GB2217982A

GB2217982A - Stress relieving chair

Info

Publication number: GB2217982A
Application number: GB8906095A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gordon Mcquilton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-03-19
Filing date: 1989-03-16
Publication date: 1989-11-08
Also published as: GB8806580D0; GB8906095D0

Abstract

A seating assembly especially suitable for use by persons with cerebral palsy comprises a frame on which is mounted a plurality of shaped support pads comprising a front thoracic support 32, a saddle pad 54, a lumbar pad 68, a shoulder pad 90, and a pair of contoured foot rests 46. The support pads can be adjusted so that the person seated has his/her centre of gravity of the upper body substantially above the pelvis with the pelvis preferably tilting forwards. This position is helpful in relieving stress in the back muscles. <IMAGE>

Description

Person Support Apparatus This invention relates to apparatus for and a method of supporting a person, and particularly but not exclusively to supporting severely handicapped people and notably cerebral palsied children.

To sit with comfort it is necessary for the posture to be balanced. That is to say in a position which produces none or the minimum amount of stress within the flexible framework of the human body.

When sitting the focal point for all functional body movements takes place in two specific areas: 1) The Lumbar Spine 2) The Cervical Spine The amount of stress accommodated by the cervical spine is relatively low due to the fact that it only has to support the head. The muscularture around the neck and shoulders which controls head movement is very strong and is more than capable of containing the degree of stress generalised during normal sitting.

The lumbar spine however is required to accommodate and contain much higher stress levels.

This is due to the significantly higher weight of the trunk upper body and head.

The key factor in the level of stress produced during sitting, is the position of the centre of gravity of the upper body over the sitting support base, i.e. the pelvis, and more significantly the ischial tuberosities.

The level of stress drops dramatically when the upper body's centre of gravity is positioned vertically just forwards of the ischial bearing area. Moving the upper body forwards of this support base will increase stress levels and moving it backwards likewise. The reason for this is that the lumbar spine is extremely flexible in structure and relies on intrinsic support from internal musculature such as the abdominal and back muscles.

Sitting for a long period in the conventional sitting posture shown in Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings, will induce severe weakening of the back muscles causing them to relax and allow the lumbar spine to flex. This has very important side effects in that when the lumbar spine flexes, the upper body's centre of gravity moves further behind the support base and the stress levels will rise even higher, placing even more stress upon the back muscles causing them to weaken even further (see Fig. 1, where 'X' marks the centre of gravity of the upper body and the arrow indicates the lachial support).

It is possible however, to assume a posture which will more effectively stabilise the postural balance within the body. This position is almost identical to the position assumed by the body when riding a horse, and is shown in Fig. 2. This position keeps the upper body's centre of gravity over the pelvis and keeps the hips in extension, which will alleviate the tendency for the lumbar spine to flex. Due to the superior balance achieved, the posture is much less stressful and therefore is easier to maintain.

With improved balance comes reduction in stress which in turn results in easier body movement especially the head and arms (upper lumbar). The head and upper limbs are the prime contributors in development of the handicapped child, touch and vision being the most significant receptors in the young child.

According to the present invention there is provided support apparatus comprising a plurality of support members, the support members being arranged relative to each other to support a person with the centre of gravity of the upper body located substantially above the pelvis.

The apparatus preferably supports the person with the pelvis tilted forwards.

Preferably the apparatus is constructed to permit free movement of the person's head and upper limbs when the person is supported.

Desirably the apparatus includes a frame upon which the support members are mounted, and preferably the support members are adjustably and/or removably mounted on the frame whereby the apparatus can support a person at a range of inclinations, and can be used with persons of different sizes.

The support members are preferably in the form of shaped pads. The support members may include a saddle pad; a front pad adapted to support the front of the persons trunk; a lumbar pad adapted to support a person's sacro-lumbar spine; a shoulder pad adapted to support a person's shoulder girdle; and a foot support adapted to substantially rigidly support a person's feet.

Also according to the present invention there is provided a method of supporting a person comprising supporting the person at a plurality of points with support members in a posture with the centre of gravity of the upper body located substantially above the pelvis.

The person's pelvis is preferably tilted forwards when so supported.

Preferably free movement of the persons head and upper limbs is permitted.

The method preferably includes supporting the person's crutch, front of the trunk, sacro-lumbar spine, and shoulder girdle, and substantially rigidly supporting the person's feet.

The method may also include causing the person to straddle a support member.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to Figs. 3 to 5 of the accompanying drawings in which : Fig. 3 is a side view of an apparatus according to the invention: Fig. 4 is a perspective view from the side and above of part of the apparatus shown in Fig. 3: and Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic side view of part of the apparatus of Fig. 3 in use.

Figs. 3 to 5 of the drawings show a support apparatus in the form of a seating assembly suitable for use by cerebral palsied children. The assembly includes a 'U' shaped base frame 10 lying substantially horizontal in use with the base of the U forming the rearward end of the assembly, and, with a swivel castor 12 mounted adjacent each corner thereof.

A sub-frame 14 is mounted on the frame 10. The sub-frame 14 comprises two shaped bars 16 symmetrical about a line centrally of and parallel to the side limbs of the 'U' . The bars 16 comprise three sections, a pair of first sections 17 extending from the ends 18 of the side limbs 11 of the 'U', to which the section 17 is pivotally mounted, and a bar 19 being provided between the free ends of the sections 17. The two first sections 17 converge for about half the length of the limbs 11 and then run substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart for a similar distance. Second sections 22 extend upwards perpendicularily from the first sections 17, and third sections 24 extend back towards the ends 18 substantially parallel to the first sections 17 for about half their length. A plurality of connecting members 26 extend between the bars 16.

The subframe 14 is further mounted on the frame 10 by a 'T' shaped member 20 comprising a cross member 21 and an upright 23. The member 21 is mounted on the frame 10 to be pivotable around the base of the 'U' The upright 23 is slidably mounted through a length of square section tube 25, and lockable therein by a locking bolt 27, the tube 25 being provided on one of the connecting members 26 provided between the second sections 22.

A length of square section tube 28 extends downwardly parallel to the second sections 22 from one of the connecting members 26 located adjacent the free ends of the third sections 24, to a further connecting member 26 provided between the first sections 17.

Siidingiy mounted within and extending upwardly from the tube 28 is a bar 30. A front thoracic support, in the form of a rearwardly facing arcuate pad 32 (Fig. 3) is mounted by an arcuate strip 34 on the free end of the bar 30. A locking bolt 36 engagingly threads through a hole in the tube 28 to lock the bar 30 at a required height. Two further lengths of tube 38 are provided immediately behind and in front of the tube 28.

Slidably mounted on each side of the tubes 28,38 are brackets 40 incorporating locking bolts 41 for locking the brackets 40 at required heights.

Horizontally extending arms 42, each incorporating a longitudinal slot 43, are pivotally mounted adjacent respective ends on respective ones of the brackets 40.

Foot plates 44 (Fig. 3) are adjustably mounted on the arms 42 by locking nuts and bolts (not shown) engaging in the slots 43. Contoured foot rests 46 incorporating fixing straps 48 are detachably mounted on the plates 44.

A short length of tubing 50 aligned substantially parallel to the second sections 22, incorporating a locking bolt 52, is mounted one of the connecting members 26 located substantially half way along the third sections 24. A saddle shaped pad 54 (Fig. 3) is detachably fixed to the tube 50 by a suitably dimensioned rod (not shown) mounted on the underside of the pad 54.

A further length of square section tube 56 extends substantially downwardly from one of the connecting members 26 mounted at the end of the third section 24 adjacent the second section 22. A bar 58 is slidably mounted in the tube 56 and extends thereabove. A locking bolt 60 is provided to lock the bar 58 to the tube 56 at a required height. A bracket 62 is mounted on the free end of the bar 58. The bracket 62 comprises a pair of short lengths of square section tube spaced apart and aligned substantially parallel to the third sections 24. A pair of aligned rods 64 are slidably mounted through the bracket 62, and a locking bolt 66 is provided for locking the rods 64 to the bracket 62. A lumbar pad 68 (Fig. 3) is detachably mounted on the forward ends of the rods 64 by means of a vertical length of tube 70 mounted therebetween.The lumbar pad 68 is substantially arcuate and faces in a forwards direction.

A length of square section tube 80 is slidingly mounted on the free end of the upright 23 and is lockable thereagainst by a locking bolt 82. The tube 80 passes between the aligned rods 64 and the upper end of the tube 80 mounts a short length of square section tube 84 aligned substantially parallel to the third sections 24. A length of square section bar 86 is slidably mounted through the tube 84 and lockable therein by a locking bolt 88. The forward end of the bar 86 mounts an arcuate shoulder pad 90 (Fig. 3) which is forward facing and inclined downwards.

The above example thus describes a seating assembly that can enable a person to be supported in the position shown in Fig. 2. Many of the components in the assembly are adjustable. For instance the inclination of the base frame 10 can be adjusted by moving the tube 25 relative to the 'T' shaped member 20 to give the desired inclination of a person on the assembly.

The saddle pad 54 is removable, and thus pads of varying sizes can be used for different sizes of people. The pad 54 is shaped to abduct the hip joint.

A flare is provided at the front of the pad to prevent a person from sliding too far forwards.

The thoracic support 32 is designed to hold the front of the persons body in position. Being arcuate it also provides lateral control of the trunk preventing severe side flexion. It is adjustable in height by sliding the bar 30 within the tube 28 to suit the person on the assembly, and if required different sized supports could be fitted.

The lumbar pad 68 is adjustable in horizontal and vertical planes. The vertical adjustment allows the lumbar pad to be sited relevant to the person's sacro-lumbar spine, and the horizontal adjustment permits the lumbar pad to be adjusted into the persons body, pushing the spine and stabilizing the upper body in a position of extension. The extension in the spine is achieved by utilizing the fixation of the trunk at the thoracic support 32 and saddle pad 54. As pressure is applied through the adjustments of the lumbar pad 68 there is a three point fixation at the thoracic support 32, saddle pad 54, and lumbar pad 68. When the lumbar pad is locked in position the body is fixed in the required position.

The shoulder pad 90 is adjustable in the horizontal and vertical plane. This support is intended to provide a means for controlling the upper trunk around the shoulder girdle and head. Persons using the apparatus are sometimes prone to uncontrollable involuntary extension thrusting. This has the effect of making the upper trunk and head throw itself backwards and can be dangerous if not controlled. The shoulder pad 90 is intended to prevent such an occurance, and in use it is positioned after alignment of the three above mentioned pads.

The foot rests 46 are designed to bilaterally support the feet. These rests can be adjusted horizontally and vertically.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example the lower limbs may be supported through the knees rather than the feet. Different means may be used to provide the adjustablity of the pads. The sub-frame may be inclined relative to the base frame by different means. The pads may be differently shaped.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. Support apparatus comprising a plurality of support members, the support members being arranged relative to each other to support a person with the centre of gravity of the upper body located substantially above the pelvis.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the apparatus supports the person with the pelvis tilted forwards.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the apparatus is constructed to permit free movement of the person's head and upper limbs when the person is supported.

4. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, in which the apparatus includes a frame upon which the support members are mounted.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, in which the support members are adjustably and/or removably mounted on the frame whereby the apparatus can support a person at a range of inclinations, and can be used with persons of different sizes.

6. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the support members are in the form of shaped pads.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, in which the support members include a saddle pad.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6 or claim 7, in which the support members include a front pad adapted to support the front of the person's trunk.

9. Apparatus according to any of claims 6 to 8, in which the support members include a lumbar pad adapted to support a person's sacro-lumbar spine.

10. Apparatus according to any of claims 6 to 9, in which the support members include a shoulder pad adapted to support a person's shoulder girdle.

11. Apparatus according to any of claims 6 to 10, in which the support members include a foot support adapted to substantially rigidly support a person's feet.

12. A method of supporting a person comprising supporting the person at a plurality of points with support members in a posture with the centre of gravity of the upper body located substantially above the pelvis.

13. A method according to claim 12, in which the person's pelvis is tilted forwards when so supported.

14. A method according to claim 12 or claim 13, in which free movement of the persons head and upper limbs is permitted.

15. A method according to any of claims 12 to 14, including supporting the persons's crutch.

16. A method according to any of claims 12 to 15, including supporting the front of the trunk.

17. A method according to any of claims 12 to 16, including supporting the sacro-lumbar spine.

18. A method according to any of claims 12 to 17, including supporting the shoulder girdle.

19. A method according to any of claims 12 to 18, including substantially rigidly supporting the person's feet.

20. A method according to any of claims 12 to 19, including causing the person to straddle a support member.

21. Support apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figs 3 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.

22. A method of supporting a person substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figs 3 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.

23. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.