New Product Category Breaks the Mold of Seating

'Angle Chair Makes its NeoCon Debut at Chicagos Merchandise Mart

Chicago, Illinois: Desk jockeys: stand up, sit down, kneel, recline or anything between. Just dont sit still. Thats the idea behind a new category of workplace seating called 'angle chairs. Angle chairs will make their industry debut at Chicagos Merchandise Mart June 10-12 during the NeoCon Worlds Trade Fair.

Angle chairs feature two adjustments that create a variety of posture zones. First, the angle chair seat adjusts from flat to nearly upright. Second, the chair back adjusts simultaneously as the seat angle changes so lumbar support is maintained. A leg cushion enhances and supports different postures. The result is healthy movement through a variety of postures.

The angle chair is the latest brainchild of former Minnesota Entrepreneur of the Year Alan Tholkes. A quadriplegic since a 1976 automobile accident Tholkes literally lives the importance of routinely shifting postures. Everyones need for movement through a variety of postures exists regardless of their environment" says Tholkes. As our surroundings become more prescribed we need to have the option to exercise personal control over our well-being. Weve taken the ordinary task chair and equipped it for dynamic motion."

Northwestern Health Sciences University Professor, Dr. Joseph Sweere commends Tholkes company, HealthPostures, Inc. on the development of this technology. The Stance angle chair utilizes totally unique engineering applications that provide the opportunity for infinite posture adjustability which is a key requirement for optimal ergonomic design."

HealthPostures, Inc. Director of Ergonomics and Design, Jack Hockenberry says Movement through several postures generates beneficial physical responses that can prevent injuries resulting from static and awkward postures." Movement eliminates static stress loads on muscles and ligaments. Motion accelerates blood and fluid flows, increasing the oxygen flow to the brain and eliminating waste products from muscle tissue. Changing of postures redistributes gravity pressure easing numbness and pooling of blood in the arms and legs. Tilting the pelvis forward eliminates lumbar pressure.            

Madelyn, a database administrator from Wisconsin suffers from a musculoskeletal condition made worse by sitting. Madelyn reports, Since using an angle chair Im able to work eight hours and go home free from my typical severe tailbone pain." Media Specialist, Mark Haen uses a computer for 8-10 hours a day. Haen says, Using an angle chair maximizes the benefit of my sit-stand desk and keeps me alert, comfortable and productive."

HealthPostures, Inc. (HPI), headquartered in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area began designing angle chairs in 1995. Prototypes were tested in real world situations from 1998-2001. HPI began marketing the Stance angle chair earlier this year through dealerships nationwide. The Stance angle chair will be displayed in booth C429 at the NeoCon Worlds Trade Fair in Chicago. For additional information on Stance angle chairs, please call 800-277-1841 or visit www.healthpostures.com.