Description

CHAIR HAVING BIFURCATE SEAT AND FAN DEVICE

THEREFOR

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to a chair having a bifurcate seat, and more particularly to a chair having a bifurcate seat and a fan device therefor, in which a seat is divided in two, a gap between the divided seat parts can be adjusted, a backrest perpendicular to a middle gap of the bifurcate seat has at least one slot formed therein, a fan device is installed in the middle of the bifurcate seat, and air is circulated around the buttocks and back of a user through the middle gap and through holes in the backrest of the seat, thereby providing a comfortable working environment that enables the user to do sedentary work for a long time. Background Art

[2] A conventional chair having a bifurcate seat is disclosed in Korean Utility Model

Registration No. 0260631 (Application No. 2001-32553, titled Chair Having Bifurcate Seat), Korean Utility Model Registration No. 0360315 (Application No. 2004-16411, titled Seat Apparatus Having Variable Gap), and Korean Patent No. 0397267 (Application No. 2003-38059, titled Seat Apparatus Having Variable Gap), all of which were issued to the applicant of the present invention.

[3] Among these documents, the chair having a bifurcate seat disclosed in Korean

Utility Model Registration No. 0260631 will be described below in brief.

[4] FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view illustrating a conventional chair having a bifurcate seat.

[5] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the conventional chair having a bifurcate seat is composed of a seat section 10, on which a user sits, and a stand 30 that has functions of being movable on the floor and being adjustable.

[6] The stand 30 includes a height adjuster 20 that allows adjustment of height, as in an air cylinder or a screw structure, in order to adjust the height of the seat section 10, a plurality of supports 31 that radially extend from the lower end of the height adjuster 20, and a plurality of casters 32, each of which is mounted to a free end of a corresponding support 31.

[7] The seat section 10 includes a base 11, the center of which is fixed to the upper end of the height adjuster 20, a pair of seat pads 15 that is installed on the base 11 and moves from side to side, armrests that are fixed on opposite sides of the seat pads 15, and a backrest 19 that is fixed to the rear of the seat pads.

[8] A pair of base rails 13 is formed on the top surface of the base 11. The pair of seat

pads 15 is coupled to the pair of base rails 13, and thereby sliding seat rails (not shown) are formed.

[9] The height of the seat pads 15 of such a chair having a bifurcate seat can be adjusted using the height adjuster 20 to correspond to the height of the user.

[10] When either one of the pair of seat pads 15 is intentionally moved left and right by the user, it interacts with the other seat by means of an interlock (not shown), and thus the seat rails coupled to the base rails 13 slide so that the interval therebetween may be adjusted.

[11] When a patient having an affected part between the buttocks sits on the conventional chair having a bifurcate seat, the chair does not press the affected part to thus reduce the pain in the affected part, thus enabling the user to do a sedentary work for a long time. Further, air can flow into a space (referred to as a gap) between the pair of seat pads, and thus the chair having a bifurcate seat can provide better comfort than the chair having an integral seat.

[12] In the chair having a bifurcate seat, only the seat section is divided, but the backrest is not divided. Hence, air does not flow around the back of the user, which is in close contact with the backrest at all times, and thereby sweat collects on the back of the user. Therefore, the chair having a bifurcate seat is uncomfortable.

[13] Further, the front width of the seat section of the chair having a bifurcate seat is less than or equal to the rear width of the seat section, which is uncomfortable for the user. Generally, when sitting in a chair, an ordinary user tends passively to move his/her legs and thighs apart. The thighs of the user are placed on the front end of the seat section. At this time, because the front width of the seat section is narrower than the total width of the spaced apart thighs, and the thighs of the user are placed on front corners of the seat section, the user experiences discomfort.

[14] The seat apparatuses having a variable gap, which are disclosed in Korean Utility

Model Registration No. 0360315 and Korean Patent No. 0397267 among the above- described documents, are different in construction than the chair having a bifurcate seat, which is disclosed in Korean Utility Model Registration No. 0260631, particularly with respect to the construction of a gap adjuster for adjusting the gap between divided seat pads. Further, Korean Utility Model Registration No. 0360315 is different in that a damping means is provided on the lower end of the seat. These seat apparatuses having a variable gap also have the same problems as the foregoing. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[15] 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

a chair having a bifurcate seat, in which a backrest perpendicular to the middle gap of the bifurcate seat has at least one slot formed therein, thereby reducing the total weight of the chair, as well as allowing air to be circulated to the buttocks and back of a user, thus providing a comfortable working environment.

[16] It is another object of the present invention to provide a chair having a bifurcate seat, in which the front width of each seat pad is greater than the rear width of each seat pad, thereby preventing the user from experiencing discomfort.

[17] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a chair having a bifurcate seat, in which air is forcibly circulated to seat pads and a backrest using a fan device, thereby providing a comfortable working environment. Technical Solution

[18] In order to accomplish the above object, according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a chair having a bifurcate seat. The chair includes a base that moves up and down and back and forth , a pair of seat pads installed on the base and allowing adjustment of the interval therebetween, a damping means installed between the base and each seat to damp the seat pads, and a backrest fixed to the rear of the seat pads. The backrest has at least one longitudinal or transverse slot formed therein. Thereby, air is circulated to the buttocks and back of a user, thus improving the comfort of the user, who is in close contact with the chair.

[19] Preferably, the base may have a ventilation fan fixed in the middle thereof so as to deliver air between the pair of seat pads, and stoppers fixed on opposite sides thereof to protect the ventilation fan. Thereby, air is forcibly circulated to the seat pads, thus improving the comfort of the user.

[20] According to another aspect of the present invention, a chair having a bifurcate seat is provided. The chair includes a base that moves up and down and back and forth, a pair of seat pads installed on the base and allowing adjustment of the interval therebe tween, a damping means installed between the base and each seat and damping the seat pads, and a backrest fixed to a rear of the seat pads, wherein the backrest has a longitudinal slot formed in a middle thereof, a through hole formed in the upper end of the slot, and a ventilation fan installed at the rear of the through hole. Thereby, air is forcibly circulated to the back of a user, thus further improving the comfort of the user.

[21] Preferably, a ventilation pipe having discharge holes may be installed in the longitudinal slot and between the pair of seat pads. Thereby, air fed from the ventilation fan is simultaneously circulated to both the back and buttocks of the user, thus improving the comfort of the user, who is in close contact with the chair.

[22] Further, the ventilation pipe may be tied with at least one band so as to prevent it fr om being separated from the longitudinal slot and moving out from between the pair of

seat pads. [23] Also, each of the seat pads may have a front end thereof wider than a rear end thereof. Thereby, when both legs and thighs of the user are naturally spaced apart, the thighs of the user are prevented from being placed on corners of the front end of each seat, thus minimizing the discomfort of the user. [24] Further, the base may have formed therebeneath at least one rail that is slidably coupled with at least one seat rail for a vehicle so as to be used as a seat for the vehicle. [25] In addition, the base has armrests fixed to opposite sides thereof or to one end of each seat. Thereby, it is possible to improve the comfort of the user.

Advantageous Effects

[26] According to the present invention, the chair having a bifurcate seat has a backrest formed with at least one slot, thereby reducing the total weight of the chair, as well as allowing air to be circulated to the buttocks and back of a user, thus providing a comfortable working environment. [27] Further, the chair having a bifurcate seat is formed such that the front width of each seat is greater than the rear width of each seat, thereby preventing the thighs of the user from being placed on the corners of the front end of each seat, thus minimizing the discomfort of the user. [28] In addition, the chair having a bifurcate seat is provided with a fan device, thereby forcibly ventilating air to seat pads and a backrest, thereby providing a comfortable working environment.

Brief Description of the Drawings [29] FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view illustrating a conventional chair having a bifurcate seat; [30] FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating a chair having a bifurcate seat and a fan device therefor, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; [31] FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view illustrating the state in which a fan device is decoupled from a chair having a bifurcate seat in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; [32] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate how a fan device for a chair having a bifurcate seat in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is protected by seat stoppers; [33] FIG. 6 is a side sectional view illustrating the operation of a fan device for a chair having a bifurcate seat in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; [34] FIG. 7 is a side sectional view illustrating the operation of a fan device for a chair having a bifurcate seat in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and [35] FIGS. 8 and 9 are front views illustrating a chair having a bifurcate seat and a fan

device therefor, in accordance with other embodiments of the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[36] 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. Reference should now be made to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used throughout the different drawings to designate the same or similar components.

[37] FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating a chair having a bifurcate seat and fan device therefor in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view illustrating the state in which a fan device is decoupled from a chair having a bifurcate seat in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[38] As illustrated, the chair having a bifurcate seat according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a seat section 10 on which a user sits, and a stand 30 that has functions of being movable on the floor and allowing adjustment of the height of the seat section 10. The stand 30 includes a height adjuster 20 that can be used to adjust the height, such as an air cylinder or a screw structure, in order to adjust the height of the seat section 10, a plurality of supports 31 that radially extend from the lower end of the height adjuster 20, and a plurality of casters 32, each of which is mounted to a free end of a corresponding support 31. The seat section 10 includes a base 11, the center of which is fixed to the upper end of the height adjuster 20, a pair of seat pads 15 that are installed on the base 11 and can be moved from side to side, a damping means 16 that is installed between the base 11 and each seat 15, armrests 17 that are fixed on opposite sides of the seat pads 15, and a backrest 19 that is fixed to the rear of the seat pads. The backrest 19 has a longitudinal slot 19a formed in the middle thereof.

[39] Further, each of the seat pads 15 is formed such that the front end 15a thereof is wider than the rear end 15b thereof.

[40] In the chair having a bifurcate seat according to the present invention, the buttocks and back of the user are in contact with air through a middle gap 18 between the pair of seat pads 15 and the slot 19a of the backrest 19, so that a more comfortable work environment is provided by the chair, and thus the user can work for a long time while sitting in the chair. The front end 15a of each seat 15 is wide, and thus the thighs of the user are not placed on front corners of the seat section, even when the legs and thighs of the user passively become spaced apart when the user sits in the chair. Accordingly, the user feels discomfort to a minimum extent.

[41] Meanwhile, a ventilation fan 50 is fixed to the center of the base 11, and seat

stoppers 55 for protecting the ventilation fan 50 are fixed to the base 11 on opposite sides of the ventilation fan 50.

[42] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate how a fan device for a chair having a bifurcate seat in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is protected by seat stoppers.

[43] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, when the user sits on the seat pads 15 in the state of

FIG. 4, the damping means 16 below each seat 15 is compressed, and then the seat pads 15 move downward while facing each other, as seen in FIG. 5. At this time, the pair of seat pads 15 moving downward are brought into contact with respective seat stoppers 55, so that they do not move further downward, and thus the ventilation fan 50 installed between the seat stoppers 55 is protected.

[44] FIG. 6 is a side sectional view illustrating the operation of a fan device for a chair having a bifurcate seat in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[45] As illustrated in FIG. 6, when the user sits on the seat pads 15 and then turns on the switch (not shown) of the ventilation fan 50, the ventilation fan 50 rotates. Thus, air is circulated toward the buttocks of the user through the middle gap 18 between the seat pads 15 (FIG. 2), thereby increasing the comfort of the user sitting in the chair. In addition, the air is circulated in arrow directions through the slot 19a of the backrest 19, thereby further improving the comfort of the user.

[46] Meanwhile, the chair having a bifurcate seat in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention has been described as having only one longitudinal slot 19a in the backrest 19, but is not limited thereto. Thus, several slots may be formed in longitudinal and/or transverse directions. Thereby, a large volume of air can be brought into contact with the back of the user. This construction is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

[47] FIG. 7 is a side sectional view illustrating the operation of a fan device for a chair having a bifurcate seat in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

[48] Like the chair having a bifurcate seat in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the chair having a bifurcate seat in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention has a longitudinal slot 19b formed in the middle of the backrest 19, a through hole (to which no reference numeral is given) formed in the upper end of the slot 19b, and a ventilation fan 50 installed at the rear of the through hole.

[49] Therefore, when the user turns on a switch (not shown) for the ventilation fan 50, the ventilation fan 50 rotates. Thus, air is circulated toward the back of the user through the slot 19b of the backrest 19, thereby further improving the comfort of the user.

[50] Meanwhile, in order to allow the air fed from the ventilation fan 50 to be circulated toward the back and buttocks of the user at the same time, a flexible ventilation pipe 70

is installed up to the slot 19b and the middle gap 18 between the seat pads 15 (FIG. 2). In order to prevent the flexible ventilation pipe 70 from becoming separated, the flexible ventilation pipe 70 is tied with a band (not shown). This flexible ventilation pipe 70 has discharge holes formed therein.

[51] As shown in FIG. 7, when the switch (not shown) of the ventilation fan 50 is turned on, the ventilation fan 50 rotates. Thus, the air is circulated to the flexible ventilation pipe 70, which is installed up to the slot 19b and the middle gap 18 between the seat pads 15 (FIG. 2), and then is sent to the back and buttocks of the user through the discharge holes, thereby improving the comfort of the user.

[52] Meanwhile, the chair having a bifurcate seat in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention has been described as having only one longitudinal slot 19a in the backrest 19, but is not limited thereto. Thus, several slots may be formed in a longitudinal and/or transverse zigzag arrangement. At this time, the flexible ventilation pipes 70 installed in the slots are also installed in a longitudinal and/or transverse zigzag arrangement. Thereby, a large volume of air can be brought into contact with the back of the user.

[53] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to an ordinary chair by way of example, but the invention is not limited thereto. Thus, the embodiments of the present invention may be applied to seats for a vehicle.

[54] Specifically, a chair that has the base, the pair of seat pads and the backrest without the stand and armrest is used as a seat for the vehicle. The bottom surface of the base is coupled to rails installed on the bottom of the vehicle. Thereby, the modified chair can be used according to the same principle as the seat pads for the vehicle. This modification will be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art.

[55] FIGS. 8 and 9 are front views illustrating a chair having a bifurcate seat and a fan device therefor in accordance with other embodiments of the present invention.

[56] In FIG. 8, a backrest 19 has at least one transverse slot 19c formed therein. In FIG.

9, a backrest 19 has a longitudinal slot 19a formed in the middle of the backrest 19 and at least one transverse slot 19c crossing the longitudinal slot 19a.

[57] In this manner, air is circulated through the longitudinal and transverse slots 19a and 19c of the backrest 19, thereby improving the comfort of the user.

[58] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have 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.