Chair for healthy sitting

Abstract

Disclosed is a supportive chair for sitting comfortably at low heights above and relative to the ground. Preferably, the chair comprises a primary seating surface and a secondary seating surface curving around the rear of the primary seating surface to provide additional support for the user. It is preferred that the secondary seating surface be inwardly and downwardly sloped and provide a low lateral boundary for the user, thereby promoting proper alignment of the buttocks on the primary seating surface. Thus, the chair raises the buttocks and hips of the user off of the seating level, creating a relative height difference between the hips and legs. This raising of the hips relative to the legs creates a sitting posture that promotes vertical back alignment. As a result, the user is able to comfortably maintain this position with a reduced amount of back muscle strain, allowing prolonged comfortable seating periods.

1 . An apparatus for providing supportive sitting at levels near or slightly above the ground or other seating level, wherein said apparatus comprises: 
 first and second integrally formed seating elements, said first seating element comprising a first seating surface, said second seating element comprising a second seating surface positioned above, around and at an angle relative to said first seating surface, and    at least one support structure for supporting said first and second seating elements above said seating level,    wherein said second seating element comprises a generally ring-like structure including outer and inner circumferential edges, wherein said second seating surface is angled downward from said outer edge to said inner edge,    wherein said second seating surface adjoins said first seating surface along left and right linear joining segments intersecting the left side of the forward edge of said first seating surface, and the right side of said first seating surface.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said support structures are shaped to provide distributed support of said first seating surface.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of said support structures intersects a back edge of said first seating surface and further connects said first seating surface to said second seating surface.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one support structure supports said first seating element above said seating level at a distance in the range of approximately 1 to 4 inches.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said left and right linear joining segments lie on lines which intersect near the center of said first seating surface.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one support structure is adjustable.  
   
   
       7 . (canceled)  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said outer circumferential edge and a front edge of said first seating element approximately comprise contiguous segments of a complete circle.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus is foldable into a planar sheet.  
   
   
       10 .- 20 . (canceled)