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Seat subportion adjustable in relative height and/or angle and backrest adjustable in shape based on user contact pressure

Seat subportion adjustable in relative height and/or angle and backrest adjustable in shape based on user contact pressure description/claims

The instant application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/856,612, filed on May 28, 2004, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,322,651.

The invention relates generally to one-or more computer-readable signal bearing media providing means for adjusting seats and backrests.

People with occupations that require long periods of sitting and people who use wheelchairs are often affected by low back pain, poor blood circulation of the lower body, and pressure sores. Low back pain associated with extended sitting is likely caused by poor sitting posture which flattens the natural curvature of the spine and increases the stress on back muscles. Sitting related pressure sores are primarily caused by concentrated pressure on a posterior area of a hip bone, for example, ischial tuberosities or coccyx, of a person who sits extensively. This concentration of pressure can cause ischial or coccyx pressure sores over time. Adjustment of the seating position of the user to redistribute contact pressure of the user promotes an increase in blood circulation, a reduction in risk of pressure sores, and a promoted healing process of established pressure sores.

Users are advised that during extended sitting they should occasionally perform “push-ups” in their chair to adjust their seating position and reduce contact pressure that may otherwise cause pressure sores. Users of wheelchairs may have a disability or lack strength that prevents them from performing the push-up or adjusting their seating position themselves. They may also be unable to notice when poor circulation and sustained elevated pressures give rise to pressure sores.

Thus, a need exists for a seat and backrest that promote an increase in circulation. A further need exists for the seat and backrest to promote a reduction in contact pressure build-up for a user. A still further need exists for the seat and backrest to promote a restoration of the natural curvature of the spine for the user. Another need exists for the seat and backrest to promote a reduction in stress of the back muscles of the user. Yet another need exists for the seat and backrest to promote comfort for the user over extended periods of sitting.

The invention in one implementation encompasses an apparatus. The apparatus comprises a seat and a backrest. The seat comprises a front subportion and a rear subportion that is adjustable in height and/or angle relative to the front subportion. The backrest is adjustable in shape. Based on a user contact pressure against one or more portions of the seat and/or one or more portions of the backrest, the rear subportion of the seat and the backrest are adjustable between: a first height and/or angle of the rear subportion of the seat and a first shape of the backrest; and a second height and/or angle of the rear subportion of the seat and a second shape of the backrest.

Another implementation of the invention encompasses a method. A backrest is adjusted between a first shape and a second shape based on a user contact pressure against one or more portions of the backrest and/or one or more portions of a seat. A rear subportion of the seat is adjusted between a first height and/or angle and a second height and/or angle relative to a front subportion of the seat based on the user contact pressure against the one or more portions of the backrest and/or the one or more portions of the seat.

A further implementation of the invention encompasses an article. The article comprises one or more computer-readable signal-bearing media. The article includes means in the one or more media for adjusting a backrest between a first shape and a second shape based on a user contact pressure against one or more portions of the backrest and/or one or more portions of a seat. The article includes means in the one or more media for adjusting a rear subportion of the seat between a first height and/or angle and a second height and/or angle relative to a front subportion of the seat based on the user contact pressure against the one or more portions of the backrest and/or the one or more portions of the seat.

Features of exemplary implementations of the invention will become apparent from the description, the claims, and the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a representation of one implementation of an apparatus that comprises a seat, a backrest, a leg support, and a control component.

FIG. 2 is a representation of another implementation of the apparatus of FIG. 1, illustrating a rear subportion of the seat in an angled position.

FIG. 3 is a representation of yet another implementation of the apparatus of FIG. 1, illustrating the rear subportion of the seat in a lowered position.

FIG. 4 is a representation of a further implementation of the apparatus of FIG. 1 where the rear subportion of the seat comprises an air bladder, illustrating a state in which the air bladder is inflated.

FIG. 5 is a representation of the implementation of the apparatus of FIG. 4, further illustrating a state in which the air bladder is deflated.

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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