GB2176396A

GB2176396A - Posture support chair

Info

Publication number: GB2176396A
Application number: GB08608405A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Slattery
Original assignee: MCDOWALL WALLACE Ltd
Current assignee: MCDOWALL WALLACE Ltd
Priority date: 1985-06-12
Filing date: 1986-04-07
Publication date: 1986-12-31
Also published as: GB8514889D0; GB8608405D0

Abstract

A chair 2 includes a seat portion 14 which is pivotable about point 15 between a first position where the seat is horizontal or inclined slightly backwards and a second position where the seat is inclined forward so that its forward edge is below the level of its rearward edge. Means 22 are provided to support the knees or lower legs of the user when the seat portion 14 is tilted forward. A back-rest 18 is also included which is attached to the seat portion 14. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Posture support chair The present invention relates to a chair intended particularly for use by seated personnel in offices and on production lines or the like.

Bach-ache is a common problem among personnel who spend long periods seated and leaning forward over desks, typewriters, workpieces etc. This is due in part to the design of conventional chairs wherein the seat is substantially horizontal so that when the user leans forward in the chair, the back is unsupported and the upper body unbalanced which puts considerable strain on the lower back muscles.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the aforesaid disadvantages.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a chair wherein the seat portion is capable of being tilted between a first position wherein it is substantially horizontal or inclined slightly backward and a second position wherein it is inclined forward such that the forward edge thereof is below the level of the rearward edge.

Preferably, the chair has knee or lower leg support means associated therewith and disposed in front of the seat portion such that the knees or shins of the user may be rested thereon when the seat portion is tilted forward towards said second position. The leg support means may be capable of being pivoted about an axis parallel to the front edge of the seat portion, and the height and/or forward spacing of the leg support may be adjustable relative to the seat. The height of the seat portion itself may also be adjustable.

Preferably also, the chair also includes a back-rest portion which may be supported by a suitable member or members attached to the seat portion.

The back-rest portion may also be pivotably mounted so as to be capable of pivoting about an axis parallel to the rearward edge of the seat portion.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a chair embodying the invention; and Figs. 2 and 3 are side elevations of alternative embodiments.

Referring now to Fig. 1, a chair 2 embodying the invention comprises a lower portion 4 and an upper portion 6. The lower portion 4 comprises a central support pillar 8 having a plurality of stabilising arms 10 extending radially therefrom. The stabilising arms 10 are provided with castors 12 and the pillar 8 has an internally threaded axial bore (not shown) open at the upper end of the pillar 8 and extending downward at least part of the way therethrough.

The upper portion 6 of the chair 2 includes a seat 14 pivotably mounted (at 15) upon an externally threaded shaft 16, which is inserted into the axial bore of the pillar 8 and may be rotated therein to adjust the height of the chair 2. As shown in Fig. 1, the seat 14 may be tilted between a first, "normal", position wherein the seat 14 is substantially horizontal or tilted slightly backwards and a second, "working", position (shown in broken lines) wherein the seat 14 is tilted forward so that the forward edge thereof is below the level of the rearward edge.

The upper portion 6 of the chair 2 is further provided with a back-rest 18 mounted on a suitably shaped member 20 attached to the base of the seat 14. The back-rest 18 may be pivotable about an axis parallel to the rearward edge of the seat 14 so that, in use, it may be oriented to suit the angle of the seat 14.

Support means for the knees of lower legs are also provided, comprising a padded surface 22 disposed in front and below the level of the seat 14.

The knee support is mounted on a member 24 extending from the pillar 8 and, again, is pivotable to suit the inclination of the seat 14.

The chair 2 may thus be used in the normal position, or, when it is necessary for the user to lean forward over a desk or the like, the seat 14 may be tilted forward so that the knees or lower legs rest against the padded surface 22. In this position, the upper body of the user remains well balanced and the back is supported since the back-rest 18 moves forward along with the seat 14. The knee support prevents the userfrom sliding off the seat 14.

Obviously, the invention can be incorporated into innumerable designs of chair. One other example is illustrated in Fig. 2 which shows a chair 26 including a tilting seat 28 with attached pivotable back-rest 30, and knee support 32, all mounted in a tubular steel frame 34.

Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment of the invention wherein the tilting seat portion 36 is mounted on a conventional four-legged base 38. As shown in this example, the support means for the knees or lower legs may be provided in a freestanding independent unit 40 rather than forming an integral part of the chair. As is also shown, the chair may incorporate adjustable limiting means for varying the limit forward tilt of the seat portion 36. In this case, the limiting means is in the form of a screw member 42 located on the base 40 having an upper end 44 which engages the bottom surface of the seat portion 36 when it is tilted.

While it is envisaged that the seat, back-rest and knee support should all be freely and independently movable, it would of course be possible to provide bias means to urge them into a particular position or clamping means so that they may be locked in any desired configuration. If desired, the members supporting the back-rest and leg support may also be made adjustable to suit the requirements of individual users, e.g. to vary the height and/or forward spacing of the leg support relative to the seat.

1. A chair including a seat portion wherein said seat portion is capable of being tilted between a first position wherein it is substantially horizontal or inclined slightly backwards and a second position wherein it is inclined forward such that the forward edge thereof is below the level of the rearward edge.

2. A chair as claimed in claim 1 having knee of

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Posture support chair The present invention relates to a chair intended particularly for use by seated personnel in offices and on production lines or the like. Bach-ache is a common problem among personnel who spend long periods seated and leaning forward over desks, typewriters, workpieces etc. This is due in part to the design of conventional chairs wherein the seat is substantially horizontal so that when the user leans forward in the chair, the back is unsupported and the upper body unbalanced which puts considerable strain on the lower back muscles. It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the aforesaid disadvantages. Accordingly, the present invention provides a chair wherein the seat portion is capable of being tilted between a first position wherein it is substantially horizontal or inclined slightly backward and a second position wherein it is inclined forward such that the forward edge thereof is below the level of the rearward edge. Preferably, the chair has knee or lower leg support means associated therewith and disposed in front of the seat portion such that the knees or shins of the user may be rested thereon when the seat portion is tilted forward towards said second position. The leg support means may be capable of being pivoted about an axis parallel to the front edge of the seat portion, and the height and/or forward spacing of the leg support may be adjustable relative to the seat. The height of the seat portion itself may also be adjustable. Preferably also, the chair also includes a back-rest portion which may be supported by a suitable member or members attached to the seat portion. The back-rest portion may also be pivotably mounted so as to be capable of pivoting about an axis parallel to the rearward edge of the seat portion. Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a chair embodying the invention; and Figs. 2 and 3 are side elevations of alternative embodiments. Referring now to Fig. 1, a chair 2 embodying the invention comprises a lower portion 4 and an upper portion 6. The lower portion 4 comprises a central support pillar 8 having a plurality of stabilising arms 10 extending radially therefrom. The stabilising arms 10 are provided with castors 12 and the pillar 8 has an internally threaded axial bore (not shown) open at the upper end of the pillar 8 and extending downward at least part of the way therethrough. The upper portion 6 of the chair 2 includes a seat 14 pivotably mounted (at 15) upon an externally threaded shaft 16, which is inserted into the axial bore of the pillar 8 and may be rotated therein to adjust the height of the chair 2. As shown in Fig. 1, the seat 14 may be tilted between a first, "normal", position wherein the seat 14 is substantially horizontal or tilted slightly backwards and a second, "working", position (shown in broken lines) wherein the seat 14 is tilted forward so that the forward edge thereof is below the level of the rearward edge. The upper portion 6 of the chair 2 is further provided with a back-rest 18 mounted on a suitably shaped member 20 attached to the base of the seat 14. The back-rest 18 may be pivotable about an axis parallel to the rearward edge of the seat 14 so that, in use, it may be oriented to suit the angle of the seat 14. Support means for the knees of lower legs are also provided, comprising a padded surface 22 disposed in front and below the level of the seat 14. The knee support is mounted on a member 24 extending from the pillar 8 and, again, is pivotable to suit the inclination of the seat 14. The chair 2 may thus be used in the normal position, or, when it is necessary for the user to lean forward over a desk or the like, the seat 14 may be tilted forward so that the knees or lower legs rest against the padded surface 22. In this position, the upper body of the user remains well balanced and the back is supported since the back-rest 18 moves forward along with the seat 14. The knee support prevents the userfrom sliding off the seat 14. Obviously, the invention can be incorporated into innumerable designs of chair. One other example is illustrated in Fig. 2 which shows a chair 26 including a tilting seat 28 with attached pivotable back-rest 30, and knee support 32, all mounted in a tubular steel frame 34. Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment of the invention wherein the tilting seat portion 36 is mounted on a conventional four-legged base 38. As shown in this example, the support means for the knees or lower legs may be provided in a freestanding independent unit 40 rather than forming an integral part of the chair. As is also shown, the chair may incorporate adjustable limiting means for varying the limit forward tilt of the seat portion 36. In this case, the limiting means is in the form of a screw member 42 located on the base 40 having an upper end 44 which engages the bottom surface of the seat portion 36 when it is tilted. While it is envisaged that the seat, back-rest and knee support should all be freely and independently movable, it would of course be possible to provide bias means to urge them into a particular position or clamping means so that they may be locked in any desired configuration. If desired, the members supporting the back-rest and leg support may also be made adjustable to suit the requirements of individual users, e.g. to vary the height and/or forward spacing of the leg support relative to the seat. CLAIMS

2. A chair as claimed in claim 1 having knee of lower leg support means associated therewith and disposed in front of the seat portion such that the knees or shins of the user may be rested thereon when the seat portion is tilted forward towards said second position.

3. A chair as claimed in claim 2 wherein said leg support means is capable of being pivoted about an axis parallel to the forward edge of said seat portion.

4. A chair as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the forward spacing of said leg support means is adjustable relative to said seat portion.

5. A chair as claimed in any of claims 2,3 or 4 wherein the height of said leg support means is adjustable relative to said seat portion.

6. A chair as claimed in any preceding claim further including a back-rest portion.

7. A chair as claimed in claim 6 wherein said backrest portion is supported by a suitable member or members attached to said seat portion.

8. A chair as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 wherein said back-rest portion is capable of being pivoted about an axis parallel to the rearward edge of said seat portion.

9. A chair as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the height of said seat portion is adjustable.

10. A chair as claimed in any preceding claim further including adjustable limiting means for varying the limit of forward tilt of said seat portion.

11. A chair as claimed in any of claims 2 to 10 wherein said knee or lower leg support means are attached to and form an integral part of said chain

12. A chair as claimed in any of claims 2 to 10 wherein said knee of lower leg support means are provided in a seprarate, independent unit.

13. A chair substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 1 of the drawings.

14. A chair substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 2 of the drawings.