GB2077581A

GB2077581A - A support for the human body

Info

Publication number: GB2077581A
Application number: GB8114959A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: DUNLOP THOMAS ARMOUR
Current assignee: DUNLOP THOMAS ARMOUR
Priority date: 1980-05-29
Filing date: 1981-05-15
Publication date: 1981-12-23

Abstract

A support for the human body, having a base 9, an upright body-supporting portion 11 on the base and inclined to the vertical for supporting the body front surface, a footrest portion 15 adjacent the lower end of the body-supporting portion and an armrest portion 13 adjacent the upper end of the body-supporting portion. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A support This invention relates to a support.

Conventional seats, sofas and the like quite often become uncomfortable for a user, especially in cases where the user has a back aiiment or poor circula tion. In such cases it can be much more comfortable for the user to stand rather than sit.

An object of this invention is to provide a support for use in the event of conventional seating being unsuitable.

According to the present invention there is pro vided a support for the human body, having a base, an upright body-supporting portion on the base and inclined to the vertical, a footrest portion adjacent the lower end of the body-supporting portion and an armrest portion adjacent the upper end of the body supporting portion.

The inclined body-supporting portion may be apertured to receive a user's feet as this allows the user's body to lie against the inclined face. The foot rest is preferably at right-angles to the body supporting portion.

The inclined face is preferably at an angle of from 5 to 300, most preferably 5 to 25 , to the vertical thereby providing support for the user's body while still allowing the user's feet to support most of his weight.

Preferably, a tray is provided adjacent the armrest portion, and this may be foldable for compact stor age.

Preferably also, the armrest portion is horizontal.

The base may have ground wheels for easy trans port.

The base may be in the form of a framework of interconnected rigid struts, and may be collapsible in such manner that it can form a bench seat when not in use in its primary function.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figs. 1 and 2 are respectively a back view and a side view of a support of this invention; and Figs. 3 and 4 are perspective views of another support of the invention in its in-use and collapsed conditions.

In the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2, the support has a body generally indicated at 1 which is formed by a wooden framework covered with fabric. The body is generally cuboidal but has one inclined face 2 at the rear. The body is 43" high, 20" wide and 32" long at its base 3, tapering to 6" long at an upper horizontal platform 4.

The base 3 has an 8" rearward projection 5 on which a user can stand, and a pair of apertures 6 are provided at the lower end ofthe inclined face 2 to receive the user's feet.

A table 7 extends across the body and is hinged to the forward end of the platform-4, being supported in a horizontal position by a strut 8 which bears against the framework. When not required the strut 8 can be disengaged and the table 7 folded flat against the front face of the body.

In use, one stands upon the projection 5 with one's feet extending into the aperture 6 and with the elbows resting on the platform 4. The table 7 can then be used either as an additional support or for holding a book or the like. This embodiment of the invention thus provides a restful alternative to conventional seating.

Referring now to Fig. 3, the support has a base formed by a series of metal struts 9, arranged in parallel with cross-struts 10 interconnecting them.

The struts 9 form in side view a trapezoidal shape, one ofthe non-parallel sides 9A being vertical and the other 9B inclined to the vertical at an angle of around 20 . On the inclined struts 9B is fixed a padded cushion 11 extending from the upper end of the support and terminating short of the lower end. The upper, horizontal, struts 9C carry a table 12 along one edge of which is a padded armrest 13.

Ground-engaging wheels 14 are provided at one corner of the base for easy transport of the support, and a footrest 15 is fixed to the bottom struts 9D, extending through between the inclined struts at right-angles to them.

The support of Fig. 3 is employed by a user standing on the footrest 15 forwards against the cushion 11, with his or her arms on the armrest 13. In this position the user is comfortably supported and can use the table 12 for holding books or other articles in easy reach.

The support of Fig. 3 can be transformed into a bench seat as shown in Fig. 4. The bottom struts 9D of Fig. 3 are secured to the inclined struts 9B by nuts and bolts, and the bottom struts 9D are hinged intermediate their ends at 16. Thus, by removing the nuts and bolts, hinging the bottom struts 9D upwardly about the hinges 16, pivoting the inclined struts 9B with their cushion 11 downwardly about a hinge connection 17 where they connect with the upper struts 9C, and re-securing them by nuts and bolts to the bottom struts 9D at 18, the bench of Fig.

4 can be obtained. The bench is rotated through 90" so that the struts 9A extend along the ground, to provide the bench in its in-use attitude as shown in Fig. 4.

Modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

1. Asupportforthe human body, having a base, an upright body-supporting portion on the base and inclined to the vertical, a footrest portion adjacent the lower end of the body-supporting portion and an armrest portion adjacent the upper end of the bodysupporting portion.

2. A support according to Claim 1, wherein the body-supporting portion is padded.

3. A support according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the body-supporting portion is at an angle of from 5 to 300 to the vertical.

4. A support according to Claim 1,2 or 3, wherein

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A support This invention relates to a support. Conventional seats, sofas and the like quite often become uncomfortable for a user, especially in cases where the user has a back aiiment or poor circula tion. In such cases it can be much more comfortable for the user to stand rather than sit. An object of this invention is to provide a support for use in the event of conventional seating being unsuitable. According to the present invention there is pro vided a support for the human body, having a base, an upright body-supporting portion on the base and inclined to the vertical, a footrest portion adjacent the lower end of the body-supporting portion and an armrest portion adjacent the upper end of the body supporting portion. The inclined body-supporting portion may be apertured to receive a user's feet as this allows the user's body to lie against the inclined face. The foot rest is preferably at right-angles to the body supporting portion. The inclined face is preferably at an angle of from 5 to 300, most preferably 5 to 25 , to the vertical thereby providing support for the user's body while still allowing the user's feet to support most of his weight. Preferably, a tray is provided adjacent the armrest portion, and this may be foldable for compact stor age. Preferably also, the armrest portion is horizontal. The base may have ground wheels for easy trans port. The base may be in the form of a framework of interconnected rigid struts, and may be collapsible in such manner that it can form a bench seat when not in use in its primary function. Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figs. 1 and 2 are respectively a back view and a side view of a support of this invention; and Figs. 3 and 4 are perspective views of another support of the invention in its in-use and collapsed conditions. In the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2, the support has a body generally indicated at 1 which is formed by a wooden framework covered with fabric. The body is generally cuboidal but has one inclined face 2 at the rear. The body is 43" high, 20" wide and 32" long at its base 3, tapering to 6" long at an upper horizontal platform 4. The base 3 has an 8" rearward projection 5 on which a user can stand, and a pair of apertures 6 are provided at the lower end ofthe inclined face 2 to receive the user's feet. A table 7 extends across the body and is hinged to the forward end of the platform-4, being supported in a horizontal position by a strut 8 which bears against the framework. When not required the strut 8 can be disengaged and the table 7 folded flat against the front face of the body. In use, one stands upon the projection 5 with one's feet extending into the aperture 6 and with the elbows resting on the platform 4. The table 7 can then be used either as an additional support or for holding a book or the like. This embodiment of the invention thus provides a restful alternative to conventional seating. Referring now to Fig. 3, the support has a base formed by a series of metal struts 9, arranged in parallel with cross-struts 10 interconnecting them. The struts 9 form in side view a trapezoidal shape, one ofthe non-parallel sides 9A being vertical and the other 9B inclined to the vertical at an angle of around 20 . On the inclined struts 9B is fixed a padded cushion 11 extending from the upper end of the support and terminating short of the lower end. The upper, horizontal, struts 9C carry a table 12 along one edge of which is a padded armrest 13. Ground-engaging wheels 14 are provided at one corner of the base for easy transport of the support, and a footrest 15 is fixed to the bottom struts 9D, extending through between the inclined struts at right-angles to them. The support of Fig. 3 is employed by a user standing on the footrest 15 forwards against the cushion 11, with his or her arms on the armrest 13. In this position the user is comfortably supported and can use the table 12 for holding books or other articles in easy reach. The support of Fig. 3 can be transformed into a bench seat as shown in Fig. 4. The bottom struts 9D of Fig. 3 are secured to the inclined struts 9B by nuts and bolts, and the bottom struts 9D are hinged intermediate their ends at 16. Thus, by removing the nuts and bolts, hinging the bottom struts 9D upwardly about the hinges 16, pivoting the inclined struts 9B with their cushion 11 downwardly about a hinge connection 17 where they connect with the upper struts 9C, and re-securing them by nuts and bolts to the bottom struts 9D at 18, the bench of Fig. 4 can be obtained. The bench is rotated through 90" so that the struts 9A extend along the ground, to provide the bench in its in-use attitude as shown in Fig. 4. Modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. CLAIMS

4. A support according to Claim 1,2 or 3, wherein the footrest portion is at right-angles to the bodysupporting portion.

5. A support according to Claim 1, 2, 3, or4, wherein the armrest portion is horizontal.

6. A support according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body-supporting portion is padded.

7. A support according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a tray is provided adjacent the armrest portion.

8. A support according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base is in the form of a framework of interconnected rigid struts.

9. A support according to any one of the preced ing claims, wherein the base is collapsible.

10. A support according to Claim 9, wherein the base is collapsible to form the support into a bench seat.

11. A support according to any one of the preced ing claims, wherein the base has ground wheels.

12. Asupportforthehuman body substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying draw ings.

13. A support for the human body substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 ofthe accompanying draw ings.