Adjustable seating systems and associated structures
Structures of seating systems for human users are disclosed. In one embodiment, the structure comprises: a frame; a seat structure supported by the frame; and a back rest structure supported by the frame. The seat structure comprises a thigh support region and a pelvic support region where the pelvic support region defines a pelvic well for receiving an ischial tuberosity of the user and also provides a fulcrum to assist in rotating the pelvis of the user. The back rest structure comprises a gluteal panel for supporting a gluteal mass of the user and a posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) panel disposed above the gluteal panel. The PSIS panel is adjustable to cause movement of a PSIS of the user and cooperate with the pelvic well to cause rotation of the pelvis of the user about the fulcrum provided by the pelvic well.
1. A structure of a seating system for a human user, the structure comprising:
a frame;
a seat structure supported by the frame, the seat structure comprising a thigh support region and a pelvic support region, the pelvic support region defining a pelvic well for receiving an ischial tuberosity of the user and providing a fulcrum for rotation of a pelvis of the user;
a back rest structure supported by the frame, the back rest structure comprising:
a gluteal panel for supporting a gluteal mass of the user; and
a posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) panel disposed above the gluteal panel, the PSIS panel being adjustable to cause movement of a PSIS of the user and cooperate with the pelvic well to cause rotation of the pelvis of the user about the fulcrum provided by the pelvic well, wherein:
the PSIS panel comprises two loading zones separated by a spine relief zone; and
the spine relief zone of the PSIS panel comprises a recess formed into the PSIS panel.
2. The structure as defined in claim 1 , wherein the PSIS panel is adjustable by translation.
3. The structure as defined in claim 1 , wherein the PSIS panel is adjustable by rotation.
4. The structure as defined in claim 1 , wherein the two loading zones of the PSIS panel are adjacent the spine relief zone of the PSIS panel.
5. The structure as defined in claim 1 , wherein the PSIS panel has an overall concave shape facing the user.
6. The structure as defined in claim 1 , wherein the gluteal panel is adjustable by translation.
7. The structure as defined in claim 1 , wherein the gluteal panel is adjustable by rotation.
8. The structure as defined in claim 1 , wherein the gluteal panel comprises two loading zones separated by a spine relief zone.
9. The structure as defined in claim 8 , wherein the two loading zones of the gluteal panel are adjacent the spine relief zone of the gluteal panel.
10. The structure as defined in claim 8 , wherein the spine relief zone of the gluteal panel comprises a recess formed into the gluteal panel.
11. The structure as defined in claim 1 , wherein the gluteal panel has an overall concave shape facing the user.
12. The structure as defined in claim 1 , wherein the gluteal panel has a coccyx relief zone.
13. The structure as defined in claim 12 , wherein the coccyx relief zone comprises a coccyx aperture in the gluteal panel.
14. The structure as defined in claim 1 , wherein the seat structure comprises a perineal relief zone.
15. The structure as defined in claim 14 , wherein the perineal relief zone comprises a perineal aperture in the seat structure.
16. The structure as defined in claim 1 , wherein the thigh support region comprises a left thigh panel and a right thigh panel, the left thigh panel and the right thigh panel being independently adjustable.
17. The structure as defined in claim 16 , wherein each of the left thigh panel and the right thigh panel is rotatable relative to the pelvic support region.
18. The structure as defined in claim 16 , wherein each of the left thigh panel and the right thigh panel is hingedly connected to the pelvic support region.
19. The structure as defined in claim 16 , wherein a length of each of the left thigh panel and the right thigh panel is adjustable to accommodate a range of femur lengths.
20. The structure as defined in claim 1 , wherein the pelvic well has a depth of about 3.8 cm (1.5 inch) relative to the thigh support region.
21. The structure as defined in claim 1 , wherein the back rest structure comprises a thoracic panel disposed above the PSIS panel.
22. The structure as defined in claim 21 , wherein the thoracic panel is adjustable by translation.
23. The structure as defined in claim 21 , wherein the thoracic panel is adjustable by rotation.
24. The structure as defined in claim 21 , wherein the thoracic panel provides two loading zones separated by a spine relief zone.
25. The structure as defined in claim 24 , wherein the two loading zones of the thoracic panel are adjacent the spine relief zone of the thoracic panel.
26. The structure as defined in claim 24 , wherein the spine relief zone of the thoracic panel comprises a recess formed into the thoracic panel.
27. The structure as defined in claim 21 , wherein the thoracic panel has an overall concave shape facing the user.
28. A seating system comprising the structure as defined in claim 1 .
29. A vehicle seat comprising the structure as defined in claim 1 .
30. A structure of a seating system for a human user, the structure comprising:
a frame;
a seat structure supported by the frame, the seat structure comprising a thigh support region and a pelvic support region, the pelvic support region defining a pelvic well for receiving an ischial tuberosity of the user and providing a fulcrum for rotation of a pelvis of the user;
a back rest structure supported by the frame, the back rest structure comprising:
a gluteal panel for supporting a gluteal mass of the user; and
a posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) panel disposed above the gluteal panel, the PSIS panel being adjustable to cause movement of a PSIS of the user and cooperate with the pelvic well to cause rotation of the pelvis of the user about the fulcrum provided by the pelvic well,
wherein:
the gluteal panel comprises two loading zones separated by a spine relief zone; and
the spine relief zone of the gluteal panel comprises a recess formed into the gluteal panel.
31. A structure of a seating system for a human user, the structure comprising:
a frame;
a seat structure supported by the frame, the seat structure comprising a thigh support region and a pelvic support region, the pelvic support region defining a pelvic well for receiving an ischial tuberosity of the user and providing a fulcrum for rotation of a pelvis of the user;
a back rest structure supported by the frame, the back rest structure comprising:
a gluteal panel for supporting a gluteal mass of the user; and
a posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) panel disposed above the gluteal panel, the PSIS panel being adjustable to cause movement of a PSIS of the user and cooperate with the pelvic well to cause rotation of the pelvis of the user about the fulcrum provided by the pelvic well,
wherein:
the gluteal panel has a coccyx relief zone; and
the coccyx relief zone comprises a coccyx aperture in the gluteal panel.
32. A structure of a seating system for a human user, the structure comprising:
a frame;
a seat structure supported by the frame, the seat structure comprising a thigh support region and a pelvic support region, the pelvic support region defining a pelvic well for receiving an ischial tuberosity of the user and providing a fulcrum for rotation of a pelvis of the user;
a back rest structure supported by the frame, the back rest structure comprising:
a gluteal panel for supporting a gluteal mass of the user; and
a posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) panel disposed above the gluteal panel, the PSIS panel being adjustable to cause movement of a PSIS of the user and cooperate with the pelvic well to cause rotation of the pelvis of the user about the fulcrum provided by the pelvic well,
wherein:
the seat structure comprises a perineal relief zone; and
the perineal relief zone comprises a perineal aperture in the seat structure.
33. A structure of a seating system for a human user, the structure comprising:
a frame;
a seat structure supported by the frame, the seat structure comprising a thigh support region and a pelvic support region, the pelvic support region defining a pelvic well for receiving an ischial tuberosity of the user and providing a fulcrum for rotation of a pelvis of the user;
a back rest structure supported by the frame, the back rest structure comprising:
a gluteal panel for supporting a gluteal mass of the user; and
a posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) panel disposed above the gluteal panel, the PSIS panel being adjustable to cause movement of a PSIS of the user and cooperate with the pelvic well to cause rotation of the pelvis of the user about the fulcrum provided by the pelvic well,
wherein:
the back rest structure comprises a thoracic panel disposed above the PSIS panel;
the thoracic panel provides two loading zones separated by a spine relief zone; and
the spine relief zone of the thoracic panel comprises a recess formed into the thoracic panel.