US5588704A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ergonomic antifatigue seating device and method
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1996-04-15
•
Granted: 1996-12-31
•
Expires: 2016-04-15
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus is disclosed for periodically and rhythmically lifting one hip of a seated person and then the other, thereby simulating the muscle stimulation and relaxation imparted to a person by walking. A rotatable support panel is provided for alternately lifting and moving backward and forward each hip of a seated person.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard D. Harza
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 23:46
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47C; A47C9/00; A47C9/002; A47C3/00; A47C3/02; A47C3/025; A47C3/0251; A47C3/0255; A61; A61H; A61H1/00; A61H1/02; A61H1/0292
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
An ergonomic antifatigue device for moving the hips and lower midsection of a person seated in a seating apparatus, the device comprising: a first support having a support element positioned under the hips of the seated person, said support element comprising a left side and a right side; a central point located substantially within said support element; a second support structure connected to said support element at said central point for maintaining said central point in a substantially non-moving position while allowing movement of all portions of said support element other than said central point; and a motor and coupling connected to said first support; said motor and coupling automatically and alternately pivoting said left side of said support element up and down about said central point, and automatically and alternately pivoting said right side of said support element up and down about said central point, thereby automatically and alternately lifting one hip of the seated person and then the other hip; said motor and coupling also automatically and alternately rotating said support element back and forth about said central point as a series of cyclical rotations and counter-rotations, thereby cyclically moving backward and forward the hips of the seated person; whereby motion and stimulation are translated to the seated person in a similar fashion to the motion and stimulation imparted to a person through walking.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
226 words
An ergonomic antifatigue device for moving the hips and lower midsection of a person seated in a seating apparatus, the device comprising: a first support having a support element positioned under the hips of the seated person, said support element comprising a left side and a right side; a central point located substantially within said support element; a second support structure connected to said support element at said central point for maintaining said central point in a substantially non-moving position while allowing movement of all portions of said support element other than said central point; and a motor and coupling connected to said first support; said motor and coupling automatically and alternately pivoting said left side of said support element up and down about said central point, and automatically and alternately pivoting said right side of said support element up and down about said central point, thereby automatically and alternately lifting one hip of the seated person and then the other hip; said motor and coupling also automatically and alternately rotating said support element back and forth about said central point as a series of cyclical rotations and counter-rotations, thereby cyclically moving backward and forward the hips of the seated person; whereby motion and stimulation are translated to the seated person in a similar fashion to the motion and stimulation imparted to a person through walking.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device defined in claim 1 wherein said support element comprises a substantially planar surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device defined in claim 1 wherein said support element at least partially follows the contour of a human buttocks.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said central point is adjacent to a pelvis of the seated person.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said second support comprises a stem, fixed at one end to a support panel, and movably attached at another end to said support element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention defined in claim 5 wherein said stem is movably attached to said support element at said central point.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2719571A
Cited
US2731074A
Cited
US2944591A
Cited
US3148391A
Cited
US3191594A
Cited
US3270440A
Cited
US3492988A
Cited
US3613671A
Cited
US3477071A
Cited
US3580634A
Cited
US3641995A
Cited
US3659897A
Cited
US3667453A
Cited
US3824991A
Cited
US3867732A
Cited
GB1457227A
Cited
US4444430A
Cited
US4552402A
Cited
US4570676A
Cited
US4515337A
Cited
US4592588A
Cited
US4552404A
Cited
US4612917A
Cited
US4655505A
Cited
US4722550A
Cited
US4688851A
Cited
US4796948A
Cited
US4833614A
Cited
US4826247A
Cited
US4890886A
Cited
US5054739A
Cited
US4840425A
Cited
US4832407A
Cited
US4860733A
Cited
US4915124A
Cited
US5035466A
Cited
US5022385A
Cited
US5022385B1
Cited
US5022708A
Cited
US5113851A
Cited
US5362302A
Cited
US5082327A
Cited
US5116100A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-12-31 | 2000-07-01 | 2000-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-12-31 | 2004-07-01 | 2004-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-12-31 | 2008-07-01 | 2008-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |