CA3093618A1 - Dynamic seating plate - Google Patents

Abstract

The dynamic seating plate solves the problem of sitting for longer periods of time and its detrimental effect on health. When sitting, its use causes the body to shift backwards and a slight lifting of the back of the pelvis so that the person maintains the most upright posture possible. This reduces the strain on the lumbar spine.
Due to the gravitational force on the body, the upper plate (8) that is attached to the seat part of the chair is lowered, shifts backwards and is slightly raised at the rear with respect to the base plate (1). With adjustment shock absorbers (9), we can adjust or find the ideal position taking into account the body weight of the user of the chair, whereby every movement of the body triggers a movement of the plate. The direction of movement of the plates is limited by the sliding elements (5) in the grooves of the supporting ribs (2). The basic plates will be attached to the bottom supporting holder of the chair and to the upper seat part through modified openings (7). Guards (6) prevent sliding elements or bearings slipping or sliding off the rails.

Description

Dynamic Seating Plate The subject of this invention is the following element ¨ a dynamic seating plate, EASEBelt Dynamic MM. Specifically, it is an element that is installed in a new chair or it can be inserted into existing chairs. The seating aid affects the movement characteristics in the spine and pelvis. The body rises and lowers so that it allows diffusion in the intervertebral disks.
By using the Easebelt belt to relieve the spine, the EASEBelt Dynamic MM
seating plate will certainly function better since the gravitational forces will shift, if nothing else, due to breathing (greater and lesser vertical forces), thereby stimulating the muscles that support the spine to activate and in this way causing movement in the spine itself.
Since we are sitting on the pelvis, the axial skeleton's weight (spine, thorax and head) is transferred through it to the lower limbs. Thus, the pelvis provides support when in a seated position and protects the organs in the lower abdominal cavity. In fact, there are significant major organs in the pelvic area (part of the gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract and reproductive organs), as well as large vessels and nerves. The pelvis is also a significant attachment point for the muscles of the torso and the lower limbs.
Using a chair with a dynamic seating plate, a major impact on the intervertebral disks is achieved. These are crucial for the normal biomechanics of the spine and act as a shock absorber of forces that act on the spine. In this case, we need to be aware of the fact that degenerative changes in the intervertebral disks appear earlier than in other organs. This can be caused by the constant year-long mechanical stress that occurs during seating, which I would like to reduce with the dynamic seating plate.
For easier understanding of the purpose behind production and obtaining the patent for: "Dynamic seating plate EASEBelt Dynamic MM", it is good to be familiar with certain facts:
Research confirms that "sitting" is an "addiction" that has detrimental effects on health.
Sitting is, in fact, associated with an increased risk of mortality, cardiovascular diseases, various forms of cancer, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, gastrointestinal disorders, type 2 diabetes mellitus, weight gain, a number of musculoskeletal disorders, and probably much more.
In one study, researchers found that people whose workplaces require them to be in a seated position are often unhappy and dissatisfied, which represents a significant risk that physical health problems will be combined with mental health problems.
When we sit, our blood circulation is obstructed. The metabolism slows down and muscles are no longer active. However, the brain keeps sending signals for food since they do not receive enough nutrients due to the poor blood circulation.
That we are a sit-down generation is a well-known fact, but we need to ask ourselves why we sit, if we know that the body was designed for movement. Unfortunately, we are becoming dependent on chairs both at the workplace and at home. We sit while driving, when working with the computer, in waiting rooms, at events, when playing video games, while watching TV, eating, travelling, etc. and this is just a few Date Recue/Date Received 2020-09-18

2 examples. We know quite well that long periods of sitting are harmful to health. This is why I conduct research and work to make the reactions of the body while sitting as close as possible to the reactions during walking. I dedicated initial research to the preservation of the health of the musculoskeletal system. However, recent research and measurements also demonstrate that there is a very significant impact on the respiratory organs, internal organs, heart and even brain function.
Statistics show that 86% of US workers sit at their workplace. In Slovenia, there is a growing number of professions that require sitting. In fact, it is shocking how much time we spend in a seated position ¨ yet we are not even aware of this.
Today, sitting is a routine in our lives. Most of the body weight is transferred to the chair through the bottom part of the pelvis. In part, a portion of the weight can be transferred to the backrest of the chair (although very few people sit leaning back as shown in Fig. 3 ¨ for that purpose, I have designed the EASEBelt belt, which actually transfers part of the body weight to the backrest as shown in Fig. 4). Part of the weight is absorbed by the armrests, while part is transferred to the floor through the legs. It all depends on our posture and, of course, the chair that we are using. That is the case with this product as well: "Dynamic seating plate EASEBelt Dynamic MM" has a much greater impact on the body when used in combination with the EASEBelt belt, as shown in Fig. 4.
In view of the above, some employers opt for workplaces where people stand, but research confirms doubts regarding a better effect. Compared to standing at the workplace, it has been found that the body consumes less energy when sitting than when standing and also provides the stability necessary for the performance of high-end visual and motoric inspection tasks.
Standing up causes static load. During long-term working in a stand-up position, problems occur with blood circulation because the blood stays in the legs, leading to swelling and varicose veins. In addition, standing up also puts a heavy strain on the spine and postural muscles. In a standing position, the muscular system is constantly active to maintain our upright position.
In the sitting position, static loads and energy consumption are lower. It is not necessary to strengthen the lower limbs so intensively, the position is stabler and more suitable for fine work with the hands.
When a person sits down, they first bend their hips and knees and rest their buttocks on the seating surface of the chair. In doing so, he or she first rotates the pelvis backwards and straightens the sacrum, bends the knees and rotates the hips.
Assuming different body positions also shifts the centre of the gravitational force of the body that acts on the chair, as shown in Fig. 5. It is beneficial to straighten the spine and maintain it in a fixed position, as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. If a person straightens to sit up, they achieve a 140% strain on the intervertebral disks; however, if they remain leaning forward, there is a 175% strain or more due to the moments of acting forces, as show in Fig. 8. When sitting during work, a person usually assumes the front sitting position. The backrest is highly important when sitting in the back position. With a slouched sitting posture, excessive strain on the spine can occur due to increased Date Recue/Date Received 2020-09-18

3 loads on the discs and posterior spinal structures. Sitting in a slanted position will exacerbate the issue, resulting in increased pressure on the intervertebral discs.
The anatomy of sitting is shown in Fig. 6. Comparison of the shape of the spine in a standing position and when sitting in an incorrect position ¨ shown in Fig. 7.
It is good to use the backrest of the chair to transfer part of the body weight. Research has shown that backrests will reduce the strain on the spine and thereby the pressure in the intervertebral disks. Therefore, the general guide for transferring the maximum body weight without hindering the work environment is the use of an ergonomically designed backrest.
The use of a lumbar support has been shown to reduce strain on the spine and restore the spinal curve.
With the existing and current new patented Easebelt products, I want to achieve the following while sitting:
= ensure stability in the performance of high-end visual and motoric inspection tasks = provide an optimal sitting posture = relieve the spine = achieve proper muscle function = promote the use of a backrest when in a sitting position = achieve a neutral spinal curve due to the use of lumbar support = allow the functioning of the intervertebral discs = enable the supply and optimal functioning of the brain (Roger Sperry, MD
¨
Nobel laureate found that 90% of the brain supply and stimulation results from movement in the spine) = slow down degenerative processes, slow down ageing and thus prolong life I am aware that there is no universal sitting posture or chair that would be best for everyone. However, we can change many things with the use of certain aids, exercises and, above all, mindset.
The claim when using the EASEBelt aids that "The muscle function becomes sluggish"
shows ignorance of the functioning of the muscular system, since the muscles are relaxed when we sit down. This is the main reason why increased loads on the spine occur.
Using Easebelt aids, I stimulate and activate the muscles even while sitting.
This is one of the main functions of the plate or its function that are presented here.
The invention will be explained in more detail below including a description of a design case and the accompanying drawings, which show:
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-09-18

4 Fig. 1: The view of the EASEBelt Dynamic MM dynamic seating plate component, which is designed for use as a stand-alone seating surface that is attached to a chair base, and can also be attached to an existing seating surface of a chair by adapting base plate 1 to the chair base by means of the openings 7, while the upper plate 8 can be adapted to the seating surface.
The basic position A is designed so that the upper part of the plate (ribs 3 and seating surface 8) is shifted forward and in a raised position. This position is ensured by the shock absorbers 9, which can, however, be replaced with some other elastic elements or springs. With the force in these shock absorbers, springs or elastic elements, we can adjust the functioning of the plate for the different body weights of the users.
Due to the weight of the body when we sit on the plate, the plate moves backwards and sinks at the front, while the second half rises slightly at the back.
Front view. This shows the basic/original position of the upper part, which is relieved at the top point. Position A. When we sit down, the upper plate shifts backwards and lowers at the front ¨ position B ¨ and the back part rises slightly, which alters the gravitational force through a tendency to shift downwards and in a forward direction.
Fig. 2: Side view. This shows the direction of movement of the upper part, which is achieved by rails (groove) in the supporting elements 2. Sliding elements 5 that are connected to each other by support axes 4 are installed in the grooves, while protective elements 6 prevent them falling out of the sliding surface.
Ball, needle or sliding bearings (5) that are mounted on rails (4) and protected with guards (6) can be used as sliding elements.
For the front groove, the rail is designed so that its angle (chamfer) is greater than in the rear groove.
The rear groove (rail) is horizontal in the first half, and then rises slightly at an angle smaller than in the front. This ensures that due to gravity, the body (via the pelvis) definitely shifts backwards and the rear part rises slightly. When shifting backwards, the shock absorbers 9 or similar elastic elements contract and create a counteracting force pushing the seating surface forward. By shifting forward, the rear of the seating plate lowers slightly, while the front rises.
Fig. 3: A view of the body and the load of the gravitational force on the intervertebral discs in the spine when sitting and an illustration of the forces acting on the plate with a tendency to a backwards shift.
Fig. 4: A view of the body and the load of the gravitational force on the intervertebral discs in the spine when sitting with the use of a lumbar relief belt and an illustration of the forces acting on the plate with a tendency to a backwards shift. Since in this case, part of the weight is transferred to the rear ¨ a backrest of the seat, there is less gravitational weight on the plate, which changes due to breathing. This results in an even greater functionality of the plate.
Fig. 5: A view of the gravitational forces acting on the seating surface with respect to different ways of seating ¨ bending of the body. With this, it is good to take into Date Recue/Date Received 2020-09-18

5 account the position of the reaction force so that the construction of the plate itself and its installation on the base is designed with respect to the body weight of the user.
The ideal sitting position can be achieved by adjusting the shock absorbers.
Fig. 6: A view of the anatomy of sitting. Theoretically, a person should sit upright and wear lumbar support. In the sitting position, there is increased pressure on the intervertebral disks, mainly because the elements that provide support for the spine during walking ¨ muscles, ligaments and abdominal cavity ¨ relax.
Fig. 7: Comparison of the shape of the lower spine area when walking and sitting in an inappropriate position. Sitting in a chair with a built-in plate and lumbar support, the position and movement in the spine approaches a situation similar to that while walking.
Fig. 8: A table showing the strain in the spine in different positions. Here you can see how the strains on the intervertebral disks increase with each sitting. This prevents the normal absorption of fluid into the disks (diffusion), which in turn has a major effect on the degeneration of the disks.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-09-18

Claims (3)

6

1. The dynamic seating plate is characterised by the fact that it consists of a base plate (1) with openings (7) that can be installed in a new chair during construction or adjusted to existing chairs with supporting holders (2) with rails for shifting the upper part of the chair backwards and simultaneously raising the rear part.

2. According to the claim 1, the dynamic seating plate is characterised by the fact that the plate is fitted with built-in adjustment shock absorbers (9), springs and other elastic elements.

3. According to the claim 1, the dynamic seating plate is characterised by the fact that ball, needle or sliding bearings (5) installed on rails (4) and protected with guards (6) are used for the dynamics between the plates.