9 is inclined, its configuration is also characterised by a distance between a lower end of the backrest simulating portion 9 and the distal end of the rectangular plate 6 (02) and a distance between an upper end of the backrest simulating portion 9 and the distal end of the rectangular plate 6 (C3), as also shown in figure 20.

The described embodiment has two armrest simulating elements 11. Each armrest simulating element, in the described embodiment, is in the form of an elongated arm-supporting segment 12. Each elongated segment 12 is pivotally mounted, at each of its proximal and distal ends, on a connecting crank 31. Each connecting crank 31 has a lower end having a guiding pin which is received in a corresponding slot in a respective guiding member 32. This mounting arrangement is such that each of the distal and proximal ends of the elongated segment 12 can independently be lowered or raised so as to vary a tilt angle ci which is schematically represented in figure 2D. Each guiding member is further coupled at a lower end thereof to a horizontal transversal slider 33. Each transversal slider 33 is slotted and can therefore receive a guiding pin (not shown). Each guiding pin is disposed in one of the outermost groves 13a, 13b of the rectangular plate 6 (depending on which side of the machine 1, right or left, the armrest simulating element 11 being considered is mounted).

The arrangement is such that each transversal slider 33 can slide transversally with respect to the longitudinal direction a-a. To help and constrain the sliding of each of the sliders 33, a pair of guiding blocks 34 is mounted either side of each slider 33 as sown in figure 1. As a consequence each of the proximal and distal ends of the elongated arm-supporting segment 12 can be also transversally moved. The ergonomic parameters relative to these adjustments are shown in figure 2E, wherein 02 represents the distance between the distal ends of the elongated segments 12, D3 represents the distance between the proximal ends of the elongated segments 12, Dl represents the distance between middle points of the elongated members 12 and I represents an armrest tilting angle about a vertical axis.

Furthermore, since each of the guiding blocks 34 can also be relocated along one of the outermost grooves 13a, 13b of the rectangular plate 6 via a respective pin (not shown) provided on the underside of each of the guiding blocks (which pin engages with one of the outermost grooves 13a, 13b), each of the elongated segments 12 can also be translated over the rectangular plate 6 in the longitudinal direction a-a. This determines the distance between the proximal ends of the armrest simulating elements 11 and the backrest simulating element? ([1) and the distance between the distal ends of the armrest simulating elements 11 and the backrest simulating element 7 (L2) as shown in figure 2E. It will be appreciated that the above description assumes that the armrest simulating elements 11 are specularly moved on the rectangular plate 6, but in other embodiment the armrest simulating elements 11 may each be independently moved to fit specific ergonomic requirements of the individual.

With the machine 1 described herein, an operator: first accommodates the individual on the machine 1; then moves the moveable seating element 5 with respect to the fixed structure 3 to determine a first ergonomic parameter of the individual, such as a desired knee height H2; then adjusts at least one of the adjustable ancillary elements 7, 9, 11 of the machine 1 with respect to the moveable seating element 5 to determine a second ergonomic parameter of the individual, such as a desired backrest inclination y; finally, removes the individual from the machine 1 and measures said first and second ergonomic parameters. An ergonomic armchair customised to at least some of the physical characteristics of the individual can then be manufactured.

The skilled person will appreciate that the machine 1 described herein lends itself to be manufactured from wood, although certain elements such as hinges, pins, screws will be metallic.

Like reference numerals have been used, at times suffixed with lower case letters, to denote identical, orfunctionally similar, features of the described embodiment.

Although the present invention has been illustrated herein with reference to a specific embodiment relating to armchairs, it will be understood that various alternative manners of execution of the present invention are possible. In particular, the present invention is not limited to simulation or determination of ergonomic parameters relating to armchairs, but could be used for different pieces of seating or seating furniture such as sofas, office chairs, wheelchairs, etc. Furthermore, as it will occur to the skilled person, the present invention is not limited to the ergonomic parameters presented herein with respect to the described embodiment since various other ergonomic parameters can be defined, and measured, using machines in accordance with different embodiments of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined in accordance with the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A machine for measuring ergonomic parameters for manufacturing customised seating, said machine comprising: a fixed structure; a moveable seating element, and one or more adjustable ancillary elements, wherein the moveable seating element can move relative to the fixed structure, and the one or more adjustable ancillary elements can be adjusted relative to the moveable seating element.
2. The machine of claim 1, wherein the moveable seating element can translate and/or rotate relative to the fixed structure.
3. The machine of claim 1 or 2, wherein a distal and a proximal portion of the seating element can each be independently lowered, raised or rotated with respect to the fixed structure.
4. The machine of claims 1, 2 or 3, further comprising one or more mechanical actuating means for moving said moveable seating element.
5. The machine of claim 4, wherein said one or more mechanical actuating means comprise an articulated parallelogram.
6. The machine of claim 5, wherein said one or more mechanical actuating means comprise one or more actuators for actuating at least one member of said articulated parallelogram, said member connecting the fixed structure with the moveable seating element.
7. The machine of any one of claims ito 6, wherein the fixed element is a pedestal.
8. The machine of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein one of said one or more adjustable ancillary elements is a backrest simulating element.
9. The machine of claim 9, wherein the backrest simulating portion can slide and/or rotate relative to the moveable seating element. ii
10. The machine of claim 8 or 9, wherein one or more of said one or more adjustable ancillary elements is a headrest simulating element.
11. The machine of claim 10, wherein said headrest simulating element can slide and/or rotate relative to the moveable seating element, and/or with respect to the backrest simulating element.
12. The machine of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein at least one of said one or more adjustable elements is an armrest simulating element.
13. The machine of claim 12, wherein said at least one armrest simulating element can translate and/or rotate with respect to the moveable seating element.
14. The machine of claim 13, wherein said at least one armrest simulating element can translate in a generally longitudinal direction.
15. The machine of claim 12, 13 or 14, wherein said at least one armrest simulating element can translate in a generally transversal direction.
16. The machine of any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein said at least one armrest simulating element can tilt about a generally transversal axis.
17. The machine of any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein said at least one armrest simulating element can tilt about a generally vertical axis.
18. The machine of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more mechanical adjusting means, each for adjusting a respective one of the one or more adjustable ancillary elements.
19. The machine of claim 18, wherein each of said mechanical adjusting means comprises one or more of the following: a hinge, a crank, a slot, a guiding pin, a linear actuating screw, a recess, a connecting member and a groove.
20. A method of measuring ergonomic parameters for manufacturing customised seating, said method comprising the steps of: moving a moveable seating element with respect to a fixed structure to determine a first ergonomic parameter; adjusting at least one adjustable ancillary element with respect to the moveable seating element to determine a second ergonomic parameter; and measuring said first and second ergonomic parameters.
21. A method of manufacturing customised seating, said method comprising the steps of: providing measured first and second ergonomic parameters according to the method of claim 20; and manufacturing at least one piece of customised seating according to said first and second ergonomic parameters.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein said customised seating is an armchair.
23. A machine substantially as described herein with reference to one or more of the drawings.
24. A method substantially as described herein.