UPRIGHT ACTIVE-SITTING SEAT

Abstract

An upright active-sitting seat provides a connection of a seating leg to a base through an articulating joint that allows the user to move a seat front to back and side to side, allowing a more active sitting that encourages blood circulation. The chair includes a seat supported by a post that is connected to a mount via a ball joint rod by a transverse rod that is routed through the ball joint rod end. By way of a coil spring that engages with the mount and the post, the post is spring biased to a home position relative to the mount. When using the chair, a person may move the seat from the home position to a comfortable seating position. When the person stands from the chair after using it, the chair returns to its spring biased home position.

Claims

1. An upright active-sitting chair that permits the 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, the footrest being directed at an angle upwards and rearwards towards 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 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, whereby a triangle, for improved support of the user by triangulation, is formed by the three points of the seat saddle, the footrest, and the articulating joint.

2. The chair of claim 1, wherein the joint permits only limited articulation between the seat post and the base towards the right or left sides of the base, the permitted limited articulation towards the right or left sides being less than the articulation permitted in the forward direction.

3. The chair of claim 2, wherein the permitted limited articulation is limited to about 4 degrees side to side.

4. The chair of claim 1, further including a rear leg, and wherein the base has a rearward section opposite the forward section, the rear leg extending laterally along the rearward section to provide lateral support for the chair.

5. The chair of claim 4, wherein a longitudinal distance from the footrest to the rear leg is greater than a longitudinal distance from the footrest to the seat, whereby the rear leg is positioned behind the seat to provide greater longitudinal stability.

6. The chair of claim 1, further including wheels under the footrest, the wheels being laterally spaced in order to provide lateral support for the chair.

7. The chair of claim 1, wherein the base includes a horizontal section between the forward and rear sections, the footrest being angled upwards and rearwards relative to the horizontal section, the horizontal section providing a standing work area for the chair.

8. The chair of claim 1, wherein the saddle of the seat is formed by a cushioned ergonomically configured seat pan.

9. An upright active-sitting chair that permits the 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; 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 joint permitting only limited articulation between the seat post and the base towards the right or left sides of the base, the permitted limited articulation towards the right or left sides being less than the articulation permitted in the forward direction whereby a triangle, for improved support of the user by triangulation, is formed by the three points of the seat saddle, the footrest, and the articulating joint.

10. The chair of claim 9, wherein the permitted limited articulation is limited to about 4 degrees side to side.

11. The chair of claim 9, further including a rear leg, and wherein the base has a rearward section opposite the forward section, the rear leg extending laterally along the rearward section to provide lateral support for the chair.

12. The chair of claim 11, wherein a longitudinal distance from the footrest to the rear leg is greater than a longitudinal distance from the footrest to the seat, whereby the rear leg is positioned behind the seat to provide greater longitudinal stability.

13. The chair of claim 9, further including wheels under the footrest, the wheels being laterally spaced in order to provide lateral support for the chair.

14. The chair of claim 9, wherein the base includes a horizontal section between the forward and rear sections, the footrest being directed at an angle upwards and rearwards towards the saddle seat and angled upwards and rearwards relative to the horizontal section, the horizontal section providing a standing work area for the chair

15. The chair of claim 9, wherein the saddle of the seat is formed by a cushioned ergonomically configured seat pan.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] 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:

[0020] FIG. 1a is a view of a first prior art chair;

[0021] FIG. 1b is another view of the prior art of FIG. 1;

[0022] FIG. 1c is another view of the prior art chair of FIG. 1;

[0023] FIG. 1d is another view of the prior art chair of FIG. 1;

[0024] FIG. 2 is a view of a second prior art chair;

[0025] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 4 is a front view of the seat of FIG. 3;

[0027] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the seat of FIG. 3;

[0028] FIG. 6 is a right side view of the seat of FIG. 3:

[0029] FIG. 7 is a left side view of the seat of FIG. 3;

[0030] FIG. 8 is a top view of the seat of FIG. 3;

[0031] FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the seat of FIG. 3;

[0032] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an optional desk for use with the seat of FIG. 3;

[0033] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the seat of FIG. 3 showing the different directions of movement of the post;

[0034] FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the joint connection of the present invention;

[0035] FIG. 13 shows a front elevational view thereof;

[0036] FIG. 14 shows an enlarged close-up view thereof;

[0037] FIG. 15 shows an enlarged close-up perspective view thereof;

[0038] FIG. 16 shows a bottom view of one embodiment of the joint connection of the present invention;

[0039] FIG. 17 shows a bottom perspective view of one embodiment of the joint connection of the present invention;

[0040] FIG. 18a shows a prior art male threaded steel ball joint rod end employed in one embodiment of the seat of the present invention;

[0041] FIG. 18b shows a prior art female threaded steel ball joint rod end employed in another embodiment of the seat of the present invention;

[0042] 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

[0043] FIG. 18d shows a top view of the prior art male threaded steel ball joint rod end.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] The seat is supported on the ground by wheels 40 at one end and the rear leg 13A at 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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 will be between the wheels 40 and the rear leg 13A when in use, thereby increasing longitudinal stability of the seat.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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 respect to the desk 50.

[0062] 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.

[0063] It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be covered by the present invention.