US20080146422A1

US20080146422A1 - Exercise chair

Info

Publication number: US20080146422A1
Application number: US11/841,084
Authority: US
Inventors: Ki-Sung Bae
Original assignee: HAN IL JUNG GONG Co Ltd
Current assignee: HAN IL JUNG GONG Co Ltd
Priority date: 2006-08-22
Filing date: 2007-08-20
Publication date: 2008-06-19
Also published as: KR200431307Y1

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an exercise chair. The exercise chair includes a body frame, a seat, a rear frame, shaft gears, a seat back, connection bars, a plurality of elastic members, and a locking means. The seat is placed on the body frame. The rear frame is formed behind the body frame. The shaft gears are shafted inside the rear frame. The seat back is configured such that a plurality of acupressure means is mounted on one surface of the seat back. The connection bars are inserted into one end of the seat back and are coupled with the circumferential surface of the shaft gear. The elastic members are coupled to the respective sides of the shaft gears to elastically bias the seat back to a vertical orientation. The locking means is configured to lock the corresponding shaft gear in response to the operation of a locking lever.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an exercise chair and, more particularly, to an exercise chair, which is additionally provided with a locking means for adjust the inclination angle of a seat back, thus enabling a user to conduct repeated abdominal exercise while inclining the seat back to a horizontal angle.
2. Description of the Related Art
Currently, many people are interested in improving their health, and most people improve their health by setting aside the time to exercise in places where various types of sports equipment are provided, such as health clubs.
However, a great number of modern people are pressed by their busy daily lives in order to make their living being, so that it is hard for them to set aside the time to exercise, therefore it is very hard to travel to health clubs to exercise.
Furthermore, in the case of a male who works in an office or in the case of a female who has given birth to a baby, obesity of his or her abdomen or the lower part of his or her body is a cause for concern. However, no sports equipment that can mitigate obesity by simultaneously exercising the abdomen and the lower part of the body has been provided, and thus many people are concerned about obesity of their abdomens and the lower parts of their bodies.
Furthermore, conventionally, no chair that helps workers or students, who spend a lot of time sitting on chairs, to exercise or conduct stretching is provided, so that a problem occurs in that the degree of obesity of the workers or the students increases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an exercise chair, which enables a user to conduct repeated abdomen exercise while leaning the back of the chair to a horizontal angle.
In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides an exercise chair, including a body frame; a seat placed on the body frame; a rear frame formed behind the body frame; shaft gears shafted inside the rear frame; a seat back configured such that a plurality of acupressure means is mounted on one surface of the seat back; connection bars inserted into one end of the seat back and coupled with the circumferential surface of the shaft gear; a plurality of elastic members coupled to the respective sides of the shaft gears to elastically bias the seat back to a vertical orientation; and a locking means formed between the rear frame and one of the shaft gears and configured to lock the corresponding shaft gear in response to the operation of a locking lever.
In the present invention, a pair of first and second ratchets, each of which is formed in a streamlined shape to surround one side of the corresponding shaft gear, is coupled to a plate, on which the shaft gear is mounted, around hinge shafts so as to be able to rotate within a predetermined angle range, a plurality of locking gears, which are configured to be engaged with the shaft gear, is formed to protrude from the respective sides of the first and second ratchets, a first engaging part and a second engaging part are formed to protrude from the actuation ends of the first and second ratchets and to be opposite each other, a spring is connected between the ends of the first and second engaging parts, and an actuation cam is located in a space between the first and second engaging parts to be coupled with an end of a shaft of the locking lever, so that a locking or unlocking operation is performed in such a way that the actuation cam causes the first and second engaging parts to be pushed according to the rotation of the actuation cam, and thus the first and second ratchets are simultaneously actuated.
The actuation cam may include a first cam protrusion for pushing the first engaging part and a second cam protrusion for pushing the second engaging part, the first and second cam protrusions being formed opposite each other, and the first and second engaging parts may have engaging depressions on the respective sides thereof to be engaged with the first and second cam protrusions when the actuation cam rotates in a direction unlocking the ratchets.
The acupressure means may be configured such that a plurality of acupressure members, made of any of a gemstone material, a magnetic material, a wood material and a metal material, is attached to one surface of the seat back, and covers are put on respective acupressure members so as to surround the acupressure members.
Furthermore, the acupressure means may be configured such that roller housings are formed in one surface of the seat back, acupressure rollers are shafted to the respective roller housings, and a plurality of protrusions, made of gemstones or magnets, is formed to protrude from the circumferential surface of each acupressure roller.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a prior art exercise chair;

FIG. 2 is a side view showing the operation of the prior art exercise chair;

FIG. 3 is a view showing a locking device in an exercise chair according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a view showing the state in which the locking device of the present invention is unlocked;

FIG. 5 is a view showing the state in which the locking device of the present invention is locked;

FIG. 6 is a view showing an acupressure means which is applied to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a view a view showing another acupressure means which is applied to the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, that is, FIGS. 1 to 8.
Reference numeral 1 indicates a body frame. A seat 2 is placed on the body frame 1. A seat back 3, which is configured such that a plurality of acupressure means 42 is coupled to the surface thereof, is coupled to the rear of the body frame 1.
A foot rest 5 for allowing a user to place his or her feet thereon is formed under the seat 2 so as to be able to be drawn forward and to be pushed backward. A locking lever 4 for locking the inclination angle of the seat back 3 is inserted into one side of a rear frame 7, formed behind the body frame 1, so as to be able to rotate.
As shown in FIG. 3, in the rear frame 7, shaft gears 9 are mounted on respective plates 11. Elastic members 8, which elastically bias the seat back 3 to a vertical orientation, are coupled to the respective sides of the shaft gears 9 in the same axis. Connection bars 10 having a predetermined length are inserted into the respective shaft gears 9.
The connection bars 10 are coupled with the seat back 3 by inserting the connection bars 10 into the lower end of the seat back 3. Accordingly, the user can exercise while inclining the seat back 3 using the elasticity provided by the elastic member 8, as shown in FIG. 2.
Meanwhile, a locking means for locking the shaft gears 9 is mounted to lock the adjusted inclination angle of the seat back 3.
The rocking means is mounted on any one of the plates 11, and is formed such that first and second ratchets 13 and 14 are opposite each other so as to form a shape surrounding one side of the corresponding shaft gear 9, as shown in FIG. 4.
Each of the first and second ratchets 13 and 14 is formed in a streamlined shape to surround one side of the shaft gear 9. Locking gears 13 a and 14 a, which are selectively engaged with the shaft gear 9, are formed on the respective sides of the first and second ratchets 13 and 14. Respective ends of the first and second ratchets 13 and 14 are shafted to hinge shafts 15, and thus the ratchets 13 and 14 can rotate around the hinge shafts 15 in a predetermined angle range.
That is, when the locking gears 13 a and 14 a are engaged with the shaft gear 9, the rotation of the shaft gear 9 is restrained, and thus a locked state, in which the seat back 3 cannot be inclined, is achieved. In contrast, when the locking gears 13 a and 14 a are disengaged from the shaft gear 9, the shaft gear 9 can freely rotate, and thus an unlocked state, in which the seat back 3 can be inclined, is achieved.
Furthermore, a first engaging part 17 and a second engaging part 18 is formed to protrude from the respective lower ends of the first and second ratchets 13 and 14 to be opposite each other. A rotatable actuation cam 19 is located in the space between the first and second engaging parts 17 and 18.
The actuation cam 19 is coupled to one end of the shaft 6 of the locking lever 4. First and second cam protrusions 20 and 21 protrude from respective ends of the actuation cam 19 to be opposite each other.
Engaging depressions 22 and 23, which are engaged when the actuation cam 19 rotates in the direction in which the ratchets 13 and 14 are unlocked, are formed in the respective sides of the first engaging part 17 and the second engaging part 18. The ends of the first and second engaging parts 17 and 18 are connected by a spring 24.
When the user rotates the locking lever 4 as shown in FIG. 4, an unlocking operation is performed in such a way that the first cam protrusion 20 and the second cam protrusion 21 are engaged with the respective engaging depressions 22 and 23, which are formed of the respective sides of the first engaging part 17 and the second engaging part 18, the first and second ratchets 13 and 14 are simultaneously brought far from each other, and then the locking gears 13 a and 14 a are disengaged from the shaft gear 9.
In contrast, when the locking lever 4 is rotated in the opposite direction, a locking operation is performed in such a way that the actuation cam 19 is located parallel to the first and second engaging parts 17 and 18, as shown in FIG. 5, the cam protrusions 20 and 21 are disengaged from the engaging depressions 22 and 23, the first and second engaging parts 17 and 18 are simultaneously brought close to each other by the elastic force of the spring 24, the first and second ratchets 13 and 14 come into close contact with the shaft gear 9, and then the locking gears 13 a and 14 a are engaged with the shaft gear 9.
As described above, the locking or unlocking operation is performed by simultaneously actuating the first and second ratchets 13 and 14 in response to the rotation of the actuation cam 19, so that the engagement between the shaft gear 9 and the locking gears 13 a and 14 a is accurately performed, therefore the locking of the seat back 3 of the exercise chair can be more conveniently controlled.
Furthermore, when the locking operation is performed, the ratchets 13 and 14 move, and thus the locking gears 13 a and 14 a are engaged with the shaft gear 9, so that the reliability of the locking operation can be further improved.
Meanwhile, protrusions 12 having a predetermined size protrude from the plate 11, and rectangular guide grooves 16 for accommodating the protrusions 12 are formed in the respective intermediate portions of the first and second ratchets 13 and 14. Accordingly, the ratchets 13 and 14 move in the left or right direction of FIG. 4 or 5 within a range permitted by the guide grooves 16 and the protrusions 12, and thus the locking or unlocking operation can be performed.
Meanwhile, reference numeral 42 indicates a plurality of acupressure means formed on the surface of the seat back 3.
As shown in FIG. 6, the acupressure means 42 is configured such that acupressure members 43, which are made of any of a gemstone material, emitting far infrared rays, a magnet material, generating a magnetic field, a wood material and a metal material, are attached to one surface of the seat back 3, covers 44 are put on respective acupressure members 43 to surround the acupressure members 43, and the edge of each cover 44 is adhered to the seat back 3 using an adhesive agent, or is sewn to the seat back 3.
When a user inclines the seat back 3 using his or her back in the state in which the plurality of acupressure means 42 is formed to protrude from the seat back 3 as described above, the acupuncture spots of the user's body can be pressed as though pressed with the fingers when the user's back rubs against the plurality of acupressure means 42. Furthermore, far infrared rays or magnetic fields, generated from the acupressure members 43 depending on the material of the acupressure members 43, that is, by gemstones or magnets, respectively, activate the endocrine system of the user's body, so that an additional effect in which blood circulation is improved can be expected.
FIGS. 7 and 8 show another acupressure means 42 which is applied to the present invention.
Roller housings 50 are mounted in respective depressed portions of the seat back 3. An acupressure roller 51 is coupled to each roller housing 50 so as to be able to rotate. A plurality of protrusions 52, each of which is made of a gemstone or magnet material, is formed on the circumferential surface of each acupressure roller 51.
As shown in the drawings, a portion of the acupressure roller 51 protrudes from the surface of the seat back 3. Accordingly, when a user inclines the seat back 3, the acupressure roller 51 comes into contact with the user's back, so that the acupressure roller 51 rotates, therefore the protrusions 52 protruding from the acupressure roller 51 press the acupuncture spots on the body, as though pressed with the fingers, due to the rotation.
Furthermore, in the case where the protrusions 52 are made of a gemstone or magnet material, infrared rays or magnetic fields are generated from the protrusions 52, so that an effect in which blood circulation is improved can be expected.
According to the present invention, a user can exercise his/her abdomen while inclining the seat back in the state in which he or she sits on the chair. Furthermore, when abdominal exercise is conducted, acupuncture spots on the body are stimulated by the plurality of acupressure means provided on the seat back, and thus an additional effect in which blood circulation is improved can be expected. Furthermore, when the user rotates the locking lever, the locking or unlocking is performed in such a way that the pair of ratchets constituting the locking means is simultaneously brought far from or close to each other and thus the inclination angle of the seat back can be locked. Furthermore, the overall structure of the exercise chair is simple, and thus the size thereof can be reduced. Furthermore, the plurality of locking gears is engaged with the shaft gear, so that an effect in which the reliability of the locking operation can be further improved can be expected.
Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. An exercise chair, comprising:

a body frame;

a seat placed on the body frame;

a rear frame formed behind the body frame;

shaft gears shafted inside the rear frame;

a seat back configured such that a plurality of acupressure means is mounted on one surface of the seat back;

connection bars inserted into one end of the seat back and coupled with a circumferential surface of the shaft gear;

a plurality of elastic members coupled to respective sides of the shaft gears to elastically bias the seat back to a vertical orientation; and

locking means formed between the rear frame and one of the shaft gears and configured to lock the corresponding shaft gear in response to operation of a locking lever.

2. The exercise chair as set forth in claim 1, wherein a pair of first and second ratchets, each of which is formed in a streamlined shape to surround one side of the corresponding shaft gear, is coupled to a plate, on which the shaft gear is mounted, around hinge shafts so as to be able to rotate within a predetermined angle range, a plurality of locking gears, which are configured to be engaged with the shaft gear, is formed to protrude from respective sides of the first and second ratchets, a first engaging part and a second engaging part are formed to protrude from actuation ends of the first and second ratchets and to be opposite each other, a spring is connected between ends of the first and second engaging parts, and an actuation cam is located in a space between the first and second engaging parts to be coupled with an end of a shaft of the locking lever, so that a locking or unlocking operation is performed in such a way that the actuation cam causes the first and second engaging parts to be pushed according to rotation of the actuation cam, and thus the first and second ratchets are simultaneously actuated.

3. The exercise chair as set forth in claim 2, wherein:

the actuation cam comprises a first cam protrusion for pushing the first engaging part and a second cam protrusion for pushing the second engaging part, the first and second cam protrusions being formed opposite each other, and

the first and second engaging parts have engaging depressions on respective sides thereof to be engaged with the first and second cam protrusions when the actuation cam rotates in a direction unlocking the ratchets.

4. The exercise chair as set forth in claim 1, wherein the acupressure means is configured such that a plurality of acupressure members, made of any of a gemstone material, a magnetic material, a wood material and a metal material, is attached to one surface of the seat back, and covers are put on respective acupressure members so as to surround the acupressure members.

5. The exercise chair as set forth in claim 1, wherein the acupressure means is configured such that roller housings are formed in one surface of the seat back, acupressure rollers are shafted to the respective roller housings, and a plurality of protrusions, made of gemstones or magnets, is formed to protrude from a circumferential surface of each acupressure roller.