Systems and Methods for Providing Ergonomic Chairs

Abstract

A chair for providing support to a user's spine to improve posture and for providing ways for the user to perform exercises. The chair may include a flexible connection that enables a back support to move side to side through a sidebending range of motion of the user. The back support, which may include a flexible chair spine, may be configured to adapt to the curvature of the user's spine when the user is seated in the chair. A seat of the chair may include channels and vents to improve air circulation within the seat.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A chair for supporting a user, said chair comprising:
 a seat;   a back support including at least one support surface that is configured to be adjacent to a spine of said user;   at least two arm supports; and   a connector that provides a flexible connection between said seat and said back support;   wherein said flexible connection is configured to enable said back support to move through a sidebending range of motion from a left side of said user to a right side of said user;   wherein said arm supports are connected to said connector and are configured to move in conjunction with said back support through said sidebending range of motion.   
     
     
         2 . The chair of  claim 1  wherein said flexible connection can be adjusted to restrict said range of motion. 
     
     
         3 . The chair of  claim 1  wherein said flexible connection can be adjusted to increase said range of motion. 
     
     
         4 . The chair of  claim 1  wherein said flexible connection provides a pivot point for said back support to move within said sidebending range of motion. 
     
     
         5 . The chair of  claim 4  wherein a bottom edge of said back support is shaped as an arc of a circle to allow said movement within said sidebending range of motion. 
     
     
         6 . The chair of  claim 1  wherein said back support further comprises a chair spine. 
     
     
         7 . The chair of  claim 6  wherein said back support further comprises:
 a thoracic support that is connected to said chair spine and is adjacent to a portion of said user's thoracic spine; and 
 a lumbosacral support that is connected to said chair spine and is adjacent to a portion of said user's lumbar spine; 
 wherein said connection between said thoracic support and said chair spine enable said thoracic support to flex in response to forces from said user. 
 
     
     
         8 . The chair of  claim 7  wherein said connection between said lumbosacral support and said chair spine enable said lumbosacral support to flex in response to forces from said user. 
     
     
         9 . The chair of  claim 8  wherein said thoracic support and said lumbosacral support are capable of independently flexing in response to forces from said user. 
     
     
         10 . The chair of  claim 1  wherein said seat comprises:
 an upper seat surface with an outer layer including at least one vent; 
 a seat pan that connects to said upper seat surface to create an interior housing; and 
 at least one channel adjacent to said interior housing at a first end and adjacent to said outer layer at a second end; 
 wherein said at least one vent aligns with said second end of said at least one channel to enable air to flow between said interior housing and an exterior of said outer layer. 
 
     
     
         11 . The chair of  claim 10  wherein said seat pan includes at least one vent that enables the flow of air between said interior housing and an exterior of said seat pan. 
     
     
         12 . The chair of  claim 1  wherein said back support includes sensors to determine a position of the user on said chair. 
     
     
         13 . The chair of  claim 1  wherein said seat includes sensors to determine a position of the user on said chair. 
     
     
         14 . A chair for supporting a user, said chair comprising:
 a seat with a seating surface;   a connector that provides a flexible connection between said seat and a back support, wherein said flexible connection is higher than said seating surface;   at least two arm supports connected to said connector; and   said back support comprising:
 a spine; 
 a thoracic support that is connected to said spine and is configured to be adjacent to a portion of said user's thoracic spine; and 
   wherein said flexible connection enables said back support and said at least two arm supports to move through a sidebending range of motion from a left side of said user to a right side of said user.   
     
     
         15 . The chair of  claim 14  wherein said flexible connector remains substantially fixed during said movement of said user. 
     
     
         16 . The chair of  claim 14  wherein said connection between said thoracic support and said spine enable said thoracic support to flex in response to forces from said user. 
     
     
         17 . The chair of  claim 16  wherein said back support further comprises a lumbar support that is connected to said spine and is adjacent to a portion of said user's lumbar spine, wherein said connection between said lumbar support and said spine enable said lumbar support to flex in response to forces from said user. 
     
     
         18 . The chair of  claim 17  wherein said thoracic support and said lumbar support are capable of independently flexing in response to forces from said user. 
     
     
         19 . A chair for supporting a user, said chair comprising:
 a seat with a seating surface;   a connector that provides a flexible connection between said seat and a back support, wherein said flexible connection is higher than said seating surface; and   said back support comprising:
 a vertical support member; 
 a neck support that is connected to said vertical support member and is configured to be adjacent to a portion of said user's neck; 
 a thoracic support that is connected to said vertical support member and is configured to be adjacent to a portion of said user's thoracic spine; and 
 a lumbar support that is connected to said vertical support member and is configured to be adjacent to a portion of said user's lumbar spine; 
   wherein said flexible connection enables said back support to move through a sidebending range of motion from a left side of said user to a right side of said user.   
     
     
         20 . The chair of  claim 19  further comprising at least two arm supports that are connected to said connector, wherein said flexible connection further enables said at least two arm supports to move in conjunction with said back support through said sidebending range of motion.