Adjustable chair, in particular to prevent users from deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Abstract

An adjustable chair for supporting a user in either a traditional seated position in which a pair of legs of the user rest upon a floor, or in a relaxed seated position in which at least one of the legs of the user are supported above the floor, provides a base supporting an aft cushion assembly, a forward cushion assembly, and an upwardly extending seat back which cooperate to support the user in a seated position. The forward cushion assembly being movably attached to the aft cushion assembly with a movement assembly which allows both horizontal and vertical movement of the forward cushion assembly. The aft cushion assembly being adjustable attached to the base with an adjustment assembly which allows adjustment of the angle of the aft cushion assembly.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] This invention relates generally to adjustable chairs, and more particularly to an adjustable chair for application in all places where people are sitting for a long period of time, like for example in computer work places as an office seat, in airplanes or busses as a passenger seat, or for disabled people to offer more comfort and to prevent users from Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). [0003] 2. Description of Related Art [0004] An adjustable chair has been developed to support the human body in a restful and comfortable position and in a relaxed seated position in which both legs of the user are lifted off the floor. Jonas, U.S. Pat. No. 6,578,915, teaches such an adjustable chair, which is especially meant for use in airplanes or busses where the lack of movement resulting from being confined to one's seat might contribute to medical conditions such as DVT, a condition which can be fatal. The known adjustable chair pr...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] Preferably in each vertical position of the forward cushion assembly the forward cushion assembly being able to move freely in a horizontal direction. The advantage of this is that the user more easily can swing his legs because of the free horizontal movement of the forward cushion assembly. The blood circulation will be improved during swinging which further reduces the risk of DVT.

[0012] The moving means further being able to move the forward cushion assembly in a horizontal direction to an extend at which said forward cushion assembly is at a horizontal distance from the aft cushion assembly and contacts a lower thigh portion of the legs of the user. This is advantageous especially for long people to offer a better support for their legs.

[0013] On the other hand, in an embodiment which is advantageous for short people and children, the forward cushion assembly being removable from the chair or the forward cushion assembly being movable (mechanically or manually) to a position underneath the aft cushion assembly, so that short people can sit in a normal way, which means that they can bend their knees while sitting with their back against the seat back.

[0015] In yet a further embodiment the chair further comprises means for controlling the moving means at least such that the moving means can move the forward cushions continuously or intermittently up and down and / or forwards and backwards. This feature is especially advantageous for disabled people, like paralyzed people, who can not swing or lift their legs. By moving the legs a better blood circulation will be achieved which significantly reduces the risk of DVT.

[0016] The adjustable seat according to the invention also offers more comfort to people, especially tall people, as they actually have more leg room and can feel more at ease.

Problems solved by technology

Further for some users the simultaneous lifting of both legs is disadvantageous.

For example for pregnant women or overweight people, when lifting both legs undesired forces can be acted on their body.

Further some kind of disabled people can not swing or lift their legs, like paralyzed people.

So the known chair device doesn't offer an optimal solution for these kinds of persons.

Also for other kinds of users the simultaneous lifting of both legs can cause some problems and discomfort.

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