Automated Task Chair

Abstract

An automated task chair with foot support that assists the user in sitting, working and resting in more optimal positions that promote both task effectiveness and user comfort.

Claims

1. A foot support for a seating device, comprising: a support surface positioned in front of the seating device in a position proximate to the bottom surface of the seating device user's feet; a securing element to attach said support surface to said seating device about the vertical axis on which the seating surface is suspended.

2. The foot support surface and support attachment of claim 1, further comprising a securing element that is pivotally connected to said vertical axis.

3. The foot support surface of claim 2, further comprising a low friction element on the underside of said support surface which is in contact with the floor plane and thus enables said foot support to be pivoted with minimal user effort about said vertical axis.

4. The foot support surface of claim 1, wherein the surface is substantially angled upward with the edge closest to the seating surface adjacent to the floor plane and the edge furtherest away from the seating surface raised some distance above the floor plane.

5. The foot support surface of claim 4, wherein the structure incorporates an angle adjustment means that enables the support surface edge closest to the seating surface to remain adjacent to the floor plane while the edge furtherest away from the seating surface is able to be raised some distance above the floor plane or lowered approximately flat to the floor plane, or set to any position along this range of travel.

6. The foot support surface and seating device of claim 1, further comprising a powered actuator that assists in raising or lowering the seating device along said vertical axis.

7. The foot support surface, seating device and powered actuator of claim 6, wherein the seating surface incorporates sensors that act to trigger the application of electric power to said actuator to either raise or lower said seating device along said vertical axis.

8. The foot support surface and seating device of claim 1, further comprising a powered actuator that assists in rotating the seating angle rearward or forward.

9. The foot support surface, seating device and powered actuator of claim 8, wherein the seating surface incorporates sensors that act to trigger the application of electric power to said actuator to either recline seating angle or tilt said seating angle into a forward-tilt orientation.

9. The foot support surface and seating device of claim 1, further comprising a powered actuator that assists in adjusting the headrest position in relation to the seating surface.

10. The foot support surface, seating device and powered actuator of claim 9, wherein the seating surface incorporates sensors that act to trigger the application of electric power to said actuator to adjust the headrest forward or rearward in relation to the seating surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Key components are numbered as follows: footplate (1), seat base (2), seat base vertical axis (3), seat base vertical axis actuator (4), seat angle adjustment mechanism (5), seat angle actuator (6), seat pan (7), armrest (8), armrest actuator (9), seat back (10), headrest (11), headrest adjustment mechanism (13), headrest height actuator (14), footplate pivot axis (15), footplate adjustment mechanism (15), footplate glides (16), footplate wheels (17), torsion spring (18), seat sensors (19)

[0031] FIG. 1 is a side view of the separate footrest support device attached to a standard task chair.

[0032] FIG. 2 is an orthographic view of the separate footrest support device.

[0033] FIG. 3 is an exploded orthographic view of the separate footrest support device

[0034] FIG. 4 is a top view of the separate footrest support device.

[0035] FIG. 5 is a side view of the device with the seat in an upright, forward-tilt position.

[0036] FIG. 6 is a side view of the device with the seat in semi-reclined position.

[0037] FIG. 7 is a side view of the device with the seat in full reclined position.

[0038] FIG. 8 is an orthographic view of the device with the seat in reclined position.

[0039] FIG. 9 is a top view of the device with the seat in reclined position.

[0040] FIG. 10 is side view of the device with an alternative base

[0041] FIG. 11 is a top view of the device with an alternative base

[0042] FIG. 12 is an orthographic view of the device with an alternative base

[0043] FIG. 13 is a side view of of the device with an alternative base with a cable and pulley-based mechanism linkage that rotates the footplate automatically as the seat is raised or lowered

[0044] FIG. 14 is a side view of of the device with an alternative base with a mechanism linkage that has rotated the footplate flush with the ground plane when the seat is raised

[0045] FIG. 15 is a simplified side view of the upper portion of a chair and seat angle adjustment mechanism in an upright position

[0046] FIG. 16 is a simplified orthographic detail view of a seat angle adjustment mechanism incorporating a torsion spring and seat angle actuator in an upright orientation

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] The components of the Automated Task Chair (ATC) include some or all of the following: [0048] Seat base means to support the seat structure [0049] Footplate means to support the user's feet and legs [0050] Seat vertical axis means to raise or lower the entire seat structure [0051] Seat base vertical axis actuator means to raise or lower the seat [0052] Seat angle adjustment mechanism means to change the angle of the seat [0053] Seat angle adjustment mechanism actuator means to change the angle of the seat [0054] Seat pan means to support the user's bottom/pelvis [0055] Armrest means to support the user's arms [0056] Armrest actuator means to raise or lower the arm support [0057] Seat back means to support the user's back [0058] Headrest means to support the user's head [0059] Headrest adjustment means to change the headrest position [0060] Headrest angle actuator means to change the headrest angle [0061] Headrest height actuator means to change the headrest height [0062] Footplate adjustment mechanism to change the footplate position [0063] Footplate actuator to change the footplate position and/or angle [0064] Sensor means to measure the position of relative seat components [0065] Sensor means to measure the pressure of the user's body at various points as it contacts the seating surfaces [0066] Control system means to receive data from the sensors, run programs and provide powered and/or automated movements by controlling the different actuators in the ATC

[0067] Additional potential embodiments of the device include: [0068] Control system means integrated into chair [0069] Control system means integrated into device that is separate from chair [0070] Control system integrated into smart device, e.g., mobile phone, computer [0071] Control system integrated into wearable device