PIVOT SEAT WITH A NON-ROLLING WEIGHTED BASE
A seat that can move between an upright position and one or more active positions is provided. The seat can have a base with a non-planar portion to wobble the seat into one or more wobble orientations, thereby permitting controlled pitching of the seat relative to a floor surface. The base can have one or more roll reduction pads to restrict roll in or about a roll axis perpendicular to a pitch axis about which the seat pitches. The seat can also have a post coupled to the base and a seat pan to provide a seating surface. The base can be weighted and can have a non-planar portion to wobble the seat into one or more wobble orientations. The roll reduction pads can extend radially outwardly from the apex of the non-planar portion. One or more pads can generally conform to contours of the non-planar portion of the base.
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 62/445,936 filed Jan. 13, 2017, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUNDTraditional sitting postures assumed when using typical office seating such as chairs may have, over time, a detrimental impact on an individual's health. Besides encouraging a sedentary lifestyle, traditional seating may create muscular or orthopedic discomfort for a person.
Many commercially available wobble seats or wobble stools encourage the user to sit in a more active seating posture, rather than a traditional upright sitting posture. Such wobble seats typically have an inverted dome shaped weighted base that can be self-stabilizing (e.g., similar to a rocking chair) so as to rest on its apex. A user may have to exert their body weight to keep the wobble seat in the active seating posture. Doing so may increase blood flow to the user's abdomen and legs, alleviating some of the negative effects of traditional upright sitting.
However, commercially available wobble seats, because of the hemispherical shape of the weighted base have a tendency to roll (e.g., in a direction perpendicular to their “rocking” direction). This may cause discomfort to the user, when, for instance, the user leans sideways (e.g., to reach an object) while seated in an active seating posture.
SUMMARYIn one embodiment, this disclosure provides a seat. The seat can be configured to move between an upright position and one or more active positions. The seat can have a base having a non-planar portion configured to permit wobbling of the seat into one or more wobble orientations, thereby permitting controlled pitching of the seat relative to a floor surface about a pitch axis when a user's body weight is applied thereon. The base can have one or more roll reduction pads configured to restrict roll in or about a roll axis in the one or more active positions. The roll axis can be perpendicular to the pitch axis.
In some embodiments, the seat includes a post having a center axis. The post can have a first end coupled to the base, and a second end opposite to the first end.
In some embodiments, the seat can have a seat pan coupled to the second end of the post. The seat pan can be configured to provide a seating surface.
In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the base can have a center of gravity positioned to be closer to the floor surface than to the first end of the post so as to facilitate returning the seat from the one or more active positions to the upright position when the user's body weight is removed from the seat.
In some illustrative aspects, the seat has a pitch axis positioned on a plane parallel to the floor surface.
In aspects of the present disclosure, the base can form a non-zero angle with the floor surface when the seat is in the one or more active positions. In some embodiments, the angle formed by the base is sufficient to form an angle of between about 100 degrees and about 150 degrees between a user's torso and hip, when seated in the one or more active positions. In an embodiment, the angle formed by the base with the floor surface is between about 20 degrees and about 70 degrees.
In certain illustrative aspects, the base has a generally symmetric shape about a yaw axis. In some embodiments, the seat pan is configured to yaw about the yaw axis relative to the base into one or more yaw positions. In some such embodiments, the seat is pivotable into one or more active positions for each yaw position of the seat post relative to the base.
The base can be generally dome-shaped in some embodiments. The dome-shaped base can, in an exemplary embodiment, have an apex. The apex can generally contact the floor in the upright position, and each yaw position corresponds to a portion of a circumference of the base.
In certain illustrative aspects, the generally symmetric shape of the base can permit omnidirectional yaw of the seat pan relative to the base.
In another aspect of the disclosure, a seat is provided. The seat can be configured to move between an upright position and one or more active positions The seat can have a base permitting controlled pitching of the seat about a pitch axis relative to the floor surface when a user's body weight is applied thereon. The base can have a roll reduction portion provided on an outer surface of the base to restrict roll about a roll axis perpendicular to the pitch axis. The seat can also have a post coupled to the base at a first end. The post can have a second end opposite to the first end. In some embodiments, a seat pan can be coupled to the second end of the post. The seat pan can be configured to provide a seating surface.
In some embodiments, the base includes a non-planar portion at least a portion of which contacts the floor surface at least in the upright position when the seat is positioned thereon.
In aspects of the present disclosure, the roll reduction portion comprises a plurality of pads extending outwardly from the non-planar portion of the base.
In an exemplary embodiment, the base is pivotable with respect to the floor surface about the pitch axis into the one or more active positions.
In one aspect, the non-planar portion of the base is rotationally symmetric about a yaw axis when the seat is in the upright position.
In some embodiments, the plurality of pads extend radially outwardly from an apex of the non-planar portion.
In an illustrative embodiment, one or more pads of the plurality of pads generally conforms to contours of the non-planar portion of the base. In some embodiments, one or more pads has a length corresponding to between about 50% and about 90% of an arc length of the non-planar portion.
Aspects of the present disclosure also provide a weighted base for a pivot seat. The weighted base can have an upper portion configured to connect to a post of the pivot seat. The weighted base can also have a non-planar portion configured to wobble the seat into one or more wobble orientations, and a roll reduction portion provided on the base. The roll reduction portion includes a plurality of pads extending radially outwardly from the apex of the non-planar portion. One or more pads can generally conform to contours of the non-planar portion of the base. The roll reduction portion can be configured to restrict rolling motion about a roll axis perpendicular to a pitch axis about which the seat is configured to pitch.
The details of one or more examples are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
As seen in
The post 50 is generally elongate in shape disposed about a center axis 51 and protrudes out of a post housing 56. The post 50 can be adjustable relative to the base 40 so as to position the seat pan 60 and/or seat cushion 70 at a desired height 82 from the floor surface 32 to accommodate users of different heights. For instance, the post 50 can be adjusted (e.g., in a telescopic fashion) such that users of different heights can be comfortably seated in one or more active positions as illustrated in
In some such cases, the seat pan 60 can be coupled to an adjustment handle 84 that can adjust the length of the post 50. The adjustment handle 84 can be actuated by a user to adjust the height 82 as a result of which the post 50 has a sliding motion relative to the post housing 56. In some cases, height adjustment can be accomplished by using a pneumatic gas spring positioned within the post 50 and/or post housing 56. In some such embodiments, the user's body weight (or the lack thereof on the seat cushion 70) can facilitate adjusting the seat to a desired height 82.
The post 50 is rotationally coupled to the base 40 such that the seat pan 60 can yaw about a yaw axis 80 relative to the base 40 into one or more yaw positions.
With continued reference to
With continued reference to
The base 40 can be weighted so as to permit controlled pitching of the seat into one or more active positions. For instance, in the illustrated embodiment of
As is apparent from
In certain advantageous aspects, the base 40 comprises a center of gravity 112 positioned to be closer to the floor surface 32 than to the first end 52 of the post 50 so as to facilitate returning the seat from the one or more active positions to the upright position when the user's body weight is removed from the seat. Referring now to
The non-planar portion 44 may facilitate wobbling of the seat into one or more wobble orientations. The wobble orientation may include the active positions of the seat, as well as transition positions between the active positions and the upright positions (or vice versa). In some embodiments, every position of the seat, with the exception of the upright position, defines a wobble orientation. The center of gravity of the base 40 generally falls within the first portion 114 of the non-planar portion 44, as a result of which the base 40 tends to return form the one or more active positions to the upright position.
In some exemplary embodiments, the base 40 can be substantially rigid relative to the floor surface, and may not have any noticeable deformation relative to the floor surface when a user's body weight is applied on the seat 10. For instance, the base 40 may substantially retain its shape when the user is seated on the seat 10. Advantageously, in some aspects, at least the non-planar portion 44 can be made of a rigid, but non-slip material such as rubber. Further, the base 40 can be weighted so as to be heavier relative to the post 50 and the seat pan 60 and/or seat cushion 70. For instance, the base 40 can account for greater than 50% of the overall weight of the seat 10. In an embodiment, the base 40 can have a desired weight distribution according to any known methods. For instance, the bottom portion of the base 40 below the base center plane 120 can be heavier relative to the top portion of the base 40. In this or other embodiments, areas corresponding to the first portion 114 of the base 40 (encompassed by surfaces 122, 124) can be heavier relative to the areas outside the first portion 114 of the base 40. In such cases, when a force (e.g., user's body weight) acts to pitch the base 40, the point of contact (e.g., near arrow 172 in
Referring now to
As described previously, the base 40 can reduce and/or restrict rolling motion of the seat about the roll axis 110. In such cases, the base 40 comprises a roll reduction portion 140 provided on the non-planar portion 44 of the base 40 to restrict movement in (or a first restoring moment 126 about) the roll axis 110. As is apparent, the roll axis 110 is generally perpendicular to a plane containing a front edge of the seat cushion 70 for a given yaw position. For example, if the post 50 were to be swiveled from the orientation shown in
Referring again to
The pad(s) 150 can also have a thickness 158 defined as the difference between the radius of curvature 160 of the pad(s)150 and the radius of curvature 164 of the non-planar portion 44 of the base 40. For instance, in an embodiment, the radius of curvature 160 of the pads 150 can be offset by a generally constant distance (in the radial direction) with respect to the radius of curvature 164 of the non-planar portion 44. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the pad(s) 150 can have a non-zero thickness by which they project out of the non-planar portion 44. The pads 150 can therefore be “flatter” relative to the non-planar portion 44 of the base 40 and provide roll reduction. The pads 150 can, in such embodiments, reduce or suppress roll about the roll axis 110 of the pivot seat by spreading out the area of contact of the base 40 with the floor surface, thereby providing improved stability relative to a base 40 that does not have the pads 150. If, for instance, any roll occurs, the one or more pads 150 may contact the floor surface (instead of, or in addition to the non-planar portion 44) to suppress any roll.
In advantageous aspects, the plurality of pads 150 can reduce or suppress rolling moments that may be generated about the roll axis 110 when the seat is in the active position. For instance, in an example, when the seat is in the active position, and the user's center of gravity 170 pivots the base 40 such that a second portion 172 of the non-planar portion 44 contacts the floor surface 32. The user's center of gravity, in this case, falls within the second portion 172 of the non-planar portion 44, and the base 40 may thus be in static equilibrium. If the user 20 were to lean in a lateral direction (e.g., relative to the front edge of the seat), the user's center of gravity may be shifted outside the second portion 172 that contacts the floor surface 32, and a second moment 142 may be generated about the roll axis 110. The second moment 142 may act to roll the base 40 about the roll axis 110 to counter the user's movement in the lateral direction. In such cases, the pads 150 can suppress the second moment 142 and the second portion 172 (between two adjacent pads 150) can come into contact with the floor surface 32. The pads 150 may provide additional points of contact with the floor surface so as to account for the shifted position of the center of gravity. As the center of gravity is within the envelope that contacts the floor surface, any additional rolling moments may get suppressed. The second portion 172, in such cases, can encompass the surface area of the non-planar portion 44 between any two pads 150, based on the yaw position in which the seat is used. Appreciably, some exemplary embodiments allow roll reduction in any yaw orientation of the base 40 because of the radial distribution of the pads 150.
In some examples, portions of the base 40 and/or the roll reduction portion can be formed of materials that improve grip. For instance, the non-planar portion 44 of the base 40 and the plurality of pads 150 can be made of rubber to improve grip on the non-planar portion 44. Optionally, the entire base 40 can be made of rubber and molded in a single-piece. Such embodiments permit improved stability and are easy to manufacture.
The first ridged portion 186 and the second ridged portion 188 can be inclined relative to the outer edges 182, 184 of one or more pads 150. As is apparent, in such cases, one or more pads 150 has a non-uniform thickness 158, with portions radially closer to the apex 130 (best seen in
Returning to
For instance, in the embodiment of
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide several advantages. Pivot seats according to some exemplary embodiments support leaning posture and encourages a hip-to-torso angle optimal for providing less pressure on a user's spine and connecting muscles (relative to standing). Further, the seat pan 60 can be positioned so as to help promote an open hip angle, thereby facilitating engagement of the core muscles. The weighted base according to some examples advantageously leverages a user's center of gravity to support multidirectional use, enabling a wide range of motion while maintaining control. Such seats can be used with commercially available standing desks of different sizes.
Various examples have been described. These and other examples are within the scope of the following claims.
Claims
1. A seat, comprising:
- a base having: a non-planar portion to permit wobbling of the seat into one or more wobble orientations, thereby permitting controlled pitching of the seat relative to a floor surface about a pitch axis when a user's body weight is applied thereon, the seat being configured to move between an upright position and one or more active positions, one or more roll reduction pads to restrict roll in or about a roll axis in the one or more active positions, the roll axis being perpendicular to the pitch axis;
- a post having: a center axis, a first end coupled to the base, and a second end opposite to the first end;
- a seat pan coupled to the second end of the post, the seat pan being configured to provide a seating surface.
2. The seat of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a center of gravity positioned to be closer to the floor surface than to the first end of the post so as to facilitate returning the seat from the one or more active positions to the upright position when the user's body weight is removed from the seat.
3. The seat of claim 1, wherein the seat has a pitch axis positioned on a plane parallel to the floor surface.
4. The seat of claim 3, wherein the base forms a non-zero angle with the floor surface when the seat is in the one or more active positions.
5. The seat of claim 4, wherein the angle formed by the base is sufficient to form an angle of between about 100 degrees and about 150 degrees between a user's torso and hip, when seated in the one or more active positions.
6. The seat of claim 5, wherein the angle formed by the base with the floor surface is between about 20 degrees and about 70 degrees.
7. The seat of claim 1, wherein the base has a generally symmetric shape about a yaw axis.
8. The seat of claim 7, wherein the seat pan is configured to yaw about the yaw axis relative to the base into one or more yaw positions.
9. The seat of claim 7, wherein the seat is pivotable into one or more active positions for each yaw position of the seat post relative to the base.
10. The seat of claim 8, wherein the base is generally dome-shaped, with an apex of the dome-shaped base generally contacting the floor in the upright position, and each yaw position corresponds to a portion of a circumference of the base.
11. The seat of claim 9, wherein the generally symmetric shape of the base permitting omnidirectional yaw of the seat pan relative to the base.
12. A seat, comprising:
- a base permitting controlled pitching of the seat about a pitch axis relative to the floor surface when a user's body weight is applied thereon, the seat being configured to move between an upright position and one or more active positions,
- the base comprising a roll reduction portion provided on an outer surface of the base to restrict roll about a roll axis perpendicular to the pitch axis;
- a post coupled to the base at a first end, the post having a second end opposite to the first end; and
- a seat pan coupled to the second end of the post, the seat pan being configured to provide a seating surface.
13. The seat of claim 12, wherein the base comprises a non-planar portion at least a portion of which contacts the floor surface at least in the upright position when the seat is positioned thereon.
14. The seat of claim 13, wherein the roll reduction portion comprises a plurality of pads extending outwardly from the non-planar portion of the base.
15. The seat of claim 14, wherein the base is pivotable with respect to the floor surface about the pitch axis into the one or more active positions.
16. The seat of claim 15, wherein the non-planar portion is rotationally symmetric about a yaw axis when the seat is in the upright position.
17. The seat of claim 16, wherein the plurality of pads extend radially outwardly from an apex of the non-planar portion.
18. The seat of claim 17, wherein one or more pads of the plurality of pads generally conforms to contours of the non-planar portion of the base.
19. The seat of claim 17, wherein one or more pads of the plurality of pad has a length corresponding to between about 50% and about 90% of an arc length of the non-planar portion.
20. A weighted base for a pivot seat, comprising:
- an upper portion to connect to a post of the pivot seat;
- a non-planar portion to wobble the seat into one or more wobble orientations; and
- a roll reduction portion provided on the base, the roll reduction portion comprising a plurality of pads extending radially outwardly from the apex of the non-planar portion,
- one or more pads of the plurality of pads generally conforming to contours of the non-planar portion of the base,
- the roll reduction portion to restrict rolling motion about a roll axis perpendicular to a pitch axis about which the seat is configured to pitch.
21. The weighted base of claim 20, wherein the non-planar portion is curved and has a radius of curvature and an apex, the radius of curvature being equal to a distance between a center of curvature of the curved non-planar portion and the apex.
22. The weighted base of claim 21, wherein the one or more pads are curved about the center of curvature of the non-planar portion, the one or more pads having a radius of curvature offset from the radius of curvature of the non-planar portion.
23. The weighted base of claim 22, wherein, at least one pad has a thickness, whereby the thickness equals the difference between the radius of curvature of the one or more pads and the radius of curvature of the non-planar portion.
24. The weighted base of claim 23, wherein the at least one pad has a first thickness near the apex and a second thickness radially away from the apex, the first thickness being less than the second thickness.
25. The weighted base of claim 20, wherein at least one pad includes a raised edge forming a first ridged portion and a second ridged portion disposed near an outer edge of the non-planar portion, the first ridged portion and the second ridged portion providing further roll suppression.
26. The weighted base of claim 25, wherein, the first ridged portion and the second ridged portion each extend over a distance between about ⅕th and ⅓rd of a length of the at least one pad.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 28, 2017
Publication Date: Jul 19, 2018
Inventor: Martin Keen (Jamestown, RI)
Application Number: 15/824,602