PNEUMATIC DRUM THRONE

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to seating furniture, and in particular to stools incorporating pneumatic adjustment capabilities, such as adjustable drum thrones.

Description of the Related Art

Stools are widely used articles of furniture. In applications where users may want to adjust the height of a stool, pneumatic, hydraulic, and other adjustment mechanisms are used. Stools are regularly used by drum players (who commonly refer to them as “drum thrones”) because they offer adjustability and stability, as well as portability in some cases.

A typical pneumatically adjustable drum throne also includes the ability to rotate the seat to easily access drums across a drum kit. A common problem with pneumatic drum thrones is that sitting on the throne often causes the seat to depress, thus changing the height of the stool. The stool will thus bounce up and down as downward force on the stool is removed or added, which is common during a drumming performance. Many drummers enjoy the easy adjustment of a pneumatic throne but dislike this bouncing action.

When playing the drums, use of the bass drum and/or hi-hat pedals may further induce bouncing. In such cases, the drummer may experience a significant change in his or her body position relative to the drums and cymbals, resulting in inconsistent performance. Additionally, the bouncing may change the angle of the drummer's leg muscles and/or the placement of his or her feet on the pedals. In extreme cases, the bouncing action can be so severe that the drummer is forced to constantly stabilize his or her body while playing or constantly readjust to compensate for the unwanted movement.

Accordingly, there is a present need for a novel and efficient design for a pneumatic stool, such as a drum throne, which specifically eliminates or lessens one or more of the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One embodiment of a pneumatic stool according to the present disclosure includes a stool stand and a seat assembly. The stool stand can include a connecting rod and a stand connector, while the seat assembly can include a seat and a top connector. The seat assembly is configured to connect to the stool stand. The stand connector can be operable to prevent or allow vertical movement of the seat assembly, while the top connector can be operable to prevent or allow rotation of the seat assembly relative to the connecting rod.

Another embodiment of a pneumatic stool according to the present disclosure includes a stool stand with a stand connector (e.g., a wingnut, clutch, or flip lock) at least partially within a stand hub connected to a top tube, as well as a connecting rod on the top tube, wherein the stand connector is configured to engage the top tube. The stool further includes a seat assembly configured to connect to the stool stand, where the seat assembly includes a seat having a bracket hole configured to receive the connecting rod, and a top connector (e.g., a wingnut) operatively connected to a clamp insert within the bracket hole and configured to engage the connecting rod.

One method of adjusting a pneumatic stool according to the present disclosure includes (1) connecting a seat assembly to a stool stand, (2) actuating a pneumatic cylinder in the stool stand to adjust the height of the stand assembly; and (3) engaging one or more of a top connector connected to the seat assembly and a stand connector connected to the stool stand. Some seat assemblies include a seat connected to the top connector and a clamp insert. Some stool stands include a stand hub connected to a top tube and connected to the stand connector, which may be configured to engage the top tube.

This has outlined, rather broadly, the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure so that the detailed description that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described below. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that this disclosure may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the teachings of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features, which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further features and advantages, will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1C are various views of one embodiment of a pneumatic stool according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the pneumatic stool of FIGS. 1A-1C.

FIGS. 3A-3B show front views of the stand of the pneumatic stool of FIGS. 1A-1C

FIGS. 3C-3E show a front view and enlarged views of the seat of the pneumatic stool of FIGS. 1A-1C.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a portion of the stand of a pneumatic stool according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, such as the pneumatic stool of FIGS. 1A-1C.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show enlarged views of the pneumatic stool of FIGS. 1A-1C.

FIGS. 6A-6C show enlarged views of the seat of the pneumatic stool of FIGS. 1A-1C.

FIG. 7 shows an exploded schematic view of a connecting rod lock assembly according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 shows a sectional schematic view of an embodiment of a seat bracket connected to a portion of a stool stand according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of a connector (e.g., stand connector, top connector) according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of a connector (e.g., stand connector, top connector) according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to pneumatic stools, such as pneumatic drum thrones, capable of height adjustment. Embodiments of the present disclosure can include two connectors, such as wingnuts, that may frictionally interface with the tube of a stool stand to control (1) whether the stool seat rotates, (2) whether the stool height can change, (3) relatedly, whether the stool can “bounce” when in use, and (4) whether the seat of the stool may be removed from its stand.

It is understood that, while the present disclosure is directed to pneumatic stools, the innovations described herein may be applied to stools that employ other adjustment mechanisms, such as for example hydraulic adjustment.

Throughout this description, the preferred embodiment and examples illustrated should be considered as exemplars, rather than as limitations on the present invention. As used herein, the term “invention,” “device,” “method,” “disclosure,” “present invention,” “present device,” “present method,” or “present disclosure” refers to any one of the embodiments of the invention described herein, and any equivalents. Furthermore, reference to various feature(s) of the “invention,” “device,” “method,” “disclosure,” “present invention,” “present device,” “present method,” or “present disclosure” throughout this document does not mean that all claimed embodiments or methods must include the referenced feature(s).

It is also understood that when an element or feature is referred to as being “on” or “adjacent” to another element or feature, it can be directly on or adjacent the other element or feature or intervening elements or features may also be present. It is also understood that when an element is referred to as being “attached,” “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly attached, connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly attached,” “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present.

Relative terms such as “outer,” “above,” “lower,” “below,” “horizontal,” “vertical” and similar terms, may be used herein to describe a relationship of one feature to another. It is understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.

Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements or components, these elements or components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element or component from another element or component. Thus, a first element or component discussed below could be termed a second element or component without departing from the teachings of the present invention. As used herein, the terms “and/or,” “and,” and “or” include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated list items unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

The terminology used herein is for describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having,” and similar terms, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference to different views and illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments of the invention. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances are expected. Embodiments of the invention should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of the regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. Like elements among embodiments are referenced herein with the same reference numerals, except where differences are articulated.

It is understood that while the present application is written using the terms “stools” and “drum thrones,” and with musical instrument accessories generally in mind, the devices, methods, and concepts herein could be applied to seating furniture other than stools such as chairs, armchairs, and rockers, and fields other than musical instruments, as would be understood by one of skill in the art, including but not limited to industrial tools, including fabrication equipment and robotic tooling. Moreover, when feature(s) or element(s) are described with regard to one embodiment (e.g., a drum throne), it should be understood that those feature(s) or element(s) could be used in other embodiments (e.g., a tool, etc.).

The present disclosure often refers to specific types of connectors/fasteners, such as wingnuts. However, it should be understood that while this specification often refers to the specific device of a wingnut, other fasteners/connectors could be used in place of a wingnut as would be understood by one of skill in the art. It should be understood that any time use of a wingnut is described herein, another fastener/connector (such as a drum screw) could be used in its place, and the disclosure should not in any way be read as being limited to wingnuts. Additionally, it is understood that other means for limiting rotation and/or vertical movement are possible, such as for example, the cam lock and/or flip lock described below in reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

FIGS. 1A-1C show various views of one embodiment of a pneumatic stool 100 according to the present disclosure, which can be used in conjunction with one or more percussion instruments, such as a drum kit. The pneumatic stool 100 may comprise, in some embodiments, a seat assembly 102 (such as the seat assembly described below in reference to FIGS. 3C-3E and 5A-8) and a stool stand 104 (such as the stool stand described below in reference to FIGS. 2-3B and 4A-6), which may be collapsible for easy storage and/or transportation. The pneumatic stool 100 may further include a pneumatic cylinder 128 (discussed in further detail below with reference to FIGS. 3A-3B), which can be actuated by a handle 108 to adjust the height of the seat assembly 102. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1C, actuation of the handle 108 can raise or lower the seat assembly 102 along the directions of the arrow 106 (assuming the seat assembly 102 is not already at a height maximum or minimum), often referred to herein as “vertical.” In some embodiments, the actuation of the handle 108 will raise the seat assembly 102 unless a force (e.g., a user sitting down on the seat assembly 102) is applied downward, in which case the seat assembly 102 may lower.

FIG. 2 shows an expanded view of the pneumatic stool 100 shown in FIGS. 1A-1C. In some embodiments, the seat assembly 102 may comprise one or more of a seat 110, a seat bracket 112, a release 114, and a top connector 116. Some embodiments of a stool stand 104 according to the present disclosure comprise one or more of a stand connector 118, a stand hub 120, a top tube 122, legs 124, and a bottom tube 126. It should be understood that while this specification often refers to the specific device of a wingnut, other fasteners/connectors could be used in place of a wingnut as would be understood by one of skill in the art.

The seat 110 may comprise a fabric, such as for example, leather, vinyl, cloth, and/or other fabrics known in the art, surrounding a padded cushioning, such as for example, polyurethane foam, memory foam, cotton, springs, and/or other materials known in the art. Some embodiments of a seat 110 according to the present disclosure include a hard material, e.g., wood, plastic, or other materials known in the art, to provide a rigid, supportive platform to support the user's weight. As shown in FIG. 2, the seat 110 may be attached to the seat bracket 112 via fasteners, such as screws, bolts, nails, and/or other fasteners known in the art and/or adhered via glue, resin, epoxy, and/or other adhesives known in the art. In some embodiments according to the present disclosure, the seat 110 may be integrally formed with the seat bracket 112.

In some embodiments according to the present disclosure, the seat bracket 112 may attach to a handle 108 that may be disposed within a bracket hole 136 (shown in FIGS. 3C-4 and 6A-6C) formed within the seat bracket 112. The top connector 116 may thread into another hole (not pictured in the figures) formed within the seat bracket 112 that can be non-parallel to (e.g., substantially perpendicular with) the bracket hole 136. As discussed in further detail below with respect to FIGS. 6-8, the top connector 116 may, when threaded into the seat bracket 112, displace a tube bracket clamp 138.

With reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the stool stand 104 may, in some embodiments, comprise legs 124 and feet 124a. The legs 124, in some embodiments, can collapse to ease transportation and storage of the stool stand 104. The top tube 122 may comprise or connect with a seat connector 130 that may comprise a pneumatic cylinder 128, a flange 132 and a connecting rod 134. It is understood that any or all of the top tube 122, the seat connector 130, the pneumatic cylinder 128, the flange 132, and the connecting rod 134 may be integrally formed as a singular component, or may be separate components.

The seat connector 130 may be connected to the seat assembly 102 via insertion of the connecting rod 134 into the bracket hole 136. When the seat assembly 102 and the stool stand 104 are connected, the handle 108 abuts the pneumatic cylinder 128 such that manipulation of the handle 108 actuates the pneumatic cylinder 128. Actuation of the pneumatic cylinder 128 can raise or lower the top tube 122, and by extension, the seat assembly 102.

As shown in FIGS. 3C-3E, the release 114 of the seat assembly 102 may be manipulated by a user to pivot the release 114 from the position shown as 114 in FIG. 3D to the position shown as 114′ in FIG. 3E. When in the position shown in FIG. 3D and when the connecting rod 134 is inserted in the bracket hole 136, a latch formed at the bottom of the release 114 may interface with the flange 132 to releasably connect the seat assembly 102 to the stool stand 104. In some embodiments according to the present disclosure, the release 114 is biased by, e.g., a spring, to return to the position shown in FIG. 3D. To separate the seat assembly 102 and the stool stand 104, a user can manipulate the release 114, e.g., to the position shown as 114′, thus disengaging the release from the flange 132. The seat assembly 102 may then be separated from the stool stand 104.

FIG. 4 shows a sectional schematic view of a seat bracket 412, which may be the same as or similar to the seat bracket 112, attached to a stool stand 404, which may be the same as or similar to the stool stand 104. The stool stand 404 may comprise a seat connector 430 (which may be the same as or similar to the seat connector 130), which may be attached to or formed integrally with a top tube 422, which may be the same as or similar to the top tube 122. The seat connector 430 may comprise a flange 432, which may be the same as or similar to the flange 132, and a connecting rod 434, which may be the same as or similar to the connecting rod 134. Not pictured in FIG. 4 is a release 414, which may be the same as or similar to the release 114. The end of a handle 408, which may be the same as or similar to the handle 108, is shown in FIG. 4 abutting a pneumatic cylinder 428, which may be the same as or similar to the pneumatic cylinder 128. Like with the handle 108 and the pneumatic cylinder 128, the handle 408 can be manipulated by a user such that the end pictured in FIG. 4 actuates the pneumatic cylinder 428, thus raising or lowering the seat bracket 412.

Independent Locking of Seat Rotation and Height

As described above, a user can adjust the height of the pneumatic stool 100 by manipulating the handle 108, or using other means known in the art. Once the user achieves the desired height, he or she may lock the height of the pneumatic stool 100 by rotating (and/or otherwise engaging) the stand connector 118. Thus (as described in further detail below), the height of the pneumatic stool 100 will not change, even if the user manipulates the handle 108. Stools in the prior art that include similar tube locking components also lock the stool seat from rotating. Unlike stools in the prior art, the pneumatic stool 100 according to the present disclosure is capable of both locking the top tube 122 to prevent height adjustment while optionally permitting or prohibiting rotation of the seat assembly 102. As described in detail below, inclusion of both a top connector 116 and a stand connector 118—which may be individually and independently placed in an engaged or a disengaged state—enable four combinations and configurations to provide a user with increased flexibility and options relative to solutions in the prior art.

FIG. 5A shows both the top connector 116 and the stand connector 118 in a disengaged configuration, i.e., here both connectors 116,118 are “backed out” or “unscrewed” such that they do not engage the top tube 122 or the connecting rod 134 (not pictured in FIGS. 5A and 5B). In such a configuration, manipulation of the handle 108 would cause the height of the pneumatic stool 100 to change (assuming the height is not already at a minimum or maximum). As one of skill in the art would appreciate, the connectors 116,118 may comprise components that engage and disengage with other movement, e.g., manipulation of a latch, as described below with reference to FIG. 10.

Additionally, because the top tube 122 is free to move vertically along the arrow 106, a user may experience a bounce when he or she sits on the pneumatic stool 100. That is to say, when a user sits on the pneumatic stool 100 with the stand connector 118 disengaged, his or her weight may overcome the force of the pneumatic cylinder 128 acting on the seat assembly 102, thus causing the top tube 122, and by extension, the seat assembly 102, to lower until an equilibrium is reached with the force from the pneumatic cylinder 128. If the user reduces the weight applied to the seat assembly 102, e.g. by partially or completely standing up or by pressing one or more foot pedals of a drum kit, the unopposed force from the pneumatic cylinder 128 may cause the top tube 122 and the seat assembly 102 to rise.

Additionally, when the top connector 116 and the stand connector 118 do not engage the top tube 122 or the connecting rod 134, the seat assembly 102 is free to rotate either about the connecting rod 134 and/or—in the event the seat assembly 102 frictionally couples with the connecting rod 134—via rotation of the top tube 122. The rotation of the seat assembly 102 may be desirable for some users, such as drummers who rely on the rotation of a stool to reach drums, cymbals, pedals, and/or other instruments located across his or her drum kit. In some embodiments, to improve the rotation of the seat assembly 102 about the connecting rod 134, the portion of the seat bracket 112 surrounding the bracket hole 136 comprises a material with a low friction coefficient, such as for example, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyimide, PEEK, PPS, Nylon, Acetal, Polyester, and/or other materials known in the art, or combinations of the foregoing.

A user can rotate the stand connector 118 until it engages the top tube 122 (or otherwise engage a connector as would be understood by one of skill in the art), thus putting it in an engaged configuration. In some embodiments according to the present disclosure, the stand connector 118 includes a threaded shank portion terminating in an end that directly engages the top tube 122. In other embodiments, a bracket or other intervening component (not pictured), such as for example, the clamp insert 138 discussed below, may be used between the stand connector 118 and the top tube 122 to prevent or reduce marring the top tube 122. Such a bracket or other intervening component may be made of a material softer than the top tube 122, such as for example, brass, plastics, rubber, or other materials known in the art suitable for this purpose. The top tube 122 and other components of the stool stand 104 are shown as plated metals, and it is understood that these components may be made from a variety of materials, such as plated brass, steel, aluminum, and/or other materials known in the art.

Like the stand connector 118, a user can rotate the top connector 116 (or otherwise engage a connector as would be understood by one of skill in the art) to fix the seat assembly 102 to the connecting rod 134 (i.e., to engage the top connector 116). FIG. 5B shows the top connector 116 in a partially engaged configuration 116′. FIGS. 6A-6C show a bottom view of the seat assembly 102 in which the top connector 116 is depicted in a disengaged configuration 116 (FIG. 6A), a partially engaged configuration 116′ (FIG. 6B), and a fully engaged configuration 116″ (FIG. 6C). Also shown in FIGS. 6A-6C is a clamp insert 138 within the bracket hole 136. The top connector 116 may be operably connected to the clamp insert 138 such that rotation of the top connector 116 causes the clamp insert 138 to move, e.g., pivot, radially inward within the bracket hole 136. When the connecting rod 134 is also within the bracket hole 136, and the top connector 116 is in an engaged configuration, the clamp insert 138 may frictionally interfere with the connecting rod 134, thus completely preventing or substantially reducing rotation of the seat assembly 102 about the connecting rod 134.

The surface of the clamp insert 138 facing radially inward relative to the bracket hole 136 may be curved to conform or to substantially conform to the curvature of the connecting rod 134 to improve the surface area contact therewith. The clamp insert 138 may be made of a material with a high friction coefficient, such as for example, silicone, rubber, aluminum, silver, and/or other materials known in the art, or combinations of the foregoing. In some embodiments, the clamp insert 138 is made of a material with a high friction coefficient and/or a low hardness to prevent marring of the connecting rod 134, such as for example, rubber, silicone, and/or other suitable materials known in the art.

To a user, locking the seat assembly 102 to the connecting rod 134 by engaging the top connector 116—while the stand connector 118 remains disengaged—functions largely identically to the situation described above where both the top connector 116 and the stand connector 118 are disengaged. This is because, although the seat assembly 102 is fixed to the connecting rod 134 and cannot rotate thereabout, the top tube 122 is free to rotate, thus causing the seat assembly 102 to rotate. Unlike the situation where both the top and stand connectors 116,118 are disengaged, however, because the seat assembly 102 is frictionally coupled with the connecting rod 134, manipulation of the release 114 does not separate the seat assembly 102 from the stool stand 104. In sum, when the top connector 116 is engaged and the stand connector 118 is disengaged, the seat assembly 102 can rotate, the height of the seat assembly 102 can be adjusted, the user may experience a bounce when using the pneumatic stool 100, and the seat assembly 102 cannot be separated from the stool stand 104. It should be understood that other mechanisms could be employed to further alter this configuration, e.g., to allow for separation of the seat assembly 102 and stool stand 104, as would be understood by one of skill in the art.

When the stand connector 118 is in an engaged configuration, but the top connector 116 is in a disengaged configuration, the seat assembly 102 is free to rotate about the connecting rod 134. However, given that the stand connector 118 frictionally engages the top tube 122, the seat assembly 102 cannot move vertically (or its vertical movement is substantially impaired). Thus, when a user manipulates the handle 108, the seat assembly 102 remains in a fixed vertical position. Similarly, a user sitting on a pneumatic stool 100 in this configuration would not experience a bounce, given that the top tube 122 is vertically arrested. Additionally, given that the seat assembly 102 is not frictionally engaged with the connecting rod 134, manipulation of the release 114 would enable separation of the seat assembly 102 from the stool stand 104. In sum, when the stand connector 118 is in an engaged configuration, but the top connector 116 is in a disengaged configuration, the seat assembly 102 rotates, the seat assembly 102 cannot be adjusted vertically, no (or little) bouncing occurs, and the seat assembly 102 may be separated from the stool stand 104. It should be understood that other mechanisms could be employed to prevent separation of the seat assembly 102 from the stool stand 104, as would be understood by one of skill in the art.

When both the top connector 116 and the stand connector 118 are in an engaged configuration, the seat assembly 102 is frictionally coupled with the connecting rod 134, and the top tube 122 is locked in place. Consequently, the seat assembly 102 does not rotate, and the height of the seat assembly 102 is fixed in place. That is to say, manipulation of the handle 108 does not change the height of the seat assembly 102, and a user would not experience bouncing (or experience only minimal bouncing) when using the pneumatic stool 100. Additionally, given that the seat assembly 102 is frictionally engaged with the connecting rod 134, manipulation of the release 114 would not enable separation of the seat assembly 102 from the stool stand 104. In sum, when both the top connector and stand connector 116,118 are in an engaged configuration, the seat assembly 102 will not rotate, the seat assembly 102 cannot be adjusted vertically, no (or little) bouncing occurs, and the seat assembly 102 may not be separated from the stool stand 104. It should be understood that other mechanisms could be employed to further alter this configuration, e.g., to allow for separation of the seat assembly 102 and stool stand 104, as would be understood by one of skill in the art.

The four combinations of engaging and disengaging the top connector 116 and the stand connector 118 described above afford users with multiple options to configure the pneumatic stool 100 in accordance with his or her preferences. Some users prefer quick, on the fly adjustment of height, while others prefer a fixed height for their seat. Similarly, some users prefer a bounce in their stool, while others prefer a stationary seat. The pneumatic stool 100 described herein affords users the flexibility to configure their seat precisely in accordance with their preferences.

FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of a connecting rod lock assembly 700 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, which may be used in stools according to the present disclosure such as those described above. The connecting rod lock assembly 700 may comprise one or more of a receiver nut 702, a clamp bracket 704, a pin 706, a top connector 716 (which may be the same as or similar to the top connector 116,416), and a clamp insert 738 (which may be the same as or similar to the clamp insert 138). The receiver nut 702 may be attached to the clamp bracket 704 via, e.g., welding, adhesive, fasteners, and/or other means known in the art. The receiver nut 702 and/or the clamp bracket 704 may include a hole formed therethrough with threads formed on the interior of the hole capable of threading with corresponding threads on a threaded shaft of the top connector 716. The clamp bracket 704 may also include one or more pin holes 740 to accept the pin 706, which in turn may connect the clamp insert 738 to the clamp bracket 704. While the pin hole 740 shown in FIG. 7 is formed parallel with the top connector 716, it is understood that the pin hole 740 may be formed perpendicular to the top connector 716.

The clamp bracket 704 contains a cavity 742 designed to accept a portion of a stool stand 104, e.g. a connecting rod 134. When the portion of a stool stand 104 is inserted in the clamp bracket 704, the clamp bracket is free to rotate thereabout. A user can rotate the top connector 716 (or otherwise engage a connector as would be understood by one of skill in the art), like the top connector 116, to engage the clamp insert 738, which in turn can frictionally couple the clamp bracket 704 to the portion of a stool stand 104 inserted therein. Components of the connecting rod lock assembly 700 may be formed integrally with other components described herein. For example, the receiver nut 702 and/or the clamp bracket 704 may be formed integrally with a seat bracket 112.

FIG. 8 shows a sectional view of seat bracket 812 (which may be the same as or similar to the seat bracket 112,412) attached to a stool stand 104 (which may be the same as or similar to the stool stand 104,404). The seat bracket 812 comprises a release 814 (which may be the same as or similar to the release 114) attached to a spring 802 that biases the release 814 to the position shown in FIG. 8. A beak on the release 814 is shown engaged with a flange 832 (which may be the same as or similar to the flange 132,432) attached to a seat connector 830 (which may be the same as or similar to the seat connector 130,430). The seat bracket 812 further comprises a handle 808 (which may be the same as or similar to the handle 108), which is shown abutting a pneumatic cylinder 828 (which may be the same as or similar to the pneumatic cylinder 128,428). Like the handle 108, manipulation of the handle 808 actuates the pneumatic cylinder 828, thus raising or lowering a top tube 822 (which may be the same as or similar to the top tube 122,422), and by extension, the seat bracket 812.

The seat bracket 812 may further comprise a top connector 816 (which may be the same as or similar to the top connector 116,716), that may engage a clamp insert 838 (which may be the same as or similar to the clamp insert 138,738) within a bracket hole 836 (which may be the same as the bracket hole 136,436) formed therein. A user may engage the clamp insert 838 to frictionally engage with a connecting rod 834 (which may be the same as or similar to the connecting rod 134,434) to prevent rotation of the seat bracket 812 about the connecting rod 834.

FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of a stand connector 900 according to the present disclosure. The stand connector 900 is shown attached to a top tube 122 and a bottom tube 126. As shown in FIG. 9, some embodiments of a stand connector 900 according to the present disclosure comprise a grip 902 that may be threaded into a body 904 comprising an internal clamp (not pictured), thus forming a clutch. A user can twist the grip 902—e.g., as shown by the arrow 906—to tighten the internal clamp, thereby preventing the top tube 122 from moving vertically and/or rotating. To release the top tube 122, the user can rotate the grip 902 in the opposite direction.

The stand connector 900 may be made from the same material as the top tube 122 and/or the bottom tube 126, or from a different material, such as metals, plastics, and other materials known in the art. While an “internal clamp” is referenced herein, one of skill in the art would appreciate that other mechanisms are possible to prevent vertical movement and/or rotation of the top tube 122, such as for example, chucks—e.g., Jacobs chucks and Albrecht chucks—and other mechanisms known in the art. While the connector 900 is specifically described herein for use as a stand connector, embodiments described herein could be adapted such that the connector 900 can be used as a different connector such as a top connector, as would be understood by one of skill in the art.

FIG. 10 shows yet another embodiment of a stand connector 1000—shown as a flip lock—according to the present disclosure. Like the stand connector 900, the stand connector 1000 may be attached to a top tube 122 and a bottom tube 126 (not pictured in FIG. 10). The stand connector 1000 may comprise one or more of a latch 1002, a latch pin 1004, a hinge 1006, a clamp 1008, and a body 1010 having a separated ring 1012. In some embodiments according to the present disclosure, the latch 1002 is connected to the hinge 1006 via the pin 1004 such that a user may manipulate the latch 1002 about the pin 1004.

Some latches 1002 according to the present disclosure are asymmetrical about the pin 1004 and/or may comprise a protrusion. In some embodiments, the body 1010, in addition to the separated ring 1012, comprises a slot 1014 beneath the clamp 1008 (not pictured in FIG. 10). In such embodiments, manipulation of the latch 1002 causes increasingly greater force against the clamp 1008. Given that the clamp 1008 surrounds the body 1010, and more specifically, the slot 1014, the force imparted on the clamp 1008 by the latch 1002 causes the body 1010 to constrict, thus reducing the size of the slot 1014 and causing the halves of the separated ring 1012 to move proximally relative to each other. In such embodiments, the constriction of the body 1010 restricts vertical movement and/or rotation of a top tube 122 inserted therein. The stand connector 1000 may be made from the same material as the top tube 122 and/or the bottom tube 126, or from a different material, such as metals, plastics, and other materials known in the art. While the connector 1000 is specifically described herein for use as a stand connector, embodiments described herein could be adapted such that the connector 1000 can be used as a different connector such as a top connector, as would be understood by one of skill in the art.

***

The various exemplary inventive embodiments described herein are intended to be merely illustrative of the principles underlying the inventive concept. It is therefore contemplated that various modifications of the disclosed embodiments will without departing from the inventive spirit and scope be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art. They are not intended to limit the various exemplary inventive embodiments to any precise form described. Other variations and inventive embodiments are possible in light of the above teachings, and it is not intended that the inventive scope be limited by this specification, but rather by the claims following herein.

Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred configurations thereof, other versions are possible. Embodiments of the present invention can comprise any combination of compatible features shown in the various figures, and these embodiments should not be limited to those expressly illustrated and discussed. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the invention should not be limited to the versions described above. Moreover, it is contemplated that combinations of features, elements, and steps from the appended claims may be combined with one another as if the claims had been written in multiple dependent form and depended from all prior claims. Combination of the various devices, components, and steps described above and in the appended claims are within the scope of this disclosure. The foregoing is intended to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.