Patent Publication Number: US-2007096523-A1

Title: Portable lumbar support cushion system

Description:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
    
    
       FIG. 1  is a diagram of an embodiment of the portable lumbar support cushion system, including a seat cushion, back cushion and lumbar support;  
       FIG. 2  is a diagram of a side view of an embodiment of the portable lumbar support cushion system and the position of an individual while using the cushion;  
       FIG. 3  is a diagram of a rear view of an embodiment of the portable lumbar support cushion system showing placement of the spine of an individual while using the cushion;  
       FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of the moveable support allowing for exchange for a moveable support of a variable thickness; and  
       FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of the portable lumbar support cushion system in a folded configuration. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part of the present disclosure, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments of the invention. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The present disclosure is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. The present disclosure is neither a literal description of all embodiments of the invention nor a listing of features of the invention that must be present in all embodiments.  
      Numerous embodiments are described in this patent application, and are presented for illustrative purposes only. The described embodiments are not intended to be limiting in any sense. The invention is widely applicable to numerous embodiments, as is readily apparent from the disclosure herein. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention may be practiced with various modifications and alterations. Although particular features of the present invention may be described with reference to one or more particular embodiments or figures, it should be understood that such features are not limited to usage in the one or more particular embodiments or figures with reference to which they are described.  
      The terms “an embodiment”, “embodiment”, “embodiments”, “the embodiment”, “the embodiments”, “an embodiment”, “some embodiments”, and “one embodiment” mean “one or more (but not all) embodiments of the present invention(s)” unless expressly specified otherwise.  
      The terms “including”, “comprising” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to”, unless expressly specified otherwise.  
      The term “consisting of” and variations thereof mean “including and limited to”, unless expressly specified otherwise.  
      The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive. The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are collectively exhaustive of anything, unless expressly specified otherwise. The enumerated listing of items does not imply that the items are ordered in any manner according to the order in which they are enumerated.  
      The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise.  
      Headings of sections provided in this patent application and the title of this patent application are for convenience only, and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure in any way.  
     Examples of Certain Embodiments  
       FIG. 1  depicts an embodiment of the portable lumbar support cushion system  10 . The portable lumbar support cushion system  10  includes a seat cushion  12  with a first cutout  14 , a back cushion  18  with a second cutout  20  and a support  22 . Also depicted are elastic straps  16  attachably fixed to the seat cushion  12  by hook and loop fasteners, however, any means of strap attachment is contemplated including, but not limited to, snaps, buttons, zippers, and ties. The elastic straps  16  are for securing the portable lumbar support cushion system  10  to a chair or other surface, as seen in  FIG. 2 . In the preferred embodiment, the first cutout  14  traverses the seat cushion  12  from the top of the seat cushion  12  to the bottom of the seat cushion  12 . In the preferred embodiment, the second cutout  20  traverses the back cushion  18  from the front of the back cushion  18  to the rear of the back cushion  18 . In alternate embodiments the first cutout  14  and the second cutout  20  vary in depth. In the preferred embodiment, the seat cushion  12  is attachably fixed to the back cushion  18  by hook and loop fastener, such as manufactured by the Velcro trademark family of companies, but any number of attachment means  26  are contemplated including, but not limited to, glue, snaps, buttons, zippers, and ties. In alternative embodiments, the seat cushion  12  is fixed to the back cushion  18 .  FIG. 2  depicts a side view of one embodiment of the portable lumbar support cushion system  10  in use. As shown, the portable lumbar support cushion system  10  is placed between a seated individual and a seat surface.  
       FIG. 3  depicts a rear view of an embodiment of the portable lumbar support cushion system  10  while in use and the alignment of the spine of a seated individual with the second cutout  20 . As shown, a pressure release channel is created by the second cutout  20  in the back cushion  18 , allowing a sitting individual with sensitivities of the spine due to injury, surgery or otherwise to sit without aggravation or irritation to the spine or area surrounding the spine. The pressure release channel surrounds the area of the spine that would normally contact the back of a chair or bench and prevents any direct contact with the area that may cause irritation. In the preferred embodiment, the pressure release channel extends along the back cushion  18  for a length consistent with that of the spine of a seated individual. It is also contemplated that in various embodiments, back cushions  18  with pressure release channels of varying length may be provided. As best seen in  FIG. 1 , a pressure release channel is also created by the first cutout  14  in the seat cushion  12 , allowing an individual with sensitivities of the coccyx or sacrum to sit without aggravation or irritation to the same.  
      Further, in the preferred embodiment, the support  22 , best seen in  FIG. 2 , provides support to the lumbar spine of the individual without irritation to the spine by directly contacting the area. This is achieved by the placement of the support  22  in the rear of the back cushion  18  which allows the support to maintain the curvature of the lumbar spine of a seated individual while the pressure release channel  20 , best seen in  FIG. 3 , simultaneously prevents contact with the spinal area of the seated individual. In the preferred embodiment, the portable lumbar support cushion system  10  provides support to the lower thoracic and lumbar spine, without exerting direct pressure on the same, for persons with sensitivities of the spine due to injury or surgery who have difficulty maintaining a seated position for extended periods of time.  
       FIG. 4  depicts a side view of an embodiment of the portable lumbar support cushion system, with a support  22  that may be removed, and attachably fixed to the rear of the back cushion  18 . In the preferred embodiment, the support  22  may be attachably fixed to the back cushion  18  at different vertical elevations along the height of the back cushion  18  to accommodate individuals with differing trunk lengths. It is also contemplated that in various embodiments, the support  22  may be exchanged or interchanged for supports  22  of varying thickness to accommodate the comfort of individuals with preference for different degrees of lumbar support.  
      In further embodiments, the thickness of the support  22  may be varied mechanically by various means, including but not limited to, winding/unwinding the coil of a spring, and inflation/deflation.  
      The support  22  is attachably fixed to the back cushion  18  by attachment means  24 . In the preferred embodiment, the support  22  is attachably fixed to the back cushion  18  by Velcro™, but any number of attachment means  24  are contemplated including, but not limited to, glue, snaps, buttons, zippers, and ties. In alternative embodiments, the support  22  is fixed to the back cushion  18  and not removable. In other embodiments, the support  22  is fixed to the back cushion  18 , but may moved into various positions along the back by sliding the support  22  along a rail or rails or moving the support  22  within a covering of the back cushion  18 . In the latter embodiment, the support  22  would be held frictionally in place against the back cushion  18 .  
      The seat cushion  12  is attachably fixed to the back cushion  18  by attachment means  26 . In the preferred embodiment, the seat cushion  12  is attachably fixed to the back cushion  18  by Velcro™, but any number of attachment means  26  are contemplated including, but not limited to, glue, snaps, buttons, zippers, and ties. In alternative embodiments, the seat cushion  12  is fixed to the back cushion  18  and not removable.  
      In the preferred embodiment, the seat cushion  12 , back cushion  18  and support  22  are formed from high density polyurethane foam, but any number of materials are contemplated including, but not limited to, foamed rubber, gel, wood, metal, plastic, liquid, gas and fabric or any combination of the above. In the preferred embodiment, the foam comprising the back cushion  18  and seat cushion  12  has an Indentation Load Deflection (compression resistance) characteristic of 44 pounds and a density of 1.8 pounds per cubic foot. In the preferred embodiment, the support  22  is of equal or greater Indentation Load Deflection and density as that of the seat cushion  12  and/or back cushion  18 . In the preferred embodiment, no foam material should exceed an Indentation Load Deflection of  60  and a density of 3 pounds per cubic foot.  
      Further, the seat cushion  12 , back cushion  18  and support  22  are covered by natural fabric in the preferred embodiment, but any number of coverings are envisioned including, but not limited to, plastic, vinyl, leather and synthetics.  
      In the preferred embodiment, the portable lumbar support cushion system  10  is intended for use by a single individual, although it is contemplated that in various embodiments the width of the seat cushion  12  and/or the back cushion  18  may be expanded to accommodate a plurality of individuals. In such embodiments, a plurality of additional cutouts in the seat cushion  12  and back cushion  18  may be provided.  
      In additional embodiments, the seat cushion  12  and/or back cushion  18  is reinforced to provide additional stability and firmness. It is contemplated that the reinforcement may be provided on either the exterior or interior or both of either the seat cushion  12  and/or back cushion  18 . The reinforcement may be composed of, but not limited to, metal, plastic, wood, ceramics, liquids, gases, and composites or any combination of the above. In various embodiments, the reinforcement replaces the support  22 , allowing lumbar support to be provided by curvature provided in the reinforcement. In various embodiments, curvature of the reinforcement may be varied to accommodate the desired lumbar curvature of an individual by bending the reinforcement, or changing a tension or pressure of the reinforcement.  
       FIG. 5  depicts the portable lumbar support cushion system  10  in a folded configuration. In the preferred embodiment, the second cutout  20  provides a position by which one may grasp and carry the portable lumbar support cushion system  10 , which enhances the portability of the invention. In various embodiments (not shown), handles are provided on either the seat cushion  12 , back cushion  18  or support  22  for carrying the portable lumbar support cushion system  10  while in a folded or unfolded configuration. In other embodiments (not shown), closures are provided to secure the portable lumbar support cushion system  10  in the folded configuration.  
      In the preferred embodiment, during use, the portable lumbar support cushion system  10 , provides support to the lower thoracic and lumbar spine, without exerting direct pressure on the same, for persons with sensitivities of the spine due to injury or surgery who have difficulty maintaining a seated position for extended periods of time. This is accomplished by the second cutout  20  in the back cushion and a removable, vertically adjustable, interchangeable support  22  of varying thickness, which mounts on the rear of the back cushion  18 . The mechanism of lumbar support without direct contact to the spine is realized when an occupant is seated on the seat cushion and leaning back on the back cushion, as best seen in  FIG. 2 . In the preferred embodiment, the support  22  is composed of equal or higher density foam than that of the back cushion  18 , and is mounted in a position that is between a chair back and the back cushion  18 , where it exerts pressure on the back cushion  18  that causes the back cushion  18  to form a curved shape around the support  22 . As such, the back cushion  18  presents a corresponding curved shaped bulge that supports the spine curvature of the seated occupant along the sides of the back cushion  18  flanking the second cutout  20  along an area that overlays the lower thoracic and lumbar spine, as seen in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 . In the preferred embodiment, the second cutout  20  is a three to four inch opening that vertically spans the center of the back cushion  18 , although the second cutout  20  opening may be of any practical width or shape. As best seen in  FIG. 1 , a first cutout  14  in the seat cushion  12  prevents contact with the coccyx and sacrum. In the preferred embodiment, the first cutout  14  is a three to four inch wide, and seven inch deep opening that horizontally spans the back-center of the seat cushion  12 , although the first cutout  14  opening may be of any practical width or shape.  
      Portability of the portable lumbar support cushion system  10  is enhanced by placement into a folded configuration that facilitates ease of transportation as best seen in  FIG. 5 . Further, as mentioned previously, seat cushion  12  and back cushion  18  are attachably fixed by attachment means  26  in the preferred embodiment, seat cushion  12  and back cushion  18  are attachably fixed by attachment means Velcro™, but any number of attachment means  26  are contemplated including, but not limited to, glue, snaps, buttons, zippers, and ties. As such, the portable lumbar support cushion system  10  may be easily disassembled and carried in pieces.  
      While the present invention has been described with reference to one or more preferred embodiments, which embodiments have been set forth in considerable detail for the purposes of making a complete disclosure of the invention, such embodiments are merely exemplary and are not intended to be limiting or represent an exhaustive enumeration of all aspects of the invention. The scope of the invention, therefore, shall be defined solely by the following claims. Further, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such details without departing from the spirit and the principles of the invention.