AU2005232245B2

AU2005232245B2 - Improved Seat

Info

Publication number: AU2005232245B2
Application number: AU2005232245A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Hugh Vivian Wilson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-11-23
Filing date: 2005-11-09
Publication date: 2006-10-19
Anticipated expiration: 2025-11-09
Also published as: AU2005232245A1

Description

P/00/011 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE

SPECIFICATION

STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor Address for service is: Hugh Vivian Wilson Hugh Vivian Wilson WRAY ASSOCIATES Level 4, The Quadrant 1 William Street Perth, WA 6000 Attorney code: WR Invention Title: "Improved Seat" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- -2- "ImpDroved Seat" 0 Z Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improved seat. More particularly, the v improved seat of the present invention is intended to improve posture. The comfort of the user is maximised in cases of sitting for long periods due to ease in maintaining good spinal alignment, back support, mobility and/or blood n circulation.

Background Art A number of prior art chairs attempt to provide good posture and spinal alignment, particularly when a person is seated for extended periods of time.

Each attempts to provide the ideal sitting posture by mimicking the position of the spine in a standing position. The upper torso must be balanced and centred on the ischial tuberosities, otherwise known as the "sit bones". When the correct sitting posture is adopted, allowing the muscles of the body to relax, minimising stress on the joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles. Blood circulation in the legs is also improved, and with the chest extended, more efficient breathing is enabled resulting in increased energy and alertness.

Open angle seats which allow the legs to fall away, create an angle of greater than 900 between the trunk and the legs. It is understood that in this position the psoas major muscle continues to support the lumbar vertebrae rather than relaxing completely. Examples of open angle seats are saddle seats, tilted seats and kneeling seats, all of which have the disadvantage that they are difficult to get in and out of, and can place excess pressure on the legs and feet at various points and cause fatigue.

An improvement to open angled seats is disclosed in International Patent Application PCT/CA00/00754. This specification discloses a seat having in part a primary sitting surface and a secondary sitting surface. The primary sitting -3surface is substantially horizontal and provides for a sitting position in which the spine forms a 900 angle with the primary seat surface. A secondary seat surface Z forming the forward portion of the seat falls away at an open angle underneath the legs. The secondary support surface will generally extend outwards under the legs to the back of the knee. This can restrict movement whilst seated in the I chair, making it unsuitable for people who require some mobility whilst seated.

t A chair having an extendable seat in which the seat can be stretched forward 0 from a standard seat length to form a longer seat base is disclosed in each of US 0 Patent 6,739,666 and European Patent Application 0 962 170. These seats

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provide support to the knee of the user. However, the support surface can place pressure on the underside of the legs, reducing blood circulation and causing numbness and discomfort.

All of these prior art examples, whilst they attempt to encourage correct posture, do not discourage a user from sitting incorrectly and slouching after.

The improved seat of the present invention has one object thereof to substantially overcome the abovementioned problems associated with the prior art, or to at least provide a useful alternative thereto.

The discussion of the background art is included exclusively for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention in Australia or elsewhere before the priority date.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

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Disclosure of the Invention 0 Z In accordance with the present invention there is provided an improved seat comprising a seat portion and a stand portion, the seat portion having a substantially horizontal seat surface of shallow depth, whereby the seat surface depth encourages maintenance of the lower lumbar curve of the spine in which N the sit bones rest at a substantially 900 angle to the horizontal seat surface.

Preferably, the seat surface depth is approximately 1/2 of a standard seat depth.

Still preferably, the depth of the seat surface is in the range of about 210-310 mm.

The depth of the seat is preferably such that the pubic bone is substantially in vertical alignment with the forward edge of the seat surface.

The improved seat preferably comprises a back support. The back support is further preferably adjustable with respect to at least one of height, tilt and depth.

Further, the back support is preferably adjusted to fit into the lower lumbar curve, such that continuous contact with the back support is made whilst in the correct sitting position.

The back support may preferably be adjusted such that the sit bones rest centrally on the seat.

Preferably, the angle and height of the seat surface are adjustable.

Still preferably, the seat surface has little or no upper surface contouring, whereby maximum mobility of the vertebrae, discs and joints is facilitated.

The seat surface preferably comprises additional padding under the sit bones, relative to the remainder of the seat surface. This may maintain comfort over long periods of time.

O Preferably, the shallow depth of the seat surface is such that a user is encouraged to assume a position in which their back has continual contact with O Z the back support, thereby encouraging support of the lower lumbar curve and correct spinal alignment.

I 5 In one form of the present invention, the back support and seat surface together C facilitate the maintenance of the lower lumbar curve and correct spinal alignment, Cc wherein the sit bones rest comfortably at a substantially 900 angle to a horizontal I plane in a central position on the seat.

An improved seat in according to any one of the preceding claims, whereby the shallow depth of the seat surface is such that a user is required to assume a position in which their back has continuous contact with the back support, providing support of the lower lumbar curve and maintaining the ischial tuberosities at substantially 900 to the seat surface, thereby encouraging correct spinal alignment.

The shallow seat depth and lower lumbar back support preferably also facilitates ease in rising out of the chair because the weight of the torso is supported, as a result of the features of the correct sitting position hereinbefore described.

Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to one embodiment thereof and the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a standard prior art chair in use; Figure 2 is a side elevational view of an improved seat in accordance with the present invention showing a user seated thereon; Figure 3 is a first perspective view of the improved seat of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the improved seat of Figure 2; -6- Figure 5 is a rear perspective view of the improved seat of Figure 2; and Z Figure 6 is an upper perspective view of the improved seat of Figure 2.

Best Mode(s) for Carrying Out the Invention In Figure 1 there is shown a standard office chair 10 of the prior art. The chair (Ni Cc 5 comprises a seat portion 12 and a stand portion 14, the seat portion 12 further I comprising a seat surface 16 and a back support 18, the seat surface 16 0extending horizontally underneath the upper leg 20 of a user 22 (shown in position seated thereon such that a forward edge 24 of the seat surface 16 is generally adjacent to the rear 26 of the users knee 28. When the user 22 becomes fatigued from extended periods of sitting, they may tend to slide forward on the seat surface 16 whilst continuing to lean on the back support 18, causing their spine to become rounded.

As a result of the substantial depth in the seat, the user 22 (position will also tend to move forward on the seat surface 16 and sit upright to perform a task, when this happens the back support 18 is no longer in contact with the user 22 and thus they may begin to slouch over the desk or their task, again causing their spine to become rounded resulting in loss of the correct lower lumbar curve.

In Figures 2 to 6 there is shown an improved seat 30 in accordance with the present invention, the improved seat 30 being provided, for example, in the form of a typical office chair. The improved seat 30 comprises a seat portion 32 and a stand portion 34. The stand portion 34 comprises a single vertical shaft 36 having an upper end 38 and a lower end 40. At the lower end 40 of the vertical shaft 36 there is attached a plurality of legs 42 with castor wheels 44 extending radially outwards.

The seat portion 32 comprises a mounting member 46, a seat surface 48 and a back support 50. The mounting member 46 is rotatably attached to the upper end of the vertical shaft 36. The seat surface 48 is of shallow depth, for example between 210 to 310 mm from the forward edge 52 to a rear edge 54, and is -7-

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attached to the mounting member 46 in a generally known manner. The back support 50 connects to the mounting member by an arm 56 which can be Z adjusted with respect to height and tilt by using the respective known adjustment mechanisms 58 located on either side of the mounting member 46.

When the improved seat 30 is in use, both the mounting member 46 and the seat N surface 48 are adjusted to a height whereby the user's knees 28 form a n substantially 90' angle. The user's feet 60 are also flat on the ground in this 0 position. The back support 50 aids the user 22 in maintaining the correct lower Olumbar curve during long periods of sitting. The back support 50 and seat surface 48 facilitate adjustment such that continuous contact with the lower back is made with the back support 50, maintaining the lower lumbar curve. The downward load of the user's upper trunk 62 is centred upon the ischial tuberosities 64, which in turn, sit on the seat surface 48 at a substantially 900 angle to the horizontal plane, as can be seen in Figure 2.

The shallow depth of the seat surface 48 helps to relieve pressure on the underside 66 of the leg 20, thus improving blood circulation and mobility. The shallow depth of the seat surface 48 also discourages the user 22 from sliding forward and slouching as movement forward will simply cause the user 22 to fall off the improved seat 30. Additional padding in the seat surface 48 underneath the sit bones 64 maintains the user's comfort over long periods of time. The shallow seat depth also facilitates ease in rising from the chair 30 because the weight of the upper trunk 62 is supported, thereby reducing the requirement for one to pull themselves forward and upward in order to rise.

It is envisaged that the shallow depth of the seat surface 48 may be applied to other forms of seating including, but not limited to, meeting chairs, dining chairs, student chairs or waiting room chairs. Further, arm rests may be provided should these be required by the user.

It is further envisaged that the seat surface dimensions may vary depending on the size of the potential user. However, it is expected that the depth would equate to approximately 1/2 of a standard seat depth.

S-8- O It is still further envisaged that the seat surface 48 and back support 50 are arranged relative, to one another such that the ischial tuberosities 64 of the user

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Z 22 sit centrally on the seat surface 48 relative to the depth thereof. Further, the pubic bone of the user 22 is envisaged to be substantially in vertical alignment with the forward edge 52 of the seat surface 48. In such an arrangement the n various benefits of the improved seat 30 may be accentuated.

t' From the above description it can be seen that the reduced depth of the n improved seat offers advantages over the prior art of improved maintenance of 0good posture, even when a user of the chair is seated for extended periods.

Additionally, the reduced depth removes pressure from underneath the knees and upper legs, improving blood circulation and mobility. The reduced seat depth also encourages the torso to remain upright expanding the chest, improving the user's ability to breathe adequately, thus enhancing energy, alertness and creativity.

Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to the skilled addressee are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

2. An improved seat according to claim 1, wherein the seat surface depth is Sapproximately 1/2 of a standard seat depth.
3. An improved seat surface according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the depth of the seat surface is in the range of 210-310 mm.
4. An improved seat surface in accordance with any of the preceding claims, whereby the depth of the seat surface is such that the pubic bone is substantially in vertical alignment with the forward edge of the seat. An improved seat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the seat portion is adjustable with respect to angle and height.
6. An improved seat according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a back support that is adjustable with respect to at least one of height, tilt and depth.
7. An improved seat according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a back support that is adjusted to fit into the lower lumbar curve of the spine such that continuous contact with the back support is made whilst in the correct sitting position.
8. An improved seat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the back support and seat surface maintain the ischial tuberosities at a 900 angle to the seat surface. N 9. An improved seat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the >back support is adjusted such that the sit bones rest centrally on the seat Z surface. An improved seat according to any one of the preceding claims, whereby additional padding is provided in the seat surface to provide greater support 1 for the sit bones, relative to the remainder of the seat surface, to maintain Cc comfort for the user over long periods.
011. An improved seat in according to any one of the preceding claims, whereby the shallow depth of the seat surface is such that a user is required to assume a position in which their back has continuous contact with the back support, providing support of the lower lumbar curve and maintaining the ischial tuberosities at substantially 900 to the seat surface, thereby encouraging correct spinal alignment.
12. An improved seat according to any one of the preceding claims, whereby the shallow depth of the seat surface and the lower lumbar back support facilitates ease of rising out of the chair because the weight of the torso is centred, as a result of all of the features of the encouraged correct sitting position.
13. An improved seat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the seat is provided in the form of any one of a meeting chair, dining chair, student chair or waiting room chair.
14. An improved seat according to any one of the preceding claims, whereby armrests are included for additional support and comfort. VB -11- O O An improved seat substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to O Figures 2 to 6. ti Dated this Ninth day of November 2005. (N n Wilson, Hugh Vivian c Applicant O Wray Associates Perth, Western Australia Patent Attorneys for the Applicant