AlertSeat

Abstract

A seating system which has a ball-shaped cushion that is removably positioned on top of a support carriage. When placed on the support carriage, the ball-shaped cushion is held in place, allowing a person to sit on the cushion and thereby use the system for sitting purposes. The seating system is designed to improve the attention span and concentration of children and adults.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e)(1) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/489,844, filed on May 25, 2011, for “AlertSeat,” by Howard Newman, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to devices for sitting such as chairs and seats. In particular, the instant invention is directed to a two-part seating system designed to improve the attention span and concentration of children and adults.

2. Description of Related Art

Maintaining the attention span and concentration level of students, especially young students, in a classroom situation has always been a difficult task. This especially true for students who suffer with disabilities including attention deficit disorder, difficulty staying on task, and certain Autism-related conditions. Also, the dramatic increase in student hours spent in high-intensity computing has created a need for ergonomically sound classroom furniture designed for such activities. Such ergonomically sound classroom furniture reduces distraction and promotes learning.

Accordingly, there is a need for a seat which is comfortable throughout the long hours in a typical school day, especially where such long hours may include tasks at a computer terminal and keyboard. Such a seat must, in addition to being comfortable, must be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, have a relatively small foot print, and be easily transported from place to place.

SUMMARY

The invention satisfies this need. The invention is a two-part seating system designed to improve a student's attention span and ability to stay on task. In one embodiment of the invention, the seating system comprises: (a) a ball-shaped cushion used as the seating surface; (b) a cover for the ball; and (c) a support carriage comprising a plurality of struts and a plurality of legs, the support carriage being adapted to support the ball-shaped cushion above the floor. Because the seating system lacks a back rest typically found with student desks and chairs, the sitter is forced to use his or her abdominal and back muscles in order to remain sitting upright, thereby improving his or her concentration, posture, and core muscle groups. In addition, preferred embodiments of the invention comprise legs without wheels to keep the sitter stationary while sitting.

These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent in view of the accompanying drawing and the detailed description of the embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seating system embodying features of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a seating system embodying features of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A seating system consistent with the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. The seating system 1 comprises a ball-shaped cushion 2, a removable cover 5 enclosing the ball cushion 2, and a support carriage 6. The support carriage 6 is comprised of a plurality of struts 9, 10 and a plurality of legs 12, 13, 14, 15.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the ball-shaped cushion 2 is comprised of an inflatable rubber bladder, such as a standard exercise or therapy ball. The ball-shaped cushion 2 can be any size, but it must have a circumference that allows the ball-shaped cushion 2 to securely fit into the support carriage 6 so that the ball-shaped cushion 2 does not easily roll in any direction when it is placed in the support carriage 6.

The ball-shaped cushion 2 is covered by the removable cover 5. The removable cover 5 is preferably made of a washable, antimicrobial fabric, such as a low-weight treated canvas or industrial synthetic which meet current standards for the use of fabrics in children's furniture and appliances, and is preferably removable via a zipper means 15. The removable cover 5 may be a single color or may be multiple colors. In some embodiments of the present invention, the removable cover 5 is constructed from a plurality of fabrics. In addition, graphics, logos, mottos, and numbers may be printed or embroidered on the removable cover 5 for decorative and/or identification purposes. The removable cover 5 also preferably comprises a handle 16. Finally, as shown in FIG. 2, in some preferred embodiments, fabric hook-and-loop fasteners 22 can be sewn onto the removable cover 5 and used to secure the ball-shaped cushion 2 to the support carriage 6.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the support carriage 6 comprises a plurality of struts 9, 10 and legs 12, 13, 14, 15. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the struts 9, 10 and legs 12, 13, 14, 15 are constructed of steel. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, two struts 9, 10 are used, but other embodiments of the present invention may use more than two struts. The plurality of struts 9, 10 are affixed to the legs 12, 13, 14, 15 in a position that is parallel to the ground. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the struts 9, 10 consist of a steel rods of different circumferences molded into circles, but any form of strut capable of supporting the ball-shaped cushion 2 can be used. The struts 9, 10 are permanently affixed to the legs 12, 13, 14, 15 via welding and positioned essentially horizontal to the ground. The legs 12, 13, 14, 15 extend downward from the struts 9, 10 in a perpendicular direction to the ground. As in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the legs 12, 13, 14, 15 may further comprise rubberized feet 19, 20, 21, 22, but any material may be used to cover the terminal end of the legs 12, 13, 14, 15 to improve the stability of the seating system. In preferred embodiments, the rubberized feet 19, 20, 21, 22, are custom-molded to accept the rounded bottom of the legs 12, 13, 14, 15.

While 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. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention, as set forth herein, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the true spirit and full scope of the invention, as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A seating system, comprising:

(a) a ball-shaped cushion having an inflatable rubber bladder that is completely covered by a removable cover; and

(b) a support carriage comprised of a plurality of struts and legs with the struts being permanently attached to the legs in such a way as to position the struts in an essentially-parallel position relative to the ground when said support carriage is positioned in its up-right position.

2. The seating system of claim 1, wherein said legs further comprise rubberized feet.

3. The seating system of claim 1, wherein said ball-shaped cushion further comprises a handle.

4. The seating system of claim 1, wherein said legs and struts are constructed out of steel.

5. The seating system of claim 1, wherein said removable cover is constructed out of a washable, antimicrobial fabric.

6. The seating system of claim 1, wherein said ball-shaped cushion is comprised of a standard exercise ball.