Posture correcting system and related methods

Abstract

The invention relates generally to a system and methods for facilitating correcting and maintaining a good posture. More specifically, the invention is directed to a posture correcting chair including a seating component, a pump mechanism, and a frame assembly. The seating component may include an inflatable element and a base element. The inflatable element and the base element form a housing. The pump mechanism may include a pumpsuch as a mechanical or electrical pumpfor pumping a medium into or out from the housing such that an occupant of the seating component may maintain a good posture.

Claims

1. A posture correcting chair, comprising: a seating component including an inflatable element and a base element, the inflatable element and base element forming a housing such that the seating component is in a semi-spherical configuration when inflated and a compressed configuration when deflated, said semi-spherical configuration shaped to correct a posture of an occupant, said seating component including an upholstery layer covering the housing, said housing comprising an elastomer layer; a pump mechanism extending from said seating component, the pump mechanism facilitating inflating and deflating said housing; and a frame assembly connected to said seating component, the frame assembly comprising a post member, a height adjusting cylinder, and a plurality of supports.

2. The posture correcting chair of claim 1, further comprising: a foot bar positioned on said post member, wherein said foot bar is adjustable in height.

3. The posture correcting chair of claim 1, further comprising: a lever connected to said height adjusting cylinder, wherein said lever is configured to adjust a height of said seating component.

4. The posture correcting chair of claim 1, further comprising: a pair of handle bars positioned on opposing sides of said seating component.

5. The posture correcting chair of claim 4, wherein the posture correcting chair does not have an arm rest.

6. The posture correcting chair of claim 4, wherein the posture correcting chair does not have a back rest.

7. The posture correcting chair of claim 1, further comprising: a first hole and a second hole interposed between the inflatable element and the base element of said seating component, wherein said pump mechanism is configured to open and close at least one of the first hole and the second hole; a first pathway configured to convey a medium from outside the housing through the first hole to inside the housing; and a second pathway configured to convey the medium from inside the housing through the second hole to outside the housing.

8. The posture correcting chair of claim 7, wherein said pump mechanism comprises a manually-operated pump for pumping said medium into the housing and removing said medium out from the housing.

9. The posture correcting chair of claim 7, wherein said pump mechanism comprises an electric pump that is configured to pump said medium into the housing and extract said medium out from the housing.

10. The posture correcting chair of claim 7, wherein said medium is at least one of a gas or a liquid.

11. The posture correcting chair of claim 1, further comprising a release tab to assist in deflating said housing.

12. The posture correcting chair of claim 1, further comprising a silicone polymer interposed between the upholstery layer and the elastomer layer.

13. The posture correcting chair of claim 1, further comprising a pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure in the housing.

14. The posture correcting chair of claim 13, wherein said pump mechanism is configured to automatically inflate said seating component in response to the pressure detected.

15. The posture correcting chair of claim 13, wherein said pump mechanism is configured to automatically deflate said seating component in response to the pressure detected.

16. The posture correcting chair of claim 1, further comprising a proximity sensor configured to detect the occupant, wherein said pump mechanism is configured to automatically inflate said seating component in response to detecting the occupant.

17. The posture correcting chair of claim 1, further comprising a proximity sensor, wherein said pump mechanism is configured to automatically deflate said seating component when the proximity sensor indicates absence of the occupant.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention can be better understood by reading the following detailed description of certain preferred embodiments, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of the posture correcting chair according to an embodiment of the invention.

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the posture correcting chair according to an embodiment of the invention.

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates an elevation view of a first side of the posture correcting chair having a seating component in a compressed configuration according to an embodiment of the invention.

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates an elevation view of a second side of the posture correcting chair having a seating component in a semi-spherical configuration according to an embodiment of the invention.

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates an elevation view of a third side of the posture correcting chair according to an embodiment of the invention.

(7) FIG. 6 illustrates an elevation view of a forth side of the posture correcting chair according to an embodiment of the invention.

(8) FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of a seating component of the posture correcting chair according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(9) A posture correcting chair 100 is shown in FIG. 1. The posture correcting chair 100 includes a seating component 102, a pump mechanism 110, and a frame assembly 112. The seating component 102 includes an inflatable element 104 and a base element 106. The inflatable element 104 and the base element 106 form a housing 108. The housing 108 may be inflatable by a gassuch as airor a liquid. When the housing 108 is inflated, the seating component 102 may have a semi-spherical configuration 101A as shown in FIG. 1. When the housing 108 is deflated, the seating component may have a compressed configuration 101B (FIG. 3).

(10) The posture correcting chair 100 of FIG. 1 further includes a frame assembly 112. The frame assembly includes a post member 114, a height adjusting cylinder 111, and a support cylinder 115. The post member 114 extends from the base element 106 of the seating component 102. The support cylinder 115 is attached to the post member and may facilitate stabilizing the posture correcting chair 100. In particular, a plurality of support elements 116 extend outwardly from the support cylinder 115 to provide stability for a user. It is also contemplated that support elements 116 may include wheels to facilitate movement of the posture correcting chair 100. The frame assembly 112 further includes a height adjusting cylinder 111 that may releasably fix the position of the post member 114 to raise and lower the height of the seating component 102 depending on the needs of a user.

(11) The position of the seating component 102 is adjustable by lever 120 as shown in FIG. 2. In particular, lever 120 lever may pivotably mounted to the post member 114 of the frame assembly 112 for controlling the height of the seating component 102, for example, by actuating the height adjusting cylinder 111.

(12) As shown in FIG. 2, the pump mechanism 110 extends out from the base element 106 of the seating component 102. While illustrated as including a mechanical or manually-operated pump, it is contemplated that the pump mechanism 110 may include an electric pump for pumping the housing 108. For example, an electric pump may include batteries or connect to an outlet to, for example, actuate the pumping of a medium into the housing 108. In addition, the position of the pump mechanism 110 is for illustrative purposes only. For example, pump mechanism may be integral with the base element 106 (FIGS. 6-7) or positioned within the post member 114 of the frame assembly 112.

(13) As mentioned, pump mechanism 110 facilitates inflating and deflating the housing 108 of the seating component 102. As shown in FIG. 2, the pump mechanism 110 is a mechanical pump that a user may engage to convey a medium into the housing 108. In operation, a user may continuously compress the pump mechanism 110 to inflate the housing such that the semi-spherical configuration 101A is formed. To deflate, a user may compress the pump mechanism 110 such that the medium is allowed to flow out of the housing 108.

(14) In certain embodiments, a pump mechanism may include one or more pathways to convey a medium into or out from the housing 108 through one or more holes of the seating component 102. For example, the pump mechanism may include a first pathway to convey a medium from outside the housing 108 through a first hole to inside the housing 108. In another example, the pump mechanism may include a second pathway to convey the medium from inside the housing 108 through a second hole to outside the housing 108.

(15) As shown in FIG. 2, base element 106 may further include a release tab 122. In a deflating operation, release tab 122 may open to release a medium from the housing 108. For example, a user may simply place the release tab 122 in an open position and allow the inflating medium to naturally flow out from the housing 108. Alternatively, the user may apply pressuresuch as sitting on the seating component 102such that the medium is forced out from the housing 108 through the release tab 122.

(16) As the medium exits the housing 108, the seating component 102 may form the compressed configuration 101B shown in FIG. 3. The compressed configuration 101B of the seating component 102 may still provide a user with enough support and comfort. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the seating component 102 may further include handles 124 that permit a user to balance. Handles 124 are not like arm rests that are associated with traditional chairs. In particular, handles 124 are configured for a user's hands rather than his or her arms. For example, a user cannot slouch to one side or the other by leaning on the handles 124. In addition, embodiments of the posture correcting chair 100 do not include a back rest as seen with many traditional chairs. Back rests are typically associated with slouching forward or backward and, as a result, creating a poor posture. The posture correcting chair 100 may compel users to sit upright with feet flat on the floor. Also, depending on the configuration of the seating component 102, the posture correcting chair 100 may engage certain muscle groups that require balance and fix the user to a proper posture.

(17) FIG. 5 illustrates a side elevation view of the posture correcting chair 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As seen in FIG. 5, pump mechanism 109 is integral with the base element 106 of the seating component 102. Users may prefer the positioning of pump mechanism 109 as compared to pump mechanism 110 of FIG. 2 for various reasons. For example, pump mechanism 109 is less likely to be damaged as it does not suspend below the base element 106.

(18) The posture correcting chair 100 of FIG. 5 further includes handles 124 connected to the seating component 102 by a hinge 126. Hinge 126 may facilitate different positioning of the handles, based on the user's preferences or comfort. For example, FIG. 5 illustrates handles 124 in an upright position above the seating component 102 such that a user may balance or feel more secure.

(19) As shown in FIG. 6, handles 124 may also be pivoted, through the use of hinges 126, such that they are positioned below the seating component 102. In particular, a user may position the handles below the seating component 102 perpendicular or substantially parallel to the base element 102. The different positioning of the handles 124 provides a number of benefits to a user. For example, aside from balancing during sitting, a user may utilize the handles 124 to transport the posture correcting chair 100 easily. In another example, the user may attach certain itemssuch as cords or writing utensilsto handles 124.

(20) FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of the seating component 102 of the posture correcting chair 100. As shown in FIG. 7, the inflatable element 104 of the seating component 102 may include three layers: an upholstery layer 128, a silicone polymer layer 130, and an elastomer layer 132. The upholstery layer 128 may cover the seating component 102 and include a fabric, such as cotton, polyester, or a combination of each. The housing 108formed by the inflatable element 104 and the base element 106may include the silicone polymer layer 130 and elastomer layer 132. In particular, the silicone polymer layer 130 may act as barrier to protect the elastomer layer 132 from cuts or punctures to the seating component 102.

(21) Alterations to the posture correcting chair may include the addition of one or more sensors, such as a pressure sensor or proximity sensor. A pressure sensor may detect the pressure within the housing to determine whether a user is sitting on the seating component. Moreover, the pressure sensor may determine the amount of medium within the housing. A proximity sensor may emit an electromagnetic field and detect changes in the field to determine whether a user is nearby. Advantageously, in response to the determination of the one or more sensors, the posture correcting chair 100 may automatically activate a pump mechanism to inflate or deflate a housing. In certain embodiments, the posture correcting chair, in response to detecting the pressure, may be configured to provide a signal, such as a visual or sound. In other embodiments, the posture correcting chair may communicate with a user device through one or more standardized communication methods to transmit certain information, such as the pressure within the housing or the amount of time a user has been sitting.

(22) While this disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have herein been described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the disclosure to the particular embodiments disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.