SQUATTING STOOL

Abstract

A squatting stool may feature two opposed support plates with at least one variable width coil springs therebetween. The larger diameter portion of the springs should be located towards the bottom of the stool, thereby positioning the lower spring constant downward and allowing for collapse of the springs from the bottom upward.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of furniture and more particularly relates to a stool for support of an individual when the person is attempting to maintain a squatting position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recently, many scientific studies have been published which are very critical of the seated posture that most inhabitants of Western society typically maintain daily. Maintaining this posture is said to contribute to physical and kinesiological ailments that ultimately degrade the quality of life of many individuals. Among these problems with sitting are: disengagement of abdominal and gluteal muscles leading to poor posture and definition, shortening of hip flexor muscles leading to increased back pain and improper spinal alignment, and general lack of mobility. However, it has also been discovered that a squatting position lacks these problems, maintaining engagement of the above-mentioned muscle groups, and has other benefits, including more efficient defecation.

Unfortunately, the Western custom of sitting in a chair has left many without the ability to efficiently squat. Lack of use has resulted in physiological changes in the targeted regions of a person's anatomy. As a result, it is difficult for many in Western society to achieve a squatting position, let alone maintain one. Like any exercises, the muscles and connective tissues must be worked to achieve a desired result. The present invention is a stool to assist individuals to achieve a squatting position and provide support to help maintain said position. Use of the present invention allows those of limited mobility to obtain a squat position and begin a rehabilitation of their muscle groups which have been atrophied by continual use of a seated position. Over time, an individual will gain greater strength and mobility and be able to maintain a squat position for longer and longer periods of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of stools, an improved squatting stool may provide a spring supported stool that meets the following objectives: that is be simple and intuitive to use, that it adequately supports individuals of varying weights and body types in a squat position, and that it be easy and economical to manufacture. As such, a new and improved squatting stool may comprise an upper and lower plates separated by a plurality of conical springs to accomplish these objectives.

The more important features of the invention have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may better be appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow.

Many objects of this invention will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features of the invention can be obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific example embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered as limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail using the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a squatting stool in use.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the squatting stool of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the squatting stool of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the squatting stool of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the squatting stool of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the top plate utilized in the squatting stool of FIG. 5

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the lower plate utilized in the squatting stool of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the top plate of FIG. 6, taken along line VIII-VIII.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the bottom plate of FIG. 7, taken along line IX-IX.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

• • 10—Squatting Stool;
  • 20—Top Plate;
  • 23—Top Spring Groove;
  • 25—Top Spring Connection Clip;
  • 30—Conical Spring;
  • 35—Bottom Spring Connection Clip;
  • 37—Spring Interlock Clip;
  • 40—Bottom Plate; and
  • 43—Bottom Spring Groove.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of the squatting stool is herein described. It should be noted that the articles “a”, “an”, and “the”, as used in this specification, include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

With reference to FIG. 1, the squatting stool 10 supports an individual in a squatting position. The individual squats over the stool 10 until the hips and buttocks are supported and the springs reach a position of equilibrium with the weight placed upon it. As a person becomes more adept at squatting, the stool will support less weight and the individual will be able to maintain a squat position for a longer time. However, just maintaining this position, even with the assistance of the stool, will provide many of the benefits of squatting alone until such time as the individual is able to achieve this position without assistance. Use of the stool 10 will also allow an individual to achieve and maintain deeper squats at an earlier stage of training than without the use of the stool.

The stool 10, shown in more detail in FIGS. 2-5, is made of a plurality of conical springs 30 positioned between two support plates 20, 40. It is important to note that the springs 30 are wider in contact with the bottom plate 40 than at the top plate 20. The spring constant k is a measure of force needed to compress or stretch a spring along its distance, as described in Hooke's Law, and varies between springs depending upon materials, coiling of the spring, temperature, etc. However, when springs are made of the same material, and have all other variable identical to each other, they have the same spring constant and the force necessary to stretch or compress them will vary linearly based on the distance the springs are compressed or stretched (−x or x). In the present invention, the use of a conical spring 30 will yield a varying spring constant k based upon where on the spring it is measured and based solely upon the width of the coils, as all other factors will be identical. A section of tighter coils towards the top of the spring, Δx, will be stiffer and have a larger Δk than the same sized section of spring taken at the bottom of the spring Δx′. Therefore, Δk>Δk′ (FIG. 4). This means that the springs will collapse from the bottom upwards when force is applied from any weight placed upon the top late 20. This feature adds to stability and support as the spring force will constantly be directed upwards and the springs will have a larger base upon which to support the upper plate 20, and the individual using the stool.

Springs are ideally fastened to the top and bottom plates through the use of clips 25, 35, 37. Upper clips 25 secure the narrow top of the springs to the upper plate while lower clips 35 connect springs to the lower plate. Due to the increased radius of the lower portions of the springs 30, additional interlock clips 37 may be used to fasten two or more springs to the bottom plate. Spring placement grooves 23, 43, are also provided to locate and help securely position the springs (FIGS. 8 and 9).

In a preferred embodiment, the upper 20 and lower 40 plates are equilateral triangles, with an internal angle, θ, of 60° and having identical altitudes, a. The stool would also have an overall height, h. A suitable stool could be made with a=14.5 inches (36.83 cm) and having a general height of 10.1 inches (25.65 cm). The plates 20, 40 may be made of wood, metal, polymer, composites, or any suitable material and could have a thickness of 0.75 inches (1.91 cm) with the spring placement grooves being about 0.25 (0.64 cm) deep, depending upon material chosen. If three springs 30 are used, as is shown, springs could then be about 9 inches long (22.86 cm) and have a spring constant k of 20 lbs/inch (3.5 kg/cm). Such a stool could theoretically support about 540 pounds (245 kg) before the coils collapsed. It should be understood that these dimensions and characteristics reflect only one way to make such a squatting stool. Other shapes of plates may be used, including plates that are contoured to conform to human anatomy. More or fewer springs may be utilized, or they may have varied physical characteristics. The significant characteristic of the squatting stool according to the present invention is that it sufficiently supports the human frame in use to allow for attainment and maintenance of a squatting position.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be made and still the result will come within the scope of the invention. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred. Therefore, the scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. A stool to promote a squatting posture, the stool comprising: a bottom plate designed to be supported upon a ground surface;at least one conically shaped coil springs positioned on an upper surface of the bottom plate; anda top plate designed to support a user, resting upon the at least one conically shaped springs;wherein said sat least one springs can support the full weight of an adult person in a squatting position.

2. The stool of claim 1, comprising three springs.

3. The stool of claim 2, the three springs each having a variable spring constant.

4. The stool of claim 3, the three springs being conically shaped coil springs with a variable radius with height, and connected to the plates with a narrower radius towards the top plate so as to maintain the stability of the upper plate.