Moving seat chair for exercise and rehabilitation

Abstract

A chair with a seat that moves on a curved motion mechanism in an arc relative to a base to provide flexion and extension of the knee when the user swings the seat back and forth. Telescoping structures adjust to fit different size users. A footrest in front of the chair allows the user to push against it with their feet, thus creating the swinging motion.

1 . A moving seat chair comprising: 
 a base,    a curved motion mechanism with generally between about 20-40 degrees of angular motion,    a seat.    
   
   
       2 . The moving seat chair of  claim 1  where the curved motion mechanism is comprised of: 
 A bearing rail,    a bearing carriage that moves on the rail    
   
   
       3 . The moving seat chair of  claim 2  where the bearing rail is attached to a structure mounted to the seat, and the bearing carriage is attached to a post attached to the base.  
   
   
       4 . The moving seat chair of  claim 2  where the bearing carriage is attached to a structure mounted to the seat, and the bearing rail is attached to the base.  
   
   
       5 . The moving seat chair of  claim 1  where the curved motion mechanism is comprised of one or more individual curved sections.  
   
   
       6 . The moving seat chair of  claim 1  where the curved motion mechanism's radius of curvature is constant.  
   
   
       7 . The moving seat chair of  claim 1  where the curved motion mechanism's radius of curvature varies.  
   
   
       8 . The moving seat chair of  claim 1  with weight support structures, and weights on the weight support structure.  
   
   
       9 . The moving seat chair of  claim 1  with springs generally attached to the seat and to the base.  
   
   
       10 . The moving seat chair of  claim 1  with dampers generally attached to the seat and to the base.  
   
   
       11 . The moving seat chair of  claim 1  with a foot-support structure in front of the chair.  
   
   
       12 . The moving seat chair of  claim 1  with an adjustable length structure between the base and the chair.  
   
   
       13 . The moving seat chair of  claim 1  with adjustable range of motion stops.  
   
   
       14 . A chair comprising a seat, a rail support structure, one or more curved bearing rails attached to the rail support structure, one or more bearing carriages which move on the curved rails, and a base frame that supports the chair above the ground.  
   
   
       15 . The chair as claimed in  claim 14  where the bearings are ball or roller element bearings.  
   
   
       16 . The chair as claimed in  claim 14  where the bearings are sliding contact bearings.  
   
   
       17 . The chair as claimed in  claim 14  where the bearings are wheels which roll on the curved rails.  
   
   
       18 . The chair as claimed in  claim 14  with a ramp, stool, or step near the chair for the user to place their foot on to achieve different ranges of motion.  
   
   
       19 . The chair as claimed in  claim 14  with a brake to hold the chair in position while the user sits in it.  
   
   
       20 . The chair as claimed in  claim 14  where the support frame is adjustable in height.