WO2010103513A1

WO2010103513A1 - Adjustable flipping mechanism for chairs and seating solutions for accommodating multiple body positions and methods of use thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2010103513A1
Application number: PCT/IL2010/000190
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rami Guissin; Yonatan Arnon; Zvika Fraiman
Original assignee: Gayo Design Ltd.
Priority date: 2009-03-09
Filing date: 2010-03-09
Publication date: 2010-09-16

Abstract

A seating apparatus comprising a seat having a rear member having a first seating surface and a front member having a second seating surface and has first configuration in which the second seating surface is substantially at the same level as said first seating surface such that the two seating surfaces jointly define a seating surface, and having a second configuration in which it defines a second surface at a level below that of the first seating surface.

Description

ADJUSTABLE FLIPPING MECHANISM FOR CHAIRS AND

SEATING SOLUTIONS FOR ACCOMMODATING MULTIPLE

BODY POSITIONS AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to seating apparatus and in particular to adjustable seats.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

People spend a considerable amount of time in a sitting position, such as, sitting at work and at home, and during travel. Typically, the chairs in which the person sits are not ergonomically optimized for the person.

Several patents relating to chairs and seats include:

US 4,765,685, to Kvalheim et ah, which discloses a multi-purpose chair with a retractable knee rest. The chair of '685 comprises a typical office chair with attachments and adjustments to provide a knee rest normally positioned beneath the seat cushion.

US 4,650,249 to Serber, discloses an ergonomic seating assembly system with front chest support, pelvic tilt seat component and various attachments to the assembly.

US 4,678,229 to Ryan, discloses a chair, infinitely or incrementally adjustable between an upright seating mode and a full-recline mode, includes a concave seating portion continuous with a convex doubly-extensible leg support portion which combine to form an ergonomically preferred seating attitude when the chair is in a full recline mode.

US 5,857,739 and US 6,022,071 to Smith, disclose a swivel type chair that functions as both a high back desk chair and a recliner. The seat and backrest pivot as a unit between upright and reclined positions and a footrest is movable pivotally with respect to the seat and is tucked underneath the seat when the chair is in the upright position to function as a desk chair and elevates to an extended position automatically when the chair is moved to the reclined position. US 6,578,915, to Jonas et al, discloses and adjustable chair and method of use.

US published Patent Application 2005/0179291 to Brodeur, discloses an adjustable cross-legged Yoga position support chair. The chair may include a seat for supporting a user and two adjustable leg supports for supporting the user's left and right thighs at a desired angle when the user sits in a cross-legged position. The seat may also have an attached back support, hi another embodiment the chair includes a seat having a surface area wide enough to allow a user to sit on the seat in a cross-legged position and having a tapered front to allow a user's legs to hang comfortably over the front of seat while the user sits in a conventional manner; and a base operatively connected to the seat for supporting the seat, the base for allowing use of the seating chair in a conventional chair-height environment

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to chairs, seating apparatus and seating systems for providing at least partial body support to a user in multiple positions (to be collectively referred to herein as "seating apparatus"). The invention also provides the seating apparatus in combination with instructions for use thereof in one or more exercises, particularly for Yoga exercises.

The novel seating apparatus of the invention is adapted to provide at least partial body support to a user in multiple positions. The seating apparatus in accordance with a general teaching of the invention has a support structure holding a body supporting assembly, said assembly comprising one member defining a seating surface and another member that can be configured to form an auxiliary body support surface essentially parallel to and at a different level than the seating surface. Said different level preferably includes at least one level that is below that of the seating surface.

The invention is directed to a seating apparatus with a front-rear axis, comprising a seat having a front member and a rear member. The rear member has a first seating surface and the front member has a second seating surface. The front member has a first configuration in which the second seating surface is substantially at the same level as the first seating surface such that the two seating surfaces jointly define a seating surface, and a second configuration in which it defines a second surface at a level below that of the first seating surface. The front member in accordance with, the invention comprises a seat-defining member pivotally articulated via a first pivot to a support member which is in turn pivotally articulated via a second pivot to the rear member. The two pivots are substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the front-rear axis. In the first configuration the first pivot is at a front end of the seat-defining segment and the support member has at least a portion extending in slanted upward orientation with respect to the seat-defining member from said second pivot. In order to assume the second configuration the seat-defining member is pivotally rotated about the first pivot and the support member is pivotally rotated about the second pivot, and in said second configuration the support member and the seat-defining are essentially co-planar and define the second surface.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the support member may be a unitary member. The unitary member in accordance with an embodiment of the invention may have an upper face constituting part of the second surface in the second configuration.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the support member may comprise two or more parts pivotally articulated to one another. In accordance with one embodiment the support member is comprised of two parts which may be pivotally articulated about a third pivot. In the first configuration a first of the two parts extends substantially downwardly from the first pivot to the third pivot and a second of the two parts extends in the slanted orientation from the second pivot to the third pivot.

In accordance with yet an embodiment, the rear member may have a downwardly extending element and the second pivot is fixed thereto.

In accordance with yet another embodiment, the seat-defining member and the rear member may be lockingly engagable in the first configuration.

The seat-defining member in accordance with the presently described subject matter may be a planar body with two parallel, substantially horizontal faces, of which a first face defines the seating surface in the first configuration and the second face defines a front portion of the second surface in the second configuration.

At least one of the two faces may be at least partially cushioned. Alternatively, both faces may be at least partially cushioned.

In accordance with one preferred embodiment of the invention, the seating apparatus, in addition to serving as a standard seat, may also be used as a personal - A - exercising platform. In accordance with one preferred embodiment, the seating apparatus is configured as a platform for supporting the user's body in a variety of positions, particularly yoga positions. Such yoga positions may be selected from swastikasana/sukasana, Siddhasana, badhakonasana, supta-sukasana, supta- badhakonasana, adhomuka vajrasana, adhomuka badhakonasana, seated pavanmuktasana, and other variations.

The present invention also provides a system that permits to perform one or more exercises, for example, within an office environment, e.g. during rest periods. Such a system comprises a seating apparatus as described above; and at least one set of instructions for performing exercises using the seating apparatus, by adjusting the position orientation of at least one element of the seating apparatus. The at least one set of instructions may be in the form of printed instructions, may be in an electronic form such as computer on screen instructions, may be audio instructions, video instructions or a combination thereof, and may comprise sequences of positions, timings within each position, and breathing instructions in each position.

In accordance with one embodiment, the seating apparatus may be linked to a computer, e.g. in a wired or wireless mode, and while selecting a specific exercise or set of exercises through the computer, the seat is automatically configured (through an automatic control mechanism) into the desired state with its associated position orientation of the different elements. As part of the system there may be provided a data carrier, e.g. in the form of a magnetic or optical disc, that includes computer-readable instructions for displaying exercise instructions or optionally for issuing a control signal directly to the seating apparatus. In accordance with another embodiment, the system may comprise a dedicated site operable or a computer network, e.g. through the internet, and the instructions for carrying out an exercise may be delivered by accessing such a site.

A specific embodiment is the use of a system for yoga exercise, e.g. the type of yoga positions mentioned above, whereby the sequence of positions and durations to be spent in each position, are modified to suit the ability of the practitioner, the time of day, the user defined purpose of the exercise or position, etc..

Provided by the invention is also a method for performing an exercise comprising receiving at least one, and preferably a set of instructions for performing one or more exercises on the seating apparatus described above and then performing the exercise according to the instructions on the seating apparatus. Typically, the method comprises receiving the instructions, adjusting the seating apparatus according thereto and then performing the exercise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, preferred embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with references to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figs. la-Id illustrate three sitting and restorative positions of the said sitting solution.

Figs. 2a-2b illustrate an example of a seating apparatus of the present invention.

Figs. 3a-3c illustrate a preferred embodiment of the front seat segment that incorporates two hinges.

Figs. 4a-4c illustrate preferred embodiments of the locking mechanism.

Figs. 5a-5b illustrate another preferred embodiment of a front seat segment that utilizes three hinges.

Figs. 6a-6b illustrate the preferred embodiment of Fig. 5a-5b in closed and open positions of an office swivel chair.

Figs. 7a-7c illustrate a preferred embodiment of a single hinge solution, with multiple plastic mold solutions.

Figs. 8a-8c illustrate a preferred embodiment of a single hinge solution, as described in Fig. 7 the front flat of the front segment is connected to the back flat of the front segment by a plastic interleaved structure and hinge.

Figs. 9a-9c illustrate an embodiment of the metal support structure of the front and back segments of the chair seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

This invention describes a seating apparatus and methods for performing body exercises on the apparatus. The exercises are, for example, yoga exercises. In some embodiments the seating apparatus is an office chair for use in an office environment. Yoga poses are known to have energizing, restorative, relaxing and alertness qualities, thereby improving the productivity and well being of the practitioner. The seating apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention allows a user to perform restorative and yoga poses, including sitting poses, twistings, forward extensions, backward extensions and supine poses. More specifically, the apparatus of the present invention facilitates such poses while either (a) being typically seated on a swivel chair at a desk while, for example, operating a computer, performing clerical and office work, or (b) utilizing such chair nearby the desk while pausing, relaxing, exercising and energizing momentarily between tasks.

In accordance with an example of the invention the seating apparatus of the invention may be provided with a set of exercise instructions. The instructions may be provided in one or more of printed format; in an electronic format, e.g. in the form of an accessible Internet site or a data carrier carrying a set of computer executable instructions; in the form of vide; or in an audio format.

The current invention provides for a seating apparatus which preferably comprises two components, namely a front member and a rear member, whereby the front member is preferably flipped open in the forward direction, thereby enabling a variety of additional sitting positions, in addition to the conventional sitting positions provided by regular chairs.

Throughout the specification and the drawings, like elements are designated by like numerals. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a seating apparatus generally designated 100 is provided. The seating apparatus comprises a seat, designated 110 with a front-rear axis A. The seat comprises a front member 120 and a rear member 130. The rear member 130 has a first seating surface 135 and the front member 120 has a second seating surface 125. The front member 120 has a first configuration (e.g. seen in Fig. Ia) in which the second seating surface 125 is substantially at the same level as the first seating surface 135 such that the two seating surfaces 125 and 135 jointly define a seating surface, and a second configuration (e.g. seen in Figs. Ib and Ic) in which a second surface 136 is defined at a level below that of the first seating surface 135.

The front member 120 in accordance with the invention comprises a seat- defining member 126 pivotally articulated via a first pivot 128 to a support member 140 which is in turn pivotally articulated via a second pivot 132 to the rear member 130. The two pivots 128 and 135 are substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the front-rear axis A. In the first configuration seen for example in Fig. Ia, the first pivot 128 is at a front end of the seat-defining segment 126 and the support member 140 extends in slanted upward orientation with respect to the seat-defining member 126 from said second pivot 132. In order to assume the second configuration seen in Fig. Ib, the seat- defining member 126 is pivotally rotated about the first pivot 128 and the support member 140 is pivotally rotated about the second pivot 132, and in said second configuration the support member 140 and the seat-defining member 126 are essentially co-planar and define the second surface.

Figs. la-Id illustrate three sitting and restorative positions of the said sitting solution. Fig. Ia depicts upright erect regular sitting position on a seat 110 whereby the rear 130 and front 120 members define a first seating surface 135. Namely a front seat member 125 is in a closed position and adjoins a rear member 130, and whereby both members provide for a planar, continuous surface on which one sits comfortably as in a regular seat. Fig. Ib depicts seat element 110, whereby said rear seat element 130 is in the same position as in Fig. Ia, and front member 120 flips open forward to an open position, thereby providing a deep enough flat continuous surface 136 on which one can place his feet comfortably in crossed legs or other similar sitting positions. Fig. Ic depicts a further resting position, whereby the front 120 and rear 130 seat members are as described in Fig. Ib, and in addition whereby the backrest 150 is typically tilted backwards.

Fig. Id and Ie illustrate one example of the invention whereby the front seat member 120 in the closed position is designed to allow regular erect sitting as illustrated, and further enables one to typically bend one's knees thereby positioning the shins and feet underneath the seat as best seen in Fig. Ie. Due to the angle α between horizontal plane and the support member 140, the knees can be bent comfortably. The angular position of the support member in the first configuration is also designed such that it remains visually inconspicuous, thereby perceived as a conventional frontal surface of a regular chair seat.

Figs. 2a-2b illustrate the seating apparatus of Figs. Ia-Ie whereby the seat 110 comprises front 120 and rear 130 segments, and whereby the front segment 120 is comprises an upper seating element 125. The front segment 120 has two discrete positions, including a regular seating position whereby the front member 120 is locked to the rear member 130 creating a seating surface depicted in Fig. 2a, and a second position whereby the front member 120 is flipped open about two horizontal hinges 128 and 132, and provides a continuous second surface 136 lower than the rear member 130 as depicted in Fig. 2b.

The second seating surface 136 in the open position is designed to provide enough depth (e.g. 30 cm — 40 cm) enabling the placement of ones feet comfortably on top of the extended surface 136 in various sitting positions, while the rear member 130 provides sufficient depth to sit on, e.g. 30 cm - 35 cm. The upper surface of the open and extended front seat segment is flat, and specifically designed to be continuous and is typically padded softly in order to accommodate barefoot sitting. The height difference designated by arrow X between the rear member 130 and the second surface 136 is typically designed to a height range between 10 cm to 20 cm.

Figs. 3a-3c illustrate a preferred embodiment of the front seat segment that incorporates two hinges, namely 132 and 128, and a locking mechanism 160. As depicted in Fig. 3b, the front seat member 120 is opened, preferably by first releasing the locking mechanism 160 and allowing hinge 132 to freely pivot by gravitation until it reaches a mechanical stopper at a horizontal position of the surface designated by dashed lines Y. The next and final stage of flipping open the front seat member 120 is depicted in Fig. 3c whereby hinge 128 pivots by pushing the folded surface 125 forward and with gravitation pulling it downwards until it reaches a mechanical stopper at a horizontal position of the surface Y.

Figs. 4a-4c illustrate examples of locking engagements for lockingly engaging the front member, e.g. via a seat defining member to the rear member. Fig. 4a depicts the general location of the locking mechanism 160, with two embodiments provided in Fig. 4b and Fig. 4c. Fig. 4b depicts a flat steel plate 141 that is connected rigidly to the front seat element, and positioned and fitted within a steel slit 142 that is part of or rigidly connected to the rear seat element 130. Fig. 4c depicts a steel ring 143 that is connected rigidly to the front seat member and is positioned above a vertical pin having a vertical spring attachment, thereby locking the ring 143 in place rigidly in the closed position of the front seat element 120, thereby enabling regular erect sitting. The lock is typically designed to support typical human weight, and preferably includes a manual release mechanism for safety.

Figs. 5a-5b illustrate an embodiment in which the support member is comprised of two parts 141 and 161 which together constitute the support member 140 and are pivotally articulated about a third pivot 138. In the first configuration a first 161 of the two parts extends substantially downwardly from the first pivot 128 to the third pivot 138 and a second 141 of the two parts extends in the slanted orientation from the second pivot 132 to the third pivot 138.

As depicted in Fig. 5a, the front seat member is in a locked position with respect to the rear seat member, and Fig. 5b depicts the flipped open position. The three hinges operate in a similar way to the previous embodiment in Fig. 3, whereby each of the hinges turns anti clockwise when opening, and each hitting against a mechanical stopper thereby holding it in place in the open position against gravity. In the open position of front seat segment 120, as provided in Fig. 5b, three padded or upholstered surfaces are positioned along a horizontal plane Y, whereby the three surfaces 155, 156 and 157 create a flat, essentially continuous (with limited spaces between them), padded surface for placing said feet on them comfortably in various sitting positions. Padded surface element 155 is attached to front support element 158, while padded surface element 157 is attached to rear support element 141. The central padded surface element 156 is attached to a narrow support element 161, whereby said support element 161 pivotally articulated between the two hinges 138 and 128 such that they can both rotate with respect to such element 161. This preferred embodiment is provided in order to relieve the practical problem of the padding and upholstery which is preferably utilized on the inner surfaces of the folded front seat member, whereby when the front member flips open to its open position as illustrated in Fig. 5b, in its open position. This is achieved by the essentially double hinge configuration 128 and 132 that enables the inner padding or upholstery attached from behind to the support element 161 between the two hinges 128 and 138, thereby additional space is provided compared to the previous single hinge solution 132 in Fig. 3. Such additional space reduces the pressure and congestion at the frontal folding hinge in the closed position.

Figs. 6a-6b illustrate an embodiment of Fig. 5a-5b in closed and open positions of an office swivel chair.

Figs. 7a-7c illustrate an embodiment of a single hinge solution, as described in Fig. 3. Fig.7a depicts the open position, with preferred upholstered upper surface of the flipped open front segment. Fig. 7b depicts the components of a preferred embodiment of the front seat segment, comprising several plastic molds that are easily attached to each other. Fig. 7c depicts the plastic molds of the front and back members in the closed and locked position. Figs. 8a-8c illustrate a preferred embodiment of a single hinge solution, as described in Fig. 3. Fig. 8a is a bottom view of the front segment plastic molds in the open position whereby the front flat of the front segment is connected to the back flat of the front segment by a plastic interleaved structure Fig. 8b, with a preferably metal hinge as provided in Fig. 8c running through the entire interleaved plastic molded structure thereby providing sufficient strength to support the lower limbs in crossed legged sitting positions.

Figs. 9a-9c illustrate a preferred embodiment of the metal support structure of the front and back segments of the chair seat. Fig. 9a is a side view of the structure depicting the flipping mechanism of the front member. Fig. 9b is a top view and Fig. 9c is a perspective view of the mechanism built into the chair seat.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub combination.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art, mutatis mutandis.

All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A seating apparatus with a front-rear axis, comprising a seat having: a front member and a rear member; the rear member having a first seating surface; the front member having a second seating surface and has first configuration in which the second seating surface is substantially at the same level as said first seating surface such that the two seating surfaces jointly define a seating surface, and having a second configuration in which it defines a second surface at a level below that of the first seating surface; wherein the front member comprises a seat-defining member pivotally articulated via a first pivot to a support member which is in turn pivotally articulated via a second pivot to the rear member, the two pivots are substantially horizontal and perpendicular to said axis; in said first configuration the first pivot is at a front end of the seat-defining segment and the support member has at least a portion extending in slanted upward orientation with respect to the seat-defining member from said second pivot; in order to assume the second configuration the seat-defining member is pivotally rotated about the first pivot and the support member is pivotally rotated about the second pivot, and in said second configuration the support member and the seat- defining are essentially co-planar and define said second surface.

2. The seating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support member is unitary member.

3. The seating apparatus of claim 2, wherein said unitary member has an upper face constituting part of said second surface in said second configuration.

4. The seating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support member comprises two or more parts pivotally articulated to one another.

5. The seating apparatus of claim 4, wherein the support member consist of two parts pivotally articulated about a third pivot.

6. The seating apparatus of claim 5, wherein in the first configuration a first of the two parts extends substantially downwardly from the first pivot to said third pivot and a second of the two parts extends in the slanted orientation from the second pivot to the third pivot.

7. The seating apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the member has a downwardly extending element and said second pivot is fixed thereto.

8. The seating apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, in which the seat- defining member and the rear member are lockingly engagable in said first configuration.

9. The seating apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the seat- defining member is a planar body with two parallel substantially horizontal faces, of which a first face defines the seating surface in said first configuration and the second face defines a front portion of the second surface in said second configuration.

10. The seating apparatus of claim 9, wherein at least one of the two faces is at least partially cushioned.

11. The seating apparatus of claim 10, wherein both faces are at least partially cushioned.