Abstract:
The present invention relates to a multi-posture body support device adapted for working proximate to the floor. The device comprises: a frame extending at floor level, the frame having a front section, a rear section, and an extendible post in the rear section, the post being in a substantially perpendicular orientation relatively to the floor; an upper support adjustably mounted to the post; and a knee support mounted to the frame in front of the post and below the upper support, the knee support having a proximate end positioned proximate to the post and a distal end opposite to the proximate end; the knee support being substantially flat longitudinally between the proximate and distal ends for supporting longitudinally the legs of a worker facing one of the rear section and the front section relatively to the frame.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority of U.S. provisional patent application 60/560,040, filed on Apr. 8, 2004 the specification of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1) Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The invention relates to body supports and, more particularly, to ergonomic seating assemblies allowing a plurality of postures.  
         [0004]     2) Description of the Prior Art  
         [0005]     Workers, such as mechanics, brick layers, tile setters, painters, and welders, are often required to perform their tasks from a seating or a kneeling positions proximate to the floor. Maintaining these positions as well as moving from one position to another typically places a great deal of strain on the worker. The worker must make several transition movements from kneeling to sitting to standing in a typical workday.  
         [0006]     It is well known in the art to use seating assemblies for either one or a combination of supports to the torso, the buttocks, the knees, and the forearms to help a worker to have more comfort in a low working position.  
         [0007]     Several working seats have been developped where a support for the chest area is present whilst the knees are either not supported as in a commonly used chair or wherein a shin support is present [See for instance U.S. Pat. No. 6,619,747 of Ko et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,832,407 issued to Serber, U.S. Pat. No. 4,650,249 issued to Serber, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,948 issued to Hannes].  
         [0008]     Other working seats provide for a kneeling apparatus of some type, but they only offer a single posture to the worker [See for instance U.S. Pat. No. 6,302,413 issued to Comeaux, U.S. Pat. No. 4,772,071 issued to Richards, U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,507 Issued to Earl, Jr., and International Publication No. 03/000093].  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved ergonomic working seat when working in seating and kneeling positions, especially in low working positions.  
         [0010]     One aspect of the invention provides a multi-posture seating assembly for a worker working proximate to the floor. The seating assembly comprises: a frame adapted to rest at floor level and having a forward end and a rearward end; an upper support adjustably mounted to the frame, proximate to the rearward end, the upper support being at least forwardly and rearwardly tiltable relative to the floor; and a knee support extending longitudinally along the frame, frontwardly to the upper supper and at a lower elevation than the upper support, the knee support being longitudinally substantially leveled for supporting the legs of the worker facing in one of the forward direction and the rearward direction relatively to the frame, the upper support and the knee support being configurable between a first configuration in which the upper support provides support to the torso of the worker facing rearwardly while the knees of the worker rest longitudinally on the knee support, and a second configuration in which the upper support is inclined relative to knee support to provide support to the buttocks of the worker facing frontwardly while the knees thereof rest longitudinally on the knee support.  
         [0011]     Another aspect of the invention provides a multi-posture body support device adapted for working proximate to the floor. The body support device comprises: a frame extending at floor level, the frame having a front section, a rear section, and an extendible post in the rear section, the post being in a substantially perpendicular orientation relatively to the floor; an upper support adjustably mounted to the post; and a knee support mounted to the frame in front of the post and below the upper support, the knee support having a proximate end positioned proximate to the post and a distal end opposite to the proximate end; the knee support being substantially flat longitudinally between the proximate and distal ends for supporting longitudinally the legs of a worker facing one of the rear section and the front section relatively to the frame.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of an ergonomic seating assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the ergonomic seating assembly shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is an elevation view of the ergonomic seating assembly shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , wherein a worker is seated in a first seating posture;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is an elevation view of the ergonomic seating assembly shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , wherein a worker is seated in a second seating-kneeling posture;  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is an elevation view of the ergonomic seating assembly of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , wherein a worker is seated in a third kneeling posture with a chest support; and  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is an elevation view of the ergonomic seating assembly shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , including a vertically oriented body support. 
     
    
       [0019]     It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0020]     Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a perspective view of an ergonomic seating assembly  10 . The ergonomic seating assembly  10  has a frame  12  having a Y-shaped lower platform  14 , disposed in a substantially horizontal plane, with a central stem  16  and two extending arms  18 . For the purpose of the description, the central stem  16  will be described as extending at the front of the seating assembly  10  while the extending arms  18  will be described as projecting at the rear of the seating assembly  12 .  
         [0021]     A seat support tube  20 , or post, having an upper section  21  and a sleeve section  22  is mounted to the Y-shape lower platform  14 . A lower end  23  of the sleeve section  22  extends through an opening in the Y-shaped lower platform  14  ( FIG. 2 ) at the junction of the central stem  16  and both extending arms  18 . A frame seat socket  24  secures the seat support tube  20  to the Y-shaped lower platform  14 . The seat support tube  20  can also be welded to the Y-shaped lower platform  14  or pivotally mounted to the Y-shaped lower platform  14  by any technique known to those skilled in the art. The seat support tube  20  can also be detacheably mounted to the Y-shaped lower platform  14  for facilitating the transportation of the seating assembly  10 .  
         [0022]     The upper section  21  is telescopically received into the sleeve section  22  for sliding movement with respect thereto between a raised and a lowered position. The height of the seat support tube  20  is adjustable by a pneumatic height adjustment mechanism, a lift or hydraulic cylinder assembly, but other mechanisms allowing a vertical adjustment can also be used. Such mechanisms are well known in the chair art and the details of construction of the same are not pertinent to the present invention. The mecanism can be controlled from a control lever  32 . Manipulation of the control lever  32  by angular displacement of the same in various directions can release and thereafter lock the mechanism to permit the desired adjustement.  
         [0023]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown that an abutment member  26  is rotatably mounted to an upper end  28  of the seat support tube  20 . An upper support  30 , or seat, is secured to the abutment member  26  and is preferably adjustably tiltable from a horizontal position as shown on  FIGS. 3 and 5  to an inclined positioned, as shown in  FIG. 4 . In the preferred embodiment, the upper support  30  can be positioned between a horizontal plane and a rearwardly and frontwardly tilted planes. The abutment member  26  preferably includes the mechanism allowing the inclination or tilting of the upper support  30 . Once the worker has ajusted the position of the upper support  30 , this position can be locked with a control lever (not shown) operatively connected to the mechanism allowing the inclination of the upper support  30 . The rotation of the upper support  30  relatively to the frame  12  can also be stopped with the same control lever or another one (not shown). One skilled in the art will appreciate the tilting and the rotation mechanisms can differ from the ones described hereinabove.  
         [0024]     Referring back to  FIG. 1 , there is shown that the upper support  30  preferably includes a cushioned member  34 , at least on its upper surface  36  and its periphery  38 , to provide a comfortably seating assembly  10  to the worker. It can also have a particular shape to provide more comfort to the worker by providing more support where it is necessary. The upper support  30  has preferably a substantially circular shape to provide support to the buttocks as well as the torso as it will be described more in details later.  
         [0025]     The frame  12  also includes a transversal support bar  40  extending perpendicularly to the central stem  16  of the Y-shaped lower platform  14  ( FIG. 2 ). Casters  42 , or wheels set in a swiveled frame, are secured at the ends of the central stem  16 , the extending arms  18 , and the transversal support bar  40  for providing support to the ergonomic seating assembly  10  on the floor and allowing the ergonomic seating assembly  10  to be easily displaced on the floor. The casters  42  are preferably positioned evenly about the frame  12  to evenly distribute the weight of the worker and stabilize the seating assembly  10 .  
         [0026]     Two lower supports  46 , or knee pads or lower pads or knee supports, are mounted on the transversal support bar  40 , parallel to the central stem  16 , at a lower elevation than the upper support  30 . Each lower support  46  is positioned on a respective side of the central stem  16 . Each lower support  46  has a proximate end positioned proximate to the seat support tube  20  and a distal end opposite to the proximate end. The lower supports  46  preferably extends longitudinally to provide support along the worker&#39;s legs as it will be described more in details later. The lower supports  46  are preferably substantially flat, or leveled, longitudinally between the proximate and the distal ends. As for the upper support  30 , the lower supports  46  prefereably include cushioned members  48 , at least on their upper surface  50 , to provide comfort to the worker. They can also have a particular shape to provide more comfort to the worker by providing more support where it is necessary as shown on  FIG. 1 .  
         [0027]     Still referring to  FIG. 2 , it will be seen that the lower supports  46  can pivot relatively to the frame  12  since the lower supports  46  and the transversal support bar  40  are assembled with eye straps  52 . The lower supports  46  can be pivoted between a horizontal plane ( FIG. 4 ) and a rearwardly and frontwardly tilted planes ( FIG. 5 ). For reinforcing the assembly of the lower supports  46  and the transversal support bar  40 , two reinforcing bands  54  are used. The reinforcing bands  54  have a first end  56  secured to the transversal support bar  40  and a second end  58  secured to the lower supports  46 . Even if fasteners are used to secure the reinforcing bands  54  and the eye straps  52  to the lower supports  46  and the transversal support bar  40  on  FIG. 2 , one skilled in the art that they can also be welded or adhesively mounted thereto. The reinforcing bands  54  are preferably biasing members to automatically pivot the lower supports  46  into the horizontal plane from the tilted plane once the weight has been removed thereon.  
         [0028]     The lower supports  46  are also connected to one another with a rigid member  60  projecting under the central stem  16  of the Y-shaped lower platform  14 . The lower supports  46  thus pivot in tandem. Since the rigid member  60  is positioned rearwardly of the lower supports  46 , when the lower supports  46  pivot rearwardly, the central and lower section  62  of the rigid member  60  abuts the floor on which the ergonomic seating assembly  10  is disposed and prevents the caster rotation, as it will be described more in details later.  
         [0029]     The frame  12  is preferably light and tubular. It can be made of an aluminum tubing though other metals and materials can be used. One skilled in the art will also appreciate that the frame  12  can differ from the configuration shown in the above described embodiment. For example, the platform  14  can be a solid plate-like frame.  
         [0030]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , there is shown that the seating assembly  10  can include a vertically oriented body support  64  for providing support to either the worker&#39;s back or chest (not shown). The body support  64  includes a platform  66  having preferably a vertically arched shape for mating a back or a chest shape and a shaft  68  for mounting the body support  64  to the frame  12 . In the embodiment shown on  FIG. 3 , the shaft  68  is mounted to the Y-shaped lower platform  14  and the abutment member  26 . However, one skilled in the art will appreciate that it can be mounted only to one of the Y-shaped lower platform  14 , the seat support tube  20  and the abutment member  26 . The shaft  68  is preferably removably engaged to the frame  12 . The inclination of the vertically oriented body support can be adjusted in accordance with the worker&#39;s needs. The platform  66  and/or the shaft  68  can be tilted forward or backward to provide a comfortable fits for both men&#39;s and women&#39;s back or chest. The platform  66  can also be mounted with height and distance from the shaft adjustments.  
         [0031]     Referring now to  FIGS. 3, 4 , and  5 , it will be seen that the ergonomic seating assembly  10  allows at least three postures to a worker  70 . Referring first to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a first posture, a seating position, wherein a worker  70  is facing rearwardly relatively to the frame  12 . The worker  70  has his buttocks resting on the upper support  30  and is feet resting on the floor. The worker&#39;s back is in a straight position. As mentionned earlier, for more comfort, the height of the upper support  30  can be adjusted and the upper support  30  can be rotated, tilted and locked in a predetermined position. Moreover, the worker&#39;s can freely move the ergonomic seating assembly  10  over the floor. This first seating posture allows to the worker  70  to work at a height ranging between three and five feet. One skilled in the art will appreciate that it is not necessary to mount the body support  64  to the frame  12  in this first posture. Moreover, the body support  64  can be mounted to the frame  12  in a manner such that the worker  70  can abut his chest instead of his back on the platform  66  (not shown). The worker  70  can also face frontwardly relatively to the frame  12  in the first seating posture.  
         [0032]      FIG. 4  shows the worker  70  in a second posture, a seating-kneeling position. The worker is facing frontwardly, the upper support  30  is tilted forward for more comfort, the legs  72  of the worker rest on a respective lower support  46 , and his feet extend rearwardly. The worker&#39;s back is in a straight position. As for the first posture, the degree of inclination of the upper and lower supports  30 ,  46  can be modified in accordance with the worker&#39;s needs. This second seating-kneeling posture allows to the worker  70  to work at a height ranging between one and four feet. As for the first posture shown on  FIG. 3 , the body support  64  can be mounted to the frame  12  to support the worker in the second position. The platform  66  can be a support for either the worker&#39;s back, chest or forearms.  
         [0033]     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown the worker  70  in a third posture, a kneeling position with a torso support. The worker is facing rearwardly, his torso  74  abuts the upper support  30 , his legs  72  rest on a respective lower support  46 , and his feet extend frontwardly. The lower supports  46  are inclined rearwardly and the central and lower section  62  of the rigid member  60  abuts the floor on which the ergonomic seating assembly  10  is disposed. It prevents the ergonomic seating assembly  10  to move freely over the floor while the worker is in the third posture. As for the first and the second postures ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ), the degree of inclination of the upper and lower supports  30 ,  46  can be modified in accordance with the worker&#39;s needs and the height of the upper support  30  can also be modified. Abutting his torso  74  on the upper support  30  while being in this third posture allows to the worker  70  to freely use his both hands in his working task. This third kneeling posture allows to the worker  70  to work at a height ranging between zero and two feet.  
         [0034]     The seating assembly  10  provides a combined buttocks, legs, and torso support with height and positional adjusting seat mechanisms.  
         [0035]     The seating assembly  10  can include tool supports (not shown) which can be either securely or temporarily engaged to the frame  12  for providing an easily accessible storage space for the worker&#39;s tools while he is working. The position of the tool supports on the seating assembly  10  is preferably adjustable in accordance with the worker&#39;s needs.  
         [0036]     The seating assembly  10  can have a breaking system which can differ from the one described hereinabove. The breaking system can be manually actuated by the worker in any posture. The breaking system can directly block the rotation movement of the casters  42 .  
         [0037]     The casters  42  can be replaced by riders or support members (not shown) covered with nylon or any other other material allowing or not the displacement of the seating assembly  10  over the floor.  
         [0038]     The shape of the platform  66  of the body support  64  can differ from the one shown on  FIG. 3 . For example, it can be designed to be used by the worker  70  as a forearm support during his working tasks.  
         [0039]     The seating assembly  10  can also be designed in a manner such as to allow the displacement of the upper support  30  relatively to the frame  12 . For example, the upper support can be displaceable over the abutment member  26  or the seat support tube  20  can be displaceable over the Y-shaped lower platform  14 . The seat support tube  20  can be mounted to the Y-shaped lower platform  14  at a different location than at the junction of the central stem  16  and the extending arms  18 . The upper support  30  can be directly mounted to the upper end  28  of the seat support tube  20 . The abutment member  26  can differ from the one described hereinabove. For example, the abutment member  26  can be only a plate (not shown) mounted to the upper end  28  of the seat support tube  20  and juxtaposed to the lower surface  34  of the upper support  30 .  
         [0040]     As for the upper support  30 , the lower supports  46  can be mounted to the frame  12  in a different manner from the one described hereinabove. For example, the lower supports  46  can be mounted to the frame  12  in a manner such that their position relatively to the frame  12  can be adjusted. The frame  12  can be designed to provide lower supports  46  that can be rotated, displaced transversally or longitudinally or adjustable in height. Therefore, the worker  70  can optimize his posture on the seating assembly  10  in accordance with its needs. The seating assembly  10  can also include a locking mechanism for blocking the position of the lower supports  46  relatively to the frame  12 .  
         [0041]     The seating assembly  10  can be provided in an easily retractable and foldable embodiment to enable easy transport.  
         [0042]     The seating assembly  10  allows to the worker  70  to maintain a kneeling or seating working posture for an extended period of time, to easily move forward or rearward while keeping balance or equilibrium, a better comfort, an improved freedom of motion, and easy and quick working posture changes. It also creates a dynamism within the vertebral column to favor the nutritional exchanges of the intervertebral discs, reduces the fatigue by limiting muscular efforts from the worker; reduces the hip muscular tension; reduces the pressure sensation within worker&#39;s knees, ankles, and lumbar region (from mid to lower back region), and improves blood circulation.  
         [0043]     The seating assembly  10  allows a better efficiency in working tasks requested to the workers, especially for the hands-free working postures between approximately zero and one and a half meter of height from the ground level.  
         [0044]     The seating assembly  10  is an ergonomic and comfortable apparatus enabling different working postures, easily changeable from one to another such as: kneeling with a straight back, kneeling while bending forward, seating with a straight back, seating with a proper lumbar support, seating with a chest or forearm support, etc.  
         [0045]     The seating assembly  10  enables leaning sideways without causing a lumbar spine torsion, thereby reducing back or related injuries.  
         [0046]     The seating assembly  10  enables the worker  70  to be in a kneeling posture for longer periods by reducing the muscular effort requested. It also helps to prevent sudden unbalance to the worker  70 .  
         [0047]     The embodiments of the invention described above are intended to be exemplary only. For example, even if in the embodiment described hereinabove the seating assembly  10  has two lower supports  46 , it is appreciated that it can include only one lower support  46  which shape can differ from the one illustrated. The seating assembly  10  can also include more or less casters  42 . The scope of the invention is therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.