CHAIR

Abstract

A chair includes a unitary body generally forming two side portions, a seat portion supported by the two side portions at the top, the unitary body having the generalized shape of an inverted “U”, the two side portions configured to contact the floor along bottom edges, the bottom edges including a curvature along the length of the edges to allow rocking motion of the chair while a user is seated on the seat portion.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a seating apparatus.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

Many chairs and seats exist however each has its own set of drawbacks. Some encourage sitting in a specified position while others, such as rocking chairs encourage movement. Many rocking chairs do not require much movement by the body which may be beneficial to helping maintain attention versus falling asleep. Also, conventional rocking chairs are often styled in a traditional rocking chair mode.

Accordingly, there is a need for a chair that encourages movement of the body while sitting and provides a desired aesthetic.

SUMMARY

An illustrative embodiment relates to a chair. The chair includes a unitary body generally forming two side portions, a seat portion supported by the two side portions at the top, the unitary body having the generalized shape of an inverted “U”, the two side portions configured to contact the floor along bottom edges, the bottom edges including a curvature along the length of the edges to allow rocking motion of the chair while a user is seated on the seat portion.

Another illustrative embodiment relates to a chair. The chair includes two side portions and a seat portion supported by the two side portions at the top, the two side portions and the seat portion together forming the generalized shape of an inverted “U”. The chair also includes two edges of the side portions configured to contact the floor along bottom edges of the side portions. The edges include a curvature along the length of the edges to allow rocking motion of the chair while a user is seated on the seat portion.

Still another illustrative embodiment relates to a chair. The chair includes two side means and a seat means supported by the two side means at the top, the two side means and the seat means together forming the generalized shape of an inverted “U”. The chair also includes two edge means of the side means configured to contact the floor along bottom edge means of the side means. The edge means include a curvature along the length of the edge means to allow rocking motion of the chair while a user is seated on the seat means.

Further features, advantages, and areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the disclosed embodiments. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chair in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the chair of FIG. 1 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 2.1 is a front view of the chair of FIG. 1 in accordance with an alternative illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the chair of FIG. 1 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the chair of FIG. 1 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 4.1 is a top view of the chair of FIG. 1 in accordance with an alternative illustrative embodiment;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description explains, by way of illustration only and not of limitation, various embodiments of a chair are described.

Illustrative embodiments relate to a chair that through its use encourages and stimulates gentle, continuous movement of the spine and pelvis. When sitting, the movement for the user is not just forwards and backwards but also side to side. Illustrative embodiments provide a chair that is beautiful, functional and playful.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an illustrative embodiment of the chair is a bent plywood (or any other similarly malleable material such as but not limited to plastic, metal or other manufactured materials e.g., carbon fiber) multi-directional rocking chair. Its shape allows the user to sit in two positions; “western” (straddling the chair) or “side-saddle” (user sits with both legs on the same side of the chair).

Sitting western allows for rocking forwards and backwards and sitting side-saddle allows for side to side rocking. This gentle and varied directional rocking is not only beneficial to the health of the user's spine, pelvis and overall posture but alleviates boredom and stiffening of the body that can often occur in a standard office environment.

The illustrative chair includes an inset handle 1, a seat 2, and sides 3 having compound, concave curvatures. Side 3 also forms a curved edge 4 for rocking of the chair, each of the curved edges 4 optionally including a stopper 5 located along the curved edge. Stopper 5 may either prevent a user from rocking the chair too far where they risk tipping it over or provides the user with a tactile indication that they have rocked in one direction far enough and should rock back the other way. The illustrative chair also includes a seating area 6 on which the user sits in virtually any direction because there is no back.

The shape of the chair is generally an inverted “U”. The sides have compound and concave curvature, wider at the base than at the top and bent slightly inwards in the center. This inward curvature allows the user to better grip the chair with their thighs in the western position and have their feet in a natural sitting position when sitting side-saddle.

All measurements in the drawings are in inches. Each dimension is shown in a range to demonstrate the various sizes that the chair may preferably be manufactured however, the invention is not limited to these dimensions and other dimensions may be applied without departing from the scope of the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an illustrative front view of the chair is depicted. The chair includes a rounded seat configuration in which the seat portion has a continuous curvature. FIG. 2.1 depicts the same front view as FIG. 2 but includes a flat seat in accordance with an alternative embodiment. Accordingly, other seat portion configurations may be envisioned without departing from the scope of the invention, for example, without being limiting, seat portion may include a depressed region.

Referring now to FIG. 3 a side view of the chair is depicted showing inset handles 1 and the seat 2. Side 3 preferably is formed with a compound, concave curvature to make the seat comfortable and attractive. The curved edge 4 is formed with an eased curve for comfortable rocking. Curved edg 4 may also be optionally be formed with a stopper 5 coupled thereto with functions as described above.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an illustrative top view of the chair shows a two-handle configuration which includes two handle apertures formed adjacent opposing ends of the seat. FIG. 4.1 depicts an alternative illustrative embodiment that includes a single handle aperture configuration. Any handle configuration may be used including but not limited to the chair having no handles, without departing from the scope of the invention.

The chair is not limited to these specifications disclosed in the drawings. Its manufacturable dimensions may preferably be within the ranges as described in the drawings, however not limited thereto.

An example of one specific illustrative embodiment is described below and the dimensions listed below are provided for example only and are not deemed as limiting. The shape of the chair is that of an inverted “U”. The term “sides” refers to the vertical lines of the U shape and the term “seating area” refers to the curved part of the U. The height of the example embodiment is 19″. In this embodiment, the distance between the two sides, where it touches the floor, is 19½″. The seating area has a length of 19¾″. The front and back of the seating area have a width of 11½″ at the edges. The seating area width is 10½″ in the center. There are handles on both sides of the seating area. The handles are made by cutting out a shape through the thickness of the surface of the seating area. These handles are inset from the edge of the seating area by 1¼″. The length of the handle is 6½″ by a width of 1⅜″. In the example embodiment, the distance between the two handles is 14⅝″.

The sides have compound, concave curvatures which allow the user to better grip the chair with their thighs in the western position and have their feet and legs in a natural sitting position when sitting side-saddle. The height of the sides is 17½″ tall and curve into the seating area. The width of the sides is 20″ at the top and 22¾″ at its widest point which sits 5¾″ above the bottom. The remaining 5¾″ of the sides of the example embodiment are gentle curved as they approach and touch the floor. The space between the two sides is 19½″ in the middle where they touch the floor.

The example embodiment of the chair is made from 5 layers of ⅛″ bendable plywood plus a top layer of veneer. These layers are glued together and pressed into either a 1-part vacuum mold or a 2-part standard steel mold and left to dry/set into the proper form. When they are fully set, the plywood is removed and the profile of the chair is cut out to the aforementioned dimensions, either by multi axis CNC (computer numerical control) or by hand using a jigsaw or hand saw. The handles are then cut out either using a CNC or by hand, using a forstner bit and jigsaw or handsaw. Finally, all edges are passed over with sandpaper to ensure a smooth touch and rocking motion.

The resulting chair has many desirable characteristics including but not limited to the following:

• • 1. A chair that allows for continuous rocking movement, forwards and backwards, as well as side to side.
  • 2. A chair that enhances movement in the lumbar part of the spine.
  • 3. A chair that can be stacked.
  • 4. A chair that has one or two handles for carrying the chair.
  • 5. A chair with handles that can be held to stabilize the user as they sit down on the chair as well as stabilize the user while sitting/rocking.
  • 6. A chair that has adjustable protection against rocking too far in any one direction.
  • 7. A chair that has no back and can easily fit under a desk and table.
  • 8. A chair with a seat that can be either flat or convex depending on the need of the user.

It will be appreciated that the detailed description set forth above is merely illustrative in nature and variations that do not depart from the gist and/or spirit of the claimed subject matter are intended to be within the scope of the claims. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter.

Claims

1. A chair, comprising: a unitary body generally forming two side portions, a seat portion supported by the two side portions at the top, the unitary body having the generalized shape of an inverted “U”, the two side portions configured to contact the floor along bottom edges, the bottom edges including a curvature along the length of the edges to allow rocking motion of the chair while a user is seated on the seat portion.

2. The chair of claim 1, wherein the side portions are formed with a compound concave curvature.

3. The chair of claim 1, wherein the seat portion includes a handle aperture formed therein.

4. The chair of claim 1, wherein the seat portion includes two handle apertures formed therein.

5. The chair of claim 1, wherein the seat portion includes a generally flat seating area on the seat portion.

6. The chair of claim 1, wherein the seat portion includes a generally curved seating area on the seat portion.

7. The chair of claim 1, wherein the bottom edges include one or more stoppers located along the curved edge configured to indicate the limit of the chair rocking motion.

8. The chair of claim 1, wherein the bottom edges include one or more stoppers located along the curved edge configured to prevent rocking of the chair past a limit.

9. The chair of claim 1, wherein the unitary body is formed of plastic.

10. The chair of claim 1, wherein the unitary body is formed of plywood.

11. A chair, comprising: two side portions;a seat portion supported by the two side portions at the top, the two side portions and the seat portion together forming the generalized shape of an inverted “U”,two edges of the side portions configured to contact the floor along bottom edges of the side portions, the edges including a curvature along the length of the edges to allow rocking motion of the chair while a user is seated on the seat portion.

12. The chair of claim 11, wherein the side portions are formed with a compound concave curvature.

13. The chair of claim 11, wherein the seat portion includes a handle aperture formed therein.

14. The chair of claim 11, wherein the seat portion includes two handle apertures formed therein.

15. The chair of claim 11, wherein the seat portion includes a generally flat seating area on the seat portion.

16. The chair of claim 11, wherein the seat portion includes a generally curved seating area on the seat portion.

17. The chair of claim 11, wherein the bottom edges include one or more stoppers located along the curved edge configured to indicate the limit of the chair rocking motion.

18. The chair of claim 11, wherein the bottom edges include one or more stoppers located along the curved edge configured to prevent rocking of the chair past a limit.

19. The chair of claim 11, wherein the unitary body is formed of plywood.

20. A chair, comprising: two side means;a seat means supported by the two side means at the top, the two side means and the seat means together forming the generalized shape of an inverted “U”,two edge means of the side means configured to contact the floor along bottom edges of the side means, the edge means including a curvature along the length of the edge means to allow rocking motion of the chair while a user is seated on the seat means.