Abstract:
A body support cushion including a first section of the cushion for forming a portion of the surface of the cushion, adapted to shift from a flattened state to a flexed state and a second section of the cushion for forming another portion of the surface of the cushion, adapted to shift from a flattened state to a flexed state. A hinge couples adjoining edges of the first and second sections. A first coupling member on the first section is selectively, releasably coupled to a second coupling member on the second section to create a body support cushion in which the first and second sections are flexed which results in a body support cushion capable of moving from a flattened state to a flexed state. The body support cushion is particularly suitable for supporting a user&#39;s lower back when sitting in a chair. It is also suitable for supporting other body parts such as the knee, ankle or even the back when laying down. It can also be used to support a laptop computer or other object on one&#39;s legs or lap when sitting.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims the priority of provisional application Ser. No. 60/669,679 filed on Apr. 8, 2005. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The invention is generally directed to a portable support cushion which converts from a flat storage position to a three dimensional engaged position, and specifically to a body support cushion which provides back support when either sitting or lying down as well as other uses for the portable support cushion. The portable support cushion can be stored in a briefcase or other business container in its flattened condition, taken out and assembled without any tools for use and then returned to the briefcase or other container following use for later use at another time.  
         [0003]     When travelers sit on airplanes, trains or buses the seats generally provide relatively poor support for the back and, in particular, the lower back or lumbar region, which can be uncomfortable or painful for many people. A simple solution for this is a lumbar pillow or cushion designed to maintain the spine in the proper orientation. However, prior cushions or lumbar support members are generally bulky pillows or foam cushions which, while appropriate and useful in their intended function, are not convenient for use in travel.  
         [0004]     Regular travelers, often known as “Road Warriors,” always seek to minimize the amount of items carried with them and reduce the weight and bulk of the items regularly carried with them. As a result, this important group of travelers, as well as regular bus and train commuters, are unlikely to obtain any real benefit from the existing back support cushions, which, while functional, are not easily transportable due to their failure to compress to a more manageable size for stowage and transportation of the cushions when not in use. To the extent that blow-up cushions are utilized, these require the user to inflate them, which is both inconvenient and difficult, particularly with airplanes with the changes in altitude affecting the size and pressure of the cushion.  
         [0005]     Accordingly, there is a need for an enhanced body support cushion which provides the ability to position the cushion at an appropriate spot on a chair back or other seating location in a three dimensionally deployed fashion which has a generally flat surface which rests against the chair back and a rounded surface which maintains its shape under pressure to enforce the required curvature in the lower back, but which can be easily and quickly converted from a cushion shape to a flat form, where it can be easily stowed in a briefcase for storage and transportation when not in use without adding unnecessary weight or bulkiness. There is also a need for a portable support cushion for supporting other body parts such as the knees and ankles or objects such as a laptop computer on the legs and as a variable height shim which may be used in leveling items for temporary or permanent use.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The invention is generally directed to a portable support cushion, including first and second sections of the cushion for forming respective portions of the surface of the cushion adapted to each shift from a flattened state to a flexed state, first and second coupling members on the respective first and second sections for selectively, releasably coupling first ends of the first and second sections to each other, and coupling means coupling the first and second sections to each other in a position remote from the point of connection of the first and second coupling members to enable the first and second sections to be positioned either in a co-planar position corresponding to a storage configuration and to an opposed position corresponding to a support cushion position.  
         [0007]     Another object of the invention is to provide an improved body support cushion which is easily transportable in a flat condition when not in use and easily convertible to a support cushion configuration.  
         [0008]     Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved body support cushion designed to provide lumbar support for the user by resting against a chair back in its deployed condition and easily convert without tools to a flattened condition in which it can be easily transported.  
         [0009]     Still a further object of the invention is to provide an improved body support cushion for supporting the lower back of a user in either a vertical or horizontal orientation which is transportable in a relatively flat condition.  
         [0010]     Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved transportable laptop support cushion for supporting a laptop computer on a user&#39;s legs to avoid the heat from the laptop computer&#39;s causing discomfort and also providing air around the laptop computer&#39;s base to support cooling, which is easily converted to a flat form for easy transportation along with the laptop computer.  
         [0011]     Still a further object of the invention is to provide an improved body support cushion which is convertible from a relatively flat form to a deployed form suitable for use as a neck roll support, foot, ankle, or knee support cushion.  
         [0012]     Yet still a further object of the invention is to provide an improved transportable body support cushion which stays in place on the chair back while the user sits down on the chair.  
         [0013]     Still a further object of the invention is to provide an improved portable support cushion which acts as a shim to elevate a portion of an object a variety of different distances.  
         [0014]     Still other objects and advantages of the invention will, in part, be obvious and will, in part, be apparent from the specification.  
         [0015]     The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the construction as hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the Claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]     For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of the portable support cushion constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a bottom plan view of the portable support cushion of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the portable support cushion of  FIGS. 1 and 2  in its flat position;  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged partial side elevational view of the hinge of the portable support cushion of side elevational view of the body support cushion of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of the portable support cushion of  FIGS. 1-3 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the portable support cushion of  FIG. 1  in a first adjustment point of its deployed position;  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of the portable support cushion of  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the portable support cushion of  FIG. 1  in a second adjustment point of its deployed position;  
         [0025]      FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of the portable support cushion of  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the portable support cushion of  FIG. 1  in a third adjustment point of its deployed position;  
         [0027]      FIG. 11  is a side elevational view of the portable support cushion of  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the portable support cushion of  FIG. 1  in a fourth adjustment point of its deployed position;  
         [0029]      FIG. 13  is a side elevational view of the portable support cushion of  FIG. 12 ;  
         [0030]      FIG. 14  is a side elevational view of a portable support cushion in accordance with the invention supporting a user&#39;s back while seated in a chair;  
         [0031]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the portable support cushion of  FIG. 14  in use as in  FIG. 14  with the portable support cushion shown in phantom;  
         [0032]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a portable support cushion in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention;  
         [0033]      FIG. 17  is a further perspective view of a portable support cushion in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention;  
         [0034]      FIG. 18  is a further perspective view of a portable support cushion in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention;  
         [0035]      FIG. 19  is a further perspective view of a portable support cushion in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention;  
         [0036]      FIG. 20  is a further perspective view of a portable support cushion in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention;  
         [0037]      FIG. 21  is a further perspective view of a portable support cushion in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention;  
         [0038]      FIG. 22  is a further perspective view of a portable support cushion in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention; and  
         [0039]      FIG. 23  is a further perspective view of a portable support cushion in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0040]     Reference is first made to  FIGS. 1-5  wherein a portable support cushion generally indicated as  100  constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention is depicted. Like elements are represented by like reference numerals. Portable support cushion  100  as seen in  FIG. 5  is a flat, thin member, preferably injection molded out of a plastic material as a single, integral unit. In a current preferred embodiment portable support cushion  100  is used as a body support cushion in connection with a chair, as seen in  FIGS. 14 and 15 . The discussion will focus initially on the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-5  particularly suitable for use as a body support cushion for providing back support as seen in  FIGS. 14 and 15 .  
         [0041]     Support cushion  100  includes chair side cushion  101  and body side cushion  102  connected with a hinge  103 . In a current preferred embodiment of the invention hinge  103  as best seen in  FIG. 5  and the enlarged partial view of  FIG. 4 , is formed as a living hinge which is a reduced thickness portion of plastic which allows the two sections  101 ,  102  to rotate about the connecting line formed by hinge  103  but permanently securing the two sections  101 ,  102  together. The living hinge is formed in accordance with conventional technology dependent on the materials utilized, molding process and dimensions of the portable support cushion  100 .  
         [0042]     A series of engaging slots  104 ,  105  are found in chair side cushion section  101  and are adapted to receive tabs  106 ,  107  respectively in body side cushion section  102 . The slots  104 ,  105  are preferably slightly angled as shown in the drawings and are preferably about 25 or 30 percent of the way in from each edge of section  101  to minimize distortion and provide a relatively uniform flexed contact surface. The engagement of tabs  106 ,  107  in one of the sets of slots  104 ,  105  allows the user to adjust the relative thickness and stiffness of the body support cushion  100  in its engaged or deployed state as shown in  FIGS. 6-13 . Each of the pairs of Figures, starting with FIGS.  6  and  7  and including  FIGS. 8 and 9 ,  FIGS. 10 and 11  and  FIGS. 12 and 13  is a perspective view of one of the four different engagement points of the portable support cushion  200  and its corresponding side elevational view. Cushion  200  varies from Cushion  100  only by addition of two additional slots  122 ,  123 . The variation in slots corresponding to the tabs allows the thickness and curvature of the portable support cushion to be adjusted so that it fits the intended need most closely. As seen in  FIGS. 7, 9 ,  11  and  13 , the thickness of the arc of body side cushion section  102  can be increased or decreased by selecting a different slot  104 ,  105  to engage tabs  106 ,  107 .  
         [0043]     Body side cushion section  102  is anticipated to both rest against the user&#39;s back or other body part and have the substantial bulk of the curvature in the engaged state. Holes  108  shown on body side cushion section  102  create air holes which serve several functions. First, they allow air and heat to escape so that the use of body support cushion  100  does not cause the user&#39;s body to sweat excessively in the area of the body support cushion. In addition, they enhance the flexibility of the body side cushion section  102  so that when tabs  106 ,  107  are engaged with slots  104 ,  105 , more of the tension in the panels is converted into bending by the body side cushion section  102  than the chair side cushion section  101 . Another purpose is to reduce the overall weight of the body support cushion  100  so that during transportation in a briefcase or other transport device when not deployed, its weight is reduced. Curved slots  109 ,  110  and straight slot  111  in body side cushion section  102  are used to enhance the flexibility of body side cushion section  102  further. They provide enhanced flexibility both parallel to hinge  103  and at varying angles through an angle perpendicular of hinge  103 . The slots can be changed to enhance the flexibility or stiffen the surface. To make the surface more compliant additional changes can be made such as making the section  102  thinner either in total or in selected areas. In this way the surface will fit more smoothly against the user&#39;s back or in supporting some other body part or item.  
         [0044]     Connection nubs  112 , shown on the surface of chair side cushion section  101  are formed in a current preferred embodiment of the invention as cone-shaped extensions having a height between 1/32 nd  and ¼ th  of an inch in length, more preferably between 1/16 th  of an inch and ⅛ th  of an inch and, even more preferably, about 3/32nds of an inch in length. Alternatively, a Velcro® hook and pile connector hook pad can be affixed to the outer surface of the chair side cushion section to serve the same purpose. The connection nubs  112  or hook and pile type connector serve the function of providing sufficient frictional contact with the seat after the user positions the body support cushion before the cushion is held in place by the force of the wearer&#39;s back on the cushion and chair. The connection is not so strong as to prevent the user from adjusting the position of body support cushion  100  in place once the user is seated on the chair.  
         [0045]     Reference is next made to  FIGS. 6-13  wherein the body support cushion  100  is shown in its deployed state with tabs  106 ,  107  engaged in slots  104 ,  105 . To assemble the cushion from its storage condition as shown in  FIGS. 1, 2  and  3  the user merely folds sections  101  and  102  along the hinge  103  exerting sufficient force to bend sections  101  and  102 , though primarily section  102  will deflect, until tabs  106 ,  107  align with one of the series of slots  104 ,  105  and then lock in place. Because of the absence of additional slots or other openings in section  101 , as are found on body side cushion section  102 , on chair side cushion section  101  and its smaller width as compared to body side cushion section  102  (which includes slits  108 ,  109 ,  110  and  111  and is wider, which enables section  102  to curve along an axis parallel to hinge  103  more easily than section  101 ), chair side cushion section  101  tends to remain relatively flat in the deployed state. The effect of this, as seen in  FIGS. 7, 9 ,  11  and  13  is that the section  102  is more curved than section  101 . While the figures show the section  101  nearly straight there is generally some flexing of Section  101 , though not nearly as much as is found in section  102 . Section  101  is designed to be stiffer than Section  102  so that the tension in the cushion  100  is held by section  101  and stored in the curved section  102  like a spring.  
         [0046]     While hinge  103  as shown in  FIGS. 1-5  is a living hinge which is continuous across the entire width of the connection between sections  101  and  102 , a living hinge or even a hinge formed with separate sections  101 ,  102  is possible where, for example, there are two or three sections of hinges with hinge portions like the two or three hinges on a door. Alternatively, rather than having sections  301 ,  302  permanently attached to each other, they can be removably attached as shown in the embodiments of  FIGS. 16 and 17 . In  FIG. 16 , portable support cushion  300  includes two discrete hooking hinges  331 ,  332  which engage with slots  333  and  334 , respectively to allow sections  101 ,  102  to rotate with respect to each other without otherwise moving laterally, much in the same way as the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-5 . Similarly, in the embodiment of  FIG. 17 , portable support cushion  400  includes two discrete sections  401 ,  402  which are releasably connectable to each other with hook  431  and hook  432  which run along the length of sections  401 ,  402 , respectively and engage in the same way as the living hinge or the embodiment of  FIG. 16 .  
         [0047]     In another current preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in  FIG. 19 , portable support cushion  600  includes sections  601 ,  602  and hinge  103 (not shown), as in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-5 , but also includes a second hinge  605  which divides section  602  into two sub-sections  603 ,  604 . In its deployed mode, as shown, the cushion  600  takes on a triangular rather than curved profile on the top. This is suitable for applications like supporting under a wearer&#39;s knee or ankle or to support the leg or for supporting an item which would be held in place by the triangular shape of the support surface.  
         [0048]     In a current preferred embodiment of the invention the body support cushion  100  including sections  101  and  102  and living hinge  103  are formed from polypropylene, which are injection molded. The cushion  100  is preferably made of sheets of polypropylene, such as 1/16 inch sheets, though different thicknesses are appropriate depending on the use of the cushion and the specific characteristics of the material used. Alternate plastics may be injection molded including Delrin® from DuPont and other plastics which exhibit the required physical characteristics which include the ability to form a living hinge, sufficient flexibility to allow the bending and supporting functions without splintering or cracking, and sufficient stiffness to create a tension force which provides the support in the cushion. The body support cushion can be manufactured from other materials which have the appropriate characteristics which are not plastics as well, though the current preferred embodiment is to injection mold polypropylene.  
         [0049]     While slots  104 ,  105  and tabs  106 ,  107  are used in a current embodiment of the invention, other conventional connectors may also be suitably used such as pins and holes or the like. Also, as shown in  FIG. 18 , the portable support cushion  500 , including sections  501 ,  502  connected by living hinge  503  are connected on the other end with hook and pile connectors  506  and  507 ,  508 . In this embodiment there are only two pads  507 ,  508  which can be selectively utilized with the pad  506  to allow adjustment. In other embodiments more rows of pads can be used as in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-5  with four sets of slots. The only requirement is that the connection be sufficiently sturdy.  
         [0050]     In a current preferred embodiment of the invention, in the flattened position the body support cushion has dimensions which are sized so that it has dimensions approximately 8½ by 11 inches so that it fits into similar files or folders as traditional sized 8½ by 11 inch paper. Variations in size are possible for bigger or smaller sizes. In other preferred embodiments of the invention where the body support cushion is used for the neck, ankle or knee support or to support a laptop computer, a smaller flat size of the body support cushion may be utilized.  
         [0051]     The multiple slots  104 ,  105  provide the user with the ability to adjust the degree of curvature and volume most suitable to that user&#39;s physique and comfort when it is used as a body support cushion. As shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , when used as a lumbar support, the body support cushion  100  is trapped in place between the chair  11  on the back and user  10  and in particular the buttocks and back on the bottom and top, respectively.  
         [0052]     Reference is next made to  FIG. 20  wherein a portable support cushion  800  in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. The cushion  800  can be made in accordance with the various alternatives described above. In this case it is used to support a person&#39;s foot  14  off the ground while the person  10  sits on chair  11 . Similarly, as shown in  FIG. 21 , a portable support cushion  700  resting under a person&#39;s leg  15  supports the knee off the chair  11 .  
         [0053]     Reference is next made to  FIG. 22  wherein a portable, adjustable laptop support cushion  900  constructed in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. Support cushion  900  acts to support a laptop computer  30  on a user&#39;s lap  15  and provides several benefits. It provides for air to flow around and under the laptop so it doesn&#39;t overheat which often happens when it sits on a person&#39;s lap for any period of time. Also, it prevents the person&#39;s legs from getting overheated due to sitting under the hot laptop. In addition, it allows, with its adjustability, as with the cushion  100 , to adjust the height of the laptop to an ergonomically suitable location.  
         [0054]     Reference is next made to  FIG. 23  wherein a portable, adjustable shim  1000  constructed in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. Shim  1000  acts to support a leg  41  of table  40  to level the table&#39;s top. The shim can be used in a wide variety of applications for temporary or permanent leveling needs. Generally, the shims can be made much smaller than the cushions  100  which would be used as a back support cushion. The shims have the multiple slots for the tabs, or other closures which allows the user to adjust their thickness which is a critical element of the operability of a shim which is used to add a spacer to a required location. The shims  1000  can be adjusted easily and transported flat to the appropriate location where they are assembled and used. A variety of sizes of shims can be manufactured and brought to a location in a flat form which makes transportation and leveling of a variety of furniture, appliance, work surface and other objects.  
         [0055]     In another preferred embodiment of the invention the surface of the body side support section  102 , which contacts the user&#39;s body can be softened or cushioned by adding a foam pad or similar element which does not significantly increase the thickness of the body support cushion in its flattened state.  
         [0056]     In use, a traveler boarding a plane, bus or train, as they are getting settled, would remove the flat body support cushion  100  from their briefcase, where it lays flat along with other papers and files, fold it and engage tabs  106 ,  107  in slots  104 ,  105  to the desired position and then position the deployed body support cushion  100  with the relatively flat surface of section  101  and the conical points  112  against the chair back at the appropriate height and then situation themselves in the chair. Any adjustments to the positioning could be done while the user is already seated by merely leaning forward and readjusting the positioning. When the user is ready to leave the plane, train or bus, they need merely lean forward, remove the body support cushion  100  from behind them, disengage tabs  106 ,  107  from slots  104 ,  105 , flatten the sections  101 ,  102  along hinge  103  and reinsert the flattened body support cushion  100  back into their briefcase. A travel case can be provided which prevents wear and tear on the body support cushion  100  and, in another preferred embodiment of the invention be placed over the deployed components like a pillow case to provide a more finished look and feel as well as some cushioning.  
         [0057]     Accordingly, an improved body support cushion which is suitable for traveling and is easily transportable in a flat condition and then deployed without the need for any tools to a support cushion condition is provided. The body support cushion is also suitable for supporting a laptop computer on a user&#39;s legs to avoid excess heat build up and allow air circulation around the laptop computer. The body support cushion, in addition to supporting the lumbar region of the wearer&#39;s back, may also be used to support below the user&#39;s knees, ankles or lumbar support region while laying horizontally.  
         [0058]     It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent in the preceding description, are efficiently obtained and, since certain changes may be made in the above constructions without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.  
         [0059]     It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention, herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.