Aspects of this invention include new measures of hip-torso posture and strength of the legs. These new measures are made using new tools. Measurement of hip-torso posture can be made using simple tools. One such tool can be applied to the hips, and indicates relative angle of the spine. Photographic tools can be used to analyze posture relative to vertical references. Measurement of leg strength can be made using a device incorporating accelerometers and computer implemented instructions to quantify forward/backward, left/right, or rotational acceleration when the legs are challenged. Other aspects include devices with computer implemented instructions to quantify leg strength. Using the new devices and methods, one can objectively determine postures that are ergonomically appropriate for persons sitting and working at workstations.

Disclosed is a functional chair capable of adjusting a height of a seat according to a body type and posture of a user. The functional chair includes a first seat configured to support a left pelvis, a second seat which is provided at a right side of the first seat and is configured to support a left pelvis, a frame which is provided below the first seat and the second seat to support the first and second seats, a backrest which protrudes from one side of the first and second seats in an upward direction to support a user's back, a seat pressure measuring unit which is respectively provided on the first seat and the second seat to measure pressure of the first and second seats and send a first pressure value and a second pressure value, a controller which receives the first pressure value and the second pressure value from the seat pressure measuring unit to generate a height adjusting signal for adjusting a height of the first and second seats, a memory which stores in advance drive command information corresponding to a difference between the first pressure value and the second pressure value, a first height adjusting unit which is provided between the first seat and the frame to adjust the height of the first seat according to the height adjusting signal from the controller, and a second height adjusting unit which is provided between the second seat and the frame to adjust the height of the second seat according to the height adjusting signal from the controller.

A vehicle seating assembly has a seat having a lower seat and a seatback extending upwardly from the lower seat. The seatback has a lower stationary seatback base portion having a seatback frame assembly, and an upper movable seatback hood module vertically adjustable relative the lower stationary portion. The upper movable seatback hood module has an upper seatback slide bracket, and a plurality of rail guides slidably engaging a rail. An electric motor drive unit engages a driven member to vertically adjust the upper movable seatback hood module relative the lower stationary portion when the electric motor drive unit is actuated.

A support surface including a cutout on a bottom surface of the support surface. The cutout, which can include a plurality of cutouts, provides a controlled structural collapse of the support surface by varying a stiffness in a cross-section. That is, the area in which the cutouts are positioned collapses more easily than the surrounding area of the support structure, thus making the area with the cutouts perceived as being softer. The cutouts can reduce the peak pressures on the portion of the user's body (for example, the user's ischial tuberosities) that is positioned over the cutouts. The support surface can also include a low-friction interface extending across a top surface of the support surface.

A seat cushion according to the present invention is configured as a fluid or gas containing bag. When weight of buttocks are transferred back and forth in left, right, front, rear directions, the fluid or gas contained therein will be transferred back and forth. The level of the fluid or gas contained in the seat cushion is defined by the manufacturer which is 5-40 millimeters. The fluid or gas is detained inside in use. The seat cushion can be laid on cushion of different seats and on the floor.

An automatically adjusting comfort method includes measuring pressure applied by a user via a pressure-sensor array, determining a pressure profile based on measurements from the pressure-sensor array, comparing the pressure profile to a first limit, determining a cumulative pressure profile over a predetermined duration, comparing the cumulative pressure profile to a second limit, and adjusting one or more of a plurality of adjusting mechanisms configured to alter the pressure profile for increased comfort of the user when the pressure profile exceeds the first limit or the second limit. An automatically adjusting comfort system includes a pressure-sensor array communicatively coupled to a controller for determining a cumulative pressure profile over time, and a plurality of adjusting mechanisms configured to alter the pressure profile to increase a user's comfort, wherein the controller automatically adjusts one or more of the plurality of adjusting mechanisms based on the cumulative pressure profile.

The present invention, method and apparatus, relates to supporting normal functions of blood circulatory systems over extended periods of sitting. The invented apparatus and method help blood circulatory systems function normally, while keeping body and or sitting pose unchanged. Keeping body and or sitting pose unchanged are necessary in many circumstances involving extended periods of sitting such as driving an automobile, or sitting without being interrupted by unwanted moves from the seat.

The invention relates to a mechanical assembly (2), said mechanical assembly (2) comprising, in addition to a leaf spring, at least one further spring element, the elastic restoring force of the at least one further spring element and the elastic restoring force of the one or more leaf springs supporting the seat shell (S) with a total restoring force, and/or the mechanical assembly (2) comprising at least two leaf springs and at least two supports, each support being associated with one of the leaf springs, and at least two supports being displaceable beneath the leaf springs by means of an adjustment mechanism and being displaceable on their trajectories by different extents.

A seat assembly is provided with a seat cushion and a pivotal seat back. Sensors are connected to the seat cushion and/or the seat back to detect a seating position. An actuator is connected to the seat cushion and/or the seat back for adjustment. A controller is configured to receive data from the plurality sensors, compare the data to determine if the occupant is seated evenly, and adjust the actuator to balance the occupant posture seating position. The controller is in electrical communication with an inflation device to inflate a first air bladder assembly in a thoracic region of the seat back. A second air bladder assembly oriented in a lumbar region, a sacrum region, and/or a scapular region of the seat back is inflated after initiating inflation of the first air bladder assembly for sequential posture alignment.

In one aspect, a computerized method includes the step of providing a dynamic exercise chair. The dynamic exercise chair includes a plurality of force providing elements that provide a resistance force to a seatback of the dynamic exercise chair. The dynamic exercise chair includes a plurality of position sensors that monitor a seatback position of the dynamic exercise chair. The dynamic exercise chair includes a microcomputer system that provides a set of control signals to the plurality of force providing elements, and receives a sensor data from the plurality of position sensors.