Tiltable Stool

Abstract

A tiltable stool includes a seat which is connected to a base by an elongated body structure. The base has an upper base element and a lower base element. The upper base element is resiliently deformable. The resiliently deformable upper base element allows the stool to pivot in any direction. The lower base element is a rotationally symmetrical outwardly convex and inwardly concave body. The upper base element may include one or more annular grooves.

1 . A tiltable stool, comprising:
 a seat;   an upper base element;   a body structure extending between the seat and the upper base element, the body structure being firmly connected to a central portion of the upper base element; and   a lower base element, the lower base element having an annular upper end firmly connected to an annular outer portion of the upper base element,   wherein the upper base element is resiliently deformable and includes a portion having a U-shaped profile.   
     
     
         2 . The tiltable stool as in  claim 1 ,
 wherein the lower base element is a rotationally symmetrical outwardly convex and inwardly concave body extending from the annular upper end to an annular lower end.   
     
     
         3 . The tiltable stool as in  claim 1 ,
 wherein the lower base element and the upper base element are connected to each other with a tongue and groove joint.   
     
     
         4 . The tiltable stool as in  claim 1 ,
 wherein the lower base element comprises an upwardly facing tongue which engages a downwardly open groove in the upper base element.   
     
     
         5 . The tiltable stool as in  claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the upper base element and an outer surface of the lower base element transition seamlessly into one another. 
     
     
         6 . The tiltable stool as in  claim 1 ,
 wherein the upper base element is made of a resiliently deformable material and the lower base element is made of an inelastic material.   
     
     
         7 . The tiltable stool as in  claim 1 ,
 wherein both the upper base element and the lower base element are made of resiliently deformable material.   
     
     
         8 . The tiltable stool as in  claim 1 ,
 wherein the upper base element comprises an annular groove in the portion having the U-shaped profile.   
     
     
         9 . The tiltable stool as in  claim 8 ,
 wherein the annular groove is deeper than it is wide.   
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The tiltable stool as in  claim 8 ,
 wherein the annular groove is arranged concentrically around and proximal to the central portion.   
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The tiltable stool as in  claim 8 ,
 wherein the annular groove has an inner side wall and an outer side wall,   wherein upper portions of the inner side wall and the outer side wall are arranged at a distance from one another when the tiltable stool is in an upright position, and   wherein the upper portions of the inner side wall and the outer side wall touch when the tiltable stool is deflected and reaches a maximum tilt angle.   
     
     
         14 . The tiltable stool as in  claim 8 ,
 further comprising a tilt angle adjustment ring which is axially displaceable along a longitudinal axis of the body structure, the tilt angle adjustment ring having a lower portion which engages the annular groove at a selectable depth.   
     
     
         15 . The tiltable stool as in  claim 14 ,
 wherein a maximum tilt angle of the body structure is limited by selecting the selectable depth of the lower portion of the tilt angle adjustment ring in the annular groove.   
     
     
         16 . The tiltable stool as in  claim 1 ,
 wherein the upper base element comprises a plurality of concentric and radially spaced annular grooves.   
     
     
         17 . The tiltable stool as in  claim 16 ,
 wherein the annular grooves have a generally U-shaped cross-sectional profile.   
     
     
         18 . The tiltable stool as in  claim 16 ,
 wherein the annular grooves are filled with a compressible compound.   
     
     
         19 . The tiltable stool as in  claim 16 ,
 wherein the annular grooves are wider than they are deep.   
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The tiltable stool as in  claim 1 ,
 wherein the seat is pivotably mounted to an upper end of the body structure.   
     
     
         22 . The tiltable stool as in  claim 1 ,
 wherein the seat comprises
 an upper seat member which is firmly attached to 
 a lower seat member, and 
   wherein the lower seat member includes a U-shaped lower seat member portion which is configured to deform and allow the seat to pivot relative to the body structure.   
     
     
         23 . The tiltable stool as in  claim 22 ,
 wherein a width of the U-shaped lower seat member portion determines a maximum pivot angle of the seat relative to the body structure.   
     
     
         24 . (canceled)