This disclosure relates generally to the field of seating systems, in particular, chairs with upper body supports.
Ergonomics, or human engineering, is the science of designing and arranging objects, such as seats, used by people, to optimize the efficiency and safety of human interaction with those objects. With respect to seating systems, ergonomics may be concerned with strain on the user's body and, in particular, on the user's back, shoulders, arms, and legs. Often, seats are designed with adjustable features that accommodate the unique support needs of the user.
In accordance with one aspect of this disclosure, there is provided a seating system, the seating system comprising:
In any embodiment, the upper body support may be rotatable about an axis extending from the mount.
In any embodiment, each profile in the at least three profiles may be different.
In any embodiment, the upper body support may further comprise at least a fourth profile and each position in the plurality of positions may correspond to one of the at least four profiles.
In any embodiment, each position in the plurality of positions may be rotationally about 90-degrees from an adjacent position.
In any embodiment, the mount may further comprise a rotational system coupling the upper body support to the mount, the rotational system having an inner race, an outer race, and at least one bearing between the inner race and the outer race such that the inner race and the outer race are rotatable relative to each other, wherein one of the inner race and the outer race may be coupled to the mount proximate the upper end of the mount; and wherein the other of the inner race and the outer race may be coupled to the upper body support such that the upper body support is rotatable relative to the mount.
In any embodiment, the system may further comprise a retention mechanism mounted to the mount proximate the rotational system, the retention mechanism movable between an inhibited position in which the upper body support is resisted from rotation and an uninhibited position in which the upper body support is rotatable.
In any embodiment, the retention mechanism may comprise a first engagement member and the outer race may comprise a plurality of second engagement members for engaging with the first engagement member;
In any embodiment, the first engagement member may have a pin and each second engagement member in the plurality of second engagement members may be a notch in the outer race shaped to receive the pin of the first engagement member.
In any embodiment, the mount may comprise a mount sleeve moveably coupled to the mount, the mount sleeve being movable along a longitudinal axis of the mount, wherein the upper body support may be mounted to the mount sleeve such that the upper body support is movable with the mount sleeve.
In accordance with one aspect of this disclosure, there is provided a seating system, the seating system comprising:
In any embodiment, one of the plurality of first mounting members and the plurality of second mounting members may comprise locating pins and the other of the plurality of first mounting members and the plurality of second mounting members may comprise bores correspondingly shaped to receive the plurality of locating pins.
In any embodiment, the plurality of first mounting members and the plurality of second mounting members may be magnetically couplable.
In any embodiment, the upper body support may be a first upper body support and the seating system further may comprise a second upper body support, the first upper body support being replaceable with the second upper body support.
In any embodiment, the first upper body support and the second upper body support may be different.
In any embodiment, the first upper body support may have a first shape and the second upper body support may have a second shape, the first shape for supporting a front of the upper body of the user and the second shape for supporting a back of the upper body of the user.
In any embodiment, the mount may comprise a mount sleeve moveably coupled to the mount, the mount sleeve being movable along a longitudinal axis of the mount, wherein the mount sleeve may have the plurality of first mounting members; and wherein the upper body support may be removably coupled to the mount sleeve such that the upper body support is movable with the mount sleeve.
In any embodiment, the system may further comprise a mounting plate coupled to the upper end of the mount, the mounting plate having the plurality of first mounting members, wherein the upper body support may be removably coupled to the mounting plate.
In any embodiment, the mounting side of the upper body support may further comprise a plurality of latching members for securing the upper body support to the mounting plate, each latching member in the plurality of latching members may be movable between a latched position in which the upper body support is fixed to the first mounting members on the mounting plate and an unlatched position in which the upper body support is removable from the mounting plate.
In accordance with one aspect of this disclosure, there is provided a seating system, the seating system comprising:
In any embodiment, the upper body support may be rotatable about an axis substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the mount.
In any embodiment, each profile in the plurality of profiles may be sized and shaped differently.
In any embodiment, the upper body support may further comprise at least four profiles and each position in the plurality of positions may correspond to one of the at least four profiles.
In any embodiment, each position in the plurality of positions may be rotationally about 90-degrees from an adjacent position.
In any embodiment, the mount may further comprise a rotational system coupling the upper body support to the mount, the rotational system having an inner race, an outer race, and at least one bearing between the inner race and the outer race such that the inner race and the outer race may be rotatable relative to each other, wherein one of the inner race and the outer race may be coupled to the mount proximate the upper end of the mount; and wherein the other of the inner race and the outer race may be coupled to the upper body support such that the upper body support is rotatable relative to the mount.
In any embodiment, the system may further comprise a retention mechanism mounted to the mount proximate the rotational system, the retention mechanism may be movable between an inhibited position in which the upper body support is resisted from rotation and an uninhibited position in which the upper body support is rotatable.
In any embodiment, the retention mechanism may comprise a first engagement member and the outer race may comprise a plurality of second engagement members for engaging with the first engagement member; wherein each second engagement member in the plurality of second engagement members may correspond to one position in the plurality of positions of the upper body support; and wherein when the first engagement member may be engaged with one of the second engagement members the retention mechanism is in the inhibited position.
In any embodiment, the first engagement member may have a pin and each second engagement member in the plurality of second engagement members may be a plurality of notches in the outer race shaped to receive the pin of the first engagement member.
In any embodiment, one of the inner race and the outer race may have a plurality of first mounting members and the mounting side of the upper body support may have a plurality of second mounting members for coupling with the first mounting members, wherein the upper body support may be removably couplable to the rotational system by coupling the first mounting members and the second mounting members.
In any embodiment, one of the plurality of first mounting members and the plurality of second mounting members may be locating pins and the other of the plurality of first mounting members and the plurality of second mounting members may be bores correspondingly shaped to receive the plurality of locating pins.
In any embodiment, the plurality of first mounting members and the plurality of second mounting members may be magnetically couplable.
In any embodiment, the rotational system may further comprise a mounting plate coupled to one of the inner race and the outer race, the mounting plate having the plurality of first mounting members.
In any embodiment, the mounting side of the upper body support may further comprise a plurality of latching members for securing the upper body support to the mounting plate, each latching member in the plurality of latching members may be movable between a latched position in which the upper body support is fixed to the mounting plate and an unlatched position in which the upper body support is removable from the mounting plate.
In any embodiment, the upper body support may be a first upper body support and the seating system may further comprise a second upper body support, the first upper body support being replaceable with the second upper body support.
In any embodiment, the first upper body support and the second upper body support may be differently shaped for supporting a differently sized user.
In any embodiment, the first upper body support may have a first shape and the second upper body support may have a second shape, the first shape for supporting a front of the upper body of the user and the second shape for supporting a back of the upper body of the user.
In any embodiment, the mount may comprise a mount sleeve moveably coupled to the mount, the mount sleeve may be movable along a longitudinal axis of the mount, wherein the upper body support may be removably coupled to the mount sleeve such that the upper body support is movable with the mount sleeve.
In accordance with one aspect of this disclosure, there is provided: a kit for a seating system, the kit comprising:
In any embodiment, the upper body support may be a first upper body support and the kit may further comprise at least a second upper body support couplable to the mount, the first upper body support may be replaceable with the second upper body support.
In any embodiment, the first upper body support may be rotatably couplable to the mount.
In any embodiment, the first upper body support and the second upper body support may be differently shaped.
In any embodiment, the first upper body support may have a first shape and the second upper body support may have a second shape, the first shape for supporting a front of the upper body of the user and the second shape for supporting a back of the upper body of the user.
In any embodiment, the kit may further comprise at least one wall mount for removably mounting one of the first upper body support and the second upper body support when not in use.
These and other aspects and features of various embodiments will be described in greater detail below.
For a better understanding of the described embodiments and to show more clearly how they may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:
The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of articles, methods, and apparatuses of the teaching of the present specification and are not intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way.
Various apparatuses, methods and compositions are described below to provide an example of an embodiment of each claimed invention. No embodiment described below limits any claimed invention and any claimed invention may cover apparatuses and methods that differ from those described below. The claimed inventions are not limited to apparatuses, methods and compositions having all of the features of any one apparatus, method or composition described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses, methods or compositions described below. It is possible that an apparatus, method or composition described below is not an embodiment of any claimed invention. Any invention disclosed in an apparatus, method or composition described below that is not claimed in this document may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, for example, a continuing patent application, and the applicant(s), inventor(s) and/or owner(s) do not intend to abandon, disclaim, or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in this document.
The terms “an embodiment,” “embodiment,” “embodiments,” “the embodiment,” “the embodiments,” “one or more embodiments,” “some embodiments,” and “one embodiment” mean “one or more (but not all) embodiments of the present invention(s),” unless expressly specified otherwise.
The terms “including,” “comprising” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to,” unless expressly specified otherwise. A listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a,” “an” and “the” mean “one or more,” unless expressly specified otherwise.
As used herein and in the claims, two or more parts are said to be “coupled”, “connected”, “attached”, or “fastened” where the parts are joined or operate together either directly or indirectly (i.e., through one or more intermediate parts), so long as a link occurs. As used herein and in the claims, two or more parts are said to be “directly coupled”, “directly connected”, “directly attached”, or “directly fastened” where the parts are connected in physical contact with each other. None of the terms “coupled”, “connected”, “attached”, and “fastened” distinguish the manner in which two or more parts are joined together.
Furthermore, it will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the example embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the example embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the example embodiments described herein. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the example embodiments described herein.
As used herein, the wording “and/or” is intended to represent an inclusive -or. That is, “X and/or Y” is intended to mean X or Y or both, for example. As a further example, “X, Y, and/or Z” is intended to mean X or Y or Z or any combination thereof.
As used herein and in the claims, two elements are said to be “parallel” where those elements are parallel and spaced apart, or where those elements are collinear.
Traditional chairs, such as office chairs, may incorporate height adjustment of the seat relative to the floor and the arms relative to the seat, as well as positional adjustment of the lumbar support within the backrest. However, these adjustable features are incorporated into the fixed structure of the chair such that there is a limited range of adjustability. Accordingly, traditional chairs are not well suited to accommodating the range of potential users of different shapes and sizes and will provide sub-optimal ergonomics for users whose needs fall outside the range of adjustability. Further, the fixed structures of traditional chairs are directed at a particular contemplated use and are therefore unlikely to accommodate more than one application while maintaining optimal efficiency and safety of the user. For example, an office chair is for use by a user seated at a desk and is therefore not well suited to use by a medical professional while working on a patient.
Seating System with Rotatably Adjustable Upper Body Support
Referring to
The seating system 100 includes a mount 130 extending from a lower end 132 to an upper end 134, with the lower end 132 being coupled to the base 110 proximate the upper end 114 of the base. The mount 130 may vary in size and/or shape depending on the system 100. For example, the mount 130 may be generally vertical as shown in
For ease of understanding, like elements have been numbered with like reference numbers with an incremented difference. Referring to
As shown in
The upper frontal support may include a variety of profiles. For example,
In some embodiments, the upper frontal support 540 may be rotatable about an axis of rotation. The upper frontal support 540 may have three or more profiles and be rotatable between multiple positions, each position corresponding to one of the profiles of the upper frontal support 540. For example, in the embodiment shown in
As described, the upper frontal support 540 may be shaped such that it may accommodate users of different sizes and/or comforts. For example, the upper frontal support 540 may have profiles suited to tall users, short users, thin users, plus-sized users, any height and/or any size. Each rotatable position may allow for a different profile of usability, thereby enabling each individual user to locate the position that is most comfortable to them, while providing sufficient support to the user during their task. In other words, the upper frontal support 540 may be rotated to accommodate different users. Each profile may vary in shape and/or size in multiple dimensions. For example, in a cartesian system, the shape and/or size of each profile may vary in each of the x, y, and z directions. In some embodiments, one or more profiles may share one or more surface features of an adjacent profile. For example, referring to
The number of rotatable positions may vary with the design of the upper frontal support 140. For example, in the embodiment shown in
Referring to
In some embodiments, the upper frontal support 140 may be pivotably coupled proximate the upper end 134 of the mount 130 to allow the user to reposition with more versatility. The upper frontal support 140 may pivot between multiple positions within any angular range that enables the user to perform their desired task.
Referring now to
The seating system 100 may have a retention mechanism 170. The retention mechanism 170 may provide resistance to motion of the upper frontal support or may prevent the upper frontal support from moving. For example, as shown in
The retention mechanism 170 may be any retention mechanism capable of allowing the upper frontal support to move between a state where the upper frontal support is resisted from moving and a state where the upper frontal support is rotatable. For example, as shown in
As shown in
In some embodiments, the retention mechanism 170 may include a biasing member. For example, the pin of the retention mechanism may be biased toward the locked position, unlockable via a release 174. Referring to
In some embodiments, the upper frontal support 140 may be vertically adjustable. The upper frontal support 140 may be moveable along length of the mount 130 by any means. For example, as shown in
In some embodiments, a rotational system and a retention mechanism may be mounted to the mount sleeve 136 such that the upper frontal support 140 may be rotatable and rotationally lockable when mounted upon the mount sleeve 136. For example, the rotational system 160 is coupled to the mount sleeve 136 by one of the inner race 162 and outer race 164. The upper frontal support 140 can be mounted to the other of the inner race 162 and outer race 164 such that the upper frontal support 140 is both adjustable along the longitudinal axis of the mount 130 and rotatable about an axis relative to the mount 130.
Seating System with Replaceable Upper Body Support
Referring to
Any coupling suitable for removably attaching the upper frontal support 240 and the mount 230 may be used. For example, in some embodiments, one of the first mounting members 238 or the second mounting members 248 may be locating pins and the other may be bores correspondingly shaped to receive the locating pins. As shown in
In some embodiments, the first mounting members 238 and the second mounting members 248 may be magnetically couplable. In some examples, the first mounting members 238 and the second mounting members 248 may be removably coupled by friction fit. Using a plurality of each of the first mounting members 238 and the second mounting members 248 may improve the coupling strength between the upper frontal support 240 and the mount 230.
In some embodiments, the upper frontal support 240 is a first upper frontal support and the seating system 200 may further have a second upper frontal support, the first upper frontal support being replaceable with the second upper frontal support. The first upper frontal support and the second upper frontal support may have at least one differing profile for supporting different users and/or for satisfying the need for a different support for the same user.
Any replaceable upper body support of any shape and/or size may be used with seating system 200. For example, any of upper frontal supports 540, 140, and 640 shown in
In some embodiments, the mount 230 may be vertically variable such that the height of the upper frontal support 240 may be adjusted by adjusting the mount 230. For example, as shown in
Referring still to
In some embodiments, when a mounting plate 250 is used, the mounting side 246 of the upper frontal support 240 may have a retention mechanism for securing the upper frontal support 240 to the mounting plate 250. For example, as shown in
The latching members 252 may any suitable mechanism for selectively fixing the upper frontal support 240 to the mounting plate 250 and subsequently releasing the upper frontal support 240 from the mounting plate 250. For example, as shown in
Seating System with Replaceable and Rotatably Adjustable Upper Body Support
Referring to
As shown in
Referring to
As shown, the mount sleeve 436 is made of a 3D printed material. The mount sleeve 436 may be made of any material capable of supporting the upper frontal support 440 when mounted to the mount 430. An advantage of this design is that the number of parts may be reduced, thereby reducing cost and simplifying manufacturing. Additionally, the accuracy and fit of the components may be improved, while also simplifying assembly of the seating system.
Referring to
The release 474 may be moved to a second position, whereby the release 474 is disengaged from the rotational system 460 and the rotational system 460 can rotate. For example, pulling the release 474 may move the release to the second position. Once rotation has begun, the pull force acting on the release 474 may be removed, and the rotational system 460 may rotate to the next position. A biasing member (not shown) may continue to bias the release 474, such that when the rotational system 460 reaches the next position, the release 474 is biased back into the locked position, thereby inhibiting rotation of the rotational system 460.
The release 474 may be operable in a third position, whereby the release 474 is fully disengaged from the rotational system 460, thereby allowing for free rotation of the rotational system 460. In some embodiments, the release 474 may have an engagement member (not shown) that is operable to engage with the bottom of the sleeve 436 such that the biasing member is unable to return the release 474 back to the locked position. Accordingly, when the engagement member is engaged with the sleeve 436, the rotational system 460 may continue to rotate freely. In other words, when the release 474 is in the third position and the engagement member is engaged, the release 474 may be locked out of the rotational system 460.
Referring to
In some embodiments, the slots 438 may maintain a clearance between the front and the back of the mount 430. This clearance may reduce and/or eliminate differential flex between the front and back of the mount 430, the mounting plate 450, and/or the rotational system 460 when the system 400 experiences loading and/or motion from a user. In embodiments with a vertical adjustment system, this clearance may assist with the movement of the adjustment system.
The following features may be used in any of the seating systems described herein. For simplicity, 100 series reference characters will be used. In some embodiments the upper frontal support 140 may be pivotably coupled proximate the upper end 134 of the mount 130 to the mount 130, the mount sleeve 136, the rotational system 160, and/or the mounting plate 150, such that the upper frontal support 140 may pivot between a plurality of positions. For example, the upper frontal support 140 may be pivotably coupled such that it is pivotable from the length of the mount 130 by, for example, 45-90-degrees, 60-90-degrees, 75-90-degrees and/or about 90-degrees.
In some embodiments the mount 130 may be fixedly coupled at the lower end 132 to the base 110 proximate the upper end 114 of the base such that the length of the mount 130 is fixed at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the base 110. The angle may be any angle that facilitates different uses of the system 100.
In some embodiments, the mount 130 may be pivotably coupled at the lower end 132 to the base 110 proximate the upper end 114 of the base. For example, the mount 130 may be mounted such that it is reclinable between a position wherein the length of the mount 130 is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the base 110. The mount 130 may be pivotably coupled at an angle from the longitudinal axis of the base 110 in the range of, including, but not limited to, about 90-degrees, about 75-degrees, about 60-degrees, about 45-degrees, and/or any other angle that can facilitate use of the system 100. In some examples, the mount 130 may be pivotable between multiple positions.
Referring now to
Different lower body supports with different profiles may be used. For example, a saddle seat may be used such that the user may sit with the back support supporting their back, or may rotate the lower body support about 180-degrees to another position wherein the upper frontal support 140 supports their chest. The lower body support may be sized and shaped to receive the lower legs of the user, the upper legs of the user, and/or the seat of the user, such that the user may use the seating system 100 in the kneeling, seated, partially standing, and/or “perched” positions.
The seating system 100 may include a rotational system for rotatably coupling the lower body support 120 to the upper end 114 of the base 110. Where a rotational system is used, the first lower mounting members may be on one of the inner race and the outer race, such that the lower body support 120 may be removably couplable to the rotational system. Where a mounting plate is used, the first lower mounting members may be on the mounting plate, such that the lower body support 120 may be removably couplable to the mounting plate. The mounting side 126b of the lower body support 120 may include two or more latching members, for example, similar to the latching members 252 of the upper frontal support 240, for securing the lower body support 120 to the mounting plate. Accordingly, the lower body support 120 may be removable, replaceable, swappable, or rotatable, or any combination thereof, to accommodate a range of user sizes and/or a range of potential uses.
In some embodiments the base 110 may be a solid structure. For example, the lower end 112 may contact the ground to support the system 100. In some embodiments, the base 110 may have a first cross-sectional area from the upper end 114 to the lower end 112 and a platform coupled to the lower end 112 with having a second cross-sectional area. The second cross-sectional area may be greater than the first cross-sectional area to prevent overturning of the seating system 100. In some embodiments, the base 110 may have four or more legs extending from the lower end 112 toward the ground for supporting the seating system 100 at a distance above the ground.
In some embodiments, the base 110 may have at least four legs 116 extending from the lower end 112. The legs 116 may extend along the ground surface at an acute angle to the ground surface. In the embodiment shown in
The seating system may have any number of legs 116. For example, in the embodiment shown in
The distance between the lower end 112 and upper end 114 of the base 110 may be adjustable such that the distance of the lower body support 120 from the ground may be adjustable. For example, the base 110 may include, but is not limited to, a pneumatic, hydraulic, and/or motorized lifting mechanism. Adjusting the height of the lower body support 120 above the ground may facilitate an ergonomic position and may allow for transitioning between kneeling, seated, and/or perched positions.
In some embodiments, the base 110 may be rotatably coupled to the legs 116. In such embodiments, the base, 110 and lower body support 120 may each be jointly or independently rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the base 110. Where the legs are similar to the legs 116 with castors 116a of
Referring to
As shown in
As shown in
The shape and/or size of the transitional element 890 may vary depending on the shape and/or size of the upper frontal support. For example, as shown in
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a kit for a seating system is provided. The kit may include any of the elements of one or more seating systems described herein.
For example, the kit may include a base, a lower body support couplable to the base, a mount couplable to the base, and an upper body support removably couplable to the mount. In some embodiments, the upper body support may also be rotatably couplable to the mount.
In some embodiments, the upper body support may be a first upper body support, and the kit may further include a second upper body support removably couplable to the mount, the first upper body support being replaceable with the second upper body support. In some embodiments, the first and second upper body supports may be differently shaped for supporting a differently sized user. In some embodiments, the first upper body support has a first shape and the second upper body support has a second shape, the first shape for supporting a front of the upper body of the user and the second shape for supporting a back of the upper body of the user.
In some embodiments, kit may further include one or more wall mounts 180 for removably mounting one or more of the first upper body support and the second upper body support when not in use. For example, as shown in
Referring to
The upper body support may be removably mounted to the wall mount 180 by coupling the second mounting members of the upper body support and the third mounting members 188. As described, one of the second mounting members and the third mounting members 188 may be locating pins and the other may be bores correspondingly shaped to receive the locating pins. The bores and locating pins may be coupled by any means, such as by magnetically couplings. For example, in the embodiment shown in
In some embodiments, the lower body support 120 may be a first lower body support 120 and the kit may include one or more additional lower body supports. The lower body supports may be removably couplable to the base 110. Each lower body support 120 may be differently sized and/or shaped to accommodate different needs of the user. For example, the first lower body support 120 may be designed to support the user in a kneeling position while the second lower body support may be designed to support the user in a seated position.
While the above description describes features of example embodiments, it will be appreciated that some features and/or functions of the described embodiments are susceptible to modification without departing from the spirit and principles of operation of the described embodiments. For example, the various characteristics which are described by means of the represented embodiments or examples may be selectively combined with each other. Accordingly, what has been described above is intended to be illustrative of the claimed concept and non-limiting. It will be understood by persons skilled in the art that other variants and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments and examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/405,928 filed on Sep. 13, 2022, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63405928 | Sep 2022 | US |