AU2018229674A1

AU2018229674A1 - A device for supporting a posterior of a human body

Info

Publication number: AU2018229674A1
Application number: AU2018229674A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ray CARTER
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-03-09
Filing date: 2018-02-22
Publication date: 2019-09-12
Also published as: WO2018161106A1

Abstract

A device (100) for supporting a posterior of a human body is provided. The device (100) comprises an upper section (110) having a first portion (1102), a second portion (1104) provided in series with the first portion (1102) and a third portion (1106) provided on an upper surface (1110) of the second portion (1104) and a lower section (120). Further, the first portion (1102) is adapted to support a lower thoracic and a lumbar regions of a spinal cord, the second portion (1104) is adapted to support upper thoracic and lower cervical regions of the spinal cord and the third potion (1106) is adapted to support a head of the human body. Additionally, the lower section (120) is adapted to support lower thighs and knees of the human body and maintain the lower thighs and the knees in relative flexion.

Description

[001] The present invention relates to an exercising or a resting device and in particular to a device for supporting a posterior of a human body.

[002] The invention has been developed primarily for use during exercising or for resting the posterior of the human body during leisure activities such as reading and listening to music and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreci ated that the i nventi on i s not I i mited to thi s parti cul ar fi el d of use.

Background [003] A posterior of a human body is prone to enduring wear and tear and developing a lot of aches and pains in case correct posture is not maintained or if the posterior is not properly supported during exercising or during lying down. Also, it is desirable that a surface on whi ch the posted or i s resti ng i s comfortabl e enough to not subj ect the posteri or to undesi rabl e stress or strain. This way muscles, joints and ligaments in the posterior are able to perform in a way the musd es, j oi nts and I igaments are requi red to.

[004] T he present i nventi on seeks to provi de a devi ce for support! ng a posteri or of a human body, which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[005] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the words 'comprise,, 'comprises, and 'comprising, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated step or element or group of steps or elements but not the exclusion of any other step or element or group of steps or elements.

[006] Any one of the terms: 'including, or 'which includes, or 'that includes, as used herei n i s al so an open term that al so means i nd udi ng at I east the el ements/features that f ol I ow the term, but not excluding others.

[007] Any discussion of the background art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such background art is prior art nor that such background art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field.

Summary [008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for supporting a posterior of a human body, the device comprising an upper section having a first

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PCT/AU2018/050152 portion, a second portion provided in series with the first portion and a third portion provided on an upper surface of the second portion and a lower section. Further, the first portion is adapted to support a lower thoracic and a lumbar regions of a spinal cord, the second portion is adapted to support upper thoracic and lower cervical regions of the spinal cord and the third potion is adapted to support a head of the human body. Further, the lower section is adapted to support lower thighs and knees of the human body and maintain the lower thighs and the knees in relative flexion. Also, in use, the upper section and the lower section together are adapted to allow the lumbar region to be maintained in a position of mild traction and/or flexion. The device allows proper posture for the posterior of the human body and especially for the spinal cord. Also, the device compensates for any uneven surface on which the device may have been placed.

[009] In one embodi ment of the i nventi on, an upper surface of the f i rst porti on i s paral I el to a lower surface of the upper section.

[010] In one embodiment of the invention, the upper surface of the second portion is inclined at a first angle with respect to an upper surface of the first portion and an upper surface of the third portion is parallel to the upper surface of the second portion. This way the head of the human body can be kept parallel or in line with the spinal cord preventing any undue strai n on a neck of the human body.

[011] In one embodiment of the invention, the first angle is adapted to be changed with an insertion of a wedge member in the second portion. This way the inclination of the upper surface of the second portion may be changed as per user desirable configuration.

[012] In one embodi ment of the i nventi on, an upper surface of the I ower secti on i s i nd i ned at a second angle with respect to a lower surface of the lower section.

[013] In one embodiment of the invention, the upper section and the lower section have been joined together using a sheet section adapted to allow for the upper section and the lower section to be separate from each other and provide a spatial separation for the positioning of the lower lumbar region and application of the mild traction and/or flexion. [014] Other aspects of the i nventi on are al so di sd osed.

Brief Description of Drawings [015] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, a preferred embodiment I preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

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PCT/AU2018/050152 [016] Fig. 1A illustrates perspective view a device for supporting a posterior of a human body, in accordance with a preferred embodi ment of the present invention;

[017] Fig. 1B illustrates a side view of the device of Fig. 1A, in accordance with a preferred embodi ment of the present i nventi on;

[018] Fig. 2 illustrates a wedge member for the device for supporting the posterior of the human body, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[019] Fig. 3 illustrates a plurality of inclinations of an upper surface of a second portion with respect to an upper surface of a fi rst porti on, i n accordance with a preferred embodi ment of the present i nventi on;

[020] Fig. 4 illustrates the device for supporting the posterior of the human body, in accordance with another embodi ment of the present i nventi on; and [021] Fig. 5 illustrates an implementation of the device of Fig. 1A, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[022] It should be noted in the accompanying drawings and description below that like or the same reference numerals in different drawings denote the same or si milar elements. Description of Embodiments [023] Figure 1A illustrates perspective view a device 100 for supporting a posterior of a human body, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in figure 1A, the device 100 comprises an upper section 110, a lower section 120 and a sheet section 130 joining together the upper section 110 and the lower section 120. The sheet section 130 is adapted to allow for the upper section 110 and the lower section 120 to be separate from each other and provide a spatial separation for the positioning of a lower lumbar region of a spinal cord of the human body and application of the mild traction and/or flexion.

[024] FigurelB illustrates a side view of the device 100 of Figure 1 A, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in figure 1B, the upper section 110 has a first portion 1102, a second portion 110 provided in series with the first portion 1102 and a third portion 1106 provided on an upper surface 1110 of the second portion 1104. The first portion 1102 is adapted to support a lower thoracic and a lumbar regions of the spinal cord of the human body. In one embodiment of the invention, an upper surface 1108 of the f i rst porti on 1102 i s paral I el to a I ower surface 1114 of the upper secti on 110.

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PCT/AU2018/050152 [025] Further, the second portion 1104 is adapted to support upper thoracic and lower cervical regions of the spinal cord. In one embodiment of the invention, the upper surface 1110 of the second portion 1104 is inclined at a first angle :1 with respect to the upper surface 1108 of the first portion 1102. Also, the third potion 1106 is adapted to support a head of the human body. In one embodiment of the invention, an upper surface 1112 of the third portion 1106 is parallel to the upper surface 1110 ofthe second portion 1104. This way the head of the human body can be kept paral lei or i η Ii ne with the spi nal cord prevent! ng any undue strai n on a neck of the human body.

[026] The lower section 120 is adapted to support lower thighs and knees of the human body and maintain the lower thighs and the knees in relative flexion. In one embodiment of the invention, an upper surface 1202 of the lower section 120 is inclined at a second angle :2 with respect to a lower surface 1204 of the lower section 120. In use, the upper section 110 and the lower section 120 together are adapted to allow the lumbar region to be maintained in a position of mild traction and/or flexion.

[027] Figure 2 illustrates a wedge member 210 for the device 100 for supporting the posterior of the human body, in accordance with a preferred embodiment 200 of the present invention. As can be seen in figure 2, the second portion 1104 comprises a seam 220 for openi ng and i nserti ng of the wedge member 210. In that manner, the fi rst angl e : 1 is adapted to be changed with the insertion of the wedge member 210 in the second portion 1104. This way the inclination of the upper surface 1110 of the second portion 1104 may be changed as per user desirable configuration.

[028] The device 100 may be made using, but not limited to, foam to provide comfort and the foam may be enclosed in a cover to provide aesthetics and smooth surface to the device 100. The cover may be made of, but not limited to leather, rexine or any durable material that does not easily wear or tear. The desirable properties of the foam may include, but are not limited to, durability, flexibility and high density. The foam may be selected from the group comprising, latex foam (produced by vulcanizing liquid latex into a solid foam), high density polyurethane foam (also known as poly-foam) and memory foam (also known as viscoelastic polyurethane foam).

[029] In one embodiment multiple layers of one or more types of foams may be used in the devi ce 100. AI so, di fferent foams may be used i n the upper secti on 110, the I ower secti on 120 and the sheet section 130 of the device 100, depending upon the human body parts to be

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PCT/AU2018/050152 supported with the upper section 110 and the lower section 120 respectively. For example, the third portion 1106 supporting the head of the user may be made with a softer foam as compared to the first potion 1102 supporting the lower thoracic and the lumbar regions of the spinal cord.

[030] A dditi onal ly, the foam from may be cut from a foam bi ock, to form a desi red shape of the device 100 using, but not limited to, a die. In such embodiments, high density foams may be used. In one embodiment a wooden frame may be made to achieve the desired shape of the devi ce 100 and then the foam may be added. T he wooden frame may add to the stabi I ity, strength and durability of the device 100 and the foam provides the desired cushioning required by the user, to the device 100.

[031] Figure 3 illustrates a plurality of inclinations of the upper surface 1110 of the second portion 1104 with respect to the upper surface 1108 of the first portion 1102, in accordance with a preferred embodiment 300 of the present invention. As can be seen from the figure 3, different inclination allows different heights for the head of the human body, allowing the user to perform activities such as different types of exercises, reading a book while lying down or watching television etc.

[032] Figure 4 illustrates the device for supporting a posterior of the human body, in accordance with another embodiment 400 of the present invention. As shown in the embodiment 400, the third portion 120 is detachable from the second portion 1104. In other words, the second portion 1104 and the third portion 1106 are not integrally manufactured but the second portion 1104 and the third portion 1104 are externally attached. In one embodi ment, the thi rd porti on 1106 may be attached on the upper surface 1110 of the second portion 1104 through loop and hook fasteners. There may be other possible mechanisms for detachably attaching the third portion 1106 on to the upper surface 1110 such ones including clips, zippers and straps etc. The third portion 1106 being adapted to rest the head of the user, the positioning of the third portion 1106 may be done and adjusted along inclination of the upper surface 1110 of the second porti on 1104, accordi ng to the height of the user. Axis 420 represents adj ustment of the thi rd porti on 1106 al ong the upper surface 1110.

[033] M oreover, the thi rd porti on 1106 may have a predetermi ned wi dth w2, such that w2 i s less than a predetermined width w1, of the second portion 1104. This makes the third portion 1106 narrower than the second portion 1104. More specifically, it is envisaged that the width w2 of the third portion 1106 be less than width of shoulders of the user, allowing the user to

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PCT/AU2018/050152 stretch their arm backwards unhindered, while lying on the device 100. Also shown in Figure is a support structure 410 on which the device 100 may be placed. The support structure

410 may be, but not limited to, a bed or an exercise bench as desired by the user. In another embodiment, the device 100 may be placed directly on the floor without the use of the support structure 410.

[034] Figure 5 illustrates an implementation of the device 100 of Fig. 1A, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in figure 5, the user is reading the book while lying down on the device 100. In use, the first portion 1102 supports the lower thoracic and the lumbar regions of a spinal cord of a user. Further, the second portion 1104 supports the upper thoracic and the lower cervical regions of the spinal cord of the user. Also, the third potion 1106 supports the head of the user. This ensures that ears, shoulders and pelvis of the user are kept in alignment and natural inward curvature of the lumbar region is maintained. The lower section 120 supports the lower thighs and knees of the human body and maintains the lower thighs and the knees in relative flexion.

[035] In another embodi ment; the support provided to the I umbar region by the fi rst porti on 1102 may allow the user to perform exercises when sitting, rather easily and with minimum risk of an injury. Therefore, the user can also use hand weights more easily when sitting on the device 100 due to the support provided by the first portion 1102 to the lumbar region. The device 100 can also be used by the user when they want to sit more comfortably again due to the support provi ded to the I umbar regi on.

[036] The device 100 as discussed above allows proper posture for the posterior of the human body and especially for the spinal cord. Additionally, the device 100 may be used by different users having different body size and height. Also, the device 100 compensates for any uneven surface 140 on which the device may have been placed. Furthermore, the device 100 may be manufactured using easily and cheaply available materials.

[037] A user, through ongoing use of the device 100, can strengthen and stretch their abdominal muscles thereby building core body strength in an easier manner that without using the device.

[038] The terms and descriptions used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Examples and limitations disclosed herein are intended to be not limiting in any manner, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many variations are

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PCT/AU2018/050152 possible within the spirit and scope of the disclosure, and their equivalents, in which all terms are to be understood in their broadest possible sense unless otherwise indicated.

[039] Various modifications to these embodiments are apparent to those skilled in the art from the description and the accompanying drawings. The principles associated with the various embodiments described herein may be applied to other embodiments. Therefore, the description is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown along with the accompanying drawings but is to be providing broadest scope of consistent with the principles and the novel and inventive features disclosed or suggested herein. Accordingly, the disclosure is anticipated to hold on to all other such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the present disclosure and appended claims.

Claims

1. A device for support! ng a posted or of a human body, the device comprising:

an upper section having a first portion, a second portion provided in series with the first portion and a third portion provided on an upper surface of the second portion; and a Iower section;

wherein the first portion is adapted to support a lower thoracic and a lumbar regions of a spinal cord, the second portion is adapted to support upper thoracic and lower cervical regions of the spinal cord and the third potion is adapted to support a head of the human body;

wherein the lower section is adapted to support lower thighs and knees of the human body and maintain the lower thighs and the knees in relative flexion;

wherein in use, the upper section and the lower section together are adapted to allow the lumbar region to be maintained in a position of mild traction and/or flexion.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an upper surface of the first portion is paral I el to a I ower surface of the upper secti on.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the second portion is inclined at a first angle with respect to an upper surface of the first portion and an upper surface of the third portion is parallel to the upper surface of the second portion.

4. The device as claimed i n daim 3, wherein the first angle is adapted to be changed with an insertion of a wedge member in the second portion.

5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an upper surface of the I ower secti on is inch ned at a second angl e with respect to a I ower surface of the I ower section.

6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper section and the lower section have been joined together using a sheet section adapted to allow for the upper section and the lower section to be separate from each other and provide a spatial

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PCT/AU2018/050152 separation for the positioning of the lower lumbar region and application of the mi I d tracti on and/or fI exi on.

7. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the third portion is selectively detachable from the second portion.

8. The device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the third portion is selectively attachable to the second portion.

9. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the third portion is adjustable with respect to the second portion so as to facilitate human bodies of different sizes.

10. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second portion has width w1 and the thi rd porti on has wi dth w2 wherei n w1 >w2.