Seat with adjustable support system

• US 20060001304A1
• Filed: 06/27/2005
• Published: 01/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: track-tec Ltd
• Original Assignee: Brock M. Walker
• Inventors: Walker, Brock M., O'Brien, James A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,537,286 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/284.800
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/462 adjustable by mechanical means
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/643 shape of the back-rests B60N2/66 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/66 Lumbar supports
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0689 specially adapted for pilots

Abstract

A sacral support assembly for use with a seat is provided. The seat includes a seat frame. An adjustable sacral support assembly is connected to the seat frame. The sacral support assembly includes a sacral support member adapted to support the sacrum of a seated user even when an obstruction is located between the user and the sacral support assembly. A method is also provided for delivering primary support to a user'"'"'s sacrum and sacral-pelvic anatomy and secondary support to the remaining regions of the spine and/or adjacent anatomy to reduce fatigue, increase comfort, structural balance, stability, and posture control for a user, and a system for adjusting and controlling the load distribution from the sacral anatomy to the spine and other anatomical structures adjacent to a user'"'"'s sacrum, for example, the pelvis, lumbar, thoracic and cervical regions.

Claims

1. A device for supporting a user'"'"'s sacral anatomy while the user is wearing an obstructive element and is in a seated position, the device comprising:

a seat having a seat back with a front portion, a rear portion and a frame, the front portion including a support cushion therebehind;

a support member operably connected to the frame; and

an adjustable sacral support member pivotally connected to the support member, the sacral support member operable to move toward and away from a rear surface of the front portion of the seat back.

2. The sacral support element of claim 1 wherein the sacral support member has a top portion with a greater horizontal width dimension than a bottom width dimension.

3. The sacral support element of claim 2 wherein the top portion has a horizontal width dimension of about 3.25 inches, and the bottom portion has a width dimension of about 2.6 inches.

4. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a second support member operably connected to the frame; and

a complementary support member operably connected to the second support member.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the complementary support member is configured to support one of the thoracic region of the spine of a user, the thoracic-lumbar region of the spine of a user, the lumbar region of the spine of a user, and the lumbar-sacral region of a user.

6. The device of claim 5, further comprising a load distribution material disposed between the support cushion and the complementary support member.

7. The device of claim 6, further comprising a load distribution material disposed between the support cushion and the sacral support member.

8. The device claim 4 wherein the sacral support member is operably connected to the complementary support member.

9. The device of claim 8 further comprising an actuator operably connected to the sacral support member and the complementary support member, wherein the actuator is configured to control the position of the sacral support member and the complementary support member relative to the frame.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the actuator includes at least one button.

11. The device of claim 9 wherein the actuator includes at least one wheel.

12. The device of claim 9 wherein the sacral support member is configured to extend a first maximum distance relative to the frame, and the complementary support member is configured to extend a second maximum distance relative to the frame, wherein the first maximum distance is greater than the second maximum distance.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein the sacral support member is configured to tilt between 40 and 85 degrees relative to the frame.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein the sacral support member travels a distance of about 3 inches relative to the frame.

15. The device of claim 8 further comprising a cable suspension, wherein the sacral support member is operably connected to the complementary support member by the cable suspension.

16. The device of claim 1, further comprising a load distribution material disposed between the cushion and the front portion.

17. The device of claim 1, further comprising a load distribution material disposed between the cushion and the sacral support member.