U.S. patent application number 09/867376 was filed with the patent office on 2002-12-05 for back support system.
Invention is credited to Felton, Robert, Sember, Joseph A. III.
Application Number | 20020180249 09/867376 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25349673 |
Filed Date | 2002-12-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020180249 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Felton, Robert ; et
al. |
December 5, 2002 |
Back support system
Abstract
A back support system that is designed to form the back of a
chair. The back support system has a frontal surface on which is
mounted several sets of inflatable bladders. The back support
system is to be tiltable about a transverse axis toward and away
from the user's back. The back support system also includes
bolsters located at each side of the back support system with each
bolster to be pivotable toward and away from the lateral edge of
the user's back. The inflatable bladders are positioned to contact
the different muscle groups of the back with no inflatable bladder
located to apply pressure directly to the spine of a human
user.
Inventors: |
Felton, Robert; (Northridge,
CA) ; Sember, Joseph A. III; (Glendale, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Jack C. Munro
Suite 225
28720 Roadside Drive
Agoura Hills
CA
91301
US
|
Family ID: |
25349673 |
Appl. No.: |
09/867376 |
Filed: |
May 30, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/284.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 7/14 20130101; A47C
1/0244 20130101; A47C 7/40 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/284.6 |
International
Class: |
A47C 004/54 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A back support system comprising: a rigid base having a front
surface and a rear surface, said rear surface adapted to be
positioned as a back of a chair, said base having a longitudinal
mid-axis which is adapted to be located in alignment with a user's
spine; an inflatable bladder assembly mounted in part on said front
surface, said inflatable bladder assembly including several sets of
bladders, each said set comprising at least two in number of
inflatable bladders, each said bladder being spaced from said
mid-axis so no force from a said bladder would be applied directly
to a user's spine; and means for controlling the inflation of said
inflatable bladder assembly, said means being manually operable by
a user.
2. The back support system as defined in claim 1 wherein: each said
set of bladders being activated simultaneously.
3. The back support system as defined in claim 2 wherein:
activation of said inflatable bladder assembly being by means of a
battery.
4. The back support system as defined in claim 1 wherein: said sets
of bladders including an upper lumbar bladder set, said upper
lumbar bladder set being adapted to be located in the upper lumbar
region of a human user.
5. The back support system as defined in claim 1 wherein: said sets
of bladders includes a middle lumbar bladder set, said middle
lumbar bladder set adapted to be located against the middle lumbar
region of a human user's back.
6. The back support system as defined in claim 1 wherein: said sets
of bladders including a lower lumbar bladder set, said lower lumbar
bladder set adapted to be located against the lower lumbar region
of a human user.
7. The back support system as defined in claim 1 including: a tilt
bladder assembly connected to said rear surface of said base,
activation of said tilt bladder assembly is to cause pivoting of
said base about a transverse axis which is located perpendicular to
said mid-axis.
8. The back support system as defined in claim 1 including: at
least one bolster connected by a hinge axis to said rigid base,
said hinge axis being located parallel to said mid-axis, said
bolster being pivotable relative to said base by means of a bolster
bladder, inflation of said bolster bladder causes said bolster to
pivot about said hinge axis in order to vary the lateral support
that is applied to a back of a human user.
9. The back support system as defined in claim 1 wherein: said base
comprising a fixed plate and a movable plate which are hingedly
connected together at one edge forming a transverse axis, a tilt
bladder located between said fixed plate and said movable plate,
inflation of said tilt bladder causes one of said movable plate to
pivot relative to said fixed plate thereby varying the angular
position of said back support system which is to provide back
support for a human user.
10. A back support system comprising: a main section adapted to be
located against the back of a human user, said main section having
a front surface and a rear surface, said front surface adapted to
be positioned as a back of a chair, said main section having a
longitudinal mid-axis adapted to extend from a user's lower lumbar
area to a user's upper lumbar area; a frontal inflatable bladder
assembly mounted in part on said front surface, said frontal
inflatable bladder assembly including several sets of frontal
bladders; a pair of bolsters hingedly attached to said main
section, each said bolster being attached to a side edge of said
main section forming a hinge axis for each said bolster, each said
hinge axis being substantially parallel to said mid-axis whereby
each said bolster being movable relative to said main section about
its respective said hinge axis by means of a bolster bladder with
there being a separate bolster bladder for each said bolster,
moving of each said bolster is to provide lateral support to a back
of a user, a portion of said frontal bladder assembly being mounted
on each said bolster; and means for controlling the inflation of
said frontal inflatable bladder assembly and said bolster bladders,
said means being manually operable by a user.
11. The back support system as defined in claim 10 including: a
rear inflatable bladder assembly mounted on said rear surface of
said main section, said main section including a transverse axis
permitting said main section to pivot, said transverse axis being
located substantially perpendicular to said mid-axis, inflation of
said rear inflatable bladder causes said main section to pivot.
12. A back support system comprising: a main section adapted to be
located across the back of a user, said main section having a front
surface and a rear surface, said rear surface adapted to be
positioned as a back of a chair, said main section having a
longitudinal mid-axis adapted to extend from a user's lower lumbar
area to a user's upper lumbar area; a frontal inflatable bladder
assembly mounted on said front surface, said frontal inflatable
bladder assembly including several sets of frontal bladders; a rear
inflatable bladder mounted on said rear surface of said main
section, said main section including a transverse axis permitting
said main section to pivot, said transverse axis being located
substantially perpendicular to said mid-axis, inflation of said
rear inflatable bladder causes said main section to pivot; and
means for controlling the inflation of said frontal inflatable
bladder assembly and said rear inflatable bladder, said means being
manually operable by a user.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1.. Field of the Invention
[0002] The field of this invention relates to a back support system
and more particularly to a back support system that is designed to
be utilized as the back of a chair or in conjunction with the back
of a chair.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] The subject matter of the present invention is going to be
discussed in relation to a wheelchair. However, it is considered to
be within the scope of this invention that the subject invention
can be utilized in conjunction with any chair such as a seat in an
aircraft, truck, automobile, ergonomic designed chair, work station
chair, wheelchair or theater seat.
[0005] Users of wheelchairs are inherently prone to occupying a
wheelchair for an extended length of time. For a human body to sit
in one particular position over an extended length of time is not
only uncomfortable but can cause injuries creating back pain. For
reasons to prevent and alleviate any injuries or back pain, the
normal technique is to remove the individual from the wheelchair,
reconfigure the individual and have the individual to remain free
of the wheelchair for a period of time. This is not always a
convenient procedure. It would be desirable to design a wheelchair
that was constructed in a manner to provide the individual with an
orthopedic back support over an extended period of time and also
was constructed so as to encourage proper posture and allow an
easily varied amount of lumbar support encouraging relief and
prevention of back pain and provide positioning to control one's
spine.
[0006] Previous seat design in the past has appeared to be totally
inappropriate and unacceptable for the general public. It has been
demonstrated that sitting reduced the normal lumbar curve and that
prolonged sitting in this posture can produce low back pains and
even disc degeneration. Chair design ought to be based on the
anatomy of the seated human.
[0007] In the past, there have been attempts at designing a back
support that includes some form of support reducing bulging disc
pressure while sitting which is accomplished by the cushion of the
back support being contoured to follow the natural lines of the
human body. For the most part, these prior art devices have been
static including some form of a cushioning arrangement and not
including any form of adjustability so as to vary the amount of
pressure that is being applied to the back of the individual so as
to provide an increased level of support and comfort. It has been
known to include an inflatable bladder in conjunction with the back
of a wheelchair. The design of these prior art bladders when
inflated apply direct pressure to discs therefore acerbating back
pain. However, the inflating and deflating of these prior art
bladders is not easily accomplished and not readily accessible to
the user. Therefore, the changing of the inflation and deflation of
the bladder is definitely inconvenient, and as a result is
accomplished infrequently. Also, these bladders have not been
designed to ergonomically fit with the muscular system of the
anatomy of a human back.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] A back support system which comprises a rigid base which has
an inflatable bladder assembly mounted on the front surface of the
rigid base. The inflatable bladder assembly includes several sets
of bladders with each set comprising at least two in number of
inflatable bladders. Each of the inflatable bladders are spaced
from the mid-axis of the base so no force from a bladder will be
applied directly to the user's spine area. Inflation of the
bladders is accomplished by means of an air compressor with
supplying of the compressed air to each of the bladders to be
accomplished by a manually controllable valve assembly located
directly adjacent the user.
[0009] Another embodiment of back support system where all of the
bladders within each set of bladders is activated
simultaneously.
[0010] A further embodiment of back support system of this
invention where the operation of the inflation of the bladders is
accomplished by the use of a battery.
[0011] A further embodiment of back support system of this
invention where there is a set of upper lumbar bladders located in
conjunction with the inflatable bladder assembly.
[0012] A still further embodiment of back support system of this
invention where there is a middle lumbar set of bladders within the
inflatable bladder assembly.
[0013] A still further embodiment of back support system of this
invention where there is utilized a lower lumbar bladder as one of
the sets of bladders.
[0014] A further embodiment of back support system of this
invention where there is incorporated a tilt bladder in conjunction
with the rigid base which forms the back of the chair.
[0015] A further embodiment of back support system of this
invention where the pad includes inflatable bolsters located at the
side edges of the rigid base which is to support the back area of
the user.
[0016] A further embodiment of back support system of this
invention where the base comprises a pair of rigid plates which are
hingedly connected together at one edge and there being a tilt
bladder located between these rigid plates so that one plate can be
tilted relative to the other plate thereby providing a chair back
that can be moved to different tiltable positions.
[0017] A still further embodiment of back support system of this
invention utilizes a main section which is to be located across the
back of the user. An inflatable bladder assembly is mounted in part
on the front surface of the main section with the inflatable
bladder assembly including several different sets of bladder.
Hingedly connected to each side edge of the main section is a
bolster with this connection forming a hinge axis for each bolster.
Each hinge axis will permit movement of its respective bolster
relative to the main section so as to permit increase and decrease
of the lateral support being applied to the user. A series of
valves are provided that are manually operable by the user to vary
the inflation and deflation of the bladders.
[0018] A still further embodiment of back support system of this
invention where there is a rear inflatable bladder mounted on the
rear surface of the main section. The main section also includes a
transverse axis that permits the main section to pivot. Inflation
of the rear inflatable bladder causes the main section to pivot and
thereby vary the amount of tilt to the back support.
[0019] A further embodiment of back support system of this
invention utilizes a main section to be located across the back of
the user and an inflatable bladder assembly mounted on the front of
this main section. A rear inflatable bladder is mounted in
conjunction with the rear surface of this main section with the
main section also including a transverse axis permitting the main
section to pivot. Inflation of the rear inflatable bladder causes
the main section to pivot to assume various tilted or inclined
positions relative to the user. There is also included a series of
controls that is manually operable by the user to vary the
inflation and deflation of the inflatable bladders mounted on the
main section and also the rear inflatable bladder.
[0020] One of the primary objectives of the present invention is to
construct a chair back which includes a series of inflatable
bladders with no inflatable bladder applying direct pressure to the
spine of the user of the chair which assists in controlling
alignment of the spine without putting pressure on the spine.
Pressure on the spine could cause pain and/or a degenerative
disc.
[0021] Another objective of the present invention is to construct a
chair back which utilizes a specific series of inflatable bladders
that are ergonomically shaped to apply pressure to the different
muscle groups that are located within the back of the user.
[0022] Another objective of the present invention is to construct a
chair back where the inflatable bladders incorporated therein can
be selectively activated and deactivated according to individual
comfort.
[0023] Another objective of the present invention is to construct a
chair back which will permit a user of the chair to occupy the
chair for an extended length of time in a comfortable manner.
[0024] Another objective of the present invention is to construct a
chair back which reduces risk of spinal deformity.
[0025] Another objective of the present invention is to construct a
back support system that can be easily installed on virtually all
models of wheelchairs and can be constructed to accommodate to most
all conventional chairs.
[0026] Another objective of the present invention is to construct a
back support system for a chair back that provides for a
significantly enhanced amount of comfort to the user.
[0027] Another objective of the chair back of the present invention
is to provide a back support system that fits to a variety of
different individuals.
[0028] Another objective of the chair back of the present invention
is to provide a back support system that assists the musculature of
the user and to align the spine.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] For a better understanding of the present invention,
reference is to be made to the accompanying drawings. It is to be
understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise
arrangement shown in the drawings.
[0030] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of the back support system of
the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 2 is an internal view of the back support system of the
present invention showing the arrangement of the frontal inflatable
bladder assembly that is utilized in conjunction with the back
support system of the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view through the back
support system of the present invention taken along line 3-3 of
FIG. 1 showing the bolsters in conjunction with the back support
system being located in the fully retracted position;
[0033] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3 showing
the bolsters in a fully extended position;
[0034] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3 showing
the back support system with mounts for connecting to a wheelchair
and a housing for enclosing the air compressor and battery source
of power;
[0035] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through the
back support system of the present invention taken along line 6-6
of FIG. 1 showing the back support system in a minimal tilt
position; and
[0036] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 6 but
showing the back support system in the maximum tilted position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0037] Referring particularly to the drawings, there is shown the
back support system 10 of this invention. Back support system 10
includes a control housing 12. Inside the control housing 12 there
is located an electrically operated air compressor 14. Operation of
the air compressor 14 is accomplished by means of a series of
batteries 16. The air compressor 14 supplies compressed air through
supply conduit 18. Electrical power also is supplied by the
batteries 16 to electrical conduit 20. Electrical conduit 20 and
supply conduit 18 connect with a valve housing 22. Contained within
the valve housing 22 are a series of valves (not shown) that are
capable of supplying pressurized air from the supply conduit 18 to
within outlet conduits 24, 26, 28, 30, 32 and 34. Manual pressing
of switch 36, which is mounted on housing 22, is to control the
pressurized air that is being supplied into the outlet conduit 24.
Also mounted on the housing 22 are switches 38, 40, 42, 44, and 46
which similarly supply pressurized air into their respective
conduits 26, 28, 30, 32 and 34. Switches 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 and 46
can each be pressed and released to a hold position which will
retain the quantity of pressurized air that has been supplied
within their respective bladders. Each of the switches 36-46 are
also capable of being pressed to a vent position. In that position,
the pressurized air contained within its respective outlet conduit
24-34 is vented to the ambient. Switches 36-46 each connect with
the electrically operated valves (not shown) which are mounted
within valve housing 22 and are supplied electrical power by
conduit 20.
[0038] Outlet conduit 34 connects with rear inflatable bladder 48.
Outlet conduit 32 connects with right bolster bladder 50. Outlet
conduit 30 connects with left bolster bladder 52. Outlet conduit 28
connects with upper lumbar bladders 54, 56, 58 and 60. Outlet
conduit 24 connects with middle lumbar bladders 62, 64, 66 and 68.
Outlet conduit 26 connects with lower lumbar bladders 70 and
72.
[0039] The upper lumbar bladders 54 and 60 are each shaped
specifically to apply pressure to the deltoid muscle, the
infraspinatus muscle, and the terres minor and major muscles. It is
to be understood that these muscles in the area of the back
overlap. The upper lumbar bladders 56 and 58 are also shaped to
apply pressure to the upper portion of the trapezius muscle and
also to the serratus posterior superior muscle. The middle lumbar
bladders 62 and 68 are shaped to apply pressure to the lower
portion of the trapezius muscle, the quadratus lumborum, erector
spinae muscle, external abdominal oblique muscle and the internal
abdominal oblique muscle. It is to be understood that each of the
muscles that are being discussed are on both sides of the spine
with it being understood that the spine is in alignment with the
mid axis 98. The middle lumbar bladders 64 and 66 are shaped
specifically to apply pressure primarily to the spine of scapula
muscle, rhomboideus major muscle and the serratus posterior
superior muscle. The lower lumbar bladders 70 and 72 are each
specifically shaped to apply pressure primarily to the
thoracolumbar facia, spinalis thoracis, erector spinae muscle,
longissimus thoracis, iliocostalis lumborum, latissimus dorsi,
trapezius and serrated posterior inferior oblique muscle.
[0040] The height of the back support system 10 of this invention
is selected so that the lumbar vertebrae of the user's spine will
generally be located between the lower portions of the lower lumbar
bladders 70 and 72. The remaining portion of the back support
system 10 is located primarily in the area of the thoracic
vertebrae of the spine. The back support system of this invention
is not designed to have any contact with the cervical lumbar region
of the spine.
[0041] Rear inflatable bladder 48 is mounted within a base which
comprises fixed plate 74 and movable plate 76 with bladder 48
mounted between plates 74 and 76. The movable plate 76 is mounted
by a hinge 78 to the lower edge 80 of the fixed plate 74. At the
upper edge 82 of the fixed plate 74 there is mounted a flexible
dust cover 84. The axis of hinge 78 is perpendicular to the
mid-axis 98. The fixed plate 74 is mounted against a chair back 73,
shown in FIG. 3.
[0042] When the rear inflatable bladder 48 is not activated, the
plates 74 and 76 are in the position shown in FIG. 6 of the
drawing. However, when switch 46 is pressed, pressurized air is
supplied into the bladder 48 and the bladder 48 can be extended to
the maximum position depicted by arrow 86 which will normally be
about ten degrees. The dust cover 84 prevents foreign material from
entering to within the wedged shape cavity 88 that is produced
between the fixed plate 74 and the movable plate 76.
[0043] The fixed plate 74 is to be mounted either on a chair back
or as a chair back. For example, in the environment of a
wheelchair, the fixed plate 74 can be mounted by mounting brackets
90 and 92 to the frame structure of the wheelchair, which is not
shown. These mounting brackets 90 and 92 are shown in FIG. 5.
Activating and causing pressurized air to enter the bladder 48 will
change the position of the movable plate 76 from an inclined
position, as shown in FIG. 6, to an upright position, shown in FIG.
7. It is to be understood that the amount of inclination or the
amount of uprightness is to be manually selected according to the
individual's desires. FIG. 5 also shows the control housing mounted
on the rear surface of the fixed plate 74.
[0044] When the user presses switch 44, pressurized air is supplied
to the right bolster bladder 50 which is wedged between the movable
plate 76 and right bolster plate 94. The right bolster plate 94 is
hingedly connected to the movable plate 76 by means of a hinge 96.
Hinge 96 is located substantially parallel to the mid-axis 98.
Mid-axis 98 is located at the transverse center of the movable
plate 76 and extends longitudinally. Dust cover 100 connects
between the movable plate 76 and the right bolster plate 94 to
prevent foreign material from entering the wedge shaped cavity 102
formed between the movable plate 76 and the right bolster plate 94.
When the user presses switch 44, inflation of the bladder 50 will
occur which will cause the right bolster plate 94 to move from the
retracted position, shown in FIG. 3, to the expanded position,
shown in FIG. 4. The expanded position will apply pressure to the
right side of the user when sitting in a chair to provide lateral
support to the user of the chair.
[0045] When the user presses switch 42, pressurized air is to be
supplied to the left bolster bladder 62 which is wedged between the
movable plate 76 and a left bolster plate 104. The left bolster
plate 104 is hingedly connected by a hinge 106 to the movable plate
76. The axis of the hinge 106 is substantially parallel to the
mid-axis 98. A dust cover 108 extends between the movable plate 76
and the left bolster plate 104 to prevent foreign material from
entering the wedged shape cavity 110 which is located between the
movable plate 76 and the left bolster plate 110. When the user
causes pressurized air to enter into the left bolster bladder 52,
pressure will be applied to the left side of the user to provide
lateral support to the user of the chair.
[0046] Mounted on the frontal surface of the right bolster plate 94
are bladders 62 and 54. Mounted on the frontal surface of the left
bolster plate 104 are bladders 60 and 68. Bladders 54 and 62 are
covered by a fabric or plastic cover 112. The bladders 60 and 68
are covered by a cover 114, which is also formed of plastic or
fabric. It is to be understood that each of the inflatable bladders
included within this invention are to be formed as a sheet material
enclosure with the wall of such constructed of either a rubberized
fabric or plastic material. Each bladder can be replaced for
repair. The maximum pressure supplied to each bladder will
generally not exceed two pounds per square inch. The bladder covers
are removable for washing purposes and then are replaceable.
[0047] Bladders 56 and 58 are fixedly mounted onto the movable
plate 76 with bladder 56 being located to one side and spaced from
the mid-axis 98 and bladder 58 located to the opposite side and
spaced from the mid-axis 98. Similarly, the bladders 64 and 66 are
fixedly mounted onto the movable plate 76 with bladder 64 located
on one side of the mid-axis 98 and bladder 66 located on the
opposite side of the mid-axis 98 and spaced therefrom. Similarly,
the bladders 70 and 72 are fixedly mounted onto the movable plate
76 with bladder 70 being located on one side of the mid-axis 98 and
bladder 72 located on the opposite side of the mid-axis 98 with
both the bladders 70 and 72 being spaced from this mid-axis 98. The
mid-axis 98 is to basically align with the spine of the user. This
will result in that there is no pressure being applied by a bladder
directly to the spine. The applying of pressure to the spine at
times, for certain individuals, can become uncomfortable. The upper
lumbar bladders 54, 56, 58 and 60 are designed to apply pressure to
the muscle group of the upper lumbar region of a person's back. The
middle lumbar bladders 62, 64, 66 and 68 are designed to apply
pressure to the middle lumbar muscle group of the person's back.
Bladders 70 and 72 are designed to apply pressure to the lower
lumbar muscle group region of the person's back. In essence, the
arrangement of the bladders mirrors the musculature structure of
the user's back. Bladders 56, 64 and 70 are covered by a cover 116.
Bladders 58, 66 and 72 are covered by a cover 118. Bladders
typically will be constructed of polyester/polyurethane or
polyurethane/vinyl material and not flammable. The covers 112, 114,
116 and 118 are also constructed of a fabric which is not
flammable.
[0048] For a description of the constructing of each of the
bladders, reference is to be to bladder 70 shown in detail in FIGS.
8, 9 and 10. Bladder 70 has an internal chamber 71 located
internally of fabric cover 116. Located within chamber 71 is an
open cell foam pad 73. Pad 73 will normally be constructed of
polyurethane. Air is supplied internally of sheet 75 within
internal chamber 79 through outlet conduit 76 through port 77.
[0049] The foam that is used within each of the bladders is to have
an indention load displacement of between twelve to twenty-six.
Generally, this indention load displacement is within the low
range. Basically, the trait of the foam, such as foam pad 73, is to
be such that when it is compressed and the force is released from
the foam that it will quickly spring back to its original
shape.
[0050] With ambient air pressure in bladder 70, the position of
bladder 70 will be as shown in FIG. 8 where sheet 75 closely
conforms to foam pad 73 and cover 116 abuts sheet 75. Adding of
pressurized air to within internal chamber 79 causes expansion of
sheet 75 and fabric cover 116 as shown in FIG. 9. When a person's
body 81 leans against cover 116 and applies pressure, the inflated
appearance of bladder 70 is substantially eliminated with sheet 75
being pressed against pad 73 assuming the position shown
representatively in FIG. 10.
[0051] Pressing of switch 40 will cause pressurized air to be
supplied simultaneously to bladders 54, 56, 58 and 60. Pressing of
switch 38 will cause pressurized air to be supplied simultaneously
to bladders 70 and 72. Pressing of switch 36 will cause pressurized
air to be supplied simultaneously to bladders 62, 64, 66 and
68.
[0052] Each of the bladders that have been previously discussed can
be vented through their supply conduits 24, 26, 28, 30, 32 and 34
by merely pressing of the switches 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 and 46 in an
opposite direction where this venting occurs through the valve,
which is not shown, that is associated with each of the switches
36-46. This venting causes their respective inflatable bladders to
deflate or move to a lower amount of inflation, again according to
the individual's desires. At times, the user can change the
inflation of bladders to alter the pressure that is being applied.
This changing of the pressure is in order to increase comfort and
minimize the possibility of creating of any sore in conjunction
with a user's back. The use of bladders provides localized pressure
but distributes the pressure.
[0053] Connecting with the conduit 24 is a connecting conduit 120.
The connecting conduit 120 connects at one end with the bladders 62
and 64 and at the opposite end with the bladders 66 and 68.
[0054] The supply conduit 28 connects to a connecting conduit 122
with one end of the connecting conduit 122 connecting with the
bladders 54 and 56 and the other end of the connecting conduit 122
connecting with the bladders 58 and 60. Similarly, there is a
connecting conduit 124 that connects with a supply conduit 26 with
one end of the connecting conduit 124 connecting with bladder 70
and the opposite end of the connecting conduit 124 connecting with
bladder 72.
[0055] In summary, the user, when utilizing the back support system
10 of this invention, has the capability of changing the overall
tilt of the back support system 10 and also has the option of
increasing or decreasing lateral support by moving of the right
bolster plate 94 or the left bolster plate 104. Additionally, the
user has the capability of applying increased pressure to the lower
lumbar region through bladders 70 and 72, through the middle lumbar
region through bladders 62, 64, 66 and 68 or the upper lumbar
region through bladders 54, 56, 58 and 60. The back support system
is designed to be constructed in any convenient size with typical
sizes being twelve inches, fourteen inches, sixteen inches,
eighteen inches, twenty inches, twenty-two inches, twenty-four
inches, twenty-sic inches, twenty-eight inches and thirty
inches.
[0056] By the design of this unique medical device, structural
support of the back is maintained. Prolonged seating can cause
musculo-skeletal problems. This design allows postures to adjust
and reduce the lowest disc compression which ultimately causes
discomfort and pain. During sitting, activity of the back muscles
is similar to that during standing, but in supported sitting, as
with elbows resting on the knees there is no activity in the lumbar
back muscles, and with arms resting on an armrest, back muscle
activity is decreased. In reclined sitting, the backrest supports
the weight of the thorax, lessening the need for muscular support.
Increasing the declination of the backrest of a seat decreases
lumbar back muscle activity. As the spine bends forward, there is
an increase in the activity of the back muscles. Gravity, but the
extent produces the movement of forward flexion and the rate at
which it proceeds, is controlled by the eccentric contraction of
the back muscles and tension in its posterior ligaments. If forward
flexion increases, transition of spinal-load bearing from muscles
to the ligaments system takes place. The downward direction of
their action as the back muscles contract exert a longitudinal
compression of lumbar vertebral column, and this compression raises
the pressure in the lumbar intervertebral discs. Disc pressures and
myoelectric activity of the back muscles quantifies the stresses
applied to the lumbar spine in various postures. The erector spinae
muscle group plays a critical role in the dyna{acute over (m)}ic
stability of the lumbar spine. As the spine bends forward, there is
an increase in the activity of the back therefore is associated
with the rise in nuclear pressure. When measured at intervertebral
discs, the nuclear pressure correlates with the degree of
myoelectric activity in the back muscles. As muscle activity
increases, disc pressure rises. At a certain point during forward
flexion, the activity in the back muscles ceases and tension in its
posterior ligaments increases. This phenomenon takes place only
when the spine has reached about ninety percent maximum flexion. To
control this activity the back support system 10 will adapt to the
following, postures leaning back using a reclined backrest give the
lowest lumbar-sacral disc loading regardless of the inclination the
direct location of the seat and by postures in which an individual
is bending forward with the spine kyphotic give the highest disc
loading regardless where the individual has been seated or
positioned. It is advantageous to tilt the back forward or backward
by five degrees rather than to have a horizontal seat pan in
forward bending postures. If an erect trunk posture is attained or
a reclined backrest is in use disc compression will be altered when
the recline function moves forward or backwards by five degrees.
There is a correlation between discomfort and disc compression.
[0057] The back support system 10 allows the user to move in
multiple planes rather than a fixed manner. Another advantage
enables the occupant to have multiple back positions by inclining
and reclining and increasing pressure along major muscle groups to
facilitate postural changes. The back support system 10 is a
multi-positioning device that reduces back and lower back pain by
increasing the over muscular activity of the back.
[0058] The present invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from the essential attributes thereof.
Reference should be made to the appending claims rather than the
foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the
invention.
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