Postural seat

Abstract

The invention relates to a postural seat (1) comprising a base (10) and legs (30), wherein the base (10) defines an internal space and comprises a lower face, a front face, a rear face opposite the front face and an upper face opposite the lower face, wherein the base (10) comprises, at its lower face, a flat support, and defines, on its upper face, a circular opening, wherein the seat (1) also comprises a proprioceptive element (20) that comprises a seat portion configured to receive the gluteal region of a user and a spherical cap that partially extends through the circular opening to form a gap with the edge of the circular opening, and wherein a portion comprising the pole of the spherical cap rests on the flat support so as to allow the spherical cap to tilt on a surface of the flat support.

Description

Postural seat

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of equipment adapted to improve the posture of an individual in a seated position and more particularly concerns a postural seat.

[0002] Nowadays, many people spend many hours sitting in a chair, especially in a professional context. This persistent posture puts these people at risk of developing health problems, such as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

[0003] One solution is to adapt work areas with specialized equipment, including height-adjustable desks for standing work and kneeling chairs, or even inflatable sphere-type sitting balls.

[0004] Kneeling chairs are chairs that generally have casters and are equipped with a seat and support for the user's knees. This type of chair does not have a backrest, and the user stabilizes themselves by resting their knees on the support. The device thus forces the user to maintain an active position while sitting, but can develop knee problems with prolonged use.

[0005] Sitting balls have the particularity of forcing the user to use more muscles in a seated position than on a chair or a static seat, making it possible to avoid the harmful effects of immobility and to vary the areas of stress thanks to the movements it offers.

[0006] However, due to its shape, a sitting ball is difficult to store and transport when not in use, requiring a user to deflate and reinflate it each time they wish, for example, to rearrange their workspace or move the sitting ball, for example between their home and office. In addition, the diameter and therefore the height of the sitting ball is fixed.

[0007] Additionally, a sitting ball is not inherently stable, and inattention on the part of the user can result in a painful fall. Furthermore, such a ball has a fixed diameter, requiring the user to change balls if they want a higher or lower seat. Finally, prolonged sitting on an inflatable ball is difficult due to the lack of a backrest.

[0008] Several solutions have been developed to try to overcome these drawbacks. For example, there are ball-and-socket stools comprising a base from which a leg rises, which is connected to the seat by a ball joint. This preserves the principle of the ball seat, and the device takes up little space and is easily height-adjustable. However, the seat is still unstable.

[0009] Another solution, notably presented in patent specification DE 10 2009 056692 B3, consists of a base delimiting a curved hollow of circular shape and a portion of a sphere. The domed part of the portion of the sphere is mounted on a ball placed in the center of the curved hollow and its flat part constitutes the seat on which the user sits.

[0010] This modular solution is easily transportable but requires a support to install it, for example a stool or a base, to allow the user to sit, which has several disadvantages. For example, if the base is placed on the support without being fixed, it will present instability and a risk of falling for the user. Otherwise, fixing the base to the support can be tedious and time-consuming.

[0011] Furthermore, the ball allows positioning and maintenance of the sphere portion, but causes friction at the interface of said ball and the spherical portion, which can limit the movement of the user and therefore the stressing effect of the device. In addition, the curved surface of the hollow causes friction of the spherical portion and further limits the degrees of freedom of the user, the ball making it possible to prevent slipping.

[0012] There is therefore a need for a simple and effective solution to at least partially overcome these drawbacks.

[0013] For this purpose, the invention firstly relates to a postural seat, said seat comprising a base and a plurality of legs, said base defining an internal space and comprising a lower face, a front face, a rear face opposite said front face, two lateral faces opposite each other and connecting the front face and the rear face and an upper face opposite the lower face, the plurality of legs extending from the lower face of the base, said seat being remarkable in that:

[0014] - the base comprises, at its lower face, a flat support and delimits, on its upper face, a circular opening,

[0015] - said seat further comprises a proprioceptive element, said proprioceptive element comprising a seat portion configured to receive the gluteal region of a user of the seat and a spherical cap extending partly through the circular opening, forming a space with the edge of the circular opening and a portion of which comprising the pole of the spherical cap rests on the flat support so as to allow the spherical cap to tilt on a surface of said flat support.

[0016] By "postural seat" we mean a seat that significantly reduces the harmful effects of prolonged sitting on posture and therefore on health. By "proprioceptive element" we mean an element that uses the joints and muscles to improve the user's posture.

[0017] The tilting of the spherical cap is only constrained by the edge of the circular opening. In the absence of a ball and in the presence of a flat support, the mechanical constraints are limited to the friction of the spherical cap on the flat support and are therefore less significant than with the solution with a curved hollow and a central ball of the prior art. In particular, the point sphere-plane connection allows more degrees of freedom than the solution of the prior art described in patent DE 10 2009 056692 B3 because it prevents by definition only one degree of freedom, namely translation along the normal to the plane. Thus, by limiting friction and allowing more freedom of movement, the seat according to the invention allows better proprioceptive work.The removal of the ball and the use of a flat rather than curved support prove counterintuitive for the skilled person because they cancel the certain positioning of the spherical cap in the center of the base. Furthermore, in view of patent DE 10 2009 056692 B3, the skilled person would have instead used a ball bearing system or a surface treatment to reduce friction.

[0018] Preferably, the seat comprises a screw with a threaded rod on which is mounted a spring locked by a nut screwed onto the rod, the head of the screw is positioned under the flat support and the rod passes through the flat support and the sphere portion of the spherical cap at its pole to stiffen the connection while allowing tilting movements of the sphere portion on the flat support in order to allow the user to maintain balance to correct his posture. Tightening the screw, via its head, makes it possible to compress or relax the spring to stiffen or release the connection so that the sphere portion moves more or less easily depending on the user's weight.

[0019] More preferably, the seat further comprises a rounded part comprising a flat face mounted against the spring and a convex face resting on the internal face of the sphere portion at its pole, possibly via a washer, making it possible to tilt the sphere portion while providing force feedback to return it to its initial position, i.e. straight, when it is not subjected to any force.

[0020] In one embodiment, the seat comprises a backrest. For example, the seat is a chair. The backrest extends from the upper face of the base, for example via a connecting arm, to the rear face of said base.

[0021] In another embodiment, the seat may be a stool or other object made for sitting.

[0022] Preferably, the back of the seat is foldable, for example mounted in an articulated manner between a use position in which the back is unfolded and a storage position in which the back is folded in order to be able to reduce the volume of the seat and thus to transport and store it more easily.

[0023] As an alternative or addition, the backrest is removable.

[0024] Advantageously, the backrest comprises at least one locking member for locking the backrest in the storage position and / or in the use position in order to prevent it from unfolding or folding by itself when the seat is moved. Preferably, the at least one locking member comprises a notch, a hook, a clip system, a fixing strap or any other type of suitable locking element.

[0025] Advantageously, in the storage position, the backrest is folded onto the proprioceptive element, i.e. resting against the proprioceptive element, so as to hold it in the base. The proprioceptive element is therefore locked in the base when the seat is in the storage position.

[0026] In one embodiment, the backrest is configured to, in the storage position, conform to the proprioceptive element. The proprioceptive element is therefore fully locked, preferably without play, by the backrest when the seat is in the storage position.

[0027] Advantageously, the backrest and the proprioceptive element have complementary shapes so that they are nested in the backrest storage position. This nesting allows for greater compactness of the seat in the storage position and ensures that the proprioceptive element is locked during transport.

[0028] Advantageously, the backrest is articulated on the base by one or more hinge-type connections, in particular pivots, preferably of the self-locking type, for example mounted on one or more connecting arms. This type of hinge allows easy and rapid handling to move the seat from the use position to the storage position and vice versa.

[0029] Preferably, each leg of the plurality of legs is connected to the underside of the base in an articulated manner between a use position in which said leg is unfolded and a storage position in which said leg is folded in order to further reduce the volume of the seat and thus to transport and store it more easily.

[0030] More preferably, each leg of the plurality of legs is connected to the underside of the base by a hinge-type joint, preferably self-locking. This type of hinge allows easy and rapid installation of the seat in the use position and avoids the need for an additional locking means to hold the legs in the storage position.

[0031] Alternatively, each leg may comprise a male locking element, for example in the form of a toothed wheel on its outer periphery, complementary to a female locking element, for example respectively in the form of a hollow toothed wheel on its inner periphery, so that the male locking element can fit into the female locking element in order to lock the two locking elements in rotation. These locking elements make it possible to lock the legs either in the deployed position for using the seat, or in the folded position under the base.

[0032] Advantageously, in the storage position, each leg of the plurality of legs is folded against the underside of the base. The seat in the storage position is more compact and therefore easier to transport and store.

[0033] Preferably, in the storage position, each leg of the plurality of legs is folded onto the underside of the base along one of the edges of said underside.

[0034] Preferably, the feet can be adjustable in height, for example by being telescopic.

[0035] According to one aspect of the invention, the seat portion comprises a support fixed to the flat surface of the spherical cap, said support extending above the edge delimiting the circular opening. Thus, the support can rest on said edge during sufficient tilting of the spherical cap to prevent the user from finding himself in an uncomfortable position, or even falling from the seat.

[0036] Advantageously, the support comes in the form of a plate, for example made of wood, or a cushion.

[0037] In one embodiment, one of the front face, the rear face, and two side faces comprises a handle. Preferably, the handle is located on the front face. This handle allows the seat to be transported when it is in the storage position.

[0038] Advantageously, the base has a parallelepiped shape.

[0039] In another embodiment, the seating portion is formed from the flat surface of the spherical cap.

[0040] In one embodiment, the seat comprises armrests fixed to the base and / or to the backrest, preferably in a removable manner, i.e. extractable without tools.

[0041] For example, each armrest may include an arm configured to be mounted by mechanical engagement.

[0042] In one embodiment, each armrest is foldable and / or removable, for example clippable and unclippable.

[0043] Preferably, each armrest is height adjustable to accommodate the user's height.

[0044] The invention also relates to a hinge, in particular for furniture, for example a seat or a table, said hinge comprising a male locking element, for example in the form of a toothed wheel on its external periphery, complementary to a female locking element, for example respectively in the form of a hollow toothed wheel on its internal periphery, so that the male locking element can fit into the female locking element in order to lock the two locking elements in rotation. These locking elements make it possible to lock the feet either in the deployed position for using the seat, or in the folded position under the base.

[0045] Each hinge can be metallic or made from the same material as the foot.

[0046] Preferably, the male locking element comprising a circular central hole, the hinge comprises a two-part holding member, each part comprising a disc from the center of which extends a cylinder, the two cylinders being complementary and being configured to be inserted through the holes and to engage one another in order to maintain the male locking element nested in the female locking element.

[0047] Preferably, the two cylinders of the holding member are integral and configured to be moved between a holding position in which the discs are pressed against the male locking element and against the female locking element in order to keep them in position one inside the other, and an open position in which the two discs are separated so as to be able to remove the male locking element from the female locking element to rotate them relative to each other and thus be able to fold or unfold the feet.

[0048] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from reading the description which follows. This description is purely illustrative and must be read in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:

[0049] Diagrammatically illustrates a perspective view of a chair according to the invention in the position of use.

[0050] Diagrammatically illustrates a top view of the chair without the proprioceptive element.

[0051] Diagrammatically illustrates a perspective view of the proprioceptive element of the chair.

[0052] Diagrammatically illustrates a side and sectional view of the chair in the position of use.

[0053] Diagrammatically illustrates a perspective view of the chair in storage position.

[0054] Schematically illustrates a perspective view from below of the chair in storage position with the legs folded.

[0055] Schematically illustrates an example of fixing the spherical cap to the flat support by a spring screw system, in the rest position.

[0056] Schematically illustrates the attachment of the in an inclined position of use.

[0057] Diagrammatically illustrates an advantageous example of a hinge for the legs of the seat according to the invention.

[0058] Diagrammatically illustrates the male locking element and the female locking element of the hinge of the, nested one inside the other.

[0059] Diagrammatically illustrates an example of a postural seat 1 according to the invention in the form of a chair.

[0060] Chair 1

[0061] As shown in the, the chair 1 comprises a base 10, a proprioceptive element 20, a plurality of legs 30 and a backrest 40.

[0062] The chair 1 is configured to have a use position in which the chair 1 is unfolded as shown in the and in which the user can sit on it.

[0063] The chair 1 is also configured to have a storage position in which the chair 1 is folded as shown in the and in which the user can in particular store and transport the chair 1.

[0064] Base 10

[0065] The base 10 is parallelepipedal in shape and comprises a lower face 110, a front face 120, a rear face 130 opposite the front face 120, two lateral faces 140 opposite each other and connecting the front face 120 and the rear face 130, an upper face 150 opposite the lower face 110.

[0066] An internal space 160 is defined inside the parallelepiped base 10.

[0067] In this example, the front face 120 advantageously comprises a handle 120A to be able to easily transport the chair 1 in the storage position.

[0068] The base 10 comprises, at its upper face 150, a support portion 152 extending both from the front face 120, the rear face 130 and the side faces 140 towards the center of said upper face 150.

[0069] As shown in the, the support portion 152 comprises an edge 154 delimiting a circular opening 156 centered on the upper face 150.

[0070] The base 10 also includes a planar support 112 mounted at the lower face 110 while being centered with said circular opening 156 and which extends from one side face 140 to the opposite side face 140.

[0071] Armrests fixed to the base 10 and / or to the backrest 40 may be provided, preferably being removable.

[0072] For example, each armrest may include an arm configured to be mounted by mechanical engagement.

[0073] Proprioceptive element 20

[0074] As shown in the, the proprioceptive element 20 comprises a spherical cap 210 and a seat portion 220 configured to receive the gluteal region of a user of the chair 1.

[0075] The spherical cap 210 comprises a flat surface 211 and a portion of sphere 212 whose free end is designated “pole” 213.

[0076] The spherical cap 210 extends partly through the circular opening 156 forming a space with the edge 154 of said circular opening 156.

[0077] As shown in the figure, the portion of sphere 212 comprising the pole 213 rests on the flat support 112 of the base 10 so as to allow the tilting of the spherical cap 210 on an area of ​​said flat support 112.

[0078] Advantageously, with reference to figures 7 and 8, the sphere portion 212 is fixed to the flat support 112 by means of a screw 215 with a threaded rod 215A on which is mounted a spring 216 making it possible to stiffen the connection while allowing tilting movements of the sphere portion 212 on the flat support 112 in order to allow the user to maintain balance to correct his posture.

[0079] More precisely, the head 215B of the screw 215 is positioned under the flat support 112 and the rod 215A passes through the flat support and the sphere portion 212 at its pole 213 while a nut 217, mounted on the rod 215A, makes it possible to lock the spring 216 on the rod 215A. The tightening of the screw 215, via its head 215B, makes it possible to compress or relax the spring 216 to stiffen or loosen the connection. In other words, the tension of the spring 216 can be adjusted by screwing or unscrewing the screw in order to increase or decrease the tension of the spring 216 to ensure that the sphere portion 212 moves more or less easily depending on the weight of the user.

[0080] The screw 215 and spring 216 system further comprises a rounded part 218 comprising a flat face mounted against the spring 216 and a convex face bearing on the internal face of the sphere portion 212 at its pole 213, possibly via a washer (not visible for the sake of clarity) making it possible to tilt the sphere portion 212 while providing force feedback to return it to its initial position, i.e. straight, when it is not subjected to any force, as illustrated in the figure.

[0081] On the, the sphere portion 212 undergoes the off-center weight of a user so that it is inclined, carrying the rounded part 218 with it, the rounded part 218 then allowing, with the return spring 216, to replace the sphere portion 212 in its initial position of the.

[0082] The seat portion 220 is in the form of a plate, for example made of wood, metal or plastic material, possibly padded with a quilted layer on its upper part in order to receive the gluteal region of the user.

[0083] The seat portion 220 is fixed on the flat surface 211 of the spherical cap 210 and extends beyond said spherical cap 210 transversely so as to block the tilting of the spherical cap 210 on the edge of the circular opening 156 from a given tilting angle when the edge of the seat portion 220 comes into contact with the support portion 152.

[0084] Feet 30

[0085] As shown in the, chair 1 includes four legs 310.

[0086] Each foot 310 is mounted in an articulated manner on the lower face 110 of the base 10 by means of an articulation which, in this non-limiting example, takes the form of a self-locking hinge 320.

[0087] Each leg 310 can switch between a position orthogonal to the base 10 when the chair 1 is in the use position and a folded position on the lower face 110 of the base 10 when the chair 1 is in the storage position.

[0088] As shown in the, when the chair 1 is in the storage position, the legs 310 are connected along the sides of the lower face 110.

[0089] The hinge 320 being self-locking, it makes it possible to keep the corresponding foot 310 folded down on the lower face 110 in the storage position and the foot 310 unfolded in the use position as shown in the.

[0090] Preferably, the hinge 320 has a release mechanism that the user operates to unlock the self-locking hinge 320 and thus be able to move the chair 1 from the storage position to the use position and vice versa.

[0091] Illustrates a preferred example of a hinge 320 for folding the legs 310 of the chair 1. Each hinge 320 may be metallic or made of the same material as the leg 310.

[0092] Each hinge 320 is integrated into the foot 310 and comprises a male locking element 321, in the form of a toothed wheel on its external periphery and provided with an orifice 321A in its center, and a female locking element 322, in the form of a hollow toothed wheel on its internal periphery in a manner complementary to the male locking element 321.

[0093] As illustrated in the, the male locking element 321 is configured to fit into the female locking element 322, forming a nested connection to lock the foot 310 in rotation, in particular in the deployed position for using the seat 1 or in the folded position under the base 10.

[0094] In the example of the, the foot 310 being in two parts 310-A, 310-2 of which a part 310-2 is mounted (not visible on the) on the lower face 110 of the base 10. The female locking element 322 comprises a fixing plate 322P fixed on said part 310-2 of the foot 310 and the male locking element 321 comprises a fixing plate 321P fixed on the other part 310-1 of the foot 310.

[0095] The hinge 320 comprises a two-part holding member 323A, 323B, each part 323A, 323B comprising a disc 323A1, 323B1 from the center of which extends a cylinder 323A2, 323B2. The two cylinders 323A2, 323B2 are complementary and are configured to be inserted through the orifice 321A and to fit one another in order to maintain the male locking element 321 nested in the female locking element 322 while being movable to disengage the male locking element 321 from the female locking element 322 and thus move the foot 310 from a folded position to an unfolded position and vice versa.

[0096] Preferably, the two cylinders 323A2, 323B2 of the holding member are mounted so as to be permanently secured but are configured to be moved between a holding position in which the discs 323A1, 323B1 are pressed against the male locking element 321 and against the female locking element 322 in order to keep them in position one inside the other, and an open position in which the two discs 323A1, 323B1 are separated so as to be able to remove the male locking element 321 from the female locking element 322 to make them rotate relative to one another and thus be able to fold or unfold the feet 310.

[0097] Preferably, the feet 310 can be adjustable in height, for example by being telescopic.

[0098] File 40

[0099] As shown in the, the backrest 40 extends from the upper face 150 of the base 10 to the rear face 130 of said base 10.

[0100] As shown in the, the backrest 40 comprises two uprights 410, a resting surface 420, two hinges 430 and a locking member 440.

[0101] The two joints 430 are mounted on the two uprights 410 and allow the backrest 40 to be folded onto the proprioceptive element 20 when the user wishes to place the chair 1 in the storage position and to unfold the backrest 40 when the user wishes to place the chair 1 in the use position.

[0102] In the position of use, the backrest 40 extends substantially orthogonally to the base 10.

[0103] In the storage position, the backrest 40 rests on the seat portion 220 of the proprioceptive element 20 and is configured to hold it in this position.

[0104] A locking member 440 makes it possible to lock the backrest 40 in the storage position. For example, the locking member 440 may be a strap as shown in the, or a hook or a clip connection.

[0105] Implementation example

[0106] When the chair 1 is in the use position, the user can sit on the seat portion 220 of the proprioceptive element 20.

[0107] In this position, the proprioceptive element 20 is not stable since it only rests on the flat support 112 by the contact of the pole 213 of the spherical portion 210. This instability forces the user to mobilize his deep muscles, in particular at the level of the pelvis and the spine, to remain stable.

[0108] Thus, chair 1 allows the user to remain in a seated position while not remaining static by varying the stress zones on the lower back and pelvis, which reduces the risks of developing pathologies linked to a prolonged static sedentary situation.

[0109] If the user ever tilts the proprioceptive element 20 too far, the spherical portion 210 comes into contact with the edge 154 of the support portion 152, which blocks the tilting of the proprioceptive element 20 and prevents the user from falling.

[0110] In the case where there is no solid connection between the pole 213 and the flat support 112 also allows the spherical cap 210 to slide on the flat support 112 without being blocked, which allows the user additional degrees of freedom in tilting to mobilize his pelvis.

[0111] In this use, it is the seat portion 220 which will block the inclination of the proprioceptive element 20 by coming into abutment on the support portion 154.

[0112] The user can put chair 1 in storage position, in particular for storing or transporting it.

[0113] To do this, the user folds the backrest 40 using the joints 430. The resting surface 420 then comes into contact with the seat portion 220 and thus makes it possible to lock the proprioceptive element 20 in the storage position. The backrest 40 is then fixed to the base 10 by the locking member 440, which in Figures 5 and 6 is a strap which is attached to the seat portion 220 and which could alternatively be a hook or a clip.

[0114] The user also folds each leg 310 onto the lower face 110 of the base 10 using the hinges 320. The hinges 320 automatically lock in this position and keep the legs 310 folded under the lower face 110.

[0115] Once chair 1 is in the storage position, the user can use handle 120A to carry it.

[0116] To return the chair 1 to the position of use, the user simply unfolds the backrest 40 and the legs 310 in reverse.

Claims

Postural seat (1), said seat (1) comprising a base (10) and a plurality of legs (30), said base (10) defining an internal space (160) and comprising a lower face (110), a front face (120), a rear face (130) opposite said front face (120), two side faces (140) opposite each other and connecting the front face (120) and the rear face (130) and an upper face (150) opposite the lower face (110), the plurality of legs (30) extending from the lower face (110) of the base (10), the backrest (40) extending from the upper face (150) of the base (10) to the rear face (130) of said base (10), said seat (1) being characterized in that: - the base (10) comprises, at its lower face (110), a flat support (112) and delimits, on its upper face (150), a circular opening (156), - said seat (1) further comprises a proprioceptive element (20),said proprioceptive element (20) comprising a seat portion (220) configured to receive the gluteal region of a user of the seat (1) and a spherical cap (210) extending partly through the circular opening (156) forming a space with the edge (154) of the circular opening (156) and of which a sphere portion (212) comprising the pole (213) of the spherical cap (210) rests on the flat support (112) so as to allow the spherical cap (210) to tilt on a surface of said flat support (112)., Seat (1) according to claim 1, comprising a screw (215) with a threaded rod (215A) on which is mounted a spring (216) blocked by a nut (217) screwed onto the rod (215A), the head (215B) of the screw (215) being positioned under the flat support (112) and the rod (215A) passes through the flat support (112) and the sphere portion (212) of the spherical cap (210) at its pole (213). Seat (1) according to claim 2, further comprising a rounded part (218) comprising a flat face mounted against the spring (216) and a convex face resting on the internal face of the sphere portion (212) at its pole (213). Seat (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, said seat (1) comprising a backrest (40) mounted in an articulated manner between a use position in which the backrest (40) is unfolded and a storage position in which the backrest (40) is folded. Seat (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the backrest (40) comprises at least one locking member (440) making it possible to lock the backrest (40) in the storage position. Seat (1) according to any one of claims 4 or 5, in which, in the storage position, the backrest (40) is folded onto the proprioceptive element (20) so as to hold it in the base (10). Seat (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6 in which the backrest (40) is articulated on the base (10) by hinge-type connections (420). A seat (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein each leg (310) of the plurality of legs (30) is connected to the underside (110) of the base (10) in an articulated manner between a use position in which said leg (310) is unfolded and a storage position in which said leg (310) is folded. Seat (1) according to the preceding claim, in which each leg (310) of the plurality of legs (30) is connected to the lower face (110) of the base (10) by a self-locking hinge-type joint (320). Seat (1) according to the preceding claim, in which, in the storage position, each leg (310) of the plurality of legs (30) is folded against the lower face (110) of the base (10). Seat (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the seat portion (220) comprises a support fixed on the flat surface (211) of the spherical cap (210), said support extending above the edge (154) delimiting the circular opening (156). Seat (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one of the front face (120), the rear face (130) and two side faces (140) comprises a handle (120A).

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