EP3673767A1

EP3673767A1 - A portable body support device

Info

Publication number: EP3673767A1
Application number: EP18215869.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Dirk Eeraerts
Original assignee: Zonactiva bvba
Current assignee: Zonactiva bvba
Priority date: 2018-12-24
Filing date: 2018-12-24
Publication date: 2020-07-01
Anticipated expiration: 2038-12-24
Also published as: EP3673767B1

Abstract

According to an embodiment, the invention relates to a portable device (100) for supporting a person's (201, 301) upper body when seated on a seating area (202, 302, 603), the device comprising a base (101); and an elongated support member (102) comprising a first (103) and second (104) end, the elongated support member (102) at the first end (103) being coupled to the base (101) and being telescopically extendable (105) therefrom such that in an operational position wherein the base is placed on the seating area (202, 302, 603), the second end (104) is securely positioned at a height of the person's chest (203, 303); and a head rest support (106) pivotably coupled to the second end (104) such that in the operational position the head rest support (106) is securely pivotable towards the person's head thereby supporting the seated person's upper body in forward (300) and backward (200) leaning position.

Description

Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a portable device for supporting a person's upper body when seated.

Background of the Invention

While making long distance trips, for example when taking an airplane, a person must sit down for long periods of time. Often, the person has difficulties to find a comfortable position to sleep or rest when seated during the trip on a chair or seat, especially in economy class.
Because of the limited space available for passengers travelling in economy class in commercial airplanes, they tend to either lean forward on a fold-out table of a passenger's seat in front of them or try to slump down in their seat by leaning backwards. In the first situation the passenger must bend over with his head whereby the elbows are supported on the table and the head is supported by the hands. In the second situation the passenger may slide down of the seat or needs to push his knees or legs against the seat in front of him. Both situations are thus very uncomfortable and result in a fatigue when arriving at the passenger's destination.
To tackle this problem, the passenger's head may be supported when seated in an upright position such that he doesn't have to completely bend forward on a table in front of him. In US2016113407A1 a support headset device is disclosed configured for providing such a head support whereby the support headset device is placed on a base stabilization plate thereof. The stabilization plate must be placed in front of the passenger's seat or be stabilized by a mounting plate attached against the front edge thereof. In the first situation the device will only be stably placed when the stabilization plate is positioned close enough to the seat and the pole whereupon the headrest is attached is substantially vertically positioned. This is a drawback because this way the device can only be used in a forward leaning position. In the latter situation the device can only be used when the airplane provides such mounting plates, which is another drawback.
In US2004262865A1 another support device is disclosed which has a similar functioning, but which may be placed between the passenger's legs on the seating area such that the person sits on a base comprising legs, thus without the special-purpose stabilization plate disclosed in US2016113407A1 .
A drawback of the support device disclosed in US2004262865A1 is that the seated person needs to bend his neck towards the head support such that, although the person is supported, his neck may be injured because of the bending while he tries to rest in a comfortable position. Another drawback is that also this device can only be used in a forward leaning position.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to alleviate the above drawbacks and to provide an improved solution for supporting a person's upper body by a portable device when seated.

Summary of the Invention

This object is achieved by a portable device for supporting a person's upper body when seated on a seating area, the device comprising:

a base; and
an elongated support member comprising a first and second end, the elongated support member at the first end being coupled to the base and being telescopically extendable therefrom such that in an operational position wherein the base is placed on the seating area, the second end is securely positioned at a height of the person's chest; and
a head rest support pivotably coupled to the second end such that in the operational position the head rest support is securely pivotable towards the person's head thereby supporting the seated person's upper body in forward and backward leaning positions.

The device is portable such that it can be carried by the passenger together with his hand luggage when taking an airplane. The device comprises a base, an elongated support member and a head rest support. The elongated support member is coupled by a first end to the base. The elongated support member is further telescopically extendable from the base such that it is adjustable to the person's upper body height. In particular, the elongated support member is extendable such that in an operational position the second end is securely positioned to the person's chest height while the base is placed on the seating area. For this a clamp or lock for locking telescoping tubes known in the art may be provided at one of the ends or in between them to secure the elongated support member in the adjusted height thereof. Such a lock may, for example, comprise spring button locking pins. The elongated support member may comprise slidable tubes of different diameters whereby a segment of the inner surface of an outer telescoping tube frictionally engages with a segment of the outer surface of an inner telescoping tube. Alternatively, the elongated supper member may also comprise rectangular shaped tubes. Slidable tubes of different cross sections will then telescopically extendable with respect to each other.
Next, the operational position means that when the person is seated on a seating area, the portable device is placed with its base on the seating area. The base is, for example, placed between the person's legs when seated. Subsequently, the second end is securely positioned at the height of the person's chest. It should be further understood that this height depends on the person's stature and that a height which is perceived as comfortable by the person depends on the person's preferences, the person's body ratio, or even the person's gender.
The device further comprises a head rest support which is pivotably coupled to the second end of the elongated support member. Through this coupling, the head rest support is pivotable towards the person's head. The coupling between the second end and the head rest support is likewise secured by clamps known in the art such that when the device is adapted to the person's body dimensions, the different parts of the portable device are secured with respect to each other thereby forming a rigid body. Thus, in the operational position the base is positioned on the seating area, the second end is located at the person's chest and the head rest support is pivoted towards the head in a secured manner. In this configuration, the person's upper body is supported by the joint composition of the head rest support, the elongated support member and the base when the person sits on the seating area in forward and backwards positions.
The different parts of the portable device comprise light-weight materials which are suitable to absorb a person's weight. Such materials are, for example, aluminium, titanium and/or carbon fibre reinforced polymer. The elongated support member further comprises a shape which is comfortable from an ergonomic point of view such as round shaped and/or flattened tubes.
Different advantages are identified. Firstly, the base may easily be placed on the seating area without needing a special purpose stabilization plate. The portable device is thus generally usable on any type of seating area in any type of vehicle. Secondly, by the joined alignment of the elongated support member and the head rest support configured to pivot towards the person's head, the person's upper body can be supported in forward as well as backward positions. When the person sits in a forward position, he leans with his chest against the second end while his head is supported by the head rest support, thereby supporting the upper body. Likewise, when the seat whereupon the person is seated comprises a backrest, the person may lean backwards in a backward leaning position such that the second end pushes against the chest and the head rest support supports the person's head, thereby again supporting the upper body. Another advantage is that in both positions the person doesn't have to bend his back to let resting his head on the head rest support since the head rest support is pivoted towards his head.
According to an embodiment, the head rest support is coupled to the second end by an extendable handle.
Between the head rest support whereupon the head is rested in the operational position and the second end an extendable handle or shank may be present to couple both parts. In other words, the head rest support is coupled to the second end of the elongated support member by using an additional extendable handle or tube. This way the distance between the second end positioned at the person's chest in the operational position on the one hand and the head rest support whereupon the person's head rests on the other hand is adaptable. More flexibility is thus obtained regarding adapting the portable device to the person's body dimensions.
According to an embodiment, the first end is pivotably coupled to the base.
In the operational position the base is positioned in a fixed position on the seating area. By pivotably coupling the first end of the elongated support member to the base, the elongated support member can be pivoted with respect to the base. This way the second end can be positioned in an even more flexible manner to customize the different parts of the portable device to the person's body dimensions. The elongated support member may then be tilted forward or backward with respect to the person's upper body and/or twisted with respect to the plane of the seating area.
According to an embodiment the base comprises a flattened spherical surface for placing on the seating area.
Advantageously, when the base comprises a flattened spherical surface pointing to the seating area in the operational position, the contact surface between the base and the seating area is increased. Hereby, when supporting an upper body, a force originating therefrom is distributed over this increased surface. Furthermore, by providing a flattened surface, a risk of damaging the seating area when exerting pressure thereupon is reduced. Another advantage is that the elongated support member can be twisted on the seating area by twisting the flattened spherical surface of the coupled base. Moreover, when the first end is pivotably coupled through the base, the twisting may be performed even more flexible by the multiple degrees of freedom of movements.
According to an embodiment the base further comprises a surface treated to frictionally grip the base on the seating area.
The base's surface pointing to the seating area in the operational position may further be treated such that a grip on the seating area in the operational position is enhanced. This may be achieved by increasing the coarseness of the surface of the base pointing to the seating area, by employing materials configured to frictionally grip to other materials such as fasteners like, for example, Velcro, or by using materials having non-slipping characteristics like, for example, rubber with a surface pattern customized such that its grip is enhanced.
According to an embodiment the base further comprises a pair of hinged mounted legs configured to be placed in the operational position under or on top of the person's legs.
The hinged or collapsible mounted legs may be folded such that they lie in a plane perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to a direction defined by the elongated support member, thus in the direction from the first to the second end. The mounted legs are configured such that they can be folded into this perpendicular or nearly perpendicular plane. Further, when folded, both legs point each in opposite or nearly opposite directions away from each other and away from the base. In this operational position, the legs are then, in a first manner, suitable to be placed underneath the legs of the person when seated. When sitting on the legs, the portable device is kept in place by the person's own weight thereby preventing that the base would slide away. The legs comprise a flattened surface such that they don't hinder or hamper the person when sitting on it.
In a second manner, the legs may also be positioned on top of the person's legs. This is, for example, preferred by a passenger wearing a skirt or a dress for which it would be inappropriate positioning the mounted legs according to the first manner, this is underneath the legs. The surface of the mounted legs is for this second manner curved in such a way to comfortably be placed on top of the passenger's legs. Further locking means may be provided to lock the mounted legs in this operational position.
According to an embodiment, the elongated support member further comprises a chest support configured to support the person's chest in the operational position.
Preferably, the elongated support member comprises a chest support which pushes against the person's chest when supporting the upper body in the operational position. Thus, instead of the second end or another part of the elongated support member pushing against a part of the person's upper body in the operational position, the chest support absorbs the forces originating from this pushing. This way it is avoided that the person is injured through the pushing and/or that the pushing feels uncomfortable. For this, the chest support may comprise a cushion or another material suitable to absorb these forces and simultaneously perceived as feeling comfortable. The chest support may fixedly be positioned near the second end of the elongated support member.
According to an embodiment, the chest support is securely slidable between the first and second end.
The chest support may be positioned between the first and second end of the elongated support member and further be locked by locking means to secure a preferred position thereof. This allows the person to adapt the position of the chest support in the operational position to a position perceived as comfortable, this is, to locate the chest support at a height such that it faces a body part which is appropriate to absorb supporting forces.
According to an embodiment the head rest support comprises contours defining a central opening for receiving the person's face such that in the operational position the person's face circumference is supported by the head rest support's contours.
Preferably, the head rest support is designed in a manner that it comprises a central opening defined by outer contours. The contours are adapted for receiving the person's head in the operational position, thereby supporting the person's face circumference. This way, the head is supported while the person is still able to breath in a comfortable manner. Furthermore, by supporting the circumference, the head is supported in a balanced manner.
According to an embodiment the head rest support's contours comprise a front facing pillow.
The contours may, for example, be wrapped by a soft material forming a front facing pillow such that the face is supported in a soft and comfortable manner. The front facing pillow may fixedly be attached to the contours, for example by leather comprising a cushion material facing the head in the operational position.
According to an embodiment the front facing pillow is removable.
The front facing pillow which covers the contours may also be removable or detachable. The pillow is then attached to the head rest support by Velcro, by zip fasteners, or by any other means know in the art to alternately attach and detach materials to each other in a practical manner. By removably attaching the pillow to the head rest support, the pillow may be changed for hygienic reasons, for reasons of preferences or style, or when the pillow is worn out.
According to an embodiment the elongated support member further comprises a bracket configured to support the device in the operational position on a support in front of the seating area.
When seated the person may face a support in front of him such as, for example, a fold-out table attached at the backside of a seat in front. The bracket is then used to provide additional support to the portable device in the operational position. The supporting by the bracket may be performed in two collaborating manners. Firstly, the bracket may lean on a support, thus for example on the fold-out table, such that the upper surface of table retains the portable device upwards in the operational position. Secondly, the bracket prevents that the portable device tends to fall forward away from the person when supported in a forward leaning position without damaging the portable device nor the support in front of it.
According to an embodiment the bracket is securely slidable between the first and the second end.
The bracket may thus slide between the first and second end of the elongated support member and subsequently be secured at a preferred position. Hereby, the position of the bracket may be adapted to the height of the support with respect to the seating area in front thereof, and/or with respect to the set height of the second end of the elongated support member.
According to an embodiment, the elongated support member further comprises a plurality of indentations, an indentation configured to support the device in the operational position on a support in front of the seating area.
Alternatively, instead of the bracket, the elongated support member may comprise a plurality of indentations evenly distributed between the first and the second end. The indentations are configured to support the portable device against a support, such as the fold-out table in front of the passenger's seat. An indentation of the plurality is then positioned such that the surface of the table top facing the passenger is within the indentation. This way, forces pointing towards the table as well as pointing downwards by the elongated support member while the person is supported are transferred through the indentation to the table or, in general the support in front. This way, the support in front provides additional support to the portable device in the operational position.
According to an embodiment the portable device is foldable.
To fold the portable device, the elongated support member is slid into a minimum arrangement by sliding the first end as close as possible to the second end and folding the legs towards the elongated support member when present. Further, the head rest support is pivoted towards the elongated support member. Additionally, when present, the bracket is folded down thereby avoiding that it still protrudes from the elongated support member. The portable device is then in the folded configuration easily transportable such that is can be taken along as hand luggage. Another advantage is that it can easily be stored away.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 illustrates a portable device for supporting a person's upper body according to an embodiment of the invention; and
Fig. 2 illustrates a person sitting in a backward leaning position supported by the portable device of Fig. 1; and
Fig. 3 illustrates a person sitting in a forward leaning position supported by the portable device of Fig. 1; and
Fig. 4 illustrates a head rest support for supporting a head of a supported person according to an embodiment of the invention; and
Fig. 5A illustrates a portable device comprising a bracket for supporting the portable device on a support according to an embodiment of the invention; and
Fig. 5B illustrates a portable device comprising a plurality of indentations for supporting the portable device on a support according to an embodiment of the invention; and
Fig. 6 illustrates a person supported by the portable device of Fig. 5A; and
Fig. 7 illustrates a portable device comprising a pair of hinged mounted legs.

Detailed Description of Embodiment(s)

Fig. 1 illustrates a portable device for supporting a person's upper body when seated. The portable device 100 comprises a base 101, an elongated support member 102, and a head rest support 106. The elongated support member 102 comprises a first end 103 and a second end 104. The elongated support member 102 is further telescopically extendable such that the first end 103 and the second end 104 can be moved towards each other or away from each other. The length of the elongated support member 102 may thus securely be varied.
The elongated support member 102 comprises tubes or bars. In the case of tubes, the elongated support member 102 comprises tubes having different diameters. In the case of bars, the elongated support member 102 comprises bars having different cross sections. The tubes respectively bars are slidable with respect to each other because of the different diameters respectively cross sections. This is further illustrated in Fig. 1 by tube or bar 110 in which tube 111 having a smaller diameter or cross section may be inserted. The elongated support member 102 further comprises locking means 105 to securely position the tubes or bars in a preferred position.
The portable device 100 illustrated in Fig. 1 further comprises a chest support 108. The chest support 108 is preferably located near the second end 104 but may also be securely slidable between the first end 103 and the second end 104 of the elongated support member 102. The chest support 108 may further comprise a cushion or another material suitable for being in contact with a person's body part, such as his chest. Such other material is, for example, leather or a soft fabric.
The head rest support 106 of the portable device 100 is pivotably coupled to the elongated support member 102 via the second end 104. This is, the head rest support 106 can be pivoted or hinged around the elongated support member 102. The second end 104 further comprises locking means such that the head rest support 106 can securely positioned at a fixed position with respect to the elongated support member 102.
The head rest support 106 may either be directly coupled to the second end 104 or may be coupled by an extendable handle 107. This is further illustrated by Fig. 4 which illustrates a head rest support 106 according to an embodiment of the invention.
The head rest support 106 comprises contours 400, 410, and 420 which define a central opening 401. The shape and size of the contours 400, 410, 420 are thus determining the size and shape of the central opening 401. In this illustrative embodiment the shape is approximately triangular with curved sides, but the shape of the central opening 401 may also be oval or round, or any other shape suitable for receiving a person's front face. The pillows 402 and 403 of the head rest support 106 may further be replaceable by cleaned or new pillows.
The central opening 401 is thus suitable for receiving a person's front face. For improving the comfort, the contours 400, 410, and 420 may further comprise pillows, such as illustrated by side pillows 402 and forehead pillow 403. These pillows 402 and 403 comprise a cushion or another material, such as leather, for comfortably be in contact with by a face. Thus, the forehead of a person is supported by the head rest support 106 in a comfortable manner via the pillows 402 and 403 in an operational position of the portable device 100 which will be further explained.
The extendable handle 107 of the head rest support 106 further allows to adjust the distance between the second end 104 and the position of the central opening 401. This way, the portable device 100 is via the extendibility of the elongated support member 102 and the optional extendable handle 107 adjustable to the size of a person's upper body and the proportions thereof.
The portable device 100 is configured to support a person's upper body when seated on a seating area. The supporting by the portable device 100 of an upper body will further be indicated or called the operational position of the portable device 100. The operational positions will now be illustrated by Fig. 2 and Fig. 3.
Fig. 2 illustrates a seated person supported in a backward leaning position and Fig. 3 illustrates a seated person in a forward leaning position.
In Fig. 2 a person 201 sitting on a seat 211 from, for example, an airplane or a train is illustrated. In front of the person 201 a front seat 212 may be present. The plane or seating area whereupon the person 201 is seated is illustrated by the dashed line 202. The person 201 thus seats on the seating area 202 with his buttocks and a part of his thighs facing the seating area 202.
The person 201 illustrated in Fig. 2 sits down on the seating area 202 in a backward leaning position 200. Thus, with his back 210 he is leaning against the backrest support of the chair 211. For improving the person's 201 comfort through further supporting his upper body, he places or positions the portable device 100 in the operational position.
Firstly, the base 101 is placed on the seating area 202. For this, the base 101 may comprise a flattened spherical surface 109 as illustrated in Fig. 1. The base's 101 surface 109 may further be treated to enhance the grip to the seating area 202. For example, the surface may comprise a material such as rubber with a surface pattern adapted or customized such that the grip to the seating area 202 is optimal, without a risk of damaging the surface of the seating area 202.
The base 101 may be placed between the legs of the person 201, or next to him to the left or to the right side. Through the coupling of the first end 103 of the elongated support member 102 and the base 101, the angle between the plane of the seating area 202 and the direction from the first 103 to the second 104 end is adaptable. In the operational position, the second end 104, and when present the chest support 108, is positioned such that it is located at the person's 201 chest height, illustrated by the dashed line 203.
Next, when the second end 104, or when present the chest support 108 is securely positioned at the person's 201 chest height 203, the head rest support 106 is pivoted such that the person's 201 face is positioned towards the central opening 401. The extendable handle 107 may further be used to adapt the position of the head rest support 106 such that the central opening 401 is comfortably positioned with respect to the person's 201 face.
In this position, the forehead is in contact with the pillow 403. The cheeks of the person 201 are then in contact with the side front facing pillows 402.
In this operational position, the base 101 pushes against the surface of the seating area 202. Next, the second end 104 or, when present the chest support 108 pushes against the person's 201 chest, and the head rest support 106 pushes against the person's 201 face. The person's 201 upper body is thus in the operational position supported by the portable device 100 whereby forces originating from the upper's body are guided to the base 101. The person 201 sits comfortably with his back 210 against the back rest of the chair 211 and the portable device 100 in front of him supports his upper body. In case that he would fell asleep, the portable device 100 will prevent that the person 201 would slump down of the chair 211. Further, when also his head would lean forward, the head rest support 106 supports the head. Thus, in this backward leaning position, the person 201 may rest or sleep without having a risk that he would fall from the seat 211 or chair.
The portable device 100 is also configured to support a person in a forward leaning position as illustrated in Fig. 3. Likewise, a person 301 sits on a seat with a seating area illustrated by the dashed line 302. Likewise, as for the backward leaning position as illustrated by Fig. 2, the person 301 positions the base 101 on the seating area 302. In a forward leaning position 300, the person 301 positions the second end 104, and when present the chest support 108, to the height of his chest illustrated by the dashed line 303. Next, the head rest support 106 is pivoted towards his face, and the portable device 101 is secured in the operational position. Next, in the forward leaning position 301 the person 301 rests on the portable device 101 whereby his upper body is supported. There is thus no risk of falling forward, for example against a seat 310 in front when the person 301 falls asleep.
The portable device may further comprise a bracket or a plurality of indentations as illustrated by Fig. 5A respectively Fig. 5B. In Fig. 5A, the elongated support member 503 of the illustrated portable device 500 comprises a bracket 501. In Fig. 5B the elongated support member 513 of the illustrated portable device 510 comprises a plurality of indentations 511, such as indentation 512.
The bracket 510 or the indentations 511 are configured to provide additional support for the portable device 500 respectively 510. The additional support provided with the bracket 510 will further be illustrated by Fig. 6.
In Fig. 6 a person 601 is seated on a seating area of a seat or chair 604 illustrated by the dashed line 603. In front of the person 601 another seat or chair 602 is present comprising at the back thereof a fold-out table 600.
The seated person 601 is supported by the portable device 500 in a forward leaning position such as already illustrated by Fig. 3. The fold-out table 600 is folded out such that the table top 605 thereof is in front of the person 601.
The bracket 501 of the portable device 500 is configured to provide additional support by leaning on the table top 605 of the table 600 in front of the person 601. To this end, preferably, the bracket 501 is slidable between the first 505 and second 504 end of the elongated support member 503. The sliding of the bracket 501 may also be limited such that it can only be slid on the upper tube 506 of the elongated support member 503. By sliding the bracket 501 the height thereof with respect to the base 505 is adaptable such that it can be adapted to the height between the seating area 603 and the height of the table top 605. When the height of the bracket 501 is set, it can be securely locked by locking means such that the additional support is securely provided. The upper body of the person 601 is thus supported by the portable device 500 whereby a part of the supporting forces is deviated via the base to the seating area 603, and a part is deviated via the bracket 501 to the table top 605 and further to the fold out table 600 attached to the seat in front 602.
Alternatively, besides the bracket 501, the portable device, such as portable device 510, may comprise indentations 511 evenly distributed over the elongated support member 513, or a part thereof, for example, only at the upper tube 514. The portable device 510 with the indentations 511 provides likewise as the portable device 500 with the bracket 501 additional support by inserting one of the indentations, such as indentation 512, into the surface of the table top 605 pointing to the seated person 601. Instead of sliding the bracket 501, a proper indentation is selected depending on the height between the seating area 603 and the table top 605.
In Fig. 7 a portable device comprising a pair of hinged legs is illustrated. The illustrated portable device 700 comprises likewise an elongated support member 102 and a head rest support 106. The base of the portable device 700 further comprises a pair of hinged mounted legs 701. The hinged mounted legs 701 are pivotally connected to the elongated support member 102 at the first end 103. The legs, such as leg 705, are connected to the elongated support member 102 through hinge 702. This way the leg 705 can be pivoted towards the elongated support member 102 or be positioned in an operational position as illustrated in Fig. 7. The surfaces of the legs, such as of leg 704, are configured to be comfortably be placed under or on top of a person's legs. The surface 703 is adapted by curving it and/or adding a cushion such that it can be positioned under the person's legs. Likewise, the surface 706 is adapted such that the portable device 700 with the hinged legs 701 can be positioned on top of the person's legs. The legs 701 can further be locked by locking the hinges, such as locking hinge 702 in the operational position.
It should be further understood that in the operational position the hinged legs 701 are positioned such that a leg is under or on top of one person's leg. The hinged legs 701 as illustrated in Fig. 7 are thus ninety degrees rotated with the elongated support member 102 as being the axis or rotation. This is further illustrated by the dashed line 710 and the rotation arrow 711 which should be interpreted as a rotation of ninety degrees of the upper part 712 with respect to the lowered part 713.
Although the present invention has been illustrated by reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the details of the foregoing illustrative embodiments, and that the present invention may be embodied with various changes and modifications without departing from the scope thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein. In other words, it is contemplated to cover any and all modifications, variations or equivalents that fall within the scope of the basic underlying principles and whose essential attributes are claimed in this patent application. It will furthermore be understood by the reader of this patent application that the words "comprising" or "comprise" do not exclude other elements or steps, that the words "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality, and that a single element, such as a computer system, a processor, or another integrated unit may fulfil the functions of several means recited in the claims. Any reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the respective claims concerned. The terms "first", "second", third", "a", "b", "c", and the like, when used in the description or in the claims are introduced to distinguish between similar elements or steps and are not necessarily describing a sequential or chronological order. Similarly, the terms "top", "bottom", "over", "under", and the like are introduced for descriptive purposes and not necessarily to denote relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and embodiments of the invention are capable of operating according to the present invention in other sequences, or in orientations different from the one(s) described or illustrated above.

Claims

A portable device (100) for supporting a person's (201, 301) upper body when seated on a seating area (202, 302, 603), the device comprising:
- a base (101); and

- an elongated support member (102) comprising a first (103) and second (104) end, the elongated support member (102) at the first end (103) being coupled to the base (101) and being telescopically extendable (105) therefrom such that in an operational position wherein the base is placed on the seating area (202, 302, 603), the second end (104) is securely positioned at a height of the person's chest (203, 303); and

- a head rest support (106) pivotably coupled to the second end (104) such that in the operational position the head rest support (106) is securely pivotable towards the person's head thereby supporting the seated person's upper body in forward (300) and backward (200) leaning positions.
The portable device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the head rest support (106) is coupled to the second end (104) by an extendable handle (107).
The portable device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first end (103) is pivotably coupled to the base (101).
The portable device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the base (101) comprises a flattened spherical surface (109) for placing on the seating area (203, 302, 603).
The portable device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, the base (101) further comprising a surface treated to frictionally grip the base (101) on the seating area (203, 302, 603).
The portable device (700) according to one of the preceding claims, the base (101) further comprising a pair of hinged mounted legs (701) configured to be placed in the operational position under or on top of the person's legs.
The portable device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, the elongated support member (102) further comprising a chest support (108) configured to support the person's chest in the operational position.
The portable device (100) according to claim 7, wherein the chest support (108) is securely slidable between the first (103) and second (104) end.
The portable device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the head rest support (106) comprises contours (400) defining a central opening (401) for receiving the person's face such that in the operational position the person's face circumference is supported by the head rest support's contours (400).
The portable device (100) according to claim 9, wherein the head rest support's (106) contours (400) comprise a front facing pillow (402, 403).
The portable device (100) according to claim 10, wherein the front facing pillow (402, 403) is removable.
The portable device (500) according to one of the preceding claims, the elongated support member (102) further comprising a bracket (501) configured to support the device (500) in the operational position on a support (600) in front of the seating area.
The portable device (500) according to claim 12, wherein the bracket (501) is securely slidable (502) between the first (101) and second (104) end.
The portable device (510) according to one of the claims 1 to 11, the elongated support member (102) further comprising a plurality of indentations (511), wherein an indentation (512) is configured to support the device (510) in the operational position on a support (600) in front of the seating area.
The portable device (100, 500, 510) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the portable device (100, 500, 510) is foldable.