Abstract:
A V-shaped cushion assembly has two cushions that are connected to each other by a connector so as to form a V-shape. The cushions are pivotable relative to each other at the connector, so that an angle of the V-shape between the cushions can be selectively adjusted. By adjusting this angle and the placement of the V-shaped cushion assembly on a seating surface, the V-shaped cushion assembly provides a wide variety of user-configurable options in order to allow a user to select the configuration that is most comfortable to the user.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of provisional application 61/400,078, filed on Jul. 22, 2010. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention generally concerns cushions of the type that are specifically configured to alleviate discomfort in sitting, and in particular seat cushions used for the prevention, protection or alleviation either of pain, pressure or discomfort to the pelvic floor, perineum, coccyx and rectal region of the human body caused by sitting. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    Although symptoms of the above type may be centralized in the lower body, secondary sites in the upper body or extremities may be affected, with pain radiating from the original site of pain or discomfort. 
         [0006]    Developmentally, humans learn to sit upright at the age of approximately five months. Humans progressively gain motor control and core strength, enabling an upright position to be maintained while sitting on the body&#39;s weight bearing surfaces, the ischial tuberosities and greater trochanters. 
         [0007]    There is a well-documented need for seat cushions that perform at least one of the following functions. There is a need to pad or protect the user from pain or discomfort caused by either short or long periods of sitting on an un-padded, or insufficiently padded, surface. There is also a need to pad or protect the user from exacerbating pain or discomfort from an existing pathology or injury, such as childbirth, traumatic injury, surgery, etc. 
         [0008]    There is furthermore a need to lift the user off of the surface of a seat by redistributing weight and allowing the suspension of affected body parts above the seat. 
         [0009]    There is also a need to create an ergonomically correct seated position and posture for the user. 
         [0010]    A number of products are known that have attempted to address these needs for protection or alignment correction. 
         [0011]    Among these is the well known “donut” foam seat cushion, which is cylindrical with a hollow core for pressure relief, so named because it is in the shape of a donut with a hole in the middle. The donut foam cushion is large and is made of relatively dense material. The donut cushion, as one of few options that are available to users, has not received complete acceptance, due to its cumbersome size, the obviousness of its use (some users would prefer a cushion that is not so noticeable when in use), and issues with comfort. Examples of such cushions are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,079,785 and 5,046,205 and 5,288,132. 
         [0012]    While the donut cushion does promote pressure relief due to the hollow core, it may cause a pressure build-up as a result of the user&#39;s weight displacement into the center of the circle. The vascular supply to the perineum may be altered secondary to the increase in pressure around the ring from the user&#39;s weight being subject to natural gravitational forces, so as to displace the tissue down into the central opening. 
         [0013]    A U-shaped cushion with a thermal transfer unit is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,344,196. 
         [0014]    Another commercially available product is the so-called “Tush Cush,” described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,840,425 which is a padded seat cushion in the shape of a square, having a small central opening in order to decrease pressure on the coccyx. The cushion itself is not adjustable, and the limited size of the opening may decrease pressure only for users who fall within a relatively limited range of weights and body types. Moreover, this cushion is large and bulky, and does not address pressure relief in the perineum. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a seat cushion that addresses the above issues in a unique and more effective manner than currently available cushions. 
         [0016]    This object is achieved in accordance with the present invention by a cushion adapted for human sitting, that is formed by two padded members or “wings” that are joined together at one end of each wing, so as to form a V-shape. The wings are joined together by a connection that allows the internal angle of the V-shape to be selectively adjusted. For storage or portability, the wings can be brought to a closed position directly adjacent to each other, wherein the angle is essentially 0 degrees. 
         [0017]    The V-cushion assembly is small, portable, lightweight and can be discretely used, making it ideal for use in the workplace, at sporting events, and concerts. The V-cushion assembly may also be beneficial for use while driving, or in any application where long periods of sitting, especially on a hard surface, are required. 
         [0018]    Compared to existing products, the V-cushion assembly exhibits superior portability and a discreet size and shape, thereby making the V-cushion assembly much more amenable to frequent use in all types of environments. Because the V-cushion assembly is not cumbersome and is easily portable and can be discreetly used, users are more likely to make use of the V-cushion assembly in environments where the user may previously have had a reluctance to use currently available products. 
         [0019]    In general, the V-cushion assembly provides relief and prevention of discomfort and pain experienced by persons seeking relief from such issues related to sitting. The V-cushion assembly offers an alternative to costly or insufficient products available to persons who have a range and variety of issues with unsatisfactory existing products. The V-cushion assembly is portable and concealable when in use, and thus offers a discrete solution to the use of such a cushion in public. The V-cushion assembly is easily adjustable by the user to ensure a proper sitting position that reduces that particular user&#39;s pressure, discomfort and/or pain. The V-cushion assembly offers relief to persons who are required to sit for long periods of time, whether in a work or recreational environment, or who have a medical need for such relief. The wings of the V-cushion assembly can be made available in various heights, widths and lengths so as to provide a range of models that suit all body types and sizes. Even with the use of a “standard” model of the V-cushion assembly, having dimensions designed to accommodate the “average” person, the versatility and adjustability of the V-cushion assembly allows the user a significant degree of customization to configure the V-cushion assembly to provide each person with the most comfortable configuration that simultaneously maximizes relief and minimizes the introduction of new, or exacerbation of existing, pain or discomfort. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a top view of the V-cushion assembly in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the V-cushion assembly in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the V-cushion assembly according to the invention with different configurations of the wings. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the V-cushion assembly according to the invention, placed on the seat of a common chair. 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  shows the V-cushion assembly in accordance with the invention placed on a flat surface while lying flat, and while being folded to stack the wings, and in a completely folded position. 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  shows a further embodiment of the V-cushion assembly in accordance with the present invention having rigid angle straps. 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  shows a further embodiment of the V-cushion assembly according to the present invention placed on the seat of a common chair, making use of both rigid angle straps and pliable security straps. 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  shows a detail of the construction of a wing member of the V-cushion assembly in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  shows a detail and application of the rigid angle strap. 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  shows a detail and application of the pliable security strap. 
           [0030]      FIG. 11  is a side view, showing a preferred use of the V-cushion assembly in accordance with the invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0031]      FIG. 1  shows a top view of a V-cushion assembly in accordance with the invention. The V-cushion assembly has two wings W 1  and W 2 , that are joined together at a connecting point CP, at which a connector C is present. The connector C not only holds the wings W 1  and W 2  together to form a V-shape, but also functions as a hinge to allow the angle between the wings W 1  and W 2  to be selectively adjusted. 
         [0032]    As explained in more detail below, the V-cushion assembly shown in  FIG. 1  is intended to be placed on a seat surface, on which a human user will be seated.  FIG. 2  shows a bottom view of the V-cushion assembly, i.e., the portion of the V-cushion assembly that will be adjacent to the seating surface when the V-cushion assembly is in use. As shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the wings W 1  and W 2  can optionally be provided with respective non-slip regions NSP 1  and NSP 2 . The non-slip regions NSP 1  and NSP 2  provide sufficient frictional engagement with the seating surface to prevent slippage or shifting of the V-cushion assembly when in use on such a seating surface. 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  shows how the V-cushion assembly can be selectively configured to provide different angles θ between the wings W 1  and W 2 . The left portion of  FIG. 3  shows the wings W 1  and W 2  in a relatively wide open configuration, whereas the center portion of  FIG. 3  shows the wings W 1  and W 2  in a still open, but more closed configuration, and the right portion of  FIG. 3  shows the V-cushion assembly in a closed position, with the wings W 1  and W 2  being directly adjacent to each other. The right portion in  FIG. 3  may be used, for example, for carrying the V-cushion assembly in a compact form. 
         [0034]      FIG. 4  is a top view showing how the V-cushion assembly can be placed on the seat of a common chair. The V-cushion assembly can be placed with the V-shape being open toward the back of the chair, as illustrated in the left portion of  FIG. 4 , or with the V-shape being open toward the front of the chair, as shown in the right portion of  FIG. 4 . Depending on the preferences and comfort of the user, either orientation may be appropriate. 
         [0035]      FIG. 5  shows how the connector allows further folding of the wings W 1  and W 2  of the V-cushion assembly, in addition to the above-described adjustability of the angle of the V-shape. As shown in the left illustration in  FIG. 5 , the wings W 1  and W 2  can lie completely flat, when in the closed position described above in connection with the right illustration in  FIG. 3 . As shown in the center illustration in  FIG. 5 , the wings W 1  and W 2  can be folded out of the plane shown in the left illustration, into a completely folded configuration as shown in the right illustration in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 6  shows different top views of an embodiment of the V-cushion assembly placed on a seat of a common chair, in the orientations described above in connection with  FIG. 4 . The two left illustrations in  FIG. 6  show an embodiment of the V-cushion assembly having a rigid angle strap AS, which is sufficiently rigid to maintain the selected angle of the V-cushion assembly that is made by the user, once the user has appropriately configured the wings W 1  and W 2 . The angle strap AS can be affixed in any appropriate manner to the wings W 1  and W 2  to maintain them at the selected angle. 
         [0037]    The two right illustrations in  FIG. 6  show the combination of an angle strap and the further option of security straps SS The security straps SS secure the V-cushion assembly to the seat of the chair, and are attached to the exterior sides of the wings W 1  and W 2 . The security straps SS can proceed beneath the seating surface, and be connected together in any suitable manner, such as by a buckle, snaps, or a hook-and-loop fastener. Alternatively, a continuous security strap, that does not require a connector, can be used, that is sufficiently elastic to hold the V-cushion assembly in place on the seat. 
         [0038]      FIG. 7  shows a further embodiment in the left illustrations, using both the angle strap AS and the security straps SS. In this embodiment, the security straps proceed between the front and rear of the seating surface, as opposed to proceeding around the sides of the seating surface as in the embodiment of  FIG. 6 . An embodiment showing the use of only the security straps SS, without the angle strap AS, is shown in  FIG. 7 , wherein the security straps SS again proceed between the front and rear of the seating surface. 
         [0039]      FIG. 8  shows a detail of one of the wings, in a top view, a side view, and a perspective view. 
         [0040]      FIG. 9  schematically illustrates the embodiment of the V-cushion assembly with the angle strap AS in a top view and a bottom view. This embodiment also includes the non-slip regions described above. As can be seen, the angle strip AS can be attached at the bottom of the wings of the V-cushion assembly, so as not to be noticeable by a user seated on the V-cushion assembly. 
         [0041]      FIG. 10  schematically illustrates a top view and a bottom view of the V-cushion assembly in the embodiment employing the security straps SS, in place on a chair. As can be seen in the bottom view at the right of  FIG. 10 , the security strap SS proceeds between the legs of the chair in an appropriate manner. 
         [0042]    Each wing can be constructed of a flat soft core, having a width in a range between approximately 2 and 8 inches, a length and a range between approximately 8 and 16 inches and a thickness in a range between approximately 0.125 and 2.225 inches. The wings can be provided in different models with different dimensions and different combinations of dimensions, so as to provide a range of V-cushions that accommodate all different body sizes and weights. The core material of each wing may be foam, gel, batting, or any suitable material that provides a sufficient and desirable degree of padding, protection and separation from the seating surface. The material may be flexible foam rubber, cut from sheets or poured in a suitable mold. Moreover, each wing may be formed as a multi-layer combination with any number of the aforementioned materials. Each wing is covered by a durable, washable, water resistant protective cover, which may be removed for cleaning, decorative enhancement or replacement. The cover may be held in place on the core material simply by a custom-fit, with the covering being provided with a slip or other type of opening therein in order to insert and remove the core material. Alternatively, the cover may be provided with a zipper, snaps, or other releasable closure at a location that does not come into contact, and thus cause discomfort to, a user of the V-cushion assembly. Another alternative is a vinyl cover. 
         [0043]      FIG. 11  schematically illustrates the V-cushion assembly in place on a chair, with a user seated on the V-cushion assembly on the chair. 
         [0044]    Although modifications and changes may be suggested by those skilled in the art, it is the intention of the inventors to embody within the patent warranted hereon all changes and modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of their contribution to the art.