Modular ergonomic chair

Abstract

A modular ergonomic chair capable of accommodating a variety of users and uses that includes a) a chair base, b) a support column coupled to the chair base, c) a seat base, including a seat base pivot, with the seat base coupled to the support column, d) a seat, including one or more mounts, with the seat coupled to the seat base pivot, and e) one or more knee support pads coupled to a knee support pivot, with the knee support pivot coupled to any of the preceding chair elements. The modular ergonomic chair is capable of supporting a user in a reclined, upright, or inclined position and may accommodate a number of additional task-specific components.

1 . An ergonomic chair comprising:
 a) a chair base;   b) a support column coupled to said chair base;   c) a seat base, comprising a seat base pivot, said seat base coupled to said support column;   d) a seat, comprising a mount, said seat coupled to said seat base pivot; and   e) a plurality of knee support pads, each knee support pad coupled to a knee support pivot, said knee support pivot coupled to one or more of said chair base, said support column, said seat base, and said seat;   wherein said plurality of knee support pads are capable of pivoting independently on said knee support pivot.   
   
   
       2 . The chair of  claim 1  comprising a plurality of said mounts. 
   
   
       3 . A chair comprising an improvement wherein the improvement comprises:
 a plurality of independently pivoting knee support pads mounted on a pivot.   
   
   
       4 . The chair of  claim 1 , further comprising a modular support member coupled to said mount. 
   
   
       5 . The chair of  claim 4 , wherein said modular support member comprises a unitary first portion for coupling to said mount, and an at least bifurcated second portion for coupling to one or more components. 
   
   
       6 . The chair of  claim 5 , where said one or more components are independently selected from the group consisting of a thoracic support pad, an armrest, a work surface, a tray, and a head support. 
   
   
       7 . The chair of  claim 4 , wherein said modular support member comprises a first arm and second arm, wherein said first arm and said second arm are substantially parallel. 
   
   
       8 . The chair of  claim 7 , wherein said modular support member further comprises a central beam forming a central plane, wherein said first arm angles so as to extend below the plane of the central beam before angling to extend parallel with the plane of the central beam, and wherein said second arm angles so as to extend above the plane of the central beam before angling to extend parallel with the plane of the central beam. 
   
   
       9 . The chair of  claim 4 , wherein the coupling between said modular support member and said mount is non-permanent and can be made at variable positions on said support member using a locking pin mechanism. 
   
   
       10 . The chair of  claim 4 , wherein said knee support pivot is coupled to said modular support member. 
   
   
       11 . The chair of  claim 10 , wherein the coupling between said modular support member and said knee support pivot is non-permanent and may be made at variable positions along the length of said support member using a locking pin mechanism. 
   
   
       12 . The chair of  claim 4 , further comprising a thoracic support pad coupled to said modular support member. 
   
   
       13 . The chair of  claim 12 , wherein the coupling between said modular support member and said thoracic support pad is non-permanent and may be made at variable positions on said modular support member using a locking pin mechanism. 
   
   
       14 . The chair of  claim 12 , wherein said thoracic support pad is a chest support pad. 
   
   
       15 . The chair of  claim 4 , further comprising a work surface coupled to said modular support member. 
   
   
       16 . The chair of  claim 4 , wherein said modular support member is connected to said mount. 
   
   
       17 . The chair of  claim 1 , wherein said seat may pivot on said seat base pivot so as to present an inclined, a declined, or a substantially horizontal position. 
   
   
       18 . The chair of  claim 1 , wherein said seat base further comprises a semi-circular guide having a plurality of insertion points arranged along the outer edge of said semi-circular guide. 
   
   
       19 . The chair of  claim 1 , wherein said chair base comprises a plurality of articulating support legs. 
   
   
       20 . The chair of  claim 1 , whereby a first knee support pad of said plurality of knee support pads is able to provide support to a knee of a user seated in said chair at a rotational position on said knee support pivot that is independent of the rotational position of a second knee support pad of said plurality of knee support pads on said knee support pivot.