Core77

Brilliant Design for Wearable Seating, for Certain Workers

French industrial designer Camille Ringenbach's Achilles solution

By Rain Noe - April 22, 2022

in Object Culture

Unless you grew up in a culture that routinely rests in a deep squatting position, that particular posture can be tough on the joints. French industrial designer and ECAL grad Camille Ringenbach, observing the poor postures of laborers at a vineyard, saw the physical stresses that grape-pickers suffered from.

She then designed a rather brilliant solution:

"This object in tinted waterproof foam offers a comfortable mobile seat," she writes. "The study of different positions of the foam gives a surprising but perfectly balanced result once it is placed above the heel."

The design's winking name? Achilles.

o
3

Favorite This
Q
7

Comment

Comments

William Carpenter

3 years ago

Z

1Z

Reply

Easy does it guys: just because you recognize this as a specialized product that already exists in a particular field doesn't mean everyone else does.

!Report as spam
Josh Cook

3 years ago

Z

1Z

Reply

They sure spent a lot of effort to reinvent knee savers for baseball catchers.

https://www.google.com/search?q=catchers+knee+savers

!Report as spam
- Kevin Stohlmeyer
  
  Josh Cook
  
  3 years ago
  
  Z
  
  Z
  
  Reply
  
  I was just going to say the same thing.
  
  !Report as spam
Douglas Farrago

2 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

A big thanks to everyone who had my bad on this. Yes, I invented the knee saver. See kneesaver.com. We also had these foam knee savers for workers as well. This all started in the 90s. AliMed is an occupational health supply company. We made both types. But I guess this guy validates my idea so thanks to him too!

!Report as spam
Zach W

3 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

I wish Core77 would do a better job of recognizing when a design is a literal line-for-line copy of an existing design instead of making it seem like this is a new invention. Absolutely nothing new here. I'm surprised they can produce these without hitting a patent issue....

!Report as spam
- Roly S
  
  Zach W
  
  3 years ago
  
  Z
  
  1Z
  
  Reply
  
  I think to say its a 'copy' of an existing design is unfair as that implies intent. The problem will be universal for anyone working in that position for any period of time, and if form-follows-function, then the solution is going to be a variation on a theme.
  Its more an example of 'simultaneous invention'.
  And who outside the US(or Japan?) are going to be familiar with Baseball gear??
  
  !Report as spam
simon a.

3 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Yes, how many times has the tea mug been reinvented?
There is difference in design and application anyway, for this.

!Report as spam