Active sitting device with central pivot

Abstract

A sitting device that encourages the active engagement of the user to remain upright. A seat (14) supported by a central column (12) passes through a pivot joint (16) supported by a base (10). The pivot joint (16) is located substantially at the median of the central column (12) between the seat (14) and the bottom of the base (10). The central column (12) pivots angularly providing the user mobility in his or her hips and lumbar, thoracic, and cervical spine. The central column (12) and seat (14) are brought back to vertical when the sitting device is not in use by means of a counterweight (18) affixed to the bottom of the central column (12). The length of the central column (12) may be adjustable to allow the user to select the desired height of the seat (14). The pivot joint (16) may be a spherical plain bearing, spherical ball bearing, gimbal bearing, spherical thrust bearing, or other device that allows the central column (12) to pivot angularly. The base (10) supporting the pivot joint (16) and central column (12) may contain as few as one leg and as many legs as needed to support the user. The movement of the pivot joint (16) may be inhibited by affixing a collar lock (40). The frictional resistance of the pivot joint (16) may be adjusted with a set screw (50).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.