Seat for assisted sitting and standing

Abstract

A seat or bench that provides a unique support structure to assist a person in the act of sitting upon, rising from or standing before the seat of the chair or bench, comprising a seat member having a front portion, a first side portion and a second side portion, the front portion having a front edge, two generally horizontal and elongated arms, and legs supporting the seat member, the seat configured such that the arms are adapted to provide support in front of a person standing between the arms while adjacent to and facing away from the front edge of the seat member.

1 . A seat comprising:
 a seat member having a front portion, a first side portion and a second side portion, the front portion having a front edge;   a generally horizontal and elongated first arm positioned in proximity to the first side portion of the seat member;   a generally horizontal and elongated second arm positioned in proximity to the second side portion of the seat member; and   a leg supporting the seat member;   wherein the arms are adapted to provide support in front of a person standing between the arms and adjacent to and facing away from the front edge of the seat member.   
     
     
         2 . The seat of  claim 1 , wherein the support is sufficient to bear the person's entire weight. 
     
     
         3 . The seat of  claim 1 , wherein both arms extend generally parallel to one another. 
     
     
         4 . The seat of  claim 1 , wherein the arms each extend to an equal forward distance beyond the front edge of the seat member. 
     
     
         5 . The seat of  claim 4 , wherein the forward distance is greater than eight inches. 
     
     
         6 . The seat of  claim 1 , wherein the first arm comprises a top surface that is substantially flat. 
     
     
         7 . The seat of  claim 1 , wherein the first arm comprises a distal end at the furthest extent from the front edge of the seat member and the leg extends directly below the distal end of the first arm. 
     
     
         8 . The seat of  claim 1 , wherein the leg attaches to the distal end of the first arm. 
     
     
         9 . The seat of  claim 1 , wherein the arms each comprise a top surface of equal height. 
     
     
         10 . The seat of  claim 9 , wherein the top surface of each arm extends the entire length of each arm. 
     
     
         11 . The seat of  claim 1 , further comprising a seat back positioned opposite the front portion of the seat member. 
     
     
         12 . The seat of  claim 2 , wherein the seat back is rotationally attached to the seat member. 
     
     
         13 . The seat of  claim 1 , wherein the seat comprises a chair. 
     
     
         14 . The seat of  claim 1 , wherein the seat comprises a sectional chair. 
     
     
         15 . The seat of  claim 1 , wherein the seat comprises a bench. 
     
     
         16 . A seat comprising:
 a seat member having a front portion, a first side portion and a second side portion, the front portion having a front edge;   a generally horizontal and elongated first arm positioned in proximity to the first side portion of the seat member;   a generally horizontal and elongated second arm positioned in proximity to the second side portion of the seat member; and   a base supporting the seat member;   wherein the arms extend generally parallel to one another beyond the front edge of the seat member to define the perimeter of an area having sufficient size for a person to fully stand within when standing adjacent to and facing away from the front edge of the seat member.   
     
     
         17 . A seat comprising:
 a seat member having a front portion, a first side portion and a second side portion, the front portion having a front edge;   a generally horizontal and elongated first arm positioned in proximity to the first side portion of the seat member;   a generally horizontal and elongated second arm positioned in proximity to the second side portion of the seat member; and   a base supporting the seat member;   wherein the arms are configured to allow a person to grasp both arms in front of the person when the person is standing between the arms and adjacent to and facing away from the front edge of the seat member.   
     
     
         18 . A seat comprising:
 a seat member having a front portion, a first side portion and a second side portion, the front portion having a front edge;   a generally horizontal and elongated first arm positioned in proximity to the first side portion of the seat member;   a generally horizontal and elongated second arm positioned in proximity to the second side portion of the seat member; and   a base supporting the seat member;   wherein the arms are adapted to provide continuous support to a person while in the process of rising from or sitting upon the seat member from a seated position to a position standing nearly erect adjacent the front edge of the seat member.   
     
     
         19 . The seat of  claim 1 , wherein the arms are further adapted to allow the person to stand nearly erect between the arms and adjacent to and facing away from the front edge of the seat member, and to grasp both arms without reaching back. 
     
     
         20 . The seat of  claim 1 , wherein the arms are further adapted to allow the person to grasp both arms while standing balanced and nearly erect between the arms and adjacent to and facing away from the front edge of the seat member.