Compound stool with energy storing spring

Abstract

A compound stool provides a base supporting a seat structure for limited vertical motion with an energy storing spring communicating between the base and seat structure to bias the seat structure upwardly but allow its motion downward relative to the base. The seat structure moves downwardly responsive to a user's weight as the user is seated to store energy generated in the spring by its compression. The spring releases stored energy as the user exits from the stool to aid the user's exiting motion. The base provides auxiliary wheels for locomotion and peripheral supports to aid a user's motion in entering and exiting the stool. The seat structure may be locked in lowermost position, once attained by a user's weight thereon.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] There are no applications related hereto heretofore filed in this or any foreign country. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of Invention [0003] My invention relates generally to chairs or seats and more particularly to a compound stool having a compression spring between a base and a relatively movable seat structure which may move vertically to aid a user's ingress on and exit from the stool. [0004] 2. Background and Description of Prior Art [0005] Stools have long been used for support of a seated user and, though their developmental period has been long and the state of their development has become sophisticated, there still remain unsolved problems with present day stools. The instant stool solves some of those remaining problems by providing a relatively low seat structure that moves vertically to allow a seated user to easily work on a surface supporting the stool, while yet providing auxiliary supports and associated spring structure to store...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention is a stool with a unique base that supports a seat support structure that can move vertically. The stool has a compression spring that moves vertically to store and release energy to help the user get up from the stool. The stool also has three wheels for easy movement and positioning on a supporting surface. The stool has latch mechanism to keep it in a lowermost position. The stool is designed to be durable, simple, and suitable for various uses."

Problems solved by technology

Stools have long been used for support of a seated user and, though their developmental period has been long and the state of their development has become sophisticated, there still remain unsolved problems with present day stools.

The average height of ordinary seat support surfaces is approximately 18 to 20 inches above a supporting surface, but it often is difficult for some users of seating devices to gain a seated position even on such seat support surfaces.

This difficulty tends to increase in proportion to the distance that the seat support surface varies from the average seat support height and is enhanced by any physical decrepitude that the user may have, such as from age or infirmities.

Such lower seating devices provide particular problems and challenges for a disabled or infirm user as they are particularly difficult to both enter and exit.

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