U.S. patent number 3,843,980 [Application Number 05/388,038] was granted by the patent office on 1974-10-29 for mattress or mattress covering of novel shape.
Invention is credited to Paul L. Rodriguez.
United States Patent |
3,843,980 |
Rodriguez |
October 29, 1974 |
MATTRESS OR MATTRESS COVERING OF NOVEL SHAPE
Abstract
A mattress or mattress covering of novel shape having form
fitting supports for the head, elbows, lower back and feet in more
than one position for supporting the body of a person recumbent
thereon, in a given manner for medical relaxation, pleasure and
hygienic purposes.
Inventors: |
Rodriguez; Paul L. (Garden
City, KS) |
Family
ID: |
23532383 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/388,038 |
Filed: |
August 13, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/733; 5/633;
5/630; 5/929; 5/734 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C
20/021 (20130101); A47C 23/34 (20130101); A47C
27/146 (20130101); A47C 20/023 (20130101); A47C
20/027 (20130101); Y10S 5/929 (20130101); A47G
2009/002 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47C
20/00 (20060101); A47C 23/34 (20060101); A47C
27/14 (20060101); A47C 20/02 (20060101); A47C
23/00 (20060101); A47c 021/00 (); A47c
023/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;269/328 ;128/80
;297/218 ;5/327R,327B,91,345,361,338 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Gilliam; Paul R.
Assistant Examiner: Calvert; Andrew M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Lindsley; Warren F. B.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A supporting device for engaging the back of a user in a
reclining position comprising:
a generally rectangular horizontal mattress of resilient material
having a top surface with head and foot ends,
a plurality of body supporting members integrally formed with and
depending from the periphery of the top surface of said horizontal
member,
said supporting members comprising a U-shaped head rest at one end
of the top surface with the opening toward the foot end of the top
surface, a pair of U-shaped elbow rests spaced laterally from the
head rest and toward the foot end of the top surface with their
openings angularly directed toward said head rest, a back rest
positioned along the longitudinal axis of said horizontal member
and spaced from said elbow rests and toward the foot end of the top
surface, and a pair of foot rests positioned one on each side of
the longitudinal axis of said horizontal member at the foot end of
the top surface,
said back rest being contoured to provide a surface sloping from a
point substantially at the center of said back member toward said
head rest for supporting the back of the user and a substantially
flat surface for supporting the hips of the user,
said supporting members being formed of a firm but resilent
material.
2. The supporting device set forth in claim 1 wherein:
said horizontal mattress comprises a resilient blanket like
covering.
3. The supporting device set forth in claim 1 wherein:
said back rest is of a convex configuration.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Numerous devices have been developed for supporting the peripheral
portions of the body when reclining especially when attempting to
relieve stresses on particular portions of the skeletal structure.
Those confined to bed for a long period of time, or those afflicted
with periodic back discomfort find relief in a change of position.
The change of position reorients the stress pattern on the skeletal
structure relieving the sore or troublesome areas.
Further, in the most private facet of family life, there is many
times the need and desire to support the back of a reclining person
in a given manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention claimed an improved elongated body
support is provided which may be a supporting framework such as a
mattress or a flexible covering for a mattress having one or more
form fitting body supporting protrusions integrally formed
therewith which may be placed on or over a bed or any other
supporting surface for the body supporting structure.
It is, therefore, one object of this invention to provide an
improved elongated body supporting structure.
Another object of this invention is to provide a covering for a
supporting surface which contains integral contoured supporting
protrusions for various portion of the reclining body.
A further object of this invention is to provide an improved back
support which is particularly adapted to use on a soft resilient
surface such as a bed.
A still further object of this invention is to reorient the body
structure on a supporting surface through the aid of a contoured
mattress or mattress covering.
A still further object of the back support disclosed and claimed is
to align the user in a proper position obtain the maximum
therapeutic affect.
Further objects and advantages of this invention will become
apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of
novelty which characterize this invention will be pointed out with
particularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of this
specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The present invention may be more readily described by reference to
the accompanying drawing in which:
FIG. 1 is perspective view of a contoured mattress or covering
therefore and embodying the invention;
FIG. 2 is a partial cross sectional view of FIG. 1 taken along the
line 2 -- 2;
FIG. 3 is a side view of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 4 is a left end view of the structure shown in FIG. 1;
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring more particularly to the drawing by characters of
reference, FIG. 1 discloses a mattress 10 in the form of a
rectangular frame formed of any suitable material and designed like
any of the known mattress in the market place. Mattress 10 differs
from the known prior art by having formed integral therewith a
plurality of cushions formed of any suitable material such as, for
example, foam rubber or foam vinyl plastic.
As shown in FIG. 1, a U-shaped head rest 12 is provided at one end
the mattress approximately at the center of its width which is
contoured to receive and support the head and back of the neck of a
person reclining on his or her back.
A pair of arm rests 13 and 14 are provided on the top surface 15 of
the mattress one on each side of the head rest 12. These arm rests
are of a U-shaped configuration and so spaced and positioned that
the elbows of the user are positioned in and supported by the arm
rests in a direction angularly of the longitudinal axis of the
mattress.
A back and hip support 16 molded of a one piece construction of
sufficient strength to support the user without flexing or
otherwise changing shape is provided substantially in the center of
the mattress adjacent the arm rests.
Referring to FIG. 3, the convex contour of the back support is so
formed that the high point or surface 16A occurs generally at the
hip of the user. In this manner the back of the user reclines on
the sloping part or surface 17 of the back rest. Much of the weight
of the user is concentrated on the back rest and accordingly it
must be of substantial size to insure rigidity and to provide
maximum therapeutic value of the support. Further, the size of the
back support aids in distributing the load thereby preventing
sinking of the back support in the resilient surface of the
mattress.
Two pairs of foot rests 18, 18' and 19, 19' are provided for
supporting the feet of the user in two different positions. The
cushions 18, 18' have foot engaging surfaces 18A and 18'B which
converge inwardly of the mattress for comfort and to allow ample
freedom of the legs of the user to move laterally when desired.
It should be recognized that a covering for a mattress such as a
blanket may be formed with the head rest, arm rests, back support,
and foot rests suitably attached thereto and still fall within the
scope of the invention.
From the foregoing it will be seen that a simple and improved
mattress, mattress covering or back support of simple and economic
construction is provided for use in or away from the home, rest
homes or hospitals. The device is rigid and has a back supporting
surface designed to relieve stress along the spinal column, muscle
soreness and comfort. The unit is designed to support the user's
back to achieve optimum therapeutic results even when used in the
most private facet of family life. Further, the disclosed structure
is so designed that optimum results are obtained by manintaining
back and head supports in a relatively predetermined stable plane
with respect to a resilient surface upon which the structure is
placed.
If the disclosed device is intended to be portable in its blanket
configuration, it may be provided with handles at its head and foot
end for ease in carrying.
will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and other
modifications may be made to the structure shown and described
without departing from the scope of the depending claims.
* * * * *