Flexible seating surface

摘要

A seat has a first ischial region, a second ischial region, a tailbone region and a thigh transitional region, each having at least one slot. Each slot generally opens outward, away from a center of the seat. Each slot may have an elongated central portion and two distal portions extending from the central portion. The central portion and distal portions may be substantially linear and may have a specific configuration relative to each other to provide desired support characteristics. The slots may allow flexing and cantilevering of portions of the seat to dynamically contour the seat based on the weight of the user. Multiple grooves may be included at the front of the seat to facilitate curling of the front of the seat.

主权项

1. A seat comprising:
a peripheral edge defining an outer boundary of the seat; a longitudinal axis generally extending from a front of the seat to a rear of the seat and generally dividing the seat into two equal halves; a first ischial region located on a first side of the longitudinal axis, a second ischial region located on a second side of the longitudinal axis, a tailbone region located rearward of the first and second ischial regions, a thigh transitional region located forward of the first and second ischial regions; a center of the seat located between the first ischial region, the second ischial region, the tailbone region, and the thigh transitional region; a plurality of first ischial slots defined within the seat and not extending to the peripheral edge, the first ischial slots disposed completely within the seat such that they do not extend to a peripheral edge of the seat, the first ischial slots disposed completely within the first ischial region, the first ischial slots being separate and distinct from one another; and a plurality of second ischial slots defined within the seat, the second ischial slots disposed completely within the seat such that they do not extend to a peripheral edge of the seat, the second ischial slots disposed completely within the second ischial region, the second ischial slots being separate and distinct from one another; wherein each slot extends completely through the seat, wherein each slot includes a central portion, a first distal portion defined adjacent a first end of the central portion, and a second distal portion defined adjacent a second end of the central portion, the distal portions extending at an angle with respect to their respective central portions.