U.S. patent application number 13/067781 was filed with the patent office on 2011-10-20 for folded cushion for back support.
Invention is credited to Michal Taichman, Gila Ziv.
Application Number | 20110254333 13/067781 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42113350 |
Filed Date | 2011-10-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110254333 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Taichman; Michal ; et
al. |
October 20, 2011 |
Folded cushion for back support
Abstract
A folding cushion that supports the user's back while seated.
The cushion comprises an internal frame made of two halves that can
be folded one on top of the other; a lining; and an external cover
made of fabric or any other material used to cover cushions. The
cushion is designed to support the user's back while sitting, and
can be folded into a small size, thus enabling the user to carry it
everywhere.
Inventors: |
Taichman; Michal; (Tel Aviv,
IL) ; Ziv; Gila; (Tel Aviv, IL) |
Family ID: |
42113350 |
Appl. No.: |
13/067781 |
Filed: |
June 27, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/230.1 ;
5/652 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 7/46 20130101; A47C
7/425 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/230.1 ;
5/652 |
International
Class: |
A47C 7/42 20060101
A47C007/42; A47C 20/02 20060101 A47C020/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 30, 2008 |
IL |
196266 |
Dec 8, 2009 |
IL |
PCT/IL2009/001159 |
Claims
1. A cushion that consists of an internal frame, which has two or
more parts, and which can be folded, a lining and a cover.
2. The cushion mentioned in claim No. 1 whereby it also has an
anti-slip accessory.
3. A cushion designed to support the user's back and spine while
seated. The cushion consists of an internal frame, which has two or
more parts and which can be folded, a soft material lining, an
external cover, and an anti-slip accessory. The said folding frame
has the general shape of a thin, flat, rectangular plate, and is
either a single solid piece or has the form of a lattice. The frame
is made up of two or more identical or similar parts that can be
folded one on top of the other so that the said lining constitutes
a soft and flexible padding that covers the interior surface of the
said frame, or part of it, or at least one side of the said frame.
The said external cover covers the said frame and the said lining
and functions as a kind of frame for them. The cover is made of
fabric or rubber or any other material that is generally used for
cushion covers. The bottom part of the said external cover, or part
of it, is made of an anti-slip material. Alternatively, the said
anti-slip accessory is formed by an addition of an anti-slip
material, which is attached to the bottom of the said cushion, or
to a part of it.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention refers to a folding cushion for back
support.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] The majority of the world population suffers from back
aches. Medical publications have shown that over 80 percent of the
public suffer from back ache at one point of their lives or
another, and that at each given moment about 10 percent of the
adult population of the Western world are having back aches. Many
publications show that one of the main reasons for back aches is
incorrect sitting posture. The present invention is a cushion
designed to support the user's back while seated, so that the user
must adopt a steady, upright, correct posture and use different
sitting angles.
THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention refers to a folding cushion (1) that
supports the user's back while seated.
[0004] The main objective of the present invention is to provide
the user with a cushion (1) that is designed to support his or her
back while seated, so that the user must adopt a steady, upright
and correct posture. Another objective is to enable the user to
fold the cushion (1) into a relatively small size, so that it may
be carried to many places outside of the home, such as flights, the
library, school, theater and cinema halls, when traveling, and so
on. The cushion can also be fastened to a car seat.
[0005] The embodiment of the present invention refers to a cushion
(1) that comprises a folding frame (2), a lining (3) and a cushion
cover (4).
[0006] As mentioned, the cushion (1) also has a frame (2). The
cushion (1) is designed to support the user's back, and especially
the lower back, while seated. The objective of the invention is to
provide the user with a cushion that is based on a flat and rigid
plate that supports the back in a unique way, which prevents stress
along the entire length of the spine. Hence, the general form of
the frame (2) of the cushion is flat, straight and rigid.
[0007] The general shape of the frame (2) is that of a thin,
rectangular, flat plate. The preferred dimensions of the frame are
as following: thickness--up to 1 cm, height--30 cm, and width--22
cm, although the present invention and application cover and refer
to other dimensions as well. The frame (2) can be made from various
materials, such as a wooden plate, a metallic plate, a plastic
plate and so on. The frame (2) does not have to be a solid piece;
rather, it is possible and even preferable that it have the general
shape of a lattice (i.e., a frame with of horizontal and/or
vertical strips), so as to obtain a frame that is as light as
possible, and on the other hand, is flat and rigid.
[0008] The frame (2) consists of two identical or similar halves
(21) (22) that stand vertically side by side when the cushion (1)
is open and in use. In other words, when the cushion (1) is in use,
one side (21) of the frame supports the left side of the lower
back, while the other side (22) supports the right side of the
back.
[0009] The frame (2) is made of two parts so that the user may fold
the cushion in two, into a relatively small size, and so that it
can be carried in folded and convenient condition for stowing away
in a bag or in any other place. As mentioned, each of the two parts
of the frame (21) (22) has the general shape of a rectangle.
Drawing No. 1 depicts the frame and its two parts in a general
manner.
[0010] As mentioned, the cushion (1) also has a lining (3). The
cushion (1) is designed to support the user's back while seated. In
other words, the user leans on the cushion in open position. For
reasons of comfort, the cushion (1) has a soft and flexible lining
(3), such as sponge, silicone or a similar materials designated to
prevent direct contact between the frame and the user's body, as to
prevent the frame from applying direct pressure on the user's body.
The part of the frame that faces the user's back when in use is
covered by a lining (3), although this lining may also cover the
other side of the frame. The lining (3) should be relatively thin
(1-2 cm, although the invention and application cover and refer
also to other dimension).
[0011] It covers the surface area of the frame, and it should also
cover the space between the two sides of the frame. The lining (3)
also functions as a kind of medium in which both sides of the frame
(21) (22) are fixed, in other words, the lining (3) is also meant
to prevent the two sides of the frame from moving toward one
another.
[0012] As mentioned, the cushion (1) also has an external cover
(4). This cover (4) can be made of fabric, rubber or any other
material similar to those used for duvet covers and cushion covers
in general. The cover (4) is designated to cover the frame (2) and
the lining (3) and serve as a kind of wrapping for them. The cover
(4) should fit snuggly over the outlines of the frame and the
lining when they are joined. The cover (4) also has a decorative
function, in that its colors, texture and type lend themselves to
an aesthetic design.
[0013] The cushion also has an anti-slip accessory (5) that is
attached to the bottom of the cushion (1) in order to prevent the
cushion (1) from sliding during use. During use, the bottom of the
cushion (1) is fastened to the chair seat and can the user can
change its angle as required.
[0014] The anti-slip accessory (5) prevents the cushion (1) from
sliding despite the pressure applied to it by the user's weight.
The anti-slip accessory (5) can be made of rubber, silicone or any
other anti-slip material. The texture of the fabric (the cover)
itself can also serve as an anti-slip accessory.
[0015] The cushion (1) also has a locking device (6). When not in
use, the cushion can be folded; in order to fix this folding mode
firmly, a locking device can be used, such as a strap (61) with a
Velcro.RTM. strip (62) or snap buttons and so on, as depicted, for
example, in Drawing No. 4c.
[0016] Mode of use of the cushion (1): When not in use, the cushion
may be folded, as depicted in Drawing No. 4c. When the user wishes
to use the cushion (1), the locking device (6) is unlocked and the
cushion (1) may be opened. The user then places the cushion (1) on
a seat (any kind of a chair, including a car seat, a work chair, an
office chair, a living room armchair, a theater or cinema seat, a
train seat, an airplane seat and practically every kind of chair)
so that its two parts face sideways and the anti-slip accessory (5)
faces down, is fastened to the user's spine and is supported by the
seat of the chair, while the upper part is supported by the back of
the chair in a way that enables the user to change the angle of the
cushion (1) together with the user's back and the chair, as
depicted, for example, in Drawing No. 5B. At the end of use, the
user may fold the cushion, close it using the locking device (6)
and easily stow it away in a bag. The cushion (1) may be designed
so as to resemble a fashionable handbag, so it can be openly
carried on the way to one's destination.
[0017] The cushion (1), subject of this invention, embodies many
benefits, among which is the unique, appropriate support for the
user's back as well as the fact that it can be folded, carried and
transported easily and conveniently from one place to another.
[0018] While the present invention has been described in connection
with what is considered the most practical and preferred
embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to
the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various
arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest
interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and
equivalent arrangements.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] Drawing No. 1 depicts the two parts of the frame (2).
[0020] Drawing No. 2 depicts the cushion (1), with its upper right
part shown in cross-section, displaying the internal frame (2) and
lining (3).
[0021] Drawing No. 3 depicts the cushion (1) from an external point
of view as well as the anti-slip accessory (5) and locking device
(6).
[0022] Drawing No. 4A depicts the cushion open and ready for
use.
[0023] Drawing No. 4B depicts the cushion in partly folded
position.
[0024] Drawing No. 4C depicts the cushion in folded position.
[0025] Drawing No. 5A depicts a person sitting on a chair, without
the cushion.
[0026] Drawing No. 5B depicts a person sitting on a chair,
supported by the cushion (1).
* * * * *