Patent Publication Number: US-2018049555-A1

Title: Orthopedic thigh support

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/376,567 filed on Aug. 18, 2016. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to orthopedic pillows. More specifically, the present invention provides an orthopedic thigh support that is placed under the thighs of a user to relieve stress within the legs and back. 
     Scientific studies have demonstrated negative effects that result from sitting for prolonged periods of time. One such effect is the introduction of pain to the lower back and leg regions of the body. By elevating the thighs, pressure is relieved from the gluteus maximus, the groin area, and the spine. This reduced stress enables a user to sit for prolonged periods of time without discomfort. This is particularly important for those who have undergone gluteal augmentation or back surgery and are directed to avoid the conventional position of sitting. Further, with the thighs elevated, this position can minimize sweat and heat accumulation in the groin and thigh area. Accordingly, a device configured to easily lift the thighs of a user while in a seated position is desired. 
     Devices have been disclosed in the known art that relate to orthopedic pillows. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices generally relate to orthopedic pillows, such as bolster pillows, posture pillows, and body pillows. 
     These known art devices have several known drawbacks. Many of these devices are configured to be placed under the back, neck, or shoulders and not configured for use under the legs because the shape of these devices are bulky and non-linear. These devices also lack grooves shaped to allow air to circulate between the device and the portion of the body wherein the device is positioned. Lastly, many of these devices lack an elastic washable cover that is removably secured to the device. 
     In light of the devices disclosed in the known art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the known art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing orthopedic pillow devices. In this regard, the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of orthopedic pillows now present in the known art, the present invention provides a new orthopedic thigh support wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when relieving stress in the legs and back. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved orthopedic thigh support device that has all of the advantages of the known art and none of the disadvantages. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an orthopedic thigh support, comprising a cylindrical shaft having a first end and a second end, an outer surface, and a deformable core. The cylindrical shaft further comprises a plurality of concentric circular grooves positioned along a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical shaft, wherein the concentric circular grooves are configured to receive a thigh and allow air to circulate through the grooves when placed under the thigh of a user. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an orthopedic thigh support wherein each concentric circular groove of the plurality of concentric circular grooves is positioned an equal distance from an adjacent concentric circular groove. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an orthopedic thigh support wherein a cover is removably secure to the outer surface of the cylindrical shaft. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an orthopedic thigh support wherein the cylindrical shaft is made of a resilient material. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an orthopedic thigh support that may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the orthopedic thigh support. 
         FIG. 2  shows a side view of the orthopedic thigh support. 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the orthopedic thigh support while in operation. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the orthopedic thigh support. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for supporting the thighs of a user in an elevated position to relieve stress in the legs and back. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a perspective view of the orthopedic thigh support. The orthopedic thigh support  11  comprises a cylindrical shaft  12  having a first end  13  and a second end  14 , an outer surface  15 , and a deformable core  19 . The deformable core  19  of the cylindrical shaft  12  is configured to be pliable such that orthopedic thigh support  11  can bend when placed under a thigh of a user. The pliability allows the device  11  to fit comfortably under the thighs when in use. The orthopedic thigh support  11  is constructed of a resilient material, such as nylon or rubber, to withstand repeated use under the thighs of a user, while still maintaining pliability. However, this does not limit the device to a specific resilient material. 
     The orthopedic thigh support  11  includes a plurality of concentric circular grooves  16  on the outer surface  15  of the shaft  12  positioned along a longitudinal axis thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the concentric circular grooves  16  extend entirely around the cylindrical shaft  12 . The concentric circular grooves  16  are configured to receive a thigh and further allow air to circulate through the grooves  16  when placed under the thigh of the user, thereby limiting the buildup of heat and perspiration. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the orthopedic thigh support  11  includes a cover  17  that removably secures to the outer surface  15  of the device  11 . The cover  17  is made of an elastic material, such as nylon, wherein the elasticity of the material is configured to fit flush against the outer surface  15  of the orthopedic thigh support  11  such that the concentric circular grooves  16  are visible when the cover is in an attached position. The cover  17  further utilizes a fastener  18  that removably secures the cover  17  to either the first end  13  or second end  14  of the cylindrical shaft  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the fastener is an elastic ring. In alternative embodiments, the cover  17  can be removably secured by any type of fastener  18 , such as, zippers, buttons, or snaps, and is not limited to the elastic ring. In another embodiment, the cover  17  is made of a washable material, such that if the cover  17  is saturated with sweat or dirt, it can be removed and cleaned. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a side view of the orthopedic thigh support. In the illustrated embodiment, each concentric circular groove  16  of the plurality of concentric circular grooves  16  is positioned an equal distance D from an adjacent concentric circular groove  16  on the outer surface  15  of the device  11 . When in operation, the device  11  is placed under the thighs of the user. Multiple grooves  16  are configured to fall under each thigh in order to provide increased air flow underneath the thigh. This prevents sweat and heat buildup and allow the device  11  to remain in place longer without making the user uncomfortable. In one embodiment, the length of the shaft is 12 inches and the diameter is 7 inches. In alternate embodiments, the shaft can be any length and have a diameter sized specific to the individual user based on their comfort level when using the device  11 , wherein a larger diameter and longer shaft is suited for a larger user and a smaller diameter and shorter shaft would be suitable for a smaller user. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a perspective view of the orthopedic thigh support in operation. In the illustrated embodiment, the orthopedic thigh support  11  is placed under the thighs  20  of the user  21  while in a seated position. The positioning of the device  11  is configured to elevate the thighs  20  thereby allowing the user  21  to stretch the muscles of the legs and back while seated. The concentric circular grooves  16  allow the thighs  20  to remain in a comfortable position when the orthopedic thigh support  11  is in operation. The device  11  further provides support to the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions of the user  21  to allow prolonged seating. In the illustrated embodiment, the orthopedic thigh support is configured to fit comfortably under the thighs  20  in various seating environments, such as while sitting on a chair  22 , however, the device can be used while sitting in a car, an airplane, or on a floor. 
     It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.