Novel enhanced fundiform seating processes and products

Abstract

An automatically corrected seating element set optionally incorporates weight adjustment capacity in a substantially fundiform type of seating apparatus. Process for disposing a user and posture--ameliorating products are likewise taught.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE To RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The instant disclosure claims full Paris Convention and other priority from United Kingdom Patent Application No. GB 0425646.7 filed on Nov. 23, 2004; PCT/GB2005/001644 filed on Apr. 29, 2005 and U.S. Ser. No. 11/199,806 filed Jun. 10, 2005, all by the present inventor.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The present disclosure relates to seating of humans. In particular, the present invention uses biomechanical enhancement to facilitate disposition of a human in an optimal seating posture, relative to ischial tuberosities, combined with orthogonal support elements, which optionally functions as a weight adjustment adjustor.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] There is a longstanding need for anatomically corrected seating element set incorporating weight adjustment capacity.

[0004] In-roads have been made by the present inventor, into maintaining lordosis to the correct degree and mitigating adverse impact of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). Using a conceptually and mechanically derived improvement further degrees of design freedom have been achieved and by way of the instant teachings the art of seating once again, it is respectfully submitted, advanced.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0005] Briefly stated in anatomically corrected seating element set optionally incorporates weight adjustment capacity in a substantially fundiform type of seating apparatus. Processes for disposing a user and posture ameliorating products are likewise taught.

[0006] According to a feature of the present disclosure, there is provided a process for improving the fit of a user into a seat, comprising, in combination, the steps of; providing a sling-seat assembly which tilts a user's pelvis forward, aligning the user's spinal process whereby it contacts an upwardly extending/back upper portion of the seat by, transferring the user's weight to the user's ischial tuberosities, while improving venous outflow from the lower extremities by decreasing venous obstruction at the femoral vein level.

[0007] According to further features of the present disclosure there is provided a sling-seat assembly which is connected with, supports, or is otherwise integral with a support apparatus for a bottom cushion, disposed about a planar axis which defines a chevron-like pattern in the shape of a ray originating at a back portion of the bottom cushion where it joins with a back upper portion.

[0008] Likewise, still yet another feature of the present disclosure includes a providing step which step further comprises taking a weight measurement of a user and using it to define an optimized dimension set, and wherein the weight measurement is at least of garnered from a pre-existing data set, and calculated based upon other user-related data points, or otherwise is statistically sampled for manufacturing purposes.

[0009] Similarly, yet still another feature of the present disclosure is wherein the optimized dimension set is customized to a particular user, by adjusting from a predetermined set of values based upon statistical or sampled data using software.

[0010] According to a further feature of the present disclosure there is provided a novel enhanced fundiform seating apparatus, comprising, in combination, a sling-seat assembly integrated with a support apparatus for a bottom cushion, which cushion is disposed about a planar axis which defines a chevron-like pattern in the shape of a ray originating at a back portion of the bottom cushion where it joins with a back upper portion of the seating apparatus.

[0011] According to yet a still further feature there is provided a sling-seat element for supporting the ischial tuberosities of a user, which comprises, in combination; a first elongated lower extension member, defined by an acute angle extending between it and a second elongated lower extension member, forming a chevron-like shape, an upper extension member emerging from the nexus of the two lower extension members and continuing longitudinally at least as far as the lower extension members extend in an opposite direction, whereby when disposed within a frame for a seating apparatus the first elongated lower extension member and the second elongated lower extension member each receive a respective ishcial tuberosity of a user, and the upper extension member bracingly engages the upper buttocks and lower back of a user to achieve an improved posture, while the overall orientation of the element tilts a user's pelvis forward.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The present invention will be more clearly understood by reference to this specification in view of the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic of a prior art seating construction in cross-section;

[0014] FIG. 2 is an embodiment of an enhanced fundiform seating product according to embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0015] FIG. 3 is a detailed aspect of an exploded view according to teachings of embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0016] FIG. 4 shows detailed aspects of the sling-seat element, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The present inventor offers for consideration an effort to mitigate a leading global symptom or disability driving disease state--back pain. This is a long-term set of issues that most developed and developing countries have been compelled to deal with as individuals are incented to move from upright posture to a work-based sitting rhoutine , for at least part--if not most--of their working days.

[0018] For example, 80 percent of adults in the United Kingdom spend greater than 350 hours per year in cars and one-third diagnosed with back pain have attributed sitting in cars or at work as a cause of their malaise.

[0019] For the United Kingdom, this contributes to massive totals of compromised man-hours, in the case the example itself ostensively amounts to an excess of 5 billion of work lost, in pounds sterling.

[0020] Fortunately, a mitigating process-set and various different types of apparatus are available from Nubax Limited (www.Nubax.co.uk and www.Nubax.com) the ProBax.TM. seating technology provides a combination of features ranging from significant improvements to comfort level, to increased blood flow through the body, resulting in improved alertness and performance. Likewise, according to the teachings of the present invention a user experiences an enhanced driving position allowing drivers to maintain a correct natural curvature of the spinal process for longer which maintains a head position closer to the normal positioning of a conventional head restraint. The resulting improved spatial awareness allows user to perceive improved vehicle handling, among other things.

[0021] The ProBaX.TM. brand of seating technology has been incorporated into leading lines of cars, including the 2006 Lotus MV Elise.RTM. and Exige.RTM. models. Marked postural position improvements in occupants of the ProBaX.TM. brand of seating technology have been noted. Medical professionals have validated both the spinal maintenance aspects and the increased blood full obtained with the teachings of the present disclosure.

[0022] Likewise, among those skilled in the aviation fields, the benefits of reduced muscle fatigue have ostensively resulted in a high degree of demand for the objects of the instant teachings. This is particularly interesting in that the instant system has been extensively tested with people of various shapes or sizes, and provided substantial relief to them.

[0023] Turning now to FIG. 1 an example of the prior art seating is shown. Those in the industry have pointed out a strong need for cockpit space and economic efficiencies with involved materials. Conventional seat 101 is shown in this view of the prior art.

[0024] During the 1950's faced with analogous seating challenges, the United States Air Force concluded that correct seating posture, unlike that illustrated in FIG. 1 would have a strong likelihood of improving alertness, based upon the improved blood flow.

[0025] A user seated in the prior art seat 101 of FIG. 1 slumps into an uncomfortable posture and the user's head has nothing to prevent, inhibit or otherwise back and forth improvement, in attempts to achieve a helpful seating position. The same is true of user's body, which is pushed into abutting contact with upper portion 103 of conventional seat 101, or even worse, uncomfortably shifted into a challenged posture wedged between lower portion of conventional seat 105 and upper portion 103.

[0026] Referring now to FIG. 2, the ProBax.TM. brand of seating technology is manifested in the schematic and exemplary seat 102, which illustrates the working of the processes and products of the present disclosure. It is noted that any user disposed upon seat 102 has a different set of angles relative to both the back support/upper portion of seat 107 and lower portion of seat 104. This is due to the unique configuration of the instant disclosure and to the fact that the less foam and no pre-existing lumbar mechanism work to make the user dis-aligned as in FIG. 1.

[0027] Extensive work has been done relative to trials on the blood flow or drivers in the seat of FIG. 2 versus the conventional seating designs shown in FIG. 1. Conclusions by medical and cadiovascular thought leaders consistently pointed to a singnificant imporvement in lowert limb blood flow for the occupants of seats embodying the teachings of the present disclosure.

[0028] What has been established is that by creating a zone 109 for landing the ischial tuberosities 109 increased blood flow results and response times are enhanced, alertness levels raised and marked reductions in levels of muscle fatigue noted. There is likewise a substantial reduction in deep vein thrombosis-like events.

[0029] The blood testing regimen was conducted by application of Bernouilli's Equation to specific measurements of blood pressure and velocity through the femoral vein in the leg, enabling a calculation of an individual's blood flow form one seat to another. Measurements using the seat of FIG. 2, as embodied for examples in prototypes of the 2006 Lotus brand of MV Elise.RTM. automobiles demonstrated an imporvement of up to thirty percent over the seats shown in FIG. 1.

[0030] Referring also to FIG. 3 and to FIG. 4, embodiments of the present disclosure are shown as incorporated into seats for automobiles and airplanes. As a user is situated on lower portion of seat 104, the location of the extension members 115 and 117 will urge a user's ischial tuberosities to be aligned, when combined with upper extension member 113, such that a desired lordotic posture (see FIG. 2) is maintained. This allows a user's upper torso and neck to be positioned in a better alignment realtive to the back support/upper portion of the seat 107, an once aligned on lower portion 104, by way of extension members 115 and 117, it feels more comfortable and maintains better posture while engaged in dynmaic activity, such a driving a racing car, or flying in a plane.

[0031] FIG. 4 shows a detailed view of the fundiform/sling element 111, which is dimensionally varied relative to the weight of a user to achieve optimal landing of the ischial tuberosities of the user. Referring also to the illustrative schematic of FIG. 2, one can view a typical user sitting on fundiform/sling element 111 having an overall length of at least about 950 millimeters (mm), with a width of at least about 75 mm and a widest point of approximately 295 mm. For an average user this means that at least about 370 mm is an extension length for upper extension portion 113.

[0032] Angle theta is at least about 20 degrees, or from 21 to 25 degrees in an average seat, and may vary from approximately one to thirty degrees based upon variations in weight and size of the user.

[0033] Likewise, the extension members 115 and 117 (or chevrons) are typically three to four inches in width (at least about 1 inches to 30 being possible) and the depth of these elements of between 1/4 of an inch and 10 inches, with 3/4 of an inch to 1 inch being average.

[0034] While the present invention has been illustrated and described by means of a specific embodiment, it is to be understood that numerous changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A process for improving the fit of a user into a seat, comprising, in combination, the steps of: providing a sling-seat assembly which tilts a user's pelvis forward; aligning the user's spinal process whereby it contacts an upwardly extending/back upper portion of the seat; by, transferring the user's weight to the user's ischial tuberosities; while improving venous outflow from the lower extremities by decreasing venous obstruction at the femoral vein level.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein the sling-seat assembly further comprises a support apparatus for a bottom cushion, disposed about a planar axis which defines a chevron-like pattern in the shape of a ray originating at a back portion of the bottom cushion where it joins with a back upper portion.

3. The process of claim 1, wherein the providing step further comprises taking a weight measurement of a user and using it to define an optimized dimension set.

4. The process of claim 3, the weight measurement is at least of garnered from a pre-existing data set, and calculated based upon other user-related data points.

5. The process of claim 4, wherein the optimized dimension set is based upon values averaged, or otherwise statistically sampled for manufacturing purposes.

6. The process of claim 5, wherein the optimized dimension set is further customized to a particular user, by adjusting from a predetermined set of values based upon statistical or sampled data using software.

7. A novel enhanced fundiform seating apparatus, comprising, in combination: a sling-seat assembly which tilts a user's pelvis forward integrated with a support apparatus for a bottom cushion, which cushion is disposed about a planar axis which defines a chevron-like pattern in the shape of a ray originating at a back portion of the bottom cushion where it joins with a back upper portion of the seating apparatus.

8. The novel enhanced fundiform seating apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a sling element extending from an area at the back portion of the cushion upward into the back upper portion of the seating apparatus and across the bottom cushion area to receive the ischial tuberosities of a user.

9. The novel enhanced fundiform seating apparatus of claim 8, said sling element having an overall length of between at least about 750 mm and 955 mm.

10. The novel enhanced fundiform seating apparatus of claim 9, said sling element having a width of between at least about 1 and 30 inches.

11. The novel enhanced fundiform seating apparatus of claim 10, wherein an angle between the chevrons/lower extension members ranges from at least about 1 to 50 degrees.

12. The novel enhanced fundiform seating apparatus of claim 10, wherein the depth of the involved sling element ranges from at least about 1/4 of an inch to about 10 inches.

13. The novel enhanced fundiform seating apparatus of claim 8, said sling element having an overall length of between at least about 750 mm and 830 mm.

14. The novel enhanced fundiform seating apparatus of claim 8, wherein an angle between the chevrons/lower extension members ranges from at least about 17 to 38 degrees.

15. The novel enhanced fundiform seating apparatus of claim 8, wherein the depth of the involved sling element ranges from at least about 1/4 of an inch to about 2 inches.

16. The novel enhanced fundiform seating apparatus of claim 8, each of the dimensions of the sling element determined by calculation derived from a weight measurement of a user and using it to define an optimized dimension set.

17. A sling-seat element for supporting the ischial tuberosities of a user, which comprises, in combination: a first elongated lower extension member, defined by an acute angle extending between it and a second elongated lower extension member, forming a chevron-like shape; an upper extension member emerging from the nexus of the two lower extension members and continuing longitudinally at least as far as the lower extension members extend in an opposite direction; whereby when disposed within a frame for a seating apparatus the first elongated lower extension member and the second elongated lower extension member each receive a respective ishcial tuberosity of a user, and the upper extension member bracingly engages the upper buttocks and lower back of a user to achieve an improved posture, while the overall orientation of the element tilts a user's pelvis forward.

18. A sling seat element for supporting the ischial tuberosities of a user according to claim 17, wherein the element is incorporated into a seat for an automobile.

19. A sling seat element for supporting the ischial tuberosities of a user according to claim 17, wherein the element is incorporated into a seat for an airplane, boat, train, or article of heavy equipment.

20. A sling seat element for supporting the ischial tuberosities of a user according to claim 17, wherein the element is incorporated into a seat for a child.