AU2021106167A4

AU2021106167A4 - A floor cushion

Info

Publication number: AU2021106167A4
Application number: AU2021106167A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Mitchell Richard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-08-20
Filing date: 2021-08-20
Publication date: 2021-10-28
Anticipated expiration: 2029-08-20

Abstract

The present invention relates to a floor cushion that has been constructed to provide comfort and support to a user so that the user can remain seated on the floor for sustained periods. Optionally, the floor cushion can also include a transition cushion that can be positioned on top of the floor cushion to allow a user to be used on the transition cushion to raise their buttock above the floor cushion. The transition cushion can be removed or progressively lowered as the user becomes more flexible and practiced at using the floor cushion. Fig 1 Figure 1 \20 14) 2v k3 4 Figure 2 K 1/4

Description

Figure 1

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A FLOOR CUSHION FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a floor cushion that a user can use to sit on the floor. The floor cushion may be used with a transition cushion depending on the user.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0002] People typically spend many hours a day sitting in a chair doing activities such as eating meals at a table, commuting in a vehicle, working at a desk, or relaxing on the couch. During these activities a user's legs have a similar orthogonal position, namely a horizontally oriented thigh and a vertical oriented calf. Maintaining the same orthogonal leg position for many hours per day can have several ramifications including shortening hip flexor muscles, tightening hamstrings, and increasing pelvis stiffness which in turn reduces internally and externally hip rotate.

[0003] There is therefore a need for a cushion that can be used for sitting in a different anatomical position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a floor cushion that a user can use to sit on the floor, the floor cushion includes:

an internal body having a lower layer and an upper layer, in which the upper layer is more compressible than the lower layer;

an outer cover having a top wall and a bottom wall, the outer cover having an opening for removing the internal body from the outer cover; and

a securing means on the outer cover that reduces movement of the cushion on the floor.

[0005] The purpose of the lower layer is to provide adequate support and prevent the user from the touching or "feeling" the floor. In addition, the purpose of the upper layer is to provide a softer feel to the cushion and in part mould to the shape of the user's buttock.

[0006] The upper layer may compress by a factor in the range of 1.1 to 10.0 times the compression of the lower layer.

[0007] More suitably, the upper layer may compress by a factor in the range of 2 to 7 times the compression of the lower layer. That is to say, the upper layer may be twice to seven times more compressible. Ideally, the upper layer is at least twice as compressible as the lower layer.

[0008] Still even more suitably, the upper layer may compress by a factor in the range of 4 to 5 times the compression of the lower layer.

[0009] The lower layer may be thicker than the upper layer. In other words, a thickness of the lower layer to the upper layer may be over a range, and the ranges may be compared as a ratio. For example, in terms of the ratio of thicknesses, the thickness of the lower layer may range from 6 to 10 to a thickness of the upper layer being in the range of 1 to 5. Suitably, the ratio of thicknesses of the lower layer may in range from 7 to 9 to a thickness of the upper layer in the range of 2 to 4.

[0010] Ideally, the ratio of the thicknesses of the lower layer to the thickness of the upper layer is approximately 5 to 3.

[0011] One or both of the upper and lower layers may be a foam material. Examples of foam materials include closed cell foam, open cell foam, reticulated foam and the foam material made be made of any suitable materials including expanded foam, polyurethane, latex and so forth. The lower layer may be a high density foam, whereas the upper layer may be a medium density foam.

[0012] The internal body may also comprise additional layers of foam or other materials as desired, including intermediate layers, a top layer and a bottom layer.

[0013] The securing means may include one or a combination of:

(i) a portion of the bottom wall, or all of the bottom wall, may have a friction pad that has higher friction than the top wall; and/or

(ii) an attachment strap extending from the outer cover than can be used to fasten the outer cover to an object to reduce movement of the cushion.

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[0015] The object, may for example, be a leg of a heavy item of furniture such as a couch.

[0016] In one example, the friction pad may include panels located in particular parts of the bottom wall, such as at, or towards, a perimeter of the bottom wall.

[0017] In the situation which the cushions has corners, the pad may be located at or toward the corner of the bottom wall.

[0018] The cushion may have any geometric shape in a plan view, such as square, rectangular, triangular, circular, oval and so forth. The cushion may be also symmetrical or asymmetrical.

[0019] In one example, the area of the cushion, in plan view, is sized to allow the user to sit on the cushion with crossed legs, such as in a yoga position known as a lotus position.

[0020] The area of the cushion may also allow the user to sit with straight legs on the cushion.

[0021] The attachment strap may extend from an edge of the cushion so that the cushion can be secured to the object.

[0022] The attachment strap may have fasteners that allow the strap to form a loop that can be passed about the object to secure the cushion in position. Examples of fasteners include a button and co-operating button hole(s), press studs, hook and loop fasteners, clasps, pin buckles, slide release buckles, snap locker fasteners and so forth.

[0023] The attachment strap may have multiple straps that can be tied together about the object to secure the cushion in position.

[0024] When the object is a heavy item of furniture, such as a couch, the object may also be used as a back rest by the user.

[0025] The floor cushion may include a transition cushion that can be located in an operative positioned on top of the floor cushion, and the user can sit on the transition cushion above the floor cushion and the user can rest their feet on the floor cushion, or on the floor. The transition cushion may have multiple tiers, of which at least one

3 I~n"'a A II tier can be moved to an inoperative position to reduce the height of the transition cushion.

[0026] For users with reduced or limited flexibility through the legs, pelvis, hips, and lower back, the user may not initially be able to sit with their feet and buttock at same level, and the transition cushion is aimed at allowing the user to select the height of the transition cushion that is comfortable and progressively reduce the difference between the height of the transition cushion and the floor cushion until the transition cushion can be completely removed.

[0027] In one example, the tiers of the transition cushion may be separable so that the tiers can be disconnected when not in use on the floor cushion. In another example, the tiers of the transition cushion may be connected to that the tiers can be moved into or out of operable positions.

[0028] The tiers of the transition cushion may have one or more layers of foam.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, which include the following.

[0030] Figure 1 is a top and side perspective view of a floor cushion including an outer cover and an internal foam body. The outer cover having a securing means including straps for locating the floor cushion and friction pads.

[0031] Figure 2 is an underneath view of the floor cushion shown in Figure 1, which illustrates the friction pads.

[0032] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the internal foam body having a lower layer and an upper layer.

[0033] Figures 4 is a perspective view of the floor cushion and a transition cushion in an operative position on the floor cushion. The transition cushion being configured to allow a user's buttock being elevated above their feet during initial stages of use of the floor cushion.

[0034] Figures 5 and 6 are rear and side views of the floor cushion and the transition cushion

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[0035] Figure 7 is a side view of the floor cushion and transition cushion shown in Figures 4 to 6, in which the height of the transition cushion has been halved by one or more layers of the transition cushion being folded into an inoperative position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] A preferred embodiment of the floor cushion will now be described in the following text which includes reference numerals that correspond to features illustrated in the accompanying Figures. To maintain the clarity of the Figures not all reference numerals are included in each Figure.

[0037] The floor cushion 10 comprises an outer cover 20 and an internal foam body 19 located inside the outer cover 20. The outer cover 20 comprises an opening having a zip closure 14 through which the internal body 19 can be removed for washing the outer cover 20. The floor cushion 10 has been constructed to provide comfort and support to a user so that the user can remain seated with a buttock directly on the floor cushion 10 for sustained periods. Each individual user will have their own view on the comfort of any cushion, and it will be subject to parameters such as the flexibility of the user and their preferences. In general terms, for the user to be comfortable for sustained periods, adequate support needs to be provided and the user should not be able to feel the ground beneath the cushion. These features are provided by the upper and lower layers of the internal layer of the floor cushion.

[0038] The outer cover 20 may be made of any suitable material including natural fibres, synthetic fibres, woven and unwoven fabrics including leather, scrim, and knitted fabrics, and extruded materials including polymers and so forth. Ideally the outer cover 20 is made of washable material including products such as Millennium Leather and Warwick Ovolo cotton. In any event, the outer cover 20 may also be made from wear resistant material of suitable denier.

[0039] The outer cover 20 has a top wall 12, a bottom wall 11 and a side wall 13 comprising four panels that extend between the top and bottom walls 11 and 12. The outer cover 20 may have any geometric shape and as can best be seen in Figure 2, the preferred embodiment is rectangular.

[0040] The internal body 19 may comprise any are suitable load bearing foam material, including a polyurethane foam, natural latex foam, memory foam and alike.

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The internal body 19 may comprise at least one layer of foam, and suitably includes multiple layers. In the case of the preferred embodiment, the internal body 19 comprises a lower layer 21 of foam and an upper layer 22 of foam. However, it will be appreciated that the internal foam body 19 may have additional layers such as one or more intermediate layers, a top layer and a bottom layer (not illustrated in the figures).

[0041] In the case of the preferred embodiment, the upper layer 22 is more compressible than the lower layer 21 of foam. The upper layer 22 provides the user with a soft sensation on initial contact with the floor cushion 10 which can also, to an extent, take up the shape of the user's buttock, yet the lower layer 21 can provide adequate support so that the user does not "feel" the floor beneath the cushion. Specifically, the lower layer 21 may comprise a high density foam sold under the brand Vitality 31/320 which is commercially available from FoamCo Industries Pty Ltd of Australia. The upper layer 22 may comprise a medium to low density foam sold under the brand Reflection 52/60 which is also commercially available from FoamCo Industries Pty Ltd of Australia.

[0042] Compression or compressibility of the layers 21 and 22 may be determined by applying a known loaded to separate layers over a known area and measuring the depression of each layer. By way of example, when an 8kg weight having a diameter of 75mm is applied to the Vitality 31/320 foam, the foam having an initial thickness of 50mm was compressed by 7mm. That is to a thickness of 43mm. Similarly, when the same weight is applied to the Reflection 52/60 foam, the foam having an initial thickness of 30mm compressed by 20mm. That is to a thickness of mm. In this example, the upper layer 22 is approximately 4.7 times more compressible than the lower layer 21.

[0043] However, it will be appreciated that the internal body 19 may be comprise any combination of the materials and/or foam materials. Examples of other foams that can be used instead of, or in addition to 52/690 foam of the upper layer 22, include 38/40 or 40/50 foams, also available from FoamCo Industries Pty Ltd. In addition, the relative compressibility of the foams may vary. For instance, the upper layer 22 may be up to 15 or 20 times more compressible than the lower layer 21, and suitably in the range of 2 to 6 times more compressible.

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[0044] Ideally the floor cushion 10 also has an overall uncompressed thickness in the range of 70 to 100 mm, and ideally approximately 80 mm. This enables the floor cushion 10 to be stowed when not in use, for example, beneath the base of living room couches.

[0045] The lower and upper layers 21 and 22 may have equal thicknesses or they may have unequal thicknesses. Although not shown in the Figures, it is also possible that the floor cushion 10 may have a tapered geometry, whereby the rear of the floor cushion may be thicker than the front of the cushion, or vice versa, the rear of the floor cushion may be thinner than the front of the floor cushion. Similarly, although not illustrated in the Figures, the internal body 19 may be contoured, for example, by having a one or more depressions or recesses for receiving the buttock and/or feet of the user.

[0046] In the case of the preferred embodiment, the upper layer 22 is ideally thinner than the lower layer 21. Specifically, the upper layer 22 is ideally approximately 30 mm thick, and the lower layer 21 is approximately 50 mm thick.

[0047] The floor cushion 10 also includes a securing means 15 that can help reduce movement of the cushion 10 on the floor when in use. The securing means 15 includes triangular friction pads 18 on the bottom wall 11, as shown in Figure 2. The friction pads 18 may have a rubberised outer surface or a textured outer surface that provides great frictional engagement with the floor compared to the remainder of the bottom wall 11 and/or the top wall 12 of the outer cover 20.

[0048] The bottom wall 11 of the outer cover 20 may also include higher denier fibres to improve wear resistant of the bottom wall 11.

[0049] The securing means 15 also includes rear attachment straps 16 extending from the back of the floor cushion 10. The rear straps 16 may include fasteners, such as press studs, clasps, hook and loop fasteners, a conventional button and a line of co-operating button-holes along the straps. These straps 16 may be looped about a fixed object, such as the legs of a couch and the fasteners engaged to help secure the cushion relative to the fixed object. In some instances, the fixed object may also be used as a backrest by user sitting on the floor cushion 10. The attachment straps 16 may also be tied to each other about an object without using the fasteners.

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[0050] A handle 17 is also provided on a front panel of the side wall 13 of the floor cushion 10.

[0051] Figures 3 to 7 illustrate a transition cushion 23 being used in combination with the floor cushion 10. The purpose of the transition cushion 23 is to aid a user having limited flexibility to use the floor cushion 10 and as the user progressively gains flexibility and becomes more practiced, the height of the transition cushion 23 can be progressively reduced in one or more increments.

[0052] As shown in Figures 4 to 7, the transition cushion 23 has multiple tiers 24, suitably four tiers 24. In the highest configuration of the transition cushion 23 the four tiers 24 are arranged in a single stack and can be moved into an inoperative position by each tier 24 being folded outwardly. The height of the transition cushion 24 can be progressively reduced by one tier at a time. Structurally, each tier 24 is foldable connected to an adjacent tier 24 by a flexible panel. Although not illustrated the Figures, rather than having the tiers 24 pivotally connected, the tiers 24 may be disconnectable from each, for example, by means of button and button-holes on flaps extending from the tiers 24.

[0053] The tiers 24 may be made of suitable materials, include one or two layers of the foam materials. Each tier 24 may have an outer cover or bag, much like the outer cover of the floor cushion 10.

[0054] Attachment panels 25 can be arranged between the transition cushion 23 and the floor cushion 10 for locating and holding the transition cushion 23 in position to the floor cushion 10. The attachment panels 25 may include suitable engagement including friction, fasteners and so forth.

[0055] In the foregoing description of preferred embodiment, specific terminology has been resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "front" and "rear", "inner" and "outer", "above", "below", "upper" and "lower" and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms. The terms "vertical" and "horizontal" when used in reference to the cushion

8 I~n"'a A II throughout the specification, including the claims, refer to orientations relative to the normal operating orientation.

[0056] Furthermore, invention has been described in connection with what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the invention. Also, the various embodiments described above may be implemented in conjunction with other embodiments, for example, aspects of one embodiment may be combined with aspects of another embodiment to realize yet other embodiments. Further, each independent feature or component of any given assembly may constitute an additional embodiment.

Reference Numeral Table

floor cushion 10 transition cushion 23 bottom wall 11 tiers 24 top wall 12 attachments panels 25 side wall 13 zip closure 14 securing means 15 attachment straps 16 handle 17 friction pad 18 internal foam body 19 outer cover 20 lower layer 21 upper layer 22

Claims

1. A floor cushion that a user can use to sit on the floor, the floor cushion includes:

2. The floor cushion according to claim 1, wherein the upper and lower layers of the internal body are foam, and the upper layer is in the range of 1.1 to 10.0 times more compressible than lower layer, and ideally, the upper layer is in the range of 2 to 7 times more compressible than the lower layer.

3. The floor cushion according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lower layer is thicker than the upper layer, and ideally, thicknesses of the lower layer to the upper layer can be over ranges, and in terms of the ratio of thicknesses, the thickness of the lower layer can be from 6 to 10 to a thickness of the upper layer can be from 1 to 5, and even more ideally the thicknesses of the lower layer to the thickness of the upper layer is approximately 5 to 3.

4. The floor cushion according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the securing means includes one or a combination of:

5. The floor cushion according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further including a transition cushion that can be located in an operative positioned on top of the floor cushion, and the user can sit on the transition cushion above the floor cushion, and the transition cushion has one or more tiers, of which at least one tier can be moved to an inoperative position to reduce the height of the transition cushion.