Abstract:
A support stool is provided. The support stool includes a pivotable top plate and a first support beam pivotably affixed to a bottom surface of the top plate. A first support block and a second support block are affixed to the bottom surface of the top plate. First and second footplates are coupled to corresponding ends of the first support beam and a second support beam, wherein the first and second support blocks are spaced apart from opposing side surfaces of the first and second support beams. The support stool includes a first holding member extending through the first footplate and the first holding member extends partially into a surface of the first support block.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Breast-feeding and bottle feeding may cause stress on a parent&#39;s legs, back, shoulders, and arms. The sitting position for the parent during the breast-feeding or bottle feeding directly affects the amount of stress placed on the legs, back, shoulders, and arms. 
     It is within this context that the embodiments arise. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments include a support stool capable of adjusting the angular position of a top plate of the support stool. It should be appreciated that the present exemplary embodiments can be implemented in numerous ways, such as a process an apparatus, a system, a device or a method. Several inventive embodiments of the present invention are described below. 
     In one embodiment, a support stool is provided. The support stool includes a pivotable top plate and a first support beam pivotably affixed to a bottom surface of the top plate. A first support block and a second support block are affixed to the bottom surface of the top plate. First and second footplates are coupled to corresponding ends of the first support beam and a second support beam, wherein the first and second support blocks are spaced apart from opposing side surfaces of the first and second support beams. The support stool includes a first holding member extending through the first footplate and the first holding member extends partially into a surface of the first support block. 
     In another embodiment, a support stool is provided. The support stool includes a top plate. A first footplate and a second footplate are included. The support stool further includes a first beam and a second beam with ends of each beam being affixed to opposing surfaces of the first footplate and the second footplate. The first beam is pivotably mounted to a bottom surface of the top plate. The support stool includes a first support block and a second support block affixed to the bottom surface of the top plate. The first support block and the second support block are disposed within a region encompassed by the first footplate, the second footplate, the first beam, and the second beam. 
     Other aspects will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the exemplary embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating a nursing mother utilizing the adjustable stool in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating a perspective view of the adjustable stool in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating a perspective side view of the adjustable stool in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4A  is a simplified schematic diagram of a bottom perspective view of the partially assembled adjustable stool in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4B  is a simplified schematic diagram of a bottom perspective view illustrating the assembled adjustable stool in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating a perspective top view of an assembled adjustable stool in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Exemplary embodiments include an adjustable support stool. It will be obvious, however, that the present embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well-known operations have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the exemplary embodiments. 
     The embodiments provide a support stool that has an adjustable top plate. The is adjustable top plate pivots in order to accommodate different angles for optimum nursing support and comfort. Because of the adjustable nature of the stool, a comfortable position that alleviates stress on the back, shoulders, neck, etc., is more likely to be found. 
       FIG. 1  is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating a nursing mother utilizing the adjustable stool in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. As explained in more detail below adjustable stool  10  enables the nursing mother to comfortably and ergonomically adjust her sitting position. The adjustable stool enables positioning to alleviate stress placed on the back, legs, shoulders, neck and even wrist pain from repeated breast or bottle feeding. The stool enables elevation of the persons thighs in order to assist in supporting the baby. In addition, the angular adjustment of the top plate of the stool provides for a more comfortable ergonomic position. 
       FIG. 2  is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating a perspective view of the adjustable stool in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Adjustable stool  10  includes top plate  12  movably supported by beam  22   b  and footplates  16   a  and  16   b . On a top surface of the top plate  12  are strips  14 . It should be appreciated that strips  14  are optional in one embodiment. The strips  14  provide a nonskid surface or may alternatively be an orthopedic pad. Top plate  12  is pivotably coupled to beam  22   b  through hinges in one embodiment. The hinged coupling enables top plate  12  to pivot around an axis of the coupling so that a distal end of the top plate is free to move, since the pivot point is proximate to an opposing end of the top plate. Footplates  16   a  and  16   b  are coupled to beam  22   b  in order to provide support for top plate  12  of the adjustable stool  10 . A top surface of footplates  16   a  and  16   b , and the corresponding beams, is flat to provide support against the bottom surface of top plate  12  when the top plate is in a non-raised position. 
       FIG. 3  is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating a perspective side view of the adjustable stool in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Footplates  16   a  and  16   b  are coupled to each other through beam  22   a  and an opposing beam  22   b  as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  4 B. A bottom surface of top plate  12  is affixed to support block  18   a  and corresponding support block  18   b  (see  FIG. 4A ). Support block  18   a  has a plurality of holes  20   a - c  that partially extend into the support block. It should be appreciated that holes  20   a - c  are radially aligned with a pivot axis for top plate  12 . That is, the distance from the pivot axis to each of holes  20   a - c  is the same. As top plate  12  pivots around the hinged connection, a holding member disposed through hole  32  and any one of the corresponding holes  20   a - c , enables support for the variable angular positions of top plate  12 . Footplates  16   a  and  16   b  are configured each with a pair of leg extensions that are angled outward. It should be noted that alternative configurations for footplates  16   a  and  16   b  may be integrated into the embodiments described herein. 
       FIG. 4A  is a simplified schematic diagram of a bottom perspective view of the partially assembled adjustable stool in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Support blocks  18   a  and  18   b  are affixed to a bottom surface of top plate  12 . Beam  22   b  is coupled to the bottom surface of top plate  12  through hinges  24 . Thus, through the coupling with hinges  24 , top plate  12  will pivot around an axis of hinges  24 . Dowels  26  extend from opposing ends of being  20  to be in order to assist in supporting the footplates for the adjustable stool. It should be noted that support blocks  18   a  and  18   b  move with top plate  12  as the top plate pivots. 
       FIG. 4B  is a simplified schematic diagram of a bottom perspective view illustrating the assembled adjustable stool in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Support blocks  18   a  and  18   b , as well as beams  22   a  and  22   b  are affixed to a bottom surface of top plate  12 . As discussed above beam  22   b  is affixed to the bottom surface of top plate  12  through hinges  24 . It should be appreciated that the frame support surfaces against the bottom surface of top plate  12  defined through beams  22   a ,  22   b , and support blocks  18   a  and  18   b , form a planar surface that supports a bottom surface of top plate  12  in a flat position. Footplates  16   a  and  16   b  are coupled to beams  22   a  and  22   b  through dowels  26  and bolts  34 , in one embodiment. It should be noted that footplates  16   a  and  16   b  are not directly coupled to top plate  12 . That is, footplates  16   a  and  16   b  provide a support structure for the adjustable stool along with beams  22   a  and  22   b . This support structure is completely disposed under a bottom surface of top plate  12  and remains stationary as top plate  12  is adjusted. Beam  22   b  is directly coupled to top plate  12 , as well as support blocks  18   a  and  18   b , while beam  22   a  is not coupled to top plate  12 . Beam  22   a  remains stationary as mentioned above, however, support blocks  18   a  and  18   b  pivot along with top plate  12 . It should be noted that support blocks  18   a  and  18   b  are disposed within a region encompassed by footplates  16   a  and  16   b  and beams  22   a  and  22   b . Support blocks  18   a  and  18   b  are spaced apart from the side surfaces of footplates  16   a  and  16   b  and beams  22   a  and  22   b  in one embodiment. The bottom surface of the leg extensions of footplates  16   a  and  16   b  may include a compliant member  28 , which may be composed of rubber in one embodiment. Bolts  34  affix beams  22   a  and  22   b  to footplates  16   a  and  16   b  in one embodiment. 
       FIG. 5  is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating a perspective top view of an assembled adjustable stool in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Top plate  12  is disposed over the support structure which includes foot plates  16   a  and  16   b , as well as the beams and support blocks discussed with reference to  FIGS. 4A and 4B . Holding member  30  is provided in order to couple footplates  16   a  and  16   b  to one of the holes  20   a  through  20   c  of the corresponding support blocks as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . It should be noted that while three adjustable levels are provided on support blocks  18   a  and  18   b , this is not meant to be limiting, as any suitable number of adjustable levels may be provided. 
     The adjustable stool described above provides the comfort afforded through the angular adjustment of the top plate. In addition, the adjustable stool may also function as a regular stepping stool when the top plate is in a flat or resting position. The materials of construction for the components listed above may be any suitable rigid material, e.g., wood, plastic, metal, etc. 
     Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications can be practiced within the scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, the present embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.