Lightweight adjustable folding ergonomic sit/stand chair with optional methods of construction and integration with ancillary accessories

Abstract

A novel lightweight, high stability ergonomic chair, enabling sitting, and leaning in a perched intermediary position between sitting and standing. An inclined saddle type seat is supported by three legs. A forward chair leg is located between the feet of, and beneath the center of gravity of the seated person. Two chair legs extend rearward. The chair permits rocking backwards, diagonally forward, and rocking about the forward chair leg. This “active seating” provides for easy transitions between sitting and standing, shifting of weight, and conveys an open positive body language. The chairs may be constructed of various rigid and flexible materials, with optional features including; armrests, footrests, caster wheels, cushioning, and a standing desk type work surface. The chair eliminates the need for connection to a base platform beneath the user's feet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An ergonomic chair for sitting in a substantially upright sit/stand position in which the users weight is distributed between their feet and buttocks while perching on an inclined seat having a lightweight three-legged panel-type frame structure, integrated with a seat and a backrest to provide a strong, stable, comfortable, economical and health promoting alternative to conventional seating wherein the chair comprises:
 (A) a pair of side panel members, each panel member each panel having opposed mutually parallel sides and including:
 (1) a front leg and a rear chair leg, each chair leg including a chair foot and chair foot, seat supports, and chair-back sections, 
 (2) the front edge of each of said panels being pivot-ally connected to each other to define a common front chair-foot and thereby enabling the panels to be pivotably spread apart with an included angle therebetween to provide spacing between the two rear chair feet, and 
 (3) an upper frame including a chair back portion 
   (B) a chair backrest member, each chair backrest having first and second ends, respective ends being mechanically connected to a respective upper frame of a side panel members and   (C) a chair seat member, mechanically connected to each side panel member, seat chair seat member pitched forward at an angle conducive to distributing the user's weight between the feet and buttocks, whereby, the three-legged base provides solid footing on uneven surface, and structural efficiency provided by a panel-type architecture the panels comprising a pyramidal structure with a minimum number of components and connections, resulting in a strong, stable, lightweight and portable design with a unique and aesthetically appealing form following function, this novel invention combines afford ability, functionality and utility in myriad applications and environments hitherto impractical with sit/stand chairs of the prior art.   
     
     
         2 . The chair as described in  claim 1  further comprising:
 a pair of elongated armrest members extending generally horizontally with respective top surfaces that are coplanar with frontward and rearward extremities, said rearward first ends mechanically connected to said side panels intermediate said chair backrest member and chair seat member, said respective frontward ends being spaced apart more than said respective rearward extremities whereby, the armrests support the user's arms to reduce the weight on the user's feet and buttocks, while also providing a means of stabilizing the arm to hold various items. 
 
     
     
         3 . The chair as described in  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the structural members are connected by means of pivotal and releasable connections enabling the chair members to be folded into a compact flat form approximately the thickness of the two side panels, thus maximizing portability, carrying convenience, storage efficiency, and overall utility in a novel design. 
     
     
         4 . The chair as described in  claim 3  wherein said chair backrest comprises first and second planar side members, each respective planar side member being pivot-ally connected to a respective upper frame. 
     
     
         5 . The chair as described in  claim 4  wherein said first and second planar side members are coupled together by a hinge. 
     
     
         6 . The chair as described in  claim 4  said first and second planar side members are coupled together by a barrel type hinge. 
     
     
         7 . The chair as described in  claim 4  wherein said first and second planar side members are coupled together at a vertical centerline of the chair. 
     
     
         8 . The chair as described in  claim 1  wherein one or more of the structural members comprises a fabric, webbing, or rope material 
     
     
         9 . The chairs as described in  claim 1  wherein one or more of the mechanical connections, pivotal connections, or releasable connections, are enabled by means of a flexible joint or hinge comprising a fabric, webbing or rope material. 
     
     
         10 . The chair as described in  claim 1  further comprising
 a cross-brace member, having first and second ends, each respective end being mechanically connected to respective side panel members distal to said chair backrest member. 
 
     
     
         11 . The chair as described in  claim 10  wherein each cross-brace member, has two ends and the respective ends are pivotally connected to said side panels, each of said cross-brace members comprises two equal length half-sections pivotally connected at a vertical centerline, 
     
     
         12 . The chair as described in  claim 1 , wherein said mean of adjustments comprises electronically controlled electro-mechanical actuators with wired or wireless power, and wired or wireless controls. 
     
     
         13 . The chair as described in  claim 1  further comprising a means of independently adjusting the height of each of the legs, enabling the chair to be leveled for use on significantly uneven surfaces. 
     
     
         14 . The chair as described in  claim 1  further comprising rolling elements selected from the group consisting of wheels or casters, with or without locking brakes, on one or more of the chair feet. 
     
     
         15 . The chair as described in  claim 1  further comprising a means of achieving a rocking motion, either by means of a conventional convex rocking rail or by means of spring/damper type elements incorporated into the chair feet. 
     
     
         16 . The chair as described in  claim 1  further comprising a means of receiving and releasably connecting with a desk-type work surface enabling the chair function as a base for transformation as a standing desk. 
     
     
         17 . The chair as described in  claim 1  wherein a means is provided for the quick and easy disassembly of the structural members enabling the chairs to be broken-down to a level sufficiently convenient for storage or transportation.
 The chair as described in  claim 1  further comprising one or more footrests. 
 
     
     
         19 . The chair as described in  claim 1  wherein one or more of the seat, backrest or armrest members may be contoured, padded, and or covered with materials suitable for maximizing comfort and or support.