Ergonomic chair and system

• US 9,282,826 B1
• Filed: 01/31/2013
• Issued: 03/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tara Hickman
• Original Assignee: Clever Concepts, LLC
• Inventors: Hickman, Tara
• Primary Examiner(s): GABLER, PHILIP F
• Application Number:
  US13/754,933
• Time in Patent Office: 1,139 Days
• Field of Search: 297/161, 297/188.14, 297/188.15, 297/217.3, 297/411.35, 297/411.36, 297/411.37, 297/411.38
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/54 Supports for the arms
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/62 Accessories for chairs

Abstract

Ergonomic chairs, systems and hand and arm support structures capable of comfortably supporting upper arms, forearms, back, seat, and hand heels of a user are provided. Devices and device holders designed for ergonomic benefit to be utilized in conjunction with the chairs, systems, and support structures are also disclosed. Device holders feature a platform and a hand heel rest. Actuator components of a number of the devices are disposed on a multidimensionally arcuate surface.

Claims

1. An ergonomic chair for supporting a user, the chair comprising:

a seat having a top surface;

a back support coupled to the seat; and

first and second forearm supports coupled to at least one of the seat and the back support, each of the first and second forearm supports comprising;

a forearm rest having a top surface, a front end, a rear end and opposing lateral side edges; and

first and second sides coupled to the opposing lateral side edges of the forearm rest, each of the first and second sides being adapted to pivot relative to the forearm rest to accommodate variable forearm girth;

wherein the top surface of the forearm rest for each of the first and second forearm supports extends at an acute, non-parallel angle relative to the top surface of the seat in the direction from the rear end of the forearm rest to the front end of the forearm rest.

2. The ergonomic chair of claim 1 further comprising:

a first upper arm support to be positioned above a first elbow of the user, the first upper arm support being spaced apart from and connected to the first forearm support; and

a second upper arm support to be positioned above a second elbow of the user, the second upper arm support being spaced apart from and connected to the second forearm support.

3. The ergonomic chair of claim 2 further comprising:

a first device holder coupled to at least one of the seat and the first forearm rest, the first device holder being independently adjustable with respect to a position relative to the first forearm support;

a second device holder coupled to at least one of the seat and the second forearm rest, the second device holder being independently adjustable with respect to a position relative to the second forearm support.

4. The ergonomic chair of claim 3 wherein each of the first and second device holders comprises:

a platform with a flat top surface and front end;

a hand heel rest that is spaced apart from and connected to the top surface of the platform, the hand heel rest having a flat top surface; and

a palm rest that is spaced apart from and connected to the platform, the palm rest being spaced away from the hand heel rest and including a convex distal surface;

wherein the front end of the platform is adapted to be attached to a device.

5. The ergonomic chair of claim 4 wherein the device holder further comprises:

a thumb rest that is connected to the platform.

6. The chair of claim 5 wherein the thumb rest further comprises:

an actuator in electronic communication with an electronic device coupled to the device holder.

7. The ergonomic chair of claim 4 wherein the device comprises alphanumeric actuators disposed in rows that define a QWERTY pattern.

8. The ergonomic chair of claim 7 wherein the alphanumeric actuators comprise a first actuator and a second actuator in a common row, the first actuator being recessed with respect to the second actuator.

9. The ergonomic chair of claim 7, wherein a surface on which the alphanumeric actuators are disposed is multidimensionally concave.

10. The ergonomic chair system of claim 4 wherein the device is a holder adapted to support one of a tablet and a mobile device.

11. The ergonomic chair of claim 1 further comprising:

a frame, the frame capable of coupling the seat to the back support.

12. An ergonomic support structure adapted to be attached to a chair, the chair comprising a seat and a back support coupled together, the seat having a top surface, the support structure capable of supporting a forearm of a user with the user seated in the chair, the support structure comprising:

a forearm rest having a top surface, a front end, a rear end and opposing lateral side edges; and

first and second sides coupled to the opposing lateral side edges of the forearm rest, each of the first and second sides being adapted to pivot relative to the forearm rest to accommodate variable forearm girth;

wherein the top surface of the forearm rest for each of the first and second forearm supports extends at an acute, non-parallel angle relative to the top surface of the seat in the direction from the rear end of the forearm rest to the front end of the forearm rest.