CA2132776A1 - Cushion for removable attachment to rigid, planar supports - Google Patents

Abstract

TITLE
Cushion For Removable Attachment to Rigid, Planar Supports ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A cushion which can be removably attached to rigid, planar supports is disclosed according to the preferred teachings of the present invention including a flexible insulator removably received within a flexible bag-like covering. The insulator in its preferred form includes first and second reflective layers sandwiching sealed, multiple air cell material. The cushion has a size and shape complementary to the top surface of the support and can be removably held thereon by fasteners which in the preferred form are VELCRO? fasteners secured to the bottom surface of the covering and the top surface of the support such as by double-sided adhesive tape whereby the cushion is located intermediate the support and the user kneeling, laying or otherwise supported thereon. Flexible abrasive strips are further secured to the bottom surface of the covering and intermediate the fasteners to prevent slipping of the cushion upon the work area. In a first preferred form, the cushion is approximately one-half the size of the support, with the user kneeling on the cushion while the remaining portions of the support hold repair tools. A handle in the form of a cord extends through apertures formed in the support adjacent its top end.
In another preferred form, the cushion includes three portions, which can be folded for storage, with each of the portions including abrasive strips parallel to the fold lines.

Description

~t3277S

1 Cushion For Removable Attachment to Rlgid, Planar Supports CROSS REFERENCE
The present application is a continuation-in-part of pending applicatlon Serial No. 08/034,071 filed March 22, 1993 which is a continuation-in-part of application Serial No. 07/601,030 filed October 19, 1990, now U.S. Patent No.
5,195,763 which is a contlnuation of application Serial No. 07/264,995 filed October 31, 1988, now abandoned.
BACKGROUND
The present invention generally relates to cushions, and partlcularly to cushions which can be removably attached to rigid, planar supports.
Repair of many types of equipment requires the mechanic or other repair person to kneel or lay on the 15 ground, floor or other worX area to effect that repair.
It can then be appreciated that the ground, floor or other work area is often not conducive to supporting the mechanic or other repair person especially when such repair ls taking place in the field. Specifically, the ~132776 1 ground, floor or other work area could be cold and/or wet or could be covered with snow or other types of resldue. -Further, the ground, floor or other work area could be extremely rough such as covered with gravel, crushed rock, or the like such as along railroad tracks where repair of railroad equipment was being undertaken or along roads - -where repair of trucks, buses, or other vehicles was being undertaken. ~ :
It was very common for mechanics or other repair 10 persons to utilize a piece of cardboard or the like to lie or kneel on. However, while initially such piece of - ;-cardboard or the like would help keep the mechanic or other repalr person dry and relatively clean, cardboard over time will absorb moisture and other residues and 15 also provides minimal protection against the cold and/or against rough surfaces. Also, cardboard or the like has -- -a tendency to easily slip and slide upon the ground, floor -or other work area especially when covered with snow or - ~ ~
other types of residue which make the ground, floor or - -20 other work area slippery.
Thus, a need exists for cushions upon which the mechanic or other repair person can kneel, lay, or be otherwise supported during repair of equipment, and which can be removably attached to rigid, planar supports 25 allowing securement and removal without the use of tools and being free from pro~ections which would detract from the comfort to the user supported on the support.
SUMMARY
.. ..
The present invention solves this and other needs and 30 problems in the field of support cushions by providing a flexible cushion of a size complementary to a rigid, planar support and including a lower surface which is releasably secured to the top surface of the support without the use of tools and which is free of pro~ections 35 which would detract from the comfort to the user when the i-cushion is intermediate the support and the user when the user is supported on the support.

~132776 1 In the preferred form, the cushion is removably secured to the rlgld support by fastener portions such as VELCR0~ hook and loop fasteners secured to the cushion and to the top surface of the support such that the cushion is intermediate the fastener portions and the user supported on the support.
In the most preferred form, the cushion has a width substantially less than the support and is parallel and adjacent to the top end of the support and parallel to and 10 spaced from the bottom end of the support 50 that the portion of the support not covered by the cusion can hold repalr tools in front of and whlle the user kneels on the cushion.
In another aspect of the present inventlon, the 15 flexible cushions include flexible abrasive strips secured to the lower surface of the cushlon to prevent sllpping of the cushion upon the work area. In a preferred form of the present lnvention, the cushion is folded into thirds, with each portion including an abrasive strip arranged 20 parallel to the fold lines.
Additlonally, in the preferred form, the cushlon includes a flexible insulator received withln a flexlble coverlng. In its most preferred form, the insulator includes flrst and second reflective layers sandwiching 25 sealed, multiple air cell material. The reflective layers reflect body heat back to the user and cold away from the user. The alr encapsulated in the air cells of the material acts as insulation in reducing heat transfer and provides a resilient, cushion-type support for the user.
It is thus an ob~ect of the present invention to provide a cushion for removable attachment to a rigid, planar support. ~-It is further an ob~ect of the present invention to provide such a novel cushion which is free from pro~ections 35 from the top surfacs of the rigid, planar support.
It is further an ob~ect of the present invention to provide such a novel cushion which is securable without the use of tools.

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~132776 1 It is further an ob~ect of the present invention to provide such a novel cushion including non-slip provisions relative to the work area.
It is further an ob~ect of the present invention to provide such a novel cushion which does not require factory installation to the rigid, planar support.
It is further an ob~ect of the present invention to provide such a novel cushion which stops chills from entering the area of the back, buttocks, and upper legs of 10 a user.
It is further an ob;ect of the present invention to provide such a novel cushion which reflects and retains body warmth.
It is further an ob~ect of the present invention to 15 provide such a novel cushion which is thin.
It is further an ob~ect of the present invention to provide such a novel cushion which is flexible.
It is further an ob~ect of the present invention to provide such a novel cushion which is comfortable.
It is further an ob~ect of the present invention to provide such a novel cushion which is moisture proof. -~
It is further an ob~ect of the present invention to provide such a novel cushion which reflects cold away from the user.
It is further an ob;ect of the present inven~ion to provide such a novel cushion which is not prone to being pulled from the rigid, planar support by the movement of the user.
These and further ob;ects and advantages of the 30 present invention will become clearer in light of the followlng detailed descrlption of illustrative embodiments of this invention described in connection wlth the drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The lllustratlve embodlments may best be described by reference to the accompanylng drawings where:
Flgure 1 shows an exploded perspectlve vlew of a cushlon for removable attachment to a rigid, planar 1 support according to the preferred teachings of the present lnvention, wlth portions being broken away.
Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional vlew of the rigid support cushion of Figure 1 according to section line 2-2 of Figure 1.
Figure 3 shows an exploded perspective view o~ another embodiment of a cushion for removable attachment to a rigid, planar support according to the preferred teachings of the present invention.
Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the cushion of Figure 3 in a folded condition.
All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the Figures with respect to number, 15 position, relationshlp, and dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiments will be explained or wlll be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and 20 dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present inventlon have been read and understood.
Where used in the various figures of the drawings, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts.
Furthermore, when the terms "top", "bottom", "first", "second~', "inside", "outside", "inner~', "outer~, "interior", and similar terms are used herein, it should 30 be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawings as it would appear to a person viewing the drawings and are utilized only to facilitate describing the invention.
DESCRIPTION
A cushion for removable attachment to rigid, planar supports or the like according to the preferred teachings of the present invention is shown in the drawings and is generally deslgnated 10. In the preferred form, support 14 supports the mechanic or other repair person thereon, ~ ~132776 1 with the user being supported on support 14 generally either by kneellng or laylng thereon. Partlcularly, support 14 ls formed of rlgld, planar material such as rlgid sheets lncludlng but not limlted to plywood and has a top end 70, a bottom end 72, and first and second sides 74 around a top surface 76. In the most preferred form, support 12 includes a handle 78 located ad~acent top end 70 thereof, wlth handle 78 ln the most preferred form being formed of a flaccid member such as a cord or rope - ~ -10 having its opposite ends secured to support 14 ad~acent top end 70 and in the most preferred form by having the ends of the rope passlng through spaced apertures formed ln support 14 and lncludlng knots for abuttlng wlth the bottom surface of support 14.
15 Cushion 10 is flexlble and includes a flexible covering 22 and a lamlnated insulator 24. Insulator 24 is thln, soft, llghtwelght, flexlble, cushlony, heat reflective, ~ - ;
and molsture proof. Speclflcally, in the preferred form of the present invention, insulator 24 is formed of layers ~-20 26 and 28 of sealed, multiple air cell material sandwiched between first and second metalized plastlc sheet or ~-~
metallic foil or other reflectlve member or layers 30 and -~
32. It can then be appreclated that layers 26 and 28 are --formed of plastlc material and as such do not absorb or 25 hold water. Slmilarly, layers 30 and 32 do not absorb or -hold water. It can further be appreclated that the air encapsulated ln layers 26 and 28 acts as an insulator ln reduclng heat transfer. Slmllarly, layers 26 and 28 provlde a reslllent, cushlon-type support as the ; 30 encapsuled alr wlthln layers 26 and 28 can be compressed to act in the manner of a shock absorber and spring. In ~ -the most preferred form, insulator 24 ls one-fourth of an lnch (0.64 cm) thlck. In the preferred embodlment, two lnsulators 24 are utlllzed ln an abuttlng relatlon ln each 35 cushlon 10.
Flexlble coverlng 22 ls a bag-like component having an open top 34 for receipt of and encloslng lnsulator 24. :

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~132776 1 Generally, coverlng 22 lncludes two halves 36 and 38 having a shape and size correspondlng to but sllghtly larger than insulator 24. Halves 36 and 38 are ~olned by their side and bottom peripheries such as by stitching.
Suitable provisions 40 such as VELCRO~ hook and loop type fasteners may be provlded for releasably closing open top 34 to allow removable placement of insulator 24 within interior 35 of covering 22.
In its most preferred form, covering 22 may be formed 10 Of flexible material such as fabric or vinyl which can be stain and wear resistant, spark and flame resistant, non-static, washable, and comfortable to the touch of the skin of the user. Additionally, covering 22 has a coloring -which can be easily seen, with visibility being especially 15 important in work areas ad~acent to vehicular or other types of traffic.
Cushion 10 according to the teachings of the present invention has a shape complementary to top surface 76 of support 14 and specifically to support 14 betweenjsides 74 20 and between top and bottom ends 70 and 72 of support 14.
According to the teachings of the present invention, cushion 10 includes provisions 42 for releasably securing covering 22 to support 14 to allow easy removal without the use of tools. Specifically, ln its most preferred form, 25 provision 42 is VELCRO~ hook and loop-type fasteners and generally includes a first portion 44 which may be either the hook or loop fastener portion and a second portion 46 which may be the other of the hook or loop fastener portion and which is removably interconnectable to portion 310 44. In its most preferred form, portion 44 is permanently secured to half 38 of covering 22 forming the lower surface of cushion 10 such as by adhesive or sewing and independent of ins~lation 24. Suitable provision 48 is further provided to permanently secure portion 46 to top surface 35 76 of support 14 such as double-sided adhesive tape having a first slde adhered to portion 46 and a second side covered by a removable protective covering sheet 50.

```` ~132776 1 Thus, after sheet S0 has been removed from tape 48, the second side of tape 48 can be adhered to top surface 76 of support 14. In lts most preferred form, two provlsions 42 are provlded extendlng generally parallel to and ad~acent but spaced from sldes 74 of platform 14. Thus, provisions 42 releasably secure cushion 10 to top surface 76 of support 14. Cushion 10 has a thickness generally equal to the thickness of insulator 24, as the thickness of halves ~:
36 and 3~ is relatively small, and speclfically has a ~:~
10 thickness in the range of 5/B inch ~1.59 cm). Cushion 10 ~ ~ -according to the teachings of the present invention is lightweight. -~
In the most preferred form~ cushion 10 further includes a flexible, thin, non-slip abrasive strip 80 15 secured to half 38 of covering 22 forming the lower :
surface of cushion 10 such as by adhesive or sewing.
In the most preferred form, strip 80 is elongated having ~ - .
a length slightly less than cushion 10. Strip 80 has a width which is substantially less and specifically a 20 fraction of its length and specifically of a width in the ;~
order of 4 inches (10 cm). ~-In a first preferred form as shown in Figure 1, cushion 10 and support 14 support the user kneeling upon ~
cushion 15. Specifically, support 14 has a width between - ~-25 ends 70 and 72 which is substantially larger and in the ~ :
most preferred form twice the corresponding dimension of ;~
cushion 10, with portions 46 generally extending from top ~ :h end 70 towards but spaced from bottom end 72. In the most ~. :
preferred form, support 14 is 32 inches (81 cm) long and 30 24 inches (61 cm) wide and cushion 10 is 32 lnches (~l cm) long and 12 inches (30 cm) wide. Strip 80 has a length to fit intermediate portions 44 secured to cushion 22, and particularly in the order of 22 inches (55 cm).
In another preferred form as shown in Figure 3, 35 cushion 10 and support 14 support the user typically ~:~
laying upon cushion 10. Speclfically, support 14 has a width between ends 70 and 72 and a length between sides ~ ~132776 1 whlch ls substantially equal to the correspondlng dimensions of cushion 10. In the most preferred form, cushion 10 and support 14 are 53 inches ~135 cm) long and 35 lnches (9o cm) wide. In the most preferred form, cushion 10 ls foldable lnto thlrds including a central portion lOa lncluding wlng portlons lOb and lOc plvotally mounted to the side edges thereof. Cushion 10 can lnclude sultable provislons such as an elastic band to removably hold cushlon 10 in its folded condltion. In the most 10 preferred form, each of portions lOa-c includes strip 80 extending parallel to the fold lines therebetween and has a length less than cushion 10 and particularly in the order of 24 inches (60 cm). Portions 44 are secured to portlons lOb and lOc parallel to and outward of strips 80 15 and lntermedlate the edges of cushlon 10 and strlps 80.
Now that the construction of cushion 10 according to the teachinss of the present lnvention has been explained, the preferred uses and advantages of cushion 10 can be set forth and appreciated. Speclfically, one preferred use 20 of cushion 10 and support 14 according to the preferred ~--teachings of the present inventlon as shown ln Flgure 1 is for the user to kneel on cushion 10 with the portion of support 14 not covered by cushion 10 located intermediate the user and the equipment needlng repair. It can then be 25 appreclated that provisions 42 securely hold cushion 10 on support 14 to prevent cushion 10 from sllpplng or other-wlse sllding while the user is kneeling thereon. Tools required for the repair of the equlpment can then be laln on support 14 in front of cushion 10 where they are easy ! ~ 30 to reach and see and are kept clean. Also, the tools are not as likely to be mixed with gravel or other loose coverings of the work area and are not as likely to be left behlnd when the repalr has been completed. It is possible that support 14 could lnclude suitable provisions 35 for attachlng at least some of the tools frequently utilized by the user to support 14 ln front of cushion 10.
Thus, such tools would be transportable with support 14 and cushion 10 to the repair site. ~

':

~ 32776 -10- ' 1It can then be appreciated that the location and the preferred form of handle 78 according to the preferred teachlngs of the present invention is particularly advantageous. Specifically, handle 78 ls posltioned at top end 70 and specifically on the side of cushion 10 opposite to the portion of support 14 which is not covered by cushion 10. It can be appreciated that top end 70 is -then located farthest away from the equipment needing repair and support 14 can be easily lifted to a vertlcal 10 condition by simply pulling up on handle 78. Additionally, since support 14 is positioned on the ground, lt ls not necessary for the user to pry under an edge of support 14 to partially llft sùpport 14 such as would be required to get flngers ln a hand hole cut ln support 14, wlth such a 15 hand hole also being susceptible to plugglng with snow or ~-other loose cover from the work area. Rather, accordlng to the preferred teachings of the present invention, the hand of the user can be easily inserted into rope handle 78 and simply pulled up to raise support 14 and cushion 10 20 into a vertical condition for transport. --~
In the other preferred form as shown in Figure 3, cushion 10 and support 14 typlcally support the user laylng upon cushion 10. Specifically, support 14 and -cushion 10 secured thereto can be slid under the equipment ~-25 to be repaired such as under the frame of a truck, boxcar, -~
or the like, and the user can crawl under the equipment and upon cushion 10 and typically lay thereon working on the equipment overhead. It can then be appreciated that provisions 42 securely hold cushion 10 on support 14 to ~--30 prevent cushion 10 from slipping or otherwise sliding while the user is laying or crawling thereon.
It can then be appreciated that the use of support 14 is particularly advantageous. Flrst, support 14 protects -cushlon 10 from the ground, floor or other work area.
35 Specifically, gravel, crushed rock, or other loose debris on the work area can have a tendency to cut or otherwlse deform covering 22 and cushion 10 if placed dlrectly ~132776 1 thereon. Additionally, support 14 raises cushlon 10 up from water, oil, and like debris upon the work area which can have a tendency to be absorbed by or adhere to cushlon 10. Further, because of the increased mass of support 14 such as when formed of plywood, support 14 and cushlon 10 secured thereto will have less of a tendency to slip or otherwise slide upon the work area than cushion 10 by itself or than a piece of cardboard or the like.
Due to its thinness, cushion 10 may be positioned on 10 support 14 between sides 74 without bulkiness ln a manner as shown in the drawings such that the user may kneel or ~-lay thereon and without a significant increase in the overall hei~ht of support 14. Particularly, cushion 10 according to the teachings of the present invention may ~ -15 be marketed separately from support 14 for use separate from support 14 and/or can be removably secured to support 14. Cushion 10 is not required to be assembled to support 14 during its manufacture and does not require bolts or the like extending through yolks or other rigid attachment 20 devices.
It should then be appreciated that provisions 40 and 42 are advantageous. Specifically, provisions 40 and 42 are flat, flexible, soft, and thin such that they do not ~- -provide raised pro~ections or obstructions from support 25 14 when cushion 10 is removably secured to top surface 76 -thereof. Further, as insulator 24 is located intermediate provisions 42 and 48 and strips 80 and the user supported on support 14, insulator 24 acts as a buffer to the -limited increase in thickness resulting from provisions ~
30 42 and 48 and strips 80. Similarly, it can be appreciated - ~-that provisions 42 and 48 and strips 80 are located intermediate the top surface of support 14 and half 38 of covering 22 and thus do not extend over or from the periphery or half 36 of covering 22 and ends 70 and 72 35 and sides 74 of support 14 in its most preferred form. ~ -~
It can then be appreciated that snaps, yoke members, bolts and other attachment devices would provide raised ~' ' '~ ' ~132776 1 pro~ections from support 14 which would detract from the comfort when the user is kneeling, laying or otherwise supported thereon. Further, cushion 10 can be easlly removed from support 14 without the use of tools simply by pulling on cushion 10 separating portlons 44 and 46.
According to the preferred teachings of the present invention, layer 30 reflects the user's body heat back to the user and similarly, layer 32 reflects away the cold ~-from support 14 or the like. This feature maximizes the 10 use of the u'ser's body heat in keeping warm. Further, with layers 26 and 28 of insulator 24, this feature also reduces the loss of the user's body heat such that the user's body heat is retained.
Covering 22 according to the preferred teachings of -15 the present invention adds comfort to the user as it covers insulator 24 and specifically layer 30 thereof such -~
that layer 30 does not directly engage the user's sXin ~;
and clothing as layers 30 and 32 of insulator 24 may be abrasive to the user's skin and outer garments. Further, 20 covering 22 can absorb any perspiration of the user and keeps insulator 24 from sticking to the user's skin from such perspiration to provide added comfort. Additionally, due to the releasably closable nature of open top 34, covering 22 may be cleaned after insulator 24 is removed ~ ~
25 from interior 35 thereof. -Cushion 10 accordlng to the teachings of the present invention protects the back, buttocks, and legs of the ~-user supported thereon by kneeling or laying thereon from - -cold ob~ects, winds and dampness and to thus keep these ! '3'0 parts of the body warm, dry, and comfortable. Thus, cold chills are stopped from entering the user's back, buttocks, and legs to avoid painful, sore, aching muscles induced by cold chills. This is especially important because the user is ad~acent cold floors, ground, or like work areas.
35 Further, due to its lightweight, thin, and flexible nature, cushion 10 according to the teachings of the present invention may be comfortably utilized without restricting , .

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~132776 1 body movement. It can then be appreclated that cushlon 10 according to the teachings of the present inventlon provides a synergistlc combination for solving the problems associated with cold, damp, and/or windy conditions and/or associated with kneeling and/or laying on the relatively hard surface of support 14 and/or the work area.
When not attached to support 14, cushion 10 can be easily stored in a flat condition or, due to its flexible nature, in either a folded or rolled condition or the 10 like. In this regard, cushion 10 of Figure 3 is particularly advantageous as lt can be stored in a flat condition behind the seat of the repair truck or other vehicle when not in use. Thus, cushion 10 according to the preferred teachings of the present lnvention ls -15 always available whenever the vehicle ls taken to a fleld location for repair of equipment.
Alternately, cushion 10 can be stored accordlng to the teachings of the present invention while attached to support 14. In this regard, support 14 can be removably 20 attached to a wall in a vertical condition by any suitable means such as by hanging support 14 by handle 78 from a nail or other type of hook. Likewise, handle 78 could be hooked on a welding dolly or other cart including other -repair equipment which is wheeled to the repair location.
25 It can then be appreciated that since cushion 10 is removably secured to support 14 by provision 42, cushion 10 will also be in a vertical condition against support 14. Tn such a posit1On, cushion 10 will allow snow, moisture, or other liquids absorbed in or adhered to 30 cushion 10 to fall or drain therefrom under gravitational forces and/or to evaporate or otherwise be removed from cushlon 10. Additionally, cushion 10 and support 14 are then located at an out-of-the-way location which is hiyhly visible and accessible allowing them to be quickly and 35 easily removed when desired.
Although in the most preferred form of the present invention cushion 10 has been shown and described for ~132776 1 releasable securement to support 14, cushlon 10 accordlng to the preferred teachings of the present lnventlon may be utilized separately. Specifically, often kneeling or laying on a hard work area such as a concrete slab, metal decking, a roadway, or the like is quite tirlng and hard on the body. When support 14 is not available such as when it is not convenient to transport it to the repair -location due to its size and weight, cushion 10 can be simply placed upon the ground, floor or other work area 10 with the user kneeling or laying thereon. Thus, many of the advantages of cushion 10 set forth previously as well as others can be obtained according to the teachings of the present invention. However, without support 14, cushion 10 may have a tendency to slip or otherwise slide 15 upon the ground, floor or other work area especlally if -such area is slippery such as being covered with an oil film, ice, snow, or the like. This can be disastrous especially when the user is getting initially positioned on cushion 10. It can then be appreciated that abrasive -20 strips 80 are especially effective in preventing cushion 10 from slipping or otherwise sliding upon the ground, floor or other work area. When utillzed without support -14, portion 44 can simply engage the work area without detriment. In fact, the flexibility of cushion 10 and of 25 strips 80 is partlcularly advantageous in following the contour of the work area to maximize the area that strips ` -80 abut with the work area. Thus~ cushion 10 is able to ~-be utilized with or without support 14 as desired and depending upon the particular circumstances of the repair site.
Likewise, although in the most preferred form two air cell material insulators 24 are utilized, one or both layers of insulators 24 could be formed of other materials such as low density expanded ethylene-vinyl acetate 35 copolymers such as sold under the trademark EVALITE by Monarch Rubber Co. In the most preferred form, one layer of each is provided with the air cell material being J Y .: a ~

~132776 1 located intermediate support 14 and the other layer of expanded copolymer materlal, whlch is whlte ln the preferred form to reflect rather than absorb heat. Such an arrangement creates a space from the reflectlve layers 30 and 32 to enhance the heat reflection thereby and enhances the elasticity of the air cell material.
Thus since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or general characteristics thereof, some of -10 which forms have been indicated, the embodiments -described herein are to be considered in all respects ~-illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is to be indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes -15 which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.
What is claimed is:

Claims (20)

1. A device for supporting a user upon a work area comprising, in combination: a rigid, planar support having a top end, a bottom end, and first and second sides around a top surface, with the user being supported on the top surface of the rigid, planar support; a cushion of a size complementary to the top surface of the rigid, planar support, with the cushion having a length generally equal to the distance between the first and second sides and a width substantially less than the distance between the top and bottom ends and including an upper surface and a lower surface, with the user being supported on the upper surface of the cushion and the lower surface being on the opposite side of the cushion than the upper surface; and means for releasably securing the lower surface of the cushion to the top surface of the rigid, planar support with the cushion located parallel and adjacent to the top end and spaced from and parallel to the bottom end and with the cushion being intermediate the user and the rigid, planar support when the user is kneeling upon the rigid, planar support.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising, in combination: a handle secured to the rigid, planar support adjacent the top end.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the handle comprises an elongated flaccid member extending through at least first and second apertures formed in the rigid, planar support adjacent to the top end.

4. The device of claim 3 further comprising, in combination: a flexible abrasive strip secured to the lower surface of the cushion to prevent slipping of the cushion upon the work area.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the releasably securing means comprises first and second fastener portions secured to the lower surface of the cushion in a spaced parallel arrangement; and third and fourth fastener portions directly secured to the top surface of the rigid, planar support for removable interconnection to the first and second fastener portions, with the fastener portions being flat and thin and being free of projections which would detract from the comfort to the user supported on the rigid, planar support and upon the cushion, with the abrasive strip being intermediate the first and second fastener portions.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the third and fourth fastener portions are secured to the rigid, planar support by double-sided adhesive tape having a first adhesive side secured to the second fastener portion and a second adhesive side covered by a removable protective covering sheet and for securing to the top surface of the rigid, planar support.

7. The device of claim 1 further comprising, in combination: a flexible abrasive strip secured to the lower surface of the cushion to prevent slipping of the cushion upon the work area.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the cushion comprises, in combination: a flexible insulator received within a flexible covering; and wherein the releasably securing means comprises means for releasably securing the flexible covering to the top surface of the rigid, planar support, with the releasably securing means being independent of the flexible insulator.

9. A device for supporting a user upon a work area comprising, in combination: a rigid, planar support having a top end, a bottom end, and first and second sides around a top surface, with the user being supported on the top surface of the rigid, planar support; a cushion of a size complementary to the top surface of the rigid, planar support, with the cushion including an upper surface and a lower surface, with the user being supported on the upper surface of the cushion and the lower surface being on the opposite side of the cushion than the upper surface; means for releasably securing the lower surface of the cushion to the top surface of the rigid, planar support with the cushion being intermediate the user and the rigid, planar support when the user is supported upon the rigid, planar support;
and at least a first flexible abrasive strip secured to the lower surface of the cushion to prevent slipping of the cushion upon the work area.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the releasably securing means comprises first and second fastener portions secured to the lower surface of the cushion in a spaced parallel arrangement; and third and fourth fastener portions directly secured to the top surface of the rigid, planar support for removable interconnection to the first and second fastener portions, with the fastener portions being flat and thin and being free of projections which would detract from the comfort to the user supported on the rigid, planar support and upon the cushion, with the abrasive strip being intermediate the first and second fastener portions.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein the cushion has a length generally equal to the distance between the first and second sides and a width substantially less than the distance between the top and bottom ends and with the cushion located parallel and adjacent to the top end and spaced from and parallel to the bottom end.

12. The device of claim 10 wherein the abrasive strip is parallel to the first and second fastener portions.

13. The device of claim 10 wherein the cushion includes at least a first portion and a second portion foldable about a first fold line; and wherein the device further comprises, in combination: a second abrasive strip secured to the lower surface of the second portion of the cushion parallel to the first fold line, with the first abrasive strip secured to the lower surface of the first portion of the cushion parallel to the first fold line.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein the cushion includes a third portion foldable about a second fold line to the first portion, with the second fold line being parallel to the first fold line; and wherein the device further comprises, in combination: a third abrasive strip secured to the lower surface of the third portion of the cushion parallel to the second fold line.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein the cushion has a size generally equal to the top surface of the rigid, planar support.

16. The device of claim 14 wherein the first fastener portion is secured to the second portion and the second fastener portion is secured to the third portion, with the first and second fastener portions being parallel to the abrasive strips.

17. A device for supporting a user upon a work area comprising, in combination: a flexible cushion including an upper surface and a lower surface, with the user being supported on the upper surface of the cushion and the lower surface being on the opposite side of the cushion than the upper surface; and at least a first flexible abrasive strip secured to the lower surface of the cushion to prevent slipping of the cushion upon the work area when the user is supported upon the upper surface.

18. The device of claim 17 wherein the cushion includes at least a first portion and a second portion foldable about a first fold line; and wherein the device further comprises, in combination: a second abrasive strip secured to the lower surface of the second portion of the cushion parallel to the first fold line, with the first abrasive strip secured to the lower surface of the first portion of the cushion parallel to the first fold line.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein the cushion includes a third portion foldable about a second fold line to the first portion, with the second fold line being parallel to the first fold line; and wherein the device further comprises, in combination: a third abrasive strip secured to the lower surface of the third portion of the cushion parallel to the second fold line.

20. The device of claim 19 wherein the flexible cushion comprises, in combination: a flexible insulator received within a flexible covering, with the abrasive strips being secured to the flexible covering and independent of the flexible insulator.