Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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UPRIGHT ACTIVE-SITTING SEAT
[01]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[02] The invention relates generally to seating. In particular, the present
invention
relates to seating, such as chairs and other support structures. The invention
relates to a piece
of furniture to replace or compliment a traditional sit down chair and/or sit
down workstation.
[03] Seating is very well known in the prior art. Seating is,
traditionally, of the
configuration and arrangement where the user "sits down." For example, a
bench, chair or
sofa employs this common configuration.
[04] However, many people find that the traditional "sitting down" position
assumed when using typical office seating has, over time, a detrimental impact
on the physical
body. The result of this constant sedentary position, that does not encourage
or allow for a
great deal of physical movement, has recently come to be known as "sitting
disease."
Remaining in this traditional sitting position over extended periods of time
day after day has
been proven, based on a 2010 study by the American Cancer Society and
published in the
American Journal of Epidemiology, to have the effect of potentially shortening
one's life. The
study shows that an individual is up to 71% (men and women combined) more
likely to die
younger if s/he were inactive and sat over 6 hours per work day.
[05] There have been many attempts in the prior art to address the
shortcomings of
prior art seating of the "sitting down" position. For example, below are a
number of prior art
chairs that seek to address these shortcomings. However, as will be described
below, these
seating devices fail to adequately meet the needs of the user to avoid
"sitting disease."
[06] For example, as in Figs. la-d, U.S. Patent Nos. 7,367,623 and
6,644,748, sold
by Health Postures Inc. under the brand "Stance Chair" provide seating that
attempts to avoid
the "sitting down" position. While it is more of a traditional chair (albeit
rather cumbersome
looking) that converts to an upright leaning chair, it does not support the
pelvis and sitz bones
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in the same way as some embodiments disclosed herein. While it does allow the
user to
choose between a leaning and sitting posture both positions are very static
and freedom of
movement while working is not enhanced. This is problematic when it is used
for extended
periods of time. The seat of the Stance Chair is simply a traditional flat
cushion seat that is
raised and tilted at an angle when in the leaning position. This prior art
seat fails to include a
more desirable and comfortable contoured ''tractor" or "saddle" seat design
that allows for
more of a perching position. While there are a number of other "leaning
devices" in the prior
art, none of them, except the Stance Chair of Fig. 1, have a footrest
connected by a baseplate
incorporated into their design.
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[07] Turning now to Fig. 2, another prior art sitting device is shown. Fig.
2 illustrates a
sitting device from Muvman (Aeris ¨ Impulsmobel Gmbh & Co.) of Germany. This
device is a leaning seat has an innovative and patented "movement encouraging"
connection 68 between the baseplate 62 and seat support 66 that is referred to
as the
"Flexzone". Connection 68 is a simple ball and socket joint. The seat support
66 is
connected to the baseplate 62 by a post that can move between a seated
position 64A
and a standing position 64B as a user moves from a seated position 60A to a
standing
position 60B. However, this sitting device is devoid of a connected footrest.
[08] The foregoing prior art sitting devices fail to adequately address the
shortcomings of
the prior art. As a result, there is a need for a seat with which one can
assume a more
healthful and active work posture. There is a desire for a an upright "neutral
posture"
that promotes active-sitting and active-working while still maintaining the
needed
feeling of stability and security. There is a need for a leaning/sitting
platform that
can be easily adjusted to fit an individual's height and preferred
leaning/sitting angle.
There is a further need for an improved joint connection of the post of a
seat. There is
a need for length, angle and height adjustment. There is a need for an angled
footrest
that can provide a force that opposes the force generated by the tendency for
the feet
(while the body is in the leaning posture) to slide forward, away from the
seat
location.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[09] Some embodiments herein preserve advantages of prior art
seating. In addition,
they provide new advantages not found in currently available seating and
overcome many
disadvantages of such currently available seating.
[10] The upright active sitting or lean seat of some embodiments disclosed
herein
combats the tendency toward a sedentary work life by providing a more dynamic
upright
almost standing posture that promotes constant movement or more "active
working." Some
embodiments disclosed herein incorporate a saddle seat on which to sit/lean,
an angled
footrest connected to the seat by way of a base plate (or standing work area)
and an adjustable
height single leg on which the seat is connected by a unique articulating
universal joint. A
triangle, for improved support by triangulation, is formed by the user and the
device at the
three points of the user to the seat saddle, the user's feet to the foot rest
and the connection of
the post to the base via the articulating joint.
[11] More specifically, the universal joint allows for some limited and
controlled,
side to side movement (approximately 4 degrees) and substantial fore and aft
movement. The
universal joint is much more than a simple ball and socket joint. The
universal joint uniquely
provides free movement between the seat post and baseplate allows for more
'active' sitting
that encourages greater blood circulation thus enhancing concentration and
alertness. This
enables the seat to be tiltable in a back and forth direction. In one
embodiment the seat has a
footstep, and in another embodiment the base is attached to a workstation. The
attachment
between the base and a post is a ball joint connection that enables an
articulating motion. The
joint connection spring biases the post with seat thereon into a very upright
position. The user
pulls down (against the forces of the spring of the connection) to locate it
underneath them.
Then, when they are finished using the seat they simply stand up and the post
(and seat
saddle) spring back up out of the way. The foregoing is not possible in prior
art seating
devices.
[12] Therefore, an object of some embodiments disclosed herein is to
provide a seat
with which one can assume a more healthful and active work posture.
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[13] A further object of some embodiments disclosed herein is to provide an
upright
"neutral posture" that promotes active-sitting and active-working while still
maintaining the
needed feeling of stability and security.
[14] Another object of some embodiments disclosed herein is to provide a
5 leaning/sitting platform that can be easily adjusted to fit an
individual's height and preferred
leaning/sitting angle.
[15] Another object of some embodiments disclosed herein is to provide a
sitting
device that is customizable through length adjustment of the baseplate, height
adjustment of
the single leg and angle adjustment of the seat to leg joint.
[16] Yet another object of some embodiments disclosed herein is to provide
a
connected angled footrest to provide a force that opposes the force generated
by the tendency
for the feet (while the body is in the leaning posture) to slide forward, away
from the seat
location.
[17] There is a further object of some embodiments disclosed herein to
provide a
seat with a joint connection that allows free movement of the seat.
[18] Another object of some embodiments disclosed herein is to provide a
seat with
a joint connection that provides for a spring-biased seat that moves out of
the way when it is
no longer needed.
[18a] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is
provided an upright
active-sitting chair that permits a user to move between a leaning or sitting
posture and
provides improved support of the user by triangulation, the chair comprising:
a saddle seat on
which the user may sit or lean; a base having a footrest on a forward section
of the base, the
footrest being directed at an angle upwards and away from the saddle seat; an
elongate seat
post having a first end and a second end, the first end connecting to and
supporting the saddle
seat; an articulating joint connecting between the second end of the seat post
and the base, the
joint permitting articulation of the seat post with respect to the base such
that the seat post is
rotatable about the base in a forward direction towards the footrest, thereby
permitting the
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user to move between a leaning or sitting posture, the joint including spring
biasing that biases
the elongate seat post away from the footrest, whereby a triangle, for
improved support of the
user by triangulation, is formed by three points corresponding to the seat
saddle, the footrest,
and the articulating joint.
[18b] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided an
upright active-sitting chair that permits a user to move between a leaning or
sitting posture
and provides improved support of the user by triangulation, the chair
comprising: a saddle seat
on which the user may sit or lean; a base having a footrest on a forward
section of the base
and having right and left sides; an elongate seat post having a first end and
a second end, the
1 0 first end connecting to and supporting the saddle seat; an articulating
joint connecting between
the second end of the seat post and the base, the joint permitting
articulation between the seat
post and the base such that the seat post is rotatable about the base in a
forward direction
towards the footrest, thereby permitting the user to move between a leaning or
sitting posture,
the joint including spring biasing that biases the elongate seat post away
from the footrest, the
seat post having only limited articulation with respect to the base towards
the right or left
sides of the base, the limited articulation towards the right or left sides
being less than the
articulation in the forward direction, whereby a triangle, for improved
support of the user by
triangulation, is formed by three points corresponding to the seat saddle, the
footrest, and the
articulating joint.
[18c] According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided an
upright active-sitting chair that permits a user to move between a leaning or
sitting posture
and provides improved support of the user by triangulation, the chair
comprising: a saddle seat
on which the user may sit or lean; a base having a footrest on a forward
section of the base
and having right and left sides; an elongate seat post having a first end and
a second end, the
first end connecting to and supporting the saddle seat, the second end being
connected to an
articulating joint to permit articulation of the post relative to the base,
the seat post being
rotatable about the base in a forward direction towards the footrest, thereby
permitting the
user to move between a leaning or sitting posture, and in a side direction
towards the right or
left sides of the base, the joint including spring biasing that biases the
elongate seat post away
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from the footrest; a mount for connecting the seat post to the base, the mount
having an
elongate slot, the slot having a width that extends along a direction between
the right and left
sides of the base and a length extending in a direction perpendicular thereto,
the length of the
elongate slot being greater than its width, the second end of the post
received in the elongate
slot such that the rotation of the post in the side direction along the width
of the slot is less
than the rotation in the forward direction along the length of the slot,
whereby a triangle, for
improved support of the user by triangulation, is formed by three points
corresponding to the
seat saddle, the footrest, and the articulating joint.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[19] The novel features which are characteristic of the present invention
are set
forth in the appended claims. However, the invention's preferred embodiments,
together with
further objects and attendant advantages, will be best understood by reference
to the following
detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in
which:
[20] Fig. la is a view of a first prior art chair;
[21] Fig. lb is another view of the prior art of Fig. 1;
[22] Fig. lc is another view of the prior art chair of Fig. 1;
[23] Fig. id is another view of the prior art chair of Fig. 1;
[24] Fig. 2 is a view of a second prior art chair;
[25] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[26] Fig. 4 is a front view of the seat of Fig. 3;
[27] Fig. 5 is a rear view of the seat of Fig. 3;
[28] Fig. 6 is a right side view of the seat of Fig. 3;
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[29] Fig. 7 is a left side view of the seat of Fig. 3;
[30] Fig. 8 is a top view of the seat of Fig. 3;
[31] Fig. 9 is a bottom view of the seat of Fig. 3;
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[32] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of an optional desk for use with the
seat of Fig. 3;
[33] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the seat of Fig. 3 showing the
different directions of
movement of the post;
[34] Figs. 12 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the joint
connection of the
present invention;
[35] Fig. 13 shows a front elevational view thereof;
[36] Fig. 14 shows an enlarged close-up view thereof;
[37] Fig. 15 shows an enlarged close-up perspective view thereof;
[38] Fig. 16 shows a bottom view of one embodiment of the joint connection
of the present
invention;
[39] Fig. 17 shows a bottom perspective view of one embodiment of the joint
connection
of the present invention;
[40] Fig. 18a shows a prior art male threaded steel ball joint rod end
employed in one
embodiment of the seat of the present invention;
[41] Fig. 18b shows a prior art female threaded steel ball joint rod end
employed in another
embodiment of the seat of the present invention;
[42] Fig. 18c shows a side view of a prior art male threaded steel ball
joint rod end
employed in one embodiment of the seat of the present invention; and
[43] Fig. 18d shows a top view of the prior art male threaded steel ball
joint rod end.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[44] Figs. 3-9 show a preferred embodiment of the seat of the present
invention. The
upright active-sitting seat 10 of the present invention includes of an
adjustable base
(or baseplate) 12, an angled footrest 14 supported by wheels 40, a spring-
loaded
universal joint (or articulating joint) 30 (shown in detail in Figs. 11-17)
contained in a
mount 11, a single pneumatically adjustable leg 18, an ergonomically designed
seat
pan 20, a self molding seat cushion 22, and a living hinge seat to leg
connection 24,
an adjustment lever 26 to adjust the seat pan and a foot peg 28 for
controlling the
pneumatics of the adjustable leg, such as releasing the leg to lengthen the
seat height
and retracting the seat height when extended.
[45] As can be seen in Fig. 3, the present invention is an upright leaning
chair, which
supports the pelvis and sitz bones. It allows for the user to rotate the leg
18 forward
and back about the base 12, and thus choose between a leaning or sitting
posture, both
positions to provide freedom of position and movement while working. As will
be
discussed below, the leg can uniquely move in any direction, including front
to back
and side to side and positions in between. The present invention preferably
uses a
contoured "tractor" or "saddle" design for the seat pan 20 and seat cushion 22
that
allows for more of a perching position and added comfort. However, any type
and
configuration of seat pan can be used and still be within the scope of the
present
invention.
[46] As shown in Fig. 3, the mount 11, which contains the articulating
joint 30, has a rear
leg 13A and a front leg 13B that support it. The front leg 13B of the mount 11
is
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. .
connected to the base 12 having a footrest 14. The base 12 is releasably
connected to
the mount by a fastener 17 on the base that is received through a hole in the
base 12
and then through a slot 15 in the front leg 13B and into a fastener receiver
19 such
that the distance from the footrest to the mount can be adjusted and then
secured in
place by releasing the fastener and sliding the front leg 13B in or out of an
opening in
the base 12, according to user preferences.
[47] The fastener 17 may be a male threaded fastener, and it may be
received in a female
threaded receptacle on the opposite side of the front leg 13B. Figs. 8 and 9
show one
embodiment of a possible fastener 17 and fastener receiver 19 that can be used
in the
present invention. Alternative fastening means may be used. For example, a
clamping
mechanism a ratcheting mechanism, or any other mechanism capable of releasably
locking the front leg 13B in place relative to the base 12.
[48] Figs. 4 and 5 show front and rear views, respectively, of one
embodiment of the
upright active sitting seat of the present invention. In these front and rear
views, the
chair is shown with a leg 18 that is in substantially vertical alignment with
respect to
the base 12. The spring-loaded universal joint 30 allows the leg 18 to rotate
front to
back and rotate side to side with respect to the base, as discussed below. The
living
hinge 24 that connects the seat pan 20 to the pneumatically adjustable leg (or
post) 18
allows the seat to adjust to a comfortable angle with respect to the leg as
the leg is
adjusted to a comfortable height and angle with respect to the base 12. The
leg may be
adjustable to a comfortable height using a pneumatic cylinder within the leg.
[49] The seat is supported on the ground by wheels 40 at one end and the
rear leg 13A at
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the other end. Wheels 40 enable easy transport of the device by rolling. Fig.
4 shows
that the wheels 40 under the footrest 14 are spaced apart so that they provide
proper
lateral support for the seat structure. At the other end of the base, the rear
leg 13A is
elongated laterally to provide additional lateral support. The distance
between the
wheels and the length of the elongated rear leg can be adjusted to maximize
the
stability provided by the base when the seat is rotated side to side about the
articulating joint as discussed below.
[50] The wheels 40 and the rear leg 13A also provide support, as the seat
is rotated forward
and back about the articulating joint during use, as discussed below. Figs. 6
and 7
show left and right side views of one embodiment of the upright active sitting
seat of
the present invention. Here, the spring-biased forward angle of the leg 18
with respect
to the base 12 is visible. The angles of the footrest and the leg with respect
to the base
can be adjusted to maximize user comfort in other embodiments.
[51] The spring-biased position of the post is shown in Fig. 6 as being
substantially
vertical, though not completely vertical. In various embodiments of this
invention, it
is possible to provide a joint connection 30 with a post 18 that is spring
biased to a
perfectly vertical or substantially vertical position, such that when a user
stands up
from the seat, the seat 20 springs up and out of the way of the user. In other
embodiments, the post could be spring biased to another position that is
behind the
user when the user stands up from the seat.
[52] Figs. 8 and 9 also show how the rear leg 13A is located at a greater
longitudinal
distance from the footrest 14 than the seat 20 is. Thus, the center of gravity
of the user
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will be between the wheels 40 and the rear leg 13A when in use, thereby
increasing
longitudinal stability of the seat.
[53] The upright active sitting seat of the present invention uses a unique
articulating joint
connection 30 to provide the freedom of position and movement. Referring to
Figs.
11-17, the joint connection of the present invention is shown in detail. This
articulating joint 30 connects the post (or leg) 18 to the base (or baseplate)
12. The
joint enables the post 18 to move side to side and front to back (and in
between) with
full freedom of motion, as shown by the arrows A and A' in Fig. 11. This is
important so that when someone sits on the seat, they can move it easily on
the fly for
the most comfort.
[54] As shown in Fig. 11, the seat is spring biased in the direction C, so
that the user can
move the post 18 to a comfortable position when using the seat. The ball joint
rod end
32, as seen in Figs. 13-17 and 18a-d, allows for rotation of the post forward
and back
along the arrows A and A' as well as side-to-side along the arrows B and B'.
In one
embodiment, the rotation of the post along the arrows B and B' is limited to
roughly 4
degrees. Limited side-to-side mobility improves stability of the seat. Still,
some
embodiments may allow for more or less side-to-side play along the arrows B
and B',
according to user preferences.
[55] In one embodiment, the joint connection 30 spring-biases the post 18
with seat 20
thereon into a very upright position. The user pulls down (against the forces
of the
spring of the connection) to locate it underneath them. Then, when they are
finished
using the seat, they simply stand up and the post 18 (and seat saddle 20)
springs up
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s
,
12
. .
out of the way. See Fig. 11. The internal construction is shown in Figs. 12-
17, which
provides the desired articulating motion and spring-biasing action. This joint
uses a
"steel ball joint rod end" 32 (an example of one is shown in Figs. 18a-d) to
provide the
side-to-side play in the connection.
[56] In Fig. 13, a front view shows where a rod end 32 is installed into
the bottom end of
the post 18 and springs 36 are used to spring-bias that connection. Fig. 14 is
a close-
up view the installation of the rod end 32 into the bottom of the post 18. A
transverse
rod 34 runs through the aperture 32a pivoting ball-joint like portion 32b of
the rod end
32 (as in Fig. 18a) and is connected to the mount (or housing) 11, thereby
connecting
the post 18 to the mount 11. The coil springs 36 are routed about the
transverse rod
on both sides of the rod end. Each coil spring 36 has a first free end 37A and
a second
free end 37B. As seen in Figs. 14 and 15, first free ends 37A of both of the
springs are
respectively captured by a screw post 38 on the mount 11.
[57] In the bottom view of Fig. 16, both of the first free ends 37A, of the
springs captured
by their respective screw posts 38 on the mount 11. In Fig. 17, a further
bottom view
is shown that illustrates the second free ends 37B of the coil springs being
captured in
their own respective apertures 39 in the bottom of the post. Thus, having the
first and
second free ends 37A, 37B of the springs captured (one on the mount 11 and one
on
the post 18) the post will then be spring-biased relative to the base. The
springs are
located and tuned so that the seat is spring-biased to a resting "home"
position.
[58] It is possible to replace the springs of Figs. 14-17 with any spring
or springs capable
of spring biasing the post to a home position relative to the mount. Although
the
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,
,
13
. ,
connection is shown as having two coil springs, other embodiments may have
springs
that are not coil springs. Also, other embodiments may have just a single
spring or
more than two springs.
[59] Although the first and second spring ends 37A, 37B are shown as
engaging screw
posts 38 on the mount 11 and apertures 39 on the post 18, either of these
contact
points could employ screw posts or apertures. Additionally, other structures
can be
used to provide a spring biased position of the post with respect to the
mount. For
example, ends of the springs could be permanently fastened to the post and/or
mount
by threaded fasteners, non-threaded fasteners, welded connections, and other
fasteners. Also, although the apertures 39 are shown as generally circular
holes in Fig.
17, they may be of any shape that is capable of accommodating an end of a
spring
while providing a surface that supports that spring end in tension or
compression.
[60] The nature of the joint rod end 32 enables side-to-side and front to
back movement
(and locations therebetween as dictated by the characteristics of the rod end)
to give
the upright seat is unique freedom of motion. Figs. 18a-d provide as an
example high-
strength steel ball joint rod ends that can be employed by the present
invention
[61] The upright active sitting seat of this invention can be used in
conjunction with a
freestanding desk/workstation 50, such as that shown in Fig. 10, located
proximal to
the seat of Fig. 3 to provide a comfortable work surface. Wheels 40 on the
base 12
allow the user to tilt the base so that it rolls along the floor and position
the active
sitting seat 10 near a desk 50. The user can then move the seat 20 into a
comfortable
position via the articulating joint 30 without having to reposition the base
12 with
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respect to the desk 50.
[62] While the upright active sitting seat is preferably a standalone unit
as shown in
Figs. 3-9, it may be provided in a version that incorporates or integrates an
adjustable work
surface or table top. This work surface would accommodate ease of entry and
exit by way of a
sliding tabletop surface or support legs that would angle back and forth. In a
sense this version
is a self-contained small footprint standing workstation.
[63] It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various
changes and
modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments. All such
modifications and
changes are intended to be covered by the claims.
