BACKGROUND
Breast-feeding and bottle feeding may cause stress on a parent's legs, back, shoulders, and arms. The sitting position for the parent during the breast-feeding or bottle feeding directly affects the amount of stress placed on the legs, back, shoulders, and arms.
It is within this context that the embodiments arise.
SUMMARY
Embodiments include a support stool capable of adjusting the angular position of a top plate of the support stool. It should be appreciated that the present exemplary embodiments can be implemented in numerous ways, such as a process an apparatus, a system, a device or a method. Several inventive embodiments of the present invention are described below.
In one embodiment, a support stool is provided. The support stool includes a pivotable top plate and a first support beam pivotably affixed to a bottom surface of the top plate. A first support block and a second support block are affixed to the bottom surface of the top plate. First and second footplates are coupled to corresponding ends of the first support beam and a second support beam, wherein the first and second support blocks are spaced apart from opposing side surfaces of the first and second support beams. The support stool includes a first holding member extending through the first footplate and the first holding member extends partially into a surface of the first support block.
In another embodiment, a support stool is provided. The support stool includes a top plate. A first footplate and a second footplate are included. The support stool further includes a first beam and a second beam with ends of each beam being affixed to opposing surfaces of the first footplate and the second footplate. The first beam is pivotably mounted to a bottom surface of the top plate. The support stool includes a first support block and a second support block affixed to the bottom surface of the top plate. The first support block and the second support block are disposed within a region encompassed by the first footplate, the second footplate, the first beam, and the second beam.
Other aspects will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the exemplary embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating a nursing mother utilizing the adjustable stool in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating a perspective view of the adjustable stool in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating a perspective side view of the adjustable stool in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 4A is a simplified schematic diagram of a bottom perspective view of the partially assembled adjustable stool in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 4B is a simplified schematic diagram of a bottom perspective view illustrating the assembled adjustable stool in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 5 is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating a perspective top view of an assembled adjustable stool in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Exemplary embodiments include an adjustable support stool. It will be obvious, however, that the present embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well-known operations have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the exemplary embodiments.
The embodiments provide a support stool that has an adjustable top plate. The is adjustable top plate pivots in order to accommodate different angles for optimum nursing support and comfort. Because of the adjustable nature of the stool, a comfortable position that alleviates stress on the back, shoulders, neck, etc., is more likely to be found.
FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating a nursing mother utilizing the adjustable stool in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. As explained in more detail below adjustable stool 10 enables the nursing mother to comfortably and ergonomically adjust her sitting position. The adjustable stool enables positioning to alleviate stress placed on the back, legs, shoulders, neck and even wrist pain from repeated breast or bottle feeding. The stool enables elevation of the persons thighs in order to assist in supporting the baby. In addition, the angular adjustment of the top plate of the stool provides for a more comfortable ergonomic position.
FIG. 2 is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating a perspective view of the adjustable stool in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Adjustable stool 10 includes top plate 12 movably supported by beam 22b and footplates 16a and 16b. On a top surface of the top plate 12 are strips 14. It should be appreciated that strips 14 are optional in one embodiment. The strips 14 provide a nonskid surface or may alternatively be an orthopedic pad. Top plate 12 is pivotably coupled to beam 22b through hinges in one embodiment. The hinged coupling enables top plate 12 to pivot around an axis of the coupling so that a distal end of the top plate is free to move, since the pivot point is proximate to an opposing end of the top plate. Footplates 16a and 16b are coupled to beam 22b in order to provide support for top plate 12 of the adjustable stool 10. A top surface of footplates 16a and 16b, and the corresponding beams, is flat to provide support against the bottom surface of top plate 12 when the top plate is in a non-raised position.
FIG. 3 is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating a perspective side view of the adjustable stool in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Footplates 16a and 16b are coupled to each other through beam 22a and an opposing beam 22b as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4B. A bottom surface of top plate 12 is affixed to support block 18a and corresponding support block 18b (see FIG. 4A). Support block 18a has a plurality of holes 20a-c that partially extend into the support block. It should be appreciated that holes 20a-c are radially aligned with a pivot axis for top plate 12. That is, the distance from the pivot axis to each of holes 20a-c is the same. As top plate 12 pivots around the hinged connection, a holding member disposed through hole 32 and any one of the corresponding holes 20a-c, enables support for the variable angular positions of top plate 12. Footplates 16a and 16b are configured each with a pair of leg extensions that are angled outward. It should be noted that alternative configurations for footplates 16a and 16b may be integrated into the embodiments described herein.
FIG. 4A is a simplified schematic diagram of a bottom perspective view of the partially assembled adjustable stool in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Support blocks 18a and 18b are affixed to a bottom surface of top plate 12. Beam 22b is coupled to the bottom surface of top plate 12 through hinges 24. Thus, through the coupling with hinges 24, top plate 12 will pivot around an axis of hinges 24. Dowels 26 extend from opposing ends of being 20 to be in order to assist in supporting the footplates for the adjustable stool. It should be noted that support blocks 18a and 18b move with top plate 12 as the top plate pivots.
FIG. 4B is a simplified schematic diagram of a bottom perspective view illustrating the assembled adjustable stool in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Support blocks 18a and 18b, as well as beams 22a and 22b are affixed to a bottom surface of top plate 12. As discussed above beam 22b is affixed to the bottom surface of top plate 12 through hinges 24. It should be appreciated that the frame support surfaces against the bottom surface of top plate 12 defined through beams 22a, 22b, and support blocks 18a and 18b, form a planar surface that supports a bottom surface of top plate 12 in a flat position. Footplates 16a and 16b are coupled to beams 22a and 22b through dowels 26 and bolts 34, in one embodiment. It should be noted that footplates 16a and 16b are not directly coupled to top plate 12. That is, footplates 16a and 16b provide a support structure for the adjustable stool along with beams 22a and 22b. This support structure is completely disposed under a bottom surface of top plate 12 and remains stationary as top plate 12 is adjusted. Beam 22b is directly coupled to top plate 12, as well as support blocks 18a and 18b, while beam 22a is not coupled to top plate 12. Beam 22a remains stationary as mentioned above, however, support blocks 18a and 18b pivot along with top plate 12. It should be noted that support blocks 18a and 18b are disposed within a region encompassed by footplates 16a and 16b and beams 22a and 22b. Support blocks 18a and 18b are spaced apart from the side surfaces of footplates 16a and 16b and beams 22a and 22b in one embodiment. The bottom surface of the leg extensions of footplates 16a and 16b may include a compliant member 28, which may be composed of rubber in one embodiment. Bolts 34 affix beams 22a and 22b to footplates 16a and 16b in one embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating a perspective top view of an assembled adjustable stool in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Top plate 12 is disposed over the support structure which includes foot plates 16a and 16b, as well as the beams and support blocks discussed with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B. Holding member 30 is provided in order to couple footplates 16a and 16b to one of the holes 20a through 20c of the corresponding support blocks as illustrated in FIG. 3. It should be noted that while three adjustable levels are provided on support blocks 18a and 18b, this is not meant to be limiting, as any suitable number of adjustable levels may be provided.
The adjustable stool described above provides the comfort afforded through the angular adjustment of the top plate. In addition, the adjustable stool may also function as a regular stepping stool when the top plate is in a flat or resting position. The materials of construction for the components listed above may be any suitable rigid material, e.g., wood, plastic, metal, etc.
Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications can be practiced within the scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, the present embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.
Patent Grant
8414079
