AU652811B2

AU652811B2 - Body supporting part or cushion made of polyurethane soft foam material

Info

Publication number: AU652811B2
Application number: AU13835/92A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Brigitte Erbse; Hans-Christof Ortmann
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Erbse Brigitte
Priority date: 1991-04-12
Filing date: 1992-03-26
Publication date: 1994-09-08
Anticipated expiration: 2012-03-26
Also published as: AT400921B; AU1383592A; DE4111951C2; ATA74492A; CH683316A5; DE4111951A1

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

Int. Class Class Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Priority Related Art: Name of Applicant: 0.0 @0Name of Applicant: Brigitte Erbse, Harr- hGa-otf bm--- :*Actual Inventor(s): Brigitte Erbse Address for Service: *a 104 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 367 Collins Street Melbourne 3000 AUSTRALIA S Invention Title: BODY SUPPORTING PART OR CUSHION MADE OF POLYURETHANE SOFT FOAM MATERIAL Our Ref 283059 :POF Code: 168541/168559,168567 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to applicant(s): 1- 6006 BODY SUPPORTING PART OR CUSHION MADE OF POLYURETHANE SOFT FOAM MATERIAL The invention relates to a body support or cushion, constructed as an overlay, insert or underlay made from polyurethane soft foam material, suitable for mattresses or the like, transportable travel rests, back rests for seating furniture, etc.

Millions c. people ruffer from permanent backaches, muscular tensions and intervertebral disc damages.

This is the result of the bad postures by the modern man, in particular at work, which is carried out nowadays mostly in the sitting position, during incorrect lifting of heavy objects, wrong movements, etc. Mattresses and spring frames used for beds and for the purpose of lying down on can also be blamed for injuries to the spinal column region. Whilst lying down or sleeping, the spinal column should be supported in a manner which would relieve it of any injuries produced during the day. However, this will not be achieved or only to a small degree A'ith known mattresses which are constructed as simple cushions, or j •.even in case of modern mattresses with an upholstered 25 spring core or the popular polyurethane mattresses made of g polyurethane soft foam material. The injuries to the spinal region are often made even worse by the known mattresses, so that no recovery is made while lying down.

Generally the support, which would be suitable for the spinal column, is missing for seating furniture, like chairs, sofas, etc., and are not found even in treatment couches in the medical and therapeutical field.

Therefore the object of the invention is to produce an improved support or cushion made of foamed polyurethane •e (PUR), which provides support to the spinal column of the user.

39~ 2 According to this invention there is provided a body support or cushion constructed as an overlay, insert or underlay made from polyurethane soft foam material, having a stiffened central region provided by two channel-like hollow spaces each filled with an elongate reinforcing element, when the support is correctly positioned relative to a user. The spaces extend symmetrically both sides of the user's vertebrae diverging from the cervical vertebrae to the posterior area of the user.

In the dependent claims developments which are preferred, advantagaeous and beneficial are being claimed.

Therefore ir. case of the body support or cushion made of polyurethane soft foam material the central region is reinforced over a part of its length to provide support and relief of the spinal column of the user. This reinforcement is not completely rigid, but has a certain elastic flexibility, so that an effective support of the entire spinal column will be achieved. This is achieved by the support or cushion having two channel-like hollow spaces situated symmetrically to the longitudinal central axis or line, in each of which an elongated reinforcing element is provided, filling them out. These reinforcing elements may be constructed as rods or tubes and are made preferably of plastics. The hollow spaces, in which these reinforcing elements are provided, extend over the entire space occupied by the spinal column of the user, while they diverge from the region of the cervical vertebrae of 30 the user through the dorsal vertebrae in the direction of the posterior region. According to a preferred embodiment, the reinforcing elements have circular or polygonal cross-sections. It is also preferred that the support or cushion consists of several superpr'ed layers made of polyurethane soft foam material, which include the entire surface of the supporting part, and their densities and hardnesses are different corresponding to the body weight of the user. The reinforcing elements may also be 3 adapted with regard to their dimensions, i.e. especially VF 3 >VF -3-

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1~ diameter and length, to suit the body weight of the user, so that an optimum support of the spinal column could be achieved. A further improvement of the correct support of the spinal column with simultaneous relaxation of the musculature is achieved by that the supporting part, especially when constructed as a mattress or cushion overlay, is supported by a slatted frame, which has several flexible battens provided in the longitudinal direction, consequently parallel to the spinal column and to each other. In a useful manner the slatted frame, on which the support part rests, has in the region of the foot a transverse supporting strut. At the same time the flexible battens are made of two parts, resting at the one end on the rear and front, respectively, transverse frame parts and at the other on the supporting strut.

With the support part made of soft foam material, and possibly in combination with the slatted frame with the flexible battens, support and relief of the spinal column, the ligaments and the joints can be achieved.

Due to the optimum support of the spinal column by means of the claimed support or cushion, in combination with the slatted frame, the natural body functions can be restored again. The defective tensions, which the spinal e column has absorbed during the day, will be reduced by the S: correct lying during the night or during a rest period, so that the spinal column can be relieved. In this manner blockages of individual vertebrae can be prevented. The pressure will be taken up by the intervertebral discs, so that the size of the body and the elasticity and load carrying capacity of the spinal column will be S" maintained. Nerve muscle irritations will be regulated.

At this stage the invention is explained in detail 0*e based on embodiments in conjunction with the drawing.

Shown is: in Fig. 1 a top view on the supporting part, constructed ,39o as a mattress, 4 in Fig. 2 a section through the mattress, according to the section line II-II of Fig. 1, in Fig. 3 an enlarged cross-section through one of the reinforcing elements, in Fig. 4 an enlarged cross-section through another embodiment of the reinforcinq element, and

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o 3* 39 oo 39 5 in Fig.5 the top view on a slatted frame for the support of the supporting part or support cushion constructed as a mattress or a base.

The support or cushion 4a& schematically illustrated in Figs.1 and 2 is constructed as a mattress and is made of a multi-layer polyurethane soft foam material. As this can be clearly seen, three superposed foam material layers 1, 2 and 3 are there provided. Naturally, further layers can be also envisaged should this be useful. The single layers 1, 2 and 3 cover the entire surface of the mattress and depending ftimthe body weight of the user have different density and hardness. The layer thicknesses can also be different; in Fig.2 one -can scc ehat the thickness of layer 1 is greater than the thickness of layer 2, which in turn is greater than the thickness of the top layer 3. The central area of the mattress is constructed with reinforcement to support the spinal column and to provide relief for it. For this purpose two channel-like hollow spaces 4 and are provided in the mattress, which are symmetrically arranged relative the longitudinal axis 6 of the mattress. These hollow spaces 4 and 5 extend over the entire neck, back and posterior areas of the user and are filled with an elongated reinforcing element 7 and 8, respectively. As this can be clearly seen in Fig.1, the hollow spaces 4 and 5 are not exactly parallel with the longitudinal centre line or axis 6 of the mattress and thus with the spinal column, but both hollow spaces 4 and 5 diverge from the head area towards the posterior area. Altogether the f't" arrangement of the hollow spaces 4 and 5 and of the reinforcing elements 7, 8 which are to fill them are such, that the spinal column of the user is well supported and relieved over its entire length. At the same time the reinforcing elements 7, 8 are not rigidly constructed, but have a certain elasticity. The reinforcing elements 7, 8 inserted into the hollow spaces 4, are constructed as rods or tubes, which are made 4-n parti4ulOof plastic materials. Fig.3 shows that this reinforcing tube has a circular cross-section. However, rods with polygonal, especially octagonal, cross-section may be used, as this is shown in Fig.4. The dimensions of the reinforcing elements 4, i.e. their length, diameter, their wall thickness (in case tubes are being used), are selected depending from the body weight of the user, so that in every case a good adaptation is feasible to suit the requirements, together with the selected density, hardness and thickness of the individual foam material layers 1, 2 and 3. The spinal column of the user is brought into an optimum relieved position by these reinforcing elements 7, 8, which run in the longitudinal direction, so that the entire musculature will be relieved and relaxed.

A further improvement i1-1-be achieved by-.that kthe mattress) with the inserted reinforcing elements 7 and 8,is supported and held on a slatted frame 9, according to Fig.5. This slatted frame 9 *consists of a frame 10 with two longitudinal frame parts 11 and 12 and two transverse frame parts 13 and 14. On the frame longitudinally positioned flexible battens 15 are provided, which are parallel with each other and with the to-be-supported spinal column. In the region of the foot of the slatted frame 9 a transverse supporting strut 16 is provided. The flexible battens 15 are divided into two and are resting and held with their ends at one end on the transverse frame part 13 and 14, respectively, and on the other on the supporting strut 16.

The reinforcing elements 7 and 8 may also be provided in the 6. back rest of a seating furniture, like a sofa or a chair, or in 0 0 25 a back cushion which lies against the back rest, for the purpose of supporting the spinal columr of the user securely and in a relaxed manner also in the sitting position. Furthermore, the reinforcing elements 7, 8 may also be provided inside of a transportable travel rest, so that even during travelling a secure support of the spinal column is ensured all the time.

Equally, a therapeutical couch, for example, can be reinforced at the centre, i.e. equipped with the reinforcing elements 7 and 8, as well as there are many feasible applications. Thus the bod(y supporting part can be used in a variety of applications, as a overlay, insert or underlay.

Claims

2. A support according to claim i, wherein the reinforcing elements are constructed of tubes, made of plastic.
3. A support according to claim i, wherein the reinforcing elements are constructed of rods, made of plastic. S"i A support according to claims 2 or 3, wherein the tubes or rods have a circular cross-section.
5. A support according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the tubes or rods have a polygonal cross-section.
6. A support according to any one of the claims 1 to 5, wherein it consists of several superposed layers made of polyurethane foam material having densities and i" hardnesses adapted to suit the body weight of the user.
7. A support according to claim 6, wherein the foam material layers have different densities.
08. A support according to any one of the claims i to 7, wherein the dimensions of the reinforcing elements are adapted to suit the body weight of the user.
9. A support according to any one of the claims 1. to 8 used in the construction of mattresses or overlays, which lies on top of a slatted frame wherein the slatted frame has several flexible battens which are parallel and at a distance to each other in the longitudinal direction of the frame.
10. A support according to claim 9, wherein the slatted frame has in the region of the foot a transverse supporting strut wherein the flexible battens are transversely divided according to the position of the 39 transverse supporting strut and rest at one end on the 8 foot and head of the frame, respectively, and at the other on the supporting strut.
11. A body support substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated. DATED: 12 July 1994 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Attorneys for: BRIGITTE ERBSE r'~A A. o o o L oe o o *o *eo 39 5361b VF 9 Abstract The invention refers to a body supporting part constructed as an overlay, insert or underlay, in particular a mattress for beds. The body support part consists of a polyurethane soft foam material in several layers and is reinforced in its central region. This is achieved by that the supporting part has two channel-like hollow spaces 5) situated symmetrically to the longitudinal central axis in each of which an elongated /0 reinforcing element 8) is provided. The reinforcing elements 8) may be constructed as tubes or rods. The channel-like hollow spaces 5) extend over the entire length of the spinal column of the user and run diverging up to his/her posterior. In 6. a useful manner the suprorting part, which is constructed as a •5 mattress, lies on a slasted frame with several longitudinally situated flexible battens. With the support part, and possibly in combination with the slatted frame, a complete support and relief of the spinal column, the ligaments and the joints is achieved. Any tension will be taken up by the spinal column; defective tensions will be neutralised and/or prevented, so that even long standing posture damages of the spinal column could be corrected. 9 (Fig.l) o .9*