GB2368270A

GB2368270A - An item of luggage with a back support

Info

Publication number: GB2368270A
Application number: GB0122126A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Green
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-09-13
Filing date: 2001-09-13
Publication date: 2002-05-01
Also published as: GB0022452D0; GB0122126D0

Abstract

An item of luggage with a back support comprises a storage compartment 1 and an attached back support 3 which is rotatable trough 180{. The back support may be designed to match the luggage item, and may be contained within a detachable compartment 10. The back support may be resiliently deformable or revesibly enlargable and may be an open-cell 4 foam contained within a sealed bag provided with a valve. Stiffeners may be located in the side or the face of the back support, and may form one side 5 of the back support. In use, the back support supports the lumbar region of the spine and the item of luggage with a back support allows for the convenient, unobtrusive transport of the back support.

Description

Back Support The present invention relates to back supports.

Problems with the back and spine are extremely common, and back sufferers benefit from utilisation of back supports, which ensure that the spine is maintained in a suitable position. However, such support devices are often cumbersome to carry around and may be indiscreet, causing potential embarrassment to a user. As such. back sufferers are not able to look after their backs under all situations, but may simply rely upon back supports at home, for example, to provide relief.

WO89/04618 discloses a beach bag having a flap and a separate rectangular rest member upon which it is possible to lie back. This sort of construction is only possible to use in situations with large amounts of space, typically on the ground. Accordingly, there is a need for a readily portable back support for sufferers of back pain which is readily portable and discrete and which does not take up too much room, in use.

Thus, in a first aspect, the present invention provides an item of luggage comprising a storage portion and a back support, characterised in that the back support is reversibly attachable to the storage portion.

The term"reversible", as used herein, indicates that the back support is effectively moved through 180 degrees to expose the inside of the back support. It will be appreciated that the actual amount of rotation may be varied slightly, but it is important that the back support serves the function of supporting the back, especially the lumbar region.

The back support of the present invention typically comprises a rigid part and a resilient part which, whilst not being uncomfortable to the back being supported, is sufficiently rigid to provide support.

The back support typically comprises a panel of the item of luggage, such as a briefcase.

It is generally preferable that the panel be a concealed panel and. whilst it is possible for items to be stored between the back support and the remainder of the luggage, it is generally preferable that there be a dividing portion between the back support and the rest of the luggage, in order that items do not fall out when the back support is removed.

The back support may be entirely removable from the item of luggage, or may be connected thereto. In one aspect, there may be Velcro@ strips attached to the rigid portion of the back support to enable connection directly to the item of luggage. Such

Velcro@ strips may in addition to, or alternatively, be attached to the cushion, or resilient portion.

In general, it is preferable for a Velcro (D strip not to be attached to the rigid portion of the back support, as this can catch during normal use of the luggage. Instead, strips may be provided on the cushion face which extend over the back of the rigid support to attach to the luggage. Alternatively, for example, straps may be provided from the item of luggage which are able to retain the back support when the support is reversed.

It will be appreciated that the form of the cushion may simply take the style of padding on the rigid support, or may be shaped in a manner particularly suitable for lumbar, or other back region, support.

It is an advantage of the present invention that the luggage may be used discretely in manner such as a typical briefcase, for example may be used, and that the user may be able to take the luggage on a train, or other public transport, for example, to support his or her back. Simply by reversing the panel, the briefcase, or other form of luggage, can be placed behind the users back to provide relief.

There is a need in the art for a back support which is readily portable and discreet. and thus is likely to be used by the back sufferer.

In a first aspect, the present invention relates to an item of luggage comprising a storage portion and a back support, the luggage being adapted such that the back support is reversibly attachable to the storage portion.

We have discovered that an effective back support may form a detachable part of a piece of luggage, such as a suitcase, such that it can be easily carried around. The back support suitably forms an additional external unit which may be used with standard luggage types. When required, the back support may be quickly detached from the main body of the luggage, such that it can be used by the back sufferer. In this way, the back support is carried by the back sufferer as part of an item that he or she would normally use during the day. This feature, together with the fact that the back support forms an external portion of the luggage, means that the back support is not likely to be forgotten by the user. This is in contrast to supports which may only be carried around within luggage, and which may easily be left out and forgotten.

Preferably the back support is designed to match the storage portion of the luggage to which it is reversibly attachable. Suitably, the back support simply forms an extra compartment of the luggage, such as an extra compartment of a briefcase.

Advantageously, this feature renders the back support discreet, and able to be used without any of the embarrassment that may arise if an'obvious'back support were to be produced during a business meeting or other public occasion.

Preferably, the back support is resiliently deformable or reversibly enlargeable in some way, such as reversibly inflatable. The preferred feature of the reversibly enlargeable nature of the back support allows it to occupy minimal space and have minimum weight when not in use. The back support may also simply be mouldable or otherwise changeable in shape without the requirement for a change in overall size, such that the support means may be moulded into the correct shape to provide back support for the user. Where the term'enlargeable' (or inflatable) is used herein, in relation to the back support, it will be appreciated that the discussion also relates to a mouldable back support as described above, where this is appropriate.

Suitably, the back support comprises a mouldable or enlargeable unit contained within a detachable luggage compartment, the compartment also comprising a stiffening means, such as a stiffening plate. When the support is enlargeable, enlargement of the unit then acts to increase the size of the compartment, which may then be used to provide support to the back. The stiffening means ensures that one side of the compartment remains generally flat when the unit is inflated, for example, such that the support is sufficiently rigid to provide support for the back when in use. The stiffening means is suitably located on the side or face of the back support which is designed to be reversibly attachable to the main body of the luggage, in order to facilitate such attachment.

Preferably the stiffening means forms one side of the back support.

The attachment of the back support to the storage portion of luggage to form the

JeiMi luggage of the invention may be by any suitable attachment means, such as Velcro, press studs, magnetic attachments, clips, buttons or any suitable combination thereof.

7W Preferably the attachment is by a combination of Velcreand press stud. Either the back support, the storage portion or both may be adapted to allow reversible attachment of the back support to the storage portion, with adaptation of the back support especially preferred.

The reversibly enlargeable unit may take any suitable form. Preferably the unit comprises an open cell foam which is resiliently deformable contained within a sealed bag, the passage of air into the bag being controlled by a valve. In the unexpanded state the foam is compressed, and there is no air (or only a little air) within the foam. In this state the valve is closed. The valve may then be opened to let air into the bag, and thus allow the foam to expand, to provide the basis of the back support. The use of such foam has distinct technical advantages in that it is reversibly compressible, for compactness, light and also mouldable, such that it can provide optimum back support.

The provision of a stiffening means provides a platform against which the foam (for example), can press, to generate a rigid base against which moulding of the foam can take place.

The present invention also relates to use of open cell foam in back supports. and to back supports comprising an open cell foam. The present invention is, however, not limited to the use of foam, and units which are physically inflated by the user, for example, are also envisaged. Indeed, the invention extends to any technology which allows reversible enlargement of the unit within the back support.

Preferably the enlargeable unit may be enlarged or inflated to different degrees. such that the appropriate level of back support is provided. Additionally, it is preferred that the enlargeable unit may be movable within the compartment, for optimum support and comfort.

Preferably the interior of the compartment in which the enlargeable unit is contained is easily accessible. In this way. and when not in use, the compartment which forms part of the back support may be used to carry documents, clothes or any other items. These items may be removed prior to use of the support.

In a further embodiment, the enlargeable or inflatable unit may be defined by the wall of the compartment itself, such that the back support is a hollow compartment whose walls may be inflated to provide suitable back support.

The stiffening support of the present invention may be any suitable material, such as plywood, cardboard, plastics materials, carbon fibre or glass fibre. Other suitable materials are well known to the person skilled in the art. Preferably the stiffening material is a lightweight material. The stiffening support may be in any suitable form, preferably forming a honey-comb structure which provides optimum strength and minimises weight. The stiffening support of the present invention is suitably sufficiently robust to maintain a generally flat surface when the enlargeable unit is inflated.

The back support of the present invention is preferably adapted to support the spine, in particular the base (lumbar) region of the spine, such that it helps the back to adopt a configuration which minimises back damage and relieves back pain. Correct spinal posture also helps to prevent back pain and spinal problems from arising. Suitable back postures which are assisted by the back support of the present invention are now well known by doctors and physiotherapists, for example. Preferably, the back support is able to help shape the spine, and helps to maintain this shape. rather than simply being a cushioning element such as a mat, which offers no back support.

The luggage of the present invention, of which the back support comprises one part, may be a briefcase, handbag, suitcase, computer case, rucksack or any suitable luggage item.

The compartment forming part of the back support may be made of any suitable material, although lightweight materials are preferred. Suitably the portion of the back

support which is in contact with the back during use comprises a breathable material, 'ri such as Gortex, to minimise perspiration during use. Waterproof materials, such as waterproof nylon, are also preferred. Other suitable materials are well known to the skilled person in the art.

Suitably, the luggage of the present invention has a handle or handles which are spaced to allow the luggage to be easily carried. We prefer that the luggage of the present invention comprises a handle or handles positioned on the luggage such that the luggage is balanced in the presence of the back support.

The present invention also extends to cover a back support as defined herein, suitable for use in combination with a storage portion to form luggage of the invention.

The present invention is now described in more detail with reference to the following figures, which are illustrative but not limiting upon the present invention, wherein: Figure 1 shows a briefcase in side elevation; Figure 2 shows a briefcase with the back support unit detached ; Figure 3 shows a briefcase in cross section; Figure 4 shows a briefcase with the back support unit detached: and Figure 5 shows the back support unit in its expanded state In detail. Figure 1 illustrates a briefcase (1) having a handle (6). In Figure 2, the briefcase is shown with the back support (3) detached from the main body of the luggage (2). The back support (3) is held on to the main body of the case by fastening means (8) in the form of magnetic press studs.

In Figure 3, the main body of the luggage (2) is shown to have 2 compartments. These are attached to back support (3). The back support (3) has a stiffening plate (5) which forms part of the face which contacts the main body of the luggage (2). The back support (3) contains an enlargeable unit (4) which is moveable within the compartment (10). The enlargeable unit is comprised of an open cell foam having a density of 23kg/m and a crib 5 fire retardant rating.

In Figure 4, the back support (3) is shown detached from the main body of the luggage (2), and with the enlargeable unit (4) in its unenlarged form.

In Figure 5, the inflatable unit is shown with the enlargeable unit (4) in its enlarged state. The stiffening plate (5) remains generally flat under such conditions, while the other walls of the compartment (10) curve to take up the shape of the enlargeable unit.

In use, the user simply detaches the back support from the case by disengagement of the fastening means (8), and then enlarges the enlargeable unit (4). The back support, as pictured in Figure 5 can then be placed behind the back of the back sufferer to provide back support.

Claims

Claims 1 An item of luggage comprising a storage portion and a back support, characterised in that the back support is reversibly attachable to the storage portion.
2 An item according to claim 1, wherein the back support is designed to match the storage portion of the luggage.
3 An item according to claim I or 2, wherein the back support is resiliently deformable or reversibly enlargeable.
4 An item according to any preceding claim wherein the back support comprises an inflatable or otherwise enlargeable unit contained within a detachable luggage compartment, the compartment also comprising a stiffening means.
5 An item according to claim 4, wherein the stiffening means is located on the side or face of the back support which is designed to be reversibly attachable to the storage portion.
6 An item according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the stiffening means forms one side of the back support.
7 An item according to any of claims 3-6, wherein the reversibly enlargeable unit comprises an open cell foam which is resiliently deformable contained within a sealed bag, the passage of air into the bag being controlled by a valve.
8 A back support as defined in any preceding claim, adapted to be reversibly attachable to a separate storage portion to form a piece of luggage.
9 An item of luggage or back support according to any preceding claim, wherein the back support is adapted to support the lumbar region of the spine.
10 A back support comprising an open cell foam.