U.S. patent application number 11/251958 was filed with the patent office on 2006-05-11 for rehabilitation apparatus for lumbosacral spine.
Invention is credited to Alec L. Meleger.
Application Number | 20060097555 11/251958 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36315596 |
Filed Date | 2006-05-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060097555 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Meleger; Alec L. |
May 11, 2006 |
Rehabilitation apparatus for lumbosacral spine
Abstract
A dynamic, sitting apparatus for strengthening muscles of the
lumbosacral spine and abdomen, which also provides a comfortable
sitting environment. The device consists of two oppositely facing,
sitting platforms that are separated by a pivoting member secured
to the undersurfaces of both platforms. The points of attachments
of the pivoting member are at the off-center and at the on-center
positions, with respect to each platform's own geometrical centers.
This allows for comfortable variability of sitting tilting angles
for individuals with differing lumbosacral anatomies and
pathologies. The outer surfaces of each platform depict indicia
showing the locations of each of the platform's center points of
pivoting and rotation.
Inventors: |
Meleger; Alec L.;
(Brookline, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Alec L. Meleger
20 Strathmore Road, #2
Brookline
MA
02445
US
|
Family ID: |
36315596 |
Appl. No.: |
11/251958 |
Filed: |
October 17, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60619535 |
Oct 18, 2004 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/271.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61H 1/0292 20130101;
A47C 3/16 20130101; A61H 2001/0207 20130101; A47C 9/002 20130101;
A63B 2208/0228 20130101; A63B 2022/0033 20130101; A63B 23/0233
20130101; A63B 22/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/271.6 |
International
Class: |
A47C 3/02 20060101
A47C003/02 |
Claims
1. A therapeutic sitting apparatus comprising: (a) two
substantially flat and generally rigid platforms designated as
first and second; (b) a pivoting/fulcrum member having a flat end
and a curved end, said flat end secured to said first platform and
said curved end secured to said second platform; and (c) wherein
said platforms are narrower than the width and depth of a seat
belonging to a typical chair; and (d) wherein said platforms have
curved edges of predetermined contours for sitting comfort; and (e)
wherein the point of attachment of said second platform to said
pivoting/fulcrum member being off center with respect to said
platform's own geometrical center as shown in FIGS. 1 & 4; and
(f) wherein the point of attachment of said first platform to said
pivoting/fulcrum member is at said platform's own geometrical
center as shown in FIGS. 1 & 4; and (g) wherein said first and
second platforms show outer surface indicia depicting relative
position of the respective platforms' center of nutation/pivoting
as depicted in FIGS. 2 & 3.
2. A therapeutic sitting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein
said pivoting means consist of interchangeably removing and
securing pivoting/fulcrum member(s) of varying curved shapes,
diameters and/or consisting of various materials, resilient or
nonresilient.
3. A therapeutic sitting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein
said platforms' diameters are equal or wider than the width and
depth of a seat belonging to a typical chair.
4. A therapeutic sitting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein
said first platform attached to the flat end of said
pivoting/fulcrum member are made of one single, contiguous
mold.
5. A therapeutic sitting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein
said platforms can be nonrigid and assume a variety of non-flat
shapes.
6. A therapeutic sifting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein
the point of attachment of said pivoting/fulcrum member is at said
second platform's geometrical center and the point of attachment of
said pivoting/fulcrum member being off-center with respect to said
first platform's geometrical center.
7. A therapeutic sifting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein
said pivoting/fulcrum member and said first and second platforms
are all made of a single, contiguous mold.
8. A therapeutic sitting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein
said platforms include removable or non-removable undersurface or
peripheral stops of predetermined contours limiting further
tilting.
9. A therapeutic sitting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein
said pivoting/fulcrum member includes removable or non-removable
stops of predetermined contours limiting further tilting.
10. A therapeutic sitting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein
said pivoting/fulcrum member is nonremovable and consists of a
material different from the one used in making said sitting
platforms.
11. A therapeutic sifting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein
said pivoting/fulcrum member contains a cut out spanning the entire
length of said member.
12. A therapeutic sifting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein a
spring coil mechanism is used to secure said second platform to
said pivoting/fulcrum member and to said first platform.
13. A therapeutic sifting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein
said first and second platforms can be used as sifting surfaces
depending on which said platform is on the upside, thus allowing
the user, based on their comfort level, to utilize said
pivoting/fulcrum member at said on center or off center positions
with respect to said platforms' geometrical centers.
14. A therapeutic sifting apparatus comprising: (a) two platforms
designated first and second; (b) a pivoting/fulcrum member secured
on both sides to said platforms; and (c) wherein the point of
attachment of said first platform to said pivoting/fulcrum member
being at said platform's own geometrical center; and (d) wherein
the point of attachment of said second platform to said
pivoting/fulcrum member being off-center with respect to said
platform's own geometrical center; and (e) wherein said platforms
showing indicia depicting relative position of the respective
platforms' center of nutation/pivoting.
15. A therapeutic sifting apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein
said pivoting/fulcrum member is of spherical shape or consists of
two curved ends.
16. A therapeutic sitting apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein
said pivoting means consist of interchangeably removing and
securing pivoting/fulcrum member(s) of varying shapes, diameters
and/or consisting of various materials, resilient or
nonresilient.
17. A therapeutic sitting apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein
said pivoting/fulcrum member is secured to the geometrical center
of said first and second platforms.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based on provisional application Ser.
No. 60/619,535, filed on Oct. 18, 2004.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] This present invention relates to rehabilitation and
exercise equipment. More specifically, it provides a dynamic
sitting environment for strengthening core musculature of the
lumbosacral spine and abdomen, as well as allows more comfortable
and ergonomic sitting.
[0005] Most adults will experience low back pain at some point in
their lifetime. The symptoms of back pain tend to be recurrent in
nature and if progress, can cause significant disability. Numerous
studies have shown that weak lumbar and abdominal muscles can
predispose or perpetuate the recurrence of low back pain. Sedentary
lifestyle has been found as one of the risk factors leading to
deconditioning of low back musculature and to developing chronic
low back pain.
[0006] A number of exercise programs have been designed to
strengthen low back muscles and thus decrease the level of pain, to
increase sifting and standing tolerance, as well as to improve
daily function. The most widely used exercise program consists of
lumbar stabilization exercises, which specifically isolates core
lumbar musculature, and at the same time engages muscles of the
abdominal wall. One way of performing these exercises is with the
use of an inflated exercise ball where the individual maintains the
upright posture by balancing themselves through actively engaging
the lumbar paraspinals, as well as abdominal muscles.
[0007] Likewise, by using such a dynamic sitting surface, the
individual is also able to find the position of comfort by altering
the level of lumbar lordosis and pelvic obliquity, thus reducing
low back pain and discomfort while sitting. The decrease in the
level of lordosis, or increase in kyphosis, will help reduce the
stress on the lumbar facet joints and within the posterior aspect
of lumbar intervertebral discs thus mitigating the level discomfort
in individuals with pain emanating from those anatomical regions.
Respectively, the increase in the level of lordosis, or decrease in
kyphosis, will lead to reduced pressure within the middle and
anterior aspects of lumbar intervertebral discs and thus help to
alleviate pain in individuals suffering from disc related pain. In
addition, by continuously changing the level and peak location of
intradiscal pressure with the of the use of such an dynamic sifting
platform, the intervertebral disc can maintain an optimal level of
nutrition and decrease the level of elastic deformation, which can
be seen when sifting on top of immobile or static sifting
surface(s).
[0008] Unfortunately, the regular use of an inflatable exercise
ball, in a number of settings (i.e. work), is precluded by its
size, lack of portability, as well as by inability in being able to
adjust the ball's height. The present invention provides
portability due to its relatively small size and allows it to be
used on top of any sifting apparatus or flat surface, thus making
the adjustability of the seat height, a non-issue.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 2,719,571 describes a stand alone, freely
rotatable stool comprising of a universal joint between its base
and its seat. U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,751 describes a sifting apparatus
consisting of a column with the upper side supporting a seat and
the lower side attached to the platform with a curved member
attached to its undersurface. Both constructs require active use of
trunk and abdominal muscles to maintain the sifting balance.
However, they are stand alone constructs, are not portable and can
not be used to convert another sifting surface into a dynamic
one.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 2,944,591 describes a swivel seat attachment
which converts a typical automobile seat into a mobile sitting
environment, which allows the user's body to slide and rotate when
getting in or out of the vehicle, as well as during driving,
especially when going around curves. Unfortunately, this construct
does not allow any swivel or tilting in the vertical plane and only
provides movement in the horizontal plane.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 4,653,748 describes an ankle exercising device
consisting of a flat platform and a hemispherical member secured to
its undersurface. This apparatus allows variable angular tilting of
the ankle joint while the user stands on top of the platform.
However, it would not be possible to use this device on top of soft
sitting surfaces since it would simply sink in thus disallowing any
ability to swivel. The current invention obviates this problem by
having a second sitting platform attached to the pivoting member's
curved end.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 4,830,345 describes a sitting apparatus
consisting of two outwardly facing sitting surfaces connected and
separated by a plurality of coil springs. The apparatus is capable
of vibration and undulation when a person sits on top of it and
tries to maintain an upright sitting balance. Unfortunately, this
device does not provide an off-center positioned fulcrum as current
invention provides, thus allowing greater degree of comfort for
individuals with pelvic obliquity. Likewise, a relatively heavy
user might affect the proper functioning of a coil based sitting
apparatus by unduly compressing the coils themselves.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The primary object of this invention is to transform any
surface, sitting or non-sitting, hard or soft, into a highly
dynamic and mobile sitting environment.
[0014] Another object of this invention is to provide the means of
strengthening the muscles of the lumbosacral spine and abdomen
while in the process of sitting.
[0015] A further object of this invention is to decrease the
intensity of low back pain while sifting.
[0016] Another object of this invention is to provide a comfortable
sifting environment for individuals with pelvic obliquity.
[0017] Yet another object of this invention is to provide the means
of training and improving sifting balance.
[0018] Another object of this invention is to provide the means of
obtaining a proper sifting posture.
[0019] A further object of this invention is to provide a dynamic
sitting environment which can be used in performance of lumbar
stabilization exercise program.
[0020] Yet another object of this invention is to provide a dynamic
sitting environment with either the first or the second platforms
serving as the sitting surface by flipping the device "upside
down".
[0021] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of
illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is
disclosed.
[0022] To achieve the aforementioned objectives and to address the
limitations of prior inventions, the current apparatus consists of
two oppositely facing sifting platforms attached to and separated
by a pivoting member with a curved end. The pivoting member is
attached to the center of one platform's undersurface and at the
off-center position to the other platform's undersurface. Each
platform surface depicts indicia indicating the relative position
of the fulcrum point or center of rotation.
[0023] The current invention is a dynamic sitting device which can
transform any surface, sifting or non-sifting, hard or soft, into a
highly dynamic and mobile sitting environment. Due to its
portability, this device can be used as an active sitting surface
at home or in the office, as well as employed on top of soft
surfaces (i.e. couches), due to the substantially rigid platforms
embodied on both sides of the apparatus--lack of one of these
platforms would cause the apparatus to sink into the soft surface
and lose any pivoting capability. This apparatus can be used as
both as a method of recovering from a low back injury and as a
means of preventing back problems. The invention has a direct
application as an exercise device to strengthen lumbar muscles as
well as abdominals, but it can also be used for proprioceptive
(balance) training and in helping to maintain proper posture.
[0024] In order to help mitigate the attainment of lumbar lordosis
or kyphosis in individuals with pelvic obliquity, the pivoting
member is attached at the off-center position of one of the sitting
platforms.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] The drawings constitute a part of this specification and
include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be
embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some
instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated
or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.
[0026] FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of the apparatus.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus, with the
apparatus flipped over onto the side depicted as the top side in
FIG. 2.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the apparatus depicting
a pivoting/fulcrum member of a different shape.
[0030] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the apparatus depicting one
of the possible embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are
provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present
invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific
details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but
rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for
teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in
virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or
manner.
[0032] One version of the embodiment of the therapeutic sitting
apparatus in accordance with the present invention is illustrated
in FIG. 1, which depicts a cross sectional view of the device.
Included are two opposite facing, substantially flat, sitting
platforms designated as 10 and 11. The two platforms are separated
by a pivoting member 12, having a curved end and a vertical
tunnel-like cut out 17, which extends the through the entire height
of the pivoting member's center. Analogous, full thickness cut
outs, 20 and 21, are made through the sitting platforms 10 and 11,
through the geometrical center and off geometrical center of each
platform, respectively. The cut outs 17, 20 and 21 are overlapped
to produce a continuous vertical cut out. In FIG. 1, a coil spring
16, extends through the said continuous cut out and attaches at the
cut out centers 13 and 14, belonging to cut outs 20 and 21,
respectively. Rod-like structures 19 and 22, which traverse cut
outs 20 and 21, can be used for hooking the coil spring 16 thus
allowing the sitting platform 11 attach to the rest of the
apparatus.
[0033] It should be appreciated that the sitting platform 10 and
the pivoting member 12 can be made of a single, uninterrupted mold
as depicted in FIG. 1.
[0034] It should also be appreciated that the said mechanical
construct allows both sitting platforms to pivot with relation to
each other, when one of the sitting platforms is in direct contact
with another surface (i.e. chair, sofa, etc.) while the other
sitting platform is in direct contact with the individual sitting
on top of it.
[0035] One of the features of the invention is that the center of
nutation/pivoting is located at the cut out center 13 which also
happens to be the geometrical center of the sitting platform 10. On
the contrary, the point of nutation/pivoting located at the cut out
center 14 is at the off-center position with respect to the
geometrical center of the sitting platform 11.
[0036] The peripheral edge 15 of each of the two sitting platforms
consists of a rounded or curved shape for sitting comfort as well
as to serve as a stop to further pivotal displacement of the two
sitting platforms relative to each other.
[0037] It should be appreciated that the said invention can be
flipped upside down and either of the sitting platforms 10 or 11
can be used as sitting surfaces as based on the user's comfort
level. It is also a feature of the current invention that both
sitting platforms 10 and 11 are made of substantially rigid
material in order to prevent any deformation, either due to the
user's weight for the sitting platform in direct contact with the
user, or if used on top of soft surfaces for the sitting platform
in direct contact with the said soft surface.
[0038] FIG. 2 depicts the top view of the sitting apparatus with
the sitting platform 10 shown at the top and the sitting platform
11 shown at the bottom depicted with the dotted line. The center 13
of cut out 20 coincides with the geometrical center of the sitting
platform 10. A rod-like structure 19 spans the cut out 20 and is
used for hooking the coil spring 16(not depicted). Quadrant indicia
21 aid in showing the relative position of the center of
nutation/pivoting depicted by cut out center 13.
[0039] FIG. 3 depicts the top view of the sitting apparatus with
sitting platform 11 shown at the top and the sitting platform 10
shown at the bottom depicted with the dotted line. The center 14 of
the cut out 21 is positioned off-center with respect to the
geometrical center of the sitting platform 11. A rod-like structure
22 spans the cut out 21 and is used for hooking the coil spring
16(not depicted). Quadrant indicia 30 aid in showing the relative
position of the center of nutation/pivoting depicted by cut out
center 14.
[0040] Another version of the therapeutic sitting apparatus in
accordance with the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 4
depicting a cross sectional view of the embodiment. This version of
the embodiment is generally similar to the one depicted in FIG. 1
except that the diameter of the pivoting/fulcrum member 42 equals
to the diameter of the sitting platform 40 and is secured at said
platform's geometrical center 46. It should be appreciated that
structures 40 and 42 can be made of a single, contiguous mold.
Again, as in FIG. 1, the second platform, in this case referenced
41, is secured to the pivoting/fulcrum member 42, off-center 45,
with respect to its own geometrical center. Again, as in FIG. 1,
cut outs 43, 47 and 48 are overlapped as to produce a continuous
cut out through which a securing member, in this case a coil spring
44, can be passed through.
[0041] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the apparatus depicting
yet another one of the possible embodiments without the use of said
coil spring attachment. A pivoting/fulcrum member 51 is secured to
the undersurface of sitting platform 50 with center of
nutation/pivoting positioned directly in line with the said
platform's geometrical center. The curved aspect of the said
fulcrum/pivoting member is secured to the second sitting platform
52 at the off-center position with respect to the said platform's
geometrical center. Surface indicia 53 depict the relative position
of the center of nutation/pivoting.
[0042] While the invention has been described in connection with a
preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the
invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it
is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and
equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *