Height adjustable stool seat

Abstract

An adjustable stool seat may include a seat, a pedestal leg assembly, and a lift cylinder. The seat includes a bushing member. The pedestal leg assembly includes a plurality of legs and a center column. Each plurality of legs extends towards a support surface and is coupled to the center column. The lift cylinder includes a rod and a cylinder assembly. The rod is fixedly slidable into the cylinder assembly to a cylinder depth. The cylinder depth is selectable from a plurality of cylinder depths. The cylinder assembly is fixedly insertable into the center column to a column depth. The column depth is selectable from a plurality of column depths. The rod includes a rod end and the rod end is coupled to the bushing member.

Claims

1. An adjustable stool seat, comprising: a seat including a bushing member; a pedestal leg assembly including a plurality of legs and a center column, each plurality of legs extends towards a support surface and is coupled to the center column; a lift cylinder including a rod and a cylinder assembly, the rod fixedly slidable into the cylinder assembly to a cylinder depth, the cylinder depth selectable from a plurality of cylinder depths, the cylinder assembly fixedly insertable into the center column to a column depth, the column depth selectable from a plurality of column depths, the rod includes a rod end, the rod end coupled to the bushing member.

2. The adjustable stool seat of claim 1, wherein the seat includes a height adjustment lever, and wherein the lift cylinder includes a push valve member and a threaded end, the height adjustment lever includes a first handle end, a second handle end, and a handle, the handle disposed on the first handle end, the first handle end opposite the second handle end, the second handle end moveably coupled to the seat, the push valve member coupled to the cylinder assembly and disposed extending from the threaded end, the second handle end moveable to contact the push valve member to select each plurality of cylinder depths.

3. The adjustable stool seat of claim 2, wherein the rod includes an extended end and a retracted end, the retracted end opposite the extended end, and wherein the cylinder assembly includes an insertion end, when the rod begins to fixedly slide into the cylinder assembly, the extended end abuts the insertion end, and when the rod stops to fixedly slide into the cylinder assembly, the retracted end abuts the insertion end.

4. The adjustable stool seat of claim 3, wherein the plurality of cylinder depths is defined by a cylinder distance between the rod beginning to fixedly slide into the cylinder assembly to the rod stopping to fixedly slide into the cylinder assembly, inclusive.

5. The adjustable stool seat of claim 3, wherein the cylinder assembly includes a cylinder end and an end cap, the cylinder end opposite the rod end, the end cap coupled to the cylinder end.

6. The adjustable stool seat of claim 1, wherein the cylinder assembly includes a threaded cylinder surface, and wherein the center column includes an inside threaded column surface, the threaded cylinder surface rotates into the inside threaded column surface to fixedly insert the cylinder assembly into the center column and select each plurality of column depths.

7. The adjustable stool seat of claim 6, wherein the center column includes an open end and a through hole end, the through hole end opposite the open end, and wherein the inside threaded column surface includes a first column end and a second column end, the second column end opposite the first column end, the first column end disposed at the open end, second column end disposed at the through hole end, and wherein the threaded cylinder surface includes a first cylinder end and a second cylinder end, the rod end opposite the first cylinder end, the second cylinder end between the rod end and the first cylinder end, when the threaded cylinder surface begins to rotate into the inside threaded column surface, the first cylinder end abuts the first column end, and when the threaded cylinder surface stops to rotate into the inside threaded column surface, the first cylinder end abuts the second column end and the second cylinder end abuts the first column end.

8. The adjustable stool seat of claim 7, wherein the plurality of column depths is defined by a column distance between the threaded cylinder surface beginning to rotate into the inside threaded column surface and the threaded cylinder surface stopping to rotate into the inside threaded column surface, inclusive.

9. The adjustable stool seat of claim 7, further comprising a lock nut and a locking ring, the lock nut includes an internal threaded nut surface, the internal threaded nut surface fixedly coupled to the threaded cylinder surface from the first cylinder end to the second cylinder end to lock the cylinder assembly in the center column at each plurality of column depths, the locking ring disposed between the lock nut and a ledge of the cylinder assembly.

10. The adjustable stool seat of claim 7, wherein the pedestal leg assembly includes a slide bracket, a stop clamp, and a column hinge assembly, the stop clamp disposed surrounding the through hole end, the slide bracket fixedly slidable on an outside of the center column, the column hinge assembly coupled to the outside of the center column at the open end, and wherein each plurality of legs includes a rotatable end, mid-level portion, a support end, a mid-level hinge assembly, and a mid-level spreader, the rotatable end opposite the support end, the mid-level portion between the rotatable end and the support end, each plurality of legs rotatably coupled to the column hinge assembly at the rotatable end, the mid-level hinge assembly coupled to each plurality of legs at the mid-level portion, a leg end of the mid-level spreader rotatably coupled to the mid-level hinge assembly, a bracket end of the mid-level spreader rotatably coupled to the slide bracket, the bracket end opposite the leg end, the support end abuts the support surface.

11. The adjustable stool seat of claim 10, wherein the pedestal leg assembly includes a stored state and an assembled state, when the pedestal leg assembly is in the stored state, each plurality of legs is parallel to the center column, when the pedestal leg assembly is in the assembled state, each plurality of legs is not parallel to the center column and the mid-level spreader is perpendicular to the center column.

12. The adjustable stool seat of claim 11, wherein the pedestal leg assembly includes a leg bumper ring and a bracket bumper ring, and wherein the slide bracket includes a low friction member, a dog point member, a bracket opening, a set fastener, and a bushing, the leg bumper ring disposed in an annular clamp groove opposite the through hole end, the bracket bumper ring disposed in an annular cut-out groove between the stop clamp and the center column, the low friction member disposed between the stop clamp and the center column, the low friction member includes a point opening, the dog point member abuts the point opening, the dog point member centrally disposed between the slide bracket and the center column, the set fastener fixedly insertable into the bracket opening and bushing to abut the dog point member, when the pedestal leg assembly is in the stored state, the slide bracket is between the open end and the through hole end, and when the pedestal leg assembly is in the assembled state, the slide bracket abuts the stop clamp and the bracket bumper ring, the set fastener is tightened to fixedly couple the slide bracket to the outside of the center column.

13. The adjustable stool seat of claim 12, wherein the set fastener includes a set screw, and wherein the bushing includes a bushing internal threaded surface.

14. The adjustable stool seat of claim 7, wherein the pedestal leg assembly includes a plurality of fixed hinge assemblies, and wherein each plurality of legs includes a fixed end and an alternative support end, the fixed end respectively coupled to the plurality of fixed hinge assemblies, the alternative support end abuts the support surface, each plurality of legs is not parallel to the center column.

15. The adjustable stool seat of claim 14, wherein the plurality of fixed hinge assemblies include four plurality of fixed hinge assemblies.

16. The adjustable stool seat of claim 1, wherein the lift cylinder includes a pneumatic lift cylinder or a hydraulic lift cylinder.

17. The adjustable stool seat of claim 1, wherein the plurality of legs include four plurality of legs.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] Unless specified otherwise, the accompanying drawings illustrate aspects of the innovative subject matter described herein. Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate similar parts throughout the several views, several examples of height adjustable stool seats incorporating aspects of the presently disclosed principles are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation.

[0020] FIG. 1A illustrates an adjustable stool seat according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 1B is a partially exploded view of the adjustable stool seat of FIG. 1A, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of circle A of the adjustable stool seat of FIGS. 1A and 1B, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 2B is a detailed cross-sectional view of circle A of the adjustable stool seat of FIG. 2A, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable stool seat of FIGS. 1A and 1B, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 4 is another cross-sectional view of the adjustable stool seat of FIGS. 1A and 1B, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 5 is yet another cross-sectional view of the adjustable stool seat of FIGS. 1A and 1B, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 6 is further yet another cross-sectional view of the adjustable stool seat of FIGS. 1A and 1B, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative adjustable stool seat according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The following describes various principles related to adjustable stool seats by way of reference to specific examples of seats and pedestal leg assemblies, including specific arrangements and examples of lift cylinders embodying innovative concepts. More particularly, but not exclusively, such innovative principles are described in relation to selected examples of rods, cylinder assemblies and center columns of pedestal leg assemblies, and well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail for purposes of succinctness and clarity. Nonetheless, the disclosed principles can be incorporated in various other embodiments of different rods, cylinder assemblies and center columns of pedestal leg assemblies to achieve any of a variety of desired outcomes, characteristics, and/or performance criteria.

[0030] Thus, rods, cylinder assemblies and center columns of pedestal leg assemblies having attributes that are different from those specific examples discussed herein can embody of the innovative principles, and can be used in applications not described herein in detail. Accordingly, embodiments of rods, cylinder assemblies and center columns of pedestal leg assemblies not described herein in detail also fall within the scope of this disclosure, as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the relevant art following a review of this disclosure.

[0031] Example embodiments as disclosed herein are directed to height adjustable stool seats on legs or pedestals. The legs or pedestals are placed on a support surface and a user can comfortably sit on, move around on and adjust the seats. The height of the stool seats is adjusted by both screw mechanisms and a pneumatic/hydraulic adjustment mechanisms. The screw mechanisms can include threaded columns that allow for height adjustments. As an example, a seat can be turned clockwise to raise the seat and turned counterclockwise to lower the seat. The pneumatic/hydraulic adjustment mechanisms can include a center column with a handle. Pulling up on the handle can raise the seat and pushing down on the panel can allow a user to lower the seat. For pneumatic lift cylinders, a gas, such as air, enters one side of a cylinder, to increase an internal pressure, as the internal pressure increases, a piston moves to extend or retract. For hydraulic lift cylinders, a hydraulic fluid, such as oil, enters one side of a cylinder, to increase fluid pressure, as the fluid pressure increases, a piston moves to extend or retract.

[0032] The adjustable stool seats can be used in offices, clinics, studios, labs, and workshops and be used by, for example, drummers as a height adjustable drum stool seat.

[0033] FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3, 4, 5, and 6 include at least an embodiment of an adjustable stool seat 10. The adjustable stool seat 10 includes a seat 13, a pedestal leg assembly 11, and a lift cylinder 12. The seat 13 includes a bushing 1142 member 17. The seat 13 can be a cushioned seat 13. The pedestal leg assembly 11 includes a plurality of legs 112 and a center column 111. Each plurality of legs 112 extends towards a support surface and is coupled to the center column 111. A lift cylinder 12 includes a rod 122 and a cylinder assembly 121. The rod 122 is fixedly slidable into the cylinder assembly 121 to a cylinder depth. The cylinder depth is selectable from a plurality of cylinder depths. The cylinder assembly 121 is fixedly insertable into the center column 111 to a column depth. The column depth is selectable from a plurality of column depths. The rod 122 includes a rod end 169 and the rod end 169 is coupled to the bushing 1142 member 17. In some embodiments, the cylinder assembly 121 includes a cylinder end 1219 and an end cap 15. In some embodiments, the plurality of legs 112 include four plurality of legs 112. The plurality of legs 112 can be pod legs.

[0034] In some embodiments, the seat 13 includes a height adjustment lever 14, and the lift cylinder 12 includes a push valve member 1129 and a threaded end 16. The height adjustment lever 14 includes a first handle end 149, a second handle end 141, and a handle 145. The handle 145 is disposed on the first handle end 149 and the first handle end 149 is opposite the second handle end 141. The second handle end 141 is moveably coupled to the seat 13. The push valve member 1129 is coupled to the cylinder assembly 121 and disposed extending from the threaded end 16. The second handle end 141 is moveable to contact the push valve member 1129 to select each plurality of cylinder depths. In some embodiments, the lift cylinder 12 includes a pneumatic lift cylinder or a hydraulic lift cylinder.

[0035] In some embodiments, the rod 122 includes an extended end 1221 and a retracted end 1229, and the cylinder assembly 121 includes an insertion end 1210. The retracted end 1229 is opposite the extended end 1221. When the rod 122 begins to fixedly slide into the cylinder assembly 121, the extended end 1221 abuts the insertion end 1210. When the rod 122 stops to fixedly slide into the cylinder assembly 121, the retracted end 1229 abuts the insertion end 1210. In some embodiments, the plurality of cylinder depths is defined by a cylinder distance between the rod 122 beginning to fixedly slide into the cylinder assembly 121 to the rod 122 stopping to fixedly slide into the cylinder assembly 121, inclusive. Thus, the plurality of cylinder depths is equal to a distance between the extended end 1221 to the retracted end 1229. The cylinder end 1219 is opposite the rod end 169 and the end cap 15 is coupled to the cylinder end 1219.

[0036] In some embodiments, the cylinder assembly 121 includes a threaded cylinder surface 1211, and the center column 111 includes an inside threaded column surface 113. The threaded cylinder surface 1211 rotates into the inside threaded column surface 113 to fixedly insert the cylinder assembly 121 into the center column 111 and select each plurality of column depths.

[0037] In some embodiments, the center column 111 includes an open end 1111 and a through hole end 1119, and wherein the inside threaded column surface 113 includes a first column end 1131 and a second column end 1139, and wherein the threaded cylinder surface 1211 includes a first cylinder end 12111 and a second cylinder end 12119. The through hole end 1119 is opposite the open end 1111 and the second column end 1139 is opposite the first column end 1131. The first column end 1131 is disposed at the open end 1111 and second column end 1139 is disposed at the through hole end 1119. The rod end 169 is opposite the first cylinder end 12111 and the second cylinder end 12119 is between the rod end 169 and the first cylinder end 12111. When the threaded cylinder surface 1211 begins to rotate into the inside threaded column surface 113, the first cylinder end 12111 abuts the first column end 1131. When the threaded cylinder surface 1211 stops to rotate into the inside threaded column surface 113, the first cylinder end 12111 abuts the second column end 1139 and the second cylinder end 12119 abuts the first column end 1131. In some embodiments, the plurality of column depths is defined by a column distance between the threaded cylinder surface 1211 beginning to rotate into the inside threaded column surface 113 and the threaded cylinder surface 1211 stopping to rotate into the inside threaded column surface 113, inclusive. Thus, the plurality of column depths is equal to a distance between the first cylinder end 12111 to the second cylinder end 12119 or a distance between the first column end 1131 to the second column end 1139.

[0038] In some embodiments, the adjustable stool seat 10, further includes a lock nut 110 and a locking ring 120. The lock nut 110 includes an internal threaded nut surface. The internal threaded nut surface is fixedly coupled to the threaded cylinder surface 1211 from the first cylinder end 12111 to the second cylinder end 12119 to lock the cylinder assembly 121 in the center column 111 at each plurality of column depths. The locking ring 120 is disposed between the lock nut 110 and a ledge of the cylinder assembly 121.

[0039] In some embodiments, the pedestal leg assembly 11 includes a slide bracket 114, a stop clamp 116, and a column hinge assembly 1112, and wherein each plurality of legs 112 includes a rotatable end 11299, mid-level portion 1125, a support end 1121, a mid-level hinge assembly 1115, and a mid-level spreader 115. The stop clamp 116 is disposed surrounding the through hole end 1119. The slide bracket 114 is fixedly slidable on an outside of the center column 111. The column hinge assembly 1112 is coupled to the outside of the center column 111 at the open end 1111. The rotatable end 11299 is opposite the support end 1121 and the mid-level portion 1125 between the rotatable end 11299 and the support end 1121. Each plurality of legs 112 is rotatably coupled to the column hinge assembly 1112 at the rotatable end 11299. The mid-level hinge assembly 1115 is coupled to each plurality of legs 112 at the mid-level portion 1125. A leg end 1115 of the mid-level spreader 115 is rotatably coupled to the mid-level hinge assembly 1115 and a bracket end 1154 of the mid-level spreader 115 is rotatably coupled to the slide bracket 114. The bracket end 1154 is opposite the leg end 1115 and the support end 1121 abuts the support surface.

[0040] In some embodiments, the pedestal leg assembly 11 includes a stored state E and an assembled state D, F/G, H/I. When the pedestal leg assembly 11 is in the stored state E, each plurality of legs 112 is parallel to the center column 111. When the pedestal leg assembly 11 is in the assembled state D, F/G, H/I, each plurality of legs 112 is not parallel to the center column 111 and the mid-level spreader 115 is perpendicular to the center column 111.

[0041] In some embodiments, the pedestal leg assembly 11 includes a leg bumper ring 19 and a bracket bumper ring 191, and the slide bracket 114 includes a low friction member 18, a dog point member 1143, a bracket opening 1141, a set fastener 117, and a bushing 1142. The leg bumper ring 19 is disposed in an annular clamp groove opposite the through hole end 1119. The bracket bumper ring 191 is disposed in an annular cut-out groove between the stop clamp 116 and the center column 111. The low friction member 18 is disposed between the stop clamp 116 and the center column 111. The low friction member 18 includes a point opening 185. The dog point member 1143 abuts the point opening 185. The dog point member 1143 is centrally disposed between the slide bracket 114 and the center column 111. The set fastener 117 is fixedly insertable into the bracket opening 1141 and bushing 1142 to abut the dog point member 1143. When the pedestal leg assembly 11 is in the stored state E, the slide bracket 114 is between the open end 1111 and the through hole end 1119. When the pedestal leg assembly 11 is in the assembled state D, F/G, H/I, the slide bracket 114 abuts the stop clamp 116 and the bracket bumper ring 191. The set fastener 117 is tightened to fixedly couple the slide bracket 114 to the outside of the center column 111. In some embodiments, the set fastener 117 includes a set screw, and the bushing 1142 includes a bushing 1142 internal threaded surface.

[0042] FIG. 7 includes at least one embodiment of an alternative adjustable stool seat 10A. The alternative adjustable stool seat 10A may be similar in some respects to the adjustable stool seat 10 of FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3, 4, 5 and 6, and therefore may be best understood with reference thereto where like numerals designate like components not described again in detail. The only differences between the alternative adjustable stool seat 10A of FIG. 7 and the adjustable stool seat 10 of FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3, 4, 5 and 6, is the pedestal leg assembly 11A. In some embodiments, the pedestal leg assembly 11A includes a plurality of fixed hinge assemblies 1110A, and each plurality of legs 112A includes a fixed end 11299A and an alternative support end 1121. The fixed end 11299A is respectively coupled to the plurality of fixed hinge assemblies 1110A and the alternative support end 1121A abuts the support surface. Each plurality of legs 112A is not parallel to the center column 111. In some embodiments, the plurality of fixed hinge assemblies 1110 include four plurality of fixed hinge assemblies 1110.

[0043] The height adjustable stool seats 10/10A of the present disclosure expand a height of the adjustable stool seats 10/10A without heavier and larger screw mechanisms or pneumatic/hydraulic adjustment mechanisms or multiple screw mechanisms or pneumatic/hydraulic adjustment mechanisms. The threaded cylinder surface 1211 and the inside threaded column surface 113 allows the cylinder assembly 121 to rotate and be fixedly inserted into the center column 111. Thus, a plurality of column depths can be selected by a user. Moreover, once a user selects a desired height, the lock nut 110 and the locking ring 120 can prevent further rotation of the cylinder assembly 121, which in turn, prevents rotation of the seat 13. Thus, unknown adjustments of the seat 13 height due to movement of the seat 13s is mitigated. Furthermore, the cylinder assembly 121, being a part of the lift cylinder 12, allows a user to also select a plurality of cylinder depths to further adjust the desired height of the seat 13, offering the user expanded height selections. Thus, portable and light height adjustable stool seats 10/10A including both a screw mechanism and a pneumatic/hydraulic adjustment mechanism, expanding available height adjustments and preventing wear and tear on just one adjustment mechanism, extending an operational lifespan of stool seats, is provided. Therefore, embodiments disclosed herein are well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those that are inherent therein. The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments disclosed may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular illustrative embodiments disclosed above may be altered, combined, or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. The embodiments illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element that is not specifically disclosed herein and/or any optional element disclosed herein. While compositions and methods are described in terms of comprising, containing, or including various components or steps, the compositions and methods can also consist essentially of or consist of the various components and steps. All numbers and ranges disclosed above may vary by some number. Whenever a numerical range with a lower limit and an upper limit is disclosed, any number and any included range falling within the range is specifically disclosed. In particular, every range of values (of the form, from about a to about b, or, equivalently, from approximately a to b, or, equivalently, from approximately a-b) disclosed herein is to be understood to set forth every number and range encompassed within the broader range of values. Also, the terms in the claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee. Moreover, the indefinite articles a or an, as used in the claims, are defined herein to mean than one of the element that it introduces.