Multi-posture chair

Abstract

An office-type chair including a base, a height-adjustable pedestal that projects generally vertically upward, and a seat-back arrangement including a seat assembly and a back assembly. The seat assembly includes a seat surface and a flange extending from a forward edge of the seat surface at an angle relative to the seat surface. The seat assembly is adapted to pivot between a first generally horizontal position and a second generally vertical position. In the first position the seat surface is generally horizontal and functions as a task chair, and in the second position the seat surface is generally vertical and the flange functions as a perch. The armrests are also pivotable between first and second positions for use in both task chair and perch configurations.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
         1 . An office-type chair comprising:
 a base;   a height-adjustable pedestal that projects generally vertically upward; and   a seat-back arrangement including a seat assembly and a back assembly, the seat assembly including a seat surface and a flange extending from a forward edge of the seat surface at an angle relative to the seat surface;   wherein the seat assembly is adapted to pivot between a first generally horizontal position and a second generally vertical position, wherein in the first position the seat surface is generally horizontal and functions as a task chair and in the second position the seat surface is generally vertical and the flange functions as a perch.   
     
     
         2 . The chair according to  claim 1  wherein in the first position the flange is angled rearward, such that a lower edge of the flange is positioned rearward of the forward edge of the seat surface. 
     
     
         3 . The chair according to  claim 2  wherein the flange is positioned at an acute angle with respect to an underside of the seat surface. 
     
     
         4 . The chair according to  claim 3  wherein the angle between the flange and the underside of the seat surface is about 70 to about 85 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The chair according to  claim 1  wherein the base includes multiple arms which are symmetrical about one axis and non-symmetrical about a second, substantially perpendicular axis. 
     
     
         6 . The chair according to  claim 1  wherein the back assembly includes an elongated carrier disposed on a lower portion thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The chair according to  claim 6  wherein the carrier includes an end cap at a lateral end thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The chair according to  claim 7  wherein the end cap includes a channel and an angled guide. 
     
     
         9 . The chair according to  claim 1  wherein the seat assembly includes a seat pan, a pivot rod disposed along a rear portion of the seat pan, and a ramp disposed at a rear corner of the seat pan. 
     
     
         10 . The chair assembly according to  claim 9  wherein the pivot rod is disposed within the carrier and is adapted to be received within the end cap channel. 
     
     
         11 . The chair assembly according to  claim 10  wherein the pivot rod is adapted to travel along the channel as the seat assembly transitions from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
         12 . The chair assembly according to  claim 11  wherein the ramp engages the angled guide of the end cap to provide a positive stop when the seat assembly is pivoted to the second position. 
     
     
         13 . The chair assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the seat surface supports a user's buttocks in a seated posture when the seat assembly is in the first position, and the flange supports a user's buttocks in a substantially standing posture when the seat assembly is in the second position. 
     
     
         14 . The chair according to  claim 1  wherein the base rotates relative to the seat back arrangement, and the degree of rotation is limited to a predetermined range. 
     
     
         15 . An office-type chair comprising:
 a base;   a pedestal that projects generally vertically upward;   a seat-back arrangement including a seat assembly and a back assembly, the seat assembly including a seat surface and a flange extending from a forward edge of the seat surface at an angle relative to the seat surface, the seat assembly adapted to pivot between a first generally horizontal position and a second generally vertical position; and   a pair of spaced armrests pivotally mounted to the seat assembly, each armrest pivotal between a first armrest position and a second armrest position;   wherein the chair is positionable in a seated position and a perched position, in the seated position the seat surface and armrests are in their respective horizontal and first armrest positions and the chair functions as a task chair, in the perched position the seat surface and armrests are in their respective vertical and second armrest positions and the chair functions as a perch.   
     
     
         16 . The chair of  claim 15  wherein the armrests pivot about a horizontal axis, and in the first armrest position, a first surface defines a seated arm resting surface, and in the second position, a second surface defines a perched arm resting surface. 
     
     
         17 . The chair of  claim 16  wherein the armrests pivot substantially 180 degrees between the first and second armrest positions. 
     
     
         18 . The chair of  claim 17  wherein the armrest pivot point is positioned near a forward edge of the seat surface. 
     
     
         19 . The chair of  claim 15  wherein the armrests and seat assembly are independently positionable. 
     
     
         20 . An office-type chair comprising:
 a base;   a height-adjustable pedestal supporting the base; and   a seat-back arrangement including a seat assembly and a back assembly, the seat assembly including a seat surface and a flange extending from a bottom surface of a forward edge of the seat surface at an angle relative to the seat surface, the seat surface having a seat surface length and the flange having a flange length, wherein the flange length is between about 40% and 65% of the seat length;   wherein the seat assembly is adapted to pivot between a first position in which the seat surface is generally horizontal and a second position in which the seat surface is generally vertical, wherein in the first position the seat surface functions as support surface for a user and in the second position the flange functions as a support surface for a user, wherein the height adjustable pedestal can be adjusted with the seat assembly in either the first position or the second position.   
     
     
         21 . The office-type chair of  claim 20  including a pair of spaced armrests pivotally mounted to the seat assembly, each armrest pivotal between a first armrest position and a second armrest position, wherein in the first position of the seat assembly the armrests function in the first armrest position and, in the second position of the seat assembly the armrests function in the second armrest position.