U.S. patent application number 15/824602 was filed with the patent office on 2018-07-19 for pivot seat with a non-rolling weighted base.
The applicant listed for this patent is Safco Products Co.. Invention is credited to Martin Keen.
Application Number | 20180199719 15/824602 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62838119 |
Filed Date | 2018-07-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180199719 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Keen; Martin |
July 19, 2018 |
PIVOT SEAT WITH A NON-ROLLING WEIGHTED BASE
Abstract
A seat that can move between an upright position and one or more
active positions is provided. The seat can have a base with a
non-planar portion to wobble the seat into one or more wobble
orientations, thereby permitting controlled pitching of the seat
relative to a floor surface. The base can have one or more roll
reduction pads to restrict roll in or about a roll axis
perpendicular to a pitch axis about which the seat pitches. The
seat can also have a post coupled to the base and a seat pan to
provide a seating surface. The base can be weighted and can have a
non-planar portion to wobble the seat into one or more wobble
orientations. The roll reduction pads can extend radially outwardly
from the apex of the non-planar portion. One or more pads can
generally conform to contours of the non-planar portion of the
base.
Inventors: |
Keen; Martin; (Jamestown,
RI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Safco Products Co. |
Minneapolis |
MN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
62838119 |
Appl. No.: |
15/824602 |
Filed: |
November 28, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62445936 |
Jan 13, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 9/025 20130101;
A47C 7/004 20130101; A47C 3/029 20130101; A47C 3/30 20130101; A47C
7/002 20130101; A47C 7/029 20180801; A47C 3/40 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47C 7/00 20060101
A47C007/00; A47C 9/02 20060101 A47C009/02; A47C 3/029 20060101
A47C003/029 |
Claims
1. A seat, comprising: a base having: a non-planar portion to
permit wobbling of the seat into one or more wobble orientations,
thereby permitting controlled pitching of the seat relative to a
floor surface about a pitch axis when a user's body weight is
applied thereon, the seat being configured to move between an
upright position and one or more active positions, one or more roll
reduction pads to restrict roll in or about a roll axis in the one
or more active positions, the roll axis being perpendicular to the
pitch axis; a post having: a center axis, a first end coupled to
the base, and a second end opposite to the first end; a seat pan
coupled to the second end of the post, the seat pan being
configured to provide a seating surface.
2. The seat of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a center of
gravity positioned to be closer to the floor surface than to the
first end of the post so as to facilitate returning the seat from
the one or more active positions to the upright position when the
user's body weight is removed from the seat.
3. The seat of claim 1, wherein the seat has a pitch axis
positioned on a plane parallel to the floor surface.
4. The seat of claim 3, wherein the base forms a non-zero angle
with the floor surface when the seat is in the one or more active
positions.
5. The seat of claim 4, wherein the angle formed by the base is
sufficient to form an angle of between about 100 degrees and about
150 degrees between a user's torso and hip, when seated in the one
or more active positions.
6. The seat of claim 5, wherein the angle formed by the base with
the floor surface is between about 20 degrees and about 70
degrees.
7. The seat of claim 1, wherein the base has a generally symmetric
shape about a yaw axis.
8. The seat of claim 7, wherein the seat pan is configured to yaw
about the yaw axis relative to the base into one or more yaw
positions.
9. The seat of claim 7, wherein the seat is pivotable into one or
more active positions for each yaw position of the seat post
relative to the base.
10. The seat of claim 8, wherein the base is generally dome-shaped,
with an apex of the dome-shaped base generally contacting the floor
in the upright position, and each yaw position corresponds to a
portion of a circumference of the base.
11. The seat of claim 9, wherein the generally symmetric shape of
the base permitting omnidirectional yaw of the seat pan relative to
the base.
12. A seat, comprising: a base permitting controlled pitching of
the seat about a pitch axis relative to the floor surface when a
user's body weight is applied thereon, the seat being configured to
move between an upright position and one or more active positions,
the base comprising a roll reduction portion provided on an outer
surface of the base to restrict roll about a roll axis
perpendicular to the pitch axis; a post coupled to the base at a
first end, the post having a second end opposite to the first end;
and a seat pan coupled to the second end of the post, the seat pan
being configured to provide a seating surface.
13. The seat of claim 12, wherein the base comprises a non-planar
portion at least a portion of which contacts the floor surface at
least in the upright position when the seat is positioned
thereon.
14. The seat of claim 13, wherein the roll reduction portion
comprises a plurality of pads extending outwardly from the
non-planar portion of the base.
15. The seat of claim 14, wherein the base is pivotable with
respect to the floor surface about the pitch axis into the one or
more active positions.
16. The seat of claim 15, wherein the non-planar portion is
rotationally symmetric about a yaw axis when the seat is in the
upright position.
17. The seat of claim 16, wherein the plurality of pads extend
radially outwardly from an apex of the non-planar portion.
18. The seat of claim 17, wherein one or more pads of the plurality
of pads generally conforms to contours of the non-planar portion of
the base.
19. The seat of claim 17, wherein one or more pads of the plurality
of pad has a length corresponding to between about 50% and about
90% of an arc length of the non-planar portion.
20. A weighted base for a pivot seat, comprising: an upper portion
to connect to a post of the pivot seat; a non-planar portion to
wobble the seat into one or more wobble orientations; and a roll
reduction portion provided on the base, the roll reduction portion
comprising a plurality of pads extending radially outwardly from
the apex of the non-planar portion, one or more pads of the
plurality of pads generally conforming to contours of the
non-planar portion of the base, the roll reduction portion to
restrict rolling motion about a roll axis perpendicular to a pitch
axis about which the seat is configured to pitch.
21. The weighted base of claim 20, wherein the non-planar portion
is curved and has a radius of curvature and an apex, the radius of
curvature being equal to a distance between a center of curvature
of the curved non-planar portion and the apex.
22. The weighted base of claim 21, wherein the one or more pads are
curved about the center of curvature of the non-planar portion, the
one or more pads having a radius of curvature offset from the
radius of curvature of the non-planar portion.
23. The weighted base of claim 22, wherein, at least one pad has a
thickness, whereby the thickness equals the difference between the
radius of curvature of the one or more pads and the radius of
curvature of the non-planar portion.
24. The weighted base of claim 23, wherein the at least one pad has
a first thickness near the apex and a second thickness radially
away from the apex, the first thickness being less than the second
thickness.
25. The weighted base of claim 20, wherein at least one pad
includes a raised edge forming a first ridged portion and a second
ridged portion disposed near an outer edge of the non-planar
portion, the first ridged portion and the second ridged portion
providing further roll suppression.
26. The weighted base of claim 25, wherein, the first ridged
portion and the second ridged portion each extend over a distance
between about 1/5.sup.th and 1/3.sup.rd of a length of the at least
one pad.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application 62/445,936 filed Jan. 13, 2017, the entire contents of
which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Traditional sitting postures assumed when using typical
office seating such as chairs may have, over time, a detrimental
impact on an individual's health. Besides encouraging a sedentary
lifestyle, traditional seating may create muscular or orthopedic
discomfort for a person.
[0003] Many commercially available wobble seats or wobble stools
encourage the user to sit in a more active seating posture, rather
than a traditional upright sitting posture. Such wobble seats
typically have an inverted dome shaped weighted base that can be
self-stabilizing (e.g., similar to a rocking chair) so as to rest
on its apex. A user may have to exert their body weight to keep the
wobble seat in the active seating posture. Doing so may increase
blood flow to the user's abdomen and legs, alleviating some of the
negative effects of traditional upright sitting.
[0004] However, commercially available wobble seats, because of the
hemispherical shape of the weighted base have a tendency to roll
(e.g., in a direction perpendicular to their "rocking" direction).
This may cause discomfort to the user, when, for instance, the user
leans sideways (e.g., to reach an object) while seated in an active
seating posture.
SUMMARY
[0005] In one embodiment, this disclosure provides a seat. The seat
can be configured to move between an upright position and one or
more active positions. The seat can have a base having a non-planar
portion configured to permit wobbling of the seat into one or more
wobble orientations, thereby permitting controlled pitching of the
seat relative to a floor surface about a pitch axis when a user's
body weight is applied thereon. The base can have one or more roll
reduction pads configured to restrict roll in or about a roll axis
in the one or more active positions. The roll axis can be
perpendicular to the pitch axis.
[0006] In some embodiments, the seat includes a post having a
center axis. The post can have a first end coupled to the base, and
a second end opposite to the first end.
[0007] In some embodiments, the seat can have a seat pan coupled to
the second end of the post. The seat pan can be configured to
provide a seating surface.
[0008] In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the base can
have a center of gravity positioned to be closer to the floor
surface than to the first end of the post so as to facilitate
returning the seat from the one or more active positions to the
upright position when the user's body weight is removed from the
seat.
[0009] In some illustrative aspects, the seat has a pitch axis
positioned on a plane parallel to the floor surface.
[0010] In aspects of the present disclosure, the base can form a
non-zero angle with the floor surface when the seat is in the one
or more active positions. In some embodiments, the angle formed by
the base is sufficient to form an angle of between about 100
degrees and about 150 degrees between a user's torso and hip, when
seated in the one or more active positions. In an embodiment, the
angle formed by the base with the floor surface is between about 20
degrees and about 70 degrees.
[0011] In certain illustrative aspects, the base has a generally
symmetric shape about a yaw axis. In some embodiments, the seat pan
is configured to yaw about the yaw axis relative to the base into
one or more yaw positions. In some such embodiments, the seat is
pivotable into one or more active positions for each yaw position
of the seat post relative to the base.
[0012] The base can be generally dome-shaped in some embodiments.
The dome-shaped base can, in an exemplary embodiment, have an apex.
The apex can generally contact the floor in the upright position,
and each yaw position corresponds to a portion of a circumference
of the base.
[0013] In certain illustrative aspects, the generally symmetric
shape of the base can permit omnidirectional yaw of the seat pan
relative to the base.
[0014] In another aspect of the disclosure, a seat is provided. The
seat can be configured to move between an upright position and one
or more active positions The seat can have a base permitting
controlled pitching of the seat about a pitch axis relative to the
floor surface when a user's body weight is applied thereon. The
base can have a roll reduction portion provided on an outer surface
of the base to restrict roll about a roll axis perpendicular to the
pitch axis. The seat can also have a post coupled to the base at a
first end. The post can have a second end opposite to the first
end. In some embodiments, a seat pan can be coupled to the second
end of the post. The seat pan can be configured to provide a
seating surface.
[0015] In some embodiments, the base includes a non-planar portion
at least a portion of which contacts the floor surface at least in
the upright position when the seat is positioned thereon.
[0016] In aspects of the present disclosure, the roll reduction
portion comprises a plurality of pads extending outwardly from the
non-planar portion of the base.
[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, the base is pivotable with
respect to the floor surface about the pitch axis into the one or
more active positions.
[0018] In one aspect, the non-planar portion of the base is
rotationally symmetric about a yaw axis when the seat is in the
upright position.
[0019] In some embodiments, the plurality of pads extend radially
outwardly from an apex of the non-planar portion.
[0020] In an illustrative embodiment, one or more pads of the
plurality of pads generally conforms to contours of the non-planar
portion of the base. In some embodiments, one or more pads has a
length corresponding to between about 50% and about 90% of an arc
length of the non-planar portion.
[0021] Aspects of the present disclosure also provide a weighted
base for a pivot seat. The weighted base can have an upper portion
configured to connect to a post of the pivot seat. The weighted
base can also have a non-planar portion configured to wobble the
seat into one or more wobble orientations, and a roll reduction
portion provided on the base. The roll reduction portion includes a
plurality of pads extending radially outwardly from the apex of the
non-planar portion. One or more pads can generally conform to
contours of the non-planar portion of the base. The roll reduction
portion can be configured to restrict rolling motion about a roll
axis perpendicular to a pitch axis about which the seat is
configured to pitch.
[0022] The details of one or more examples are set forth in the
accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features,
objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and
drawings, and from the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1A is perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a
pivot seat shown in an upright position;
[0024] FIG. 1B illustrates a perspective view of the pivot seat of
FIG. 1A shown in an active position;
[0025] FIG. 1C illustrates a side perspective view of the pivot
seat of FIG. 1A with a user seated thereon;
[0026] FIG. 1D illustrates the pivot seat of FIG. 1A with a user
seated in an upright position;
[0027] FIG. 1E illustrates the pivot seat of FIG. 1A with the user
seated in an active position;
[0028] FIG. 1F illustrates the pivot seat of FIG. 1A with a
plurality of active positions illustrated in dashed lines;
[0029] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a weighted base of the pivot
seat shown in FIG. 1A according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0030] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the weighted base of FIG. 2;
[0031] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the weighted base of
FIG. 2 taken about the plane 3-3;
[0032] FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the weighted base of
FIG. 2;
[0033] FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of a roll reduction
portion according to another example; and
[0034] FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of the roll reduction
portion illustrated in FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] FIGS. 1A-1C show illustrative embodiments of a pivot seat
10. FIG. 1A illustrates the pivot seat 10 in an upright position,
whereas FIG. 1B illustrates the pivot seat 10 in an active seating
position. FIG. 1C illustrates an exemplary seating posture of a
user 20 when seated in the active seating position of FIG. 1B, with
their feet resting on the foot rest 30. As seen therein, the pivot
seat 10 can have controlled pitching such that it can be moved with
respect to the floor surface 32 from its upright position to its
active seating position. In some exemplary embodiments, at least
one stable equilibrium configuration of the pivot seat 10 can be
its upright position. Alternatively or in addition, of the active
seating positions may correspond to a stable equilibrium position.
As used herein, "stable equilibrium" may refer to a seating
position whereby no rotational moments act on the seat so as to
offset it from its stable equilibrium position when a user is
seated thereon. Such rotational moments may include, for instance,
a rolling moment which may reduce stability as will be described
below. In such examples, controlled pitching can be provided by the
user's body weight which acts to counter the weight of the seat and
move it from the upright position to the one or more active seating
positions.
[0036] As seen in FIGS. 1A-1C, the seat comprises a base 40. At
least a portion of the base can remain on the floor surface 32. The
base 40 comprises a first surface 41 with an upper portion 42 and a
second surface 43 having a non-planar portion 44. At least certain
parts of the non-planar portion 44 may generally contact the floor
surface 32. However, different portions (relative to the
illustrated portion) of the non-planar portion 44 may contact the
floor surface 32 depending on the position and orientation in which
the seat is pitched and/or swiveled. The base 40 connects to a post
50 at a first end 52 thereof. A second end 54 of the post 50
(opposite to the first end 52) can connect to a seat pan 60 and/or
a seat cushion 70. The first end 52 and the second end 54 can be
lower and upper edges respectively of a post housing 56. The post
housing 56 and the post 50 are cylindrical (with a circular
cross-section) in the illustrated embodiment, though, appreciably,
other shapes (e.g. rectangular or oval cross-section) are
contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure. The post
50, seat pan 60 and seat cushion 70 are described in the
commonly-assigned patent application, U.S. 2013/0306831 A1, the
entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
[0037] The post 50 is generally elongate in shape disposed about a
center axis 51 and protrudes out of a post housing 56. The post 50
can be adjustable relative to the base 40 so as to position the
seat pan 60 and/or seat cushion 70 at a desired height 82 from the
floor surface 32 to accommodate users of different heights. For
instance, the post 50 can be adjusted (e.g., in a telescopic
fashion) such that users of different heights can be comfortably
seated in one or more active positions as illustrated in FIG. 1C.
For example, in one embodiment, the seat can accommodate users of
heights between about 4'6'' and about 6'8'', preferably about
4'11'' and about 6'6''. However, the heights provided here should
not be construed as limiting and users of different heights can be
accommodated in the seat 10.
[0038] In some such cases, the seat pan 60 can be coupled to an
adjustment handle 84 that can adjust the length of the post 50. The
adjustment handle 84 can be actuated by a user to adjust the height
82 as a result of which the post 50 has a sliding motion relative
to the post housing 56. In some cases, height adjustment can be
accomplished by using a pneumatic gas spring positioned within the
post 50 and/or post housing 56. In some such embodiments, the
user's body weight (or the lack thereof on the seat cushion 70) can
facilitate adjusting the seat to a desired height 82.
[0039] The post 50 is rotationally coupled to the base 40 such that
the seat pan 60 can yaw about a yaw axis 80 relative to the base 40
into one or more yaw positions.
[0040] With continued reference to FIGS. 1A-1C, the seat pan 60 can
be connected to a seat cushion 70. Exemplary embodiments of the
seat cushion 70 are described in the commonly-assigned U.S.
application Ser. No. 15/618,448 titled "Seat Cushion," filed on
Jun. 9, 2017, and assigned to the assignee of the present
application, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated
by reference. Such embodiments provide sitz bone contouring and a
waterfall edge for enhancing support and comfort. Further, such
embodiments may help to reduce pressure points that might otherwise
develop when using traditional seat cushions.
[0041] With continued reference to FIGS. 1A-1C, the seat can be
used in an omnidirectional manner. For instance, as described
previously, the seat pan 60 may yaw relative to the base 40 (as
indicated in FIG. 1A) about the yaw axis 80 into one or more yaw
positions. In some examples, the post 50 can have about 360 degrees
of yaw, permitting usage of the seat in any rotational orientation.
In such cases, base 40 can be rotationally symmetric about the yaw
axis 80 permitting use of the seat in any yaw orientation.
Accordingly, various portions of the non-planar portion 44 of the
base 40 may contact the floor surface 32 based on the yaw position
of the seat.
[0042] The base 40 can be weighted so as to permit controlled
pitching of the seat into one or more active positions. For
instance, in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1C, the seat pivots
into an active position so as to form an angle 88 between a user's
torso 90 and hip 92. However, the base 40 may be weighted so as to
provide sufficient control to the user 20 such that they may adjust
their posture to form a desired angle 88 between the hip 92 and
torso 90. For instance, the base 40 may be weighted so as to
provide variable pitching of the seat such that an angle 88 of
between about 90 degrees and about 175 degrees is formed between a
user's torso 90 and hip 92, when seated in the one or more active
positions. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1C, the angle 88
is about 130 degrees, though, appreciably, angles greater than or
less than 130 degrees are contemplated in the present disclosure.
Thus, each active position results in a corresponding angle 88
between the user's hip 92 and torso 90. Likewise, each active
position is associated with a corresponding pitch position of the
base 40, with a corresponding angle between the base 40 (e.g.,
upper portion 42) and the floor surface 32.
[0043] As is apparent from FIGS. 1B and 1C, the seat 10 and the
base 40 in particular can pitch about a pitch axis 100. The
pitching motion about the pitch axis 100 can sometimes be referred
to a "rocking" motion. The pitch axis 100 can be disposed on a
plane generally parallel to the floor surface. The base 40 (e.g.,
the upper portion 42) can form a non-zero angle with respect to the
floor surface when the seat is in one or more active positions. For
instance, the angle formed by the base 40 (e.g., upper portion 42)
with the pitch axis 100 can be between about 20 degrees and about
70 degrees. A suitable angle allowing the user 20 to maintain a
desired angle between the hip 92 and torso 90 can be achieved by
the user 20 by applying and/or directing a suitable amount of their
body weight on the seat. For instance, a user may wish to mostly
stand while having their gluteal muscles supported by the pivot
seat. In such cases, the user may not apply or direct a substantial
amount of their weight on the pivot seat and instead choose to rest
their weight through their legs. In other examples, the user may
desire additional support for their gluteal and/or leg muscles. In
such cases they may exert and/or direct (e.g., by leaning forward)
so as to achieve a greater degree of pitching. Any number of active
positions, corresponding to the degree of desired support can be
achieved.
[0044] FIGS. 1D-1F illustrate some exemplary positions of the pivot
seat 10. In FIG. 1D, the user 20 is seated in the upright position.
The angle between the user's torso 90 and hip 92 is about 90
degrees, and the upper portion 42 of the base 40 is generally
parallel with the floor surface 32. Further, the post 50 is
substantially collapsed within the post housing 56 such that the
user's feet are in contact with the floor surface 32. In FIG. 1E,
the seat 10 is at an active position. In this position, the angle
between the user's torso 90 and hip 92 is greater than or equal to
about 90 degrees (for example, between about 100 degrees and about
170 degrees, optionally, about 130 degrees), and the upper portion
42 of the base 40 is generally non-parallel with the floor surface
32. Further, the post 50 is substantially extended from the post
housing 56 with respect to its position shown in FIG. 1D. FIG. 1F
illustrates two different active seating positions of the pivot
seat 10: a first active seating position 102 shown in dashed lines
and a second active seating position 104 shown in solid lines. The
upright position 106 is also provided for reference in dashed
lines. The first active position 102 may represent the maximum
amount of pitching permissible whereby, an outer edge 166 of the
base 40 approaches close to the floor surface 32 relative to its
location in the upright position 106.
[0045] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a perspective view and a bottom
view of the weighted base 40 according to an embodiment. In some
embodiments, the base 40 can permit controlled pitching of the seat
relative to the floor surface 32 when the user's body weight is
applied thereon, between the upright position and the one or more
active positions. Further, the base 40 can restrict movement in a
direction 142 or about axis 110 normal to the pitch axis 100 of the
seat (best illustrated in FIG. 1B). For instance, the base 40 can
restrict "roll" about a roll axis 110 when the seat is in the one
or more active seating positions. As used herein, roll refers to
motion in a direction 142 (or a moment about a direction 142)
normal to the direction 126 of active seating. In some examples,
roll can occur lateral to the direction 126 of active seating. The
roll axis 110 can be perpendicular to both the pitch axis 100 and
the yaw axis 80. In turn, the pitch axis 100 is perpendicular to
the yaw axis 80.
[0046] In certain advantageous aspects, the base 40 comprises a
center of gravity 112 positioned to be closer to the floor surface
32 than to the first end 52 of the post 50 so as to facilitate
returning the seat from the one or more active positions to the
upright position when the user's body weight is removed from the
seat. Referring now to FIG. 4, in certain exemplary embodiments,
the base 40 can be weighted such that the center of gravity is
generally positioned such that a first portion 114 of the
non-planar portion 44 may contact the floor surface 32 at least in
some active positions, and/or the upright position. In the
illustrated embodiment, the first portion 114 can be defined
between ribs 116, 118. In this and other embodiments, the first
portion 114 can be ring-shaped (e.g., circular or oval when viewed
from the bottom). In such embodiments, the first portion 114 can be
a first radium 115 away from a center 130 of the non-planar portion
44.
[0047] The non-planar portion 44 may facilitate wobbling of the
seat into one or more wobble orientations. The wobble orientation
may include the active positions of the seat, as well as transition
positions between the active positions and the upright positions
(or vice versa). In some embodiments, every position of the seat,
with the exception of the upright position, defines a wobble
orientation. The center of gravity of the base 40 generally falls
within the first portion 114 of the non-planar portion 44, as a
result of which the base 40 tends to return form the one or more
active positions to the upright position.
[0048] In some exemplary embodiments, the base 40 can be
substantially rigid relative to the floor surface, and may not have
any noticeable deformation relative to the floor surface when a
user's body weight is applied on the seat 10. For instance, the
base 40 may substantially retain its shape when the user is seated
on the seat 10. Advantageously, in some aspects, at least the
non-planar portion 44 can be made of a rigid, but non-slip material
such as rubber. Further, the base 40 can be weighted so as to be
heavier relative to the post 50 and the seat pan 60 and/or seat
cushion 70. For instance, the base 40 can account for greater than
50% of the overall weight of the seat 10. In an embodiment, the
base 40 can have a desired weight distribution according to any
known methods. For instance, the bottom portion of the base 40
below the base center plane 120 can be heavier relative to the top
portion of the base 40. In this or other embodiments, areas
corresponding to the first portion 114 of the base 40 (encompassed
by surfaces 122, 124) can be heavier relative to the areas outside
the first portion 114 of the base 40. In such cases, when a force
(e.g., user's body weight) acts to pitch the base 40, the point of
contact (e.g., near arrow 172 in FIG. 1B) of the base 40 with the
floor surface 32 may be shifted outside the first portion 114 of
the non-planar portion 44. However, as the center of gravity 112 of
the base 40 falls within the first portion 114, a first restoring
moment 126 may be generated about the pitch axis 100 (along
direction 126 shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C) as a result of the offset
between the point of contact (outside the first portion 114) and
the center of gravity 112. The first restoring moment 126 may act
to restore the base 40 to its upright position (which can be a
stable equilibrium position in some embodiments). Accordingly, to
maintain the base 40 in an active position, a user 20 may continue
to overcome the first restoring moment 126 with a force (e.g., body
weight and/or shifting the user's own center of gravity) until the
first restoring moment 126 is overcome. Advantageously, such
posture can be analogous to exercising, and may improve blood flow
to the user's legs. The user 20 may thus be offered an opportunity
to be less sedentary when seated in an active seating position.
When the user 20 removes their body weight, the first restoring
moment 126 may pitch the base 40 in a direction opposite to the
pitching shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C so that the first portion 114
contacts the floor surface 32, and the center of gravity falls
within the first portion 114. In alternative examples, the base 40
can be weighted so as to have a uniform mass distribution, but may
be configured to return to its upright position when a user's body
weight is removed. For instance, the base 40 may have a generally
convex shape permitting it to return from its active position to
upright position upon removal of the user's weight.
[0049] Referring now to FIG. 5, the base 40 has a generally
symmetric shape about the yaw axis 80. The generally symmetric
shape of the base 40 can permit omnidirectional yaw of the post 50
relative to the base 40. In the illustrated embodiments, the base
40 is generally dome-shaped (e.g., convex relative to the floor
surface 20), with an apex 130 of the dome-shaped base 40 generally
contacting the floor when the seat is in the upright position.
However, as a result of being generally symmetric, the post 50 can
be swiveled into any yaw position about 360 degree angle, which
corresponds to a portion of a circumference 132 of the dome-shaped
base 40. Other shapes having symmetry about the yaw axis 80 such as
a hemispherical shape are contemplated within the scope of the
present disclosure.
[0050] As described previously, the base 40 can reduce and/or
restrict rolling motion of the seat about the roll axis 110. In
such cases, the base 40 comprises a roll reduction portion 140
provided on the non-planar portion 44 of the base 40 to restrict
movement in (or a first restoring moment 126 about) the roll axis
110. As is apparent, the roll axis 110 is generally perpendicular
to a plane containing a front edge of the seat cushion 70 for a
given yaw position. For example, if the post 50 were to be swiveled
from the orientation shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, a new roll axis 110 can
be defined, that would be perpendicular to the plane (e.g., a new
plane) that contains the front edge of the seat cushion 70. In such
cases, the roll reduction portion 140 can reduce or restrict a
tendency of the weighted base 40 to roll (e.g., along direction
142) about its new roll axis 110.
[0051] Referring again to FIGS. 3 and 5, the roll reduction portion
comprises a plurality of pads 150 extending outwardly from the
non-planar portion 44 of the base 40. As seen therein, the
plurality of pads 150 extend radially outwardly from the apex 130
of the non-planar portion 44. Further, as seen from FIG. 4, one or
more pads generally conforms to contours of the non-planar portion
44 of the base 40. In the illustrated example, one or more pads has
a non-planar portion 44 having a curvature substantially similar to
a portion of the dome-shaped base 40. Further, one or more pads 150
has a length 152 corresponding to between about 50% and about 90%
an arc length 156 of the non-planar portion 44. For instance, the
pads 150 can extend a substantial fraction of an arc connecting the
apex 130 of the non-planar portion 44 and an outer edge 166 of the
non-planar portion 44. Accordingly, the base 40 may pitch about the
pitch axis 100 to any desired extent (e.g., between upright
position 106, to the first active position 102) referred to as
maximum possible "rocking" motion (resulting in user's hip 92 to
torso 90 angle of between about 90 degrees and about 170 degrees),
while limiting or eliminating "rolling" motion of the base 40.
[0052] The pad(s) 150 can also have a thickness 158 defined as the
difference between the radius of curvature 160 of the pad(s)150 and
the radius of curvature 164 of the non-planar portion 44 of the
base 40. For instance, in an embodiment, the radius of curvature
160 of the pads 150 can be offset by a generally constant distance
(in the radial direction) with respect to the radius of curvature
164 of the non-planar portion 44. Accordingly, in some embodiments,
the pad(s) 150 can have a non-zero thickness by which they project
out of the non-planar portion 44. The pads 150 can therefore be
"flatter" relative to the non-planar portion 44 of the base 40 and
provide roll reduction. The pads 150 can, in such embodiments,
reduce or suppress roll about the roll axis 110 of the pivot seat
by spreading out the area of contact of the base 40 with the floor
surface, thereby providing improved stability relative to a base 40
that does not have the pads 150. If, for instance, any roll occurs,
the one or more pads 150 may contact the floor surface (instead of,
or in addition to the non-planar portion 44) to suppress any
roll.
[0053] In advantageous aspects, the plurality of pads 150 can
reduce or suppress rolling moments that may be generated about the
roll axis 110 when the seat is in the active position. For
instance, in an example, when the seat is in the active position,
and the user's center of gravity 170 pivots the base 40 such that a
second portion 172 of the non-planar portion 44 contacts the floor
surface 32. The user's center of gravity, in this case, falls
within the second portion 172 of the non-planar portion 44, and the
base 40 may thus be in static equilibrium. If the user 20 were to
lean in a lateral direction (e.g., relative to the front edge of
the seat), the user's center of gravity may be shifted outside the
second portion 172 that contacts the floor surface 32, and a second
moment 142 may be generated about the roll axis 110. The second
moment 142 may act to roll the base 40 about the roll axis 110 to
counter the user's movement in the lateral direction. In such
cases, the pads 150 can suppress the second moment 142 and the
second portion 172 (between two adjacent pads 150) can come into
contact with the floor surface 32. The pads 150 may provide
additional points of contact with the floor surface so as to
account for the shifted position of the center of gravity. As the
center of gravity is within the envelope that contacts the floor
surface, any additional rolling moments may get suppressed. The
second portion 172, in such cases, can encompass the surface area
of the non-planar portion 44 between any two pads 150, based on the
yaw position in which the seat is used. Appreciably, some exemplary
embodiments allow roll reduction in any yaw orientation of the base
40 because of the radial distribution of the pads 150.
[0054] In some examples, portions of the base 40 and/or the roll
reduction portion can be formed of materials that improve grip. For
instance, the non-planar portion 44 of the base 40 and the
plurality of pads 150 can be made of rubber to improve grip on the
non-planar portion 44. Optionally, the entire base 40 can be made
of rubber and molded in a single-piece. Such embodiments permit
improved stability and are easy to manufacture.
[0055] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate portions of the base 40 with a roll
reduction portion according to another example. The illustrated
example of FIGS. 6 and 7 is substantially similar to the exemplary
embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2-5, with the exception described
below. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, a
representative pad 150 of the plurality of pads is illustrated. The
one or more pads 150 of the roll reduction portion optionally
includes one or more edges that are positioned to form raised
portions relative to the surface of the pads 150. As perhaps best
seen in FIG. 7, one or more pads 150 includes a raised edge 180
that is offset relative to outer edges 182, 184 of the pad, so as
to form a first ridged portion 186 and a second ridged portion 188.
The raised edge 180 can run generally centrally along a substantial
length of the pad 150 so as to be generally equidistant from the
outer edges 182, 184. For instance, the raised edge 180 can run
between about 50% and about 75% of the length of the pad 150.
[0056] The first ridged portion 186 and the second ridged portion
188 can be inclined relative to the outer edges 182, 184 of one or
more pads 150. As is apparent, in such cases, one or more pads 150
has a non-uniform thickness 158, with portions radially closer to
the apex 130 (best seen in FIG. 1F) having a lower thickness 158a
than portions radially further away from the apex 130. For
instance, the raised portions can have a maximum thickness 158b
defined between the raised edge 180 and a bottom edge 190.
[0057] Returning to FIG. 6, the first ridged portion 186 and the
second ridged portion 188 may be defined further away from the apex
(best seen in FIG. 1F) of the base 40. Further, the first ridged
portion 186 and the second ridged portion 188 may extend over a
distance between about 1/5.sup.th and 1/3.sup.rd of the length of
the pad. As seen from FIGS. 6 and 7, while the pads 150 generally
follow the contours of the non-planar portion 44 of the second
surface 43, the first ridged portion 186 and the second ridged
portion 188 may not follow such contours. For instance the pads 150
may follow the contours (e.g., hemispherical) of the non-planar
portion 44 over a distance of between about 50% and 75% of the
length of the pad. Such embodiments may improve roll resistance at
large pivoting angles of the base 40 an example of which is the
first active seating position 102 shown in FIG. 1F.
[0058] For instance, in the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, if a user
were to apply their weight so as to pitch the seat at the first
active seating position 102, one or more pads 150 may contact with
the floor surface such that portions of the pad(s) near the outer
edge 166 rest against the floor surface. In such cases, the first
ridged portion 186 and the second ridged portion 188 may provide
additional roll suppression relative to the embodiment that does
not have ridged portions (e.g., FIGS. 2-5). If a rolling moment
were to be generated due to the user's center of gravity shifting
relative to its location when in stable equilibrium, the first
ridged portion 186 may suppress the rolling moment, and provide
additional points of contact with the floor surface so as to
improve stability, as described with respect to the pads 150. If an
additional rolling moment were to be generated when the first
ridged portion 186 contacts the floor surface (for instance if the
user were to lean further sideways), the base 40 may roll to a
limited extent until the second ridged portion 188 contacts the
floor surface. In such cases, the second ridged portion 188 may
provide roll suppression and provide additional points of contact
with the floor surface to improve stability. Accordingly,
embodiments with ridged portions such as those illustrated in FIGS.
6 and 7 may provide improved roll resistance at large pivoting
angles of the seat.
[0059] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide several
advantages. Pivot seats according to some exemplary embodiments
support leaning posture and encourages a hip-to-torso angle optimal
for providing less pressure on a user's spine and connecting
muscles (relative to standing). Further, the seat pan 60 can be
positioned so as to help promote an open hip angle, thereby
facilitating engagement of the core muscles. The weighted base
according to some examples advantageously leverages a user's center
of gravity to support multidirectional use, enabling a wide range
of motion while maintaining control. Such seats can be used with
commercially available standing desks of different sizes.
[0060] Various examples have been described. These and other
examples are within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *