Seat

Abstract

A seat with a contoured pan comprises of two concavely shaped pads adapted to support the thighs of a user at an optimal angle to the horizontal plane. The seat further includes a linkage between the pads that allows for roll movement as a user sits on the seat. The combined features enable a user to be directed into a comfortable seating position that emulates the shape of the spine when standing.

1 .- 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . A seat comprising:
 a contoured pan assembly configured to direct the thighs of a user to be supported at an inclined position below a horizontal plane,   wherein the contoured pan assembly comprises at least two at least partially concavely shaped seat pads each adapted to support an ischial tuberosity of a user, and   wherein each seat pad is linked to the other for movement about a roll axis, such that lowering one pad will cause a corresponding raising of the other pad.   
     
     
         34 . The seat of  claim 33 , wherein the inclined position is between 15 and 45 degrees to the horizontal plane. 
     
     
         35 . The seat of  claim 34 , wherein the inclined position is between 22 and 32 degrees to the horizontal plane. 
     
     
         36 . The seat of  claim 33 , wherein in use, when a user is seated, the seat will direct and maintain the user's spine to substantially emulate a standing position. 
     
     
         37 . The seat of  claim 35 , wherein the position is substantially 27 degrees to the horizontal plane. 
     
     
         38 . The seat of  claim 33 , wherein each seat pad is linked to the other at a rear underside of the pads. 
     
     
         39 . The seat of  claim 33 , wherein the contoured pan is adapted to support each ischial tuberosity of a user to enable the thighs of a user to be supported. 
     
     
         40 . The seat of  claim 33 , wherein the contoured pan is adapted to support each ischial tuberosity by a portion that is concavely shaped about at least two axes. 
     
     
         41 . The seat according to  claim 33 , wherein the seat pads have a degree of movement about at least four axes and two fulcra. 
     
     
         42 . The seat according to  claim 33 , wherein the link is provided by a resilient element spanning between the pads. 
     
     
         43 . The seat according to  claim 42 , wherein the resilient element spans between the rear underside of the pads. 
     
     
         44 . The seat according to  claim 42 , wherein the seat pads are attached to the resilient element by a resilient connection, enabling yaw movement of the respective pads. 
     
     
         45 . The seat according to  claim 42 , wherein the resilient element is a leaf spring and further comprising a resilient connection for the resilient element, said connection being a rubber bush. 
     
     
         46 . The seat according to  claim 33 , further including a back portion, pivotally mounted in relation to the seat pan assembly. 
     
     
         47 . The seat according to  claim 46 , wherein the back portion is pivotally mounted at a distal end thereof to a resilient element spanning between a rear side of two seat pads, there being a second pivotal connection from the back portion toward a seat support structure, wherein each seat pad is mounted at a front side thereof for pivotal movement about a pitch axis to the seat support structure. 
     
     
         48 . The seat according to  claim 46  wherein, in use, the back portion is arranged to pivot toward the spine of a seated user in response to a force applied to the contoured pan. 
     
     
         49 . The search according to  claim 33 , wherein the seat pan assembly is cushioned by a thin layer of padding on the seat pads. 
     
     
         50 . The seat according to  claim 33 , wherein the contoured pan assembly further comprises a ridge, non-slip rubber surface, adhesive, or strap means.