Translatable Armrest Stool Design for Ergonomic Chest and Arm Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stools and chairs are not ergonomically designed to support tattoo artists or medical personnel, leading to fatigue and discomfort when leaning forward for extended periods, as they do not adequately support the chest, arms, and shoulders.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable support apparatus with translatable armrests and a padded chest support that allows for ergonomic positioning, enabling the user to lean forward comfortably while maintaining unrestricted movement of the arms and shoulders, and can be adjusted to support the user's body in various positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional stools and chairs are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but they cannot provide ergonomic support for the chest and arms when leaning forward
Solution Approach 1:
The support apparatus is divided into distinct functional segments: a chest support component, armrest components, and a seat component. These segments can be independently positioned and adjusted to provide ergonomic support for the chest and arms while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The armrests are designed to be movable between a stowed position (alongside the chest support) and a deployed position (extending forward). This dynamic capability allows the structure to adapt to different user needs and leaning positions, providing ergonomic support without requiring a completely complex fixed structure.
2Ease of operation
If the chest support is made narrower to allow arm movement, then arm mobility is improved, but the chest support surface area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The chest support is designed with a narrower width to allow arm passage, compensating by extending in the vertical dimension and providing sufficient surface area through increased height or depth. This dimensional redistribution maintains both arm mobility and adequate chest support area.
3Ease of operation
If the armrests are made shorter than forearm length, then wrist and hand movement is unrestricted, but the armrest surface area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The armrests are designed with specific local characteristics: shorter length to allow wrist and hand freedom, but with optimized width and contouring at the contact surface to provide sufficient support area for the forearm. This localized quality adjustment resolves the contradiction between movement freedom and support area.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the armrests are made translatable between stowed and deployed positions, then ergonomic positioning is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The armrests incorporate a translation mechanism that allows movement between stowed and deployed positions. This dynamic feature provides ergonomic positioning flexibility while using relatively simple mechanical components that do not significantly increase overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The translatable armrest mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides ergonomic positioning, allows easy stowing when not needed, and maintains a compact profile. This multi-functionality justifies the added mechanism complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single design feature.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus that supports a user in a variety of positions to comfortably perform tasks, such as applying one or more tattoos to skin of a subject is herein disclosed. The apparatus can be reconfigured to optimally position and support the arms and/or chest of the user. The apparatus includes a vertically movable armrest assembly. Armrests can support the user's forearms while supporting the user's chest such that the user can comfortably perform tasks in front of a chest support of the stool. The armrest assembly can be translated vertically to accommodate the user's body to achieve desired positioning.