Adjustable seat and leaning apparatus

Abstract

An adjustable seating solution that enables users to adjust several seating characteristics is disclosed. In a relatively low sitting position, the disclosed device provides some support if the user leans back, but predominately supports the user's weight and requires the user to engage core muscles to maintain good posture. The disclosed apparatus enables the user to adjust the seat upward to a leaning position. A platform extends forward under the user's feet to ensure that when the user leans against the seat, the apparatus remains stable. The apparatus enables the seat portion to be tilted, such that varying contours can be selected to engage the user's body in a desired way. At low heights, the user can tilt the seat portion forward to require the user to further engage core muscles while seated. At higher heights, the user can customize the contour of the seat that engages the user's body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A seating apparatus, comprising:
 an adjustable stem portion adjustable in height along a first axis; and   an adjustable seat portion including:
 a first contoured portion on a first side of the adjustable seat portion; 
 a second contoured portion on a second side of the adjustable seat portion, the second side substantially orthogonal to the first side; 
 a stem engagement portion connected to the adjustable stem portion; 
 a pivot apparatus connected to the stem engagement portion and the adjustable seat portion, the pivot apparatus configured to enable the adjustable seat portion to pivot in relation to the adjustable stem portion; and 
 a pivot locking apparatus configured to selectively lock a pivot angle of the pivot apparatus at a plurality of pivot angles, the plurality of pivot angles including:
 a first angle in which the first contoured portion is substantially parallel to first axis; and 
 a second angle in which the second contoured portion is substantially parallel to the first axis. 
 
   
     
     
         3 . The seating apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first contoured portion and the second contoured portion are both convex in a dimension along a second axis and are both flat or convex in a dimension along a third axis normal to the second axis. 
     
     
         4 . The seating apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the adjustable seat portion includes a plurality of different thicknesses of foam to provide for different amounts of support in the first contoured portion and the second contoured portion. 
     
     
         5 . The seating apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a horizontal base portion connected to the adjustable stem portion opposite the adjustable seat portion. 
     
     
         6 . The seating apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the adjustable stem portion includes:
 a first nesting support connected to the stem engagement portion of the adjustable seat portion;   a second nesting support including a sleeve for receiving the first nesting support, wherein the first nesting support and the second nesting support are movable relative to one another along the first axis; and   a third nesting support connected to the horizontal base portion, the third nesting support including a sleeve for receiving the second nesting support, wherein the second nesting support and the third nesting support are movable relative to one another along the first axis.   
     
     
         7 . The seating apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the adjustable stem portion includes at least one pneumatic actuator selectively actuatable to position the adjustable seat portion at any one of a plurality of potential seat heights. 
     
     
         8 . The seating apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the horizontal base portion includes a pad portion. 
     
     
         9 . The seating apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the adjustable stem portion is adjustable between a minimum height and a maximum height, and the maximum height is greater than twice the minimum height. 
     
     
         10 . The seating apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the horizontal base portion includes at least one movement mechanism. 
     
     
         11 . The seating apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one movement mechanism includes a set of wheels. 
     
     
         12 . The seating apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the horizontal base portion includes an upward sloping portion opposite the movement mechanism. 
     
     
         13 . An adjustable seating and leaning apparatus, comprising:
 a seat portion having a top contour and a front contour, the front contour substantially orthogonal to the top contour;   a pivot connected to the seat portion, wherein the pivot is selectively lockable at a plurality of pivot angles;   a stem portion connected to the pivot at a proximate end and a base portion at a distal end, wherein the stem portion is extendable along a first axis throughout a range from a minimum height to a maximum height; and   a stem portion adjustment mechanism configured to selectively fix the extension of the stem portion.   
     
     
         14 . The adjustable seat and leaning apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the maximum height is greater than twice the minimum height. 
     
     
         15 . The adjustable seat and leaning apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the stem portion adjustment mechanism includes two gas cylinders. 
     
     
         16 . The adjustable seat and leaning apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the base portion includes a movement mechanism. 
     
     
         17 . The adjustable seat and leaning apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the seat portion is pivotable between a first seated position in which the top contour is substantially parallel to the first axis, and a second leaning position in which the front contour is substantially parallel to the first axis. 
     
     
         18 . A seating apparatus, comprising:
 an adjustable seat portion including a pivot apparatus and a pivot locking apparatus, wherein the pivot locking apparatus is selectively engageable at a plurality of pivot angles to set a pivot amount of the adjustable seat portion relative to horizontal;   a horizontal base portion extending forward of the adjustable seat portion in at least one direction;   a stem portion connected to the adjustable seat portion and the horizontal base portion, the stem portion being telescopically adjustable to adjust the height of the adjustable seat portion relative to the horizontal base portion; and   a height adjustment mechanism configured to selectively lock the height of the adjustable seat portion relative to the horizontal base portion.   
     
     
         19 . The seating apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the seating apparatus is configurable in a sitting position, a leaning position, and a standing position. 
     
     
         20 . The seating apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the adjustable seat portion includes a plurality of portions having different contours, the plurality of portion having different contours including:
 a first contoured portion on a first side of the adjustable seat portion; and   a second contoured portion on a second side of the adjustable seat portion, the second side substantially orthogonal to the first side.   
     
     
         21 . The seating apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the first contoured portion and the second contoured portion are both convex in a dimension along a first axis and are both flat or convex in a dimension along a second axis normal to the first axis.