Background of the Invention Field of the Invention

This invention relates to chairs.

More particularly, this invention relates to adjustable chairs .

In a further and more specific aspect, the instant invention relates to a chair for supporting the human body, and for adjusting to meet unique ergonomic characteristics of individuals . Prior Art

Chairs are very well known in the prior art and normally consist of a movable piece of furniture designed for the use of one person and consisting of a seat, legs, a backrest, and sometimes arms. Chairs are provided in a variety of shapes and sizes, and have been the subject of design experts and design enthusiasts throughout much of modern and pre-modern history. For instance, in the 20th century, professional designers have used newly available materials and techniques to create entirely new chair forms. Modern chair designers routinely focus upon elements such as simplicity of design, comfort, ingenious use of materials, the capability of mass manufacture, and public acceptance. Many exemplary chair forms incorporate movable or adjustable elements which allow one to selectively adjust portions of the chair to a desired and comfortable seating configuration.

For instance, one such chair incorporates a rigid frame

member having a seat portion and a separate backrest. Both the seat portion and the backrest are adjustably coupled to the frame allowing for alternate, generally up and down, adjustment of the seat portion and the backrest, respectively, thereby allowing the seat height and the height of the backrest to be selectively adjusted. Other chair apparatus incorporate a seat portion rigidly coupled to, in integral with, a backrest, all of which may be selectively adjusted generally up and down along portions of a rigid frame of a chair. Yet still further chair apparatus are of the type having rigid seat portions and rigid backrests, which may be selectively folded for compact storage or transport .

The common element inherent with the above mentioned prior art chairs is uni-axial or one-directional selective adjustment. In other words, the seat portions and the backrests of the above mentioned prior art chairs are restrictively adjustable along only one general axis, the axis of which is normally determined by the axis the backrest occupies. Although the ability to adjust the height of both the seat portion and the backrest serves an important function of accommodating some specific ergonomic seating needs, the unique array ergonomic characteristics encountered from one human being to another are not sufficiently addressed ergonomically by the mere adjustment of height alone.

To meet the specific ergonomic characteristics and needs of human beings having a wide range of body types, from the very petite to the very large, the prior art has provided chair or seating apparatus having selectively adjustable lumbar support

elements, backrests selectively and pivotally adjustable in relation to seat portions, and seat portions having adjustable seating elements for relieving pressure upon the thighs of the user. These chair or seating apparatus are exemplary for accommodating a wide range of ergonomic characteristics. However, these apparatus tend to be considerably expensive and complex to manufacture, and therefore impractical for efficient and inexpensive mass production. Additionally, since these above mentioned apparatus also incorporate many movable and adjustable parts, they tend to break easily or wear down, which can require expensive repair and inconvenience to the user.

Of particular importance in the art of chair and seating apparatus is the daunting task of creating a combination of structural seating elements desirably, selectively and easily compliant to the specific comfort and perhaps therapeutic needs of the user, thereby allowing personalization in a seating apparatus. The satisfaction of this goal is especially important to appease the wide variety of ergonomic characteristics in the children attending the school systems throughout not only the United States, but all countries where children attend educational institutions. As a result of the extensive degree of growth children experience from kindergarten through high school, the need for a chair or seating apparatus for use in the classroom which is able to meet each individual child' s specific ergonomic needs for proper seating posture is compelling.

Presently, the chairs that children use during the course of their educational experiences are rigid structures which are

typically not adjustable. As a result, these chairs can be terribly uncomfortable for children of varying size and shape, especially for children of small stature and large stature. In particular, the chairs specifically used in combination with educational institutions are generally sized for an individual having an average size in relation to a specific age group. For example, kindergarten chairs are specifically sized for the average size of an average kindergarten student. Likewise, grade school chairs are specifically sized for the average size of an average grade school student. However, designing a chair or seating apparatus for an individual of average size in a particular age group places those of non-average size in a position of having to use a chair that is outside their range of comfort and acceptable ergonomic support. As a result of having to use a chair that is either too small, too large, or dimensionally inadequate for supplying correct ergonomic support, individuals tend to slouch, squirm, or otherwise sit in such a way that is contrary to recommended seating posture, which can not only cause back pain or other types of pain, but can often lead to poor posture .

It will readily be appreciated that there is a compelling need for a chair or seating apparatus having selectively adjustable elements for meeting a wide and variable range of ergonomic needs of individuals having specific and unique physical characteristics.

It would be highly advantageous, therefore, to remedy the foregoing and other deficiencies inherent in the prior art.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to

provide a new and improved chair.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved chair selectively adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of body sizes.

And another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved chair that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and useful chair that is easy to adjust.

Yet another object to the instant invention is to provide a new and useful chair that provides recommended ergonomic support for individuals having an array of anthropomorphic characteristics.

Yet still another object of the instant invention is to provide a new and useful chair that is comfortable.

And a further object of the invention is to provide a new and useful chair that encourages recommended seating posture as well as a latitude for seated postural changes unavailable in fixed chairs of prior art .

Still a further object of the immediate invention is to provide a new and useful chair that fits a substantially wide range of ergonomic variances.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a new and useful chair that inhibits poor seating posture.

And still a further object of the invention is to provide a new and useful chair that may be easily repaired if broken.

And a further object of the invention is to provide a new and useful chair that may be easily recycled.

And still a further object of the instant invention is to provide a new and useful chair having an adjustable seating area for selectively accommodating a wide range of specific body types . Brief Description of the Drawings

The foregoing and further and more specific objects and advantages of the instant invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the instant invention constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of an engagement pair of the instant invention;

Figure 5 is a side elevation view of the instant invention very similar to the view of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the instant invention very similar to the view of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a first body supporting element of the instant invention;

Figure 8 is an enlarged side sectional view of another engagement means of the instant invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Turning now to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed to Fig. 1 which illustrates a first embodiment of the instant invention comprising an adjustable chair being generally designated by the reference character 20. As can be seen from the above reference figure, adjustable chair 20 includes a base 21, a first body supporting element 22, and a second body supporting element 23. With continuing reference to Fig. 1, and additional reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the base 21 of the instant invention includes a generally circular first tube member 30 and a generally circular second tube member 31, both of which include portions receivable against an exterior surface such as floor 26 for supporting an elevated assembly. The first tube member 30 includes a generally horizontal intermediate section 32 with front and rear upwardly and inwardly generally convergent terminal sections, 33 and 34 respectively, all of which are integrally formed. Preferably fabricated of a rigid hollow tubular material, first tube member 30 further includes open end 33A associated with section 33, and open end 34A associated with section 34. Sections 32, 33 and 34 further include generally cylindrical outer surfaces 32A, 33B and 34B, respectively. Sections 33 and 34 function as sockets for receiving other elements or components of the chair 20 as will be described presently.

The second tube member 31 includes a generally horizontal intermediate section 38 with front and rear upwardly and

inwardly generally convergent terminal sections, 39 and 40 respectively, all of which are integrally formed. Preferably fabricated of a rigid hollow tubular material, second tube member 31 further includes open end 39A associated with section 39, and open end 40A associated with section 40. Sections 38, 39 and 40 further include generally cylindrical outer surfaces 38A, 39B and 40B, respectively. Sections 39 and 40 function as sockets for receiving other elements or components of the chair 20, as will be described presently.

With momentary references to Fig. 4, it is seen that section 34 is provided with a diametric bore 45 extending therethrough. A similar bore, although not herein specifically shown, is provided in combination with section 33, 39 and 40, details of which will be described presently.

With continuing reference to Fig. 3, the chair 20 further includes a pair of front upstanding elongate support members 48 and 49. Preferably constructed of a rigid hollow tubular material, the elongate support members 48 and 49 include bottom terminal portions 50 and 51, respectively, with free ends 52 and 53, respectively, all of which are receivable within the sockets defined by sections 33 and 39. Members 48 and 49 further include generally cylindrical outer surfaces 54 and 55, respectively, with a plurality of spaced-apart apertures 58 formed therealong, and free ends 59 and 60, respectively. It is seen that elongate members 48 and 49 function as front legs for receiving other elements or components of the chair 20 as will be herein presently described.

The chair 20 is also seen as provided with a pair of rear

upstanding elongate support members 70 and 71. Preferably constructed of a rigid hollow tubular material, the elongate support members 70 and 71 include bottom terminal portions 72 and 73, respectively, with free ends 74 and 75, respectively, all of which are receivable within the sockets defined by sections 34 and 40 respectively. Members 70 and 71 further include generally cylindrical outer surfaces 76 and 77, respectively, upper terminal portions 78 and 79, respectively, with a plurality of spaced-apart diametric bores 80 formed therealong, and free ends 81 and 82, respectively. Elongate members 70 and 71 function as rear legs for receiving other elements or components of the chair 20, as will be described presently.

Again with reference to Fig. 4, it is seen that elongate member 70 is provided with a diametric bore 83 extending therethrough. A similar bore, although not herein specifically shown, is provided in combination with elongate members 48, 49 and 71 proximate free ends 52, 53 and 75, respectively. It will be understood that when the terminal portions 50, 51, 72 and 73 are received within the sockets defined by sections 33, 39, 34 and 40, respectively, diametric bore 83 and diametric bore 45 become aligned. Once the diametric bores 83 and 45 are aligned, threaded portion 84 of the bolt 85 may be received therethrough and threaded nut 86 then threadably received thereon for fixedly and detachably engaging the respective elongate members 48, 49, 70 and 71 to the respective sections 33, 39, 34 and 40 of base 21. The threaded nut 86 and bolt 85 combination herein described is the preferred means of detachably and selectively

engaging and securing the elongate members 48, 49, 70 and 71, respectively, to portions of base 21. It will be readily appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art that any preferred and suitable engagement means may be used for detachably and selectively engaging elongate members 48, 49, 70 and 71 to the base 21.

With continuing reference to Fig. 3, and additional reference to Fig. 7, the first body supporting element 22 of chair 20, which is preferably constructed of a substantially rigid material such as plastic or wood, is seen as having a main support panel 90, a downwardly extending rear panel 91, forwardly tapered downwardly extending side panels 92 and 93, all being integrally formed. The main support panel 90 includes a front edge 94, an upper surface 90A and a lower surface 90B. Additionally, the rear panel 91 and the side panels 92 and 93 each include outer surfaces 91A, 92A and 93A, respectively, and inner surfaces 91B, 92B and 93B, respectively. Coupled to portions of inner surfaces 90A, 92B and 93B is provided a generally U-shaped support member 98. Preferably integrally fabricated of a rigid hollow tubular material, the support member 98 includes an intermediate section 99 and downwardly extending side support sections 100 and 101, having open free ends 100A and 101A associated therewith, respectively. The open free ends 100A and 101A, respectively, are selectively sized to inwardly and telescopingly receive free ends 81 and 82 and the terminal portions 78 and 79 of elongate members 70 and 71 respectively.

With momentary reference to Fig. 8, it is seen that side

section 100 is provided with a diametric bore 105. When free end 81 and portions of terminal portion 78 of elongate member 70 are telescoping received therein section 100, one of a selected of the diametric bores 80 may be selectively and desirably aligned with diametric bore 105. Once aligned, the free end 106 of locking pin 107 may be selectively disposed therethrough for selectively and lockingly engaging section 100 to elongate member 70, with the outwardly tensioned protruding member 108 of the locking pin 107 functioning to inhibit the locking pin 107 from disengaging therefrom by snapping outwardly in a locked position once disposed through diametric bores 80 and 105. The locking pin 107 is also seen as having a headed end 109 with a handle portion 110 coupled thereto. The locking pin 107 assembly herein described encompasses the preferred engagement means for selectively and lockingly engaging section 100 to portions of the terminal portion 78 of elongate member 70. It will be readily appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art, that any preferred and suitable engagement means may be used in lieu of the locking pin 107 assembly herein described. A similar locking pin 107 assembly, although not specifically herein shown, is provided in combination with section 101 and elongate member 71.

Attention is again directed to Fig. 3, and further to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, which illustrate the second body supporting element 23, which is preferably constructed of a substantially rigid material such as plastic or wood, as having a main support panel 115 having a generally concave inner surface 116, a generally convex outer surface 117, and a bottom edge 113.

Support panel 115 further includes integrally attached spaced- apart downwardly extending elongate support members 118 and 119, each having a closed upper end 120 and 121, respectively, and an open lower end 122 and 123, respectively, the support members 118 and 119 being preferably constructed of a rigid hollow tubular material. The open free ends 122 and 123, respectively, are selectively sized to inwardly and telescopingly receive free ends 59 and 60 and the terminal portions 56 and 57, respectively, of elongate members 48 and 49, respectively. A similar locking pin assembly, such as the one herein described in combination with Fig. 8, is similarly provided in combination with section elongate support members 118 and 119 and elongate members 48 and 49, respectively, details of which will not herein again be specifically described.

With specific reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the first body supporting element 22 is selectively and telescopingly movable between a first position close to open end 34A depicted in Fig. 6 and a second position spaced-apart from open end 34A of which can be seen in Fig. 5. It will be appreciated that the first body supporting element 22 comprises a seat member, the upper surface 90A of which functions as a seating surface upon which an individual may sit upon. Furthermore, the first body supporting element 22 is selectively and telescopingly movable between a first position close to open end 33A depicted in Fig. 6, and a second position spaced-apart from open end 33A of which can be seen in Fig. 5. It will be appreciated that the second body supporting element 23 comprises a back support member, the concave inner surface upon which an individual may position his

or her back when seated upon the seating surface defined by upper surface 90A.

As can be seen in Fig. 6, the first body supporting element 22 and the second body supporting element are disposed in angular, telescoping and diverging relation relative to one another. When the first body supporting element 22 and the second body supporting element 23 are disposed in the first position, respectively, the distance between the floor 26 and the seating surface defined by upper surface 90A, and the distance between the bottom edge 113 of the second body supporting element 23 and the floor encompasses a first seating height A, and a first back support height A' , respectively. As a result of such a configuration, the accessible seating surface defined by upper surface 90A generally encompasses a first seating area X denoted from and along the angle of the second body supporting element 23 intersecting upper surface 90A designed by dotted line G, and front edge 94 of support panel 90. When the first body supporting element 22 and the second body supporting element 23 are disposed in the second position, respectively, the distance between the floor 26 and the seating surface defined by upper surface 90A, and the distance between the bottom edge 13 of the second body supporting element 23 and the floor encompasses a second higher seating height B' , respectively. As a result of such a configuration, the accessible seating surface defined by upper surface 90A generally encompasses larger or expanded second seating area X' denoted from and along the angle of the second body supporting element 23 intersecting upper surface 90A designed by dotted

line G, and front edge 94 of support panel 90. As a result of the selectively and alternately adjustable nature of the first body supporting element 22 and the second body supporting element 23, individuals having varied ergonomic characteristics may selectively, alternately, telescopingly, and divergingly adjust the first body supporting element 22 and the second body supporting element as desired to meet those specific and unique ergonomic needs, selective and alternate adjustment of which facilitating a relative, selective and desired ergonomic effect.

It will be readily appreciated by those having ordinary skill that the first body supporting element 22 and the second body supporting element 23 may be selectively and alternatively adjusted to meet specific ergonomic needs of a specific user or individual having a wide range of ergonomic characteristics.

Various changes and modifications to the embodiment herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof which is assessed only by a fair interpretation of the following claims.

Having fully described the invention in such clear and concise terms as to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the same, the invention claimed is: