US 6,811,225 B1 · Ergonomic seat and method

Abstract

A seat apparatus and method particularly well adapted for use in mobile platforms, and more particularly in a commercial aircraft. The seat apparatus includes a seat portion with linkage that enables a user to lift and tilt the seat portion forwardly while simultaneously moving a seat back of the apparatus from a reclined to a fully upright position. An extendable leg rest assembly allows the user to kneel thereon to further relieve lower back stress during prolonged periods of seating and to better enable the seat occupant to make use of a laptop computer or other equipment positioned in front of the occupant. The seat apparatus therefore provides a plurality of different seating positions for the occupant, thus enhancing the comfort of the occupant during prolonged seating periods and while the seat occupant is performing various tasks.

Claims31

Dependent claims

A seat comprising:

a seat portion upon which an individual can sit, said seat portion having a rear portion and being movable from a first position, wherein said seat portion supports said individual in a slightly reclined orientation, to a second position wherein said seat portion is disposed at least slightly above said first position for supporting a back of said individual in a generally upright position;
a seat back portion for supporting a back of said individual, said seat back portion being pivotally coupled to said rear portion of said seat portion such that said seat back portion can be moved from a reclined position into a generally vertical position;
a leg rest assembly operably associated with said seat portion and movable generally linearly in a sliding fashion from a stowed position into a usable position projecting forwardly of said seat portion, to thereby enable said individual to kneel on said leg rest assembly;
and
a frame for supporting said seat portion and said seat back above a support surface.

2 more elements

A seat comprising:

a seat portion upon which an individual can sit, said seat portion having a rear portion and being movable from a first position, wherein said seat portion supports said individual when said individual is sitting both in an upright position and in a slightly reclined orientation, to a second position in which said seat portion is raised above said first position and supports said individual with said individual's back in a generally vertical position;
a seat back for supporting a back of said individual, said seat back being pivotally movable relative to said rear portion of said seat portion such that said seat back can be moved from a reclined position into a generally vertical position;
a leg support assembly operably associated with said seat portion and movable generally linearly in sliding fashion from a stowed position underneath said seat portion into a usable position projecting forwardly of said seat portion, to thereby enable said individual to kneel on said leg support assembly;
and
a frame for supporting said seat portion above a support surface.

2 more elements

A seat for a mobile platform, comprising:

a seat portion upon which an individual can sit, said seat portion having a rear portion and being movable from a first position, wherein said seat portion is generally horizontally disposed and supports said individual when said individual is sitting both in an upright position and in a slightly reclined orientation, to a second position in which said seat portion is inclined forwardly above said first position and places said individual in a position such that said individual's back is in a generally vertical position;
a back portion for supporting said back of said individual, said back portion being pivotally movable relative to said rear portion of said seat portion such that said back portion can be moved from a reclined position into a generally vertical position;
a leg rest assembly operably associated with said seat portion and movable generally linearly in sliding fashion from a stowed position underneath said seat portion into a usable position projecting forwardly of said seat portion and non-parallel to said seat portion, to thereby enable said individual to comfortably kneel on said leg rest assembly when said seat portion is in said second position;
a frame for supporting said seat portion above a support surface;
and
a pair of links for pivotally supporting said seat portion relative to said frame.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Ergonomic seat and method

Life of this patent

Ergonomic seat and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims31