Seating Elements and Seat Base Constructions

Abstract

A seating system and in particular a seat base which comprises a support member which is arranged to support the ischial tuberosities of a user so as to cause the pelvis to move to an open position.

1 . A seat base apparatus having a top surface, the top surface having a first area of a first firmness and a second area of second firmness, firmer than said first firmness, whereby said second area is defined to support the ischial tuberosity of a user such that in use, the pelvis of a user is caused to tilt to an open position. 
   
   
       2 . The seat base apparatus of  claim 1  comprising a base cushion structure having a back and a front edge and said top surface, the top surface provided by a first compressible layer of material, at least one support member disposed within the base cushion structure at the back of the structure below the top surface and more rigid than the first compressible layer and made of a material with an upper surface which slopes downwards, back to front, whereby to provide said second area of second firmness. 
   
   
       3 . The seat base apparatus of  claim 1  comprising a base cushion structure having a back and a front edge and said top surface, the top surface provided by a first compressible layer of material, at least one support member disposed within the base cushion structure at the back of the structure below the top surface and more rigid than the first compressible layer and made of a material with an upper surface which is sized to support the ischial tuberosities and not extend further than is necessary to achieve support of the ischial tuberosities such that the gluteus muscles are not supported by the upper surface whereby to provide said second area of second firmness. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claims 2  or  3  in which the at least one support member is two support members; wherein
 each support member is arranged to support a respective ischial tuberosity.   
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  in which each support member is between 6 and 9 cm wide and between 19 to 22 cm long.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein each support members is 7.6 cm wide and 20.3 cm long. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of any of  claims 4  to  6  wherein the support members touch at the rear of the base cushion structure and are between 6 cm and 9 cm apart towards the front of the base cushion structure. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the support members are 7.6 cm apart towards the front of the base cushion structure. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of any preceding claim in which the support member(s) is/are of a greater firmness than the surrounding base cushion structure. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  in which there is between 1 lb test and 10 lb test difference in firmness between the support member(s) and the base cushion structure. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  in which there is a 5 lb test difference in firmness between the support member(s) and the base cushion structure. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of any preceding claim in which the base cushion structure is a single foam element into which the support member(s) is/are inserted. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of any of  claims 2  to  11  in which the base cushion structure is a two-element structure and the support member(s) is/are positioned between the two elements. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  in which the seat base apparatus is an airline seat. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the or each support member is wedged shaped. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein each support member is between 2 and 3.8 cm thick at the end towards the rear of the base cushion and tapers towards the opposing end. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the surface of the base cushion structure substantially horizontal. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of any of  claims 2  to  16  wherein the surface of the base cushion structure is at an angle of between 0 to 20 degrees from the horizontal. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the support members are made of silicone. 
   
   
       20 . The seat base apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a seat pan and a seat cushion, wherein the seat pan includes a recess corresponding to said second area and the seat cushion includes a protrusion arranged to fit into said recess, whereby in use, said recess and said protrusion interact so as to form said second area of second firmness. 
   
   
       21 . An enhanced novel seating element comprising, in combination:
 a plurality of variable durometer extensions defining a chevron-shaped pattern extending from a first edge whereby a user's ischial tuberosities are aligned along a zone disposed over or proximate to the plane of a seat in which the seating element is disposed.   
   
   
       22 . The enhanced novel seating element of  claim 21 , wherein the variable durometer extensions are made up of more than one type of material.