Abstract:
The present disclosure will provide a simple spinal support device that can be used while sitting to force the user to develop proper posture and reduce back strain. This is accomplished by creating a ‘T’ shaped device that can be ergonomically designed for the back. The user will place the device against the back rest of a chair prior to sitting. Alternatively, the device will be integrated within the chair. When in use, the spinal support member will force the user&#39;s shoulders to go backwards, improving his or her posture instantly.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/569,694, filed on Dec. 12, 2011, and incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a spinal support device, and more particularly, to a device that can support the back and spine of the user and encourage proper posture. 
     DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART 
     Posture is the position in which a person holds their body upright while sitting, standing or laying down. Proper posture is achieved when the body is the least strained by the force of gravity or when the muscles and ligaments are properly supported. Without maintaining proper posture, the back muscles can become strained and develop complications. Back support devices allow the bones and joints to maintain the correct alignment in order to prevent the muscles from experiencing injuries. 
     Back rests and seat cushion supports are generally shaped to fit the curvature of the user&#39;s back to promote proper form and back support. They typically cover the lower part of the chair, or lumbar area, and provide little other additional support. Like other back supports, they are intended to promote a comfortable and proper form to the user&#39;s back. 
     Cushioned back support devices are similar to small pillows and generally used to support the lower back of the user. They are typically placed behind the lower back and they are positioned against the back of a chair. As the users sit, the curvature of the cushioned back support allows them to rest their lower back and improve the spine&#39;s posture or to promote a neutral posture. 
     Lumbar support belts or back belts are normally lightweight belts positioned around the lower back to provide support to the spine or lumbar. Back belts force the users to stiffen their spine to reduce pressure in the spinal cord. They are typically from leather or plastic and they can prevent injuries from occurring when lifting heavy objects. 
     While several devices for maintaining proper posture exist in the prior art, they are often limited in their benefit to the user, and typically include unnecessary and costly features. Therefore, a need exists for a simple spinal support device that can be used while sitting to force the user to develop proper posture and reduce back strain. The present invention satisfies these needs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention will provide a simple spinal support device that can be used while sitting to force the user to develop proper posture and reduce back strain. This is accomplished by creating a ‘T’ shaped device that can be ergonomically designed for the back. The user will place the device against the back rest of a chair prior to sitting. Alternatively, the device will be integrated within the chair. When in use, the spinal support member will force the user&#39;s shoulders to go backwards, improving his or her posture instantly. 
     The spinal support device comprises a spinal support member attached perpendicular to a lumbar support member, creating the aforementioned ‘T’ shape. Each support member is cylindrical in nature, although several ergonomic shapes are anticipated for each member to better support the back of the user. The support members are made of inflatable vinyl with separate air chambers. When inflated, the user can adjust the air pressure to their individual preference. Alternatively, the device can be made of vinyl-covered foam, or another set of materials involving a firm inner core surrounded by a soft outer shell to provide cushioning. 
     Optional sleeves will be available to consumers who wish to personalize the present invention, allowing them to slide a colored, patterned, or textured material over the support members. In each of these embodiments, the present invention is attached to the chair with an attaching strap that loops around the spinal support member and then fastens around the chair back. Alternatively, the device can be directly and permanently installed within a chair and purchased as a single unit, eliminating the need for an exterior attaching strap. The end result will be a simple device which provides the user both lumbar and spinal support on any desired chair without incorporating unnecessary or extravagant features. 
     These and other objectives of the present invention will become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary, and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front isometric view of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a front isometric view of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a front isometric view of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a front isometric view of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a front isometric view of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of the invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a front isometric view of the invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a front view of the invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a front isometric view of the invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a front view of the invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a front view of the strap; 
         FIG. 14  is a front view of the sleeve; 
         FIG. 15  is a front view of the sleeve; 
         FIG. 16  is a front view of the invention within a chair; 
         FIG. 17  is a front view of the elongated member received in the grip loop and attached to a chair. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. The following explanation provides specific details for a thorough understanding of and enabling description for these embodiments. One skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments. 
     Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number respectively. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. When the claims use the word “or” in reference to a list of two or more items, that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list and any combination of the items in the list. 
     The present invention  10  comprises two elongated members and an attaching strap  23 . The first elongated member is defined as a lumbar support member  21 , while the second elongated member is defined as a spinal support member  22 . The spinal support member  22  is fixedly attached perpendicular to the center  24  of the lumbar support member  21 , forming a generally ‘T’ shape. In an alternative embodiment, the spinal support member  22  is removeably attached to the lumbar support member  21 . The attaching strap  23  allows the user the ability to fasten the support members  21 ,  22  to a chair  25  or seat. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the lumbar support member  21  comprises a cylindrical shape, having a 4-inch diameter and a length range between 12 and 20 inches. In an alternative embodiment, the lumbar support member  121  comprises a variable graduating diameter with a diameter range of 2 to 6 inches, the variable graduating diameter shaped ergonomically to better support the lumbar portion of the back. In yet a further alternative embodiment, the lumbar support member  221  comprises a crescent shape to better support the back of the user. The shape can go from a smaller diameter to a larger diameter, a larger diameter to a smaller diameter, or can have an oval-shape where the diameter of the ends is smaller than that of the body. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the spinal support member  22  comprises a cylindrical shape, having a 3-inch diameter and a length range between 16 and 24 inches. In an alternative embodiment, the spinal support member  122  comprises a variable graduating diameter with a diameter range of 2 to 6 inches, the variable graduating diameter shaped ergonomically to better support the spinal section of the back. The shape can go from a smaller diameter to a larger diameter, a larger diameter to a smaller diameter, or can have an oval-shape where the diameter of the ends is smaller than that of the body. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the lumbar support member  21  and spinal support member  22  are made of inflatable vinyl and further comprise a lumbar air chamber  26  and a spinal air chamber  27 , respectively. The air pressure within each individual chamber can be adjusted to suit the user&#39;s comfort with inflation members  28  attached to each support member  21 ,  22 . In an alternative embodiment, the lumbar support member  21  and spinal support member  22  are removeably attached, wherein the lumbar support member  21  comprises an aperture, or through-hole, for the spinal support member  22  to slide through. Alternatively, the members  21 ,  22  can attach using hook-and-loop type fasteners, buttons, straps, zippers, or any other suitable means. 
     The attaching strap  23  comprises a long, flat, nylon cord  31  having a grip loop  32  in its center and a fastening device  33  at each of its ends  34 . In the preferred embodiment, the fastening device  33  comprises a hook-and-loop apparatus on each end  34  of the attaching strap  23 . When in use, the grip loop  32  tightly encircles the spinal support member  22  while the attaching strap  23  tightly encircles the user&#39;s chair  25  and is held in place by the fastening device  33  on the back side of the chair  25 . In an alternative embodiment, the fastening device  33  can attach using buttons, additional straps, zippers, or any other suitable attachment means. 
     When in use, the spinal support device  10  is placed adjacent to the back rest of any chair  25  or seat, with the lumbar support member  21  at the intersection of the arm rest and the seat and the spinal support member  22  projecting vertically parallel to the back rest. The user will sit onto the chair  25 , aligning their lower back with the lumber support member  21  and their spine with the spinal support member  22 , which is held in place by the attaching strap  23 . When seated, the user&#39;s shoulders will inherently move backwards and their posture will instantly become proper. In an alternative embodiment, the spinal support device may be rotated vertically, with the lumbar support member  21  resting on the neck and the spinal support member  22  again aligned with the spine. The spinal support device  10  will be an add-on piece to any existing chair or seat, including, but not limited to, cars, airplanes, trains, busses, offices, homes, couches, etc. 
     In an alternate embodiment, a decorative sleeve  41  or set of sleeves can be removably attached to cover the elongated members  21 ,  22 . Each sleeve  41  comprises a thin cylindrical tube which tightly encircles each of the elongated members  21 ,  22 . These sleeves  41  allow for a variety of designs, colors, and textures, permitting the user to personalize the appearance of the spinal support device  10  without effecting its utility. In a further alternative embodiment, the lumbar and spinal support members  21 ,  22  can be extendable to accommodate different sized users and differently shaped chairs/seats. 
     In a further alternative embodiment, each of the elongated members  321 ,  322  comprise a inner core  323 ,  324  encircled by an outer shell  325 ,  326 . The inner core  323  of the lumbar support  321  member comprises a long cylindrical solid, approximately 12-20 inches in length with a radius of 1 inch. The inner core  324  of the spinal support member  322  comprises a length of approximately 16-24 inches and a radius of 1 inch. Each of the inner cores  323 ,  324  is made of a firm material such as foam, soft plastic or other sturdy but malleable materials. Each outer shell  325 ,  326  comprises a cylindrical material which spans the entire length of and is fixedly attached to the each inner core  323 ,  324 . The outer shells  325 ,  326  are made of a soft, yet supportive material, including but not limited to: memory foam, air or liquid filled tubing, etc. 
     In yet a further alternative embodiment, the spinal support device  110  will be integrated into the chair  125  itself. In such an embodiment, both the elongated members  21 ,  22  are located within the backing of the chair  25 . The two members  21 ,  22  will still be attached in an upside down ‘T’ shape which is centered and irremovably fastened to the inner structure of the chair  25  backing No attaching strap or decorative sleeves will be necessary, although the chair itself can be offered in a variety of colors or designs. 
     While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, while specific sizes and shapes have been properly supported. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims. 
     Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention. 
     The above detailed description of the embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed above or to the particular field of usage mentioned in this disclosure. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Also, the teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. 
     All of the above patents and applications and other references, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention. 
     Changes can be made to the invention in light of the above “Detailed Description.” While the above description details certain embodiments of the invention and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the invention can be practiced in many ways. Therefore, implementation details may vary considerably while still being encompassed by the invention disclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. 
     While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventor contemplates the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the invention.