Dynamic sitting device

Abstract

A dynamic sitting device includes a seat 20, a means for supporting the seat 30, and a novel floor-contacting element 40. Said novel floor-contacting element includes an outside edge 60 and a point 50. Said outside edge is circumferential to said point, and is positioned approximately perpendicular to said means for supporting seat. Said point is positioned near the center of said floor-contacting element and sits a short distance below a plane defined by said outside edge. A user can either balance the sitting device on said point in order to rock and spin, or rest the device on both said point and said outside edge in order to rest or to roll in a circular fashion. This invention promotes active sitting through the function of said floor-contacting element. The invention allows for both a dynamic sitting position that allows the body to be involved in maintaining balance and posture, and also a position of lesser activity and bodily involvement.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

[0001] Sitting in common chairs for extended periods results in various injuries to the back or neck. Most health-promoting or ergonomic chairs attempt to remedy this problem by achieving an improved sitting position, either through adjustability or a special sitting surface. However, it has been shown that no static sitting position is healthy if maintained for extended periods. This invention seeks to provide people infinite variability in sitting positions as well as the ability to move dynamically and naturally between different positions while remaining seated. Active or movement-promoting chairs are common in the art, but each example has certain drawbacks and lacks certain benefits when compared with this invention. The following paragraphs are a summary of the art:

[0002] A. Multiple Rocker Elements

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 2,923,345 (Strauss, Alvin K.) is a multi-directional rocking chair. The chair allows movement along six rocker elements that radiate out from a central point. Any movement allowed by this chair would be limited to the three axes defined by the rocker elements, so infinite variability of position is not possible. Also, movement between the three axes would not be smooth and natural Finally, the chair is so large as to be impractical for use in any conventional setting.

[0004] B. Mechanical Means of Movement

[0005] There have been several patented movement-promoting sitting devices that allow movement through the action of mechanical joints within the seat or support. Examples are European patent # 0 161 062 (Takizawa, Kiyoshi), U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,930 (Glockl, Josef), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,648 (Allard, Peter B. et. al.). The seats of these chairs pivot, slide, or rotate to allow movement between different sitting positions. However, this movement is so loose and uncontrolled that a spring damper or boundary ring is required to provide stability in most of the examples. The movement allowed would likely be unnatural due to this need to artificially limit movement. These devices are mechanically complex and therefore would be expensive to produce and maintain, and would be susceptible to failure.

[0006] C. Dish-Shaped Base

[0007] The best examples of active sitting devices are those with a parabolic or dish-shaped base. Examples are Belgian patent #561720 (Rosenkaimer), German patent # 48348 (Neuerburg, M.), U.S. Pat. No. 4,025,107 (Chippa, Charles), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,944 (Boost, Julie Ann). These devices allow infinite movement while being very simple in function. However, the movement provided by these devices is not differentiable into separate modes. Only a very loose type of movement is provided, without a more stable position where movement is limited. Because of this problem, their use would be limited to special circumstances allowing a high level of activity.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

[0008] Through the introduction of a novel floor-contacting element and a seat position that allow more activity, this invention solves the problems that are present in existing examples of movement-promoting chairs and introduces certain benefits that are not currently available within the art. Accordingly, several objects and advantages of this invention are:

[0009] 1. infinite variability of positioning

[0010] 2. a seat position that allows a relatively open angle between the user's thigh and trunk as compared to conventional right-angle seating

[0011] 3. smooth and natural movement between different positions

[0012] 4. a differentiation between active and stable seating positions

[0013] 5. size that is consistent with standard seating devices

[0014] 6. mechanical simplicity

[0015] Due to these objects and advantages, the invention allows omni-directional, infinitely variable movement as well as maintenance of the lumbar curve, so that the user can sit upright more easily and be more active while sitting. At the same time, the invention allows the user the option of enough stability for prolonged use in different settings. In addition, the invention would be durable and low cost, allowing for widespread application. Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

SUMMARY

[0016] As has been stated in the above discussion of objects and advantages, this invention is a novel and useful device that promotes active sitting, Through the function of a specially designed floor-contacting element or base, the invention allows for an infinitely variable dynamic sitting position, while also providing differentiation between positions of activity and stability. This combination of features is not currently available from any example within in the art. In addition, this invention provides the above benefits while maintaining mechanical simplicity, rendering it very practical for production and widespread use

DRAWINGS

Drawing Figures

[0017] FIG. 1A shows a 3-dimensional perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the dynamic sitting device.

[0018] FIG. 1B shows the top view of the preferred embodiment of the dynamic sitting device.

[0019] FIG. 1C shows the cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the dynamic sitting device.

[0020] FIG. 2A shows the top view of the first alternative embodiment of the dynamic sitting device.

[0021] FIG. 2B shows the cross-sectional view of the first alternative embodiment of the dynamic sitting device.

[0022] FIG. 3A shows the top view of the second alternative embodiment of the dynamic sitting device.

[0023] FIG. 3B shows the cross-sectional view of the second alternative embodiment of the dynamic sitting device.

[0024] Reference Numerals In Drawings

[0025] 20. seat

[0026] 21. foam pad

[0027] 30. means for supporting seat

[0028] 31. means for adjusting height of seat

[0029] 40. preferred floor-contacting element (interchangeable, with durable protective coating on underside)

[0030] 41. first alternative floor-contacting element (with durable protective coating on underside)

[0031] 42. second alternative floor-contacting element (with durable protective coa ting on underside)

[0032] 50. point

[0033] 51. means for adjusting horizontal location of point

[0034] 52. means for adjusting vertical location of point

[0035] 60. outside edge

[0036] 61. plate (interchangeable)

[0037] 62. rim (interchangeable)

[0038] 70. means for attaching rim to point

[0039] 71. means for adjusting floor-contacting element

[0040] 72. means for adjusting the angle of floor-contacting element

[0041] 80. floor surface

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] With reference to the drawings, a new and improved dynamic sitting device embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention will be described.

[0043] Description--FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C--Preferred Embodiment

[0044] FIG. 1A shows a 3-dimensional perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the dynamic sitting device. The preferred embodiment of the dynamic sitting device comprises a seat 20 and a preferred floor-contacting element 40 that are connected by a means for supporting seat 30. Seat 20 and means for supporting seat 30 may be of any suitable form or material. Seat 20 is covered with a foam pad 21. Means for supporting seat 30 includes a means for adjusting height of seat 31. Preferred floor-contacting element 40 is constructed in the form of a cone-shaped surface that is concave when viewed from above. Preferred floor-contacting element 40 may be a discontinuous surface, comprising separate pieces or a single piece with cut-outs.

[0045] FIG. 1B shows the top view of the preferred embodiment of the dynamic sitting device. Seat 20 sits over means for supporting seat 30. Preferred floor-contacting element 40, which is cone-shaped, includes a point 50 and an outside edge 60. Point 50 sits under seat 20, and outside edge 60 is circumferential to point 50.

[0046] FIG. 1C shows a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the dynamic sitting device. Seat 20 is covered by a foam pad 21. Seat 20 is connected to preferred floor-contacting element 40 by means for supporting seat 30. Means for adjusting height of seat 31 is incorporated in means for supporting seat 30. Preferred floor-contacting element 40 rests on a floor surface 80. Preferred floor-contacting element 40 is constructed in the form of a cone-shaped surface that is concave when viewed from above. Preferred floor-contacting element 40 includes point 50 and outside edge 60. A means for adjusting angle of floor-contacting element 72 is incorporated in means for supporting seat 30 so that the angle between the plane defined by outside edge 60 and means for supporting seat 30 may be adjusted. Point 50 is positioned at some distance below a plane defined by outside edge 60 and is slightly rounded. Preferred floor-contacting element 40 is interchangeable so that the diameter and shape of outside edge 60 and the vertical and horizontal position of point 50 may be adjusted. The bottom surface of preferred floor-contacting element 40 is covered with a durable protective coating.

[0047] Operation--FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C--Preferred Embodiment

[0048] The preferred embodiment of the dynamic sitting device functions to support a user at a predetermined distance from floor surface 80. This predetermined distance is proportioned so that the user's leg is positioned at approximately a 60 to 70 degree angle when measured perpendicular to floor surface 80 up to the back of the user's thigh. Means for supporting seat 30 is adjustable for different sized users. Preferred floor-contacting element 40 functions as a dynamic interface with floor surface 80. Preferred floor-contacting element 40 allows the user to rock back and forth or to spin when only point 50 is contacting floor surface 80, to roll circumferentially when both point 50 and outside edge 60 are contacting floor surface 80, or to remain stationary when both point 50 and the front of outside edge 60 are contacting floor surface 80. The adjustability of preferred floor-contacting element 40 allows individual users to customize the novel behavior of the dynamic sitting device that has been described above.

[0049] Description--FIGS. 2A and 2B--First Alternative Embodiment

[0050] FIG. 2A shows the top view of the first alternative embodiment of the dynamic sitting device. A seat 20 sits over a means for supporting seat 30. A first alternative floor-contacting element 41 includes a point 50 and an outside edge 60. Point 50 sits under seat 20, and outside edge 60 is circumferential to point 50. A means for adjusting location of point 51 allows the horizontal position of point 50 to be changed.

[0051] FIG. 2B shows a cross-sectional view of the first alternative embodiment of the dynamic sitting device. Seat 20 is covered by a foam pad 21. Seat 20 is connected to a first alternative floor-contacting element 41 by means for supporting seat 30. Means for adjusting height of seat 31 is incorporated in means for supporting seat 30. First alternative floor-contacting element 41 rests on a floor surface 80 and comprises point 50 and a plate 61. Plate 61 is flat and circular and includes outside edge 60. Plate 61 may be a discontinuous surface, comprising separate pieces or a single piece with cut-outs. A means for adjusting angle of floor-contacting element 72 is incorporated in means for supporting seat 30 so that the angle between the plane defined by outside edge 60 and means for supporting seat 30 may be adjusted. Plate 61 is interchangeable so that the diameter and shape of outside edge 60 may be adjusted. Point 50 is constructed in the form of a hemisphere, and is attached to the bottom surface of plate 61. A means for adjusting depth of point 52 is included so that the vertical position of point 50 can be changed. The bottom surface of first alternative floor-contacting element 41 is covered with a durable protective coating.

[0052] Operation--FIGS. 2A and 2B--First Alternative Embodiment

[0053] The first alternative embodiment of the dynamic sitting device functions in an identical fashion to the preferred embodiment of the dynamic sitting device, except for a difference in the various means for adjusting the dimensions of outside edge 60 and the position of point 50. The benefits provided to the user remain the same.

[0054] Description--FIGS. 3A and 3B--Second Alternative Embodiment

[0055] FIG. 3A shows the top view of the second alternative embodiment of the dynamic sitting device. A seat 20 sits over a means for supporting seat 30. A second alternative floor-contacting element 42 includes a point 50, a rim 62, and a means for attaching rim to point 70. Point 50 sits under seat 20, and outside edge 60 is circumferential to point 50. Means for attaching rim to point 70 is constructed in the form of one or more radial members. Rim 62 need not be continuous: it may form a portion of a loop or a complete loop. Rim 62 is interchangeable so that its diameter and shape may be adjusted. A means for adjusting floor-contacting element 71 allows different sized versions of rim 62 to be attached. A means for adjusting location of point 51 allows the horizontal position of point 50 to be changed.

[0056] FIG. 3B shows a cross-sectional view of the second alternative embodiment of the dynamic sitting device. Seat 20 is covered by a foam pad 21. Seat 20 is connected to a second alternative floor-contacting element 42 by means for supporting seat 30. A means for adjusting height of seat 31 is incorporated in means for supporting seat 30. Second alternative floor-contacting element 42 rests on a floor surface 80 and comprises point 50, rim 62, and means for attaching rim to point 70. A means for adjusting angle of floor-contacting element 72 is incorporated in means for supporting seat 30 so that the angle between the plane defined by rim 62 and means for supporting seat 30 may be adjusted. Means for attaching rim to point 70 is constructed in the form of one or more radial members. Rim 62 is interchangeable so that its diameter and shape may be adjusted. A means for adjusting floor-contacting element 71 allows different sized versions of rim 62 to be attached. Point 50 is constructed in the form of a hemisphere, and is attached to the bottom of means for attaching rim to point 70. The bottom surface of point 50 is positioned at some distance below the plane defined by rim 62 and means for attaching rim to point 70. A means for adjusting depth of point 52 allows the vertical position of point 50 to be changed. The bottom surface of second alternative floor-contacting element 42 is covered with a durable protective coating.

[0057] Operation--FIGS. 3A and 3B--Second Alternative Embodiment

[0058] The second alternative embodiment of the dynamic sitting device functions in an identical fashion to the preferred embodiment of the dynamic sitting device, except for a difference in the various means for adjusting the dimensions of rim 62 and the position of point 50. The benefits provided to the user remain the same.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

[0059] Based on the descriptions above, the reader will see that this invention of a dynamic sitting device provides functional benefits that are not currently present in the art, while being more practical for production than many existing examples.

[0060] While the above descriptions contain many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of several of the possible embodiments thereof Many other variations are possible. For example, the dynamic sitting device could be produced in different forms such as a stool (described above), as a chair with a backrest, or as a recliner. The seat 20 of the dynamic sitting device could be altered in shape or construction, providing different kinds of support or padding. The dynamic sitting device could be produced in different sizes for both adults and children. The floor-contacting element 40, 41, 42 of the dynamic sitting device could be produced in many different sizes and forms such as circles, ovals, warped surfaces, surfaces with cut-out holes, or frameworks. The point 50 could be of different construction or size. Finally, the means for supporting seat 30 of the dynamic sitting device could be constructed in different solid forms or as different types of frameworks.

[0061] Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

[0062] Sequence Listing

[0063] not applicable

Claims

What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected is as follows:

1. A sitting device comprising: a floor-contacting element, a seat, and a means for supporting said seat at a predetermined distance from said floor-contacting element said floor-contacting element is constructed in the form of a three dimensional surface that includes a recognizable point or apex and an outside edge said point positioned a predetermined distance below a plane defined by said outside edge when measured perpendicular to said plane, so that said floor-contacting element is concave when said sitting device is viewed from above said floor-contacting element is constructed so that said point and said outside edge are capable of resting in contact with a floor surface concurrently.

2. The sitting device of claim 1 wherein said outside edge is approximately circular in shape and measures slightly smaller in average diameter than said sitting device measures in overall height.

3. The sitting device of claim 1 wherein said point is located near the center of said floor-contacting element when said sitting device is viewed from above, and the lowest portion of said point is located a distance approximately {fraction (1/10)}.sup.th the average diameter of said outside edge below the lowest portion of said outside edge.

4. The sitting device of claim 1 wherein said predetermined distance between said seat and said floor-contacting element is of the dimension that, when a user is sitting on said sitting device and said user's feet are resting flat on said floor surface, said user's upper leg is positioned at approximately a 60 to 70 degree angle when measured perpendicular to said floor surface up to the back of said user's leg.

5. The sitting device of claim 1 wherein said outside edge, through some suitable means, is adjustable so that its shape, diameter, and circumference can be varied, and said point, through some suitable means, is adjustable so that its position both parallel and perpendicular to said plane defined by said outside edge can be varied.

6. The sitting device of claim 1 wherein said means of supporting said seat is adjustable in both length and in angle with respect to said plane defined by said outside edge.

7. The sitting device of claim 1, further including a durable protective coating applied to said floor-contacting element.

8. The sitting device of claim 1, further including a foam pad covering the upper surface of said seat.

9. A sitting device comprising: a floor-contacting element, a seat, and a means for supporting said seat at a predetermined distance from said floor-contacting element said floor-contacting element includes a plate and a point said point positioned at a predetermined location on the bottom side of said plate so that said point is attached to the opposite side of said plate from said seat said point mounted by some suitable means so that the distance of said point below said plate is adjustable said plate and said point are positioned with respect to one another so that both said point and an outside edge of said plate are capable of resting in contact with a floor surface concurrently.

10. The sitting device of claim 9 wherein said outside edge of said plate is approximately circular in shape and measures slightly smaller in average diameter than said sitting device measures in overall height.

11. The sitting device of claim 9 wherein said point is located near the center of said floor-contacting element when said sitting device is viewed from above, and the lowest portion of said point is located a distance approximately {fraction (1/10)}.sup.th the average diameter of said outside edge below said plate.

12. The sitting device of claim 9 wherein said predetermined distance between said seat and said floor-contacting element is of the dimension that, when a user is sitting on said sitting device and said user's feet are resting flat on said floor surface, said user's upper leg is positioned at approximately a 60 to 70 degree angle when measured perpendicular to said floor surface up to the back of said user's leg.

13. The sitting device of claim 9 wherein said floor-contacting element, through some suitable means, is adjustable so that said outside edge is variable in shape, diameter, and circumference, and that said point is movable parallel to said plate.

14. The sitting device of claim 9 wherein said means of supporting said seat is adjustable in both length and in angle with respect to said plate.

15. The sitting device of claim 9, further including a durable protective coating applied to said floor-contacting element.

16. The sitting device of claim 9, further including a foam pad covering the upper surface of said seat.

17. A sitting device comprising: a floor-contacting element, a seat, and a means for supporting said seat at a predetermined distance from said floor-contacting element said floor-contacting element includes a point, a rim, and a means for attaching said rim to said point said point positioned at a predetermined location within a boundary defined by said rim when said sitting device is viewed from above said point positioned a predetermined distance below a plane defined by the lowest portion of said rim when measured perpendicular to said plane, so that a bottom surface of said point is positioned at a greater distance from said seat than said plane is positioned from said seat said point, said rim, and said means for attaching said rim to said point are positioned with respect to one another so that both said point and said rim are capable of resting in contact with a floor surface concurrently.

18. The sitting device of claim 17 wherein said rim is approximately circular in shape and measures slightly smaller in average diameter than said sitting device measures in overall height.

19. The sitting device of claim 17 wherein said point is located near the center of said floor-contacting element when said sitting device is viewed from above, and the lowest portion of said point is located a distance approximately {fraction (1/10)}.sup.th the average diameter of said rim below the lowest portion of said rim.

20. The sitting device of claim 17 wherein said predetermined distance between said seat and said floor-contacting element is of the dimension that, when a user is sitting on said sitting device and said user's feet are resting flat on said floor surface, said user's upper leg is positioned at approximately a 60 to 70 degree angle when measured perpendicular to said floor surface up to the back of said user's leg.

21. The sitting device of claim 17 wherein said floor-contacting element, through some suitable means, is adjustable so that said rim is variable in shape, diameter, and circumference, and said point is both movable parallel to said plane defined by said rim and variable in distance below said plane defined by said rim.

22. The sitting device of claim 17 wherein said means of supporting said seat is adjustable in both length and in angle with respect to said plane defined by said rim.

23. The sitting device of claim 17, further including a durable protective coating applied to said floor-contacting element.

24. The sitting device of claim 17, further including a foam pad covering the upper surface of said seat.