Active Seating Apparatus and Method of Assembly and Use

Abstract

An active seating apparatus having a seat, a post configured for selectively engaging and supporting the seat and having a lower end opposite the upper end and seat formed with a post locking feature, and a base having an upper wall and an upwardly-opening receiver formed in the upper wall configured for selective removable receipt of the lower end of the post, the receiver having a receiver locking feature configured for selective locking engagement with the post locking feature upon insertion of the post within the base in selectively and securely assembling the post on the base through engagement of the post and receiver locking features, the surface-to-surface locking engagement between the post locking feature and the receiver locking feature being no more than twenty percent of the overall surface-to-surface contact between the lower end of the post and the receiver of the base.

Description

This application is a 35 U.S.C. § 111 patent application that claims the benefit of priority and is entitled to the filing date pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63/379,748, filed Oct. 15, 2022, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The subject of this patent application relates generally to chairs, stools, and other such seating apparatuses, and more particularly to an active seating apparatus configured for ease of effective assembly and disassembly.

The following description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

By way of background, a variety of chairs, stools, seats, and the like are known and have been in use for centuries, and while somewhat basic and unchanging in overall purpose and function, the number and diversity of iterations on such basic designs is of course vast.

Over the past few decades, various pedestal-type seats or stools have been proposed generally having a seat, a central vertical column, and a base with rounded bottom. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,112,103 to Downer is directed to a “pedestaled seat” and discloses such a “gardening stool [that] includes a seat, an upright column, and a rounded base [that] allows the stool to be rocked.”

More recently, it was discovered that such a stool with rounded or rocker base would be beneficial in educational contexts for children that have a difficult time focusing or that are easily distracted or fidgety, the additional sensory input or stimulus from the rocking or wobbling seat providing an outlet for the child's energy and something that the brain can be occupied with even somewhat subconsciously so that the child's conscious attention can be better directed to the task at hand. In this context, such seats or stools are often referred to as “active chairs” or “wobble chairs.”

A variety of such active or wobble chairs have been proposed and are currently on the market. Many such chairs are formed integrally as by being molded or fabricated as a single product, at least as to the base and column or pedestal, and in some cases the seat as well, such as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. D740041, D745287, and D756139 to Chadwick et al. and U.S. Pat. No. D895990 to Reyes and as made and sold by ECR4Kids, L.P. CRI Global, LLC in San Diego, California, under the brand name ECR4KIDS, and The Simplay3 Company in Streetsboro, Ohio, under the brand name SIMPLAY3. While such unitary construction may have some benefits in production and end use, such active chairs have disadvantages related to storage and transport by not being capable of disassembly.

Other active or wobble chairs that have been proposed and are currently on the market do allow for assembly and disassembly of both the seat and the base relative to the pedestal or column, at least in theory even if not in practice, but are still lacking in a number of respects related to safe and secure assembly while still being relatively easy to disassemble when desired. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,112,103 to Downer referenced above discloses a protrusion extending upwardly from the base for frictional concentric engagement within the tubular column, U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,751 to Meier et al. provides for a tapered socket for frictional receipt of a tapered lower end of the seat column again for firm frictional engagement therebetween, and U.S. Pat. No. 8,998,319 to Bahneman et al. provides for threaded engagement between the bottom of the seat post and a hole within a mounting piece of the base. Similarly, such active seats as simply having frictionally engaged pedestals and bases are made and sold by Kore Design LLC in Brooklyn, New York, under the brand name KORE, and Sequential Holdco LLC in New York, New York, under the brand name GAIAM. Notably, all such active or wobble chairs that even have two or more components are either assembled based on frictional or interference fit alone, which may be fine for initial assembly but often are too difficult to get back apart, particularly after use over time with the weight of the user only driving the frictionally engaged components or surfaces into greater engagement, or have a frictional engagement that is relatively easily overcome and thus allows for unintended disassembly by not being sufficiently positively engaged, which of course may be dangerous and lead to injury during use, or has components that are assembled based on some other attachment means that requires either additional parts or fasteners and related tools, adding cost and complexity.

What has been needed and heretofore unavailable is an active seating apparatus capable of both secure assembly and easy disassembly as needed. Aspects of the present invention fulfill these needs and provide further related advantages as described in the following summary.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present invention teach certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the exemplary advantages described below.

The present invention solves the problems described above by providing an active seating apparatus configured for ease of effective assembly and disassembly. In at least one embodiment, an active seating apparatus according to aspects of the present invention comprises a seat, a post configured for selectively engaging and supporting the seat at an upper end of the post, the post further having a lower end opposite the upper end and having a post locking feature formed at the lower end, and a base having an upper wall and an upwardly-opening receiver formed in the upper wall configured for selective removable receipt of the lower end of the post, the receiver having a receiver locking feature configured for selective locking engagement with the post locking feature upon insertion of the post within the base in selectively and securely assembling the post on the base through engagement of the post and receiver locking features, the surface-to-surface locking engagement between the post locking feature and the receiver locking feature being no more than twenty percent of the overall surface-to-surface contact between the lower end of the post and the receiver of the base.

Other objects, features, and advantages of aspects of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of aspects of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate aspects of the disclosed subject matter in at least one of its exemplary embodiments, which are further defined in detail in the following description. Features, elements, and aspects of the disclosure are referenced by numerals with like numerals in different drawings representing the same, equivalent, or similar features, elements, or aspects, in accordance with one or more embodiments. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles herein described and provided by exemplary embodiments of the invention. More generally, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the drawings are schematic in nature and are not to be taken literally or to scale in terms of material configurations, sizes, thicknesses, and other attributes of an apparatus according to aspects of the present invention and its components or features unless specifically set forth herein. In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary active seating apparatus, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a reduced scale exploded perspective view thereof, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged exploded partial perspective view thereof showing engagement of the post with the base, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a reduced scale exploded perspective view of an alternative exemplary active seating apparatus, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged exploded partial perspective view thereof showing engagement of the post with the base, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a reduced scale exploded perspective view of a further alternative exemplary active seating apparatus, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 7A is an enlarged exploded partial perspective view thereof showing engagement of the post with the base, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 7B is a further enlarged partial perspective view of the base thereof, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a reduced scale exploded perspective view of a still further alternative exemplary active seating apparatus, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged exploded partial perspective view thereof showing engagement of the post with the base, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a reduced scale exploded perspective view of a still further alternative exemplary active seating apparatus, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged exploded partial perspective view thereof showing engagement of the post with the base, in accordance with at least one embodiment; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a still further alternative exemplary active seating apparatus, in accordance with at least one embodiment.

Listing of Reference Numbers Associated with Drawings
Ref No. Element
30      Seat
32      Pad
40      Post
42      Upper end
44      Lower end
46      Post annular wall
48      Post leg
50      Post locking feature
52      Ramp
54      Post thread
56      Nub
58      Indent
60      Finger
62      Tab
64      Upper post body
66      Lower post body
68      Lever
69      Post lengthwise axis
70      Base
72      Upper wall
74      Receiver
76      Receiver annular wall
78      Receiver channel
80      Receiver locking feature
82      Recess
84      Receiver thread
88      Bump
90      Slot
92      Groove
94      Squared portion
96      Sloped portion
98      Bump
99      Receiver lengthwise axis
100     Friction pad

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following discussion provides many exemplary embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus, if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.

While the inventive subject matter is susceptible of various modifications and alternative embodiments, certain illustrated embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to any specific form disclosed, but on the contrary, the inventive subject matter is to cover all modifications, alternative embodiments, and equivalents falling within the scope of the claims.

Turning now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an active seating apparatus 20 according to aspects of the present invention. The apparatus 20 generally comprises, in the exemplary embodiment, a seat 30, a post 40 selectively engaging and supporting the seat 30 at an upper end 42 (FIG. 2) of the post 40 and having an opposite lower end 44 (FIG. 2) selectively engaging the post 40 with a base 70 in assembling the apparatus 20. Base 70 comprises a rounded (convex) or rocker base to enable active seating apparatus 20 to rock or wobble when in use. While the seat 30, post 40, and base 70 are shown as being substantially annular or having a round shape, those skilled in the art will appreciate that such is merely illustrative and non-limiting, as one or more such components of the active seating apparatus 20 may take a variety of other shapes without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, the seat 30 is shown as having an upwardly-facing pad 32 and the base 70 particularly is also shown as having surface features on its upper wall 72 that are each for illustrative purposes only.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 and now the exploded perspective views of FIGS. 2 & 3, it can be seen that the post 40 is formed at its lower end 44 having a post locking feature 50, and the base 70 is formed having an upwardly-opening receiver 74 in its upper wall 72, the receiver 74 likewise having a receiver locking feature 80 configured for selective locking engagement with the post locking feature 50 upon insertion of the post lower end 44 within the base receiver 74 in selectively assembling the post 40 on the base 70 through engagement of the post and receiver locking features 50, 80. Notably, the surface-to-surface locking engagement between the post locking feature 50 and the receiver locking feature 80 is to be no more than twenty percent (20%) of the overall surface-to-surface contact between the lower end 44 of the post 40 and the receiver 74, which it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art tremendously aids in both assembly and disassembly, in that the locking or assembly of the post 40 and base 70 as well as the selective unlocking or disassembly may be accomplished with relatively little force or effort, and that without tools or separate parts, even while safe and secure assembly of the active seating apparatus 20 is not compromised, which will be further appreciated with reference to the various exemplary embodiments shown and described herein. In some embodiments, the surface-to-surface locking engagement between the post locking feature 50 and the receiver locking feature 80 can be, e.g., about 1% to about 5%, about 1% to about 10%, about 1% to about 15%, about 1% to about 20%, about 5% to about 10%, about 5% to about 15%, about 5% to about 20%, about 10% to about 15%, about 10% to about 20%, or about 15% to about 20%. In contrast, prior art assembly methods for chairs, stools, and the like particularly of a pedestal leg within a base typically involve press- or interference-fit engagement between mating parts or surfaces, which full or much greater frictional fitment can tend to stick to the point it is very difficult to get the components back apart when disassembly is desired, and all the more over time and use.

in the exemplary embodiment of the seating apparatus 20 shown in FIGS. 1-3, the post 40 is formed having a plurality of angled radially-outwardly-protruding ramps 52 at its lower end 44, the ramps 52 collectively defining the post locking feature 50. Likewise, the base 70 is formed having within the receiver 74 a plurality of angled radially-inwardly-opening recesses 82 that intersect the upper wall 72 and are configured for receipt of the corresponding angled radially-outwardly-protruding ramps 52 of the post 40, the recesses 82 collectively defining the receiver locking feature 80. Essentially, in use in selectively and removably assembling the post 40 on the base 70, the lower end 44 of the post 40 is positioned adjacent to the upper wall 72 of the base 70 substantially centered over the receiver 74 as by substantially aligning the lengthwise axis 69 of the post 40 with the lengthwise axis 99 of the base 70 and thus of the receiver 74. The post 40 is further positioned relative to the base 70 as through rotation to substantially align the distal or lower ends of the ramps 52 with the proximal or upper ends of the recesses 82, essentially at the point the recesses 82 intersect the upper wall 72 and thus are accessible and able to accommodate sliding receipt of the ramps 52. Thereby upon further downward and rotational movement of the lower end 44 of the post 40 toward and into the receiver 74, the angled ramps 52 are able to slide along and further engage the corresponding angled recesses 82 until the ramps 52 bottom in the recesses 82 and the post lower end 44 essentially bottoms in the base receiver 74 in thus selectively assembling the post 40 on the base 70 as shown in FIG. 1 through engagement of the angled radially-outwardly-protruding ramps 52 within the respective angled radially-inwardly-opening recesses 82. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that such sliding angled engagement between the post ramps 52 and the base receiver recesses 82 achieves sufficient mechanical engagement between the components with relatively minimal frictional engagement or relatively low surface-to-surface engagement, which renders the assembly of the post 40 on the base 70 secure while still allowing for relatively easy disassembly by simply twisting and lifting up on the post 40 relative to the base 70, or shifting the post 40 relative to the base 70 opposite to such movement for assembly.

In the exemplary embodiment, there are three angled radially-outwardly-protruding ramps 52 formed one-hundred-twenty degrees (120°) apart about the lower end 44 of the post 40 and corresponding three angled radially-inwardly-opening recesses 82 also formed one-hundred-twenty degrees (120°) apart about the receiver 74 in the base 70. However, it will be appreciated that such number and spacing of the ramps 52 and recesses 82 in defining the respective post and receiver locking features 50, 80 is merely illustrative and non-limiting and that other arrangements are also possible according to aspects of the present invention without departing from its spirit and scope. In an alternative embodiment, there are two angled radially-outwardly-protruding ramps 52 formed one-hundred-eighty degrees (180°) apart about the lower end 44 of the post 40 and corresponding two angled radially-inwardly-opening recesses 82 also formed one-hundred-eighty degrees (180°) apart about the receiver 74 in the base 70. In another alternative embodiment, there are four angled radially-outwardly-protruding ramps 52 formed ninety degrees (90°) apart about the lower end 44 of the post 40 and corresponding four angled radially-inwardly-opening recesses 82 also formed ninety degrees (90°) apart about the receiver 74 in the base 70. In yet another alternative embodiment, there are five angled radially-outwardly-protruding ramps 52 formed seventy-two degrees (72°) apart about the lower end 44 of the post 40 and corresponding five angled radially-inwardly-opening recesses 82 also formed seventy-two degrees (72°) apart about the receiver 74 in the base 70.

Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, each angled radially-outwardly-protruding ramp 52 formed on the lower end 44 of the post 40 is at an angle relative to the post lengthwise axis 69 of forty-five degrees (45°) and likewise each angled radially-inwardly-opening recess 82 formed within the receiver 74 in the base 70 is at angle to the receiver lengthwise axis 99 of forty-five degrees (45°). Even so, those skilled in the art will appreciate that a forty-five degree angle (45°) of the ramps 52 and recesses 82 advantageously yields a one-to-one correspondence of vertical and rotational travel between the engaging features, thereby allowing for relatively fast insertion of the post lower end 44 into the base receiver 74 with relatively little rotation therebetween, improving the ease of assembly and disassembly of the post 40 relative to the base 70. Moreover, with such a relatively steep angle of the ramps 52 and mating recesses 82 it will be appreciated that the post 40 must effectively be lifted or pulled up relative to the base 70 as the post 40 is rotated (i.e., that the post 40 cannot be rotated relative to the base 70 without such upward movement), further ensuring secure assembly of the active seating apparatus 20 and further discouraging unwanted or unintended disassembly of the post 40 from the base 70 (or the seat 30 from the post 40), particularly in use when a user's weight will be on the seating apparatus 20, and the seat 30 particularly, thereby naturally encouraging the post 40 down toward the base 70, not up and away from the base 70. However, once again it will be appreciated that other angles or configurations of the ramps 52 and recesses 82 of the exemplary post and receiver locking features 50, 80 are possible. In alternative embodiments, angles of ramps 52 and corresponding recesses 82 of post and receiver locking features 50, 80 can have angles of, e.g., about 30% to about 35%, about 30% to about 40%, about 30% to about 45%, about 30% to about 50%, about 30% to about 55%, about 30% to about 60%, about 35% to about 40%, about 35% to about 45%, about 35% to about 50%, about 35% to about 55%, about 35% to about 60%, about 40% to about 45%, about 40% to about 50%, about 40% to about 55%, about 40% to about 60%, about 45% to about 50%, about 45% to about 55%, about 45% to about 60%, about 50% to about 55%, about 50% to about 60%, or about 55% to about 60%.

With continued reference particularly to FIGS. 2 & 3, it can be seen that in the exemplary embodiment the lower end 44 of the post 40 has an annular wall 46 on which are formed the angled radially-outwardly-protruding ramps 52, and the receiver 74 in the base 70 likewise has an annular wall 76 in which are formed the angled radially-inwardly-opening recesses 82, though again it will be appreciated that such geometry of effectively the non-engaging features or surfaces of the post 40 and base 70 can vary, such that annular walls 46, 76 are to be understood as merely illustrative and non-limiting. Optionally, one or more friction pad 100 may be installed on or inserted between such annular walls 46, 76 if additional frictional engagement therebetween is desired such as to discourage unwanted counter-rotation of the post 40 relative to the base 70; as illustrated, such friction pad 100 is placed on the receiver annular wall 76, though again, other configurations and locations of such pad(s) 100 are possible.

Staying with the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 having three forty-five-degree-angled radially-outwardly-protruding ramps 52 as the post locking feature 50 and three corresponding forty-five-degree-angled radially-inwardly-opening recesses 82 as the receiver locking feature 80, and assuming for illustrative purposes only that the nominal diameter of the lower end 44 of the post 40 is roughly four inches (4 in.) in diameter and roughly two inches (2 in.) long and that each ramp 52 and recess 82 is roughly two inches (2 in.) long and one-half inch (0.5 in.) wide, which would thus be the rough illustrative dimensions of the receiver 74 as well, it follows that the overall surface-to-surface contact area between the post lower end 44 and the receiver 74 is roughly twenty five square inches (25 sq. in.) (π·D·L=π×4 in.×2 in.) and the surface-to-surface locking engagement between the ramps 52 and recesses 82 is roughly three square inches (3 sq. in.) (L·W·#=2 in.×0.5 in.×3) and thus that the ratio or percentage of surface-to-surface area contact that is accounted for by the post and receiver locking features 50, 80 relative to the overall surface-to-surface area contact between the post lower end 44 and the receiver 74 is approximately twelve percent (12%) (3/25). Moreover, if the lower end 44 of the post 40 were formed with a fourth ramp 52 such that the total surface-to-surface locking engagement between the ramps 52 and recesses 82 is roughly four-square inches (4 sq. in.) (L·W·#=2 in.×0.5 in.×4) it would follow that the ratio or percentage of surface-to-surface area contact that is accounted for by the post and receiver locking features 50, 80 relative to the overall surface-to-surface area contact between the post lower end 44 and the receiver 74 would be approximately sixteen percent (16%) (4/25), and so on. It is noted that the bottom (not shown) of the lower end 44 of the post 40 may be either open or closed, such that any potential surface-to-surface contact between the bottom of the post lower end 44 and the bottom of the receiver 74 is not accounted for in determining the overall surface-to-surface area contact between the post lower end 44 and the receiver 74, it being further appreciated that any such contact would only reduce the percentage of the surface-to-surface area contact of the post and receiver locking features 50, 80 relative to the overall surface-to-surface area contact of the post lower end 44 and the receiver 74. Again, ultimately, those skilled in the art will appreciate that such a relatively small portion of the overall engagement between mating portions of the post 40 and the base 70 functioning to lock the components together, with the balance of the engagement being for orientation or alignment and general stability, serves to make assembly and disassembly of the post 40 and base 70 relatively easy or to mitigate against such components once assembled being “stuck” or hard to later separate. Once more, other such arrangements of the post 40 and base 70, and particularly the post locking feature 50 and the corresponding receiver locking feature 80 are possible according to aspects of the present invention without departing from its spirit and scope, which will be further appreciated with reference to the discussion further below regarding other alternative exemplary embodiments of an active seating apparatus 20 according to aspects of the invention.

In forming the active seating apparatus 20, and specifically the seat 30, the post 40, and the base 70 and any feature thereof, it will be appreciated that any appropriate materials and methods of construction now known or later developed may be employed, including but not limited to metals such as steel, aluminum, alloys, and the like and a variety of plastics such as polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”), polyamide (“PA”) or nylon, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”), polyethylenes such as high density polyethylene (“HDPE”) and low density polyethylene (“LDPE”), polycarbonate, polyurethane, and other such plastics, thermoplastics, thermosetting polymers, and the like, any such components being fabricated or formed as through injection molding, casting, extrusion, machining, stamping, forming, or any other such technique now known or later developed. Any pad 32 or the like formed or affixed on the seat 30 and the optional friction pad(s) 100 placed within the receiver 74 between it and the lower end 44 of the post 40 (and though not shown also possibly between the upper end 42 of the post 40 and the seat 30) may be a foam material such as closed-cell ethylene-vinyl acetate (“EVA”) foam or any other such foams, resins, and other such materials now known or later developed. In addition, any bumper (not shown) formed or affixed on the curved bottom of the base 70 for softening, texturing, and non-slip effects may be formed of any appropriate rubber or other such material now known or later developed including but not limited to thermoplastic elastomer (“TPE”). Relatedly, particular features on each of the seat 30, post 40, and base 70 may be formed integrally or may be formed separately and then assembled in any appropriate secondary operation employing any assembly technique now known or later developed, including but not limited to fastening, bonding, welding, over-molding or coining, press-fitting, snapping, or any other such technique now known or later developed. Those skilled in the art will fundamentally appreciate that any such materials and methods of construction are encompassed within the scope of the invention, any exemplary materials and methods in connection with any and all embodiments thus being illustrative and non-limiting. Furthermore, the seat 30, post 40, and base 70 may be formed in any color or with any appropriate surface treatment to suit assembly and disassembly and use of the active seating apparatus 20. By way of further illustration and not limitation, one or more such components may have text or graphics on it, whether as molded, machined, or otherwise formed in the component itself, as printed on the component, or as a label affixed to such component, in any case such as to indicate the product name and/or instructions for use, for example. Optionally, the surface or a portion thereof of one or more of the seat 30, post 40, and base 70 may be further formed from or treated with a material having antimicrobial and/or antibacterial and other such properties to aid in maintaining the cleanliness of the active seating apparatus 20, such agent either forming the surface or being coated on or impregnated or infused in the surface of any such component, in whole or in part. In any case, the selected material(s) of the seat 30, post 40, and base 70 are to be substantially waterproof and washable to further maintain the apparatus 20 for safe and effective use over time. The particular material selected and its inherent properties in terms of its tensile or compressive strength, rigidity or flexibility, durability, tear and scratch resistance, surface qualities and color options, and other such attributes for each of the seat 30, post 40, and base 70 would be in conjunction with the thickness of the walls or cross-section and other geometrical aspects of each component. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a wide range of materials and material properties and related geometries or configurations are possible for the seat 30, post 40, and base 70 of the active seating apparatus 20 according to aspects of the present invention and are to be understood as being within the scope of the invention, with each such component even potentially being formed of the same or different material, color, etc. Dimensionally, the overall size and scale or proportionality of any such active seating apparatus 20 may vary widely based on a number of factors and contexts, with the drawings again not to be taken literally or to scale—in the present exemplary children's context, the overall height of the apparatus 20 when assembled may be in the range of roughly twelve to twenty inches (12-20 in.), such as, for example, nominally fourteen inch (14 in.) and seventeen inch (17 in.) tall stools, and the nominal diameter of both the seat 30 and the base 70 may be in the range of roughly ten to fifteen inches (10-15 in.), such as, for example, a nominally eleven inch (11 in.) diameter seat 30 and a nominally thirteen inch (13) diameter base 70, though again other sizes and shapes or configurations are possible according to aspects of the present invention, including, for example, a height-adjustable post 40 and thus active seating apparatus 20 as shown and described further below in connection with FIG. 12. Moreover, all such other dimensions such as the diameter of the post lower end 44 and the base receiver 74 or the size of any post and receiver locking features 50, 80, including the post ramps 52 and receiver recesses 82 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 discussed above and the post nub 56 and indent 58 and corresponding receiver bump 88 in the embodiment of FIGS. 4 & 5 and the post tabs 62 and corresponding receiver grooves 92 in the embodiments of FIGS. 6-11 discussed below, are to be understood as illustrative “round numbers” and expressly non-limiting.

Turning next to FIGS. 4 & 5 there are shown exploded perspective views of an alternative exemplary active seating apparatus 20 according to aspects of the present invention, particularly as to the engagement between the post 40 and the base 70. Here, a male or external post thread 54 is formed on at least a portion of the post annular wall 46 of the lower end 44 of the post 40 and a corresponding female or internal receiver thread 84 is formed on at least a portion of the receiver annular wall 76 for the selective threadable engagement of the post 40 with the base 70. More particularly, in the exemplary embodiment, both the post and receiver threads 54, 84 are formed proximally on the respective post and receiver annular walls 46, 76 leaving a smooth or otherwise unthreaded distal portion of the respective annular walls 46, 76. On the post annular wall 46 below or distal of and offset from the post threads 54 there is formed a radially-outwardly-projecting nub 56 in which is formed a radially-outwardly-opening indent 58, the nub 56 and indent 58 together defining the post locking feature 50. Similarly, on the receiver annular wall 76 below or distal of and offset from the receiver threads 84 there is formed a radially-inwardly-projecting bump 88 defining the receiver locking feature 80.

In use in selectively removably assembling the post 40 on the base 70 in the alternative exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 4 & 5, the distal or lower end 44 of the post 40 would first be brought adjacent to and into alignment with the upwardly-opening receiver 74 of the base 70 until the respective post and receiver threads 54, 84 are in contact, whereafter rotation of the post 40 relative to the base 70 serves to threadably engage the post lower end 44 within the base receiver 74. Continued such rotation draws the post lower end 44 further into the base receiver 74, essentially without any appreciable resistance since no parts or adjacent surfaces are yet bottomed out or flush. Indeed, such relatively free rotation of the post lower end 44 and its threads 54 relative to the base receiver 74 and its threads 84 may continue until the post 40 nears full depth within the base receiver 74, at which point and prior again to any tightening or torquing of the threaded connection, the post and receiver locking features 50, 80 instead engage as through the receiver radially-inwardly-projecting bump 88 sliding into the post radially-outwardly-opening nub indent 58, which is achieved with some degree of rotational force or torque of the post 40 relative to the base 70 along with some degree of flex or movement of the mating or interfering components thereof, as when the bump 88 effectively contacts and rides up and snaps over the post nub 56 and into the post indent 58 to form the surface-to-surface locking engagement between the post locking feature 50 and the receiver locking feature 80. It is also noted that with the post threads 54 having a larger major diameter than the post annular wall 46 itself, or the post annular wall 46 being stepped relative to the post threads 54, the nub 56 may extend radially from the distal portion of the post annular wall 46 without extending radially outwardly beyond the post threads 54 or otherwise interfering with engagement of the post threads 54 with the receiver threads 84.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 & 5, male or external post thread 54 formed on at least a portion of the post annular wall 46 of the lower end 44 of the post 40 is at an angle relative to the post lengthwise axis 69 of sixty degrees (60°) and likewise corresponding female or internal receiver thread 84 is formed on at least a portion of the receiver annular wall 76 formed within the receiver 74 in the base 70 is at angle to the receiver lengthwise axis 99 of sixty degrees (60°). Even so, those skilled in the art will appreciate that a sixty degree angle (60°) of the male or external post thread 54 and female or internal receiver thread 84 advantageously yields a one-to-one correspondence of vertical and rotational travel between the engaging features, thereby allowing for relatively fast insertion of the post lower end 44 into the base receiver 74 with relatively little rotation therebetween, improving the ease of assembly and disassembly of the post 40 relative to the base 70. Moreover, with such a relatively steep angle of the male or external post thread 54 and mating female or internal receiver thread 84 it will be appreciated that the post 40 must effectively be lifted or pulled up relative to the base 70 as the post 40 is rotated (i.e., that the post 40 cannot be rotated relative to the base 70 without such upward movement), further ensuring secure assembly of the active seating apparatus 20 and further discouraging unwanted or unintended disassembly of the post 40 from the base 70 (or the seat 30 from the post 40), particularly in use when a user's weight will be on the seating apparatus 20, and the seat 30 particularly, thereby naturally encouraging the post 40 down toward the base 70, not up and away from the base 70. However, once again it will be appreciated that other angles or configurations of the male or external post thread 54 and female or internal receiver thread 84 of the exemplary post and receiver locking features 50, 80 are possible. In alternative embodiments, male or external post thread 54 and corresponding female or internal receiver thread 84 of post and receiver locking features 50, 80 can have angles of, e.g., about 45% to about 50%, about 45% to about 55%, about 45% to about 60%, about 45% to about 65%, about 45% to about 70%, about 45% to about 75%, about 50% to about 55%, about 50% to about 60%, about 50% to about 65%, about 50% to about 70%, about 50% to about 75%, about 55% to about 60%, about 55% to about 65%, about 55% to about 70%, about 55% to about 75%, about 60% to about 65%, about 60% to about 70%, about 60% to about 75%, about 65% to about 70%, about 65% to about 75%, or about 70% to about 75%.

Those skilled in the art will thus appreciate that the alternative exemplary post and receiver locking features 50, 80 of the post nub 56 and indent 58 and the base receiver bump 88 operate to selectively engage in positively securing the post 40 within the base 70 essentially just at the end of the rotational threadable engagement of the threads 54 of the post lower end 44 with the threads 84 of the base receiver 74, such post and receiver locking features 50, 80 thereby again representing a small fraction of the overall engagement surface area or surface-to-surface contact area between the post lower end 44 and the base receiver 74. By way of illustration and not limitation, the post nub indent 58 and receiver bump 88 locking engagement may involve surface-to-surface contact, even assuming a one-half inch (0.5 in.) diameter semi-spherical shape for both, on the order of only one-half square inch (0.5 sq. in.) (½·π·D²=½×π×(0.5 in.)²), such that again assuming the overall surface-to-surface contact area between the post lower end 44 and the receiver 74 is roughly twenty five square inches (25 sq. in.), it follows that the ratio or percentage of surface-to-surface area contact that is accounted for by the post and receiver locking features 50, 80 relative to the overall surface-to-surface area contact between the post lower end 44 and the receiver 74 is approximately two percent (2%) (0.5/25) in this example. It will be further appreciated that the post and receiver threads 54, 84 thus serve simply to positively engage and align the post 40 relative to the base 70 without themselves locking but instead allowing for orienting and selectively coupling and locking the receiver bump 88 within the post nub indent 58 for mechanically joining the post 40 with the base 70. Therefore, once more, the post 40 and base 70 are relatively easily assembled and disassembled employing post and receiver locking features 50, 80 according to aspects of the present invention.

In the exploded perspective views of FIGS. 6, 7A & 7B, there are illustrated a further alternative exemplary active seating apparatus 20 according to aspects of the present invention, again particularly as to the engagement between the post 40 and the base 70. As shown, both the lower end 44 of the post 40 and the receiver 74 in the base 70 are again formed as annular members, here for sliding engagement of the post 40 within the base 70. More particularly, in the exemplary embodiment, both the post annular wall 46 and the receiver annular wall 76 are generally round and smooth, whether straight or having a slight distal taper, in any case being sized and configured for a somewhat net fit or slight clearance fit with each other, versus a press- or interference-fit to positively lock the components together. That is, as in other embodiments herein, the primary or overall surface-to-surface engagement or contact between the post lower end 44 and the base receiver 74 is designed for orienting or aligning and vertically stabilizing the post 40 relative to the base 70 but not securing or locking the post 40 in the base 70 or directly preventing the removal of the post 40 from the base 70, which securement is instead achieved through engagement of the relatively smaller post and receiver locking features 50, 80. Here in the further alternative exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 6, 7A & 7B, on the post lower end annular wall 46 somewhat proximally along its length there is formed one or more radially-outwardly-projecting tab 62 defining the post locking feature 50. And on the receiver annular wall 76 again somewhat proximally along its length or depth there are formed corresponding to each tab 62 in size and circumferential location a radially-inwardly-opening slot 90 that intersects the base upper wall 72 and a vertically offset radially-inwardly-opening groove 92 distal of the slot 90 that together define the receiver locking feature 80. As illustrated, there are two opposite tabs 62 formed on the post annular wall 46 one-hundred-eighty degrees (180°) apart and likewise are two sets of slots 90 and offset grooves 92 formed on the receiver annular wall 76 one-hundred-eighty degrees (180°) apart that collectively define the post and receiver locking features 50, 80. However, it will once again be appreciated that other numbers and arrangements of tabs 62 and slots 90 and grooves 92 defining the locking features 50, 80 are possible and the exemplary number and arrangement of these components as shown in FIGS. 6, 7A & 7B is to be understood as merely illustrative and non-limiting. In an alternative embodiment, three tabs 62 are formed on the post annular wall 46 one-hundred-twenty degrees (120°) apart and likewise are three sets of slots 90 and offset grooves 92 formed on the receiver annular wall 76 one-hundred-twenty degrees (120°) apart that collectively define the post and receiver locking features 50, 80. In another alternative embodiment, four tabs 62 are formed on the post annular wall 46 ninety degrees (90°) apart and likewise are four sets of slots 90 and offset grooves 92 formed on the receiver annular wall 76 ninety degrees (90°) apart that collectively define the post and receiver locking features 50, 80. In yet another alternative embodiment, five tabs 62 are formed on the post annular wall 46 seventy-two degrees (72°) apart and likewise are five sets of slots 90 and offset grooves 92 formed on the receiver annular wall 76 seventy-two degrees (72°) apart that collectively define the post and receiver locking features 50, 80.

In a bit more detail with reference particularly to the enlarged partial perspective view of FIG. 7B zooming in on the base receiver 74, once more, the slot 90 is formed proximally within the receiver 74 so as to intersect the receiver upper wall 72 and as having a width that corresponds to that of the tab 62 to allow for passage of the tab 62 into and through the slot 90 during assembly of the post 40 on the base 70. Vertically below or distal of and offset from the slot 90 there is formed the groove 92 that is wider than the slot 90, with a first or squared portion 94 of the groove 92 substantially circumferentially aligned with the slot 90 and a second or sloped portion 96 of the groove 92 circumferentially offset from the slot 90. In use in selectively removably assembling the post 40 on the base 70 here in the further alternative exemplary embodiment, the distal or lower end 44 of the post 40 would again first be brought adjacent to and into alignment with the upwardly-opening receiver 74 of the base 70 and then partially inserted therein as by shifting the post 40 axially toward the base 70 while rotationally aligning and just bringing into contact the tabs 62 with the slots 90. In such configuration, further downward or axial travel of the post 40 relative to the base 70 will cause each tab 62 to travel vertically or axially along the respective slot 90, whereafter additional axial travel of and force on the post 40 will cause the tabs 62 as enabled by their sloped distally-facing surfaces to squeeze out of and past the slots 90 and snap into the vertically offset distal grooves 92, and specifically the square portions 94 thereof that are below and vertically aligned with the slots 90. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in such assembled position the post 40 is prevented from being shifted proximally relative to the base 70 or being pulled out of the base 70 due to the engagement of the one or more tab 62 formed on the post lower end 44 within the squared portion 94 of the respective groove 92 formed in the base receiver 74, thereby preventing unintended disassembly of the post 40 and base 70. As also best seen in FIG. 7B, there is formed within each groove 92 between the squared and sloped portions 94, 96 a radially-inwardly-projecting bump 98 that prevents unwanted or unintended rotation of the post 40 relative to the base 70 and specifically movement of the post tab 62 from the “locking” squared portion 94 of the groove 92 to the “unlocking” sloped portion 96 of the groove 92. Accordingly, when disassembly of the active seating apparatus 20 is desired and thus the post 40 is to be removed from the base 70, first sufficient rotational force or torque is to be applied to the post 40 relative to the base 70 to cause the tab 62 formed on the post lower end 44 to overcome the rotational resistance of the receiver bump 98 and thus the tab 62 to pop over the bump 98 and enter the sloped portion 96 of the groove 92 upon further rotation of the post 40 relative to the base 70. The groove sloped portion 96 having a sloped top or proximal wall or edge, versus the squared top wall or edge of the groove squared portion 94 that locks the tab 62 in place within the groove 92, thus allows the tab 62 to ride up and out of the groove 92, and the groove sloped portion 96 specifically, upon the application of sufficient proximal axial force on the post 40 relative to the base 70. Once the tabs 62 are clear of the receiver annular wall 76, continued axial movement of the post 40 proximally or away from the base 70, essentially without any appreciable resistance since no parts or adjacent surfaces remain mechanically engaged and again the respective annular walls 46, 76 are not configured for a press- or interference-fit but instead a net fit or slight clearance fit, serves to fully remove or disassemble the post 40 from the base 70 with relative ease. Indeed, it will be appreciated that other than the travel of the tab 62 across the receiver annular wall 76 as when the post 40 is inserted in the base 70 as by the tab 62 snapping over the distal end of the slot 90 and into the squared portion 94 of the groove 92 to form the surface-to-surface locking engagement between the post locking feature 50 and the receiver locking feature 80 during assembly and separately the travel of the tab 62 over the receiver bump 98 and then out of the sloped portion 96 and again across the receiver annular wall 76 upon disassembly, each achieved or enabled based on some degree of axial or rotational force on the post 40 relative to the base 70 along with some degree of flex or movement of the mating or interfering components thereof, there is little if any resistance to axial or rotational movement of the post 40 relative to the base 70 upon assembly and disassembly of the post lower end 44 in the base receiver 74, rendering such assembly and disassembly relatively easy and convenient.

Those skilled in the art will thus appreciate that the alternative exemplary post and receiver locking features 50, 80 as shown in FIGS. 6, 7A & 7B comprising the post tab 62 and the base receiver slot 90 and groove 92 again operate to selectively engage in positively securing the post 40 within the base 70, essentially just at the point of snapping the tab 62 into the squared portion 94 of the groove 92, such post and receiver locking features 50, 80 thereby again representing a small fraction of the overall engagement surface area or surface-to-surface contact area between the post lower end 44 and the base receiver 74. By way of illustration and not limitation, the post tab 62 and receiver groove 92 locking engagement may involve surface-to-surface contact, even assuming a one inch (1.0 in.) long and one-quarter inch (0.25 in.) high shape for both mating surfaces, then multiplied by two assuming two such tabs 62 and grooves 92, on the order of only one-half square inch (0.5 sq. in.) (2·L·H=2×1.0 in.×0.25 in.), such that again assuming the overall surface-to-surface contact area between the post lower end 44 and the receiver 74 is roughly twenty five square inches (25 sq. in.), it follows that the ratio or percentage of surface-to-surface area contact that is accounted for by the post and receiver locking features 50, 80 relative to the overall surface-to-surface area contact between the post lower end 44 and the base receiver 74 is approximately two percent (2%) (0.5/25) in this example. And even accounting for the temporary interference between the tabs 62 and the receiver annular wall 76 at any point in time, or other than the actual surface-to-surface locking contact, as the tabs 62 transition between the slot 90 and groove 92 during assembly or from the groove 92 during disassembly, such is simply a contact area equivalent to the combined surface area of the tabs 62 themselves, which though will generally be a line contact or something short of the overall tab 62 surface engagement with the receiver annular wall 76, is here for the present purpose estimated as the overall tab 62 geometry of one inch (1.0 in.) long and one-quarter inch (0.25 in.) high or one-quarter square inch (0.25 sq. in.) each or one-half square inch (0.5 sq. in) total in the case of two tabs 62, such that the total interference surface-to-surface contact is approximately one square inch (1.0 sq. in.) (0.5 sq in.+0.5 sq. in.), which still translates to a ratio or percentage of surface-to-surface area contact that is accounted for by the post and receiver locking features 50, 80 relative to the overall surface-to-surface area contact between the post lower end 44 and the base receiver 74 of only approximately four percent (4%) (1/25). It will be further appreciated that the post and receiver annular walls 46, 76 again serve simply to positively engage and align the post 40 relative to the base 70 without themselves locking but instead allowing for orienting and selectively coupling and locking the post tab 62 within the receiver groove 92 for mechanically joining the post 40 with the base 70. Therefore, once more, the post 40 and base 70 are relatively easily assembled and disassembled employing post and receiver locking features 50, 80 according to aspects of the present invention.

Turning next to FIGS. 8 & 9 there are shown exploded perspective views of yet another alternative exemplary active seating apparatus 20 according to aspects of the present invention, particularly once more as to the engagement between the post 40 and the base 70. As shown, both the lower end 44 of the post 40 and the receiver 74 in the base 70 are here formed with a cross profile or shape rather than being round or annular as in other exemplary embodiments, though it will be appreciated that such engagement shapes of the post lower end 44 and base receiver 74 can vary or be substituted without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, such as for example the embodiment of FIGS. 8 & 9 having a round or annular post lower end 44 and base receiver 74, square, or other such shape while otherwise being configured as shown, here with four sets of tabs 62 and grooves 92 near the bottom or distal ends of the post lower end 44 and base receiver 74 defining the post and receiver locking features 50, 80 rather than two sets at an intermediate more proximal location as in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 6 & 7. Even so, those skilled in the art will appreciate that by configuring the post lower end 44 and the base receiver 74 as having a corresponding cross shape, such geometry can serve to orient or index the components particularly during assembly and thus also ensure vertical alignment of and engagement between the post and receiver locking features 50, 80 again configured as radially-outwardly-projecting tabs 62 here formed on the radially-outwardly-facing surfaces of the post legs 48 and corresponding radially-inwardly-opening grooves 92 here formed on the radially-outermost surfaces of the receiver channels 78, the post legs 48 and receiver channels 78 thus cooperating for sliding engagement of the post 40 within the base 70, which legs 48 and channels 78 may again be straight or slightly distally tapered, in any case being sized and configured for a somewhat net fit or slight clearance fit with each other, versus a press- or interference-fit to positively lock the components together. Relatedly, while even with the alternative cross-shaped profile reference is made to the various component extending or opening “radially,” it will again be appreciated that other geometries of the post lower end 44 and the related base receiver 74 are possible, such as square for example, in which case there is technically not a radial segment, it being understood that “radial” simply is a point of reference for describing or orienting a feature as being either toward or away from the center of such shape essentially. Once again, as in the other embodiments herein, the primary or overall surface-to-surface engagement or contact between the post lower end 44 and the base receiver 74 is designed for orienting or aligning and vertically stabilizing the post 40 relative to the base 70 but not securing or locking the post 40 in the base 70 or directly preventing the removal of the post 40 from the base 70, which securement is instead beneficially achieved through engagement of the relatively smaller post and receiver locking features 50, 80. Here in the further alternative exemplary embodiment shown, once more, on the post lower end legs 48 somewhat distally along their length there are formed a radially-outwardly-projecting tab 62 on each collectively defining the post locking feature 50, and in the receiver channels 76 again somewhat distally along their length or depth there are formed corresponding to each tab 62 in size and location a radially-inwardly-opening groove 92 collectively defining the receiver locking feature 80. As illustrated, there are four tabs 62 formed on the respective four post legs 48 ninety degrees (90°) apart and likewise are four grooves 92 formed in the respective four receiver channels 78 ninety degrees (90°) apart that collectively define the post and receiver locking features 50, 80. However, it will once again be appreciated that other numbers and arrangements of post legs 48 including tabs 62 and receiver channels 78 including grooves 92 defining the locking features 50, 80 are possible and the exemplary number and arrangement of these components as shown in FIGS. 8 & 9 is to be understood as merely illustrative and non-limiting. In an alternative embodiment, two tabs 62 formed on the respective two post legs 48 one-hundred-eighty degrees (180°) apart and likewise are two grooves 92 formed in the respective two receiver channels 78 one-hundred-eighty degrees (180°) apart that collectively define the post and receiver locking features 50, 80. In another alternative embodiment, three tabs 62 formed on the respective three post legs 48 one-twenty-eighty degrees (120°) apart and likewise are three grooves 92 formed in the respective three receiver channels 78 one-twenty-eighty degrees (120°) apart that collectively define the post and receiver locking features 50, 80. In another alternative embodiment, five tabs 62 formed on the respective five post legs 48 seventy-two-eighty degrees (72°) apart and likewise are five grooves 92 formed in the respective five receiver channels 78 seventy-two degrees (72°) apart that collectively define the post and receiver locking features 50, 80.

In use in selectively removably assembling the post 40 on the base 70 in the further alternative exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 8 & 9, the distal or lower end 44 of the post 40 would again first be brought adjacent to and into rotational alignment with the upwardly-opening receiver 74 of the base 70 as by here aligning the post legs 48 and the receiver channels 78 and then shifting the post 40 axially toward the base 70 so as to be partially inserted therein until just bringing into contact the post tabs 62 with the receiver channels 78. In such configuration, further downward or axial travel of and force on the post 40 relative to the base 70 will cause each tab 62 as enabled by its sloped distally-facing surface to squeeze against and travel vertically or axially along the respective channel 78 until eventually snapping into the respective somewhat distal groove 92. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in such assembled position the post 40 is prevented from being shifted proximally relative to the base 70 or being pulled out of the base 70 due to the engagement of the tabs 62 formed on the post lower end 44 within the respective grooves 92 formed in the base receiver 74, thereby preventing unintended disassembly of the post 40 and base 70. And when disassembly of the active seating apparatus 20 is desired and thus the post 40 is to be removed from the base 70, sufficient proximal axial force applied to the post 40 relative to the base 70 along with slight rocking of the post 40 relative to the base 70 as needed is able to overcome or dislodge the engagement of the post tabs 62 in the grooves 92 to allow removal of the post 40 from the base 70. Again, upon insertion or assembly of the post 40 in the base 70 or upon removal or disassembly of the post 40 from the base 70, the only resistance is effectively provided by the tabs 62 in contact with the surfaces of the receiver channels 78, essentially without any appreciable resistance otherwise since no other parts or adjacent surfaces are mechanically engaged and again the respective post legs 48 and receiver channels 78 are not configured for a press- or interference-fit but instead a net fit or slight clearance fit, with the travel of the tabs 62 through the receiver channels 78 again achieved or enabled based on some degree of axial force on the post 40 relative to the base 70 along with some degree of flex or movement of the mating or interfering components thereof.

Those skilled in the art will thus appreciate that the alternative exemplary post and receiver locking features 50, 80 of in FIGS. 8 & 9 comprising the post tabs 62 and the base receiver grooves 92 again operate to selectively engage in positively securing the post 40 within the base 70, essentially just at the point of snapping each tab 62 into the respective groove 92, such post and receiver locking features 50, 80 thereby again representing a small fraction of the overall engagement surface area or surface-to-surface contact area between the post lower end 44 and the base receiver 74. By way of illustration and not limitation, the post tab 62 and receiver groove 92 locking engagement may involve surface-to-surface contact, even assuming a one inch (1.0 in.) long and one-quarter inch (0.25 in.) high shape for both mating surfaces, then multiplied by four assuming four such tabs 62 and grooves 92, on the order of only one square inch (1.0 sq. in.) (4·L·H=4×1.0 in.×0.25 in.). Here with the cross-shaped profile of the post lower end 44 and base receiver 74, the overall surface-to-surface contact area therebetween is again taken to be roughly twenty five square inches (25 sq. in.) (here as twelve roughly two-inch by one-inch surfaces), it follows that the ratio or percentage of surface-to-surface area contact that is accounted for by the post and receiver locking features 50, 80 relative to the overall surface-to-surface area contact between the post lower end 44 and the base receiver 74 is approximately four percent (4%) (1/25) in this example. And even accounting for the temporary interference between the tabs 62 and the receiver channels 78 at any point in time, or other than the actual surface-to-surface locking contact of the tabs 62 in the grooves 92, as the tabs 62 transition in or out of the grooves 92 and along the walls of the channels 78 during assembly or disassembly, such is simply a contact area equivalent to the combined surface area of the tabs 62 themselves, which though will again generally be a line contact or something short of the overall tab 62 surface engagement with the receiver channel 78, is here for the present purpose estimated as the overall tab 62 geometry of one inch (1.0 in.) long and one-quarter inch (0.25 in.) high or one-quarter square inch (0.25 sq. in.) each or one square inch (1.0 sq. in) total in the case of four tabs 62, such that the total interference surface-to-surface contact is approximately two square inches (2.0 sq. in.) (1.0 sq in.+1.0 sq. in.), which still translates to a ratio or percentage of surface-to-surface area contact that is accounted for by the post and receiver locking features 50, 80 relative to the overall surface-to-surface area contact between the post lower end 44 and the base receiver 74 of only approximately eight percent (8%) (2/25). It is also again noted here in the cross-shaped-profile engagement of the post lower end 44 and base receiver 74 that the bottom (not shown) of the lower end 44 of the post 40 may be open or closed, such that any potential surface-to-surface contact between the bottom of the post lower end 44 and the bottom of the receiver 74 is not accounted for in determining the overall surface-to-surface area contact between the post lower end 44 and the receiver 74, it being further appreciated that any such contact would only reduce the percentage of the surface-to-surface area contact of the post and receiver locking features 50, 80 relative to the overall surface-to-surface area contact of the post lower end 44 and the receiver 74. It will again be further appreciated that the post legs 48 and receiver channels 78 thus serve simply to positively engage and align the post 40 relative to the base 70 without themselves locking but instead allowing for orienting and selectively coupling and locking the post tabs 62 within the receiver grooves 92 for mechanically joining the post 40 with the base 70. Therefore, once more, the post 40 and base 70 are relatively easily assembled and disassembled employing post and receiver locking features 50, 80 according to aspects of the present invention.

Finally, referring to FIGS. 10 & 11 there are shown exploded perspective views of yet another alternative exemplary active seating apparatus 20 according to aspects of the present invention, particularly once more as to the engagement between the post 40 and the base 70, here being somewhat analogous to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 8 & 9 but positioning the post tabs 62 on flexible fingers 60 formed effectively as living hinges on opposite legs 48 relatively higher or proximally on the post lower end 44, now with two such fingers 60 and tabs 62 defining the post locking feature 50 and corresponding two such receiver grooves 92 in opposite receiver channels 78 defining the receiver locking feature 80. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that by forming flexible fingers 60 on the lower end 44 of the post 40 that are proximally accessible even when the post 40 is assembled on the base 70 and with the tabs 62 formed distally on the fingers 60 so as to engage the respective receiver grooves 92 and thereby selectively secure the post 40 within the base 70, assembly and disassembly of the post 40 relative to the base 70 is facilitated by simply grasping or pressing in on the opposite flexible fingers 60 so as to shift the distal radially-outwardly-projecting tabs 62 radially inwardly out of engagement with any wall or radially-inwardly-opening groove 92 of the receiver channels 78. As shown, here as in the embodiment of FIGS. 8 & 9, both the lower end 44 of the post 40 and the receiver 74 in the base 70 are formed with a cross profile or shape, though it will again be appreciated that such engagement shapes of the post lower end 44 and base receiver 74 can vary or be substituted without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, though once more the post lower end 44 and the base receiver 74 having a cross shape can aid in assembly and ensure vertical alignment of and engagement between the post and receiver locking features 50, 80 again configured as radially-outwardly-projecting post tabs 62 and corresponding radially-inwardly-opening receiver grooves 92, the post legs 48 and receiver channels 78 again being sized and configured for a somewhat net fit or slight clearance fit with each other, versus a press- or interference-fit to positively lock the components together, in cooperating for sliding engagement of the post 40 within the base 70. Once again, as in the other embodiments herein, the primary or overall surface-to-surface engagement or contact between the post lower end 44 and the base receiver 74 is designed for orienting or aligning and vertically stabilizing the post 40 relative to the base 70 but not securing or locking the post 40 in the base 70 or directly preventing the removal of the post 40 from the base 70, which securement is instead beneficially achieved through engagement of the relatively smaller post and receiver locking features 50, 80. Here in the further alternative exemplary embodiment shown, once more, on the post lower end legs 48, here specifically two opposite legs 48 rather than all four, though both two and four and other such arrangements are also possible, somewhat proximally along their length there are formed lengthwise flexible fingers 60 each having a somewhat distally located radially-outwardly-projecting tab 62 collectively defining the post locking feature 50. And in two opposite receiver channels 76 again somewhat proximally along their length or depth there are formed corresponding to the tabs 62 in size and location a radially-inwardly-opening groove 92 collectively defining the receiver locking feature 80. As illustrated, there are two tabs 62 formed on opposite post legs 48 one-hundred-eighty degrees (180°) apart and likewise are two grooves 92 formed in opposite receiver channels 78 one-hundred-eighty degrees (180°) apart that collectively define the post and receiver locking features 50, 80. However, it will once again be appreciated that other numbers and arrangements of such features 50, 80 are possible according to aspects of the present invention, such that the two post fingers 60 and tabs 62 and receiver grooves 92 defining the locking features 50, 80 is to be understood as merely illustrative and non-limiting. In an alternative embodiment, post 40 comprises two post legs 48 one-hundred-eighty degrees (180°) apart with each post leg 48 including tab 62 comprising post finger 62 and likewise two grooves 92 formed in the respective two receiver channels 78 one-hundred-eighty degrees (180°) apart with each receiver channel 78 including groove 92 that collectively define the post and receiver locking features 50, 80. In another alternative embodiment, post 40 comprises three post legs 48 one-hundred-twenty degrees (120°) apart with either two or three of the three post legs 48 including tab 62 comprising post finger 62 and likewise three receiver channels 78 one-twenty degrees (120°) apart with either two or three of the three receiver channels 78 including groove 92 that collectively define the post and receiver locking features 50, 80. In another alternative embodiment, post 40 comprises four post legs 48 ninety degrees (90°) apart with either three or four of the four post legs 48 including tab 62 comprising post finger 62 and likewise four receiver channels 78 ninety degrees (90°) apart with either three or four of the four receiver channels 78 including groove 92 that collectively define the post and receiver locking features 50, 80. In another alternative embodiment, post 40 comprises five post legs 48 seventy-two degrees (72°) apart with either two, three, four or five of the five post legs 48 including tab 62 comprising post finger 62 and likewise five receiver channels 78 seventy-two degrees (72°) apart with either two, three, four or five of the five receiver channels 78 including groove 92 that collectively define the post and receiver locking features 50, 80.

In use in selectively removably assembling the post 40 on the base 70 in the further alternative exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 10 & 11, the distal or lower end 44 of the post 40 would again first be brought adjacent to and into rotational alignment with the upwardly-opening receiver 74 of the base 70 as by aligning the post legs 48 and the receiver channels 78 and then shifting the post 40 axially toward the base 70 so as to be partially inserted therein until just bringing into contact the post tabs 62 with the receiver channels 78. In such configuration, further downward or axial travel of and force on the post 40 relative to the base 70 and/or inward pressure on the opposite flexible fingers 60 will cause each tab 62 as further enabled by its sloped distally-facing surface to squeeze against and travel vertically or axially along the respective channel 78 until eventually snapping into the respective somewhat proximal groove 92. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in such assembled position the post 40 is prevented from being shifted proximally relative to the base 70 or being pulled out of the base 70 due to the engagement of the tabs 62 formed on the post lower end 44 within the respective grooves 92 formed in the base receiver 74, thereby preventing unintended disassembly of the post 40 and base 70. And when disassembly of the active seating apparatus 20 is desired and thus the post 40 is to be removed from the base 70, inward pressure on or movement of the opposite fingers 60 so as to shift the tabs 62 inwardly and out of engagement with the receiver grooves 92 along with sufficient proximal axial force applied to the post 40 relative to the base 70 allow removal of the post 40 from the base 70. Again, upon insertion or assembly of the post 40 in the base 70 or upon removal or disassembly of the post 40 from the base 70, the only resistance is effectively provided by the tabs 62 in contact with the surfaces of the receiver channels 78, and that over only a short distance in the exemplary embodiment with the tabs 62 and grooves 92 located proximally and assuming that the fingers 60 have not been shifted inwardly so as to reduced or eliminate engagement of the tabs 62 with the walls of the receiver channels 78 regardless, essentially without any appreciable resistance otherwise since no other parts or adjacent surfaces are mechanically engaged and again the respective post legs 48 and receiver channels 78 are not configured for a press- or interference-fit but instead a net fit or slight clearance fit, with the travel of the tabs 62 through the receiver channels 78 again further enabled based on some degree of axial force on the post 40 relative to the base 70 along with some degree of flex or movement of the mating or interfering components thereof.

Those skilled in the art will thus appreciate that the alternative exemplary post and receiver locking features 50, 80 of FIGS. 10 & 11 comprising the post tabs 62 and the base receiver grooves 92 again operate to selectively engage in positively securing the post 40 within the base 70, essentially just at the point of snapping each tab 62 into the respective groove 92, such post and receiver locking features 50, 80 thereby again representing a small fraction of the overall engagement surface area or surface-to-surface contact area between the post lower end 44 and the base receiver 74. By way of illustration and not limitation, the post tab 62 and receiver groove 92 locking engagement may involve surface-to-surface contact, even assuming a one inch (1.0 in.) long and one-quarter inch (0.25 in.) high shape for both mating surfaces, then multiplied by two assuming two such tabs 62 and grooves 92, on the order of only one-half square inch (0.5 sq. in.) (2·L·H=2×1.0 in.×0.25 in.), and again assuming the overall surface-to-surface contact area between the cross-shaped profile of the post lower end 44 and base receiver 74 is roughly twenty five square inches (25 sq. in.), such that it follows that the ratio or percentage of surface-to-surface area contact that is accounted for by the post and receiver locking features 50, 80 relative to the overall surface-to-surface area contact between the post lower end 44 and the base receiver 74 is approximately four percent (2%) (0.5/25) in this example. And once more even accounting for the temporary interference between the tabs 62 and the receiver channels 78 at any point in time, or other than the actual surface-to-surface locking contact of the tabs 62 in the grooves 92, as the tabs 62 transition in or out of the grooves 92 and along the walls of the channels 78 during assembly or disassembly, such is simply a contact area equivalent to the combined surface area of the tabs 62 themselves, which though will again generally be a line contact or something short of the overall tab 62 surface engagement with the receiver channel 78, is here for the present purpose estimated as the overall tab 62 geometry of one inch (1.0 in.) long and one-quarter inch (0.25 in.) high or one-quarter square inch (0.25 sq. in.) each or one-half square inch (0.5 sq. in) total in the case of two tabs 62, such that the total interference surface-to-surface contact is approximately one square inch (1.0 sq. in.) (0.5 sq in.+0.5 sq. in.), which still translates to a ratio or percentage of surface-to-surface area contact that is accounted for by the post and receiver locking features 50, 80 relative to the overall surface-to-surface area contact between the post lower end 44 and the base receiver 74 of only approximately four percent (4%) (1/25). It will again be further appreciated that the post legs 48 and receiver channels 78 thus serve simply to positively engage and align the post 40 relative to the base 70 without themselves locking but instead allowing for orienting and selectively coupling and locking the post tabs 62 within the receiver grooves 92 for mechanically joining the post 40 with the base 70, while the relatively small post and receiver locking features 50, 80 account for the actual locking contact or engagement between the post lower end 44 and the base receiver 74. Therefore, once more, the post 40 and base 70 are relatively easily assembled and disassembled employing post and receiver locking features 50, 80 according to aspects of the present invention.

Turning briefly to the perspective view of FIG. 12, there is shown a still further alternative exemplary embodiment of an active seating apparatus 20 according to aspects of the present invention here having a height-adjustable telescoping post 40. For illustrative purposes only, the apparatus 20 is shown as otherwise being analogous to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, active seating apparatus 20 comprises a seat 30, a post 40 selectively engaging and supporting the seat 30 at an upper end 42 (FIG. 2) of the post 40 and having an opposite lower end 44 (FIG. 2) selectively engaging the post 40 with a base 70 in assembling the apparatus 20. However, it will be appreciated that height-adjustable telescoping post 40 can be incorporated in any of the other embodiments as shown in FIGS. 4-11. In a bit more detail, the exemplary height-adjustable post 40 has a tube-in-tube or telescoping configuration comprising an upper post body 64 and a lower post body 66 and a lever 68 operable therewith to selectively control an internal cylinder or other lift mechanism (not shown) for raising or lowering the seat 30 and thus adjusting the overall height of the seating apparatus 20 in a manner otherwise known in the art. It will be appreciated that while the upper post body 64 is shown as having the lever 68 operable therewith as for hand operation and as having a relatively smaller outside dimension for telescoping or tube-in-tube receipt within the relatively larger lower post body 66, such is not required and other arrangements or configurations of such components are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, including but not limited to operably configuring the lever 68 on the seat 30 or on the lower post body 66 or even the base 70 for foot operation rather than hand operation. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that no matter the arrangement of the upper and lower post bodies 64, 66 and associated lever 68 for selective height adjustment, the post 40 and particularly the lower end 44 thereof, here of the lower post body 66 specifically, may involve any post locking feature 50 (FIGS. 2-11) appropriate to the context or the corresponding receiver locking feature 80 (FIGS. 2-11), such that the post and receiver locking features 50, 80 in FIG. 12 as in FIGS. 1-3 of the post ramps 52 and associated receiver recesses 82 is to be understood as merely illustrative and non-limiting.

Aspects of the present specification may also be described by the following embodiments:

• • 1. An active seating apparatus comprising: a seat; a post configured for selectively engaging and supporting the seat at an upper end of the post, the post further having a lower end opposite the upper end and having a post locking feature formed at the lower end; and a base having an upper wall and an upwardly-opening receiver formed in the upper wall configured for selective removable receipt of the lower end of the post, the receiver having a receiver locking feature configured for selective locking engagement with the post locking feature upon insertion of the post within the base in selectively and securely assembling the post on the base through engagement of the post and receiver locking features, the surface-to-surface locking engagement between the post locking feature and the receiver locking feature being no more than twenty percent of the overall surface-to-surface contact between the lower end of the post and the receiver of the base.
  • 2. The apparatus of embodiment 1 wherein: the post locking feature comprises a plurality of spaced-apart angled radially-outwardly-protruding ramps; and the receiver locking feature comprises a plurality of spaced-apart angled radially-inwardly-opening recesses that intersect the upper wall and are configured for receipt of the respective angled radially-outwardly-protruding ramps of the post, whereby movement of the lower end of the post toward and rotationally relative to the receiver in selectively assembling the post on the base causes locking engagement of the angled radially-outwardly-protruding ramps within the respective angled radially-inwardly-opening recesses.
  • 3. The apparatus of embodiment 2 comprising three angled radially-outwardly-protruding ramps one-hundred-twenty degrees apart and three corresponding angled radially-inwardly-opening recesses one-hundred-twenty degrees apart.
  • 4. The apparatus of embodiment 2 or embodiment 3 wherein the plurality of angled radially-outwardly-protruding ramps are each at an angle to a post lengthwise axis of forty-five degrees and the plurality of angled radially-inwardly-opening recesses are each at an angle to a receiver lengthwise axis of forty-five degrees.
  • 5. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-4 wherein: the post locking feature comprises a radially-outwardly-projecting nub formed on the lower end of the post, the nub having a radially-outwardly-opening indent; and the receiver locking feature comprises a radially-inwardly-projecting bump formed within the receiver, whereby movement of the lower end of the post into the receiver in selectively assembling the post on the base causes locking engagement of the bump of the receiver within the indent on the nub of the post.
  • 6. The apparatus of embodiment 5 wherein: the lower end of the post defines a post annular wall having a post thread; and the receiver of the base defines a receiver annular wall having a receiver thread, whereby rotational movement of the lower end of the post relative to the receiver in selectively assembling the post on the base causes threadable engagement between the post thread and the receiver thread.
  • 7. The apparatus of embodiment 6 wherein: the nub is formed on an unthreaded portion of the post annular wall distal of the post thread; and the bump is formed on an unthreaded portion of the receiver annular wall distal of the receiver thread, whereby the threadable engagement between the post thread and the receiver thread causes the bump on the receiver to seat within the indent on the nub of the post.
  • 8. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-7 wherein: the post locking feature comprises a radially-outwardly-projecting tab; and the receiver locking feature comprises a radially-inwardly-opening groove, whereby movement of the lower end of the post into the receiver in selectively assembling the post on the base causes locking engagement of the tab of the post within the groove of the receiver.
  • 9. The apparatus of embodiment 8 wherein the receiver locking feature further comprises a radially-inwardly-opening slot proximal of and vertically offset from the groove.
  • 10. The apparatus of embodiment 9 wherein: the slot intersects the upper wall of the receiver; and the groove has a squared portion substantially circumferentially aligned with the slot and a sloped portion circumferentially offset from the slot, whereby axial movement of the lower end of the post into the receiver first causes the tab to pass through the slot and then to transition out of the slot and into locking engagement within the squared portion of the groove, and whereby rotational movement of the lower end of the post within the receiver shifts the tab from the squared portion of the groove to the sloped portion of the groove to facilitate axial withdrawal of the post from the base.
  • 11. The apparatus of embodiment 10 wherein a radially-inwardly-projecting bump is formed in the groove between the squared portion and the sloped portion, whereby the bump must be overcome by the tab in shifting from the squared portion of the groove to the sloped portion of the groove.
  • 12. The apparatus of any of embodiments 8-11 wherein the tab is located proximally on the lower end of the post and the groove is located proximally within the receiver of the base.
  • 13. The apparatus of any of embodiments 8-11 wherein the tab is located distally on the lower end of the post and the groove is located distally within the receiver of the base.
  • 14. The apparatus of any of embodiments 8-13 wherein the tab is located on a flexible finger, whereby the tab may be selectively shifted out of contact with the groove to facilitate axial withdrawal of the post from the base.
  • 15. The apparatus of any of embodiments 8-14 wherein the tab is distally tapered.
  • 16. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-15 wherein: the lower end of the post and the receiver of the base are both cross-shaped, the lower end of the post thereby having splayed post legs and the receiver of the base thereby having corresponding splayed receiver channels.
  • 17. The apparatus of embodiment 16 wherein a tab is formed on at least two opposite post legs so as to extend radially-outwardly therefrom; and a groove is formed in at least two opposite receiver channels so as to open radially-inwardly therefrom for selective engagement with the respective tab.
  • 18. The apparatus of embodiment 16 or embodiment 17 wherein engagement of the post legs with the receiver channels is no more than net fit and is not an interference fit.
  • 19. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-15 wherein the lower end of the post and the receiver of the base are both annular, the lower end of the post thereby having a post annular wall and the receiver of the base thereby having a receiver annular wall.
  • 20. The apparatus of embodiment 19 wherein engagement of the post annular wall with the receiver annular wall is no more than net fit and is not an interference fit.
  • 21. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-20 wherein the surface-to-surface locking engagement between the post locking feature and the receiver locking feature is no more than ten percent of the overall surface-to-surface contact between the lower end of the post and the receiver of the base.
  • 22. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-21 wherein the surface-to-surface locking engagement between the post locking feature and the receiver locking feature is no more than five percent of the overall surface-to-surface contact between the lower end of the post and the receiver of the base.
  • 23. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-22 further comprising at least one friction pad configured for selective placement between the lower end of the post and the receiver of the base.
  • 24. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-23 wherein the post is height-adjustable.
  • 25. A method of employing an active seating apparatus as defined in any one of embodiments 1-24, the method comprising the steps of: removably inserting the lower end of the post within the receiver of the base; and securing the lower end within the receiver through surface-to-surface locking engagement between the post locking feature and the receiver locking feature comprising no more than twenty percent of the overall surface-to-surface contact between the lower end and the receiver in assembling the post on the base.
  • 26. The method of embodiment 25 wherein the step of securing the lower end within the receiver comprises engagement of the spaced-apart angled radially-outwardly-protruding ramps defining the post locking feature with the corresponding spaced-apart angled radially-inwardly-opening recesses defining the receiver locking feature, such engagement serving to simultaneously shift the lower end of the post toward and rotationally relative to the receiver in thereby removably inserting the lower end of the post within the receiver of the base.
  • 27. The method of embodiment 25 or embodiment 26 further comprising the step of disassembling the post from the base by oppositely rotating the post relative to the base to decouple the angled radially-outwardly-protruding ramps of the post from the angled radially-inwardly-opening recesses of the receiver.
  • 28. The method of any of embodiments 25-27 wherein the step of removably inserting the lower end of the post within the receiver of the base comprises rotational movement of the lower end relative to the receiver through threadable engagement between the post thread and the receiver thread.
  • 29. The method of any of embodiments 25-28 wherein the step of securing the lower end within the receiver comprises engagement of the bump of the receiver defining the receiver locking feature within the indent on the nub of the post defining the post locking feature as caused by rotation of the post relative to the base through the threadable engagement between the post thread and the receiver thread.
  • 30. The method of embodiment 29 further comprising the step of disassembling the post from the base by oppositely rotating the post relative to the base to decouple the bump of the receiver from the indent on the nub of the post.
  • 31. The method of any of embodiments 25-30 wherein the step of removably inserting the lower end of the post within the receiver of the base comprises axial movement of the lower end relative to the receiver through sliding engagement of the tab of the post defining the post locking feature within the slot of the receiver in part defining the receiver locking feature.
  • 32. The method of embodiment 31 wherein the step of securing the lower end within the receiver comprises further axial movement of the lower end relative to the receiver causing the tab to shift out of the slot and into engagement within the squared portion of the groove distal of the slot further defining the receiver locking feature.
  • 33. The method of embodiment 32 further comprising the step of disassembling the post from the base by rotating the post relative to the base to shift the tab from the squared portion of the groove to the adjacent sloped portion of the groove and then shifting the post proximally relative to the base.
  • 34. The method of any of embodiments 25-33 wherein the step of securing the lower end within the receiver comprises axial movement of the lower end relative to the receiver causing the tab defining the post locking feature to engage within the groove defining the receiver locking feature.
  • 35. The method of embodiment 34 wherein the step of securing the lower end within the receiver further comprises inwardly pushing the finger having the tab so as to temporarily disengage the tab from the receiver until the tab is adjacent to the groove and then releasing the finger to allow the tab to engage the groove.
  • 36. The method of embodiment 34 or embodiment 35 further comprising the step of disassembling the post from the base by inwardly pushing the finger having the tab so as to disengage the tab from the groove and then shifting the post proximally relative to the base.
  • 37. The method of any of embodiments 25-36 wherein the step of removably inserting the lower end of the post within the receiver of the base comprises aligning the post legs with the receiver channels.
  • 38. A kit comprising an active seating apparatus as defined in any one of embodiments 1-24.
  • 39. The kit of embodiment 38, further comprising instructional material.
  • 40. The kit of embodiment 39, wherein the instructional material provides instructions on how to perform the method as defined in any one of embodiments 25-37.
  • 41. Use of an active seating apparatus as defined in any one of embodiments 1-24 for ease of effective assembly and disassembly of the apparatus.
  • 42. The use of embodiment 41, wherein the use comprises a method as defined in any one of embodiments 25-37.

In closing, foregoing descriptions of embodiments of the present invention have been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is to be understood that, although aspects of the present invention are highlighted by referring to specific embodiments, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that these described embodiments are only illustrative of the principles comprising the present invention and such examples are not limiting thereto. As such, the specific embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. The use of any and all examples or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein is intended merely to better illuminate the present invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the present specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention. In addition, all methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. Therefore, it should be understood that embodiments of the disclosed subject matter are in no way limited to a particular element, compound, composition, component, article, apparatus, methodology, use, protocol, step, and/or limitation described herein, unless expressly stated as such.

In addition, groupings of alternative embodiments, elements, steps and/or limitations of the present invention are not to be construed as limitations. Each such grouping may be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other groupings disclosed herein. It is anticipated that one or more alternative embodiments, elements, steps and/or limitations of a grouping may be included in, or deleted from, the grouping for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is deemed to contain the grouping as modified, thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that certain changes, modifications, permutations, alterations, additions, subtractions, and sub-combinations thereof can be made in accordance with the teachings herein without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, it is intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such changes, modifications, permutations, alterations, additions, subtractions, and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is not to be limited to that precisely as shown and described by this specification.

Certain embodiments of the present invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for conducting the invention. Of course, variations on these described embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the present invention to be practiced otherwise than specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described embodiments in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

The words, language, and terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments, elements, steps and/or limitations only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is defined solely by the claims. In addition, such words, language, and terminology are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus, if an element, step or limitation can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, then its use in a claim must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word itself.

The definitions and meanings of the elements, steps or limitations recited in a claim set forth below are, therefore, defined in this specification to include not only the combination of elements, steps or limitations which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements, steps and/or limitations may be made for any one of the elements, steps or limitations in a claim set forth below or that a single element, step, or limitation may be substituted for two or more elements, steps and/or limitations in such a claim. Although elements, steps or limitations may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements, steps and/or limitations from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or variation of a sub-combination. As such, notwithstanding the fact that the elements, steps and/or limitations of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more, or different elements, steps and/or limitations, which are disclosed in above combination even when not initially claimed in such combinations. Furthermore, insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. Accordingly, the claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what essentially incorporates the essential idea of the invention.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing a characteristic, item, quantity, parameter, property, term, and so forth used in the present specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” As used herein, the term “about” means that the characteristic, item, quantity, parameter, property, or term so qualified encompasses a range of plus or minus ten percent above and below the value of the stated characteristic, item, quantity, parameter, property, or term. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary. For instance, as mass spectrometry instruments can vary slightly in determining the mass of a given analyte, the term “about” in the context of the mass of an ion or the mass/charge ratio of an ion refers to +/−0.50 atomic mass unit. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical indication should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and values setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical ranges and values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical range or value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. Unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth herein should be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints and open-ended ranges should be interpreted to include only commercially practical values. Recitation of numerical ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate numerical value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value of a numerical range is incorporated into the present specification as if it were individually recited herein. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered as inclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates the contrary.

Use of the terms “may” or “can” in reference to an embodiment or aspect of an embodiment also carries with it the alternative meaning of “may not” or “cannot.” As such, if the present specification discloses that an embodiment or an aspect of an embodiment may be or can be included as part of the inventive subject matter, then the negative limitation or exclusionary proviso is also explicitly meant, meaning that an embodiment or an aspect of an embodiment may not be or cannot be included as part of the inventive subject matter. In a comparable manner, use of the term “optionally” in reference to an embodiment or aspect of an embodiment means that such embodiment or aspect of the embodiment may be included as part of the inventive subject matter or may not be included as part of the inventive subject matter. Whether such a negative limitation or exclusionary proviso applies will be based on whether the negative limitation or exclusionary proviso is recited in the claimed subject matter.

The terms “a,” “an,” “the” and similar references used in the context of describing the present invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Further, ordinal indicators—such as, e.g., “first,” “second,” “third,” etc.—for identified elements are used to distinguish between the elements, and do not indicate or imply a required or limited number of such elements, and do not indicate a particular position or order of such elements unless otherwise specifically stated.

When used in the claims, whether as filed or added per amendment, the open-ended transitional term “comprising”, variations thereof such as, e.g., “comprise” and “comprises”, and equivalent open-ended transitional phrases thereof like “including”, “containing” and “having”, encompass all the expressly recited elements, limitations, steps, integers, and/or features alone or in combination with unrecited subject matter; the named elements, limitations, steps, integers, and/or features are essential, but other unnamed elements, limitations, steps, integers, and/or features may be added and still form a construct within the scope of the claim. Specific embodiments disclosed herein may be further limited in the claims using the closed-ended transitional phrases “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of” (or variations thereof such as, e.g., “consist of”, “consists of”, “consist essentially of”, and “consists essentially of”) in lieu of or as an amendment for “comprising.” When used in the claims, whether as filed or added per amendment, the closed-ended transitional phrase “consisting of” excludes any element, limitation, step, integer, or feature not expressly recited in the claims. The closed-ended transitional phrase “consisting essentially of” limits the scope of a claim to the expressly recited elements, limitations, steps, integers, and/or features and any other elements, limitations, steps, integers, and/or features that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed subject matter. Thus, the meaning of the open-ended transitional phrase “comprising” is being defined as encompassing all the specifically recited elements, limitations, steps and/or features as well as any optional, additional unspecified ones. The meaning of the closed-ended transitional phrase “consisting of” is being defined as only including those elements, limitations, steps, integers, and/or features specifically recited in the claim, whereas the meaning of the closed-ended transitional phrase “consisting essentially of” is being defined as only including those elements, limitations, steps, integers, and/or features specifically recited in the claim and those elements, limitations, steps, integers, and/or features that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed subject matter. Therefore, the open-ended transitional phrase “comprising” (and equivalent open-ended transitional phrases thereof) includes within its meaning, as a limiting case, claimed subject matter specified by the closed-ended transitional phrases “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of.” As such, the embodiments described herein or so claimed with the phrase “comprising” expressly and unambiguously provide description, enablement, and support for the phrases “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of.”

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.

Finally, all patents, patent publications, and other references cited and identified in the present specification are individually and expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. These publications are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge from any country. In addition, where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply. Lastly, nothing in this regard is or should be construed as an admission that the inventors are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention or for any other reason. All statements as to the date or representation as to the contents of these documents are based on the information available to the applicant and do not constitute any admission as to the correctness of the dates or contents of these documents.

Claims

1. An active seating apparatus comprising:

a seat;

a post configured for selectively engaging and supporting the seat at an upper end of the post, the post further having a lower end opposite the upper end and having a post locking feature formed at the lower end; and

a base having an upper wall and an upwardly-opening receiver formed in the upper wall configured for selective removable receipt of the lower end of the post, the receiver having a receiver locking feature configured for selective locking engagement with the post locking feature upon insertion of the post within the base in selectively and securely assembling the post on the base through engagement of the post and receiver locking features, the surface-to-surface locking engagement between the post locking feature and the receiver locking feature being no more than twenty percent of the overall surface-to-surface contact between the lower end of the post and the receiver of the base.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the post locking feature comprises a plurality of spaced-apart angled radially-outwardly-protruding ramps; and

the receiver locking feature comprises a plurality of spaced-apart angled radially-inwardly-opening recesses that intersect the upper wall and are configured for receipt of the respective angled radially-outwardly-protruding ramps of the post,

whereby movement of the lower end of the post toward and rotationally relative to the receiver in selectively assembling the post on the base causes locking engagement of the angled radially-outwardly-protruding ramps within the respective angled radially-inwardly-opening recesses.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the plurality of angled radially-outwardly-protruding ramps are each at an angle to a post lengthwise axis of forty-five degrees and the plurality of angled radially-inwardly-opening recesses are each at an angle to a receiver lengthwise axis of forty-five degrees.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the post locking feature comprises a radially-outwardly-projecting nub formed on the lower end of the post, the nub having a radially-outwardly-opening indent; and

the receiver locking feature comprises a radially-inwardly-projecting bump formed within the receiver,

whereby movement of the lower end of the post into the receiver in selectively assembling the post on the base causes locking engagement of the bump of the receiver within the indent on the nub of the post.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein:

the lower end of the post defines a post annular wall having a post thread; and

the receiver of the base defines a receiver annular wall having a receiver thread,

whereby rotational movement of the lower end of the post relative to the receiver in selectively assembling the post on the base causes threadable engagement between the post thread and the receiver thread.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein:

the nub is formed on an unthreaded portion of the post annular wall distal of the post thread; and

the bump is formed on an unthreaded portion of the receiver annular wall distal of the receiver thread,

whereby the threadable engagement between the post thread and the receiver thread causes the bump on the receiver to seat within the indent on the nub of the post.

7. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the surface-to-surface locking engagement between the post locking feature and the receiver locking feature is no more than five percent of the overall surface-to-surface contact between the lower end of the post and the receiver of the base.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the post locking feature comprises a radially-outwardly-projecting tab; and

the receiver locking feature comprises a radially-inwardly-opening groove,

whereby movement of the lower end of the post into the receiver in selectively assembling the post on the base causes locking engagement of the tab of the post within the groove of the receiver.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the receiver locking feature further comprises a radially-inwardly-opening slot proximal of and vertically offset from the groove.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein:

the slot intersects the upper wall of the receiver; and

the groove has a squared portion substantially circumferentially aligned with the slot and a sloped portion circumferentially offset from the slot,

whereby axial movement of the lower end of the post into the receiver first causes the tab to pass through the slot and then to transition out of the slot and into locking engagement within the squared portion of the groove, and

whereby rotational movement of the lower end of the post within the receiver shifts the tab from the squared portion of the groove to the sloped portion of the groove to facilitate axial withdrawal of the post from the base.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein a radially-inwardly-projecting bump is formed in the groove between the squared portion and the sloped portion, whereby the bump must be overcome by the tab in shifting from the squared portion of the groove to the sloped portion of the groove.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the tab is located proximally on the lower end of the post and the groove is located proximally within the receiver of the base.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the tab is located on a flexible finger, whereby the tab may be selectively shifted out of contact with the groove to facilitate axial withdrawal of the post from the base.

14. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the tab is distally tapered.

15. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein:

the lower end of the post and the receiver of the base are both cross-shaped, the lower end of the post thereby having splayed post legs and the receiver of the base thereby having corresponding splayed receiver channels;

a tab is formed on at least two opposite post legs so as to extend radially-outwardly therefrom; and

a groove is formed in at least two opposite receiver channels so as to open radially-inwardly therefrom for selective engagement with the respective tab.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein engagement of the post legs with the receiver channels is no more than net fit and is not an interference fit.

17. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the surface-to-surface locking engagement between the post locking feature and the receiver locking feature is no more than ten percent of the overall surface-to-surface contact between the lower end of the post and the receiver of the base.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lower end of the post and the receiver of the base are both annular, the lower end of the post thereby having a post annular wall and the receiver of the base thereby having a receiver annular wall.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein engagement of the post annular wall with the receiver annular wall is no more than net fit and is not an interference fit.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one friction pad configured for selective placement between the lower end of the post and the receiver of the base.