Abstract: An apparatus for providing universal mobility to a seat or chair and imparting a floatationlike sensation thereto, the apparatus includes a base operably positioned beneath the seat and members interconnecting the base and seat for providing universal mobility and a floatation effect to the seat.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a user in a seated position is disclosed. The apparatus includes a seat for supporting the user in a seated position, and a base. A connection mechanism couples the seat to the base in such a way as to allow undulatory movement of the seat relative to the base in response to motions of the user's spine to thereby reduce the total spinal movement of the user's spine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sitting device with a seating surface and a seat support supporting said sitting surface, the seat support being connected on the floor side with an elastically deformable support member for the tiltable mounting of the sitting surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for periodically and rhythmically lifting one hip of a seated person and then the other, thereby simulating the muscle stimulation and relaxation imparted to a person by walking. A rotatable support panel is provided for alternately lifting and moving backward and forward each hip of a seated person.

Abstract: A seating apparatus is provided which has a seating surface that tilts in a full-circle manner, the tilting being controlled so as to be adequate to allow the person seated on the apparatus to change the alignment of body muscles and skeletal members, while avoiding a degree of movement which would be excessive, potentially uncomfortable and/or possibly disruptive. The apparatus can incorporate a ball-and-socket arrangement which provides for the full circle tilting while also incorporating an appropriate stop surface for preventing excessive tilting along the full-circle rotation orientations. When used for extended periods of time, the seating apparatus improves, rather than detrimentally affects, muscle tone and flexibility, while also reducing risk of back injury and muscle stiffness due to prolonged sitting.

Abstract: A modular orthotic seat is made up of individual shells or modules that are adjustably connected together for accommodating changes in size of the user. The modules include a pelvic module for support of the thighs, pelvis and sacrum, a thoracic module for support in the thorax and lumbar regions, and a cervical-head support. The modules are mounted on a strut that permits adjustment between the modules. Suitable bedding or padding can be used for final custom fitting. An adjustable seat pan is provided for permitting adjustment of the supporting seat to accommodate angular variations of the pelvic regions of the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for periodically and rhythmically lifting one hip of a seated person and then the other, thereby simulating the muscle stimulation and relaxation imparted to a person by walking. A rotatable support panel is provided for alternately lifting and moving backward and forward each hip of a seated person.

Abstract: The invention is an improved seat device to be used by those who have pain or discomfort sitting on a regular seat. The seat device can be attached to a chair frame or be used as a portable unit in the home or while traveling.

Abstract: An adjustable seat having a seat cushion and a backrest which are both secured to an underframe. The seat further includes a hydrostatic system of incompressible fluid contained within a closed circuit. The hydrostatic system includes individual actuators which bear against the seat cushion or both the seat cushion and backrest to adjust the inclination thereof. A shutoff member is provided to alternately allow and prevent movement of fluid within the closed circuit to change and then maintain a desired inclination.

Abstract: An active dynamic seat has a base, an intermediate piece linked to the base and a seat part linked to the intermediate piece. The seat part can tilt in all lateral directions and is linked in an essentially fixed manner in the vertical direction to the intermediate piece. One or more restoring devices act on the seat part. The intermediate piece is fixed at its lower end to the base and is resilient in the vertical direction. In another embodiment of the invention, the seat part is linked to the intermediate piece by several spring strips distributed around the periphery of the seat part and of the intermediate piece.

Abstract: An active dynamic seat has a base, an intermediate piece linked to the base and a seat part linked to the intermediate piece. The seat part can tilt in all lateral directions and is linked in an essentially fixed manner in the vertical direction to the intermediate piece. One or more restoring devices act on the seat part. The intermediate piece is fixed at its lower end to the base and is resilient in the vertical direction. In another embodiment of the invention, the seat part is linked to the intermediate piece by several spring strips distributed around the periphery of the seat part and of the intermediate piece.

Abstract: An active dynamic seat has a base, an intermediate piece linked to the base and a seating part linked to the intermediate piece. The seating part is fixed to the intermediate piece and the intermediate piece is linked to the base by a single bearing in a substantially fixed manner in the vertical direction and in a tilting manner in all lateral directions. The tilting movement is limited in all directions by a stop and one or several restoring devices are provided to restore the unloaded intermediate piece to the vertical.

Abstract: An infant seat unit includes a seat or harness disposed on a table, the table being resiliently mounted on a base unit at spaced circumferential intervals displaced away from the seat itself so that the seat and table are free to bounce up and down with respect to the base, and the seat also can be made to be rotatable with respect to the base.

Abstract: An omnidirectional tilting mechanism comprising a low profile package interposable between a support and a tiltable member. The mechanism includes a first element secured to the support and a second element secured to the tiltable member. The first and second elements move relative to one another in an omnidirectional manner about a pivot element centrally disposed relative to the first and second elements. The resistence to tilting is controlled by flexural elements interconnecting the first and second elements which act to return the first and second elements to a neutral, home position.

Abstract: A seat leveling apparatus for levelling the seat on a vehicle when the vehicle turns onto an inclined surface which includes upper and lower members that pivot relative to each other on a longitudinal axis parallel to the path of the vehicle. Apparatus is provided with a facility to latch the seat in a preselected tilted position as well as a facility to adjust the frictional restraint on the operation of the mechanism as a means of control.

Abstract: Automatic levelling device for a vehicle seat, having at least one linearly working device element operatively connected to the vehicle seat, which is pivotal in relation to the vehicle about at least one axis and to the vehicle. The device is provide with at least one detecting element for detecting the position of the seat in relation to the horizontal plane, and when the seat deviates from the horizontal plane, the detecting element emits a signal to the drive means for returning the seat to horizontal position. The device is provided with an upper plate for supporting the seat, which is pivotally journalled in a lower plate intended to be mounted to the vehicle. The drive element is arranged completely within the space delimited between the upper and lower plates in a position substantially parallel with the lower plate, and includes a linearly working control rod that is retractable and extendable substantially parallel to the lower plate.

Abstract: A manually operable seat levelling device is described for an agricultural self-propelled machine, such as a grader or a mower. The mechanism, which is controlled by the user, serves to tip up one side of the driver's seat when required, for example when the machinery is working across a grade.

Abstract: A treatment chair assembly comprising a treatment chair and a chair base, the chair assembly being pivotally or swingably connected to a chair base, in which a chair elevating mechanism is housed, so that the chair can be turned upward from and downward to the chair base. With this treatment chair assembly, it is not necessary to separate the treatment chair from the chair base and move the treatment chair to a different place when the chair elevating mechanism and the instrument drive/control unit are maintained, checked or repaired. The treatment chair can be turned upward by pivoting or swinging without separating and moving the treatment chair. As a result, labor can be saved and no space is required to temporarily store the treatment chair. The space for a dental treatment room can be used effectively. Furthermore, since the chair is not separated or moved, less concern for staining or breaking the chair due to bumping against objects is necessary.

Abstract: A swivel seat and frame which includes a pair of individual seat frames secured to a base. At least one of the seat frame is slidably and rotatably attached to the base to allow the seat to be rotated 90.degree. or more.

Abstract: A cushion comprising two seat pieces combined with inside faces facing towards each other, and a plurality of coil spring members which connect the two seat pieces. Each of the seat pieces is a shallow circular plate having a smooth central concavity and includes internally a series of concentrically extending walls, a series of radially extending walls, and a plurality of appropriately spaced tubular walls with an upstanding cylinder formed inside. Each of the coil spring members is closely coiled at its two terminals and encompasses corresponding cylinders of the two seat pieces.

Abstract: A system for assisting a fighter pilot in checking the six-o'clock position. By differentially inflating bladders placed under the seat cushion of the ejection seat of a fighter, the seat cushion can be rotated to the pilot's left or right to aid the pilot in checking the space directly behind the fighter. A system controller, responsive to actions by the pilot, causes the differential inflation of the bladders and controls the rotation of left and right harness straps. The system controller can actuate solenoid valves to control the bladder inflation or can mechanically rotate a fluid valve to control the bladder inflation. The bladders can be fabricated from a resilient material so that they automatically deflate when they are vented to the ambient atmosphere and their size can be limited by placing the bladders inside a resilient casing that has a non-resilient web connecting the opposed surface of the casing.

Abstract: A portable orthopedic seat has a backing sheet adapted to be draped over the top and back of a chair, a wedge-shaped and a half-teardrop shaped cushion, and fasteners for releasibly fastening the cushions to the backing sheet in orientations selected to adapt the chair for use by a person with a specific abnormal spinal condition.

Abstract: A seat structure which can be attached to a golf cart or trolley comprises a stem provided at one end with a seat and at its other end with a pointed member, said stem extending through a tube and being slidable therein, a spring extends between the tube and the upper end of the stem to urge the stem upwardly and the tube is pivotally connected by a pivot to a mounting tube which can be secured to a support member provided on the trolley by a securing member, and a plate spring is provided for returning the stem to a means or equilibrium position after it has been moved about the pivot.

Abstract: A tiltable seat for a vehicle, such as a tractor. The seat is pivoted to a support about a pivot axis that extends in a fore and aft direction with respect to the vehicle and is located midway between the sides of the seat. A linkage connects the seat support with a fluid cylinder that is secured to the frame of the vehicle. A piston is slidable within the cylinder, and a pair of piston rods are connected to the piston and extend from opposite ends of the cylinder. One of the piston rods is pivotally connected to the seat. Connecting opposite ends of the cylinder is a conduit, and a manually adjustable valve is connected in the conduit. The weight of the operator on the seat will cause the seat to tilt when the vehicle is moving across a slope to thereby move the piston relative to the cylinder. Movement of the piston will cause fluid from one end of the cylinder to pass through the conduit to the opposite end of the cylinder and the flow of the fluid is regulated by the valve to control the tilting movement.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed to provide pivotal motion between two movable members. The mechanism includes a hemispherical yoke connected to one of the movable members. A center support is connected to the remaining movable member and is nested within the yoke and spaced apart therefrom. A set of four radially projecting torsion bars are connected to the yoke and center support. The torsion bars are substantially coplanar and define a cross-shaped configuration in plan. Four braces are provided to interconnect adjacent torsion bars. Preferably, each of the torsion bars is surrounded by a tubular segment which is affixed to the radially outer end of the torsion bars. Preferably the radially inner portion of the torsion bar is supported by a rotatable bearing. The subject mechanism is low in profile, easy to mount and dismount, and provides a degree of elasticity in the vertical axis.

Abstract: An adjustable seat leveling mechanism includes a pair of elongated, arcuate and T-shaped rails mounted on a platform which is fixed to a vehicle. A pair of guides have elongated arcuate slots which receive the rails so that the guides, which support a vehicle seat, are laterally movable along an arc of a circle. A toothed rack projects outwardly from one of the guides. A lever is pivotally mounted on the platform and is biased toward engagement with the rack to releasably hold the seat in selected positions. An operating lever is mounted on an arm rest of the seat and is coupled to the lever by a cable linkage.

Abstract: Adjustable device to support a chair on a boat seat enabling the chair to be moved sidewise and locked either in a center position or selected offcenter positions on both sides. A wheeled carriage, with bolts connecting it to a swivelable chair, is movable from side to side along a floor plate in an elongated body which is fastened lengthwise by clamps on a boat seat bench or thwart. A manually movable spring-loaded latch pin mounted on the carriage is selectively engageable in any one of a plurality of apertures in the floor plate to lock the carriage in a center position or a selected offcenter position. The clamps are adjustable to accommodate seat benches of different vertical thicknesses and different fore-and-aft depths. A concealed space is provided within the lower part of the body for threaded clamp adjustment members.

Abstract: A seat mounting structure is provided defining a base portion for stationary mounting in a boat hull subject to roll movement and including a rudder control member oscillatable about a first fore and aft extending horizontal axis. A mount portion is supported from the base portion for adjustable vertical shifting relative thereto and a seat structure is oscillatably supported from the mount portion in pendulum fashion for swinging about a second fore and aft extending horizontal axis with the first and second axes disposed at least generally in the same vertical plane and the mount portion being vertically adjustable relative to the first axis to enable at least general horizontal alignment of the first and second axes. In addition, an upwardly opening arcuate footrest is provided for mounting between the seat structure and the rudder control member and the footrest is supported for vertical adjustment whereby the feet of a helmsman seated on the seat structure may be comfortably rested upon the footrest.

Abstract: A stabilized oscillating chair has a base means, a column extending upwardly from the base, a seat assembly having bottom, back and arm rest portions, and a yoke assembly supported on the upper portion of the column for roll rotation. The yoke assembly is pivotable for yaw rotation relative to the base, and extends under the arm rests for pivotal connection for pitch rotation of the chair assembly. Roll pivot means are provided between the column and the yoke assembly, and pitch pivot means are provided between the yoke assembly and the arm rests. Pitch bias springs are connected with the pitch pivots to urge the chair assembly to normal attitude and have such resilience as to accommodate maintenance of the seat assembly level when occupied.

Abstract: The seating member of a vehicle seat is mechanically lockable in a selected one of at least three defined positions. In one of these positions (normal position) the seating member is substantially parallel to the ground on which the vehicle is standing or travelling. In the at least two other positions, one on each side of said normal position, the seating member is tilted about a pivotal axis parallel to the direction of vehicle travel.

Abstract: A stool-like seat for limited mobility of the user with a high action radius comprises a base formed with a ball socket and a post carrying the seating surface and provided with a ball receivable in the socket. The post has a downwardly extending member engaging, within the base, a star-like array of tension springs which resist angular displacement of the post and bias the latter into a normal upright position.

Abstract: The present invention embodies a seat cushion and base which are made of metal and have oppositely disposed triangular plates attached thereto and connected by pivot pins which are axially aligned on the center of the cushion and base forming a hinge arrangement. This permits the lateral tilting of the seat cushion when the vehicle is tilted thereby maintaining the cushion in normal horizontal position. A pair of rams are disposed between the base and the cushion connected by a hydraulic line which conducts fluid from one ram to the other when the load of the occupant shifts due to the vehicle tilting to have the high side of the cushion move downwardly to maintain it in horizontal position.

Abstract: A seat for a work machine or vehicle is mounted to be laterally pivotable about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the machine to permit the seat to accommodate to uneven terrain. Springs and shock absorbers are provided to absorb the shock of sudden changes in angular position. By restricting the seat to a lateral swinging motion, the driver maintains full control of steering and operation of foot pedals.

Abstract: The specification discloses a seat adapted to be attached to a tree for use by hunters. The seat comprises a seat member having its bottom rotatably coupled to the top end of a pole or rod whose bottom end is pivotally coupled to a plate for pivotal movement about a pivot point. The plate is attached to a clamp of two clamping members employed for clamping the seat to the limb of a tree. A plurality of holes are formed in the plate in a 90.degree. arcuate pattern whose center is the pivot point where the bottom end of the rod is pivotally coupled to the plate. The rod has an aperture formed therethrough for alignment with each of the holes formed through the plate whereby the rod and hence the seat member may be attached with a bolt or the like to the plate at any point along the 90.degree. arc formed by the holes.