Abstract:
An ergonomic chair having a cooperatively adjustable seat is herein disclosed. The seat may be adjusted to position a user of the chair in a physiologic attitude that approaches the neutral position. Wheels and foot pads add to the ergonomics, and a top pad extending the seat may also be used.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This Application is a Non-Provisional of U.S. Application Ser. No. 61/733,123, titled “ERGONOMIC CHAIR,” filed Dec. 12, 2012, (Pending) which is commonly assigned and incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a mechanism for supporting and positioning the body of a user in an ergonomic position with respect to a workstation or surface. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In order to protect the health and well being of today&#39;s worker, it has become vital to organize the worker&#39;s environment around sound ergonomic principles. As part of this process, it is imperative that a worker be provided with suitable seating that will permit the worker to engage in their assigned tasks while minimizing the physical stresses associated with that task. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an ergonomic chair of the present disclosure in which the seat is in a seated position; 
           [0005]      FIG. 1B  is a side elevation view of the ergonomic chair of  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0006]      FIG. 1C  is a front elevation view of the ergonomic chair of  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0007]      FIG. 1D  is a rear elevation view of the ergonomic chair of  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2A  is a front perspective view of an ergonomic chair of the present disclosure in which the seat is in an inclined, extended position; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2B  is a rear perspective view of the ergonomic chair of  FIG. 2A ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2C  is a side elevation view of the ergonomic chair of  FIG. 2A ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2D  is a rear elevation view of the ergonomic chair of  FIG. 2A ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2E  is a bottom view of the ergonomic chair of  FIG. 2A ; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 2F  is a top view of the ergonomic chair of  FIG. 2A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    In the following detailed description of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In the drawings, like numerals describe substantially similar components throughout the several views. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments may be utilized and structural, logical, and electrical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof. 
         [0015]    Referring first to  FIGS. 1A-1D , an ergonomic chair  100  can be seen. The chair  100  is constructed and arranged to support the body of a user (not shown) in one of a number of ergonomically correct positions, commonly referred to as neutral positions, with respect to a work surface or workstation. This positions or postures minimize the stresses that a worker experiences while performing his or her assigned tasks. 
         [0016]    The chair  100  includes a tubular frame  102 , comprising in one embodiment a two-piece steel tubing frame, and having a knee tube  110  and a seat tube  112 . In one embodiment, the knee tube  110  and the seat tube  112  are in fixed positions designed to replicate correct ergonomic positioning for use of the chair  100 . Rear foot pegs  118  may be used for stability. While two rear foot pegs  118  are shown, a greater number may be used without departing from the scope of the disclosure. 
         [0017]    Chair  100  further comprises foot pads  104 , which may have a solid base and may also be padded. The foot pads  104  are inclined in one embodiment with respect to a surface on which the chair  100  sits, so as to create a more ergonomically solid foot support for the chair  100 . In one embodiment, wheels  106  may be positioned beneath the foot pads, to allow for ease in moving the chair  100 . Additionally, wheels (not shown) may also be placed on rear tube ends of rear tubes  118 . 
         [0018]    The knee tube  110  supports knee pads  108 , which in one embodiment have a round cross section. The seat tube  112  supports an angularly adjustable seat  114 , which in one embodiment has a stiff back  116 , such as a backboard of plywood or the like. An optional top pad  122  may be attached to chair  100  using an attachment mechanism shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 2A-2F . 
         [0019]    Seat hinge mechanism  120  comprises in one embodiment a hinge at a front of the seat  114 , allowing the seat  114  to pivot with respect to the seat tube  112 . 
         [0020]    Referring now also to  FIGS. 2A-2F , the chair  100  is shown in an inclined position in which the seat  114  is pivoted relative to the seat tube  112 . Referring especially to  FIG. 2B , a seat support mechanism  201  is shown. Seat support mechanism  201  comprises, in one embodiment, a pin  202  that engages teeth  204  in a frame  203 , allowing inclined adjustment at a plurality of different inclines. The seat  114  locks into place by seating the pin  202  into one set of teeth  204  of the frame  203 . Pin  202  is in one embodiment connected to a rotatable arm  205 , which is pivotally attached to seat tube  114 . A handle  206  may be used in one embodiment to assist in adjustment of the seat  114 . 
         [0021]    Top pad  122  is connected to the seat  114  by a frame  210  having a post  212  that engages a post receiver  214 . In one embodiment, a push pin  208  on the post  212  engages an opening in the post receiver  214  to lock the top pad  122  to the seat  114 . 
         [0022]    In operation, the chair  100  may be adapted to ergonomically support a user in a comfortable position that preferably closely approximates a physiologically neutral position. The seat  114  may be raised or lowered using the seat hinge mechanism  120  and seat support mechanism  201  to accommodate variations in height of the user and/or to attain a proper hip arrangement required to approximate a neutral position for the user before a selected workstation or work surface. 
       CONCLUSION 
       [0023]    Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement that is calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. Many adaptations of the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, this application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the invention. It is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.