GB2386319A

GB2386319A - Seat with self adjusting seat contour

Info

Publication number: GB2386319A
Application number: GB0205969A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alexander Neil Paterson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-03-14
Filing date: 2002-03-14
Publication date: 2003-09-17
Anticipated expiration: 2022-03-14
Also published as: GB2386319B; GB0205969D0

Abstract

The seat comprises interwoven transverse and longitudinal webbing 7,10 which is continuous over side and rear supports 3,4 1,2 and supported centrally at the front on a longitudinal sloping support 6. The webbing is adjustably attached at its ends to the supports to allow adjustment of its active length and of the seat depth but is otherwise free to slide relative to the supports and to itself to create a seat shape that closely fits the user. The slope and height of the centre support are adjustable and the webbing is of breathable material.

Description

1 2386319

COMFORTABLE SEAT

This invention relates to a comfortable seat that is suitable for prolonged sitting.

Almost all contemporary seats, including those designed for prolonged sitting, comprise a cushioning material, usually foam, that is supported firmly all over from below and is covered all over above by a fabric. Normally the surface shape of such a seat is relatively flat and is not adjustable.

The sitting surface shape of the human buttocks and thighs is not flat but a rather complicated three dimensional shape which varies considerably from person to person and with sitting posture. Local compression by the buttocks and thighs of the seat cushioning material of contemporary seats produces only limited fitting of the two surfaces that soon leads to discomfort from high peak contact pressures, particularly on the flesh below the pelvic bones and thighs. Because of this lack of fit, when the sitter leans back for lumbar support, the resulting horizontal reaction tends to push the sitter forwards off the relatively flat seat. This reaction has to be resisted by a horizontal shear friction force bet;vveen the sitter and the seat that soon causes discomfort from high peak shear stresses, particularly or, the flesh below the pelvic bones and thighs. Also the impermeability of such seats soon results in an increase in skin temperature and sweating at the seat surface due to poor ventilation.

An object of this invention is to provide a seat with a shape fitting closely to the sitter's buttocks and thighs that minimises seating contact pressures, that assists posture by comfortably resisting the horizontal forward reaction from lumbar support and that allows good ventilation at the seat surface.

According to the present invention there is provided a comfortable seat comprising a transverse webbing, continuous over side supports, that is interwoven with a longitudinal webbing, continuous over a rear support, with the front central part of the woven webbing supported on a longitudinal sloping centre support such that the webbing can slide relative to the supports and to itself to create a seat shape which closely fits to the sitter's buttocks and thighs.

Preferably the webbing is made of a breathable material and means are provided for adjusting the active length of the webbing and the height and slope of the centre support. Preferably the side and rear supports each comprise two parallel supports.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective the proposed seat: Figure 2 shows a central longitudinal section 22 of the seat, Figure 3 shows a forward transverse section 33 of the seat; and Figure 4 shows a rearward transverse section 44 of the seat.

Referring to the drawing, the seat comprises a support framework consisting of a rear support, two side supports and a centre support. The rear support comprises a lower rear support 1 and an upper rear support 2. Each side support comprises a lower side support 3 and an upper side support 4. Each end of the lower rear support 1 is connected to the two lower side supports 3 and each end of the upper rear support 2 is connected to the two upper side supports 4. The upper and lower support assemblies are located relative to each other by connectors such as 5. A separate centre support 6 is held as necessary to slope upwards underneath the front part of the seat.

single piece of transverse webbing 7 is attached to the upper side support 4 at 8 before looping down over the outside of the lower side support 3. The webbing traverses the width of the seat, crossing over the central support 6, before looping down under the opposite lower side support and up over the corresponding upper side support. This pattern is repeated with the webbing traversing to and fro across the seat until it is finally re-attached to the upper side support 4 at 9.

A single piece of longitudinal webbing 10 is attached to the upper rear support 2 at 11 before looping down over the outside of the lower rear support 1. The webbing is taken forward alternately passing under and above the transverse webbing until it reaches the front of the seat where it is doubled back over the front webbing and returned rearwards, interweaving with the transverse webbing, before passing under the lower rear support 1. After taking the webbing up over the upper rear support 2, this pattern is then repeated with the webbing passing to and fro from the back to the front of the seat before it is finally re-attached to the rear upper support 2 at 12.

Means are provided at the attachment positions 8, 9, 11 and 12 to adjust the active length of webbing between the supports and hence to control the overall depth of the seat. Means are also provided to adjust the height and slope of the centre support relative to the side and rear supports and hence to control the overall shape of the seat. When sitting, differential vertical depression of the webbing over the seat area occurs by sliding of the webbing over the supports and over itself that automatically and immediately fits the seat to the shape of the sitter's buttocks and thighs.

To facilitate comprehension of the drawing, big gaps are shown between adjacent lengths of webbing that are not required in practice.

Claims

1 A comfortable seat comprising a transverse webbing, continuous over side supports, that is interwoven with a longitudinal webbing, continuous over a rear support, with the front central part of the woven webbing supported on a longitudinal sloping centre support such that the webbing can slide relative to the supports and to itself to create a seat shape which closely fits to the sitter's buttocks and thighs.

2 A seat as claimed in Claim 1 in which the seating surface is formed

entirely from interwoven webbing of a breathable material.

3 A seat as claimed in Claim 1 with means for adjusting the active length of the transverse webbing.

4 A seat as claimed in Claim 1 with means for adjusting the active length of the longitudinal webbing.

5 A seat as claimed in Claim 1 with means for adjusting the height and slope of the centre support relative to the side and rear supports.

6 A seat as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the two webbing side supports each comprise two parallel supports.

7 A seat as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the webbing rear support comprises two parallel supports.

8 A comfortable seat substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-4 of the accompanying drawing.