The Swivelstool

Jonael Tomeskrift

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The Swivelstool

« on: 25 August 2009, 16:00:36 »

* green - modifications still needing to be done

The Swivelstool

Overview
   The Swivelstool is an ingenious yet simple design of a seat that rotates around its own axis. While this design allows Compendium Researchers to spin around on their chairs, it also allows them to work on multiple desks at a time while researching. While traditional seating has to be shifted around or about, the Swivelstool allows effortless swivelling. Though more traditional heavy oak seats are more decorated and prestigious with many a crafty carving in them, these chairs often bind the researcher to one desk. Some of the more messy Compendium researchers who work across numerous desks needed something new; a seat that allowed them to swivel from one desk to another: The Mechkanika* solution to this problem came from a simple design by the Compendium researcher and engineer Jonael Tomeskrift.
   As can be seen from the promotional schematic, the Swivelstool’s simplest design bears resemblance to a decorated wooden stool. The prototype constructed in Compendium itself measured three fores in height and had a seat diameter of one and a half fores. What made this chair an exceptional step forward was the top half of the chair’s ability to swivel about on its own central axis. As with any Mechkanikan design, the final product had to be simple in its application and design. As such, the Swivelstool can be broken down to three basic components:

1. The Seat: This part consists of the disk onto which the researcher sits. Though the prototype consisted of a smooth polished wood surface, later designs soon made use of cushions and small forms of back support for those researchers who spend ages on end behind their desks. Some researchers even went as far as re-fitting their seats with some of the finest materials from all over Caelereth. Among the sages of New-Santhala, there goes a rumour that the compendiumist Shabakuk Zeborius Anfang expended no less than three silverbards to have his five-legged Swivelstool fitted with a cushion of Carmaladian velvet, and to have said cushion embroidered by seamstresses of the Fymbel guild. The embroidery is said to be a faithful copy of the famous “Cycle of Life” tapestry that hangs in the Lorehold library in Lorehaven. Once more this idea follows the ideal of Mechkanika: The chair’s individual pieces can be customized according to the user’s needs without affecting the general function of the item.

2. The Bearing: This is the ingenious component of the seat. It consists of a series of grooves meticulously carved out into the top and bottom side of the chair’s single leg. These grooves are carved out as semi-circles on either side of the ‘bearing’ so that when joined together, a ring shaped hollow is formed. Into these the prime component of the Swivelstool is then inserted: The Ball Bearings. These incredibly hard and accurately carved metal spheres are crafted by experts from the Thergerim's Jewelcrafting industry. It is only due to their prestigious work on these spheres that the seat’s design works.

Though not visible once mounted, there is a smoothly polished iron rod which travels down the very centre of the chair’s leg. This is the pivot of the chair. It has been crafted into the chair in such a way that the bottom half is firmly attached to the rod, while the top half only comes in contact with the iron where necessary, to minimise the resistance against the seat turning. This ‘smooth contact’ state is achieved through the lubrication of the space with fat or wax. While these substances greatly increase the ease with which the chair rotates, it also meant a slight setback for the designers: The fat and wax would have to be serviced and cleaned from time to time in order to keep the seat clean.

The turning effect is then further enhanced by the ball bearing’s rolling through the immaculately carved grooves. Its greatest asset is unfortunately also its weakness. Because of the spherical nature of the bearing balls, the Swivelstool is not appropriate for continuous heavy loads, limiting its use. As Jonael wrote in a letter he had attached when sending the prototype to the Compendium: “It is a flawless design… but do not go sticking a troll on it when you first present it, or it will no doubt falter!”

3. The Legs: The legs are the most decorated part of this construct. Their design can be altered to incorporate all kinds of art or materials, as long as the simple concept of a minimum of four legs is kept in place, giving stability to the chair. Early prototypes of the Swivelstool were three-legged, but this design proved unstable, as some test-sitters swivelled about all too enthusiastically, toppled over and had to be attended to by the servants of Nethor. Unfortunately, the victims of these accidents lacked understanding of the principles of Mechkanica, and therefore believed their mishaps to be potents of demonic forces, which they assumed to be at work in the Swivelstools. Jonael Tomeskrift had to summon all his charm and powers of persuasion to convince his test-sitters that their injuries were nothing but the natural results of a minor design flaw. Thus, and with Seyella’s help, Tomeskrift succeeded in preventing the spread of ugly rumours that might well have brought the Swivelstool into irredeemable disrepute.

Usage
   Though a reasonably new design (early 1667AS) that is still in its testing stages, the hope was that after its launch orders would come in from fellow researchers who considered the transition from an old heavy throne to a dashing revolutionary new form of seating.

History/Origin
   Known to regularly work across three desks at a time in his research study in the Compendium, Jonael Tomeskrift soon found himself enraged at the hassle of having to shift his heavy ornate chair from table to table. As a fellow Mechkanist though he did not despair, but instead went about finding a solution. Thus, after long nights of scribbling away one ink pot after the next, he had finally conceived a design which could alleviate the problem.

After a month of strenuous work and a constant stream of letters between Tomeskrift and his ‘testers’ the Swivelstool’s design was completed. Both fascinated and delighted with the improved design, Jonael Tomeskrift presented the proposal and design to his superior, the venerable Sage Artimidor Federkiel.

Thanks to much praise and encouragement from fellow researchers, the design was approved and the order to proceed with its production was issued. Since its first manufacture, Swivelstools have been purchased by fellow Compendium researchers, including:

Jonael
Talia
Alysse
Shabakuk

*Mechkanika: This is a fairly new concept that is slowly but surely creeping around the planes of Caelereth. At it's most basic, it promotes the ideal of making things in their simplest yet most effective possible design. While the art in itself is intricate and complex, in Mechkanika every invention (usually practical in orientation) is to be made of simple components that together work to perform great tasks and jobs. Other names for a fellow Mechkanist may include: Tinkerer, Crafter, Smith. A further ideal of Mechkanika is that knowledge and the feats it performs should be available to everyone from simpleton to noble, and as such promotes the spreading and sharing of Mechkanika knowledge.

---

Jonael walks into the hall, dragging behind him a covered and wrapped small structure. By the looks of his movements the structure is fairly heavy, but poses little resistance or hardship. He drags it to one of the walls of the hall and after setting it upright before him, the linen cloth still over it. From the depths of his soot stained garment he pulls out a small stack of parchments. On them is some form of sketch and illustration of a piece of furniture… He clears his throat timidly and in a still fairly low voice announces: “I give you the Swivelstool!”

Order forms processed so far: 3

Enjoy,


« Last Edit: 28 August 2010, 12:25:00 by Artimidor Federkiel »	Logged

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Ta'lia of the Seven Jewels

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Re: The 'Rota' Chair

« Reply #1 on: 25 August 2009, 16:21:15 »

Jonael, what for an idea! Great!

Only a few comments.

Why don't you use metal for your balls? Maybe magic can help you forming very accurate spheres? How are the hollows made accurately? Don't you need some gliding agent?

Legs - four are not good, they may not stand well, if the floor is uneven, the chair is more easily tilting, three or five (modern design, chairs with four legs are forbidden now!) would be better.

Somehow I don't like the name, it is a bit boring (derived from rotation, I know), we need a better word.

Talia wants one, please

Your sketch shows me, that you have a talent for drawing, work on it!


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Artimidor Federkiel

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Re: The 'Rota' Chair

« Reply #2 on: 25 August 2009, 21:17:28 »

Reactions from said sage:

- Name could indeed be better methinks, maybe something lke the "Twirrler"? grin

- It should be explained a bit what "Mechkanika" means, we don't have that on the site in any way, so explaining that at least a bit would help. Could be done in a footnote as well e.g.

- To fix: "Jonael Tomeskrift soon found himself"

- An illustration is interesting, even in a sketchy state, e.g. if put on some parchment as we have it every now and then. Though I have to agree that you got it drawn pretty well already, so you might even make a proper pic out of it

- So yep, an inventive idea that also works in the Santharian context I'd say, the first step towards medieval multitasking! thumbup


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Jonael Tomeskrift

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Re: The 'Rota' Chair

« Reply #3 on: 26 August 2009, 00:33:54 »

Haha, glad the idea 's liked grin

I remember I was all fidgety and excited when it popped into my mind.

So, addressing feedback:

@Talia,

I suppose I could use metal, but the idea was to make use of the Brownie's skill in crafting accurate spheres.. if they can handle metal then by all means I'll use it. After all it would make the chair much more resistant. I wanted to avoid magic, the reason for it being that I want to lend 'Mechkanika' a 'science vs religion' atmosphere.. I.e. If it can be done manually it will be, hard as it may be, not touching magic ^^

As for the gliding agent.. I was thinking that might be a bit too... 'modern'? Sure it wouldn't be the smoothest rotating chair, but its the middle ages after all. We don't have the knowledge to make modern office chairs, haha.

As of the legs.. though it makes sense that we'd have more legs.. is it really necessary? I mean, after all it's a commission for the compendium, and I dun think there'd be un-even floors here no? Dunno, I mean if others think it necessary too then sure, I'll modify it ^^

Haha, I completely agree with the name though! It's horrendous. but it was only a 'working' name until something better comes up, so I'm all ears for suggestions.

*Jonael nods and hands Talia a wee scroll of parchment with some scribbles on it, asking her to sign her name and to jot down directions to her study in the Compendium so that it may be delivered*

@Artimidor,

Mechkanika is yet unexplained because I'm still working on the entry for it.. now i could either change all the 'mech' references to simpler terms until the 'mother' entry is complete, and then change them all back... Or just leave it in and have the Mechkanika entry up as soon as possible, so that in a way I'd be working backwards, making the peripheral entries first and then the main one..

By this initial post of yours I'm guessing the sage approves? so I'll continue the History part in a positive manner then

Thanks to both of you for liking the idea and support, will modify the entry with your feedback tomorrow after work, promise hug


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Artimidor Federkiel

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Re: The 'Rota' Chair

« Reply #4 on: 26 August 2009, 00:46:51 »

No need to explain "Mechkanika" in exact detail, a subordinate clause would do the job as well, just to give the reader a rough idea. No need to explain it in a whole paragraph if the entry isn't done yet - important is that the reader approximately knows what you're talking about


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Decipher Ziron

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Re: The 'Rota' Chair

« Reply #5 on: 26 August 2009, 02:41:13 »

Just because I love the premise so much, +1 Aura!


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Ta'lia of the Seven Jewels

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Re: The 'Rota' Chair

« Reply #6 on: 26 August 2009, 02:43:13 »

Jonael, every wainwright uses fat so that the wheels turn more smoothly, that is nothing modern.

And thanks for the chair

(I didn't ask you to use a monomolecular oily film for it

)


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Irid alMenie

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Re: The 'Rota' Chair

« Reply #7 on: 26 August 2009, 12:14:30 »

Quote from: Jonael Tomeskrift on 26 August 2009, 00:33:54

@Talia,

I suppose I could use metal, but the idea was to make use of the Brownie's skill in crafting accurate spheres.. if they can handle metal then by all means I'll use it.

The Vale is pretty low on metals, so Brownies would probably not use it. They're woodworkers, not metal workers

Though to be sure I'd ask Rookie, she knows better


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Jonael Tomeskrift

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Re: The 'Rota' Chair

« Reply #8 on: 26 August 2009, 20:26:47 »

@Artimidor, Alright, I shall go ahead and do that then.

@Deci, Cheers for the Aura, I'm delighted to hear you're as enthused about the idea as I am ^^

@ Talia, you make a valid point there, I hadn't though of that, ta. I'll smear some fat in there then to lubricate the rotation of the chair. grin

I can't believe I'd overthought that wee fact.. Oh well, thanks for pointing it out


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Miraran Tehuriden

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Re: The 'Rota' Chair

« Reply #9 on: 26 August 2009, 20:48:35 »

If the internal parts were thorougly painted to prevent absorption, beeswax would probably be a good lubricant. All rendered-fat products such as tallow and lard would eventually attract bugs or start to smell.


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Jonael Tomeskrift

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Re: The 'Rota' Chair

« Reply #10 on: 28 August 2009, 22:22:42 »

Quote from: Miraran Tehuriden on 26 August 2009, 20:48:35

Dunno, considering the metal bar that allows the rotation is only about 2cm in diameter, the hollow in the chair's leg for it is kind of small and narrow to propperly and thoroughly paint. So I'd still go for the fat.

Thanks to you bringing the smell and hygene up though, I will have to include a cleaning kit with the chair.. It will ahve to be serviced from time to time.. but I'm sure that's no biggy. The bliss joy and usefulness make up for the little effort I'd think


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Re: The 'Rota' Chair

« Reply #11 on: 28 August 2009, 23:40:30 »

Regular servicing isnt a problem!

Creates more jobs in the compendium:

'So what is your profession sir?'

'I work in the Compendium of New Santhala'

'Oh really! An intrepid academic are you?'

'No, a chair-fat replacer....'

buck


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Seeker

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Re: The 'Rota' Chair

« Reply #12 on: 29 August 2009, 03:30:15 »

Yeah I would hate to be the guy in the classroom with a bad case of stinky seat. rolling

Jonael on a more serious note this whole chair concept is really neat. It nice that we have community with individuals intersted in variety of subjects. thumbup


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Alysse the Likely

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Re: The 'Rota' Chair

« Reply #13 on: 30 August 2009, 21:15:41 »

I want a whirly chair too! How much are they?

And since I love playing with words, here are some name suggestions, off the top of my head:

Swivelstools or Swivelchairs

Roundabout chairs

Turnchairs

Whirlers

Gyrachairs or Gyrastools (from "gyrate" if anyone's wondering)

Twisters

Spinnerstools

Any of those catch your fancy? I kind of like Swivelstools or Roundabouts myself, what do you think?

Alysse


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Jonael Tomeskrift

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Re: The 'Rota' Chair

« Reply #14 on: 31 August 2009, 15:49:24 »

Alysse, absolutely love some of the names you've suggested grin

Will ponder on them tonight, see what comes up, ta
(your order's been proccessed too grin

)

On another note, I think that's the entry done (appart from some small gaps I still need to look up myself) But if peopke would like to give their two sans on the entry that'd be fantastic ^^ Get this wee side project finished then. The illustration I'm gonn take some more time on... Just as with the snow I'm having difficulty with the wood. But I shall prevail, haha!

Thanks again for everyone's enthusiasm and support on this wee oddity


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The Swivelstool