A retractable seat assembly which can be attached to a vertical structure and which, in the upright position, presents a profile which is relatively thin and in any event poses virtually no impediment to going very close to the vertical structure. The retractable seat assembly having a rear support, a seat, a front support, and a biaser which releasably biases said seat to the generally upright position.

A support device has a main support surface for a person's body, including an auxiliary device influencing the main support surface shape. The auxiliary device includes: a group of supports supporting the main support surface, positioned on the side of the main support surface facing away from the body-supporting side, the supports each including a sub-support surface; an adjuster for each sub-support surface influencing the height of each sub-support surface. The device also includes a monitor for each sub-support surface monitoring the height of the respective sub-support surface; and a programmable control unit controlling the adjuster. The supports include an elastically bendable plate connected to the adjuster. The bending plate is connected to the sub-support surface to influence its height depending on the extent of bending imposed by the adjuster. The adjuster includes an electromotor on the concave side of the bending plate.

A motion seat is described that includes a chassis, a seat frame, a seat cushion, a backrest, and a resilient hinge. The seat frame is attached to the chassis and the seat cushion and the backrest are each attached to the seat frame. The resilient hinge formed as a unitary body and may be formed from a resilient polymer. The seat cushion and/or the backrest is pivotably attached to the seat frame with the resilient hinge

A retractable seat assembly which can be attached to a vertical structure and which, in the upright position, presents a profile which is relatively thin and in any event poses virtually no impediment to going very close to the vertical structure. The retractable seat assembly having a rear support, a seat, a front support, and a biaser which releasably biases said seat to the generally upright position.

A method of manufacturing suspension seating includes providing a blank to be used in a suspension member. The blank has a non-visible marker. The method also includes illuminating the non-visible marker with an excitation source. The non-visible marker becomes detectable when illuminated by the excitation source. The method further includes sensing the non-visible marker with a sensor. The sensor is configured to detect the non-visible marker when illuminated by the excitation source. The method also includes determining, by a controller, a characteristic of the blank using the non-visible marker. The controller is in communication with the sensor and configured to receive information related to the non-visible marker from the sensor. The method further includes adjusting the blank to achieve the desired characteristic.

A pneumatically adjustable bladder system (90) for use in a cushioned seat bottom (24) has one or two rear foam filled bladders (62, 64) for location under the ischial tuberosities of a seated occupant of the seat bottom, and one or more expansion chambers (14, 16) or front foam filled bladders (66, 68) for location under the thighs of the seated occupant. There are air passageways (70, 72, 74, 92) interconnecting the bladders with each other or with an expansion chamber. The system is air tight and the bladders are compressible under the weight of the seated occupant and are expandable when the weight is removed. The compression of a bladder causes air therewith in to be displaced through the air passageways to the expansion chambers or to the other bladders, which then expand. The compression of a bladder under the ischial tuberosities of the seated occupant and the expansion of the expansion chambers or of the other bladders under the thighs of the seated occupant cause the seated occupant to experience a correct level of immersion into the cushioned seat bottom which is desired for effective postural support and prevention of lower back pain.

A chair comprising: a metal frame formed by a plurality of metal elements, including a seat portion having two seat support elements and a backrest portion having two backrest support elements extending upwardly from the seat portion, a flexible backrest panel and/or a flexible seat panel of plastic material having two lateral hollow portions into which respective support elements are inserted, wherein, in a rest condition, there is a transverse clearance between outer edges of said lateral hollow portions and the respective support elements and wherein, in a deformed condition of the flexible backrest panel and/or flexible seat panel said transverse clearance is reduced to zero.

A chair comprising: a metal frame formed by a plurality of metal elements, including a seat portion having two seat support elements and a backrest portion having two backrest support elements extending upwardly from the seat portion, a flexible backrest panel and/or a flexible seat panel of plastic material having two lateral hollow portions into which respective support elements are inserted, wherein, in a rest condition, there is a transverse clearance between outer edges of said lateral hollow portions and the respective support elements and wherein, in a deformed condition of the flexible backrest panel and/or flexible seat panel said transverse clearance is reduced to zero.

A standing chair apparatus for improving stretching and comfort for a user, for use with a standing desk, the apparatus includes a movable base. The standing chair further includes a calf stretching plane on the movable base. The standing chair further includes a tower portion, extending from the movable base, the tower portioning including multiple stretch points.

A method of detecting and correcting a user's posture through use of a mobile posture-detection cushion for a chair or any other seating apparatus. The cushion contains individual support modules that actively monitor a user's current seated position and adjust the user to attain an optimum sitting posture in response to individual pressure sensors within the cushion, and provides user-specific feedback to each individual user over a period of time of use of the cushion.