Multi-mode stool

Abstract

A multi-mode includes a chassis, a height adjustor and an angle adjustor. The height adjustor includes an external tube pivotally connected to the chassis between a vertical position and a horizontal position and an internal tube telescopically inserted in the external tube so that the height adjustor is made with an adjustable effective length. The angle adjustor includes a platform, two lateral plates, an axle and a pin. The lateral plates extend parallel to each other and from the platform. Each of the lateral plates includes a plurality of apertures. The axle is used to pivotally connect the lateral plates to the internal tube, which is located between the lateral plates. The pin is operable to insert in the internal tube via a selected one of the apertures to keep the platform in a selected one of several angles relative to the internal tube.

1 . A multi-mode stool comprising:
 a chassis;   a first cushion supported on the chassis;   a height adjustor comprising_an external tube pivotally connected to the chassis between a vertical position and a horizontal position and an internal tube telescopically inserted in the external tube so that the height adjustor is made with an adjustable effective length; and   an angle adjustor comprising:
 a platform; 
 a second cushion supported on the platform; 
 two lateral plates extending from the platform on two opposites sides of the internal tube and each comprising a plurality of apertures; 
 an axle for pivotally connecting the lateral plates to the internal tube; and 
 a pin operable to insert in the internal tube via a selected one of the apertures to keep the platform in a selected one of several angles relative to the internal tube; 
 wherein the multi-mode stool provides:
 a first mode when the external tube is in the horizontal osition and the slatform is located s arallel to the internal tube; 
 a second mode when the external tube is in the vertical position and the platform is located perpendicular to the internal tube; and 
 a third mode when the external tube is in the horizontal position and the platform is located parallel to the internal tube. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The multi-mode stool according to  claim 1 , wherein the chassis comprises a longitudinal unit pivotally connected to the external tube, a front unit connected to the longitudinal unit, and a rear unit connected to the longitudinal unit. 
     
     
         3 . The multi-mode stool according to  claim 2 , wherein the longitudinal unit comprises two longitudinal bars and a slit between the longitudinal bars, wherein the external tube is pivotally connected to the longitudinal bars and inserted in the slit. 
     
     
         4 . The multi-mode stool according to  claim 3 , wherein the longitudinal unit further comprises a stop connected to the longitudinal bars, wherein the stop extends across the slit to stop and support the external tube in the horizontal position. 
     
     
         5 . The multi-mode stool according to  claim 3 , further comprising an elastic pin device arranged on one of the longitudinal bars and operable for engagement with the external tube to keep the external tube in the vertical position on the chassis. 
     
     
         6 . The multi-mode stool according to  claim 5 , wherein the external tube further comprises a fin for engagement with the elastic pin device. 
     
     
         7 . The multi-mode stool according to  claim 6 , wherein the elastic pin device comprises:
 a sheath connected to the longitudinal bar in the vicinity of the fin;   a pin movably inserted in the sheath; and   a spring compressed between an internal portion of the sheath and a portion of the pin so that the spring tends to push the pin into the fin from the sheath.   
     
     
         8 . The multi-mode stool according to  claim 1 , wherein the height adjustor further comprises a fastener operable to reach and abut against the internal tube via the external tube to keep the effective length of the height adjustor at a desired value. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The multi-mode stool according to  claim 2 , wherein the first cushion comprises a front portion supported on the front unit of the chassis, a rear portion supported on the rear unit of the chassis, and a width-reduced middle portion supported on the longitudinal unit of the chassis, wherein the front portion is adapted for supporting the user's knees and the rear portion is adapted for supporting the user's feet when the user sets his lower legs on two opposite sides of the width-reduced middle portion. 
     
     
         11 . The multi-mode stool according to  claim 10 , wherein the rear portion of the first cushion comprises a cutout for receiving the external tube so that the first cushion does not interfere with the pivoting of the external tube. 
     
     
         12 . The multi-mode stool according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least three casters connected to the chassis.