Patent Publication Number: US-11045690-B2

Title: Exercise chair

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION DATA 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/947,675, filed Nov. 20, 2015, and entitled “Exercise Chair,” which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/540,540, filed Sep. 25, 2015, and entitled “Portion of an Exercise Device”, and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent App. No. 62/194,317, filed on Jul. 20, 2015, and entitled “Stability Chair,” each of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The presently disclosed subject matter relates generally to exercise devices and more particularly to an Exercise Chair. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Human bodies are built to move and generally require constant activity to remain supple and healthy. Unfortunately, modern life involves a good deal of sitting; indeed most professions require many hours of simply sitting, which is an unnatural demand on the human bodies—so unnatural that children instinctively rebel against it. 
     Sitting, and especially sitting still, aligns human bodies oddly, and denies joints the constant small adjustments that help to circulate the joint fluid which helps nourish the delicate cartilage lining of the joints. Additionally, sitting still denies core muscles the exercise involved in aligning and realigning our spines, exercise vital to keeping our core musculature strong and responsive. Further, extended and repetitive sitting has been linked to other health maladies, such as heart attacks. 
     The biomechanics of the spine allow the body to accommodate numerous primary ranges of motion; namely, spinal movements such as flexion, right and left extension, right and left rotation, lateral bending, as well as long-axis distraction and compression or load/unload cycles. In conventional chairs or seats, motion and/or static position by the user that results in one or more of these spinal movements causes the user&#39;s spine and associated soft tissues to absorb the entire motion and the associated stresses. Static spinal positioning or inadequate seat mobility causes a build-up of spinal irritation, soft tissue pressure, muscle spasm, or loss of tone. Further, there can be circulatory disturbance in the spinal soft tissues resulting in significant stress on the user&#39;s spine. Without the ability to compensate for and/or produce these essential movements, the user can frequently experience backaches and eventual spinal pathology after prolonged static sitting. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In an exemplary embodiment, an exercise chair comprises a rocking assembly including a rocking mechanism, a base plate, and a seat, the rocking mechanism sized and configured to allow a user to rotate at least a portion of the rocking assembly laterally, longitudinally, and transversely, and wherein the rocking mechanism is coupled to the seat; and a fastener coupling the base plate to the rocking assembly, wherein at least a portion of the fastener is made from elastomeric materials so as to assist in the motion of the rocking assembly. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, an exercise chair comprises a base assembly; a rocking assembly including a rocking mechanism, a base plate, and a seat, the rocking mechanism sized and configured to allow a user to rotate at least a portion of the rocking assembly laterally, longitudinally, and transversely, and wherein the rocking mechanism is coupled to the seat; and a fastener coupled to the base assembly and the rocking assembly, wherein at least a portion of the fastener is made from elastomeric materials so as to assist in the lateral and longitudinal motion of the rocking assembly. 
     In yet another exemplary embodiment, an exercise chair comprises a base assembly; a rocking assembly releasably coupled to the base assembly, the rocking assembly including a rocking mechanism, a base plate, and a seat, the rocking mechanism sized and configured to allow a user to rotate at least a portion of the rocking assembly laterally, longitudinally, and transversely, and wherein the rocking mechanism is coupled to the seat; and a fastener coupling the base plate to the rocking assembly, wherein at least a portion of the fastener is made from elastomeric materials so as to assist in the motion of the rocking assembly; wherein the rocking assembly, when removed from the base assembly, can be placed on another surface for use by a user while continuing to provide the ability for the user to rotate at least a portion of the rocking assembly laterally, longitudinally, and transversely. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show aspects of one or more embodiments of the invention. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of an exercise chair according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of an exercise chair according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of another exercise chair according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of an exemplary rocking mechanism for an exercise chair according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view and a side view of another exemplary rocking mechanism for an exercise chair according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a side view of a rocking assembly for an exercise chair according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a side view of an example of an exemplary fastener used with an exercise chair according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an exploded view of the rocking assembly of the exercise chair shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of an exercise chair according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates an exploded view of the exercise chair shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  and  FIG. 11B  illustrate a perspective view and a top down view, respectively, of an exemplary chock for use with an exercise chair according to embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary chock for use with an exercise chair according to embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary rocking mechanism for use with an exercise chair according to embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a top, a side, and an end view of the rocking mechanism shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a bottom, a side, and an end view of the rocking mechanism shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 16A  and  FIG. 16B  illustrate a front view and a side view, respectively, of the rocking mechanism shown in  FIG. 13  in relation to other components of an exercise chair according to embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of a rocking mechanism for use with an exercise chair according to embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary method of using the presently disclosed exercise chair; and 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of yet another exercise chair according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The presently disclosed subject matter now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying Drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter are shown. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. The presently disclosed subject matter may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Indeed, many modifications and other embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the presently disclosed subject matter pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated Drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the presently disclosed subject matter is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. 
     At a high level, an exercise chair of the present disclosure allows to a user to rock, wobble, and/or swivel with a side-to-side rocking motion, a front-to-back rocking motion, or both a side-to-side rocking motion and a front-to-back rocking motion. In use, an exercise chair according to the present disclosure encourages the user to adopt optimal posture by requiring constant or frequent, if subconscious, rebalancing. The exercise chair can require small adjustments that are relaxing and pleasurable for most users and also serve to exercise the core musculature and small facet joints of the user&#39;s spine. As described in more detail below, embodiments of the exercise chair can allow prolonged sitting with less discomfort brought on by poor posture and prolonged static loading of joint surfaces. Additionally, in certain embodiments of the presently disclosed exercise chair, a height adjustment mechanism can be provided between the rocking assembly and the base assembly to accommodate users having differing leg lengths. In yet other embodiments, a locking mechanism is provided for immobilizing the rocking mechanism and the seat as desired. 
     Generally, the presently disclosed exercise chair includes a rocking assembly that sits atop a base assembly. The rocking assembly can include a base plate or platform for mating to the base assembly, a rocking mechanism that sits atop the base plate, and a seat that sits atop the rocking mechanism. In some embodiments, the rocking mechanism is a hemispheric-shaped or dome-shaped rocking mechanism that interfaces tangentially with a flat surface of either the base plate or the seat. The tangential interface allows multidirectional and/or multidimensional movement of the hemispheric-shaped or dome-shaped rocking mechanism with respect to the flat surface, thereby allowing the user to rock, wobble, and/or swivel the seat with a side-to-side rocking motion, a front-to-back rocking motion, or both a side-to-side and a front-to-back rocking motion. 
     In other embodiments of the presently disclosed exercise chair, the rocking mechanism of the rocking assembly is an eccentric bicylinder-shaped rocking mechanism that allows multidirectional and/or multidimensional movement of the seat. In yet other embodiments, the rocking mechanism of the rocking assembly is an arrangement of halfpipe members that allow multidirectional and/or multidimensional movement of the seat. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown an exemplary embodiment of an exercise chair, e.g., exercise chair  100 , that includes a rocking assembly  110  for exercising the user&#39;s spine. Generally, the exercise chair  100  includes a rocking assembly  110  that sits atop a base assembly  130 . Optionally, a height adjustment mechanism  140  is provided between the rocking assembly  110  and the base assembly  130 . 
     The base assembly  130  can be any strong and stable structure capable of supporting the weight of a person sitting on the exercise chair  100 . Further, the base assembly  130  is sized to accommodate a person in the sitting position on the exercise chair  100 . The height adjustment mechanism  140  can be any mechanism for adjusting the height of the rocking assembly  110  with respect to the base assembly  130  and the ground. A specific example of the exercise chair  100  that has a base assembly  130  with four legs and wherein the height adjustment mechanism  140  includes rails is shown and described hereinbelow with reference to  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the rocking assembly  110  includes a base plate or platform  112 , a rocking mechanism  114 , and a seat  116 . Namely, the rocking mechanism  114  sits atop the base plate  112  and the seat  116  sits atop the rocking mechanism  114 . The base plate  112  of the rocking assembly  110  is fastened atop the base assembly  130  (or atop the height adjustment mechanism  140 ). The base plate  112  of the rocking assembly  110  can take any form depending on the design of the base assembly  130  and/or the height adjustment mechanism  140  as long as it is suitably strong to support a person sitting on the exercise chair  100 . Similarly, the seat  116  of the rocking assembly  110  can take any form depending on the overall design of the exercise chair  100 . The seat  116  can be, for example, any padded or unpadded seat that is comfortable for the user. 
     In another exemplary embodiment of rocking assembly  110 , rocking assembly is removeably coupled to base assembly  130 . In this embodiment, rocking assembly  110  can be attached to base assembly  130  for use by a user in a customary position, e.g., at a desk or table, or rocking assembly  110  can be removed and placed on another stable surface, e.g., the floor, where the user can rest on the rocking assembly. 
     The rocking mechanism  114  of the rocking assembly  110  can be any mechanism that is suitably strong to support a person sitting on the exercise chair  100  and that provides multidirectional and/or multidimensional movement of the seat  116 , thereby allowing the user to rock, wobble, and/or swivel the seat  116  with a side-to-side rocking motion, a front-to-back rocking motion, or both a side-to-side and a front-to-back rocking motion. Because the base plate  112  of the rocking assembly  110  is fastened to the base assembly  130  or to the height adjustment mechanism  140 , the plane of the base plate  112  of the rocking assembly  110  is fixed with respect to the base assembly  130 . However, the presence of the rocking mechanism  114  between the base plate  112  and the seat  116  allows the seat  116  to rock side-to-side and/or front-to-back with respect to the plane of the base plate  112 . In other words, the seat  116  can rock, wobble, and/or swivel with respect to the base assembly  130 . Examples of hemispheric- or dome-shaped rocking mechanisms  114  are described hereinbelow with reference to  FIGS. 2 to 8 . Further, an example of an eccentric bicylinder-shaped rocking mechanism  114  is described hereinbelow with reference to  FIGS. 13 to 16B . Additionally, an example of a rocking mechanism  114  that is based on an arrangement of halfpipe members is described hereinbelow with reference to  FIG. 17 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , there is shown exemplary embodiments of an exercise chair  100  that include exemplary hemispheric- or dome-shaped rocking mechanisms  114 . Namely,  FIG. 2  shows an example of a hemispheric- or dome-shaped rocking mechanism  114 , wherein the apex of the hemispheric- or dome-shaped rocking mechanism  114  is in contact with the upper surface of the base plate  112  and the flat portion of the hemispheric- or dome-shaped rocking mechanism  114  is in contact with the underside of the seat  116 . In this embodiment, the apex of the hemispheric- or dome-shaped rocking mechanism  114  makes tangential contact with the upper surface of the base plate  112  at a contact area  118  of the base plate  112 . In an opposite orientation,  FIG. 3  shows the apex of the hemispheric- or dome-shaped rocking mechanism  114  in contact with the underside of the seat  116 , while the flat portion of the hemispheric- or dome-shaped rocking mechanism  114  is in contact with the upper surface of the base plate  112 . In this embodiment, the apex of the hemispheric- or dome-shaped rocking mechanism  114  makes tangential contact with the underside of the seat  116  at the contact area  118 . 
     In  FIG. 2 , together the seat  116  and the hemispheric- or dome-shaped rocking mechanism  114  can move side-to-side, front-to-back, and combinations of both side-to-side and front-to-back with respect to the base plate  112  and the base assembly  130 . However, in  FIG. 3 , the seat  116  alone can move side-to-side, front-to-back, and combinations of both side-to-side and front-to-back with respect to the hemispheric- or dome-shaped rocking mechanism  114 , the base plate  112 , and the base assembly  130 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown an exemplary hollow hemispheric- or dome-shaped rocking mechanism  114 . A cross-sectional view is also shown and is taken along line A-A of the perspective view of  FIG. 4 . The hollow hemispheric- or dome-shaped rocking mechanism  114  can be formed, for example, of molded plastic, a polymer material, wood, or metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel) and has a wall thickness suitable to resist splaying and deformation. In this embodiment, a through-hole  115  is provided at the apex of the hollow hemispheric- or dome-shaped rocking mechanism  114 , wherein the through-hole  115  can facilitate fastening the hollow hemispheric- or dome-shaped rocking mechanism  114  to the base plate  112  or to the seat  116 . By contrast,  FIG. 5  shows an exemplary embodiment of a solid hemispheric- or dome-shaped rocking mechanism  114  that is substantially solid. The solid hemispheric- or dome-shaped rocking mechanism  114  can be formed, for example, of molded plastic, a polymer material, wood, or metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel). An access channel  119  runs through the solid hemispheric- or dome-shaped rocking mechanism  114 , leading to the through-hole  115 . With respect to any of the hemispheric- or dome-shaped rocking mechanisms  114 , the radius can vary. For example, the radius can range from about 6 inches to about 20 inches. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , there is shown a side view of an exemplary rocking assembly  110  that includes the hollow hemispheric- or dome-shaped rocking mechanism  114  shown in  FIG. 4 , with the rocking mechanism  114  fastened to the base plate  112  via a fastener  600  ( FIG. 7 ). In an exemplary embodiment, fastener  600  can include an elastomeric portion  610 , which may be made of rubber or other similar material that will allow for the multidirectional movement of the rocking assembly  110 , and a pair of couplings  612  (one on each end of fastener  600 ). In an embodiment, elastomeric portion  610  is cylinder-shaped. Each of couplings  612  have a threaded end  614  to which a nut  616  can be attached. A washer (not shown) may also be installed on each of the threaded ends  614  of the couplings  612 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 6  and also now to  FIG. 8 , an opening  113  is provided in base plate  112  for attachment of the rocking mechanism  114  (and seat  116 ) to the base plate. In this embodiment, opening  113  is shaped and sized to receive the elastomeric portion  610  of the fastener  600 , such that the two threaded ends  614  protrude from opposite sides of the base plate  112 . The threaded end  614  facing the hollow hemispheric- or dome-shaped rocking mechanism  114  is fitted into the through-hole  115  of the hollow hemispheric- or dome-shaped rocking mechanism  114 . Then the nut  616  can be tightened onto the threaded end  614  for holding securely the hollow hemispheric- or dome-shaped rocking mechanism  114  to the base plate  112 . 
     Fastener  600  serves a plurality of functions—(1) the fastener  600  couples the hollow hemispheric- or dome-shaped rocking mechanism  114  (and the seat  116 ) to the base plate  112  and base assembly  130 , (2) due to its elastic components, the fastener  600  allows a user to rock, wobble, and/or swivel in the seat  116 , (3) the fastener  600  allows the hollow hemispheric- or dome-shaped rocking mechanism  114  to move side-to-side, front-to-back, and combinations of both side-to-side and front-to-back, and (4) the fastener  600  returns the seat  116  to a “neutral” position when the user gets up from the exercise chair  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , there is shown another exemplary embodiment of an exercise chair; namely, an exercise chair  200 . In the exercise chair  200 , the base assembly  130  includes four legs  132  that are coupled together at the top by four cross braces  134 . However, more or fewer legs  132  may be used. The legs  132  are sized and configured to position a user a certain height above the ground and to provide stability. While cross braces  134  serve to maintain the position of the legs  132 , other structures known in the art may be used to ensure that the legs  132  do not splay or otherwise fail to provide stability to the exercise chair  200 . The legs  132  may include, on a bottom or distal end, rollers or other devices to allow the exercise chair  200  to roll or move along a floor or other surface. A peg  136  is provided at the top or proximal end of each of the wooden legs  132 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , exercise chair  200  includes a height adjustment mechanism  140  that includes an arrangement of rail members  142 . Each of the rail members  142  has a hole (not shown) facing downward on each end and a peg  144  facing upward on each end. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , height adjustment mechanism shows a first pair of rail members  142   a ,  142   b  stacked atop the base assembly  130 . The holes (not visible) in rail members  142   a ,  142   b  mate with the pegs  136  of the base assembly  130 . A second pair of rail members  142   c ,  142   d  is stacked atop the first pair of rail members  142   a ,  142   b . The holes (not visible) in the rail members  142   c ,  142   d  mate with the pegs  144  of the rail members  142   a ,  142   b . In one example, each pair of the rail members  142  adds about 1 inch of height to the exercise chair  200 . Depending on the height of the user, the user may decide whether to include one pair of the rail members  142 , two pairs of the rail members  142 , or no pairs of the rail members  142 . In this way, the overall height of the exercise chair  200  can be adjusted to fit the user. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, base plate  112  of the rocking assembly  110  for exercise chair  200  is a wooden platform. The underside of the base plate  112  may include holes (not visible for receiving the pegs  136  of the base assembly  130  or the pegs  144  of the rail members  142 . Further, the seat  116  of the rocking assembly  110  can be a solid or padded seat. For example, the seat  116  may be cushioned or have features that conform to the user to allow for a more comfortable sitting position. In some embodiments, the seat  116  may be a flat surface that somewhat induces uncomfortableness so as to prompt the user to move occasionally. 
     Additionally, in the exercise chair  200 , the rocking mechanism  114  of the rocking assembly  110  can be a solid wooden hemispheric- or dome-shaped rocking mechanism  114 , wherein the apex of the hemispheric- or dome-shaped rocking mechanism  114  is facing upward and fastened to the seat  116 . The fastener, such as fastener  600 , is not visible, wherein the fastener allows the seat  116  to move side-to-side, front-to-back, and combinations of both side-to-side and front-to-back with respect to the hemispheric- or dome-shaped rocking mechanism  114 . 
     Reducing or entirely eliminating the rocking or similar movement of an exercise chair, such as exercise chairs  100  and  200 , may be desirable when the user no longer wishes it to move or when the user is finished using the chair (to prevent others from accidently sitting and then being surprised by the movement of the chair). Accordingly,  FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 12  show exemplary mechanisms suitable for immobilizing the rocking assembly of the presently disclosed exercise chairs. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11A  and  FIG. 11B  is a perspective view and a top down view, respectively, of an exemplary chock  1100  suitable for immobilizing the seat  116  of the exercise chair, such as exercise chairs  100 ,  200 . Namely, the chock  1100  is designed to inhibit or entirely prevent movement of the seat  116 . 
     In this example, the chock  1100  is generally disk shaped and is formed by two half-disks  1110  (e.g., half-disks  1110   a ,  1110   b ) that are coupled via a hinge  1112 .  FIG. 11A  shows the chock  1100  with the half-disks  1110   a ,  1110   b  in the open position.  FIG. 11B  shows the chock  1100  with the half-disks  1110   a ,  1110   b  in the closed position. Each of the half-disks  1110   a ,  1110   b  has a clearance region  1114  that when closed provides a fully formed center opening  1114  in the chock  1100 . The half-disks  1110   a ,  1110   b  can be held in the close position via a fastening mechanism  1116 . The fastening mechanism  1116  can be, for example, a hook and loop system (e.g., Velcro®), any type of magnetic fastener, any type of mechanical fastener, or the like. Optionally, the fastening mechanism  1116  can be omitted. 
     A surface  1118  of the disk-shaped chock  1100  is substantially flat while an opposite surface  1120  is contoured so as to substantially match the contour of, for example, ones of the rocking mechanisms  114  described herein. Accordingly, the outer periphery of the disk-shaped chock  1100  is taller relative to the inner periphery at the center opening  1114 . That is, the surface  1120  of the disk-shaped chock  1100  is substantially bowl-shaped. Further, the center opening  1114  (fully formed when closed) is sized and configured to surround, for example, the fastener  600 . 
     In the chock  1100 , the hinge  1112  is used to facilitate the installation and removal of the chock  1100 . Namely, when open, the half-disks  1110   a ,  1110   b  of the chock  1100  can be fitted beneath the seat  116  and then closed around any of the hemispheric- or dome-shaped rocking mechanisms  114 . In so doing, the chock  1100  fills the space between the base plate  112  and the seat  116 . Installation of the disk-shaped chock  1100  inhibits or entirely prevents movement (e.g., rocking, wobbling, and/or swiveling) of the hemispheric- or dome-shaped rocking mechanisms  114  and the seat  116 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , there is shown another exemplary chock, chock  1200 , which is suitable for immobilizing the rocking assembly  110  of the exercise chair, such as exercise chairs  100 ,  200 . Namely, the chock  1200  is designed to inhibit or entirely prevent movement of the seat  116 . 
     In this example, the chock  1200  includes a pair of rails  1210 , each with a guide feature  1212  running along its length. Generally, the rails  1210  are sized and designed to slide between the base plate  112  and the seat  116 . The underside of the seat  116  includes grooves  117  for receiving the guide features  1212  of the rails  1210 . Installation of the chock  1200  inhibits or entirely prevents movement (e.g., rocking, wobbling, and/or swiveling) of the rocking mechanisms  114  and the seat  116 . Further, certain grasping features (not shown) can be formed in the ends of the rails  1210  for easy grasping during installation and removal. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 13 to 15 , there is shown another exemplary rocking mechanism, rocking mechanism  1300 , suitable for inducing wobble and rotation for a user of an exercise device as described herein. In this embodiment, rocking mechanism  1300  has a generally eccentric bicylinder shape. At a high level, rocking mechanism  1300  includes a surface  1310  and a surface  1312  arranged in an eccentric bicylinder shape as shown.  FIG. 13  shows a first contact line (CL 1 ) that runs along the apex of the surface  1310  and a second contact line (CL 2 ) that runs along the apex of the surface  1312 . 
     In operation and referring now to  FIG. 16A , the eccentric bicylinder rocking mechanism  1300  is shown in  FIG. 13  in relation to the base plate  112  and the seat  116  of, for example, the exercise chair  100 . In this view, the seat  116  is fastened to the apex of the surface  1310  of the eccentric bicylinder rocking mechanism  1300 . Namely, the seat  116  contacts the eccentric bicylinder rocking mechanism  1300  along the first contact line (CL 1 ) of the surface  1310 , wherein the seat  116  can rock, wobble, and/or swivel about the first contact line (CL 1 ). In certain embodiments of the exercise chair discussed herein, the rocking mechanism, such as rocking mechanism  1300 , may be replaceable with other types of rocking mechanisms so as to customize the degree of rotatability for the user. In other words, and using as an example, rocking mechanism  1300 , if the radius of curvature of the surfaces of the rocking mechanism are high, the rocking mechanism can allow for more extreme, some might say, volatile, movement. In contrast, if the radius of curvature of the surfaces of the rocking mechanism are relatively low, the rocking mechanism can allow for less extreme movements. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 16B , there is shown a side view of the eccentric bicylinder rocking mechanism  1300  shown in  FIG. 13  in relation to the base plate  112  and the seat  116  of, for example, the exercise chair  100 . In this view, the base plate  112  is fastened to the apex of the surface  1312  of the eccentric bicylinder rocking mechanism  1300 . In this embodiment, the base plate  112  contacts the eccentric bicylinder rocking mechanism  1300  along the second contact line (CL 2 ) of the surface  1312 , wherein the base plate  112  can rock, wobble, and/or swivel about the second contact line (CL 2 ). 
     The combination of the seat  116  moving about the first contact line (CL) and the base plate  112  moving about the second contact line (CL 2 ), facilitates the multidirectional and/or multidimensional movement of the seat  116 , thereby allowing the user to rock, wobble, and/or swivel the seat  116  with a side-to-side rocking motion, a front-to-back rocking motion, or both a side-to-side and a front-to-back rocking motion. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 17 , there is shown yet another embodiment of a rocking mechanism, rocking mechanism  1700 . At a high level, rocking mechanism  1700  includes an arrangement of four halfpipe members  1710  that allow multidirectional and/or multidimensional movement of the seat  116 . In this embodiment, rocking mechanism  1700  includes, in order from bottom to top, halfpipe members  1710   a ,  1710   b ,  1710   c ,  1710   d . More specifically, the halfpipe member  1710   a  is arranged rounded side down and flat side up. Then, the flat side of the halfpipe member  1710   b  is placed atop the flat side of the halfpipe member  1710   a , wherein the lengths of the halfpipe members  1710   a ,  1710   b  are arranged together as shown. Accordingly, the rounded side of the halfpipe member  1710   a  is facing down and the rounded side of the halfpipe member  1710   b  is facing up. Next, the orientation of the halfpipe member  1710   c  is turned 90 degrees relative to the orientation of the halfpipe members  1710   a ,  1710   b , then the rounded side of the halfpipe member  1710   c  is placed against the rounded side of the halfpipe member  1710   b . The flat side of the halfpipe member  1710   c  is facing up. Next, the flat side of the halfpipe member  1710   d  is placed atop the flat side of the halfpipe member  1710   c , wherein the lengths of the halfpipe members  1710   c ,  1710   d  are arranged together as shown. 
     The interface of the halfpipe member  1710   a  to the halfpipe member  1710   b  provides an axis of motion in one direction (e.g., side-to-side rocking motion when installed in exercise chair  100 ). The interface of the halfpipe member  1710   c  to the halfpipe member  1710   d  provides an axis of motion in the other direction (e.g., front-to-back rocking motion when installed in exercise chair  100 ). Those skilled in the art will recognize that other supporting components, features, and/or structures (not shown) are provided in combination with the rocking mechanism  1700  for installation within the presently disclosed exercise chair. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 18  is a flow diagram of an example of a method  1800  of using the presently disclosed exercise chair  100  or  200 . The method  1800  may include, but it not limited to, the following steps. 
     At a step  1810 , the user removes the chock from between the seat and the base plate of the rocking assembly of the exercise chair. For example, the user removes the chock  1100  or the chock  1200  from between the seat  116  and the base plate  112  of the rocking assembly  110  of the exercise chair  100  or  200 . 
     At a step  1815 , the user sits on the seat of the rocking assembly of the exercise chair. For example, the user sits on the seat  116  of the rocking assembly  110  of the exercise chair  100  or  200 . 
     At a step  1820 , the user moves his/her body as desired to achieve side-to-side and/or front-to-back motion of the seat  116  of the rocking assembly  110  of the exercise chair  100  or  200 . In so doing, the user exercises the core musculature and small facet joints of his/her spine. 
     At a step  1825 , when the user is finished using the exercise chair  100  or  200 , he/she stands up from the exercise chair  100  or  200 . 
     At a step  1830 , the user reinstalls the chock between seat and base plate of rocking assembly of exercise chair. For example, the user reinstalls the chock  1100  or the chock  1200  between the seat  116  and the base plate  112  of the rocking assembly  110  of the exercise chair  100  or  200 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 19 , there is shown an exercise chair  1900  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Exercise chair  1900  includes a rocking assembly  1910  coupled to a base assembly  1930 . Rocking assembly  1910  includes a rocking mechanism  1914  (which can be sized and configured similar to rocking mechanism  1300 ), and a seat  1916 . Base assembly  1930  includes a height adjustment mechanism  1932 , which can be a manual or pneumatic actuator, and a plurality of generally radially arranged legs  1934 , each with a roller  1936 . 
     As with other exercise chairs described herein, rocking assembly  1910  is coupled to base assembly  1930 , using, for example, a fastener (not shown) the same as or similar to, fastener  600  ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ). 
     For the purposes of this specification and appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, sizes, dimensions, proportions, shapes, formulations, parameters, percentages, quantities, characteristics, and other numerical values used in the specification and claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” even though the term “about” may not expressly appear with the value, amount or range. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art depending on the desired properties sought to be obtained by the presently disclosed subject matter. For example, the term “about,” when referring to a value can be meant to encompass variations of, in some embodiments ±100%, in some embodiments ±50%, in some embodiments ±20%, in some embodiments ±10%, in some embodiments ±5%, in some embodiments 1%, in some embodiments ±0.5%, and in some embodiments ±0.1% from the specified amount, as such variations are appropriate to perform the disclosed methods or employ the disclosed compositions. 
     Further, the term “about” when used in connection with one or more numbers or numerical ranges, should be understood to refer to all such numbers, including all numbers in a range and modifies that range by extending the boundaries above and below the numerical values set forth. The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers, e.g., whole integers, including fractions thereof, subsumed within that range (for example, the recitation of 1 to 5 includes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, as well as fractions thereof, e.g., 1.5, 2.25, 3.75, 4.1, and the like) and any range within that range. 
     Although the foregoing subject matter has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that certain changes and modifications can be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.