Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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[DESCRIPTION]
[Invention Title]
FUNCTIONAL CHAIR
[Technical Field]
The present invention relates to a functional chair,
and more particularly, to a functional chair having a storage
space for storing articles therein.
[Background Art]In general, a chair has a backrest for allowing a user
to lean back.
Recently, such a backrest serves not only to allow the
user to lean but also to correct the user's bad sitting
posture and to protect the user's lumbar.
However, such a chair generally puts emphasis on
protecting the user's lumbar and does not have various
functions. For instance, articles such as bags or carrying
bags must be stored in a desk, a bookshelf, or a separate
storage space because the chair does not have any storage
space for storing the articles.
As described above, the conventional chair has several
problems as follows because it does not have any storage
space.
First, if the user puts his or her bag on the floor,
the bag may get dirty and cause inconvenience to others. Of
course, the user may put the bag on another chair, but it
causes reduction of chairs for others' seating.
Moreover, when the user seats on the chair, the user
lays his or her outer clothing, for instance, a coat or
others, across the backrest of the chair. However, in the
case that the user lays his or her outer clothing across the
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backrest of the chair, some of the outer clothing located at
an area of the backrest where the user's back touches may be
creased due to the user leaning on the backrest of the chair.
Of course, the chair may have a hook mounted on a side
or a rear side thereof so as to allow the user to hang his or
her outer clothing on the hook. However, some of the outer
clothing may touch the ground because height of the chair may
be lower than that of the outer clothing.
[Disclosure]
[Technical Problem]
Accordingly, the present invention has been made in an
effort to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the
prior arts, and it is an object of the present invention to
provide a new-type functional chair having a storage space
for storing articles therein.
It is another object of the present invention to provide
a functional chair having at least one storage space for
allowing a user to easily store his or her things.
It is a further object of the present invention to
provide a functional chair having an adjustable storage space
in consideration of sizes of articles to be stored.
[Technical Solution]
To achieve the above objects, the present invention
provides a functional chair including: a sitting part
providing a sitting area; and a backrest part having a first
backrest, which upwardly stands at the rear of the sitting
part for supporting a user's back, and a second backrest,
which is located at the rear of the first backrest and is
spaced apart from the first backrest, wherein a storage space
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is formed between the first backrest and the second backrest
spaced apart from the first backrest.
The storage space has at least one partition member for
partitioning the storage space into several storage spaces.
The first backrest and the second backrest are formed
separately and joined together by a joining part, and the
joining part has a front face rotatably joined to a lower end
of the first backrest and a rear face rotatably joined to a
lower end of the second backrest so as to provide a laying
area for laying the user's articles thereon, and includes a
flat plate for separating the second backrest 44 from the
first backrest.
Moreover, the functional chair further includes a
contact-keeping part 60 formed between the first backrest and
the second backrest to keep a close contact state of the
first backrest and the second backrest.
In another aspect of the present invention, the present
invention provides a functional chair including: a sitting
part of a flat plate type providing a sitting area on some
area; a plurality of chair legs provided on the lower face of
the sitting part; a backrest upwardly standing at the rear of
the sitting part; and a plurality of vertical members spaced
apart from the rear face of the backrest, the vertical
members vertically standing on the sitting part, wherein
storage spaces are respectively formed among the backrest and
the vertical members for allowing a user to store his or her
article in the storage spaces.
Here, the vertical members are rotatably hinge-joined to
the sitting part, and the vertical member farthest from the
backrest forms the storage space together with the
neighboring vertical member while rotating is utilized as the
auxiliary leg.
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Additionally, in the case that the vertical member
farthest from the backrest is set in line with the sitting
part, the functional chair further includes support bars
respectively inserted into at least one receiving recess
formed in the rear face of the vertical member for supporting
the vertical member by rotating at one end of the receiving
recess.
In a further aspect of the present invention, the
present invention provides a functional chair including: a
sitting part providing a sitting area; a plurality of chair
legs provided on the lower face of the sitting part; a
backrest upwardly standing at the rear of the sitting part; a
pair of guides symmetrically mounted on the bottom face of
the sitting part; and a vertical member slidably moving
inside the guides, wherein the vertical member comprises a
body of a flat plate type and an upper bracket which forms
the upper face of the body and rotates on one end of the body,
and when the vertical member is drawn out from the backrest,
a storage space is formed between the backrest and the upper
bracket according to rotation of the upper bracket.
Here, the functional chair further includes: guide
grooves respectively formed in the guides; and retaining
protrusions formed on sides of the vertical member and
inserted into the guide grooves so as to prevent the vertical
member from being separated from the guides in back and forth
directions when the vertical member slidably moves.
In a still further aspect of the present invention, the
present invention provides a functional chair including: a
sitting part of a predetermined thickness providing a sitting
area; a plurality of chair legs formed on the lower face of
the sitting part and extending downwardly; a backrest
upwardly standing at the rear of the sitting part; a
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receiving portion having a space portion of a predetermined
size formed inside the sitting part and an entrance formed at
one side of the sitting part; and a vertical member going in
and out through the entrance and forming a storage space when
it is drawn out from the receiving portion, wherein the
vertical member has at least two bodies of a predetermined
size, each of the bodies is rotatable on a hinge shaft formed
at one end portion, and at least one of the bodies
perpendicularly stands in the upward direction to thereby
form a storage space.
Here, the receiving portion having the space portion has
retaining holes formed on the inner face of the space portion
and the body has protrusions formed on the outer face thereof
in such a way as to be inserted into the retaining holes, so
that some of the body of the vertical member located inside
the receiving portion is fixed into the receiving portion.
In another aspect of the present invention, the present
invention provides a functional chair including: a sitting
part providing a sitting area; a backrest upwardly standing
at the rear of the sitting part for supporting a user's back;
and an approximately 'L'-shaped vertical member having a
body, some of the body forming a rear face of the backrest
and the other being slidably mounted inside the sitting part,
wherein a storage space is formed in the rear face of the
backrest when the vertical member is spaced apart from the
backrest.
[Advantageous Effects]
The functional chair according to the present invention
has the following effects.
First, the functional chair has the storage space formed
on the rear face or the side of the backrest in various ways.
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Accordingly, the functional chair according to the present
invention serves not only as a tool for the user's seating
but also to keep the user's articles in safety.
Furthermore, because the functional chair has the
storage space, there is no need to put the user's bag or
briefcase on the ground or on another chair, and hence, the
functional chair prevents the bag or the briefcase from
causing inconvenience to others and allows to secure seats
easily.
Additionally, the functional chair may provide an area
to hang the user's clothing, such as a coat, thereon and can
prevent the user's articles from getting dirty when the user
puts the articles on the ground.
In addition, the functional chair may have a plurality
of storage spaces to allow the user to dividedly store his or
her articles.
[Description of Drawings]
FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view showing a structure of
a functional chair according to a first preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
FIGS. 2 and 3 are a side sectional view and a rear
perspective view showing used examples of the functional
chair according to the first preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a functional
chair according to a second preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
FIGS. 5 and 6 are rear perspective views for explaining
operational states of the functional chair by each situation
according to the second preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
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FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of a functional chair
according to a third preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a state
where a partition member of FIG. 7 is separated.
FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of a functional chair
according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
FIGS. 10 to 13 are exemplary views showing examples of
the functional chair according to the fourth preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a functional
chair according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
FIGS. 15 and 16 are views showing examples that the
functional chair according to the fifth preferred embodiment
of the present invention is used.
FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a functional
chair according to a sixth preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
FIGS. 18 to 20 are views showing examples that the
functional chair according to the sixth preferred embodiment
of the present invention is used.
FIG. 21 is a rear perspective view of a functional chair
according to a seventh preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 22 is a view showing an example that the functional
chair according to the seventh preferred embodiment of the
present invention is used.
[Best Mode]
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Reference will be now made in detail to the preferred
embodiment of the present invention with reference to the
attached drawings. For convenience in description, the
embodiments will be described separately.
First Embodiment
FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate a functional chair according to
a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in the drawings, the functional chair 1
according to the first preferred embodiment includes a
sitting part 10 and a backrest part 20. The sitting part 10
provides a user a sitting area, and means an ordinary seat
board.
Moreover, a plurality of chair legs 12 formed integrally
with the bottom face of the sitting part 10. However, the
chair legs 12 may be manufactured separately from the sitting
part 10 and joined to the sitting part 10 like legs of an
office chair. Of course, in the case that the functional
chair does not need chair legs like a legless chair, the
chair legs are not provided.
The backrest part 20 includes a first backrest 22 and a
second backrest 24 which are separated from each other. In
this embodiment, the first backrest 22 and the second
backrest 24 are formed integrally at the rear of the sitting
part 10. However, the first backrest 22 and the second
backrest 24 may be respectively joined to the sitting part 10
after the sitting part and the backrest part 20 are
manufactured separately. In this case, the backrest part 20
must have a storage space 2 formed between the separated
backrests 22 and 24.
The first backrest 22 of the backrest part 20 is mounted
upwardly on the sitting part 10 and serves to support the
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back of the user who sits on the sitting part 10.
Furthermore, the second backrest 24 is located at the rear of
the first backrest 22 and spaced apart from the first
backrest 22, and hence, the storage space 2 is formed between
the first backrest 22 and the second backrest 24.
In this instance, an interval between the first backrest
22 and the second backrest 24 may be changed according to use
purposes of the functional chair. In generally, it is
preferable that the interval between the first backrest 22
and the second backrest 24 is as long as the user can store a
simple brief case (for instance, within a range of 100mm to
200mm).
As shown in FIG. 2, the space formed by the interval
between the two backrests 22 and 24 is used as the storage
space 2. Accordingly, because the user can keep his or her
articles in the storage space 2 safely, there is no need to
put the user's bag or brief case on the ground or on another
chair. Furthermore, the functional chair prevents the user's
bag from causing inconvenience to others and allows the user
to easily secure necessary seats.
Particularly, as circumstances demand, the backrest may
be used as an area to lay a coat across the backrest. In
other words, as shown in FIG. 3, the user can lay his or her
coat across the second backrest 24 which forms the storage
space 2. Then, even though the user leans back against the
first backrest 22 sitting on the chair, it is prevented that
the coat is creased.
[Mode for Invention]
In the meantime, the present invention is not restricted
to the first embodiment that the first backrest 22 and the
second backrest 24 of the backrest part 20 are spaced apart
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from each other to form the storage space 2. That is, the
functional chair may be formed in such a fashion that the
storage space 2 is formed if the user requires the storage
space but is not formed if the user does not want the storage
space 2. It will be described in a second preferred
embodiment.
Second Embodiment
FIG. 4 is an exploded rear perspective view of a
functional chair according to a second preferred embodiment
of the present invention, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are rear
perspective views for explaining operational states of the
functional chair by each situation according to the second
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 4, the functional chair 3 includes a
sitting part 30 and a backrest part 40. The sitting part 30
provides a sitting area to the user. The sitting part 30 has
a plurality of chair legs 32 formed on the bottom face
thereof.
The backrest part 40 includes a first backrest 42 and a
second backrest 44.
The first backrest 42 is perpendicularly formed at the
rear of the sitting part 30 and serves to support the back of
the user who sits on the sitting part 30.
The second backrest 44 is separated from or gets closer
to the first backrest 42. For this, a joining part 50 is
provided. The joining part 50 has a front face rotatably
joined to a lower end of the first backrest 42 and a rear
face rotatably joined to a lower end of the second backrest
44 so as to provide a laying area for laying the user's
articles thereon, and includes a flat plate for separating
the second backrest 44 from the first backrest 42. In this
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instance, in order to rotatably join the joining part 50 and
the backrests 42 and 44 with one another, some of
corresponding portions of the joining part 50 and the
backrests 42 and 44 are overlapped, and the overlapped
portions are joined by hinges 52 and 54. Of course, the
structure to rotatably join the joining part 50 and the
backrests 42 and 44 with one another may be achieved by
another hinge-coupling structure.
In order to keep a close contact state between the first
backrest 42 and the second backrest 44, a contact-keeping
part 60 is formed. The contact-keeping part 60 is to prevent
the second backrest 44 from being separated from the first
backrest 42 unintentionally, and includes a pair of magnets
62 and 64 correspondingly formed on the rear face of the
first backrest 42 and on the front face of the second
backrest 44. Of course, the contact-keeping part 60 may be
constructed of a retaining ring and a retaining groove
respectively formed at corresponding portions of the two
backrests 42 and 44.
The functional chair according to the second preferred
embodiment may selectively provide a storage space 4 between
the first backrest 42 and the second backrest 44. That is,
if the storage space 4 is not needed, as shown in FIG. 5, the
joining part 50 gets closer to the rear face of the first
backrest 42, and simultaneously the second backrest 44 also
gets closer to the rear face of the first backrest 42. Then,
the storage space 4 is not provided, and hence, the
functional chair can secure a wider back and forth interval
between chairs because a back and forth width of the
functional chair is relatively narrow.
On the other hand, if the user wants the storage space 4,
as shown in FIG. 6, the storage space 4 is formed when the
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second backrest 44 is separated from the first backrest 42.
That is, when the second backrest 44 is spaced apart from the
first backrest 42, the joining part 50 is laid at right
angles to the first backrest 42 to form an area to put the
user's articles, for instance, a bag or others, thereon, and
the second backrest 44 upwardly stands in a state where it is
space apart from the rear face of the first backrest 42 by
the joining part 50 to thereby prevent that the articles
stored in the storage space 4 fall unintentionally.
Of course, the second backrest 44 also serves as a
portion where the user lays his or her coat.
In the meantime, in the second preferred embodiment,
just one second backrest 44 is formed, but a plurality of
second backrests 44 may be formed. In other words, the
joining part 50 may be additionally joined to the rear face
of the second backrest 44 to thereby form a plurality of the
storage spaces.
Additionally, the joining part 50 is the flat plate, but
the joining part 50 may be connected between the first
backrest 42 and the second backrest 44 with a minimum area
and the rest may be opened (not shown in the drawings). For
instance, just the edges of the first backrest 42 and the
second backrest 44 are connected with each other using a bar-
type connection member. The reason is to prevent the user's
coat from creasing since some of the coat extends downwardly
when the user lays a long coat across the storage space 4.
Third Embodiment
FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of a functional chair
according to a third preferred embodiment of the present
invention, and FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing
a state where a partition member of FIG. 7 is separated.
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As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the functional chair 110
includes a sitting part 112. The sitting part 112 is an area
for allowing the user to sit on. The sitting part 112
includes a plurality of chair legs 114 formed on the bottom
face of the sitting part 112. Of course, the chair legs 114
may be excluded, and may adopt any form that can separate the
sitting part 112 from the floor to a predetermined height.
The functional chair further includes a backrest part
116 perpendicularly stands at the rear of the sitting part
112. The backrest part 116 includes a first backrest 118 and
a second backrest 119 which are spaced apart from each other.
An interval between the first backrest 118 and the second
backrest 119 may be changed according to use purposes of the
functional chair. The first backrest 118 is disposed on the
sitting part 112 and serves to support the back of the user
who sits on the sitting part 112. The second backrest 119 is
located at the rear of the first backrest 118 and forms a
storage space by being separated from the first backrest 118.
The chair legs 114 and the first and second backrests
118 and 119 may be formed integrally with the sitting part
112 or formed detachably from the sitting part 112.
A partition member 120 is disposed in the storage space
117 formed between the first backrest 118 and the second
backrest 119. The partition member 120 serves to partition
the storage space 117 into several spaces.
The partition member 120 may have any shape to partition
the storage space 117. For instance, the partition member
120 may be a bar formed just at the edge or a flat plate. Of
course, another shape is also possible. That is, the
partition member 120 can have any shape if it can partition
the storage space 117. Moreover, the partition member 120
may have the same height as the first backrest 118 and the
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second backrest 119 or have a height different from the
height of the first backrest 118 and the second backrest 119.
Of course, the height of the first backrest 118 may be
different from the height of the second backrest 119.
The partition member 120 needs not to be formed
integrally with a bottom face 115 which provides the storage
space 117. In other words, it is preferable that the
partition member 120 is detachably attached to the inside of
the storage space 117. For instance, the storage space 117
has a joining hole 122 formed in the bottom face 115 of the
storage space 117 and the partition member 120 has a joining
protrusion 124 formed on the bottom face of the partition
member 120 corresponding to the joining hole 122, so that the
partition member 120 can be attached or detached as occasion
demands. Then, the storage space 117 can be divided into
several spaces, or the several storage spaces can be united
into one. Accordingly, the user can adjust the size of the
storage space 117 according to a size of the article to be
stored in the storage space.
The functional chair 110 having the above structure
allows the user to store various articles in the storage
space 117 formed on the backrest part 116, and to dividedly
store different articles in the storage spaces partitioned by
the partition member. In addition, the user can lay his or
her clothing across the second backrest 119 or the partition
member 120.
Fourth Embodiment
FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of a functional chair
according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present
invention, and FIGS. 10 to 13 are exemplary views showing
examples of the functional chair according to the fourth
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preferred embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 9, the functional chair 130 according
to the fourth preferred embodiment includes a flat type
member 131 elongated in a longitudinal direction.
Hereinafter, the flat type member 131 is described as a
'sitting part'. A part of the sitting part 131 is allotted
as a sitting area, and the reference numeral '132' in the
drawings is designated as the sitting area.
A plurality of chair legs 133 are formed on the bottom
face of the sitting part 131.
A backrest 134 upwardly and vertically stands at an
approximately middle portion of the sitting part 131 to
support the back of the user who sits on the sitting area 132.
The backrest 134 may be formed integrally with the sitting
part 131 or joined and fixed to the upper face of the sitting
part 131 via bolts or other medium, such as adhesives.
The functional chair 130 further includes a plurality of
vertical members 136 and 138 upwardly standing at a position
spaced apart from the rear face of the backrest 134 at a
predetermined interval. The vertical members 136 and 138
serve to provide a storage space for storing the user's
articles on the sitting part 131. In this embodiment, there
are two vertical members. In the drawings, the reference
numeral '136' designates a first vertical member, and '138'
designates a second vertical member. Of course, in
consideration of the length of the sitting part 131, the size
of the sitting area 132, the width of the storage space, and
others, it will be obvious that at least one vertical member
may be disposed. In relation with the storage space formed
by the two vertical members 136 and 138, the reference
numeral '137' designates a first storage space, and '139'
designates a second storage space.
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The first vertical member 136 and the second vertical
member 138 are fit to a cut area formed in the sitting part
131 by means of the hinge method and have a structure to be
rotatable at a predetermined angle. Namely, some of a
corresponding part between the vertical members 136 and 138
and the sitting part 131 are overlapped with each other, and
the overlapped portions are joined by a hinge 140. Of course,
they can be joined by another structure besides the hinge.
The rotational angle of the vertical members 136 and 138
is determined by positions of the backrest 134 and other
neighboring vertical members, sizes of articles to be stored
in the storage space, and others. For instance, as shown in
FIG. 10, in the case that there is no article in the first
storage space 137, the first vertical member 136 is rotatable
till it touches the rear face of the backrest 134. On the
other side, not shown in the drawings, but in the case that
there is an article in the first storage space 137, one end
of the first vertical member 136 may not touch the rear face
of the backrest 134 according to the size of the article to
be stored. Likewise, the second vertical member 138 also
touch the rear face of the adjacent first vertical member 136
or does not touch the rear face of the first vertical member
136 according to whether or not there is an article in the
second storage space 139.
In the meantime, the second vertical member 138 is
limited in its rotational angle in the direction of the first
vertical member 136. That is, when the second vertical
member 138 is rotated in the direction of the first vertical
member 136, it is rotated within a range of a predetermined
angle according to whether or not there is an article in the
second storage space 139 and according to the position of the
first vertical member 136. On the other hand, the second
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vertical member 138 may be rotated more freely in a different
direction against the second vertical member 138, namely, in
the opposite direction of the first vertical member 136.
FIGS. 11 to 13 illustrate examples of various rotations
of the second vertical member 138.
FIG. 11 illustrates a state where the second vertical
member 138 is in line with the sitting part 131. The above
may be used when there is no need to provide the second
storage space 139 or when the article to be stored in the
second storage space 139 is long. In this instance, not
shown in the drawings, but at least one receiving recess may
be formed on the rear face of the second vertical member 138
and a rotational support bar is provided to one end of the
receiving recess, so that the second vertical member 138 can
be supported by the support bar when the second vertical
member 138 is completely stretched as shown in FIG. 11.
FIG. 12 illustrates a state where the second vertical
member 138 is utilized as an auxiliary leg. In other words,
the user may store his or her article on the first storage
space 137 or the second storage space 139 without sitting on
the functional chair 130. In this instance, in the case that
the article to be stored is heavy, the weight center goes
toward the rear face of the backrest 134, and thereby, the
functional chair 130 may fall backward. Accordingly, the
second vertical member 138 is rotated at an angle of 180
degrees, so that one end is in contact with the bottom face.
Of course, in this case, the second vertical member 138 must
be equal in length with the chair legs 133.
Here, the function of the second vertical member 138 as
the auxiliary leg is not essentially needed. The reason is
that the functional chair 130 can sufficiently bear the
weight of the stored article even though the user may store
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his or her article on the first storage space 137 or the
second storage space 139 without sitting on the sitting part
131 of the functional chair 130. Therefore, the function as
the auxiliary leg is provided to use the functional chair 130
more stably.
FIG. 13 illustrates a structure that the second vertical
member 138 is located beneath the sitting part 131. It is
utilized in the case that there is no need to form the second
storage space 139 by the second vertical member 138 or that
the second vertical member 138 is not used as the auxiliary
leg.
As described above, in the fourth preferred embodiment,
the functional chair 130 has a plurality of the storage
spaces 137 and 138 by the vertical members 136 and 138 formed
on the sitting part 131. Moreover, the vertical member
farthest from the backrest 134 may be the storage space in
itself or may be utilized as the auxiliary leg.
Fifth Embodiment
In the fifth embodiment, the vertical member for forming
the storage space is not exposed to the outside but mounted
under the sitting part.
Referring to FIGS. 14 to 16, the fifth preferred
embodiment will be described. FIG. 14 is an exploded
perspective view of a functional chair according to a fifth
preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 15
and 16 are views showing examples that the functional chair
according to the fifth preferred embodiment of the present
invention is used.
As shown in the drawings, the functional chair 160
according to the fifth preferred embodiment includes a
sitting part 161 where the user can sit.
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The functional chair has chair legs 162 formed at edges
of the bottom face of the sitting part 161 so that the
sitting part 161 is spaced apart from the floor.
The functional chair further includes a backrest 163
which upwardly stands at the rear of the sitting part 161 and
supports the back of the user who sits on the sitting part
161. The backrest 163 may be formed integrally with the rear
of the sitting part 161 or formed separately.
A pair of guides 165 are mounted on the bottom face of
the sitting part 161 in a longitudinal direction in such a
fashion that a vertical member 170 is slidably mounted. The
guides 165 may have one of various forms, but must have a
structure that the guides 165 can be joined to the bottom
face of the sitting part 161. Additionally, the guides 165
surround some of the sides of the vertical member 170 to
prevent the vertical member 170 from falling downwardly. In
the drawings, the guides 165 are respectively in the form of
an approximately shape. Here, not shown in the drawings,
the sitting part 161 may have a space portion of a
predetermined size formed therein and guides formed at both
sides of the space portion in the same form as the guides 165,
so that the vertical member 170 can be slidably moved inside
the space portion.
Each of the guides 165 has a long guide groove 166. The
guide groove 166 together with retaining protrusions 173,
which will be described later, serve to prevent that the
vertical member 170 is separated forward and backward from
the sitting part 161 when the vertical member 170 moves along
the guide 166.
The vertical member 170 has a body 171 like a flat plate.
The retaining protrusions 173 are formed on both sides of one
end of the body 171. As described above, the retaining
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protrusions 173 and the guide grooves 166 serve to prevent
the vertical member from being separated from the guides 165.
An upper bracket 175 which forms a part of the upper
face of the body 171 is joined to the other end of the upper
face of the body 171 by a hinge 176. The body 171 where the
upper bracket 175 is located may have an interior space
formed therein for storing the user's article therein.
Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, the examples that the
functional chair according to the fifth preferred embodiment
of the present invention is used will be described.
First, as shown in FIG. 15, the user pulls the vertical
member 170 mounted on the bottom face of the sitting part 161
in the direction of the rear face of the backrest 163. Then,
the retaining protrusions 173 formed at the sides of the
vertical member 170 moves along the guide grooves 166, and
thereby, the vertical member 170 is drawn out. The user can
pull the vertical member 170 till the retaining protrusions
173 touch one end of the inner face of the guide groove 166.
In the above state, the user rotates the upper bracket
175 on the hinge 176. In this instance, the rotational angle
may be adjusted in various ways, but in this embodiment, is
at right angles to the sitting part 161. It is illustrated
in FIG. 16. As shown in FIG. 16, when the upper bracket 175
stands and is spaced apart from the rear face of the backrest
163 at a predetermined interval, the storage space 178 is
formed between the upper bracket 175 and the backrest 163.
Then, the user can store his or her article in the
storage space 178.
Of course, also in the case that the upper bracket 175
forms a part of the upper face of the body 171 without being
rotated, the user can store his or her article in the
interior space formed inside the body 171 or on the upper
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face of the upper bracket 175.
Moreover, if the user does not want the storage space
178 or when the user completes storing the article in the
interior space of the body 171, the user pushes the vertical
member 170 in such a fashion that the vertical member 170 is
located beneath the sitting part 161.
In the meantime, in the fifth preferred embodiment, the
vertical member 170 is drawn out toward the rear face of the
backrest 163, but another example is also possible. For
instance, the vertical member 170 mounted beneath the sitting
part 161 may be drawn out from the side of the sitting part
161. In this instance, the user can store his or her article
on the upper face of the vertical member 170 or in the
storage space formed by the upper bracket 175 rotated.
Furthermore, the vertical member 170 may be drawn out from
the front of the sitting part 161. Of course, in this
instance, the user cannot form the storage space by making
the upper bracket 175 stand because the user has to sit on
the sitting part 161. However, if the user does not sit on
the sitting part 161, the user can store his or her article
on the upper face of the vertical member 170 or in the
storage space formed by the upper bracket 175 rotated.
As described above, in the fifth preferred embodiment,
the functional chair has the vertical member 170 mounted
beneath the sitting part 161 to form the storage space, and
as occasion demands, the vertical member 170 is drawn out to
thereby form the storage space. Additionally, the functional
chair can utilize a space widely because the vertical member
170 is drawn out not only from the rear face of the backrest
163 but also the side or the front of the sitting part 161 to
provide the storage space. Of course, in the case that the
user does not want the storage space or the chair is located
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in a limited space, because the vertical member 170 is
located beneath the sitting part 161, there is no
inconvenience due to the vertical member 170.
In the meantime, the structure that the vertical member
170 is slidably moved may be achieved by various structures
besides the above structure. For instance, the drawer
structure of a general desk, which has rails and wheels
rolling along the rails, may be adopted.
Sixth Embodiment
Referring to FIGS. 17 to 20, the sixth preferred
embodiment will be described.
FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a functional
chair according to a sixth preferred embodiment of the
present invention, and FIGS. 18 to 20 are views showing
examples that the functional chair according to the sixth
preferred embodiment of the present invention is used.
As shown in FIG. 17, the functional chair 180 according
to the sixth preferred embodiment includes a sitting part 181
for allowing the user to sit on. The functional chair 180
further includes chair legs 182 formed on the edges of the
bottom face of the sitting part 181 toward the floor, so that
the sitting part 181 is spaced apart from the floor.
The functional chair 180 has a backrest 183 upwardly
standing at the rear of the sitting part 181 for supporting
the back of the user who sits on the sitting part 181. The
backrest 183 may be formed integrally with the sitting part
181 or formed separately.
The sitting part 181 has a receiving portion 185 formed
therein. The receiving portion 185 is formed inside the
sitting part 181 of a predetermined thickness, and has an
entrance 186 formed on one side where the backrest 183 is
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located so as to allow a vertical member 190, which will be
described later, to go in and out.
The receiving portion 185 has retaining holes 187
arranged on at least one inner side of the receiving portion
185. The vertical member 190 has protrusions 192 formed on
the outer face thereof and the protrusions 192 are inserted
into the retaining holes 187. Through the retaining holes
187 and the protrusions 192, the vertical member 190 does not
move inside the receiving portion 185 and can keep a fixed
state to some degree even though some of the vertical member
190 is drawn out from the receiving portion 185.
The vertical member 190 is mounted in the receiving
portion 185. The vertical member 190 has a plate type body
191 of a predetermined thickness. The body 191 has a
plurality of bodies 191a, 191b, 191c and 191d. Moreover,
each of the bodies 191a, 191b, 191c and 191d has a structure
to be bendable against the neighboring body. Such a
structure is achieved by the hinge-coupling method. Here, it
is not necessary that the body 191 of the vertical member 190
has the four bodies 191a, 191b, 191c and 191d. Namely, the
number of the bodies may be changed according to the length
of the sitting part 181.
The protrusions 192 are formed on the side of the body
191. The protrusion 192 has an elastic member like a spring
193 provided to the rear face thereof. So, when the vertical
member 190 moves, the protrusions 192 are inserted into the
retaining holes 187 or received into the body 191.
Meanwhile, in the sixth preferred embodiment, it is not
necessary to form the receiving portion 185 in the sitting
part 181. In other words, like the fifth preferred
embodiment, a bracket is additionally mounted on the bottom
face of the sitting part 181 so that the vertical member 190
CA 02807783 2013-02-07
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is movable.
Referring to FIGS. 18 to 20, the operation of the sixth
preferred embodiment having the above structure will be
described.Ordinarily, the vertical member 190 is located inside
the receiving portion 185. In this case, the protrusions 192
are respectively accommodated in the retaining holes 187, and
hence, the vertical member 190 does not come out unless an
external force is applied to the vertical member 190.
In the case that the user who sits on the functional
chair 180 has articles, such as a bag, documents, clothes or
others, there is a need to form a storage space. For this,
as shown in FIG. 18, the user grasps one end of the vertical
member 190 accommodated in the receiving portion 185 and
pulls the vertical member 190 in the direction of the rear
face of the backrest 183. Then, the vertical member 190
comes out from the receiving portion 185.
As shown in FIG. 19, when only the body 191a out of the
bodies 191a, 191b, 191c and 191d of the vertical member 190
completely comes out, the user rotates only the body 191a.
Then, the storage space 195 is formed between the body 191a
and the backrest 183. So, the user can store his or her
article in the storage space 195. Of course, because the
storage space 195 is rotated in a state where only the body
191a comes out, it is lower in height than the backrest 183.
Therefore, it is good to store articles appropriate to the
size of the storage space 195.
If the user wants a storage space greater than the
storage space 195 shown in FIG. 19, the user pulls the
vertical member 190 more and rotates the corresponding body.
In other words, FIG. 20 illustrates a state where the bodies
191a and 191b out of the bodies 191a, 191b, 191c and 191d of
CA 02807783 2013-02-07
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the vertical member 190 completely come out. So, the bodies
191a and 191b are rotatable. It means that a storage space
196 which is greater or higher than the storage space 195 of
FIG. 19 can be formed.
As described above, in the sixth preferred embodiment,
the vertical member for forming the storage space may be
varied in height.
In the meantime, in order to remove the storage spaces
195 and 196 shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the user rotates the
body vertically standing in the opposite direction till the
body is in line with the sitting part 181, and then, forcedly
pushes the body into the receiving portion 185.
Seventh Embodiment
Referring to FIGS. 21 and 22, the seventh preferred
embodiment will be described.
FIG. 21 is a rear perspective view of a functional chair
according to a seventh preferred embodiment of the present
invention, and FIG. 22 is a view showing an example that the
functional chair according to the seventh preferred
embodiment of the present invention is used.
As shown in FIG. 21, the functional chair 200 includes a
sitting part 201 for allowing the user to sit on.
The functional chair 200 further includes chair legs 203
formed at the edges of the bottom face of the sitting part
201, so that the sitting part 201 is spaced apart from the
floor.
The functional chair 200 further includes a backrest 205
upwardly standing at the rear of the sitting part 201 for
supporting the back of the user who sits on the sitting part
201. The backrest 205 may be formed integrally with the rear
of the sitting part 201 or formed separately.
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The backrest 205 has a vertical member 207 disposed on
the rear face thereof for forming a storage space. The
vertical member 207 has a body of an approximately L' shape.
Some of the body forms the rear face of the backrest 205 and
the other of the body is accommodated in a space portion (not
shown) formed inside the sitting part 201.
The functional chair according to the seventh preferred
embodiment is used as follows.
FIG. 21 shows a common state of the chair. In this case,
the functional chair 200 serves as a chair.
However, when the user wants to store his or her article
in the chair, the user pulls the vertical member 207 formed
on the rear face of the backrest 205 in the backward
direction of the functional chair 200.
FIG. 22 illustrates the above state. When the user
pulls the vertical member 207, the vertical member 207 is
spaced apart from the rear face of the backrest 205.
Accordingly, a storage space 209 is formed by the
backrest 205 and the 'L'-shaped vertical member 207, and the
user can store his or her article in the storage space 209.
Here, the vertical member 207 is in the state where some
of the body is accommodated inside the sitting part 201. So,
the vertical member 207 is supported by the sitting part 201,
and hence, can form the storage space 209.
Meanwhile, the sitting part 201 may have retaining jaws
formed therein to prevent that the vertical member 207
completely comes out from the sitting part 201.
Furthermore, it is obvious that the structure to move
the vertical member 207 from the sitting part 201 may adopt
one of various structures described in the fifth preferred
embodiment and the sixth preferred embodiment.
As described above, the functional chair according to
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the present invention has at least one storage space to allow
the user to store his or her article in the chair.
As described above, while the present invention has been
particularly shown and described with reference to the
example embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those
of ordinary skill in the art that the above embodiments of
the present invention are all exemplified and various changes,
modifications and equivalents may be made therein without
changing the essential characteristics and scope of the
present invention. Therefore, it would be understood that
the technical and protective scope of the present invention
shall be defined by the technical idea as defined by the
following claims.
[Industrial Applicability]
As described above, the functional chair according to
the present invention provides the storage space for storing
the user's articles therein, and is applicable to chairs of
various kinds and sizes which persons sit on.
