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(11) |
EP 2 486 834 B1 |
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EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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Mention of the grant of the patent: |
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11.06.2014 Bulletin 2014/24 |
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Date of filing: 02.02.2011 |
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International Patent Classification (IPC):
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Shower chair
Duschstuhl
Chaise de douche
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Designated Contracting States: |
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AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL
NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
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Date of publication of application: |
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15.08.2012 Bulletin 2012/33 |
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Proprietor: Invacare International Sàrl |
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1196 Gland (CH) |
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Inventors: |
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- Hruza, David
88339 Bad Waldsee (DE)
- Keppler, Martin
88316 Isny (DE)
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Representative: Ganguillet, Cyril et al |
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ABREMA
Agence Brevets & Marques Ganguillet
Avenue du Théâtre 16
P.O. Box 5027 1002 Lausanne 1002 Lausanne (CH) |
| (56) |
References cited: :
EP-A1- 1 987 752 WO-A2-2008/004092 US-B1- 7 121 620
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WO-A2-99/07256 US-A- 5 903 935
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| Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European
patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to
the European patent
granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall
not be deemed to
have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent
Convention).
|
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a chair with pivotable legs. The chair of the invention
is particularly suitable as a shower chair in shower rooms.
Prior Art and the Problem Underlying the Invention
[0002] Currently available seating furniture for bathrooms and shower rooms are supplied
with rigidly mounted legs or with separately supplied legs. This situation has the
disadvantage that these products require a lot of space during transport or, in the
second case, need to be mounted by the customer with tools. When the seating furniture
is stored because it is not needed, it again occupies a lot of space.
[0003] EP 1 987 752 A1 discloses a foldable shower chair in which the four legs are pivotally mounted to
the seat. However, in this prior art, the legs positioned under the seat in the folded
position of the shower chair do not sufficiently reduce its height dimension.
[0004] Elderly person and persons suffering from any kind of disablement may require seating
furniture for bathrooms in different situations requiring different properties. For
example, when taking a shower, a stool devoid of arm- and backrests may be most appropriate.
In some situations, for example when taking a bath, a seat surface that can be placed
on a frame structure fixedly arranged in the bathing tube is preferable. Accordingly,
it is an objective of the invention to provide a shower chair that can be easily adapted
to a specific use or to the preferences of the user.
[0005] The present invention addresses the problems depicted above.
Summary of Invention
[0006] The present invention relates to a foldable chair with pivotable legs.
[0007] In an aspect, the present invention relates to a foldable shower chair comprising
at least four legs connected to a seat surface support structure, said chair having
a first, unfolded and stable position and a second, folded position in which the chair
occupies less space than in said first position, wherein said legs can be pivoted
to change from said first to said second position and vice versa, said chair being
characterized by the features defined in claim 1.
[0008] Further important features of the shower chair of the present invention are defined
in the claims depending of claim 1.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0009]
Figure 1 is a rear view of an embodiment of a chair of the present invention in the unfolded
position of the chair.
Figure 2 shows the chair in the same view as shown in Figure 1, but in the folded position
of the chair.
Figure 3 is a top view of the chair of Figure 1.
Figure 4 shows the chair in the same view as shown in Figure 3, but in the folded position
of the chair.
Figure 5 is a bottom view of the chair of Figure 1.
Figure 6 shows in greater detail the rear left side of Figure 5 in a perspective view.
Figure 7 shows a cross-section of a locking means disposed at the front left side of the chair
of Figure 5.
Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a locking means useable in the
chair of the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
[0010] The invention will be illustrated and described herein below by way of the exemplary
embodiment shown in the figures.
[0011] For the purpose of the present specification, situations and directions of the chair
and elements thereof are determined by the perspective of a user seated in the chair.
Accordingly, the left side of the chair corresponds to the left side of Figure 1.
The situations or directions "up" or "top" and "down" or "bottom", "rear" or "back"
and "front", "behind" and "in front", "distal" and "proximal", "lateral" and "central"
follow the same rule. The term " longitudinal" indicates a direction of an element,
such as a tube, having, as a major direction component, the rear-to-front direction.
Such an element may also to some or to a minor extent be skewed laterally and or towards
the bottom or the top.
[0012] Figures 1 to 5 show the chair 10 of the invention comprising four legs 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b carrying a
seat 1. Said seat 1 is formed by a plate, preferably made in a plastic material, said
plate comprising, as shown on Figure 3, a central part 1a having an approximately
rectangular form and two lateral extension parts 1b, 1c, said lateral parts 1b, 1c
being contiguous to the left and right side, respectively, of said central part 1a
along a segment, the length L1 of said segment being less than the length L2 of said
left or right side of said central part 1a. The contour of the seat 1 between said
central part 1a and said lateral extension parts 1b, 1c describes a concave line.
As explained in greater detail in the following description, these concave lines allow
to position the legs 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b over the upper surface of the seat in the folded
position of the chair 10. In the illustrated embodiment, each lateral extension part
1b, 1c comprises an aperture 4b, 4c, said aperture being configured to lodge one or
more fingers of a person so that said person can easily hold the chair 10. Each lateral
extension part 1b, 1c comprises also a recess 5b, 5c on its contour, said recess being
configured to hold a shower head. To improve the comfort of the seat, the plate forming
the seat 1 is curved-shaped, its concavity being orientated to the upper side of the
seat 1. Furthermore, the central part 1a of the plate is advantageously perforated
with one or more holes 6 so that the water delivered by the shower can easily flow
out through the seat 1.
[0013] The legs 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b of the chair shown in Figures 1 to 5 are provided in the
form of telescopically guided, inner and outer tubes, allowing the adjustment of the
height of the chair by way of a lockable telescope mechanism. The bottom of each leg
designed to reside on the floor when the chair is put in place comprises a cap 7,
which is preferably made in a material that is suitable to prevent gliding and/or
improve adhesion of the chair on smooth and/or wet surfaces as it is often the case
in bathrooms, shower cabins or bathing tubes. In this way, the danger of slipping
or falling down is reduced. The cap's material may comprise rubber.
[0014] The chair 10 has a first unfolded and stable position of use, shown on Figures 1,
3 and 5, and a second folded position, shown on Figures 2 and 4, in which the chair
occupies less space than in said first position. In the unfolded position of the chair,
the legs 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b are positioned so that they are aligned with each corner C1,
C2, C3, C4 of the central part 1a of the seat 1 and they define a direction approximately
perpendicular to a plane P defined by said corners. In the folded position of the
chair, the legs 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b are positioned over the upper surface of the seat 1,
said legs 2a and 2b being approximately aligned with said plan P and said legs 3a,
3b abuting against said legs 2a, 2b, respectively, and forming with said plan P a
small angle, preferably less than 10°.
[0015] Figure 5 shows the chair of Figure 3 in an up-side-down situation, thereby revealing the way
the legs 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b of the chair are attached to the seat 1.
[0016] It can in particular be seen that the legs 2a and 2b, respectively 3a and 3b, are
rigidly connected with each other by way of a connection profile 2c, respectively
3c, extending in a longitudinal rear-to-front direction in parallel to the left or
right side of the central part 1a of the seat 1. The connection profile 2c or 3c is
straight in its central part 2c1 or 3c1, said central part being connected at its
two ends to the legs 2a, 2b or 3a, 3b by way of two successive bends 2c2, 2c3 or 3c2,
3c3. The pair of front and rear legs 2a, 2b or 3a, 3b thus forms a U-shaped profile
together with the connection profile 2c or 3c. In the illustrated embodiment, the
connection profile 2c or 3c is advantageously positioned in the unfolded position
of the chair 10 so that the bends 2c3 or 3c3 follow at least partially the contour
of the seat 1 between its central part 1a and its lateral parts 1b or 1c and are apparent
when one looks the chair 10 from its top view, as shown in Figure 3. Said connection
profiles 2c, 3c are pivotably harboured in at least one bracket 8 formed in the lower
surface of the seat 1, said bracket 8 being integrated into a lateral extension part
1b or 1c of the seat 1.
[0017] Figure 6 shows in greater detail the rear left side of the chair illustrated in Figure 5.
It is noted that the discussion below with respect to the rear left side seen in Figure
6 also applies to the right side and to the front side.
[0018] In the position of use of the chair, the legs 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b are unfolded and rigidly
secured to the seat 1. As also understood with a view to Figure 5, the elements that
rigidly fix the two legs of one side of the chair are on the one hand two brackets
8 provided in a rigid manner on the seat 1, in which the connection profile 2c or
3c connecting the front and rear legs 2a, 2b or 3a, 3b is placed. On each of the two
brackets 8, a clamp 9 is removably fixed, which constrains the tubular connection
profile 2c or 3c to the seat 1. The clamps 9 can be removed so that the U-shaped profile
comprising the front and rear legs 2a, 2b or 3a, 3b and the corresponding connecting
profile 2c or 3c can be completely removed from the chair 10. However, such a complete
removal is not envisaged to be conducted by the user and cannot be easily done by
hand for security reasons. In some situation such a removal of the legs may, however
be useful as discussed further below.
[0019] At the same time, each of said legs is fixed and stabilised in said unfolded position
by way of at least one locking means 11, said locking means rigidly fixing said legs
to a retaining structure 12 provided on said seat 1. Said locking means 11 is configured
so as to be unlocked and locked by hand by a user without the need of any tool. The
retaining structure 12 is rigidly connected to the seat 1 and may be made as a one
piece element with the latter, or may be fixed by ways of screws or welding. The retaining
structure 12 has a shape that partially surrounds and thus harbours the upper end
of one leg of the chair 10 when said chair 10 is in its unfolded position.
[0020] Figure 7 shows that the locking means 11 used in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to
6 comprises at least one pin 11a, said pin being guided through at least one bore
13 formed in one leg 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b an/or one connection profile 2c, 3c and through
at least one bore 14 formed in the retaining structure 12 contiguous to said leg 2a,
2b, 3a, 3b and/or said connection profile 2c, 3c. Said locking means 11 comprises
also a clip structure 11b, said clip structure being rigidly connected to said pin
11a and configured so as to be engaged in a clip-like manner around said retaining
structure 12 when said pin 11a is guided through said bores 13 and 14. In the illustrated
embodiment, the clip structure 11b consists in a band that partially surrounds the
upper end of one leg 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b when said clip structure 11b is connected to said
retaining structure 12, said clip structure 11b and said retaining structure 12 totally
surrounding said upper end of said leg when they are connected to each other. Said
clip structure 11b may comprise for instance at one of its ends a flange that is elastically
retained by one end of said retaining structure 12 and at its other end two flanges
forming a groove that elastically retains one end of said retaining structure 12.
The clip structure 11b can be removed by hand from the retaining structure 12 and
replaced around the retaining structure by hand, too. The clip structure 11b and/or
the retaining structure 12 is made, for example, in an elastic metal or plastic material
so as to confer a sufficient elasticity to said clip structure 11b and/or said retaining
structure 12 and such that only little force is required to unclip said clip structure
11b from said retaining structure 12 or to clip it onto said retaining structure 12.
In addition, the clip structure 11b is sufficiently rigid to prevent spontaneous falling
off from the retaining structure 12 without specific and directed manual drawing force
being applied by the user. Identical locking means 11, retaining structures 12 and
bores 13, 14 in the respective retaining structures and the three other legs of the
chair 10 are provided in identical manner as can be seen from Figures 1 to 5. Since
pairs of front and rear lateral legs 2a, 2b and 3a, 3b are rigidly connected with
each other, it is necessary to remove the two locking means 11 of one side in order
to be able to pivot the legs of one side upwards and outwards. As shown on Figure
2, the U-profile comprising each pair of legs 2a, 2b and 3a, 3b, respectively, is
pivotable around the connection profile 2c, 3c, respectively. Due to the situation
of the U-profile and the form of the contour of the seat 1, in particular the concave
line between the lateral extension parts 1b, 1c and the central part 1a, the outward
pivoting movement of the legs is allowed. On the contrary, due to the situation and
form of the retaining structures 12, an inward pivoting movement of the legs is prevented
by said retaining structures 12, which not only stabilise the legs, but also block
them in the inward direction. The pivoting movement by rotation of the connection
profiles 2c, 3c is further enabled by the way the latter are fixed by brackets 8 and
clamps 9 to the seat 1, as described above. In particular, said brackets 8 and said
clamps 9 surround said connection profiles 2c, 3c without preventing them to rotate
around an axis defined by their central part 2c1, 3c1, respectively.
[0021] Figure 8 shows a locking means 11' used in a further embodiment of the invention. Said locking
means 11' comprises a pin 11'a and a clip structure 11'b forming a band and having
the shape of an open circle. The clip structure 11'b and the pin 11'a are rigidly
connected by way of a connecting bridge, which does not carry a reference number.
The locking means 11' is a one-piece element. The clip structure 11'b can be engaged
in a clip-like manner around a leg of the chair 10. This clip structure 11'b can be
removed by hand from the leg and replaced around the leg by hand, too. The clip structure
11'b is made, for example, in an elastic metal or plastic material so as to confer
a sufficient elasticity to said clip structure 11'b and such that only little force
is required to unclip said clip structure 11'b from the leg or to clip it onto the
leg, respectively. In addition, the clip structure 11'b is sufficiently rigid to prevent
spontaneous falling off from the leg without specific and directed manual drawing
force being applied by the user.
[0022] The chair of the invention is particularly useful as a shower chair, that is a chair
that is preferably to be used in bath-rooms, including shower cabins, and the like.
It is noted that the seat 1 is preferably made from plastic material.
[0023] The caps 7 may be part of a screw-based mechanism, which allows slight modification
of the length of the legs, so that all legs can be optimally placed on the floor even
on uneven ground.
[0024] As mentioned above with reference to Figure 6, the legs 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b can be completely
removed from the chair by opening the clamps 9 provided on each side of the chair
10 and retaining the connection profiles 2c, 3c, fixedly connected to said legs, on
brackets 8. With the pivotable legs being removed, the seat 1 can be fixed on a different
support than legs, for example onto a support frame that is provided on a bathing
tube or on a wheelchair.
[0025] For example, a rigid frame (not shown) can be installed on a bathing tube and the
chair of the invention can then be fixed on this frame.
[0026] In a further embodiment (not shown) of the invention, the chair may be equipped with
armrests and/or a backrest, said armrests and/or said backrest being removably or
fixedly connected to the seat.
1. A foldable shower chair (10) comprising at least four legs (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) connected
to a seat (1), said chair having a first unfolded and stable position and a second
folded position in which the chair occupies less space than in said first position,
wherein said legs can be pivoted to change from said first to said second position
and vice versa, wherein a pair of lateral, left and/or right side legs (2a, 2b; 3a,
3b) are rigidly connected to each other by way of a connection profile (2c; 3c), said
connection profile (2c; 3c) being pivotally connected to a lower surface of the seat
(1) and wherein each of said legs (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) is fixed and stabilised in said
first position by way of at least one locking means (11, 11'), said locking means
rigidly fixing said legs to said seat, characterized in that said seat (1) and said connection profile (2c, 3c) are configured so that said legs
(2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) can be positioned over said seat (1) in said second position.
2. The shower chair (10) according to claim 1, wherein said seat (1) is formed by a plate,
said plate comprising a central rectangular part (1a), and wherein said legs (2a,
2b, 3a, 3b) are positioned in the unfolded position of the chair (10) so that they
are aligned with each corner (C1, C2, C3, C4) of said central part (1a) and they define
a direction approximately perpendicular to a plane (P) defined by said corners.
3. The shower chair (10) according to claim 2, wherein said connection profile (2c, 3c)
is pivotably harboured in at least one bracket (8) formed in the lower surface of
the seat (1), said bracket being integrated into a lateral extension part (1b, 1c)
of the seat, said lateral extension part being contiguous to the left or right side
of said central part (1a).
4. The shower chair (10) according to claim 3, wherein said central part (1a) and said
lateral extension part (1b, 1c) are contiguous along a segment, the length (L1) of
said segment being less than the length (L2) of said left or right side of said central
part (1a).
5. The shower chair (10) according to any one of claims 3 and 4, wherein the contour
of said seat (1) between said central part (1a) and said lateral extension part (1b,
1c) describes a concave line.
6. The shower chair (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein said lateral
extension part (1b, 1c) comprises at least an aperture (4b, 4c), said aperture being
configured to lodge one or more fingers of a person so that said person can easily
hold said chair.
7. The shower chair (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said seat
(1) comprises at least a recess (5b, 5c) on its contour, said recess being configured
to hold a shower head.
8. The shower chair (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein said seat (1)
is curved-shaped, its concavity being orientated to its upper side.
9. The shower chair (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein said central
part (1a) is perforated with one or more holes (6) so that the water can easily flow
out through the seat (1).
10. The shower chair (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said locking
means (11, 11') is configured so as to be unlocked and locked by hand by a user without
the need of any tool.
11. The shower chair (10) according to claim 10, wherein said locking means (11, 11')
comprises at least one pin (11a, 11'a), said pin being guided through at least one
bore (13) formed in at least one leg (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) and/or in at least one connection
profile (2c, 3c) and through at least one bore (14) formed in at least one retaining
structure (12) provided on said seat (1).
12. The shower chair (10) according to claim 11, wherein said at least one pin (11a, 11'a)
is arranged so as to be movable by hand and without the need of any tool from a locked
position used in the unfolded position of use of the chair to a disengaged position,
wherein, in said locked position, said pin (11a, 11'a) is engaged inside said bore
(13) of said leg (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) and/or said connection profile (2c, 3c) and inside
said bore (14) of said retaining structure (12) and wherein, in said disengaged position,
said pin (11a, 11'a) is disengaged from said bore (13) of said leg (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b)
and/or said connection profile (2c, 3c) and/or from said bore (14) of said retaining
structure (12), so that said at least pair of lateral legs (2a, 2b; 3a, 3b) is pivotable.
13. The shower chair (10) according to claim 12, wherein said locking means (11') comprises
a clip structure (11'b), said clip structure being rigidly connected to said pin (11'a)
and being configured so as to be engaged in a clip-like manner around said leg (2a,
2b, 3a, 3b) when said pin (11'a) is in its locked position.
14. The shower chair (10) according to claim 12, wherein said locking means (11) comprises
a clip structure (11b), said clip structure being rigidly connected to said pin (11a)
and being configured so as to be engaged in a clip-like manner around said retaining
structure (12) when said pin (11a) is in its locked position.
15. The shower chair (10) according to claim 13 or 14, wherein a pair of lateral, left
and/or right side legs (2a, 2b; 3a, 3b) can be pivoted upon manual manipulation of
at least two lateral locking means (11, 11') of said pair of legs.
16. The shower chair (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said pair
of legs (2a, 2b; 3a, 3b) connected by a connection profile (2c, 3c) forms a U-shaped
profile.
17. The shower chair (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at the
end of each leg (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b), designed to come in contact with the floor on which
the chair is placed, a cap (7) is provided, said cap being made of a material suitable
to minimize gliding of the chair.
18. The shower chair (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said pair
of lateral, left or right side legs (2a, 2b; 3a, 3b) is made in one piece with said
connection profile (2c, 3c).
19. The shower chair (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein said pair of lateral,
left or right side legs (2a, 2b; 3a, 3b) and said connection profile (2c, 3c) form
a single tube.
1. Klappbarer Duschstuhl (10), umfassend mindestens vier Beine (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b), die
mit einem Sitz (1) verbunden sind, wobei der Stuhl eine erste, nicht zusammengeklappte
und stabile Position und eine zweite zusammengeklappte Position, in der der Stuhl
weniger Platz als in der ersten Position einnimmt, hat, wobei die Beine zum Wechseln
von der ersten Position zur zweiten Position und umgekehrt geschwenkt werden können,
wobei ein Paar seitlicher linker und/oder rechter Beine (2a, 2b; 3a, 3b) über ein
Verbindungsprofil (2c; 3c) starr miteinander verbunden sind, wobei das Verbindungsprofil
(2c; 3c) schwenkbar mit einer unteren Fläche des Sitzes (1) verbunden ist und wobei
jedes der Beine (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) über mindestens ein Verriegelungsmittel (11, 11')
in der ersten Position befestigt und stabilisiert ist, wobei das Verriegelungsmittel
die Beine starr an dem Sitz befestigt, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Sitz (1) und das Verbindungsprofil (2c, 3c) so konfiguriert sind, dass die Beine
(2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) in der zweiten Position über dem Sitz (1) positioniert werden können.
2. Duschstuhl (10) nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Sitz (1) durch eine Platte gebildet ist,
die einen mittleren rechteckigen Teil (1a) umfasst, und wobei die Beine (2a, 2b, 3a,
3b) in der aufgeklappten Position des Stuhls (10) so positioniert sind, dass sie auf
jede Ecke (C1, C2, C3, C4) des mittleren Teils (1a) ausgerichtet sind und eine ungefähr
senkrecht zu einer von den Ecken definierten Ebene (P) verlaufende Richtung definieren.
3. Duschstuhl (10) nach Anspruch 2, wobei das Verbindungsprofil (2c, 3c) schwenkbar in
mindestens einer Halterung (8) untergebracht ist, die in der unteren Fläche des Sitzes
(1) ausgebildet und in einem seitlichen Verlängerungsteil (1 b, 1 c) des Sitzes integriert
ist, wobei der seitliche Verlängerungsteil an die linke oder die rechte Seite des
mittleren Teils (1a) anschließt.
4. Duschstuhl (10) nach Anspruch 3, wobei der mittlere Teil (1a) und der seitliche Verlängerungsteil
(1b, 1 c) entlang einem Segment aneinander anschließen, dessen Länge (L1) geringer
als die Länge (L2) der linken oder der rechten Seite des mittleren Teils (1a) ist.
5. Duschstuhl (10) nach einem der Ansprüche 3 und 4, wobei die Kontur des Sitzes (1)
zwischen dem mittleren Teil (1a) und dem seitlichen Verlängerungsteil (1 b, 1 c) eine
konkave Linie beschreibt.
6. Duschstuhl (10) nach einem der Ansprüche 3 bis 5, wobei der seitliche Verlängerungsteil
(1b, 1c) mindestens eine Öffnung (4b, 4c) umfasst, die dazu konfiguriert ist, dass
eine Person mit einem oder mehreren Fingern hineingreifen kann, so dass die Person
den Stuhl leicht halten kann.
7. Duschstuhl (10) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Sitz (1) mindestens
eine Aussparung (5b, 5c) an seiner Kontur umfasst, wobei die Aussparung dazu konfiguriert
ist, einen Duschkopf zu halten.
8. Duschstuhl (10) nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 7, wobei der Sitz (1) bogenförmig ist,
wobei seine Konkavität auf seine obere Seite hin ausgerichtet ist.
9. Duschstuhl (10) nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 8, wobei der mittlere Teil (1a) mit
einem oder mehreren Löchern (6) perforiert ist, so dass Wasser leicht durch den Stuhl
(1) herausfließen kann.
10. Duschstuhl (10) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Verriegelungsmittel
(11, 11') dazu konfiguriert ist, von einem Benutzer von Hand und ohne jegliches Werkzeug
entriegelt und verriegelt zu werden.
11. Duschstuhl (10) nach Anspruch 10, wobei das Verriegelungsmittel (11, 11') mindestens
einen Stift (11a, 11'a) umfasst, der durch mindestens eine in mindestens einem Bein
(2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) und/oder in mindestens einem Verbindungsprofil (2c, 3c) ausgebildete
Bohrung (13) und durch mindestens eine in mindestens einer am Sitz (1) vorgesehenen
Haltestruktur (12) ausgebildete Bohrung (14) geführt wird.
12. Duschstuhl (10) nach Anspruch 11, wobei der mindestens eine Stift (11a, 11'a) so angeordnet
ist, dass er von Hand und ohne jegliches Werkzeug aus einer verriegelten Position,
die in der ausgeklappten Gebrauchsposition des Stuhls verwendet wird, in eine ausgerückte
Position bewegt werden kann, wobei der Stift (11a, 11'a) in der verriegelten Position
in der Bohrung (13) des Beins (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) und/oder des Verbindungsprofils (2c,
3c) und in der Bohrung (14) der Haltestruktur (12) in Eingriff steht und wobei der
Stift (11a, 11'a) in der ausgerückten Position aus der Bohrung (13) des Beins (2a,
2b, 3a, 3b) und/oder des Verbindungsprofils (2c, 3c) und/oder aus der Bohrung (14)
der Haltestruktur (12) ausgerückt ist, so dass das mindestens eine Paar seitlicher
Beine (2a, 2b; 3a, 3b) schwenkbar ist.
13. Duschstuhl (10) nach Anspruch 12, wobei das Verriegelungsmittel (11') eine Clipstruktur
(11'b) umfasst, die starr mit dem Stift (11'a) verbunden und dazu konfiguriert ist,
clipartig um das Bein (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) herum in Eingriff zu stehen, wenn der Stift
(11'a) in seiner verriegelten Position ist.
14. Duschstuhl (10) nach Anspruch 12, wobei das Verriegelungsmittel (11) eine Clipstruktur
(11b) umfasst, die starr mit dem Stift (11a) verbunden und dazu konfiguriert ist,
clipartig um die Haltestruktur (12) herum in Eingriff zu stehen, wenn der Stift (11a)
in seiner verriegelten Position ist.
15. Duschstuhl (10) nach Anspruch 13 oder 14, wobei ein Paar seitlicher linker und/oder
rechter Beine (2a, 2b; 3a, 3b) nach manueller Handhabung mindestens zweier seitlicher
Verriegelungsmittel (11, 11') des Paars Beine geschwenkt werden kann.
16. Duschstuhl (10) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das über ein Verbindungsprofil
(2c, 3c) verbundene Paar Beine (2a, 2b; 3a, 3b) ein U-förmiges Profil bildet.
17. Duschstuhl (10) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei am Ende jedes Beins
(2a, 2b, 3a, 3b), das dazu ausgelegt ist, mit dem Boden in Kontakt zu kommen, auf
dem der Stuhl platziert ist, eine Kappe (7) vorgesehen ist, die aus einem Material
hergestellt ist, das geeignet ist, ein Rutschen des Stuhls zu minimieren.
18. Duschstuhl (10) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Paar seitlicher
linker und/oder rechter Beine (2a, 2b; 3a, 3b) einstückig mit dem Verbindungsprofil
(2c, 3c) hergestellt ist.
19. Duschstuhl (10) nach dem vorhergehenden Anspruch, wobei das Paar seitlicher linker
und/oder rechter Beine (2a, 2b; 3a, 3b) und das Verbindungsprofil (2c, 3c) ein einziges
Rohr bilden.
1. Chaise de douche pliante (10) comprenant au moins quatre pieds (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) connectés
à un siège (1), ladite chaise ayant une première position dépliée stable et une deuxième
position pliée dans laquelle la chaise occupe moins d'espace que dans ladite première
position, lesdits pieds pouvant être pivotés de manière à passer de ladite première
à ladite deuxième position et vice versa, une paire de pieds latéraux gauches et/ou
droits (2a, 2b ; 3a, 3b) étant connectés rigidement l'un à l'autre au moyen d'un profilé
de connexion (2c ; 3c), ledit profilé de connexion (2c ; 3c) étant connecté de manière
pivotante à une surface inférieure du siège (1) et chacun desdits pieds (2a, 2b, 3a,
3b) étant fixé et stabilisé dans ladite première position par le biais d'au moins
un moyen de verrouillage (11, 11'), ledit moyen de verrouillage fixant rigidement
lesdits pieds audit siège, caractérisé en ce que ledit siège (1) et ledit profilé de connexion (2c, 3c) sont configurés de telle sorte
que lesdits pieds (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) puissent être positionnés par-dessus ledit siège
(1) dans ladite deuxième position.
2. Chaise de douche (10) selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle ledit siège (1) est
formé par une plaque, ladite plaque comprenant une partie rectangulaire centrale (1a),
et lesdits pieds (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) étant positionnés en position dépliée de telle sorte
qu'ils soient alignés avec chaque coin (C1, C2, C3, C4) de ladite partie centrale
(1a) et qu'ils définissent une direction approximativement perpendiculaire à un plan
(P) défini par lesdits coins.
3. Chaise de douche (10) selon la revendication 2, dans laquelle ledit profilé de connexion
(2c, 3c) est logé de manière pivotante dans au moins une console (8) formée dans la
surface inférieure du siège (1), ladite console étant intégrée dans une partie d'extension
latérale (1b, 1c) du siège, ladite partie d'extension latérale étant contiguë au côté
gauche ou droit de ladite partie centrale (1a).
4. Chaise de douche (10) selon la revendication 3, dans laquelle ladite partie centrale
(1a) et ladite partie d'extension latérale (1 b, 1c) sont contiguës le long d'un segment,
la longueur (L1) dudit segment étant inférieure à la longueur (L2) dudit côté gauche
ou droit de ladite partie centrale (1a).
5. Chaise de douche (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 3 et 4, dans laquelle
le contour dudit siège (1) entre ladite partie centrale (1 a) et ladite partie d'extension
latérale (1 b, 1 c) décrit une ligne concave.
6. Chaise de douche (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 3 à 5, dans laquelle
ladite partie d'extension latérale (1b, 1c) comprend au moins une ouverture (4b, 4c),
ladite ouverture étant configurée pour recevoir un ou plusieurs doigts d'une personne
de telle sorte que ladite personne puisse tenir ladite chaise facilement.
7. Chaise de douche (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans
laquelle ledit siège (1) comprend au moins un retrait (5b, 5c) sur son contour, ledit
retrait étant configuré pour retenir une tête de douche.
8. Chaise de douche (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 7, dans laquelle
ledit siège (1) a une forme courbe, sa concavité étant orientée vers son côté supérieur.
9. Chaise de douche (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 8, dans laquelle
ladite partie centrale (1a) est perforée avec un ou plusieurs trous (6) de telle sorte
que l'eau puisse être facilement évacuée à travers le siège (1).
10. Chaise de douche (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans
laquelle ledit moyen de verrouillage (11, 11') est configuré de manière à être déverrouillé
et verrouillé à la main par un utilisateur sans nécessiter d'outil.
11. Chaise de douche (10) selon la revendication 10, dans laquelle ledit moyen de verrouillage
(11, 11') comprend au moins une goupille (11a, 11'a), ladite goupille étant guidée
à travers au moins un alésage (13) formé dans au moins un pied (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) et/ou
dans au moins un profilé de connexion (2c, 3c) et à travers au moins un alésage (14)
formé dans au moins une structure de retenue (12) prévue sur ledit siège (1).
12. Chaise de douche (10) selon la revendication 11, dans laquelle ladite au moins une
goupille (11a, 11'a) est prévue de manière à pouvoir être déplacée à la main et sans
nécessiter d'outil d'une position verrouillée utilisée dans la position dépliée d'utilisation
de la chaise à une position désengagée, dans laquelle, dans ladite position verrouillée,
ladite goupille (11a, 11'a) est engagée à l'intérieur dudit alésage (13) dudit pied
(2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) et/ou dudit profilé de connexion (2c, 3c) et à l'intérieur dudit
alésage (14) de ladite structure de retenue (12) et dans laquelle, dans ladite position
désengagée, ladite goupille (11a, 11'a) est désengagée dudit alésage (13) dudit pied
(2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) et/ou dudit profilé de connexion (2c, 3c) et/ou dudit alésage (14)
de ladite structure de retenue (12), de telle sorte que ladite au moins une paire
de pieds latéraux (2a, 2b ; 3a, 3b) puisse pivoter.
13. Chaise de douche (10) selon la revendication 12, dans laquelle ledit moyen de verrouillage
(11') comprend une structure de pince (11'b), ladite structure de pince étant connectée
rigidement à ladite goupille (11'a) et étant configurée de manière à être engagée
par serrage autour dudit pied (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) lorsque ladite goupille (11'a) est
dans sa position verrouillée.
14. Chaise de douche (10) selon la revendication 12, dans laquelle ledit moyen de verrouillage
(11) comprend une structure de pince (11 b), ladite structure de pince étant connectée
rigidement à ladite goupille (11a) et étant configurée de manière à être engagée par
serrage autour de ladite structure de retenue (12) lorsque ladite goupille (11a) est
dans sa position verrouillée.
15. Chaise de douche (10) selon la revendication 13 ou 14, dans laquelle une paire de
pieds latéraux gauches et/ou droits (2a, 2b ; 3a, 3b) peut être pivotée par manipulation
manuelle d'au moins deux moyens de verrouillage latéraux (11, 11') de ladite paire
de pieds.
16. Chaise de douche (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans
laquelle ladite paire de pieds (2a, 2b ; 3a, 3b) connectée par un profilé de connexion
(2c, 3c) forme un profilé en forme de U.
17. Chaise de douche (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans
laquelle à l'extrémité de chaque pied (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b), conçue pour venir en contact
avec le sol sur lequel la chaise est placée, est prévu un embout (7), ledit embout
étant fabriqué en un matériau approprié pour minimiser le glissement de la chaise.
18. Chaise de douche (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans
laquelle ladite paire de pieds latéraux gauches et/ou droits (2a, 2b ; 3a, 3b) est
fabriquée d'une seule pièce avec ledit profilé de connexion (2c, 3c).
19. Chaise de douche (10) selon la revendication précédente, dans laquelle ladite paire
de pieds latéraux gauches et/ou droits (2a, 2b ; 3a, 3b) et ledit profilé de connexion
(2c, 3c) forment un tube unique.
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only.
It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has
been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and
the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description