Abstract:
Ergonomic systems and devices are disclosed. In accordance with the embodiments of the invention, a system or device includes a traction surface that provides traction and/or support through contact with a portion of a user&#39;s body. For example, an ergonomic system includes a backrest cushion. The backrest cushion has a traction surface with a plurality of protruding traction pads for resting against a user&#39;s back and pulling along the user&#39;s back. The traction pads help stretch or decompress the user&#39;s spine through contact at multiple positions on the back and flanking the spine. In alternative embodiments of the invention, a chair, resting table, bed or other article of furniture includes one or more traction surfaces that provide traction through contact with one or more corresponding portions of a user&#39;s body.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) from the Co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/787,866, filed on Mar. 30, 2006, and titled “ERGONOMIC SYSTEMS AND DEVICES” and the Co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/______, filed on Mar. 21, 2007, and titled “METHODS FOR REDUCING BACK-PAIN,” both of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to ergonomic systems and devices. More specifically, this invention relates to ergonomic systems and devices for improving the posture, comfort and well being of individuals through traction, support and/or motion. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Most people spend many hours sitting, during commutes, work, and leisure time. The way they sit and the long hours of sitting compromise their discs and other spinal elements, contributing to degenerative disc disease and the formation of osteophytes, muscular tension, and other pathological conditions. 
         [0004]    The traditional approaches to mitigate the above referenced conditions include lumbar support devices. Lumbar support devices are typically configured to conform to what is considered to be a “normal” lumbar or spinal curvature. It is possible that the contemporary notions of “normal” lumbar or spinal curvature are of an average curvature measured in the current (and back-pain ridden) population. 
         [0005]    Finding an “ideal” spinal curvature, rather than the “normal” spinal curvatures, may require studies of populations with healthy backs in different times and cultures. Current results for such a study indicate that the “ideal” spinal shape has less curvature than the S-shaped spinal shape traditionally thought to be the “ideal” spinal shape. 
         [0006]    Regardless of what the ideal spinal shape is, there is clearly a need for ergonomic systems and devices that help people maintain good postures and reduce discomfort or ailments that are associated with poor posture, positioning and/or support. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention is directed to an apparatus that includes a cushion structure. The cushion structure has a plurality of protruding traction pads that protrude from and are attached to a cushion body. The cushion body can include a cover and a padding structure. 
         [0008]    The protruding traction pads are preferably arranged in rows along the cushion body, such that the protruding traction pads are positioned along opposed sides of a user&#39;s spine when the user rests his or her back against the cushion structure. The protruding traction pads provide an upward force along the opposed sides of the user&#39;s spine and thus help to promote good posture. 
         [0009]    The cushion structure can be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials, but the protruding traction pads are preferably formed from a semi-rigid material, such as a plastic or a rubber material. The traction pads can be hollow or cup-shaped structures that provide an air cushion, they can be filled with a liquid or gel to control hardness or compressibility, and they can be solid or porous structures or any combination thereof. Also, contact surfaces of the traction pads can be patterned or contoured to enhance traction when contacted with a user&#39;s back. Regardless of the particular structure of the traction pads, what is important is that the traction pads help prevent the user&#39;s back from sliding downward or slouching while he or she is leaning against the cushion structure. 
         [0010]    The cover of the cushion structure can be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials including synthetic or natural materials. Preferably, the cover is formed from a woven material, such as nylon, cotton, wool and the like. In accordance with the embodiments of the invention, the cover is used to encase the padding structure. The padding structure can be formed from any suitable compressible material or combination of materials, such as a foam material, a batting material, or un-woven cotton. The padding structure can also be formed in layers or have regions of different materials that each has different physical properties, such as hardness and compressibility. The cover can be fashioned with a zipper or other features that allow the padding structure to be separated from the cover. It will be clear to one skilled in the art from the discussion below that the cushion body does not require a separate cover and padding structure and that the cushion body and traction pads can be formed as a single unit or monolithic unit. 
         [0011]    In accordance with further embodiments of the invention, the cushion apparatus includes an attachment feature to detachably couple the cushion structure to an article of furniture at a location against which a user typically rests his or her back. For example, the cushion apparatus of the present invention includes an attachment feature for detachably coupling the cushion structure to a backrest of a chair, the backrest of a couch and/or a headboard of a bed. The attachment feature can be any suitable attachment feature or combination of attachment features including, but not limited to, one or more strap features, a pocket feature, a strap feature, a hook-and-loop fabric feature, a suction cup feature and a clip feature. 
         [0012]    In accordance with the embodiments of the invention, the apparatus includes a back support structure and a cushion structure, such as described above. The back support structure can be configured to attached to a seat, chair or other article of furniture. In accordance with this embodiment, the apparatus can also include a mechanism configured to move the cushion structure a distance in a first direction relative to the back support structure in response to moving the back support in a second direction or in response to moving a lever mechanism. 
         [0013]    The apparatus can also include a control feature that allows the distance that the cushion structure is moved relative to the back support structure to be adjusted or selected. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the cushion structure is moved in the first direction relative to the back support structure through a ratchet mechanism. 
         [0014]    In accordance with yet further embodiments of the invention, an article of furniture includes a built-in ergonomic back support system, similar to that described above. The article of furniture is, for example, a chair for home or office use and includes a seat portion and a backrest portion. Attached to or built into the backrest portion is a cushion structure that is coupled to a mechanism. The mechanism is preferably a ratchet mechanism configured to move the cushion structure in an upward direction relative to the seat when the backrest is moved with a reclining motion relative to the seat. Alternatively, the chair is equipped with a lever structure that can be pulled to move the cushion structure, such as described above. The ratchet mechanism can include pulleys, clutch-pulleys and cables, such as described in detail below. 
         [0015]    The built-in ergonomic back support system includes a cushion structure with a plurality of protruding traction pads for providing a force along opposed sides of a user&#39;s spine as the user&#39;s back is in contact with the cushion structure, such as described above. In accordance with the embodiments of the invention, the cushion structure is fashioned into a belt that rotates around two or more rollers or pulleys to move a portion of the cushion structure in an upward direction a distance along the backrest. The belt is coupled to the ratchet mechanism, such that the belt or cushion structure is moved in the upward direction the distance along the backrest each time that the backrest is moved in the reclining direction relative to the seat. In still further embodiments of the invention, the traction pads and/or a cushion cover with the traction pads is detachably coupled to the belt, through, for example, snaps, clips, hook-and-loop fabric fasteners or any other suitable attachment means. 
         [0016]    The article of furniture can further include any number of controls or adjustment features. For example, the article of furniture can be equipped with a control to adjust the distance that the cushion structure is moved in the upward direction along the backrest each time that the backrest is moved in the reclining direction. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIGS. 1A-B  illustrate views of a spine and a preferred direction for applying traction to the spine, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2A  illustrates a traction cushion structure, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2B  illustrates a cross sectional view of a traction pad, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2C  illustrates an apparatus that includes a back support structure and a cushion structure, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 3A-B  illustrate a traction chair, in accordance with the invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  illustrates an ergonomic traction system with multiple traction regions, in accordance with further embodiments of the invention. 
           [0023]      FIGS. 5A-B  illustrate a traction chair with a cable mechanism, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]      FIG. 1A  shows a side view  100  of a spine  101 . The arrow  103  indicates an upward direction that traction is applied to the spine  101  to promote good posture, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention.  FIG. 1B  shows a front view of the spine  101 . The arrows  153  and  153 ′ indicate the upward direction for applying traction to opposed sides of the spine  101  in order to promote good posture, in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the invention. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  A shows a cushion apparatus  200  with a plurality of protruding traction pads  203  that protrude from and are attached to a cushion body  207 . The cushion body  207  can include a cover  201  and a padding structure  202 . 
         [0026]    The protruding traction pads  203  are preferably arranged in rows along the cushion body  207 , such that protruding traction pads  203  are positioned along opposed sides of a user&#39;s spine, as indicated by  215 , when the user rests his or her back against the cushion apparatus  200 . The protruding traction pads  203  provide an upward force along the opposed sides of the user&#39;s spine  215  and thus help to promote good posture. 
         [0027]    The cover  201  can be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials including synthetic or natural materials. Preferably, the cover  201  is formed from a woven material, such as nylon, cotton, wool and the like. In accordance with the embodiments of the invention, the cover  201  is used to encase the padding structure  202 . The padding structure  202  can be formed from any suitable compressible material or combination of materials, such as a foam material, a batting material, or un-woven cotton. The padding structure  202  can also be formed in layers  204  and  205  or have regions of different materials that each has different physical properties, such as hardness and compressibility. 
         [0028]    Still referring to  FIG. 2A , the cover  201  can be fashioned with a zipper  219  or other features that allow the padding structure  202  to be separated from the cover  201 . It will be clear to one skilled in the art from the discussion below that the cushion body  207  does not require a separate cover  201  or padding structure  202 , and that the cushion body  207  and traction pads  203  can be formed as a single unit or a monolithic unit. 
         [0029]    The cushion body  207  can be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials, but the protruding traction pads  203  are preferably formed from a semi-rigid material, such as a plastic or a rubber material. 
         [0030]    In accordance with further embodiments of the invention, the cushion apparatus includes an attachment feature  208 . The attachment feature  208  is configured to detachably couple the cushion body  207  to an article of furniture (not shown) at a location on the article of furniture that the user typically rests his or her back. For example, the attachment feature  208  detachably couples the cushion apparatus  200  to a backrest of a chair, the backrest of a couch and/or a headboard of a bed. The attachment feature  208  can be any suitable attachment feature or combination of attachment features including, but not limited to, straps, a pocket feature, a strap feature, a hook and loop fabric feature, a suction cup feature and a clip feature. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 2B , which shows a cross-sectional section view of a protruding traction pad  225 , in accordance with the embodiments of the invention. The protruding traction pad  225 , such as the protruding traction pads  203  described with reference to  FIG. 2A , can be hollow or cup-shaped to provide a cavity  229 . The cavity  229  can be filled with air, gas, liquid, or gel to control the hardness or compressibility of the protruding traction pad  225 . Alternatively, the protruding traction pad  225  can be formed as a solid and/or porous structure. The traction pad  225  can be attached to a surface of the cushion body  207  ( FIG. 2A ) through, for example, the cover  201  of the cushion body  207 . In further embodiments of the invention, the traction pad  225  is configured to detachably couple to a portion  227  of the cushion body  207  through attachment features  226  such as hook-and-loop fabric attachment features. Further, a contact surface  231  of the traction pad  225  can be patterned or contoured as shown to enhance traction when contacted with a user&#39;s back. 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIG. 2C , in accordance with the embodiments of the invention, the apparatus  250  includes a back support structure  270  and a cushion apparatus  260 , such as described above. The back support structure  270  can be configured to attach to a seat  251 , chair or other article of furniture, through any suitable mechanism  266  including, but not limited to, pins, screws, poles, clamps and hinges. Also the cushion apparatus  260  can be configured to attach to the back support structure  270  using any suitable attachment means  262 , such as described above. 
         [0033]    In accordance with this embodiment, the apparatus  250  can also include a mechanism  261  configured to move the cushion apparatus  260  a distance in a first direction  263  relative to the back support structure  270  in response to moving the back support  270  in a second direction or in response to moving a lever mechanism  265 . 
         [0034]    The apparatus  250  can also include a control feature  264  that allows the distance that the cushion structure  260  is moved relative to the back support structure  270  to be adjusted or selected. In accordance with the embodiment of the invention, the cushion apparatus  260  is moved in the first direction  263  relative to the back support structure  270  or relative to the seat  251  through a ratchet mechanism, such as described below with reference to  FIGS. 4A-B . 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3A-B , in accordance with further embodiments of the invention an article of furniture  300  includes a built-in ergonomic cushion apparatus  301 , similar to that described above. The article of furniture  300  can be a chair, a bed or a couch, to name only a few possible articles of furniture. Preferably, the article of furniture is  300  is a chair for home or office use and includes a seat portion  307  and a backrest portion  309 . Attached to or built into the backrest portion  309  is a cushion structure  311  that is coupled to a mechanism  317 . The mechanism  317  is preferably a ratchet mechanism configured to move a front portion of the cushion structure  311  in an upward direction  323  relative to the seat  307  when the backrest portion  309  is moved in a reclining direction or with a reclining motion  321  relative to the seat  307 . Alternatively, the chair  300  is equipped with a lever structure (not shown) that can be pulled to move the cushion structure  311 , such as described above. 
         [0036]    The cushion structure  311  includes a plurality of protruding traction pads  313  and  313 ′ for providing a force along opposed sides of a user&#39;s spine as the user&#39;s back is in contact with the cushion structure  311 , such as described above. In accordance with the embodiments of the invention, the cushion structure  311  is fashioned into a belt that rotates around two or more rollers or pulleys or clutch pulleys  315  and  317  to move the front portion of the belt-shaped cushion structure  311  in the upward direction  323  a distance along the backrest  309 . The belt is coupled to a ratchet mechanism  303 , such that the front portion of belt or cushion structure  311  is moved in the upward direction  323  the distance along the backrest  309  each time that the backrest  309  of the chair  300  is moved in the reclining direction  321  relative to the seat  307 . In still further embodiments of the invention, the traction pads  313  and  313 ′ and/or a cushion cover (not shown) with the traction pads  313  and  313 ′ thereon is detachably coupled to the belt, through, for example, snaps, clips, hook-and-loop fabric fasteners or any other suitable attachment means. 
         [0037]    The chair  300  can further include any number of controls or adjustment features  327 . For example, the chair  300  can be equipped with a control to adjust the distance that the cushion structure  311  is moved in the upward direction  323  along the backrest  309  each time that the backrest  309  is moved in the reclining direction  321 . The built-in ergonomic cushion apparatus  301  can be any size relative to the backrest  309 . For example, the cushion structure  311  or belt can be made to span a smaller portion of the backrest  309  as indicated by the dotted line  326 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 4  shows an ergonomic traction system  400  that has multiple traction regions  405  and  403 , in accordance with further embodiments of the invention. The ergonomic traction system  400  can be configured to attach to an article of furniture or, alternatively, the ergonomic traction system  400  can be built into the article of furniture, such as described above. 
         [0039]    In accordance with the embodiments of the invention, each of the traction regions  405  and  403  includes a set of protruding traction pads  413  and  413 ′, respectively, such as described with reference to  FIGS. 2A-B . The traction regions  405  and  403  can each be configured to move in one or more directions  407 / 409  and  407 ′/ 409 ′ with a user&#39;s back positioned such that his or her spinal region  411  is located between the traction regions  405  and  403 . The traction regions  405  and  403  can be configured to move separately or cooperatively through any suitable mechanism (not shown) including, but not limited to, a ratchet mechanism described above with reference to  FIGS. 3A-B . The traction regions  405  and  403  can each include a belt-shaped cushion structure that rotates a distance in one or more directions  407 / 409  and  407 ′/ 409 ′ automatically in response to a user&#39;s voluntary or involuntary movements while the user&#39;s back is in contact with the traction regions  405  and  403 . 
         [0040]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5A-B , in accordance with still further embodiments of the invention a chair  500  includes a built-in ergonomic cushion apparatus  501 . The chair  500  includes a seat portion  507  and a backrest portion  509 . The seat portion  507  and the backrest portion  509  are coupled through any suitable mechanism  527  such as brackets that allow position and height the backrest portion  509  to be adjusted relative to the seat portion  507 . The mechanism  527  can also include springs or other features which cause the backrest portion  509  to automatically return to an upright position in the absence of an applied force to move the backrest portion  509  in a reclining direction, as indicated the arrow  521 . As shown, the chair  500  can also include arm rests  508  and  508 ′. 
         [0041]    Attached to, or built into, the backrest portion  509  is a belt-shaped cushion structure  511  that is configured to rotate around roller assemblies  515 ,  515 ′ and  517 , as indicated by arrows  523  and  523 ′. Top roller assemblies  51  and  515 ′ are preferably clutch pulley roller assemblies that allow the belt-shaped cushion structure  511  to only rotate in the direction indicated by the arrows  523  and  523 ′. By rotating belt-shaped cushion structure  511  in the direction indicated by the arrows  523  and  523 , a front portion of the belt-shaped cushion structure  511  and protruding traction pads  513  and  513 ′ attached thereto are moved in an upward direction relative to the seat portion  507 . 
         [0042]    In accordance with the embodiments of the invention, the chair  500  includes a first cable assembly  529  that is attached to a fixed spring assembly  516  and a portion of the chair  500 . A cable from the first cable assembly  529  wraps around the clutch pulley roller assembly  515  as shown, such that the clutch pulley roller assembly  515  is rotated when the back rest portion  509  of the chair is moved in the reclining direction, as indicated by the arrow  521 . Rotation of the clutch pulley roller assembly  515  in turn rotates the belt-shaped cushion structure  511  in the rotational direction, indicated by the arrows  523  and  523 ′ and thus moves the front portion of the belt-shaped cushion structure  511  and protruding traction pads  513  and  513 ′ attached thereto in an upward direction relative to the seat portion  507 . The first cable assembly  529  can be coupled to the portion of the chair  500  through an adjustment feature  531  that is configured to adjust a length of the cable in the first cable assembly  529  and, thereby, adjust the distance that front portion of the belt-shaped cushion structure  511  and protruding traction pads  513  and  513 ′ are moved each time the backrest portion  509  is moved in the reclining direction  521 . 
         [0043]    In accordance with the embodiments of the invention, the chair  500  also includes a second cable assembly  549  that is attached to a fixed spring assembly  516 ′ and the arm rest  508 ′ of the chair  500  through a handle or lever assembly  521 . The handle or lever assembly  521  is configured to pull or retract cable from the second cable assembly  549 , when the handle or lever assembly  521  is manually moved. The cable from the second cable assembly  549  wraps around the clutch pulley roller assembly  515 ′ as shown, such that the clutch pulley roller assembly  515 ′ is rotated when the handle or lever assembly  521  is manually moved. Rotation of the clutch pulley roller assembly  515 ′ in turn rotates the belt-shaped cushion structure  511  in the rotational direction, indicated by the arrows  523  and  523 ′ and thus moves the front portion of the belt-shaped cushion structure  511  and protruding traction pads  513  and  513 ′ attached thereto in an upward direction relative to the seat portion  507 . The handle or lever assembly  521  can include controls or adjustment features to control the distance that front portion of the belt-shaped cushion structure  511  and protruding traction pad  513  and  513 ′ are moved when the handle or lever assembly  521  is manually moved. 
         [0044]    In yet further embodiments, a cushion structure, such as described above, is built into a back portion of a rocking chair. The cushion structure is coupled to a mechanism configured to move a front portion of the cushion structure in an upward direction relative to the seat in response to rocking the rocking chair with a backward and/or forward motion. The rocking chair can include one or more levers or switches positioned under a rocker portion of the rocking chair. The one or more levers or switches are actuated each time the one or more levers or switches strike the ground as the rocking chair is rocked with the backward and/or forward motion. Alternatively, the rocking chair can include one or more hinged counterweights that remain substantially steady and ratchet or actuate the upward movement of the front portion of the cushion structure each time the rocking chair rocks relative to the one or more counterweights. 
         [0045]    The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of the principles of construction and operation of the invention. As such, references, herein to specific embodiments and details thereof are not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications can be made in the embodiments chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.