Chairs and seats – Movable bottom – Movable independently of back
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-20
2001-05-01
Cuomo, Peter M. (Department: 3636)
Chairs and seats
Movable bottom
Movable independently of back
C297S338000, C297S344180, C297S465000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06224154
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
(Not applicable)
STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
(Not applicable)
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to vertically operable chairs, and more particularly to an improved operable chair which includes the capability of tilting a seat as well as providing an operable foot support and a separate body harness for supporting the body independently of the seat.
(2) Background Information
The concept of chairs which are capable of vertical movement is well known in the prior art. Such chairs are common in barber shops as well as dental offices, to raise and lower a patient to a position comfortable for the person working on the patient. However, many jobs require an operator to stand for long periods of time at a particular work setting, and in many cases the operator must lean forward over the job site to perform the task. For example, a surgeon must lean over a patient's body for a lengthy period of time during many types of surgery. Thus, even if the surgeon were provided with an operable chair, the need to lean forward over the work site can easily fatigue the surgeon within a short period of time.
Thus, the vertical height of the chair is only one small part of providing an ergonomic environment for a surgeon, or other persons working in a similar environment.
Other features leading to fatigue include:
1. Maintaining the feet in a single position throughout the task;
2. Tilting forward on the edge of a seat to lean over the work environment; and
3. Retaining the upper torso leaning over a patient, or work environment, for a lengthy period of time.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide an improved operable chair which is ergonomic and reduces fatigue for operators sitting in the chair for a long period of time.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an operable chair which includes an operable footrest which may be raised, lowered, and tilted independently of the seat.
Still another object is to provide an improved operable chair with a seat which is vertically movable and tilted independently of the footrest.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved operable chair which provides a body harness for supporting the upper torso leaning forward out of the seat, to reduce back fatigue.
A further object is to provide an operable chair which is easily moved about a room, is easily operated, and simple to use.
These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
The operable chair of the present invention includes a seat which is pivotally connected to a support arm, the support arm being operably mounted on an upright frame for selective vertical movement along the frame. The seat is mounted for selective and adjustable tilting so that an operator may lean forward from the chair at a desired angle. A footrest is operably mounted to the upright support for selective vertical movement there along, independent of the seat. The footrest includes a foot platform which is selectively pivotable as well. A body restraining harness is provided for an operator seated in the seat, and includes an adjustable length cable connected to a bracket operably mounted on the upright support, to adjustably restrain the upper torso of a person seated in the seat, with the upper torso leaning forwardly over a desired work site.
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Cuomo Peter M.
Frederiksen Mark D.
Jessen P.C. Koley
White Rodney B.
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