ACTIVE RESPONSE SEATING SYSTEM

• US 20100140998A1
• Filed: 10/05/2007
• Published: 06/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Millerknoll Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Brock Walker
• Inventors: Walker, Brock
• Granted Patent: US 8,398,170 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/284.100
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/029 of non-adjustable shape adapted to a user contour or ergonomic seating positions
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/14 of adjustable shape; elastically mounted ; adaptable to a user contour or ergonomic seating positions movably-coupled seat and backrests with elastic adjustment means A47C1/03261; elastically-mounted back-rests or backrest-seat units in the base frame A47C7/44
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/144 with array of movable supports
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/40 for the back
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/425 Supplementary back-rests to be positioned on a back-rest or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/46 with special, e.g. adjustable , lumbar region support profile; "Ackerblom" profile chairs
• CPC Class Codes: B68G 5/00 Resilient upholstery pads finished upholstery B68G11/00 ; making upholstery from plastics B29D99/0092

Abstract

A seat having a plurality of defined zones for supporting the human anatomy. The zoned seating can also include one or more recoil shields that can be one piece, multiple pieces, or can itself comprise multiple sections that correspond with the multiple zones or individual zones. The seating can also include inserts to assist in supporting or isolating certain desired portions of the human anatomy. The seating includes both seat back structures and seat pan structures, with each including a zoned configuration designed to support and stabilize specific structures of the human anatomy in a defined manner. The zones can separate independent and defined zones that are designed to be separate and act as individual anatomical support areas that collectively support, cradle and permit the human anatomy to be supported in a comfortable manner. It is preferred that the zones act and operate independently from one another. However, the zones could be arranged, for example, by size, design, formation, or the shape of construction, to interact with adjacent zones. The seat can also be formed around and/or from a molded, contoured member that itself replicates a surface taken from a multi-zoned surface which has been adjusted to fit an individual.

Claims

1. A zoned seat having a plurality of anatomy related support zones each being formed from a shaped structure so that the plurality will collectively provide separate and individualized anatomical support to a supported human anatomy.

2. The zoned seat as in claim 1 wherein the seat includes both a seat back and a seat pan each of which are zoned.

3. The zoned seat as in claim 1 further including at least one recoil shield that cooperates with at least one zone to provide an active response to applied loads onto that at least one zone.

4. A seat comprised of a seat back and a seat pan each of which are comprised of a frame, a molded member comprised of a contoured surface reflecting a surface equivalent to a surface collectively formed from a plurality of zoned structures that support specific portions of the human anatomy in discrete terms, a layer of foam positioned on the molded member and an exterior trim package overlying the foam layer.

5. A seat comprised of a seat pan comprised of a frame, a molded member comprised of a contoured surface reflecting a surface equivalent to a surface collectively formed from a plurality of zoned structures that support specific portions of the human anatomy in discrete terms, a layer of foam positioned on the molded member and an exterior trim package overlying the foam layer.

6. A multi-zoned seat having a seat pan comprised of separate anatomical supporting zones including a first gluteal zone, a second pelvic and proximal femur zone, a third femur zone, a fourth distal femur zone, a fifth posterior pelvic zone, a sixth hip and proximal femur zone and a seventh medial femur zone.

7. The multi-zoned seat as in claim 6 further including a seatback comprised of separate anatomical zones including a first sacral support zone, a second lumbar vertebra complex zone, a third ilium and para-vertebral zone, a fourth thoracic skeleton zone, a fifth cervical zone, a sixth upper thoracic zone and a seventh scapular zone.

9. The contoured member as in claim 7 further including a support mechanism to support the member.

10. The contoured member as in claim 7 further including a layer of foam positioned on the contoured member and a trim package enclosing the contoured member and the foam layer.

11. The contoured member as in claim 9 further including an exterior frame supporting the collective structure.

12. The contoured member as in claim 10 wherein the collective structure comprises a seat having a seat pan.

13. The contoured member as in claim 11 further including a seat back.

8. A contoured member molded or shaped to replicate a contoured surface formed from a plurality of individual, movable zoned sections which have been positioned at selected positions, each relative to one another and to a reference position, so that each will intersect a selected portion of the human anatomy.

14. A multi-zoned anatomical supporting seat comprised of a seat pan having a core section comprised of a plurality of individual zones for separately and individually supporting the posterior pelvic region, the ischail tuberosities and the distal and medial femurs, and a seatback comprised of a core section comprised of a plurality of individual zones for separately and individually supporting the sacrum, the lumbar vertebra complex, the thoracic-lumbar transition, the thoracic region, the cervical thoracic, the medial rib cage and scapulae.

15. A multi-zoned seat having a support structure formed from a plurality of independent zoned sections that provide specific support for selected portions of the human anatomy, the seat comprising a seat pan formed with a plurality of frontal zones, a plurality of medial zones and an opposing pair of lateral zones, and a seatback formed with a plurality of spinal support zones, a plurality of opposing sets of zones for supporting the para-spinal and pelvic to thoracic structures and an opposing pair of lateral zones.

16. The multi-zoned seat as in claim 15, further including a recoil shield attached to at least the seat pan to provide resilient support to selected zones therein.

17. The multi-zoned seat as in claim 16, wherein the seatback includes a recoil shield attached thereto to provide resilient support to selected zones therein.

18. The multi-zoned seat as in claim 17, wherein the recoil shields are shaped to provide additional resistance upon the application of force thereto.

19. The multi-zoned seat as in claim 17, wherein each recoil shield is attached by being mounted to rear surfaces of the zoned sections.

20. The multi-zoned seat as in claim 17, wherein each recoil shield is attached by being incorporated within the zoned sections.