IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,226,031
Granted Patent B2
US 12,226,031 · App. 18/099,815 · Granted Feb 18, 2025

Deployable backrest, footrail and anti-fatigue mat ergonomic office stool

Inventors: Mark E. Benden (College Station, TX); Jackson C. Jarman (Richardson, TX)
Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
A47C9/025A47C7/004A47C7/50
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,226,031
App. No.
18/099,815
Granted
Feb 18, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A stool includes a base with a post extending therefrom. A seat is connected to a distal end of the post. In some configurations, the seat may be configured to act as a deployable back rest. A deployable anti-fatigue mat is connected to the base. In some configurations, the deployable anti-fatigue mat is attached to the base via a hinged connection. In some configurations, the deployable anti-fatigue mat is attached to the base with a sliding connection that allows the deployable anti-fatigue mat to slide out from the base.

Claims (33)

1. A stool comprising:

a base;

a post comprising a proximal end connected to the base and a distal end disposed opposite the proximal end;

a seat coupled to the distal end of the post; and

a deployable anti-fatigue mat movably attached to the base,

wherein the deployable anti-fatigue mat comprises a first portion pivotally joined to a second portion.

2. The stool of claim 1 , wherein the deployable anti-fatigue mat is configured to be moved between a first position in which a user can stand upon the deployable anti-fatigue mat and a second position in which the user does not stand upon the deployable anti-fatigue mat.

3. The stool of claim 1 , wherein the deployable anti-fatigue mat comprises a footrest.

4. The stool of claim 1 , wherein the first portion can be configured as a footrest when the deployable anti-fatigue mat is not deployed.

5. The stool of claim 4 , wherein the base comprises a pair of supports upon which the first portion rests when the second portion is configured as a footrest.

6. The stool of claim 1 , wherein the deployable anti-fatigue mat is pivotably attached to the base via a hinged connection between the second portion and the base.

7. The stool of claim 1 , wherein the deployable anti-fatigue mat is movably attached to the base so that the deployable anti-fatigue mat is configured to translate horizontally between deployed undeployed positions.

8. The stool of claim 1 , wherein a bottom surface of the deployable anti-fatigue mat comprises a low-friction material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, delrin, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, ceramic, and polytetrafluoroethylene.

9. The stool of claim 1 , wherein the seat is configured as a deployable backrest that may be moved between a first position in which a user can lean against the seat as a backrest for support and a second position in which the user can sit upon the seat as a seat cushion.

10. The stool of claim 1 , further comprising an actuator that is configured to deploy the deployable anti-fatigue mat.

11. The stool of claim 10 , wherein the actuator is controlled by a control mechanism that is selectively operated by a user.

12. The stool of claim 1 , further comprising an actuator that is configured to deploy the seat as a deployable backrest.

13. The stool of claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a plurality of wheels that permit the stool to roll across the floor.

14. The stool of claim 1 , further comprising a backrest attached to the post.

15. The stool of claim 1 , further comprising a pair of armrests attached to the post.

16. The stool of claim 15 , further comprising an inductive charge coil positioned on an armrest of the pair of armrests or the base.

17. A method of making a stool comprising a deployable backrest and a deployable anti-fatigue mat, the method comprising:

attaching the deployable backrest to the stool so that the deployable backrest is movable between a first position in which a user can lean against the deployable backrest for support and a second position in which the user can sit upon the deployable backrest as a seat cushion;

attaching the deployable anti-fatigue mat to the stool so that the deployable anti-fatigue mat is movable between a first position in which the user can stand upon the deployable anti-fatigue mat and a second position in which the user does not stand upon the deployable anti-fatigue mat; and

attaching an inductive proximity charger to at least one of an armrest of the stool and a base of the stool to allow the stool to charge when the stool is aligned with a proximity charger.

18. A stool comprising:

a base;

a post comprising a proximal end connected to the base and a distal end disposed opposite the proximal end;

a seat coupled to the distal end of the post; and

a deployable anti-fatigue mat movably attached to the base,

wherein a bottom surface of the deployable anti-fatigue mat comprises a low-friction material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, delrin, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, ceramic, and polytetrafluoroethylene.

19. The stool of claim 18 , wherein the deployable anti-fatigue mat comprises a first portion pivotally joined to a second portion.

20. The stool of claim 18 , further comprising an actuator that is configured to deploy at least one of the deployable anti-fatigue mat and the seat as a deployable backrest.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 7, 2023
From: BENDEN, MARK E.; JARMAN, JACKSON C.
To: THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
Reel/Frame 063259/0716 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63303828 · Jan 27, 2022
Related Publication 20230232993A1 · Jul 27, 2023
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