Abstract:
The sleeping posture of a user is improved by the use of a cotton cushion ( 10 ) which is attached to one of the legs of the user by means of an elasticated tubular bandage ( 11 ) and fits between the two knees of the user when the user&#39;s legs are located one on top of the other.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a method and means for improving the sleeping posture of a user. 
     BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
     Poor sleeping posture creates restlessness, which results in undue stress and creates back pain. 
     Back pain is the single most common reason given by people taking days off work and is generally blamed on poor quality beds and incorrect sleeping posture. 
     In addition, back pain is particularly prevalent among geriatric patients in nursing homes where, in order to avoid the problems associated with sleeplessness, it is not uncommon for a patient to be given a “sleeping” pill every evening and a “wake-up” pill every morning. 
     It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a method for improving the sleeping posture of, for example, the elderly and infirm, the chronically sick, coma patients, pregnant women, those who suffer arthritis from their hips down, and those who suffer pain or discomfort as a result of old or recent sports injuries to their legs. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide means for improving the sleeping posture of a user. 
     A number of pillows and cushions have been proposed for this purpose and examples are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,177,806; 4,736,477; 4,889,109 and 5,418,991. Such pillows and cushions have a number of drawbacks and none have achieved common acceptance. 
     It is accordingly a more specific object of the present invention to provide an improved method and means for improving the sleeping posture of a user. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of improving the sleeping posture of a user, said method comprising the provision of a washable, air-pervious cushion to which is attached a tubular elasticated bandage for enabling the cushion to be attached releasably to a leg of the user, and the attachment of the cushion to the leg of the user by means of the tubular elasticated bandage so that the cushion fits between the two legs of the user, thereby facilitating the user sleeping in the semi-foetal position with his or her legs located one on top of the other. 
     The cushion is preferably attached to that leg of the user which, in the sleeping position, will be the lower leg of the user, the cushion being located adjacent the knee of said leg so that it fits between the user&#39;s knees. 
     According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided means for improving the sleeping posture of a user, said means comprising a washable, air-pervious cushion to which is attached a tubular elasticated bandage for enabling the cushion to be attached releasably to a leg of a user, such that the cushion can be fitted between the two legs of the user, thereby facilitating the user sleeping in the semi-foetal position with his or her legs located one on top of the other. 
     The cushion preferably has a cotton or polyester and cotton cover and a filling which is either of cotton or lambswool. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of a device for improving sleeping posture, and 
     FIG. 2 is an underneath plan view of the device. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The device shown in the drawings is for fitment to a leg of a user in the vicinity of the knee of the user and will normally be attached to that leg of the user which is the lower leg when the user is sleeping on his or her “normal” side, i.e. the side on which he or she normally sleeps. 
     The device includes a cushion  10  and a tubular, elasticated bandage  11 , such as a support bandage, which is stitched firmly to the cushion  10 . The cushion  10  can be of circular form in plan view, as shown in the drawings, but may be of other configurations such as to enable it to provide a cushioning action between the knees of the user. 
     The size of the cushion  10  will depend on the size of the legs of the user and, for a circular cushion, the diameter may be from 150 to 300 mm and the thickness from 75 to 150 mm. The tubular, elasticated bandage  11  will have a diameter dependant on the size of the limbs of the user and a length substantially the same as the diameter of the cushion, i.e. from 150 to 300 mm. 
     As shown, the cushion  10  has a cover formed from three parts, i.e. circular parts  12  and  13  and a circumferential strip  14  which is sewn to the circumferences of the two circular parts  12  and  13  by lines of stitching  15  and  16 . The tubular, elasticated bandage  11  is placed in contact with one  12  of the circular parts and is secured at each of its ends to the cushion  10  by lines of stitching which coincide with line of stitching  15  and extend for about a quarter of the circumference of each end of the bandage  11 . 
     The cover of the cushion  10  is of pure white cotton or polyester and cotton, and may be of brushed white cotton. It has a filling which is of pure cotton quilt or of lambswool or of hollow fibre polyester. The stitching together of the parts  12 ,  13  and  14  of the cushion  10  is carried out using pure white cotton and the stitching of the elasticated bandage  11  to the cushion  10  is also carried out using pure white cotton. 
     The choice of materials is based on the need for softness, lack of chafing and durability of the device. Making the cushion  10  entirely of cotton, or with a cotton or polyester and cotton cover and a lambswool or hollow fibre polyester filling, makes it air-pervious and washable, i.e. it enables the cushion  10  to withstand at least thirty washes and enables it to be bleached regularly. The tubular, elasticated bandage  11  is made from materials which enable the bandage  11  to withstand the same treatment, i.e. either cotton or polyester. 
     If the filling is made from hollow fibre polyester, it has the advantage that it retains substantially no liquid so that, when the device requires washing, this can very rapidly be effected and the washed device dries out very quickly, ready for re-use. 
     This means that the device can be used in care homes and for geriatric patients, including those who are incontinent. 
     The device can readily be fitted in position by passing the foot through the tubular bandage  11  and then sliding the bandage  11  up the users leg until it the cushion  10  is in register with the inside of the knee. The cushion  10  will then be held resiliently in the required position while the user is sleeping and does not include any sharp edges or the like which could cause injuries to the user or restrict blood flow. 
     Use of the device enables the user to sleep in the semi-foetal position with his or her legs one on top of the other. The spine of the user will thus not be subjected to the strains which would result from placing one leg in front of the other. The incidence of back pain will be reduced not only for the elderly but also for pregnant women and for those who have leg injuries or who suffer from arthritis from their hips down. 
     The device may also be used as a preventative measure by those who wish to ensure that they do not suffer from back, pains caused by an incorrect sleeping posture. 
     The cost of providing the device, and replacing it at regular intervals for the elderly or infirm, will be significantly less than the costs currently incurred in providing “sleeping” pills and “wake-up” pills. The long-term benefits of reducing the incidence of back pain in the working force will be immeasurable. 
     The device can be maintained in a hygienic condition and is environmentally friendly.