AU3026900A

AU3026900A - Lumbar support and comfort feel adjustment device

Info

Publication number: AU3026900A
Application number: AU30269/00A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Kerry O'brien
Original assignee: Obrien Kerry
Current assignee: Obrien Kerry
Priority date: 1998-12-14
Filing date: 1999-12-09
Publication date: 2000-07-03
Anticipated expiration: 2019-12-09
Also published as: WO2000035319A1; AU759509B2; NZ512677A; US20020112292A1; AUPP770398A0

Description

WO 00/35319 PCT/AU99/01099 "LUMBAR SUPPORT AND COMFORT FEEL ADJUSTMENT DEVICE" This invention relates to an adjustable lumbar support and comfort feel adjustment device and more particularly relates to an adjustable lumbar support and comfort feel device adapted for insertion into a mattress or a seat back. Existing spring mattresses typically have an array of springs interconnected with each other and covered with a combination of foam and upholstery. Consumers have varying requirements for mattresses in terms of whether the mattresses are hard or soft or somewhere in between in terms of comfort and support in the lumbar area. Such variation is provided either by the spring stiffness, the density of the foam and thickness of the upholstery in the mattresses, or a combination of these. However not all mattresses suit all people in terms of their posture. When they are lying on a mattress, the lumbar area in the back region of each person is susceptible to not having the proper support and desired comfort feel required. The user or consumer who generally ends up being sore after a night's sleep, and for those that sleep on their backs and/or their sides, this is particularly as a result of lying on a mattress that is too hard to too soft. To date there are no mattresses that incorporate a support for the lumbar region and comfort feel adjustment to fit the shape and the requirements of lumbar support and comfort feel of each individual user. There are a number of known lumbar support structures for seats but they are generally very cumbersome to operate and complex in design leading to added expense in the manufacture of such lumbar support structures and consequently affecting their cost competitiveness. The present invention seeks to address the above problems by providing an adjustable lumbar support and comfort feel device adapted for insertion in either a seat back or for mounting on a spring mattress. The device is relatively easy to operate and provides adjustment to suit the lumbar regions and comfort feel of individual users.

WO 00/35319 PCT/AU99/01099 -2 According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an adjustable lumbar support and comfort feel device comprising: A pad or bag like structure sealed at the perimeter plus area for inflation nipple and internal seams starting from the left hand side. Adjustment means for providing inflating of the pad or bag like structure such that air is pumped into structure inflating pocketed sections. The adjustment of the device is provided by a hand operated pump or battery or electrically powered pump with air line attached which compresses air into pad and causes inflation of the device. An inlet/outlet valve is incorporated in the inflation nipple to allow adjustment, to hold the pad in the desired support or comfort feel degree of inflation and deflation as required by the user. According to the second aspect of the invention there is provided a mattress having an adjustable lumbar support and comfort feel device fitted thereto, said mattress having a pad or bag like structure defined by a series of ribbed pockets placed between the secondary and tertiary layers or top layer of upholstery referred to as a quilted top. Between the secondary and tertiary levels the device is placed in a fabric envelope which is held in place on the underside of the quilted top. Wherein adjustment of the device is provided by a hand operated pump or battery or electric powered pump to vary the amount of air to inflate said pad or bag like structure. By inflation of the device the outward bending of the air filled pockets adjust to support the lumbar area, and as more air inflates the pockets the surface becomes harder and by deflation becomes softer. According to the third aspect of the invention there is a chair having an adjustable lumbar support and comfort feel device fitted in the back supporting portion of the chair. Said device having a pad like structure sealed at the perimeter plus area for inflation nipple and internal seams starting at the left hand side. Adjustment means for providing inflating of the pad or bag like structure such that air is pumped into structure inflating pocketed sections.

WO 00/35319 PCT/AU99/01099 -3 The adjustment of the device is provided by a hand operated pump or battery or electrically powered pump with air line attached which compresses air into pad and causes it to inflate the device. An inlet outlet valve may be incorporated in the inflation nipple to allow adjustment, to hold the pad in the desired support or comfort feel degree of inflation required by the user.

WO 00/35319 PCT/AU99/01099 4 Figure 1/5 is a plan view of an adjustable lumbar support and comfort feel device deflated or before inflation plus area for inflation nipple and internal seams starting from the left hand side. Figure 2/5 is a Isometric view of the adjustable lumbar support and comfort feel device of Figure 1; Figure 3A/5 is a elevation or side view of the adjustable lumbar support comfort feel device of Figure 1; Figure 3B1/5 is a plan view of the adjustable lumbar support and comfort feel device of Figure 1; Figure 4/5 is a isometric view of the adjustable lumbar support and comfort feel device of Figure 1 shown fitted to a spring mattress; Figure 5/5 is a isometric view of an office chair with the adjustable lumbar support and comfort feel device of the present invention fitted to the back of the chair. Shown in Figure 1/5 is an adjustable lumbar support and comfort feel device which is adapted to be used in conjunction with a mattress, typically a spring mattress, which is conveniently replicated for lumbar support and comfort feel adjustment for that side of the mattress which is used. The device Fig.1/5 a pad or bag like structure of rectaganol shape, sealed at the perimeter plus area for inflation nipple and internal seams starting from the left hand side. The pad or bag is made of flexible material. The device is attached to the underside of the tertiary layer or top layer of upholstery referred to as a quilted top. Between the secondary and tertiary levels the device is placed in a fabric envelope which is held in place on the underside of the quilted top. Ideally there will be four such lumber support and comfort feel adjustment devices for any double queen or king size mattress and two lumbar support and comfort support adjustment devices for single mattresses. This allows for the situation where a mattress is turned and each of the top and bottom surface on either side of the mattress have adjustable lumbar support and comfort feel devices Fig.1/5 inserted.

WO 00/35319 PCT/AU99/01099 5 There are numerous other applications that the adjustable lumbar support and comfort device Fig.1/5 can be used. It will also be appreciated that various modifications and alterations may be made to the preferred embodiments above, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. SUBSTITUT SHEET (rule 26) RO/AU

Claims

claim,

(1) The invention of the Lumbar Support and Comfort Adjustment Device.

(2) Said device is invented for insertion into mattresses of all forms of manufacture, and in various forms of seating.

(3) The device, an air tight bag like, structure is inflated by an air line to support the lumbar area of the user in mattresses and seating.

(4) The device also various the comfort feel available in any mattress and various forms of seating.

(5) The device is infinitely adjusted to facilitate the required lumbar support and degree of feel/comfort desired by the user.

Substitute Sheet The Lumbar Support and Comfort Feel Adjustment device is attached to or inserted into seating and innerspring and other forms of manufacture of mattresses which by inflation and deflation of air into and out of pockets via inflation nipple adjusts to support the lumbar area and the comfort feel varying from soft to hard as the user requires.

AMENDED CLAIMS

[received by the International Bureau on 3 April 2000 (03.04.00); original claims 1-5 replaced by new claims 1-3 (1 page)]

(1) The invention, the Lumbar Support and Comfort Feel Adjustment Device is inserted inside mattresses, of all forms of manufacture at the outer surface of the quilted panel or pillow top or exterior surface and/or on top or between interior layers of upholstery either man made or natural fibres placed at different levels inside mattresses.

(2) T e device, an airtight bag-like structure with various sized rib like sections is inflated through an airline whilst inserted inside mattresses of all forms of manufacture, to support the lumbar area of users in the so called maximum body weight area of mattresses and by varying the quantity of air inflated and deflated into and out of the device changes the surface feel from soft to hard and vice versa at the level required by the user.

(3) The device, when inserted inside mattresses is infinitely adjustable by inflation or deflation of air by manual, battery powered, or electronically powered means to facilitate the required lumbar support and/or comfort feel adjustment as required by the users in mattresses of all forms of manufacture. "Statement under Article 19(1)"

The impacts the amended Claims 1 to 3 might have on the Claims disclosure of the Lumbar Support and Comfort Feel Adjustment Device PCT No. PCT/AU99/01099 are:

The eiimination of aii reference to Office Chair, Chairs, Seating cr Seat Backs in the Claims.