U.S. patent application number 11/826846 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-31 for lumbar support.
This patent application is currently assigned to IWI LTD.. Invention is credited to Maurice Bard.
Application Number | 20080023996 11/826846 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38973668 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080023996 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bard; Maurice |
January 31, 2008 |
Lumbar support
Abstract
A lumbar support uses a molded plastic shell and a series of
adjustable straps to provide a support that can be easily fitted to
a user's lower back profile. A thing cushion member, preferably a
cushion sleeve, is supported on the straps and does not extend to
the rear portion of the plastic shell, and preferably does not
extend to the sides of the shell. Air circulation channels are
defined between the thin cushion member and the rear of the molded
plastic shell to assist in heat removal during use of the lumbar
support. This lumbar support structure is also readily modified for
increased durability that different applications demand.
Inventors: |
Bard; Maurice; (Markham,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DENNISON ASSOCIATES
133 RICHMOND STREET WEST
SUITE 301
TORONTO
ON
M5H 2L7
CA
|
Assignee: |
IWI LTD.
5-39 Riviera Drive
Markham
CA
L3R 8N4
|
Family ID: |
38973668 |
Appl. No.: |
11/826846 |
Filed: |
July 19, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/284.4 ;
297/452.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 7/42 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/284.4 ;
297/452.3 |
International
Class: |
A47C 3/00 20060101
A47C003/00; A47C 7/02 20060101 A47C007/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 20, 2006 |
CA |
2552674 |
Claims
1. A lumbar support comprising a molded plastic shell of a shallow
"U" shape defined by a rear portion and two forwardly extending
side portions; said molded plastic shell including a series of
adjustable straps extending between said side portions adjacent a
forward edge of each side portion and positioned in front of and
spaced from said rear portion; each strap being independently
adjustable in length across said shell to allow settings thereof to
a lower back profile of a user; each strap being releasably fixable
to said shell to define a strap in a set position of the user; said
lumbar support including a cushion member supported by said straps
and defining a front face of said lumbar support; and wherein said
lumber support includes an open air circulation channel
intermediate said rear portion of said molded plastic shell and
said straps.
2. A lumbar support as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cushion
member terminates inwardly of each side portion defining side air
circulation portions between said side portions of said molded
plastic shell and said cushion member.
3. A lumbar support as claimed in claim 2 wherein said cushion
member is a sleeve with said straps passing through said
sleeve.
4. A lumber support as claimed in claim 3 wherein said sleeve
includes a central seam extending across the sleeve with some of
said straps positioned on one side of said central seam and some of
said straps positioned on an opposite side of said central
seam.
5. A lumber support as claimed in claim 3 wherein said cushion
sleeve is of a size to generally correspond to a vertical spacing
between an upper strap and a lower strap of said straps.
6. A lumbar support comprising a molded plastic shell of a shallow
"U" shape defined by a rear portion and two forwardly extending
side portions; said molded plastic shell including an adjustable
support substrate extending between said side portions adjacent a
forward edge of each side portion and positioned in front of and
spaced from said rear portion; said adjustable support substrate
allowing adjustment to conform to a lower back profile of a user;
and wherein said lumber support includes an open air circulation
channel intermediate said rear portion of said molded plastic shell
and said adjustable support substrate.
7. A lumbar support as claimed in claim 6 wherein said adjustable
support substrate includes a cushion portion supported in front of
said support substrate.
8. A lumbar support as claimed in claim 7 wherein said cushion
portion terminates inwardly of each side portion to define side air
circulation portions between said side portions of said molded
plastic shell and said cushion portion.
9. A lumbar support as claimed in claim 7 wherein said cushion
portion is a sleeve with said support substrate passing through
said sleeve.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a lumbar support that is
durable, cost effective to manufacture and has improved operating
characteristics.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Published United States Patent 2004/0104610 discloses a
lumbar support device having a series of adjustable straps
extending between the side portions of a molded shell. The straps
extend across the shell and are adjustable in length to provide a
customized fit for the back profile of a user and in particular, to
provide proper support for the lumbar region of the user. The
device includes a full cover over the face of the device such that
the straps between the side portions of the shell are positioned
and hidden behind the cover. Typically, the cover includes a foam
cushion member between the straps and the cover providing an
effective insulation layer and heat retention adjacent the user's
back can be a problem.
[0003] Our own U.S. Pat. No. 6,971,717 discloses an improved
arrangement where the straps are biased when the straps are
released to automatically return the straps to an initial position
in preparation for custom fitting by a user. The cover and the foam
layer provide a drag on the straps returning to the initial
position, such that the bias members must be relatively strong and
costly.
[0004] Each of the above lumbar supports include the full cover
providing a finished front face to the lumbar support as well as a
finished face to the rear of the support device. In the case of our
own patent, the full fitted cover provides additional resistance to
the straps returned to the initial position and thus, the biasing
member provided for each strap, must be relatively strong.
Furthermore, the fabric cover includes an intermediate foam cushion
layer, further increasing the drag and heat retention can cause
some user inconvenience.
[0005] The lumbar support of the present invention provides
improved durability of the device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A lumbar support according to the present invention includes
a molded plastic shell of a shallow U-shape defined by a rear
portion with two forwardly extending side portions. A series of
adjustable straps extend between the side portions of the molded
shell adjacent a forward edge of each side portion and positioned
in front of, and spaced from, the rear portion. Each strap is
independently adjustable in length across the shell to allow
setting thereof to accommodate setting thereof to the back profile
of a user. Each strap is lockable relative to the shell to secure
the strap in a set position of the user. The lumbar support
includes a cushion member supported by these straps and defining a
front face of the lumbar support. The lumbar support includes an
open air circulation channel between the rear portion of the shell
and the straps.
[0007] In a preferred aspect of the invention, the cushion member
terminates inwardly of each side portion and defines side air
circulation portions between the side portions of the molded shell
and the cushion member.
[0008] In a further aspect of the invention, the cushion member is
a sleeve with the straps passing through the sleeve.
[0009] In yet a further aspect of the invention, the sleeve
includes a central seam extending across the sleeve with some of
the straps positioned to one side of the central seam. Other straps
positioned to an opposite side of the central seam.
[0010] In yet a further aspect of the invention, the cushioned
sleeve is sized to generally correspond to the vertical dimensions
between an upper strap and a lower strap of such straps.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the
drawings, wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the backrest support
supported on an office chair;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the backrest
support;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the backrest
support;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the cushioned sleeve
and its cooperation with the support straps;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view showing securement of
the straps to the rear of the shell;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a planned schematic view of the backrest support;
and
[0018] FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view showing the clamping
mechanism.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] The lumbar support 2 shown in FIG. 1 is placed on an office
chair 80 and is retained adjacent the back of the office chair by
means of a retaining strap 40. The lumbar support 2 includes a
molded shell 4 having a rear portion 6 and side portions 8 and 10
supporting the rear portion at a raised position. Each of the side
portions extend forwardly of the rear portion and include support
legs 12 and 14. With this arrangement, the support legs are
positioned either side of the open central portion 16 below the
rear portion 6. This basically provides additional space to
accommodate the user's buttocks in close proximity to the cushioned
back portion of the office chair or an upright back of a different
chair like support structure.
[0020] The straps 20 are adjustable in length to allow a user to
set each of the straps at a particular length to provide the
necessary customized support for the user's lower back profile. The
straps are essentially non elastic to provide firm support at the
desired position. The straps are of a fixed non yielding length
across said shell when the straps are secured in a fitted
configuration.
[0021] The straps as shown in FIG. 5 include an elastic portion 50
that provides a return bias force when the locking buckle 40 is
released. The releasing of the buckle as shown in FIG. 7 allows the
strap to return to a drawn initial position across the face of the
shell. The user can then set the appropriate length of the strap by
pushing his lower back into the lumbar support and assuming a
correct posture position at which time the particular lengths of
the straps can be locked by the individual buckles. At that point,
the elastic bias member 50 of each strap no longer affects the
straps secured between the two side portions.
[0022] In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, four straps 20 are
placed across the base of the shell and the straps are exposed
either side of a cushioned sleeve 22. This cushion sleeve 22
preferably floats or is slidable on the straps 20 and is generally
positioned in a central portion at the front face of the molded
shell 4. The purpose of the cushion sleeve is to provide some
cushioning of the user's back when he forces the same against the
support straps 20. This cushion sleeve does not extend over to the
shell and an air circulation channel 30 is provided between the
rear portion 6 of the molded shell 4 and the cushioned sleeve 22.
This air circulation channel helps to reduce heat buildup at the
user's back. Furthermore, the cushion sleeve 22 preferably
terminates short of the sides of the molded channel and thus, the
ends of the cushion sleeve are exposed as well as several inches of
the straps 20 adjacent the sides of the shell. With this
arrangement, air can also circulate from the sides of the shell
towards the center, further improving the dissipation of heat.
[0023] The cushion sleeve 22 preferably includes a central seam 24
with two of the straps 20 being retained in an upper passageway 26
of the sleeve and two straps retained in a lower passageway 28 of
the sleeve. This arrangement allows the straps 20 to support the
cushion sleeve 22 and generally retain this cushion sleeve in a
central position. The straps can essentially freely pass through
the sleeve to allow adjustment. The sleeve essentially slides on
the support straps and allows the straps to be set at different
lengths. This slide support allows length adjustment to occur at
one side of the lumbar support. The cushion sleeve preferably
includes a fabric type outer face and a thin foam back. Different
sleeves can be used for different applications such as indoor
versus outdoor appliances.
[0024] The lumbar support as shown in FIG. 2 includes the molded
shell 4 which can be of a durable plastic material with a series of
adjustable straps 20, also of a durable, non stretch material such
as a nylon web material, in combination with the cushion sleeve 22.
This can also be of a durable material whereby the resulting lumbar
support is also appropriate for many outdoor applications, for
example, sporting events, boat seat applications such as
applications where the lumbar support may be exposed to the
elements.
[0025] The lumbar support as described with respect to FIG. 2 is
cost effective to manufacture and the use of the cushion sleeve
also provides a simple mechanism to allow the movement of the
straps 20 within the sleeve. This is an important aspect in that
each of the straps 20, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, is secured at a
rear face of the lumbar support. Each strap 20 includes a first
fastening end 52 that receives one arm of the rigid "U" shaped
member 54. The elastic bias member 50 of the opposite end of the
strap engages the other arm of the "U" shaped member.
[0026] The "U" shaped member 54 has a snug interference type fit
with the securing lug 56 formed in the rear of the shell. In
addition, the "U" shaped member 54 is effectively trapped between
the opposed stiffening channels 58 and 60. Thus, the "U" shaped
member 54 in cooperation with the lug 56 provides an effective
simple means for securing of the strap to the shell. When a user
presses on a strap 20 with the strap effectively locking by a
buckle 59 at one side of the shell, the "U" shaped member 54 in
cooperation with the lug 56, secure the opposite end of the strap.
When the buckle is released, the elastic biased member 50 draws the
strap to a partially drawn state across the face of the shell and
defines an initial position to allow a user to adjust the length of
the straps.
[0027] FIG. 6 also illustrates the central air circulation channel
30 which allows movement of air vertically between the cushion
sleeve 22 and the rear portion 6 of the shell, as well as the side
air channels shown as 70 and 72 at opposite ends of the cushion
sleeve 22. This air circulation at the rear of the cushion sleeve
22 allows cool air at the user's back and renders the support more
comfortable for longer periods of time.
[0028] A further advantage of the lumbar support, in addition to
the improved durability and improved air circulation, is the
immediate understanding of how the device is to be used by a user.
The exposed straps either side of the cushion sleeve 22 and the
exposed buckles on the rear surface of the shell, allow a user to
easily understand how the device operates. With the prior art
arrangements, the full cover provided on the lumbar support hid the
working components and, a user did not necessarily appreciate the
ease of adjustment or the different principles of operation of the
support. With a full cover, a user mistakenly assumed the lumbar
support had the traditional foam cushion insert.
[0029] With the exposed straps and simplified cushion member, a
user readily appreciates the functionality of the device and is
more likely to consider the purchase of the device. Furthermore,
the manufacturing costs have been significantly reduced with
improved operational characteristics.
[0030] The lumbar support with the series of adjustable straps is
the preferred structure but other support substrates can be used,
including substrates that have some elasticity. The air circulation
channel or channels would still reduce heat build up and make the
support more convenient to use. The floating cushion support is
optional but preferred.
[0031] Although various preferred embodiments of the present
invention have been described herein in detail, it will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art, that variations may be
made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or
the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *