Abstract:
Systems and techniques are disclosed for a planar seating apparatus having a seat support in a first plane, a back support in a second plane and coupled to the seat support, and a plurality of side supports coupled to the back support. The plurality of side supports are adjustable and capable of folding, as is the back support, to provide a compact and easily transportable and storable device. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to a seating arrangement. More specifically, the present invention relates to an adjustable, planar seating arrangement that is capable of folding for convenient handling and transportation.  
           [0003]    2. General Background and State of the Art  
           [0004]    Seating arrangements for use in wheelchairs, strollers, and other types of mobile chairs, are often rigid and unable to fold, making them difficult to easily transport and store. Some handicapped children benefit from, and many rehabilitation professionals prefer, seating arrangements that are easy to transport and adjust. Some existing seating arrangements offer positioning mechanisms such as brackets and slotted bolt holes, which may be cumbersome and difficult to transport. Other existing seating arrangements provide for planar seat elements to fold in a back-to-back fashion, reducing the bulk for transportation but leaving other positioning elements projecting out away from the seat elements.  
           [0005]    Therefore, there is a need in the art for a seating arrangement having planar seating elements, adjustable positioning elements, and an adjustable configuration. This seating arrangement must be easily adjustable and foldable for convenient transportation.  
         INVENTION SUMMARY  
         [0006]    In one aspect of the present invention, a seating apparatus includes a seat support in a first plane, a back support in a second plane and coupled to the seat support, and a plurality of side supports coupled to the back support, the plurality of side supports including a pair of lateral supports and a pair of pelvic supports. The pair of lateral supports are adjustable and capable of folding relative to the back support such that the back support and the pair of lateral supports are substantially positioned in the second plane, and the pair of pelvic supports are adjustable and capable of folding relative to the seat support such that the seat support and the pair of pelvic supports are substantially positioned in the first plane, and wherein the back support is configured to fold relative to the seat support.  
           [0007]    In another aspect of the present invention, a seating apparatus includes a seating system including a seat support in a first plane, a back support in a second plane, a pair of lateral supports coupled to the back support, and a pair of pelvic supports coupled to the back support, folding means configured to allow the back support and the pair of pelvic supports to fold relative to the seat support and the pair of lateral supports to fold relative to the back support, and adjustment means configured to allow for the adjustment of the back support, the pair of lateral supports, and the pair of pelvic supports according to the needs of a user.  
           [0008]    In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of providing a planar seating apparatus includes providing a system of planar supports, including a seat support in a first plane, a back support in a second plane and coupled to the seat support, a lateral support apparatus coupled to the back support and having a pair of lateral supports, and a pelvic support apparatus coupled to the back support and having a pair of pelvic supports, and positioning the back support, the lateral supports and the pelvic supports according to the needs of a user, so that the lateral supports are configured to fold relative to the back support, the pelvic supports are configured to fold relative to the seat support, and the back support is configured to fold relative to the seat support.  
           [0009]    In still another aspect of the present invention, a method of folding an adjustable planar seating apparatus includes providing a system of planar supports, including a seat support in a first plane, a back support in a second plane, a lateral support apparatus coupled to the back support, and a pelvic support apparatus coupled to the back support, and folding the lateral support apparatus relative to the back support such that the lateral support apparatus lies substantially in the second plane, and folding the back support and the pelvic support apparatus relative to the seat support such that the back support and pelvic support apparatus lay substantially in the first plane.  
           [0010]    It is understood that other embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein it is shown and described only exemplary embodiments of the invention by way of illustration. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in various other respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    Aspects of the present invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the accompanying drawings wherein:  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seating arrangement according to the present invention;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a side view of a seating arrangement having a back support being moved toward a seat support;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is a side view of a seating arrangement in which the back support is folded into the same plane as the seat support;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a seating arrangement according to the present invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is a close-up top view of a seating arrangement showing movement of a lateral support from a folded position;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6 is a close-up top view of a seating arrangement showing further movement from that of FIG. 5 of a lateral support from a folded position;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 7 close-up top view of a seating arrangement showing one lateral support in a fully folded position and another lateral support in a fully extended position;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 8 is perspective view a seating arrangement showing one lateral support in a fully folded position and another lateral support in a fully extended position;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 9 is a close-up perspective view of a seating arrangement showing a pelvic support in an extended position relative to the seat support;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 10 is an additional perspective view of a seating arrangement;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 11 is a close-up view of a coupling mechanism for coupling a seating arrangement to a frame of a wheelchair or stroller;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 12 is a close-up perspective view of a locking component for use with the present invention;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 13 is a close-up side view of a pelvic support in an extended position relative to a seat support, with a folded position shown in broken lines;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 14 is a close-up view of another locking component for use with the present invention;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 15 is an additional perspective view of a seating arrangement according to the present invention showing lateral supports, pelvic supports, a hip abductor, and a foot rest;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 16 is a front view of a seat support and a hip abductor according to the present invention, with broken lines indicating rotated movement of the hip abductor;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of a seating arrangement according to the present invention;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 18 is a close-up view of a joint mechanism for use with a lateral support of the seating arrangement;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a seating arrangement of the present invention showing an alternate embodiment of the hip abductor;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 20 is a rear perspective view of a seating arrangement according to the present invention, showing the bottom attachment configuration for the hip abductor embodiment of FIG. 19;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 21 is a side view of a hip abductor for use with a seating arrangement according to one embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 22 is an additional side view of the hip abductor of FIG. 21.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS  
       [0034]    The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of exemplary embodiments in which the present invention can be practiced. The term “exemplary” used throughout this description means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration,” and should not necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the present invention.  
         [0035]    In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a planar seating apparatus includes a seat support in a first plane, a back support in a second plane and coupled to the seat support, and a plurality of side supports coupled to the back support. The plurality of side supports include a pair of lateral supports and a pair of pelvic supports. The pair of lateral supports are adjustable and capable of folding relative to the back support, so that the back support and the pair of lateral supports are substantially positioned in the second plane. The pair of pelvic supports are adjustable and capable of folding relative to the seat support, so that the seat support and the pair of pelvic supports are substantially positioned in the first plane. The back support is also configured to fold relative to the seat support. A planar seating apparatus according to the present invention may be configured to attach to the frame of a wheelchair or a stroller, so that the planar seating apparatus is removable for storage and transportation. The planar seating apparatus may also be coupled to a frame such that it is not removable but still folds for storage and transportation of the device onto which it is coupled.  
         [0036]    Although various aspects of the present invention may be described in the context of wheelchairs, strollers, and other types of mobile devices, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the planar seating apparatus and method are likewise suitable for use in various other environments. Accordingly, any reference to a wheelchair, stroller, or other mobile device is intended only to illustrate the inventive aspects of the present invention, with the understanding that such inventive aspects have a wide range of applications.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seating arrangement  100  according to the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a seating arrangement  100  in an upright position and having a seat support  110  positioned in a first plane  120  and a back support  130  positioned in a second plane  140 . The seating arrangement  100  also includes a lateral support apparatus  150  having a pair of lateral supports  160 , a lateral support release mechanism  170 , a horizontal bracket  180 , a vertical bracket  182 , and a pair of lateral support arms  190 . The lateral supports  160  are shown in FIG. 1 as positioned in substantially the same plane, the second plane  140 , as the back support  130 . The lateral supports  160  are movable from this planar position to extend in a substantially perpendicular position relative to the back support  130 . The seating arrangement  100  also includes a pelvic support apparatus  200  having a pair of pelvic supports  210 , a pelvic support release mechanism  220 , and a pair of pelvic support arms  230 . The pelvic supports  210  are shown positioned in a substantially perpendicular manner relative to the seat support  110 . The pelvic supports  210  are moveable to a position in the first plane  120  relative to the seat support  110  such that the pelvic supports  210  are in plane substantially parallel to the first plane  120 .  
         [0038]    The seating arrangement  100  may also be described as having a seating system in which a seat support is positioned in a first plane, a back support is positioned in a second plane, a pair of lateral supports are coupled to the back support. The seating system may also include pair of pelvic supports coupled to the back support. The pair of lateral supports and the pair of pelvic supports comprise a plurality of side supports, having the components described herein in this specification.  
         [0039]    Movable components for use in the present invention may be made of any material allowing the components to move relative to each other for folding, adjusting, or sliding. Materials may include aluminum, stainless steel, or any other similar material commonly known in the art. The back support and seat support may be made of plywood covered with at least one layer of foam, and then covered with vinyl or other water-proof and weather-proof fabric. The at least one layer of foam may include multiple layers of foam, and may have layers of progressive size and firmness to provide comfort to a user of the seating arrangement  100 .  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 2 is a side view of the seating arrangement  100  of the present invention. The seating arrangement  100  in FIG. 2 is shown having the back support  130  being pushed downward relative to the seat support  110  to show the folding capability of the seating arrangement  100 . FIG. 3 is an additional side view of the seating arrangement  100  of the present invention showing the back support  130  folded in a manner such that it is in a substantially parallel plane relative to the first plane  120 . The folding capability demonstrated in FIG. 3 shows that the seating arrangement  100  can be folded into a compact, planar seating apparatus for easy storage and transportation.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of the seating arrangement  100 . The seating arrangement  100  includes a seat support release mechanism  240 , which allows the seat support  110  to be adjusted relative to the back support  130 . By activating the seat support release mechanism  240 , a depth of the seat support  110  relative to the back support  130  can be adjusted according to the needs of a user of the seating arrangement  100 . The depth may be adjusted for a variety of purposes, including for children of different sizes utilizing the seating arrangement  100  or for a variety of different seating positions for users of the seating arrangement  100 . The seat support release mechanism  240  includes a bar  242  and a knob  244  positioned in a track  245 . The seat support release mechanism  240  is activated by turning the knob  244  and sliding the knob  244  in the track  245 . This slides the seat support  110  to adjust the depth as desired.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 5 is a close-up top view of the seating arrangement  100 . FIG. 5 shows one of the lateral supports  160  being moved from a substantially planar position relative to the back support  130  to an extended position as desired by the user. The lateral support  160  may be moved from a parallel position relative to the back support  130  in the second plane  140  by grasping the lateral support  160  and physically moving it from its planar position to a desired position.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 6 is an additional close-up top view of the seating arrangement  100 . FIG. 6 shows one of the lateral supports  160  in a substantially planar position relative to the back support  130 , and the other lateral support  160  being extended from its substantially planar position relative to the back support  130 . FIG. 7 is yet another close-up top view of the seating arrangement  100 , showing one of the lateral supports  160  in a substantially planar position relative to the back support  130 , and the other lateral support  160  in a fully extended position substantially perpendicular relative to the second plane  140  and the back support  130 .  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the seating arrangement  100 . FIG. 8 shows one of the lateral supports  160  being adjusted by turning its respective lateral knob  172  and thereby activating the lateral support release mechanism  170 . By turning the lateral knob  170 , a lateral support  160  can be adjusted in either a vertical or a horizontal manner. Accordingly, the height of a lateral support  160  can be adjusted to accommodate different users of the seating arrangement  100 . Also, the width between each of the lateral supports  160  can be adjusted by turning the lateral knob  172  and activating the lateral support release mechanism  170 . Therefore, the positioning of the lateral support can be adjusted to accommodate different needs of a user. The lateral support arm  190  is coupled to the vertical bracket  182  and the lateral knob  172  couples the vertical bracket  182  to the horizontal bracket  180 . Turning the lateral support knob  172  loosens the vertical bracket  182  and the horizontal bracket  180 , allowing the vertical bracket  182  to be moved either horizontally along a track  338  in the horizontal bracket  180 , or vertically in a track  342  in the vertical bracket  182 , to position the lateral support  160 . FIG. 8 also shows a pelvic support  210  coupled to a pelvic support arm  230 . The pelvic support  210  shown in FIG. 8 is in a substantially perpendicular position relative to the seat support  110 .  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 9 is a close-up perspective view of the seating arrangement  100 . FIG. 9 shows a pelvic support  210  about to be adjusted by activating the pelvic support release mechanism  220 . This is accomplished by turning the pelvic support knob  212  to loosen the pelvic support  210  and sliding the pelvic support arm  230  horizontally until the proper positioning relative to the other pelvic support  210  is achieved, and then tightening the pelvic support knob  212 . In this manner, the distance between the two pelvic supports  210 , can be adjusted according to the needs of the user.  
         [0046]    The lateral support release mechanism  170 , the pelvic support release mechanism  220 , the seat support release mechanism  240 , and the hip abductor release mechanism  260  may all include knobs, which, when turned to loosen components, activate the respective release mechanisms and allow the attached components to move. Turning the knobs to tighten the components stops the movement of the components, or deactivates them. It should therefore be noted that this specification contemplates that in one embodiment, the process of turning a knob to tighten and loosen connections between components is an activation of a release mechanism.  
         [0047]    It is the movement of the components, such as the lateral support apparatus  150  and its lateral supports  160 , and the pelvic support apparatus  200  and its pelvic supports  210 , that allow the seating arrangement  100  to fold. The invention contemplates that many different methods of allowing the components to move may be utilized, and that activation of a release mechanism or mechanisms is but one means for facilitating the folding of the seating arrangement  100 . One method includes the use of removable pins or bolts to secure the plurality of supports in desired positions, such that upon removal of the pins or bolts, the plurality of supports are capable of folding or collapsing. In another method, the plurality of supports are completely removable from the seating arrangement  100  to allow the back support  130  and the seat support  110  to fold.  
         [0048]    It is the movement of the components, such as the lateral support apparatus  150  and its lateral supports  160 , the pelvic support apparatus  200  and its pelvic supports  210 , the seat support  110 , the hip abductor apparatus  250 , and the foot support  270 , that allow the components of the seating arrangement  100  to be adjustable to accommodate the needs of different users. The invention contemplates that many different methods of allowing the components to move may be utilized, and that activation of a release mechanism or mechanisms is but one means for facilitating the adjustment of the seating arrangement  100 . One method includes the use of removable pins or bolts to secure the plurality of supports in desired positions, such that upon removal of the pins or bolts, the plurality of supports are capable of moving to desired positions, which are then securable by replacing the pins or bolts.  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 10 is an additional perspective view of a seating arrangement  100 , showing the seating arrangement being mounted onto a frame  300  of a wheelchair or other mobile device. Seat hooks  302  may be employed to position the seat support  110  on the frame  300 . The seat hooks  302  may be mounted underneath the seat support  110 . The frame  300  includes latches  304  and  306  which receive the seat hooks  302  to allow the seat support  110  of the seating arrangement  100  to rest on the frame  300  in a secure manner. Latch  304 , positioned at a front  308  of the frame  300 , is positioned such that the seat hook  302  on a front  310  of the seat support  110  slides between the latch  304  and the frame  300  to secure the seat hook  302 . The seat hook  302  on a rear  316  of the seat support  110  then is positioned on a rear  312  of the frame  300 . Latch  306 , positioned on the rear  312  of the frame  300 , then is turned from its perpendicular position shown in FIG. 10 to a parallel position relative the frame  300  to secure the seat hook  302  to the frame  300 .  
         [0050]    A drop hook indicated by reference numeral  314  shows another embodiment of seat hook  302  which allows the seating arrangement  100  to be positioned lower than when seat hooks  302  are used. The drop hook  314  is positioned at the rear  316  of the seat support  110  so that the back of the seating arrangement  100  is positioned lower than the front  310  of the seat support  110 . The seating arrangement  100  may also be tilted backward and forward relative to the frame  300  when the drop hook  314  is used. The drop hook  314  is therefore coupled to the rear  316  of the seat support  110 . In this embodiment, a seat hook  302  is also included and coupled to the front  310  of the seat support  110 . Latches  304  and  306  secure the drop hook  314  and seat hook  302  to the frame  300  as discussed above.  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 11 is a close-up view of one embodiment of a coupling mechanism  318  for coupling the seating arrangement  100  to the frame  300  of a wheelchair or stroller. In this embodiment, the coupling mechanism  318  includes a notched bar  320  having a plurality of notches  322 . The coupling mechanism  318  also includes an extension member  324 , extending from a rear  326  of the back support  130  of the seating arrangement  100 . The extension member  324  includes a nut  328  over which a notch  322  in the plurality of notches  322  can be positioned. The extension member  324  also includes a cam lock  330  which allows the notched bar  320  to be positioned over the nut  328  so that it can engage a notch  322  in the plurality of notches  322 . The cam lock  330  is rotatable from a loose position, not shown in FIG. 11, to the locked position shown in FIG. 11, to prevent the notched bar  320  from disengaging from the nut  328 . The cam lock  330  includes a lip  332  allowing the cam lock  330  to be moved from one position to another.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 12 is a close-up perspective view of a slide lock  334  for use in the lateral support apparatus  150 . The slide lock  334  is positioned between the horizontal bracket  180  and the vertical bracket  182 . The slide lock  334  includes a horizontal insert  336  that slides along the track  338  of the horizontal bracket  180  and a vertical insert  340  that slides along the track  342  of the vertical bracket  182 . The slide lock  334  also includes a cavity  344  in which the lateral knob  172  is positioned. The slide lock  334  maintains the vertical bracket  182  at a 90° angle relative to the horizontal bracket  180  at all times. FIG. 14 is a close-up view of one embodiment of a locking stop  346  for use with the slide lock  334  and the lateral support apparatus  150 . The locking stop  346  is positionable in the tracks  338  and  342  of both the horizontal bracket  180  and the vertical bracket  182  to prevent movement in the lateral support apparatus  150  or for a pre-set adjustment of the horizontal and vertical brackets  180  and  182 . These locking stops  346  are intended to be removable and insertable by a user of the seating arrangement  100  to add security to the positioning of the lateral supports  160  and to preserve desired settings for lateral supports  160 . In another embodiment a pair of screws  348  may also be used to lock the horizontal and vertical brackets  180  and  182  in place. The locking stop  346  and slide lock  334  may each be made of steel or nylon.  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 13 is a close-up side view of a pelvic support  210  in an extended position relative to a seat support  110 , with a folded position shown in broken lines. The pelvic supports  210  are positionable by adjusting the pelvic support apparatus  200  as discussed above. For foldability of the seating arrangement  100 , users may desire a variety of options for allowing the back support  130  to collapse and fold to a substantially parallel position relative to the seat support  110 . Because having the pelvic supports  210  in a generally extended position as shown in FIG. 13 may prevent the back support  130  from folding to a substantially parallel position relative to the seat support  110 , a number of different embodiments are contemplated to allow for adjusting, removing, or positioning the pelvic supports  210 . In one embodiment, discussed above under FIG. 9, the pelvic supports  210  are extendable in a horizontal direction relative to each other, such that they can be moved outward from each other to allow the back support  130  to fold into a substantially parallel position as the seat support  110 . To achieve such a position, the pelvic support knobs  212  of the pelvic support release mechanism  220  are turned to allow horizontal movement of the pelvic support arms  230  along the pelvic support apparatus. When the desired positions are achieved, the pelvic support knobs  212  are tightened to secure the pelvic support  210  in their folded position. In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 13, the pelvic supports  210  can be adjusted to fold for positioning next to the seat support  110 , so that they no longer extend perpendicular to the seat support  110 . FIG. 13 shows, in broken lines, the positioning of a pelvic support  210  when in a folded position. To achieve such a folded position, the pelvic support knob  212  of the pelvic support release mechanism  220  is turned to loosen the pelvic support arm  230  to allow rotational movement of the pelvic support  210 . When folded, the pelvic support knob  212  is returned to its original position to secure the pelvic support  210  in its folded position. In another embodiment, the pelvic supports  210  are completely removable from the pelvic support apparatus  200  and the seating arrangement  100 . This is accomplished by turning the pelvic support knob  212  of the pelvic support release mechanism  220  to allow the pelvic support  210  to be released from a secure position. The pelvic support  210  is then removed from the track in which it rests.  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 15 is an additional perspective view of a seating arrangement according to the present invention. FIG. 15 shows the seating arrangement  100  having the seat support  110  positioned in a first plane  120 , the back support  130  positioned in a second plane  140 , the pair of lateral supports  160 , the pair of pelvic supports  210 , a hip abductor apparatus  250 , and a foot support  270 . The hip abductor apparatus  250  includes a hip abductor release mechanism  260 . The hip abductor apparatus  250  may be included in the seating arrangement  100  to provide additional support for a person seated in the seating arrangement  100 . The foot support  270  includes a foot support release mechanism  280 . The foot support  270  may be included in the seating arrangement  100  to provide a stable foot rest for a user of the seating arrangement  100  to prevent the user&#39;s legs and feet from dangling unsupported over the edge of the seat support  110 , and to substitute for unsuitable wheelchair footrests.  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 16 is a front plane view of a seat support  110  and a hip abductor apparatus  250  according to the present invention. The hip abductor apparatus  250  and the hip abductor release mechanism  260  are shown in FIG. 16. The hip abductor apparatus  250  is shown in a perpendicular position relative to the seat support  110 . Broken lines show a possible position of the hip abductor apparatus  250  when moved. The broken lines identified by reference numeral  254  show the hip abductor apparatus  250  rotated 90° and positioned along a front edge  255  of the seat support  110  to allow the back support  130  to fold down into substantially the same planar position as the seat support  110 . Accordingly, the hip abductor release mechanism  260  allows the hip abductor apparatus  250  to be removed from a perpendicular position relative to the seat support  110  to allow the seating arrangement  100  to fold into a compact position. The broken lines identified by reference numeral  252  show a central core portion in one embodiment of the hip abductor apparatus. The central core portion  252  may be included inside the hip abductor apparatus  250  to provide additional support for a person seated in the seating arrangement  100 . The central core portion  252  may be made of foam, wood, or any other sturdy material for use in supporting the inner thighs and hips of a person seated in the seating arrangement  100 .  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of a seating arrangement  100  according to the present invention. FIG. 17 shows the various release mechanisms for the lateral support apparatus  150 , the pelvic support apparatus  200 , the seat support  110 , and the foot support  270 . FIG. 17 also shows the hip abductor release mechanism  260  positioned underneath the seat support  110 .  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 18 is a close-up view of a portion of a lateral support arm  190  coupled to a lateral support  160 . FIG. 18 shows a joint mechanism portion  192  of the lateral support arm  190 , which allows the lateral support  160  to be folded such that it can be positioned in substantially the same second plane  140  as the back support  130 .  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 19 is an additional perspective view of a seating arrangement  100 . FIG. 19 shows an alternate embodiment of the hip abductor apparatus  250 . In this embodiment, a user seated in the seating arrangement  100  positions his or her legs between the center portion  257  of the hip abductor apparatus  256  and underneath additional portions  258 .  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 20 shows an additional perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 19 showing the attachment of the hip abductor apparatus  250  to the seat support  110 . A hook and pile apparatus  290  is used to couple the hip abductor apparatus  250  to the seat support  110 . Therefore, the hook and pile apparatus  290  serves as a hip abductor release mechanism  260 . In this embodiment, the hip abductor apparatus  250  is adjustable according to the needs of a particular user by releasing the hook and pile apparatus  290  and reattaching the hook and pile apparatus  290  to the seat support  110  when the proper position has been achieved. It should also be noted from FIG. 20 that the vertical positioning of the foot support  270  is also adjustable by activating a footrest knob  360  and vertically positioning the foot support  270  along a foot support bar  358 . The foot support release mechanism  280  may include a square tube  282  that receives the foot support bar  358  such that the tube  282  can be pulled against a spring  284  to allow the foot support  270  to fold or for horizontal extension according to the needs of a user.  
         [0060]    [0060]FIG. 21 is a side view of a hip abductor apparatus  250  for use with a seating arrangement  100  according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the positioning of a first lever  350  and a second lever  352  determines whether the hip abductor apparatus  250  is in a raised or lowered position. In FIG. 21, the first lever  350  is shown positioned between a support bar  354  of the hip abductor apparatus  250  and the second lever  352 . A rotational member  356  around which the hip abductor apparatus  250  moves is also included. FIG. 21 shows a relaxed position in which the hip abductor apparatus  250  is positioned in the same plane as the seat support  110 . This allows the back support  130  to fold into a substantially parallel position relative to the seat support  110 . FIG. 22 is an additional side view of the hip abductor apparatus  250  of FIG. 21. The first lever  350  and the second lever  352  are shown in different positions than that of FIG. 21. Here, an end of the first lever  350  contacts with an end of the second lever  352 . This forces the second lever  352  to extend, causing the second lever  352  to move relative to the rotational member  356  and pushing the hip abductor apparatus  250  upward to extend above the seat support  110 . This configuration is used for hip support for users of the seating arrangement  100 .  
         [0061]    The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.