# US 7,607,738 B2 · Contoured seat and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,607,738 B2 - Document ID: US7607738B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/532,143 - Filed: 2006-09-15 - Published: 2007-03-15 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2005-09-15 - Inventors: Matthew Wayne Gregory; Marshall Dean Gaddis - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7607738B2 ## CPC - A47C 7/029: {of non-adjustable shape adapted to a user contour or ergonomic seating positions} - A47C: CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS ## Abstract A contoured seat generally includes a seat surface for supporting the thighs and buttocks of a sitter and a back surface for supporting the lower back of a sitter. Defined by the seat surface are a pair of bilateral, spaced protrusions that are positioned to extend into performs musculature of the sitter. Preferably, the seat surface is inclined at a 5° to 15°, and more preferably a 7.5°, angle to induce forward pelvic tilt in conjunction with lower lumbar support of a forward angle of the back surface. The seat and back surfaces may define a sacral-coccyx pocket that has a depth that varies, along its proximal-distal path to allow for sacral stabilization. The sacral-coccyx pocket preferably is relatively narrow and deep proximally and flares as it extends in the distal direction. A reinforcing ridge may extend across a top edge of the sacral-coccyx pocket to provide additional support. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A contoured seating surface comprising: a seat portion having a surface configured to extend along thighs of a sitter and including a pair of spaced protrusions extending upward from the surface at positions corresponding to piriformis muscles of the sitter, wherein the protrusions are configured to apply targeted pressure to the piriformis muscles of the sitter when sitting in said contoured seating surface; and a back portion extending distally from, and at an angle to, said seat portion, wherein the seat and back portions are included in a sheet of finite thickness formed of a stiff material, wherein the back portion is at least partially bounded by a distal edge located distally from the seat portion and defines a pocket configured to accommodate a sacrum and coccyx of the sitter, said pocket including a concave contour relative to a seated position of the sitter that defines a volume that remains substantially unoccupied, and wherein said back portion is configured to flex inward to laterally compress and support a lower back portion of the sitter when sitting in said contoured seating surface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A contoured seating surface according to claim 1, wherein the protrusions extending upward from the surface of the seat portion are oval in shape. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A contoured seating surface according to claim 1, wherein the protrusions extending upward from the surface of the seat portion include a gel material. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A contoured seating surface according to claim 1, further comprising a support structure coupled to an underside of said seat portion, said support structure and said seat portion being configured to cause said seat and back portions to affect a pelvis angle of the sitter of about 15 degrees from horizontal and a lumbar lordosis angle of the sitter of about 60 degrees from vertical. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A contoured seating surface according to claim 1, wherein the pocket defined by said back portion has increasing width when moving in a direction from the distal edge towards the seat portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A contoured seating surface according to claim 1, wherein the distal edge has a thickness greater than that of the back portion defining the pocket. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A contoured seating surface according to claim 1, wherein said seat portion includes a pair of spaced ischium cushions extending upward from the surface at positions corresponding to the thighs of the sitter. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A contoured seating surface according to claim 1, further comprising a support structure coupled to an underside of said seat portion, said support structure and said seat portion being configured to cause the seat portion to assume an angle of inclination with respect to horizontal of between 5 and 10 degrees. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A contoured seating surface according to claim 1, further comprising a support structure coupled to an underside of said seat portion, said support structure and said seat portion being configured to cause the seat portion to assume an angle of inclination with respect to horizontal of about 7.5 degrees when occupied by the sitter. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A contoured seating surface according to claim 1, wherein the pocket is a cutout. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A contoured seating surface according to claim 1, wherein the seat portion includes at least one crossbar for securing one or more straps capable of securing said contoured seat to an existing surface. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A contoured seating surface according to claim 1, wherein the sheet is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, fiberglass, metal, or wood material. ### Claim 13 A contoured seating surface comprising: a sheet of finite thickness formed of a stiff material including: a seat portion having a surface configured to extend along thighs of a sitter; and a back portion extending distally from, and at an angle to, the seat portion, the back portion being at least partially bounded by a distal edge located distally from the seat portion and defining a pocket configured to accommodate a sacrum and coccyx of the sitter, the pocket including a concave contour relative to a seated position of the sitter that defines a volume that remains substantially unoccupied and having increasing width when moving in direction from the distal edge towards the seat portion, and the distal edge having a thickness greater than that of the pocket; and a support structure coupled to an underside of said seat portion, said support structure and said seat portion configured to cause said seat and back portions to affect an anatomical position in the sitter, wherein the back portion is configured to flex inward to laterally compress and support a lower back portion of the sitter when sitting in said contoured seating surface, and wherein said support structure includes at least one shock absorber comprising a deformable material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A contoured seating surface according to claim 13, wherein said support structure and seat portion are configured to cause said seat and back portions to affect a pelvis angle of the sitter of about 15° degrees from horizontal and a lumbar lordosis angle of the sitter of about 60 degrees from vertical. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) A contoured seating surface according to claim 13, wherein the support structure, seat portion, and back portion are configured to cause the seat portion to assume an angle of inclination with respect to horizontal of between 5 and 10 degrees. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) A contoured seating surface according to claim 13, wherein the support structure, seat portion, and back portion are configured to cause the seat portion to assume an angle of inclination with respect to horizontal of about 7.5 degrees when occupied by the sitter. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) A contoured seating surface according to claim 13, wherein said seat portion includes a pair of buttock contours proximal to said back portion, the buttock contours being inclined at about 4.5 degrees off horizontal. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) A contoured seating surface according to claim 13, further comprising a piece of furniture having a sitting portion capable of accommodating the sitter, and wherein said sheet is integrated into the sitting portion of said piece of furniture. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) A contoured seating surface according to claim 13, wherein the support structure is adjustable. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) A contoured seating surface according to claim 13, wherein the surface of the seat portion includes a pair of spaced protrusions extending upward from the surface at positions corresponding to piriformis muscles of the sitter, wherein the protrusions are configured to apply targeted pressure to the piriformis muscles of the sitter when sitting in said contoured seating surface. ### Claim 21 (depends on 13) A contoured seating surface according to claim 13, wherein the shock absorber comprises a deformable material with a density similar to that of human soft tissue. ### Claim 22 (depends on 13) A contoured seating surface according to claim 13, wherein said surface includes a pair of spaced ischium cushions extending upward from the surface at positions corresponding to the thighs of the sitter. ### Claim 23 A contoured seating surface comprising: a seat portion having a surface configured to extend along thighs of a sitter and including a pair of spaced protrusions extending upward from the surface at positions corresponding to piriformis muscles of the sitter, wherein the protrusions are configured to apply targeted pressure to the piriformis muscles of the sitter when sitting in said contoured seating surface; and a back portion extending distally from, and at an angle to, said seat portion, wherein the seat and back portions are included in a sheet of finite thickness formed of a stiff material, wherein the back portion is at least partially bounded by a distal edge located distally from the seat portion, and wherein said back portion is configured to flex inward to laterally compress and support a lower back portion of the sitter when sitting in said contoured seating surface. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) A contoured seating surface according to claim 23, wherein the seating surface defines a pocket configured to accommodate a sacrum and coccyx of the sitter, said pocket including a concave contour relative to a seated position of the sitter. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) A contoured seating surface according to claim 23, wherein the seating surface defines a cutout configured to accommodate a sacrum and coccyx of the sitter.