Two-position desk chair

Abstract

A chair provides support for a user in two configurations. The first configuration is a normal sitting position. The second configuration is a partial kneeling position. A knee cushion assembly is extendable from a stowed position under a tiltable seat cushion to an extended position in front of the seat cushion for the user's knees. When the knee cushion assembly is extended, the rear of the seat cushion is tilted upwardly to provide support for the user's buttocks.

1 . A two-position chair comprising: 
 a substantially horizontal seat cushion having a front portion and a rear portion;    a substantially vertical back cushion positioned above and behind said substantially horizontal seat cushion;    a support located under said substantially horizontal seat cushion;    an extendable knee cushion assembly attached to said support, said knee cushion assembly having a first position wherein said knee cushion is positioned under said front portion of said tiltable substantially horizontal seat cushion and a second position wherein said knee cushion is positioned in front of said tiltable substantially horizontal seat cushion, and said rear portion of said tiltable substantially horizontal seat cushion is elevated;    whereby, in said first position of said extendable knee cushion assembly, an occupant of the chair will be supported by said tiltable horizontal seat cushion, and, in said second position of said extendable knee cushion assembly, an occupant of said chair will be supported by said knee cushion and said front portion of said tiltable substantially horizontal seat cushion.    
   
   
       2 . The two-position chair, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said extendable knee cushion assembly includes a plurality of support arms and a movable handle for moving said knee cushion from its first position under the front portion of said tiltable substantially horizontal seat cushion to its second position in front of said substantially horizontal tiltable substantially horizontal seat cushion and elevating the rear portion of said tiltable substantially horizontal seat cushion.  
   
   
       3 . The two-position chair, as defined in  claim 1 , further including a pair of substantially horizontal arm rests above said tiltable substantially horizontal seat cushion and extending outwardly with respect to said substantially vertical back cushion.  
   
   
       4 . The two-position chair, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said support is mounted on a set of rollers.  
   
   
       5 . The two-position chair, as defined in  claim 4 , wherein said seat cushion swivels with respect to said support.  
   
   
       6 . The two-position chair, as defined in  claim 1 , further including a support for said knee cushion extending from the bottom of said knee cushion to the surface on which the two-position chair is resting.  
   
   
       7 . A chair enabling support of the weight of a user in two configurations, said chair comprising: 
 a first configuration including a supported substantially horizontal seat cushion and a back cushion constructed and arranged to support the weight of a user in a sitting position;    a second configuration including a supported tilted seat cushion and an extendable knee cushion to support the weight of a user in a partial kneeling position.    
   
   
       8 . The chair, as defined in  claim 7 , further including a manual lever and linkage arms for moving the chair from said first configuration to said second configuration.  
   
   
       9 . The chair, as defined in  claim 7 , further including arm rests on either side of said substantially horizontal seat cushion.  
   
   
       10 . The chair, as defined in  claim 7 , further including a base assembly connected to said seat cushion with a swivel mounting.  
   
   
       11 . The chair, as defined in  claim 7 , further including a floor support for said knee cushion when said knee cushion is in said second configuration.  
   
   
       12 . A method of supporting a human being in both a sitting position and in a partial kneeling position, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a chair having a seat cushion and a back cushion for supporting the human being in a sitting position;    tilting said seat cushion and simultaneously moving a knee rest stored under said seat cushion to a position in front of said seat cushion for supporting the human being in a partial kneeling position.    
   
   
       13 . A system for altering the support provided to a human being by a chair, said system comprising: 
 a system for extending a knee rest to a position in front of the chair;    a system for tilting the seat portion of the chair when said knee rest is positioned in front of the chair;    whereby the human being can use the chair for support in a sitting position and can also use the chair when said knee rest has been extended and said seat portion of the chair has been tilted for support in a partial kneeling position.    
   
   
       14 . A chair enabling support of a user in both a sitting position and a partial kneeling position, said chair comprising: 
 a substantially vertical chair back, a tiltable substantially horizontal chair seat, and a support under said substantially horizontal chair seat, said substantially vertical chair back and said substantially horizontal chair seat constructed and arranged to support the user in a sitting position;    a knee cushion extendable from a first stored position under said substantially horizontal chair seat to a second support position in front of said substantially horizontal chair seat when said substantially horizontal chair seat is tilted, said tilted chair seat and said knee cushion constructed and arranged to support the user in a partial kneeling position.