FR2739766A1 - LUMBAR SUPPORT FOR WORKING IN THE SEATED POSITION - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a lumbar support. It relates to a support which comprises a flexible panel (32) of elliptical shape exhibiting resistance when subjected to bending, and an adjustment device (20, 36) connected to the flexible panel (32) and allowing the adjusting the curvature of the flexible panel to suit varying degrees of lower back support, the adjustment device (20, 36) comprising an adjustment strap (20), and a retainer (36) strap tension so that the curvature and tension increase when a pulling force is applied to the strap and the curvature and tension decrease when the strap is relaxed. Application to lumbar supports.

Description

The present invention generally relates to the lumbar supports of the

  back of human beings, and more specifically it relates to an adjustable lumbar support allowing adjustment according to the anatomical configuration of the lumbar portion of the spine, according to the characteristics of different types of patients. Many people suffer from back pain and

  can not keep lumbar lordosis (curvature) properly

  when sitting. This part of the back often affects other areas of the back causing pain. However, in the case of many people, the pain is localized in the lumbar region of the back. In some situations, the suffering can be reduced by arranging a support or a file between the person's back and other objects, such as the back of a seat or a bed, when the person is sitting or lying down. Given the differences in anatomy, some people need more support

that others.

  The size and position of the backrest is important so that excessive pressure can not affect the kidneys or other sensitive areas. The possibility of adjusting the size, thickness, curvature and position of the backrest or cushion can be important

  to ensure proper and accurate support.

  One should avoid using the same lumbar cushion for the support of several people. The size of the lumbar region, the height or position of the lumbar region, when a person is sitting, the depth of the lumbar curvature and the shape of the curvature at the upper and lower parts differ from one person to another. A curvature that corresponds to the middle of the range for a particular individual may correspond to an elongation or flexion at the end of the range for another. In addition, the size and profile of the body, the physical efforts of the activity or task performed and the presence of a pathology

  lumbar may require other adjustments of the support.

  The particular size and configuration of the support required depends on the seat on which a person is seated because the support required on a soft seat is not necessarily the same as in the case of a firmer seat. Typing while sitting, sitting while sitting in an office chair or other sitting activities all have a profound effect on the amount of pressure exerted on the lumbar disc and the range of motion. the flexion of the lumbar curvature, and the degree of curvature of the lumbar region at different points varies. In the case of people who suffer from back pain, poor back support or

  unsupported can cause unbearable suffering.

  Folders or carriers are already known (see U.S. Patent Nos. 4,597,386, 4,471,993, 335,965, 5,101,811, 4,718,724 and 3,296,634 and German Patent No. 181,203). Some supports or folders form mechanisms for stabilizing and supporting the entire back, so that these devices are much larger than necessary when the support is to be realized only

  in the lumbar region of the back. Consequently, not only

  These devices are cumbersome and heavy to carry, but they also move towards the part of the back that does not require support and can not be conveniently transported when a person moves from one place to another. Lumbar rollers have been commonly used in the lumbar region, but they present a common problem with many supports in that they cut across the entire back and advance into the area of the kidneys and other vital organs, in the area creates suffering and other problems. Another problem with many portable media is that when moved from one seat to another, each seat giving a different level of support, the overall level of support given by a device that is not adjustable is not sufficient or reproducible. As noted above, not only does the level of support required vary from one seat to another, but it also varies from one activity to another and from one person to another. A non-adjustable device can not allow treatment according to these various conditions. In addition, many media or folders have a form of adjustment that is limited. In most

  devices, the degree of adjustment is limited to the position

  the device in relation to the person's back, without any adjustment to the configuration of the person's back. Foam cushions and back rolls

fall into this category.

  Another category of lumbar supports allowing a certain degree of adjustment is constituted by

  airbags. However, these airbags pre-

  have drawbacks because they can not be adjusted to the proper degree of curvature and flatten out when pressure is applied, so that they do not provide support in all parts of the lumbar region. This problem is particularly important in the upper and lower regions of the lumbar curve, where different bends of the support may be needed. The airbags thus pose a problem of flattening and deflating after a certain time, in a manner detrimental to the level of the airbag.

assured support.

  Another problem posed by many devices of

  support is that they are not firmly

  ductile and do not keep their configuration when used. Foam and inflatable cushions may pose this problem. Finally, fixed devices can not be easily transmitted from one person to another because each person requires adjustment according to a different degree of support as indicated above. The closest prior art known to the applicant is illustrated by the US patent.

  No. 4,597,386 (Goldstein). This patent describes

  siers slots arranged vertically for the accommodation of adjustment straps. However, these slots and straps are not used to provide any adjustment of the curvature so that the degree of back support of a human being varies. On the contrary, the slots and straps of the Goldstein patent are intended to allow the attachment of the support so that it matches the back of a seat. The curvature is adjusted, according to this patent, by selecting and positioning one or more foam inserts, as described above with reference to other

  prior art documents.

  According to the present invention, lumbar support is provided to allow independent adjustment of the amplitude, position, curvature and degree of flexion both at the upper and lower points of its curvature, giving different levels of support that can be adjusted according to the conditions of different people. In addition, the reduced size of the lumbar support according to the present invention allows the realization and adjustment of a support depending on the region of the back to be supported by easy position of the lumbar support in the necessary region. The configuration and size of the lumbar support according to the present invention are such that the application does not cause aggravation in other parts of the body, for example the kidneys. The lumbar support according to the invention also does not provide support in regions where it is not necessary. The lumbar support according to the invention can be placed in the particular lumbar region of the back of each person, this region may vary from one person to another. In addition, the reduced size and weight allow for easy movement and transport from one location to another of the lumbar support according to the invention which is lightweight and portable when it is to be applied. The lumbar support according to the invention can be adjusted so that it can be used with other support elements, for example different backrests with different firmness, the support being adjustable relative to the back of a seat, ensuring a level reproducible back support. The lumbar support according to the invention can also be adjusted according to the radius of curvature so that it corresponds to the degree of curvature of the body. Its flexion can be adjusted both in the upper and lower regions of the curve so that the support is adapted to the particular needs of each individual. Since many adjustments are available, the lumbar support according to the invention can be used by several people and adjusted according to the particular needs of each patient.

  person and the task it performs.

  The lumbar support according to the present invention comprises

  has a rigid panel with resistance when pressure is applied to maintain its contour and firmness, so that a reproducible pattern and

  reproducible support level can be obtained.

  In one embodiment, the invention provides an adjustable lumbar support for supporting the lumbar region of the back of a human, and includes an elliptical shaped flexible panel having a resistance when bending is applied thereto, and a an adjustment device connected to the flexible panel and for adjusting the curvature of the flexible panel to allow

  various degrees of support of the lower back.

  Other features and advantages of the invention

  will be better understood by reading the description that will

  follow of embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a support used with a backrest, according to the invention, by a person sitting on a seat; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the front of the support according to the invention; Figs. 3A and 3B are sections showing the adjustment of the curvature of the lumbar support according to the present invention; Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the rear of the support according to the invention; FIG. 5 represents a first variant of the support according to the invention; and FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a

  another embodiment of the invention.

  We first refer to Figure 1; the lumbar support 10 according to the invention is shown placed between a backrest and the lumbar region of the back of a person. The depth and curvature of the lumbar support can be

  adjusted and the support can be placed where necessary.

  in relation to the particular area of the back of the person to be supported. The small size and low weight of the lumbar support allows for easy transportation and movement from one seat to another, and can be used in a variety of seating positions, including

a car seat.

  Referring now to Figure 2 which shows the lumbar support 10 according to the invention which comprises a

  part of generally elliptical shape and an adjustment strap

  20. The lumbar support is covered with foam and a suitable liner providing cushioning against the back of a human being as described in more detail below. Other Figures 3A, 3B and 4 are now considered which indicate details of the construction in a preferred embodiment. A panel 32, preferably formed of a flexible plastic material, constitutes the central portion of the lumbar support to which all other parts are fixed. The panel 32 has several slots 34 for the passage of a strap 20 adjustment. The width and radius of curvature of the lumbar support vary by passage of the adjustment strap in different combinations of adjustment slots 34. The radius of curvature and the depth of the support vary by increasing or reducing the tension of the adjustment strap 20, this tension being maintained by a loop 36. When the tension of the strap 20 increases, the panel 32 flexes and changes from radius of curvature as indicated by the difference between FIGS. 3A and 3B. The passage of the adjustment strap 20 in the different combinations of the upper and lower slots 34 allows a change in the degree of bending of each of the upper and lower portions of the support as the tension increases or decreases on the strap 20. The strap 20 The adjustment is fixed to the panel 32 by a suitable fixing device, such as a bolt 38, a washer 39 and a nut 37, or on the contrary by

  use of a rivet and a washer (not shown).

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, 3B and 4, the lumbar support 10 is covered with a portion 40 of foam and its surface is formed of a suitable fabric 30 for forming a flexible cushion for support against the back of a human being. The fabric 30 envelopes the foam portion 40, is attached to the panel 32 by an elastic portion 33, and may be separated and removed from the panel 32 to provide access to the slots 34 for further passage of the

strap 20.

  A first variant of the invention is shown in FIG. 5. This variant is analogous in many respects to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4.

  characteristics are identical, their description is not

  indicated. However, we note the following differences between

both embodiments.

  Slots 34 of the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4 have been reduced to a single pair of slots through which the adjustment strap 20 passes. Although the radius of curvature and the depth of support can both vary as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4, that is to say by increasing and reducing the tension of the strap 20, there is no separate adjustment available specifically to the upper and lower parts of the lumbar curve. In this variant of the present invention, the degree of flexion for the support of the upper and lower portions of the lumbar curve is determined by the provision of slots 50 with respect to the edge of the panel 32. Each of the slots 50 is located near the edge of panel 32 and over the possible bending to

  upper and lower parts of the support is important.

  The curvature, shape and bending at the top and bottom of the variant support are adjusted only by increasing or decreasing the tension of the

20 strap adjustment.

  The embodiment variant shown in FIG. 6 is similar to that of FIG. 5 in that only one pair of slots is produced and in that the curvature, the configuration and the bending at the upper and lower portions of the support of FIG. 6 are also adjusted only by increasing or decreasing the tension of the strap 20. However, in the embodiment of FIG. 6, the slots 52 are raised relative to the plane of the panel 32 because they are formed in a pair of Loop forming plates 54, one shown in position and the other removed from the panel 32. As can be appreciated, the panel 32 has two openings 56 in which the plates 54 are resiliently engaged. The arrangement of the slots 52 protruding from the plane of the panel 32 allows the passage of the strap 20 more easily than in the embodiments of Figures 1 to 5. In addition, in the embodiment of Figure 6, a ring The trim splice 56 is intended to attach the fabric covering and the foam pad 40 to the panel 32, without the use of elastic tension at the circumference of the fabric covering as in the

embodiment of Figures 1 to 5.

  Of course, various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art lumbar supports that have just been described as a non-exemplary example.

  limiting without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (10)

  An adjustable lumbar support, characterized in that it comprises: (a) an elliptical shaped flexible panel (32) having a resistance when flexed, and (b) an adjustment device (20, 36) connected to the flexible panel (32) and allowing adjustment of the curvature of the flexible panel according to various degrees of support of the lower portion of the back, the device   adjusting member (20, 36) comprising a strap (20) for adjusting   and a belt tensioning device (36) to increase curvature and tension when a pulling force is applied to the webbing and the curvature and tension decrease when the webbing tension is increased. strap is relaxed.   2. adjustable lumbar support according to claim 1, characterized in that the panel (32) comprises several openings (34) for adjustment.   Adjustable lumbar support according to claim 2, characterized in that the adjustment openings (34)   furthermore have a plurality of vertically arranged slots   LEMENT. Adjustable lumbar support according to claim 3, characterized in that the adjustment strap (20) forms a loop through a selected pair of slots (34). arranged vertically.   5. Adjustable lumbar support according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (36) for maintaining tension comprises a loop for maintaining the tension   exerted on the adjustment strap.   Adjustable lumbar support according to claim 2, characterized in that the adjustment strap (20) forms a loop by passing through a chosen pair of slots arranged vertically.   Adjustable lumbar support according to claim 2, characterized in that the adjustment openings (52) further comprise two adjustment slots arranged vertically in a pair of loop forming plates (54), these plates being intended for to be connected to the flexible panel, the slots being made so that they are raised relative to the plane of the panel. Adjustable lumbar support according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a foam cushion (40) wrapped with a fabric covering (30), and a device for fastening the fabric covering and the cushion of foam sign.   Adjustable lumbar support according to claim 8,   characterized in that the device for fastening the cover-   fabric and the foam cushion to the panel comprises a portion (33) with elastic action placed around its edge.   Adjustable lumbar support according to claim 8, characterized in that the fastening device of the fabric covering and the foam cushion to the panel comprises a trim ring (56) for tightening the fabric covering and the foam cushion. at one edge of the panel.