Upright active-sitting seat

#The invention relates generally to seating. In particular, the present invention relates to seating, such as chairs and other support structures. The invention relates to a piece of furniture to replace or compliment a traditional sit down chair and/or sit down workstation.

#Seating is very well known in the prior art. Seating is, traditionally, of the configuration and arrangement where the user “sits down.” For example, a bench, chair or sofa employs this common configuration.

#However, many people find that the traditional “sitting down” position assumed when using typical office seating has, over time, a detrimental impact on the physical body. The result of this constant sedentary position, that does not encourage or allow for a great deal of physical movement, has recently come to be known as “sitting disease.” Remaining in this traditional sitting position over extended periods of time day after day has been proven, based on a 2010 study by the American Cancer Society and published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, to have the effect of potentially shortening one's life. The study shows that an individual is up to 71% (men and women combined) more likely to die younger if s/he were inactive and sat over 6 hours per work day.

#The novel features which are characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. However, the invention's preferred embodiments, together with further objects and attendant advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

#FIG. 1a is a view of a first prior art chair;

#FIG. 1b is another view of the prior art of FIG. 1;

#FIGS. 3-9 show a preferred embodiment of the seat of the present invention. The upright active-sitting seat 10 of the present invention includes of an adjustable base (or baseplate) 12, an angled footrest 14 supported by wheels 40, a spring-loaded universal joint (or articulating joint) 30 (shown in detail in FIGS. 11-17) contained in a mount 11, a single pneumatically adjustable leg 18, an ergonomically designed seat pan 20, a self molding seat cushion 22, and a living hinge seat to leg connection 24, an adjustment lever 26 to adjust the seat pan and a foot peg 28 for controlling the pneumatics of the adjustable leg, such as releasing the leg to lengthen the seat height and retracting the seat height when extended.

#As can be seen in FIG. 3, the present invention is an upright leaning chair, which supports the pelvis and sitz bones. It allows for the user to rotate the leg 18 forward and back about the base 12, and thus choose between a leaning or sitting posture, both positions to provide freedom of position and movement while working. As will be discussed below, the leg can uniquely move in any direction, including front to back and side to side and positions in between. The present invention preferably uses a contoured “tractor” or “saddle” design for the seat pan 20 and seat cushion 22 that allows for more of a perching position and added comfort. However, any type and configuration of seat pan can be used and still be within the scope of the present invention.

#As shown in FIG. 3, the mount 11, which contains the articulating joint 30, has a rear leg 13A and a front leg 13B that support it. The front leg 13B of the mount 11 is connected to the base 12 having a footrest 14. The base 12 is releasably connected to the mount by a fastener 17 on the base that is received through a hole in the base 12 and then through a slot 15 in the front leg 13B and into a fastener receiver 19 such that the distance from the footrest to the mount can be adjusted and then secured in place by releasing the fastener and sliding the front leg 13B in or out of an opening in the base 12, according to user preferences.