Rehabilative exercising chair

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an exercise chair for aiding in the alleviation of lower back pain. The chair device of the present invention comprises a central post portion defining a central axis with a base at one end and a coupling portion fashioned to be tilted relative to the central axis at the other end. A coil spring is concentrically located on the central axis and affixed to the post portion at the one end and to the coupling portion at the other end. The coil spring is normally biased to maintain the seat of the chair in a non-tilted position. Also disclosed herein, is a method of practice employing the chair device. In the method, a user in a seated position on the chair selectively and reversibly rotates their pelvic/hip region in three possible dimensions about a point of origin substantially centrally located to their pelvic region in various directions resulting in stretching and strengthening exercises of the abdominal, lumbar and pelvic/hip regions of the user.

1 . An exercising chair comprising:
 a post portion defining a central axis, the post portion having first and second end regions;   a base connected to the post portion at the first end region;   a coil spring concentrically located on the central axis and adjacent the second end region;   a seat portion;   a coupling portion for supporting the seat portion relative to the post portion at the second end region;   the coupling portion being arranged to permit substantially free tilting movement of the seat portion relative to the central axis;   the coil spring operable to bias the seat portion to a neutral position relative to the central axis.   
   
   
       2 . A chair as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a ball joint;
 the ball joint having a saddle portion and a ball portion located intermediate the second end region and the coupling portion on the central axis and extending concentrically through the coil spring.   
   
   
       3 . A chair as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a support flange;
 the support flange having a central passage;   the post portion extending through the central passage, the support flange fixed to the post portion near the second end region;   the coil spring being coupled to the support flange adjacent the second end region.   
   
   
       4 . A chair as defined in  claim 1 , the seat portion further comprising a cushion. 
   
   
       5 . A chair as defined in  claim 4 , the cushion being substantially horizontal in a neutral position. 
   
   
       6 . A chair as defined in  claim 1 , the post portion being length adjustable. 
   
   
       7 . A chair as defined in  claim 6 , the post portion including a telescoping mechanism. 
   
   
       8 . A chair as defined in  claim 7 , the telescoping section including a pneumatic or a hydraulic cylinder. 
   
   
       9 . A chair as defined in  claim 6 , the post portion including a threaded screw mechanism. 
   
   
       10 . A chair as defined in  claim 2 , the saddle portion being affixed to the coupling portion. 
   
   
       11 . A chair as defined in  claim 2 , the ball portion being coupled to the second end region. 
   
   
       12 . A chair as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a protective covering intermediate the second end region and the coupling portion encasing the coil spring. 
   
   
       13 . An exercising chair comprising:
 a telescoping post portion having first and second end regions,   a base connected to the post at the first end region;   a support flange having a central passage affixed to the post portion near the second end region, the post portion defining a central axis;   a seat portion;   a coupling portion for supporting the seat portion relative to the post portion at the second end region;   a coil spring concentrically located on the central axis between the coupling portion and the support flange;   a ball joint having a saddle portion and a ball portion located intermediate the second end region and the coupling portion on the central axis and extending concentrically through the coil spring;   the ball portion being connected to the second end and the saddle portion being connected to the coupling portion;   the coupling portion and the ball joint being arranged to permit substantially free tilting movement of the seat portion about the ball portion;   the coil spring operable to bias the seat portion to a neutral position relative to the central axis.   
   
   
       14 . An exercising chair comprising:
 a post portion extending through a flange having a central passage affixed to the post portion defining a central axis, the post portion having first and second end regions;   a base connected to the post at the first end region;   a seat portion;   a coupling portion for supporting the seat portion relative to the post portion at the second end region;   a ball joint located intermediate the second end region and the coupling portion on the central axis;   a plurality of coil springs equally spaced apart affixed and radiating tangentially from the flange and affixed to the coupling portion;   the coupling portion and the ball joint being arranged to permit substantially free hemispheric movement of the seat portion about the central axis;   the plurality of coil springs operable to bias the seat portion to a neutral position relative to the central axis wherein the seat portion is substantially horizontal.   
   
   
       15 . A method of exercising the lower back and pelvic regions of a user, the method comprising the user's engaging a chair comprising:
 a post portion defining a central axis, the post portion having first and second end regions;   a base connected to the post portion at the first end region;   a coil spring concentrically located on the central axis and adjacent the second end region;   a seat portion;   a coupling portion for supporting the seat portion relative to the post portion at the second end region;   the coupling portion being arranged to permit substantially free tilting movement of the seat portion relative the central axis;   the coil spring operable to bias the seat portion to a neutral position relative to the central axis;   and rocking the body about the central axis, against the bias of the spring, while engaged to the chair.   
   
   
       16 . The method as defined in  claim 15 , comprising engaging the gluteal region of the user with the seat portion of the chair in a seated position. 
   
   
       17 . The method as defined in  claim 16 , comprising the user's selectively and reversibly rotating the pelvic region about a point of origin substantially central to the pelvic region in at least one axis selected from the group consisting of the (0, +y, −z) axis, the (+x, +y, −z) axis, the (+x, 0, −z) axis, the (+x, −y, −z) axis, the (0, −y, −z) axis, the (−x, −y, −z) axis, the (−x, 0−z) axis or (−x, −y, −z) axis relative to the central axis of the chair. 
   
   
       18 . The method as defined in  claim 17 , wherein the spinal segments of the lower back and pelvic regions of user are selectively hyperextended, hyperflexed or laterally flexed.