System to monitor task chair seating.
OBJECTIVE
To record chair data such as seat occupancy, back recline angle, lumbar engagement, and armrest location using an independent, unbiased real time data acquisition system.


METHODS
The system should be inconspicuous. The users should be able to work effectively in their environment oblivious to concurrent data collection.


BACKGROUND
While human acquisition and measurement instruments provide an acceptable approach for collecting data on changing chair positions, they may bias data. Current data collection methods such as video playback can also be successful in collecting chair data, but are often time-consuming and expensive to set up.


METHODS
Four key areas were concentrated upon for monitoring: seat, lumbar, back recline, and armrest position. A position switch was mounted to each locale and linked to a microprocessor to track the changing positions of the chair in real time.


RESULTS
The chair provides time stamped data on the changes that take place to the chair. The data can be downloaded at the convenience of the user and researcher.


CONCLUSIONS
The chair is complete and ready for data acquisition. It permits easy data collection on chair positions without hindering the user's movement.


CONCLUSIONS
This tool provides an automated, independent method for collecting data on chair positions. Information can be collected and studies conducted on seated durations, chair back motion while seated, chair lumbar usage, and common armrest location while in a visual display terminal workstation.
McCormick
David A
DA
Gumbo Product Development Inc., Alto, MI, USA.
Tubergen
Renard G
RG
D003625:Data Collection / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D006804:Ergonomics; D006801:Humans; D015370:Infant Equipment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008838:Microcomputers