Abstract:
A weight distribution device for a seated person is disclosed. The weight distribution device comprises a seat cushion designed to elevate a user&#39;s buttocks and pelvic region significantly when the user is seated upon a vehicle seat. The weight distribution device distributes the weight of the seated person away from the user&#39;s ishial tuberosities by elevating the user&#39;s buttocks and pelvic region so that pressure on the user&#39;s ishial tuberosities is greatly reduced in relation to the rest of the user&#39;s anatomical structures in the buttocks and pelvic region.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/638,641 filed Apr. 26, 2012. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention pertains generally to a weight distribution device for a seated person, and more particularly to a seat cushion designed to elevate a user&#39;s buttocks and pelvic region thereby redistributing the weight of the seated person away from the user&#39;s ishial tuberosities by elevating the user&#39;s buttocks and pelvic region so that pressure on the user&#39;s ishial tuberosities is greatly reduced in relation to the rest of the user&#39;s buttocks and pelvic region. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Many vehicle seat cushions can become uncomfortable, especially when driving or sitting in a vehicle for an extended period of time. The discomfort can lead to pain developing in the boney areas of a person&#39;s buttocks and pelvis. Over time, these boney portions of the pelvis may become irritated or inflamed, leading to chronic pain and conditions such as sciatica and bursitis that are aggravated every time he or she assumes a seated position. In the seated position, the body&#39;s weight is distributed to all parts of the buttocks. The ishial tuberosities are two bony protrusions located on either side of the buttocks that come in direct contact with a seat when someone sits down. However, because the ishial tuberosities protrude close to the surface, they bear the brunt of the weight. Furthermore, the ishial tuberosities are covered with a periosteum which is imbedded with nerve endings and attached to tendons. With prolonged pressure, the ishial tuberosities begin to suffer injury by becoming bruised or inflamed due to the pressure. 
         [0004]    Consequently, there exists a need for a device to redistribute the weight of a seated person to reduce pressure on the ishial tuberosities. The present invention discloses a device that elevates the buttocks so that a seated body&#39;s weight is redistributed from front to back (pubis to coccyx) between the ishial tuberosities thereby reducing pressure over long periods of time while seated. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed invention. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
         [0006]    The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof, comprises a weight distribution device for use on a seat configured to reduce pressure on a user&#39;s ishial tuberosities. The weight distribution device comprises a core element manufactured from a visco-elastic foam. The core element comprises an elongated triangular member with rounded edges. The elongated triangular member generally resembles three tubular lobes integrated into a single unit united along a central axis. The weight distribution device further comprises a cover for completely encapsulating the core element. The core element slides into the cover element and is secured with a zipper. 
         [0007]    Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the core element is a single piece of visco-elastic or memory foam. The core element may be additionally encapsulated by a core element liner to reduce friction so that the cover element slides easily over the core element. To use the weight distribution device, a user places the weight distribution device on a vehicle seat so that a length of the weight distribution device is essentially perpendicular to a back of the vehicle seat. The user then sits down on the weight distribution device and weight is redistributed off of the user&#39;s ischial tuberosities and is redirected across the rest of the user&#39;s buttocks and pelvic region thereby increasing comfort. 
         [0008]    To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be practiced and all aspects and equivalents thereof are intended to be within the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a weight distribution device in accordance with the disclosed architecture. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  illustrates a cross sectional view of the weight distribution device in accordance with the disclosed architecture. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of the weight distribution device in accordance with the disclosed architecture. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of the weight distribution device in use in accordance with the disclosed architecture. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the novel embodiments can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. The intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. The invention relates generally to a device for redistributing the weight of a seated person so that there is less pressure exerted on the ishial tuberosities relative to the rest of a buttock. 
         [0014]    Referring initially to the drawings,  FIGS. 1-4  illustrate a weight distribution device  100  for use with a seat, such as a vehicle seat. The weight distribution device  100  comprises a core element  102  and a cover element  134  for encapsulating the core element  102 . The core element  102  comprises an elongated triangular member  104  and is configured to reduce pressure on a user&#39;s ishial tuberosities from the weight of a user while in a seated position. The weight of the user is essentially redistributed away from the ischial tuberosities which are the bony parts of the lower pelvis that protrude when the user sits down to the rest of the buttocks. 
         [0015]    The ischial tuberosities, known as the “sitting bones,” are a pair of bony protuberances that extend posteriorly from the superior ramius of the ischium which is the lower portion of the pelvic bones. The ischial tuberosities essentially mark the lateral boundary of the pelvic outlet. When in a standing position, the gluteus maximus muscles protect the ischial tuberosities, but in a seated position, a significant portion of the weight is placed directly on the ischial tuberosities as they become exposed. Prolonged sitting may inflame the bursa or synovial sacs of the ischial tuberosities. Additionally, as the sciatic nerve runs adjacent, pressure on the nerve causing sciatic pain may result as well. The present invention redirects the pressure from the exposed bony projections to the muscle, soft tissue, and fatty regions of the buttocks. 
         [0016]    Preferably, the weight distribution device  100  is a seat cushion for use on a vehicle seat during long trips; however, the weight distribution device  100  may also be used on any seating surface that the user may sit on for any extended period of time. The core element  102  comprises a resilient foam material. The resilient foam material is preferably visco-elastic foam or memory foam, but this is not meant as a limitation as any other material with similar properties as is known in the art may be used as well without affecting the overall scope of the invention, such as but not limited to polyurethane foam, low-resilience polyurethane foam, and the like. Visco-elastic foam is desirable because of the shape conforming and support characteristics of the material. Visco-elastic foam having a density of approximately between 4 and 5 lb/ft cubed has been found to provide adequate support for the buttocks while relieving pressure from the ischial tuberosities. Additionally, this material provides comfort to the user and quickly re-expands to its original shape when no longer in use. 
         [0017]    The elongated triangular member  104  is configured with a cross-section  120  resembling an equilateral triangle with rounded corners  122 . The elongated triangular member  104  has a diameter from a center axis  108  of approximately between six and nine inches to accommodate users of different sizes and weights. The elongated triangular member  104  further comprises a first end  110  and a second end  112  to define a length  114 . Either the first end  110  or the second end  112  is placed on the seat substantially perpendicular to a back of the vehicle seat. The length  114  is between approximately 12 and 20 inches and is long enough that, when placed upon a seat in the manner described, extends beyond the front to back dimensions of a user&#39;s central bottom anatomy. The elongated triangular member  104  is further defined with a height  116  and a base  118 . The base  118  is a length of any of the three sides of the elongated triangular member  104  and allows the weight distribution device  100  to rest essentially flat on the seat. 
         [0018]    Although the elongated triangular member  104  is conformed into a single unit of material, the elongated triangular member  104  further comprises three tubular lobes  128 . The three tubular lobes  118  essentially resemble round cylinders running the length  114  of the elongated triangular member  104 . Each of the three tubular lobes  118  has a diameter  130  of approximately between 2½ and 4¼ inches. Additionally, the three tubular lobes  118  are integrated into the single unit of material along the center axis  108 . The three tubular lobes  118  further define the cross-section  120  with concave sections  124  and convex sections  126 . Therefore, each base  118  or side is slightly concave, and the convex sections  126  are created by the rounded corners  122  creating an essentially three leaf clover cross sectional shape. This is desirable, as a top pointed corner of a traditional triangular cushion tends to fold over upon itself unpredictably resulting in a lump along one side. The convex shape solves this problem by compressing an apex of the elongated triangular member  104  downward upon itself instead of off to one side. 
         [0019]    The weight distribution device  100  may further comprise a core element liner (not shown). As visco-elastic foam is slightly tacky, the core element liner essentially encapsulates the core element  102  like a skin. This decreases friction between the core element  102  and the cover element  134  allowing the cover element  134  to easily slide over the core element  102 . The core element liner is typically a thin piece of polyester material completely surrounding the core element  102  and is sewn in place. 
         [0020]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the cover element  134  comprises a washable breathable fabric such as but not limited to denim or polyester fabric, although any similar material may be used without affecting the overall scope of the invention. The cover element  134  is dimensioned to fit snugly over the core liner element. The cover element  134  comprises a closeable opening  136  running approximately the length  114  of the elongated triangular member  104 . This allows the user to simply slide the elongated triangular member  104  into the cover element  134 . The closeable element  136  is openable and closeable with a zipper  138 , however, it may also comprise hook and loop fasteners, mechanical fasteners, and the like. Preferably, the zipper  138  is a low profile zipper for increased comfort of the user. 
         [0021]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , to use the weight distribution device  100 , the user simply places it on the vehicle seat with the length  114  perpendicular to the back of the seat. The user sits down on the weight distribution device  100  so that the length  114  is centrally positioned and runs between a user&#39;s buttocks. The height  116  extends upward along a center line between the user&#39;s buttocks elevating the buttocks off of the seat sufficiently to an extent that it results in a redistribution of the pressure throughout the area, and a resulting reduction of the pressure upon the ischial tuberosities is achieved. 
         [0022]    Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. 
         [0023]    The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
         [0024]    Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor intends for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.