Patent Grant
10136732
The present invention relates to seating apparatus and methods of using seating apparatus, and, in particular, to seating apparatus comprising arms or arm rests.
Chairs or other seats without arm rests or other supporting structure can sometimes be difficult for the elderly, disabled, or infirmed to sit in or get up from. Such chairs can thus require users to seek assistance entering or exiting the chairs, or else to find alternative seating arrangements. While some attempts have been made to address such concerns, prior seating assistance devices have failed to provide portability, ease of use, comfort, ergonomic design, and/or stability for seating ingress and egress. There is therefore a continuing need for seating apparatus that provide the desired assistance with seating ingress and egress in a safe and convenient form factor. There is also a continuing need for methods of attaching a seating apparatus to an armless chair in a quick and easy manner, including a manner that can be readily carried out by a potential user of the seating apparatus without assistance.
In one aspect, seating apparatus are described herein which, in some embodiments, can provide one or more advantages over prior seating apparatus. For example, in some cases, a seating apparatus described herein can provide one or more of portability, ease of use, comfort, ergonomic design, and stability for seating ingress and egress.
In some instances, a seating apparatus described herein is adapted to removably or reversibly fasten or attach to a chair. Such a seating apparatus can comprise a seating surface, two arms projecting upwardly from the seating surface, and two clamps. Each clamp can be connected to one of the arms by a rigid bar, and the clamps can be adapted to engage the chair to restrict movement of the seating apparatus relative to the chair. Further, the clamps of the seating apparatus can be adjustable. For example, in some cases, each of the clamps is slidably connected or attached to one of the arms. Moreover, in some such embodiments, each of the clamps is movable diagonally or along a first axis and a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis.
In some embodiments, a seating apparatus described herein does not necessarily comprise two clamps as described above. For example, in some instances, a seating apparatus comprises a seating surface, two arms projecting upwardly from the seating surface, and a fastening strap operable to be adjusted between a tightened position and a loosened position. When the fastening strap is adjusted to the tightened position, it is operable to restrict motion of the seating surface relative to the chair. In some cases, the fastening strap comprises a release buckle, such as a side-release buckle or a button release buckle. Further, in some embodiments, the fastening strap is pivotally connected to the seating surface, such as at one or more side portions of the seating apparatus.
Additionally, in some cases, the arms of a seating apparatus described herein are foldable. Further, in some embodiments, each arm includes an arm rest disposed substantially parallel to the seating surface and a support portion disposed at an acute angle relative to the arm rest. Moreover, in some embodiments of a seating apparatus described herein, the arms of the seating apparatus are load-bearing arms. Additionally, in some instances, the arms are capable of bearing a load corresponding to the body weight of an adult user. The arms and/or other components of the seating apparatus may also be configured to distribute such a load downwardly and/or evenly in one or more horizontal directions. For example, in some cases, the arms of a seating apparatus described herein are configured to direct a force downwardly to the seating surface and to the chair, the force corresponding to a weight of at least 70 lbs.
Further, the seating surface of an apparatus described herein, in some instances, has a rigid bottom portion. Moreover, in some embodiments, the rigid bottom portion defines or includes at least one through hole. The seating surface of an apparatus described herein can also comprise a top portion disposed over the bottom portion. Such a top portion, in some cases, can be soft or cushioned.
Additionally, in some embodiments, a seating apparatus described herein does not comprise a motor and/or is not motorized.
In another aspect, uses of a seating apparatus are described herein. In particular, uses of a seating apparatus to assist a person to sit in and rise from a chair are described herein. The chair can be an armless chair, and the seating apparatus can comprise a seating apparatus described herein. For example, in some cases, the seating apparatus comprises a seating surface having a top portion and a bottom portion, two arms projecting upwardly from the seating surface, and a fastening strap operable to be adjusted between a tightened position and a loosened position. The fastening strap, when adjusted to the tightened position, is operable to restrict motion of the seating surface relative to the chair. Additionally, in some embodiments described herein, the bottom portion of the seating apparatus is placed on a seat of the chair and the arms direct a force downwardly to the seating surface and to the chair. In some cases, the force corresponds to a weight of at least 70 pounds (lbs). Moreover, in some instances, the seating apparatus is used for an adult human, rather than an infant, toddler, or young child. Thus, in some embodiments, the use of the seating apparatus is to assist an adult human to sit in and rise from a chair. Further, in some embodiments, the adult human is elderly (e.g., aged 65 or older), disabled, and/or infirmed.
In still another aspect, methods of attaching a seating apparatus to a chair are described herein. In some embodiments, the chair is an armless chair. Additionally, in some instances, the seating apparatus is a seating apparatus described above. For example, in some cases, a method described herein comprises placing a seating apparatus described above on the seat of a chair and moving the clamps of the seating apparatus along at least one axis to engage the chair with the clamps. In some embodiments, moving the clamps to engage the chair includes moving each of the clamps diagonally relative to a first axis and a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis. Further, in some instances, moving the clamps diagonally alters the distance between the clamps and the bottom of the seat of the chair in at least one direction, such as a direction parallel to the first or second axis described above. Moreover, in some cases, a method described herein further comprises engaging locking members connected to the clamps to restrict movement of the clamps relative to the arms. In addition, the locking members can be engaged in a reversible or releasable manner.
In a further aspect, methods of assisting a person to sit in and rise from a chair are described herein. In some embodiments, methods described herein comprise providing a seating apparatus. Any seating apparatus described herein may be used. For instance, the seating apparatus can have a seating surface with a top portion and a bottom portion, two arms projecting upwardly from the seating surface, and a fastening strap operable to be adjusted between a tightened position and a loosened position. The fastening strap, when adjusted to the tightened position, is operable to restrict motion of the seating surface relative to the chair. Methods described herein further comprise placing the bottom portion of the seating apparatus on a seat of the chair, adjusting the fastening strap to the tightened position, and causing the person to place one hand on each of the two arms while the person lowers himself or herself onto the top portion of the seating surface of the seating apparatus.
These and other embodiments are described in more detail in the detailed description which follows.
Embodiments described herein can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description and drawings. Elements, apparatus, and methods described herein, however, are not limited to the specific embodiments presented in the detailed description and drawings. It should be recognized that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and adaptations will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
In addition, all ranges disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass any and all subranges subsumed therein. For example, a stated range of “1.0 to 10.0” should be considered to include any and all subranges beginning with a minimum value of 1.0 or more and ending with a maximum value of 10.0 or less, e.g., 1.0 to 5.3, or 4.7 to 10.0, or 3.6 to 7.9.
All ranges disclosed herein are also to be considered to include the end points of the range, unless expressly stated otherwise. For example, a range of “between 5 and 10” should generally be considered to include the end points 5 and 10.
I. Seating Apparatus
Referring now to
As illustrated in
In addition, in some embodiments, a seating surface (110) can comprise a top portion (114) disposed on or over the bottom portion (112). In some cases, such as that illustrated in
Seating apparatus described herein, in some embodiments, also comprise one or more clamps (130). A “clamp,” for reference purposes herein, is a structure or component adapted to engage a portion of a chair, such as a seat of a chair, to restrict movement of the seating apparatus relative to the chair. Any clamp not inconsistent with the objectives of the present invention can be used. For example, in some embodiments, a clamp (130) comprises or includes a generally L-shaped structure. A first surface of the clamp (130) can be adapted to engage or contact the chair, such as the bottom of the seat of the chair. A second surface disposed generally perpendicular to the first surface of the clamp (130) can be adapted or configured to engage the side of the chair, or can be otherwise adapted or configured to connect the first surface to a connector component or structure, such as a rigid bar (132), in order to attach or connect the clamp (130) to the seating apparatus (100). Further, in some cases, the clamps (130) of a seating apparatus described herein can comprise, include, or be coated with a wear-resistant material or a material having a higher coefficient of friction than the clamp (130) relative to the chair, such as a rubber, rubberized material, or an elastomeric material. Moreover, it is to be understood that a clamp (130) of a seating apparatus can have a structure other than the generally L-shaped structure illustrated in the figures. For example, in some instances, a clamp can comprise a hook and/or an eyelet. In general, any structure suitable for engaging a portion of a chair may be used.
In addition, in some embodiments, each of the clamps (130) is connected to one of the arms (120) of the seating apparatus (100) by a rigid bar (132). In some cases, each clamp (130) is slidably connected to one of the arms (120). A clamp that is “slidably” connected or attached to an arm, for reference purposes herein, can be connected to the arm at a specific point that can vary based on sliding or similarly translating the clamp in one or more directions. For example, as illustrated in
Further, in some embodiments, the clamps (130) of a seating apparatus described herein are adjustable. An “adjustable” clamp, for reference purposes herein, can be adapted to engage objects or surfaces having different sizes and/or shapes. For example, in some cases, the clamps (130) can be adjustable according to the foregoing slidable engagement with the arms (120). In certain other embodiments, the clamps (130) can be adjustable in addition to, or in place of, such slidable engagement. For instance, in some cases, the rigid bar (132) can have a telescoping portion and/or a spring biasing element (not shown) permitting adjustment of the clamp's position along at least one axis, such as axis A-A in
A seating apparatus (100) described herein further comprises one or more arms (120) projecting upwardly from the seating surface (110). Arms (120) can have any size, shape, configuration, and/or orientation not inconsistent with the objectives of the present invention. For example, in some embodiments, each arm (120) includes an arm rest (122) disposed substantially parallel to the seating surface (110) and a support portion (124), as illustrated in
A support portion (124) of an arm (120) can be disposed at an angle, θ, relative to the arm rest (122). The value of θ can be selected from any range not inconsistent with the objectives of the present invention. For example, in some cases, θ can be an acute angle having a value larger than 0° and smaller than 90°, such as between about 15° and about 75°, between about 25° and 65°, or between about 30° and about 60°. Configurations of an arm (120) wherein a support portion (124) is disposed at an angle relative to the arm rest (122) can permit adjustability and/or slidable engagement of the clamp (130) to an arm (120). For example, one non-limiting embodiment of such a configuration is illustrated in
In addition, in the embodiment of
Moreover, the arms of a seating apparatus described herein can be load-bearing arms. Additionally, in some instances, the arms are capable of bearing a load corresponding to the body weight of an adult user of the seating apparatus, including when the adult user is using the apparatus to sit in and/or rise from a chair to which the seating apparatus is attached. The arms and/or other components of the seating apparatus may also be configured to distribute such a load downwardly and/or evenly in one or more horizontal directions (which may be generally parallel to the seating surface of the apparatus). For example, in some cases, the arms and/or arm rests of a seating apparatus described herein are configured to direct a force downwardly to the seating surface of the seating apparatus and to the chair. Further, the force can correspond to a weight or pressure exerted by an adult user of the seating apparatus in a sitting or rising operation. In some cases, for instance, the force corresponds to a weight of at least 70 lbs, at least 80 lbs, at least 90 lbs, at least 100 lbs, at least 120 lbs, at least 150 lbs, at least 200 lbs, at least 250 lbs, or at least 300 lbs. In some embodiments, the force corresponds to a weight 70-350 lbs, 70-300 lbs, 70-250 lbs, 70-200 lbs, 80-350 lbs, 80-300 lbs, 80-200 lbs, 90-350 lbs, 90-300 lbs, 90-250 lbs, 90-200 lbs, 100-350 lbs, 100-300 lbs, 100-250 lbs, 100-200 lbs, 120-350 lbs, or 120-300 lbs. Moreover, the foregoing forces can be directed and/or distributed by only one arm and/or armrest individually, or by both arms and/or arm rests collectively.
The arms and/or arm rests of a seating apparatus described herein may also be sized and/or spaced in a manner to facilitate use of the seating apparatus by an adult or larger individual, as opposed to an infant, toddler, or young child or smaller individual. For example, in some instances, the arms and/or arm rests of a seating apparatus are spaced apart by at least 14 inches, by at least 16 inches, by at least 18 inches, or by at least 20 inches in a lateral direction corresponding to a width of the seating surface of the seating apparatus, as described hereinabove (e.g., perpendicular to axes A-A and B-B). In some cases, the arms and/or arm rests of the seating apparatus are spaced apart in the lateral direction by 14-24 inches, 16-24 inches, 16-22 inches, 16-20 inches, 18-24 inches, 18-22 inches, or 18-20 inches. It is to be understood that the foregoing spacing distances between arms and/or arm rests can be based on the center-to-center distance (i.e., the distance extending in the lateral direction from the center of the first arm or arm rest to the center of the second arm or arm rest) or the minimum distance (i.e., the shortest distance in the lateral direction between any portion of the first arm or arm rest and any portion of the second arm or arm rest).
Further, in some embodiments, a seating apparatus described herein can be configured or adapted to be stackable with a second seating apparatus described herein. To facilitate stackability, the arms (120) of a seating apparatus (100), in some instances, can be foldable. A “foldable” arm, for reference purposes herein, can be pivoted about one or more pivot points to reduce the profile of the arm in at least one direction. For example, in
It should also be noted that the seating apparatus (100) illustrated in
The embodiment illustrated in
The fastening strap can be attached to or fastened to the seating apparatus in any configuration or by any means not inconsistent with the objectives of the present invention. For example, in some embodiments, the fastening strap is pivotally connected to the seating surface. Such an arrangement can permit adjustable engagement in order to accommodate a variety of chair configurations. A pivotal connection of the fastening strap to the seating apparatus is, in some embodiments, at a back portion of the seating surface. A “back portion,” for reference purposes herein, is a portion extending from a top portion/surface to a bottom portion/surface of the seating apparatus which is adapted or configured to face or be adjacent to a seat back or back rest of a chair when the seating apparatus is in use. For example, a first end of the fastening strap can be pivotally connected to the back portion of the seating apparatus proximate or adjacent to an edge joining the back portion to a first side portion of the seating surface. The fastening strap can be pivotally connected to the seating surface by any components or in any manner not inconsistent with the objectives of the present invention. For example, the fastening strap can be connected to the seating surface by screws, pins, and/or bolts. In some embodiments, the fastening strap comprises or includes one or more grommets in order to reduce or prevent wear of the fastening strap where it engages a screw, pin or bolt. In some embodiments, a second end of the fastening strap can be pivotally connected to the back portion proximate or adjacent to an edge joining the back portion to a second side portion of the seating surface opposite the first side portion. Such an arrangement is illustrated in
It is expressly to be understood that features described above with reference to the specific embodiment depicted in
It is also to be understood that a seating apparatus described herein, in some embodiments, does not comprise a motor and/or is not motorized. A “motorized” seating apparatus, for reference purposes herein, can refer to a seating apparatus that includes a motor as a component or that is attached to or otherwise mechanically coupled to a motor, wherein the motor is used to move one or more components of the seating apparatus or to otherwise assist in the use of the seating apparatus, including for assisting a person to sit in and/or rise from a chair.
II. Uses of a Seating Apparatus
In another aspect, uses of a seating apparatus are described herein. In particular, uses of a seating apparatus to assist a person to sit in and rise from a chair are described herein. In some embodiments, the chair is an armless chair. Additionally, the seating apparatus is a seating apparatus described above. Any seating apparatus described hereinabove in Section I may be used. For example, in some cases, the seating apparatus comprises a seating surface having a top portion and a bottom portion, two arms projecting upwardly from the seating surface, and a fastening strap operable to be adjusted between a tightened position and a loosened position. The fastening strap, when adjusted to the tightened position, is operable to restrict motion of the seating surface relative to the chair. Additionally, in some embodiments of uses described herein, the bottom portion of the seating apparatus is placed on a seat of the chair and the arms direct a force downwardly to the seating surface and to the chair. In some cases, the force corresponds to a weight of at least 70 lbs. Moreover, in some instances, the seating apparatus is used for an adult human, rather than an infant, toddler, or young child. Thus, in some embodiments, the use of the seating apparatus is to assist an adult human to sit in and rise from a chair. In some embodiments, the adult human is elderly, disabled, and/or infirmed. Other seating apparatus described hereinabove may also be used to assist a person (such as an adult) to sit in and rise from a chair.
III. Methods of Attaching a Seating Apparatus to a Chair
In another aspect, methods of attaching a seating apparatus to a chair are described herein. In some embodiments, the chair is an armless chair. Additionally, in some instances, the seating apparatus is a seating apparatus described above. Any seating apparatus described hereinabove in Section I may be used. For example, in some cases, the seating apparatus comprises a seating surface, two arms projecting upwardly from the seating surface, and two clamps adapted to engage a seat of a chair. Each of the clamps can be adjustable and/or slidably connected to one of the arms by a rigid bar. Thus, in some embodiments, a method described herein comprises placing the seating apparatus on the seat of a chair and moving the clamps of the seating apparatus along at least one axis to engage the chair with the clamps. As described hereinabove in Section I, the clamps can be adapted or configured to restrict movement of the seating apparatus relative to the chair when the clamps engage the chair. Additionally, a method described herein, in some cases, further comprises engaging one or more locking members connected to each of the clamps to restrict movement of the clamps relative to the arms. Individual steps of a method described herein can be carried out in any manner not inconsistent with the objectives of the present invention. For example, in some instances, moving the clamps to engage the chair can include moving each of the clamps diagonally, along a first axis, and/or along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis. Further, in some cases, moving the clamps in such a manner alters the distance between the clamps and the bottom of the seat of the chair.
Further, in some cases, the seating apparatus comprises a seating surface having a bottom portion, two arms projecting upwardly from the seating surface, and a fastening strap operable to be adjusted between a tightened position and a loosened position. In such embodiments, the fastening strap, when adjusted to the tightened position, is operable to restrict motion of the seating surface relative to the chair. Further, in some embodiments, the fastening strap comprises or includes a release buckle which, when engaged, places the fastening strap in a closed position and, when disengaged, places the fastening strap in an open position. Thus, a method described herein can comprise placing the bottom portion of the seating apparatus on a seat of a chair, and adjusting the fastening strap to the tightened position, including in such a manner that the closed fastening strap surrounds a back of the chair or at least a portion of the back of the chair. In embodiments comprising a release buckle, methods described herein can further comprise placing the fastening strap in the closed position.
IV. Methods of Assisting a Person to Sit in and Rise from a Chair
In a further aspect, methods of assisting a person to sit in and rise from a chair are described herein. In some embodiments, a method described herein comprises providing a seating apparatus. Any seating apparatus described hereinabove in Section I may be used. For example, a seating apparatus can comprise or include a seating surface, two arms projecting upwardly from the seating surface, and one or more fasteners operable to engage the chair to limit movement of the seating apparatus relative to the chair. In some embodiments, the seating apparatus comprises a seating surface, two arms projecting upwardly from the seating surface, and two clamps. Each clamp can be slidably connected to one of the arms by a rigid bar, wherein the clamps are adapted to engage a seat of the chair to restrict movement of the seating apparatus relative to the chair. Thus, in some embodiments, a method described herein can comprise moving the clamps along at least one axis to engage the chair with the clamps in order to restrict movement of the seating apparatus relative to the chair. In some cases, the method comprises moving the clamps diagonally relative to a first axis and a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis.
In certain other embodiments, the seating apparatus has a seating surface having a top portion and a bottom portion, two arms projecting upwardly from the seating surface, and a fastening strap operable to be adjusted between a tightened position and a loosened position. The fastening strap, when adjusted to the tightened position, is operable to restrict motion of the seating surface relative to the chair. In such an embodiment, the method can further comprise placing the bottom portion of the seating apparatus on a seat of the chair, adjusting the fastening strap to the tightened position, and causing the person to place one hand on each of the two arms while the person lowers himself or herself onto the top portion of the seating surface of the seating apparatus. Methods described herein can further comprise causing the person to place one hand on each of the two arms while the person raises himself or herself from the seating surface of the seating apparatus.
Additionally, in some embodiments, a method described herein further comprises adjusting the fastening strap to the loosened position. Such step may be performed subsequent to the person rising from the chair. Such a method can further comprise removing the seating apparatus from the seat of the chair after adjusting the fastening strap to the loosened position.
Moreover, in embodiments of methods described herein in which the seating apparatus comprises a fastening strap, the fastening strap can comprise or include a release buckle, such as a side-release buckle or a button-release buckle. In such embodiments, fastening the release buckle can cause the fastening strap to be in a closed position, and unfastening the release buckle can cause the fastening strap to be in an open position. In such embodiments, the method can further comprise adjusting the fastening belt to the open position prior to removing the seating apparatus from the seat of the chair. Similarly, methods can further comprise placing the fastening strap in the closed position prior to adjusting the fastening strap to the tightened position.
Additionally, in embodiments described herein in which the arms of the seating apparatus are foldable, methods can further comprise unfolding the arms into an unfolded position. In some cases, unfolding the arms into the unfolded position causes locking detents to retain the arms in the unfolded position. Further, methods can comprise depressing the locking detents to unlock the arms and folding the arms into the folded position.
Various embodiments of the invention have been described in fulfillment of the various objectives of the invention. It should be recognized that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and adaptations thereof will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
This application is a U.S. national stage application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/US2015/066974, filed on Dec. 21, 2015, which claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/222,490, filed on Sep. 23, 2015, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/095,171, filed on Dec. 22, 2014, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2015/066974 | 12/21/2015 | WO | 00 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2016/106169 | 6/30/2016 | WO | A |
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