Rocking Balans Chair

Mechanically Rocking Balans Chair

In the late 70s a new seating idea arrived.  As personal PCs started to show up in the early 80s a new set of ergonomic posture concepts also showed up.  

As part of my personal academic research I designed a progressive sequence of balans type chairs in search of a version that would fit better in an office environment.  The original rocking Balans chair had a dynamic quality to it. The rocker base allowed easy transition from perched forward to sitting level. It allowed fidgeting to keep from getting stiff while in the chair.  Many versions that followed copied the perch forward position but had no dynamic nature. 

Of all my prototypes this mechanically rocking version came closest to duplicating the qualities of that original rocking version. The X geometry allows the occupant to rock forward to the perch position or rock back to a level seat. The knee rests pivot to meet your shins at any angle. They pivot out of the way when rocked back and feet are flat on the floor.  

The Bubinga wood version above with blue seat and knee pads was my original prototype. The Maple wood version shown below was #1 of a series I made and sold to different campus offices that were just starting to use computers. 

Maple Production Version

Final Destinations Unknown

I don't know what happened to these chairs.  The owner of a local auction company told me he once had a group of some unusual chairs with orange seats to auction off, but he couldn't remember where they came from.  It wouldn't surprise me if the university sold them off as a group.  Modern office chairs with ergonomic adjustments have taken over. 

Questions and Comments welcome and encouraged. 

4D