U.S. patent application number 10/900694 was filed with the patent office on 2005-02-10 for adjustable chair, in particular to prevent users from deep vein thrombosis (dvt).
Invention is credited to Jonas, Arnold.
Application Number | 20050029846 10/900694 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34118838 |
Filed Date | 2005-02-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050029846 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jonas, Arnold |
February 10, 2005 |
Adjustable chair, in particular to prevent users from deep vein
thrombosis (DVT)
Abstract
An adjustable chair for supporting a user in either a
traditional seated position in which a pair of legs of the user
rest upon a floor, or in a relaxed seated position in which at
least one of the legs of the user are supported above the floor,
provides a base supporting an aft cushion assembly, a forward
cushion assembly, and an upwardly extending seat back which
cooperate to support the user in a seated position. The forward
cushion assembly comprises two forward cushions adjacent to each
other. The two forward cushions being independently movably
attached to the aft cushion assembly with two separate movement
assemblies which allows both horizontal and vertical movement of
the forward cushions.
Inventors: |
Jonas, Arnold; (Lake Forest,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TOWNSEND AND TOWNSEND AND CREW, LLP
TWO EMBARCADERO CENTER
EIGHTH FLOOR
SAN FRANCISCO
CA
94111-3834
US
|
Family ID: |
34118838 |
Appl. No.: |
10/900694 |
Filed: |
July 27, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60490738 |
Jul 29, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
297/284.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61G 5/1045 20161101;
B60N 2/22 20130101; B60N 2/62 20130101; A61G 5/1048 20161101; A47C
1/023 20130101; A61G 5/1054 20161101; A61G 5/1043 20130101; A61G
5/1075 20130101; A47C 7/503 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/284.3 |
International
Class: |
A47C 003/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An adjustable chair for supporting a pair of legs of the user,
the chair comprising: a base supporting an aft cushion assembly, a
forward cushion assembly, and an upwardly extending seat back; the
aft cushion assembly providing an aft upwardly facing surface, the
forward cushion assembly providing a forward upwardly facing
surface, and the upwardly extending seat back providing a front
facing surface, the aft upwardly facing surface, the forward
upwardly facing surface, and the front facing surface cooperating
to support the user in a seated position; and means for moving the
forward cushion assembly while a user is sitting on the chair,
wherein: said forward cushion assembly comprises at least two
forward cushions adjacent to each other, one for supporting each
leg of the user, and said moving means comprises at least two
movement assemblies one for each forward cushion, said movement
assemblies being able to move the forward cushions independently of
each other in a vertical and/or horizontal direction.
2. The adjustable chair of claim 1 wherein the moving means are
automatically operated means and wherein the adjustable chair
further comprises means for controlling the moving means at least
such that the moving means can move the forward cushions
continuously or intermittently up and down and/or forwards and
backwards.
3. The adjustable chair of claim 1 wherein the moving means are
manually operated means, preferably operated by the feet or thighs
or hands of the user of the chair at least such that the moving
means can move the forward cushions continuously or intermittently
up and down and/or forwards and backwards.
4. The adjustable chair of claim 1 wherein each of said movement
assemblies being able to move the respective forward cushion in a
vertical direction to an extend at which the forward upward facing
surface is in its entirety at a vertical distance from the aft
upward facing surface.
5. The adjustable chair of claim 4 wherein each of the movement
assemblies further being able to move the respective forward
cushion to an extent at which the forward cushion is at a vertical
distance from the aft cushion assembly.
6. The adjustable chair of claim 1 wherein in each vertical
position of the forward cushion the forward cushion being able to
move freely in a horizontal direction.
7. The adjustable chair of claim 1 wherein each of said movement
assemblies further being able to move the respective forward
cushion in a horizontal direction to an extend at which said
forward cushion is at a horizontal distance from the aft cushion
assembly and contacts a lower thigh portion of the legs of the
user.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/490,738, filed Jul. 29, 2003, incorporated by
reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates generally to adjustable chairs, and
more particularly to an adjustable chair for application in
airplanes or busses as a passenger seat or for disabled people to
offer more comfort and to prevent users from Deep Vein Thrombosis
(DVT).
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] An adjustable chair has been developed to support the human
body in a restful and comfortable position and in a relaxed seated
position in which both legs of the user are lifted off the floor.
Jonas, U.S. Pat. No. 6,578,915, teaches such an adjustable chair,
which is especially meant for use in airplanes or busses where the
lack of movement resulting from being confined to one's seat might
contribute to medical conditions such as DVT, a condition which can
be fatal. The known adjustable chair prevents users from DVT by
moving their legs up. The mere lifting of the legs off the floor
reduces muscle pressure and tension, significantly improving the
passenger's feeling of well-being. By moving the legs of the users
even off of the floor, they can swing their legs which further
reduces the risk of DVT.
[0006] Below are some of the factors that may put a person at risk
for developing DVT according to the British Government The
Department of Health (see www.doh.gov.uk/dvt/index.htm) and many
others like (see www.dvt.net). The more factors a person has, the
greater the risk: over 40 years of age, who have had blood clots
already, with a family history of blood clots, suffering from or
who have had treatment for cancer, with certain blood diseases,
being treated for heart failure and circulation problems, who have
had recent surgery especially on the hips or knees, who have an
inherited clotting tendency. DVT is also more common in women who
are pregnant, have recently had a baby, are taking the
contraceptive pill, are on hormone replacement therapy. Cancer
(although having a clot does not necessarily mean that you have
cancer) and chemotherapy. Certain congenital heart defects.
Congestive heart failure. Chronic respiratory failure. Hormone
replacement therapy (often administered to postmenopausal women).
Obesity. Prior DVT. Prolonged immobility or paralysis. Stroke.
Surgery, including orthopaedic, pelvic, and abdominal surgeries
(which can trigger the formation of blood clots). Trauma. Varicose
veins (varicosities).
[0007] For some users the simultaneous lifting of both legs is
disadvantageous. For example for pregnant women or overweight
people, when lifting both legs undesired forces can be acted on
their body. Further some kind of disabled people can not swing or
lift their legs, like paralysed people. So the known chair device
doesn't offer an optimal solution for these kinds of persons. Also
for other kinds of users the simultaneous lifting of both legs can
cause some problems and discomfort.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to improve the
known adjustable chair. To this end the present invention provides
an adjustable chair for supporting a user in either a traditional
seated position in which a pair of legs of the user rest upon a
floor, or in a relaxed seated position in which at least one of the
legs of the user is lifted with respect to the traditional
position. The adjustable chair includes a base supporting an aft
cushion assembly, a forward cushion assembly, and an upwardly
extending seat back which cooperate to support the user in a seated
position. The forward cushion assembly comprises two forward
cushions adjacent to each other, one for supporting each leg of the
user, said two forward cushions are independently movably attached
to the aft cushion assembly or to the base. The adjustable chair
further includes means for moving the forward cushions, with
respect to the aft cushion assembly, such that each leg of the user
can be moved independently.
[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the adjustable chair of the
present invention the chair further comprises means for controlling
the moving means at least such that the moving means can move the
forward cushions continuously or intermittently up and down and/or
forwards and backwards. This feature is especially advantageous for
disabled people, like paralysed people, who can not swing or lift
their legs. By moving the legs a better blood circulation will be
achieved which significantly reduces the risk of DVT.
[0010] The adjustable seat according to the invention also offers
more comfort to people, especially tall people, as they actually
have more leg room and can feel more at ease.
[0011] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by
way of example, the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention.
In such drawings:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the
adjustable chair of the present invention designed as an airplane
chair with the forward cushions in a traditional seated
position;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 1 of
the adjustable chair with one of the forward cushions in a relaxed
seated position;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the embodiment shown in
FIG. 1 with a person sitting on the chair in a traditional seated
position;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view similar to that of FIG. 3
with one of the legs of the person in a relaxed position;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a movement assembly that
movably connects the forward cushion assembly to the aft cushion
assembly; and
[0018] FIG. 6 is a second perspective view of the movement
assembly;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the
adjustable chair of the present invention designed as a wheelchair
with the forward cushions in a traditional seated position;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 7 of
the adjustable chair with one of the forward cushions in a relaxed
seated position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] In FIGS. 1 and 2 a first embodiment of the adjustable chair
1 according to the invention is shown with the forward cushions 3,
5 in a traditional seated position (FIG. 1) and with one of the
forward cushions in a lifted, relaxed seated position (FIG. 2). In
FIGS. 3 and 4 the chair 1 is shown with a person 7 sitting on it,
in a position in which the legs 9, 11 of a user 3 resting upon a
floor 13 (FIG. 3) and in a position in which one of the legs 5 is
lifted off the floor 13 (FIG. 4).
[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the adjustable chair 1 includes a
base 15 supporting an aft cushion assembly 17, a forward cushion
assembly 19, and an upwardly extending seat back 21. The forward
cushion assembly 19 comprises the two forward cushions 3, 5. The
aft cushion assembly 19 provides an aft upwardly facing surface 23.
The forward cushions 3, 5 provide two forward upwardly facing
surfaces 25, 27. The upwardly extending seat back 21 provides a
front facing surface 29. The aft upwardly facing surface 23, the
forward upwardly facing surfaces 25, 27, and the front facing
surface 29 cooperate to support the user in a seated position. The
aft cushion assembly 17 is preferably fixedly attached to the base
15, although various adjustable frames can be used in alternative
embodiments to add further adjustability to the chair device 1. The
upwardly extending seat back 21 is preferably attached to the aft
cushion assembly 17 with a seat back hinge, although in an
alternative embodiment (not shown) the seat back hinge is attached
directly to the base 15. The forward cushion assembly 19 is
adjustably attached to the aft cushion assembly 17 as described in
more detail below. A typical seat having generally similar
construction is disclosed in Jonas, U.S. Pat. No. 6,578,915, which
is hereby incorporated by reference.
[0023] The forward cushion assembly 19 and the aft cushion assembly
17 are connected with a means for moving the forward cushions 3, 5,
thereby moving the legs of the user. The moving means can move the
forward cushions independently of each other at any speed and over
any horizontal and/or vertical distance. On the other hand the
moving means can also move the two forward cushions simultaneously
up and down and/or forwards and backwards. In this case the two
forward cushions could also be connected to each other by a
connecting mechanism (not shown). In the adjustable chair 1
according to the invention, the moving means comprises two
identical movement assemblies 31 of which one for moving the
forward cushion 5 is shown in detail in FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0024] The movement assembly 31 allows both horizontal and vertical
adjustment of the forward cushion 5. The movement assembly 31
includes a horizontal slide bar guide 33 mounted on the aft cushion
assembly 17, and a slide frame 35 that has a horizontally extending
horizontal slide bar 37 and a vertically extending vertical slide
bar guide 39. The horizontal slide bar 37 slidably engages the
horizontal slide bar guide 33 for horizontal movement of the slide
frame 35. The movement assembly 31 further includes a vertical
slide bar 41 mounted on the forward cushion 5. The vertical slide
bar 41 slidably engaging the vertical slide bar guide 39 for
vertical movement of the forward cushion 5. The movement assembly
31 is preferably constructed of a strong, rugged, rigid material
such as steel or aluminium.
[0025] The movement assembly 31 further includes a locking
mechanism 43 that locks the forward cushion 5 into a selected
position. The locking mechanism 43 is capable of being moved from a
locked position to an unlocked position for adjustment of the
forward cushion 5; but a biasing means for biasing the locking
mechanism 43 from the unlocked position to the locked position,
thereby preventing further movement of the forward cushion 5. The
locking mechanism 43 further includes a horizontal pin 45 and a
vertical pin 47. In the locked position, the horizontal pin 45
removably engages one of a plurality of horizontal locking holes 49
in the horizontal slide bar guide 33; and the vertical pin 47
removably engages one of a plurality of vertical locking holes 51
in a forward slide plate 53 attached to the forward cushion 5.
[0026] The biasing means is preferably a spring 55 operably
attached to both a bell crank 57 and a bell crank mounting plate
59. The bell crank mounting plate 59 is preferably fixedly mounted
on the forward cushion 5. The bell crank mounting plate 59
preferably includes a bell crank pivot point 61 upon which the bell
crank 57 is pivotally mounted. The bell crank 57 has a bell crank
pin 63 that engages a locking slot 65 of the locking mechanism 43.
In use, the spring 55 biasing the bell crank 57 such that the bell
crank pin 63 biases the locking mechanism 43 towards the locked
position.
[0027] The locking mechanism 43 further includes an unlocking means
67 for overcoming the bias of the spring 55 to move the locking
mechanism 43 from the locked position to the unlocked position,
wherein the horizontal and vertical pins 45 and 47 are pulled from
the horizontal and vertical locking holes 49 and 51, respectively,
thereby allowing the forward cushion 5 to be moved. Release of the
unlocking means 67 allows the spring 55 to return the locking
mechanism 43 to the locked position. The unlocking means 67
preferably includes a handle 69 slidably mounted on a handle guide
71 of the forward cushion 5. The handle 69 is pivotally attached to
a lever arm 73 of the bell crank 57 with a handle link 75 such that
pulling the handle 69 causes the handle link 75 to pull the lever
arm 73. The lever arm 73 causes the bell crank 57 to rotate about
the bell crank pivot point 61 against the bias of the spring 55,
thereby causing the bell crank pin 63 to move the locking mechanism
43 towards the unlocked position. The unlocking means 67 can also
be blocked in a position in which the locking mechanism 43 is in a
unlocked position so that the forward cushion 5 can be moved up and
down and/or forwards and backwards continuously by the movement
assembly 31.
[0028] For continuous moving the forward cushion the movement
assembly comprises two gas cylinders 77, 79. The slide frame 35 is
connected to a piston 81 of the gas cylinder 77 for horizontal
movement of the forward cushion 5. The gas cylinder 77 is connected
to a control means 83 for controlling the operation of the gas
cylinder 77 and thus the horizontal movement of the forward cushion
5, by controlling the valves (not shown) for the gas flow from and
to the gas cylinder 77. The forward cushion 5 is connected to a
piston 85 of the gas cylinder 79 for vertical movement of the
forward cushion 5. Also this cylinder 79 is connected to the
control means 83 for controlling the operation of the gas cylinder
79 and thus the vertical movement of the forward cushion 5. The
control means 83 comprises a housing with electronic means inside,
said housing is connected to the gas cylinder 77. The gas cylinder
77 is connected to the aft cushion assembly 17 or to the horizontal
slide bar guide 33. The gas cylinder 79 is connected to the slide
frame 35.
[0029] The control means can be operated by a control panel (not
shown) on an armrest of the adjustable chair 1. The gas cylinders
77 and 79 are similar to other gas cylinders well known in the art,
such as Bauer, U.S. Pat. No. 3,711,054, and Claus et al., U.S. Pat.
No. 6,116,555, hereby incorporated by reference. Of course, those
skilled in the art will recognize that the pistons 81 and 85 and
the gas cylinders 77 and 79 can be reversed, or replaced with an
equivalent mechanism such as an electrical solenoid, and such
modifications should be considered within the scope of the
invention.
[0030] While the embodiment of the means for horizontal and
vertical movement of the adjustable chair 1 have been described in
detail, it is recognized that those skilled in the art can devise
countless equivalent mechanisms to accomplish the goal of suitably
adjusting the forward cushion assembly 19 and the forward upwardly
facing surfaces 25, 27. Structures that are considered equivalent
include, but are not limited to pneumatic adjustment devices, motor
driven and power assisted devices, and various mechanical
adjustment mechanisms such as can be readily devised by those
skilled in the art. These equivalent structures should be construed
as within the scope of this invention and accordingly within the
scope of the claims, below.
[0031] Although the preferred embodiment has been described above,
those skilled in the art will recognize that modifications to the
preferred embodiment can be made without altering the basic
structure of the invention. For example, in the normal seated
position, the forward upwardly facing surfaces 25, 27 could not be
in contact with the user; in this situation the thigh supporting
surface could be another surface of the forward cushion assembly
19. In the relaxed seated position the forward cushion assembly 19
could be rotated and lifted, so that the thigh supporting surface
would become the forward upward facing surfaces 25, 27 of the
forward cushion assembly 19 that supports the thighs of the user.
Other similar modifications should be considered equivalent to the
invention as described in the claims.
[0032] In FIGS. 7 and 8 a perspective view of a second embodiment
of the adjustable chair of the present invention is shown designed
as a wheel chair 91. Those parts of the wheel chair 91 which are
similar to that of the chair 1 of the first embodiment are referred
to with the same reference numbers. In FIG. 7 the forward cushions
3, 5 of the wheel chair 91 are in a traditional seated position,
whereas in FIG. 8 one of the forward cushions 5 is in a lifted,
relaxed seated position. The footrests 93 and 95 could be connected
to the forward cushions 3 and 5 by a mechanism (not shown), for
example like a pedal mechanism, so that for example by pushing the
right feet the right footrest 93 will go down and lifts the left
forward cushion 5. Instead of this mechanism operated by feet also
other mechanisms are possible which can be operated by the thighs
or hands of the user.
[0033] While the invention has been described with reference to two
preferred embodiments, it is to be clearly understood by those
skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto.
Rather, the scope of the invention is to be interpreted only in
conjunction with the appended claims.
* * * * *
References