GB2373179A

GB2373179A - Cushion

Info

Publication number: GB2373179A
Application number: GB0124225A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Geoffrey Lloyd
Original assignee: HOSKINS TIM; LJBH
Current assignee: HOSKINS TIM; LJBH
Priority date: 2001-07-13
Filing date: 2001-10-09
Publication date: 2002-09-18
Also published as: GB0117271D0; GB0124225D0

Abstract

An inflatable cushion arranged to be positioned between the back of a seated user and an opposed support surface (8) such that a transverse portion (2) of the cushion extends across the user's lumber spine between two side portions (4) of the cushion which extend downwards towards the squab of the chair. The cushion may be attached to the chair of the user. The transverse portion 2 and each of the side portions 4 comprise respective inflatable chambers between which air may flow at a controlled rate. The cushion provides support to a user's lower back for alleviating backache and for improving posture.

Description

Seat Cushion

The present invention relates to a seat cushion and more particularly to a seat cushion for use with a seat having a squab and a back, to provide support to a user's lower back for alleviating backache and for improving posture.

It is known that backache may be alleviated by placing a cushion behind a person's lower back, whilst the person is seated on a chair or seat, such cushions typically taking the form of an rectangular envelope of fabric material filled with a compressible material such as foam, feather or man-made fibrous material.

However, we have found that known cushions are limited in the degree of relief that they can provide to a backache sufferer and fail to provide any long term therapeutic effect by improving the posture of the user.

We have now devised an arrangement which overcomes the limitations of existing cushions.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a cushion arranged to be positioned between the back of a seated user and an opposed support surface such that a transverse portion of the cushion extends across the user's lumber spine between two side portions of the cushion which extend downwards towards the squab of the chair.

We have found that such a cushion is highly effective when used to provide immediate relief from backache and can result in a considerable improvement a user's posture when used over an extended period of time.

Preferably the side portions are arranged to extend, in use, around the sides of the user's torso, to provide lateral support thereto.

Preferably the transverse portion and each of the side portions of the cushion comprise respective deformable chambers which are, or are arranged to be, partially filled with a fluid, the respective interfaces between the transverse portion and each of the upright portions comprising at least

one passageway arranged to allow a restricted flow of said fluid therethrough.

Preferably the cushion is, or is arranged to be filled with a gas such as air, but may instead be filled with a more viscous substance such as a liquid or a gel.

Thus, in use, the cushion will adapt to the shape of the user's lower torso, with the degree of inflation of the transverse portion (and thus the extent to which it projects into the small of the user's back) being determined by the extent to which the lower regions of each of the two side portions are compressed by the pelvis and or buttocks of the user.

Furthermore, where the side portions are arranged to extend around the sides of a user's torso, the restricted flow of fluid between the chambers allows the torso to be rotated at a controlled rate.

Preferably the cushion is formed from two opposed, substantially U-shaped flexible panels welded or otherwise joined together about their peripheral edges, the passageways between the chambers being provided by respective discontinuities in a pair of welds or other joins which define the interfaces between the transverse portion and the side portions, the welds or other joins preferably extending vertically on either side of the transverse portion.

Preferably the cushion comprises a strap which may be extended around the back of a seat or chair or around a user's torso to secure the cushion in place.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of an example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front elevation of a cushion in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the cushion of Figure 1 attached to a chair; Figure 3 is a sectional view through the cushion;

Figures 4 and 5 are sequential perspective and sectional views illustrating a preferred method of using of the cushion; and Figure 6 is a sectional view of a prior-art cushioning arrangement.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, an inflatable cushion is shown comprising a transverse portion 2, two side portions 4 and a strap 6 for buckling the cushion either to a seat back 8, as shown in Figure 2, or around a user's torso (indicated by the dashed lines in Figure 1), such that, in use, the transverse portion 2 of the cushion extends across the user's lumber spine and projects into the forward curve in the small of the user's back, with the side portions 4 of the cushion overlying the user's pelvic region.

As shown in Figure 3, the transverse portion 2 and each of the side portions 4 of the cushion comprise respective inflatable chambers 10,12 between which air may flow, at a controlled rate, through small apertures 14 in the interfaces between the chambers, when the cushion is partially inflated via an inlet valve 16.

The cushion is formed from a pair of opposed, substantially U-shaped panels of impermeable material, the apertures being 14 provided by respective discontinuities in a pair of welds 18, which form hermetically sealed joins defining the interfaces between the transverse portion 2 and the side portions 4, the welds 18 extending vertically on either side of the transverse portion 2.

Thus, with the cushion fitted to a seat or to a user's back and partially inflated, the degree of inflation of the transverse portion 2 (and thus the extent to which that portion projects into the small of the user's back) is determined by the extent to which the lower regions of each of the two side portions 4 are compressed between the pelvis and or buttocks of the user and the seat back.

To achieve the required degree of lumbar and lateral

support, it is convenient for the user to first attach the cushion, inflated to an appropriate pressure, to the back 8 of a seat or around his waist, to then to sit, as shown in Figure 4, with his buttocks pressed into the join between the seat back 8 and squab to compress the side portions 4 of the cushion. By subsequently leaning backwards, as shown in Figure 5, the user is thereby relieved of any backache from which he may be suffering and also benefits, through repeated use of the cushion, from an improvement in his posture.

By comparing the seated posture of the user shown in Figure 5 with that of Figure 6, being that which would result if a conventional cushion 20 were instead employed to support a seated person, it can be seen that the cushion of the present invention, when used in the manner described above, will provide a more beneficial alignment of the user spine.

Also, in use of the cushion of the present invention, pressure on the user's lower back is absorbed to a considerable extent by the user's buttocks, thereby reducing pressure over those areas of the user's back most likely to be affected by backache, such as the lower lumber spine, sacrum and sacroiliac joins.

Furthermore, when the user is in the upright position shown in 5, compressive forces exerted upon the cushion will cause laterally projecting portions of the side portions 4 to mould themselves around the sides of the user's loins, thereby providing lateral stability to the user's torso. If the user then needs to undertake any rotational motion of his torso, the resulting, controlled transfer of air that between the chambers 10,12 of the cushion will limit the rate of rotation, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the user's back.

The cushion thus described provides a convenient and effective means for both short and long term alleviation of back pain.

Claims

Claims

1) A cushion arranged to be positioned between the back of a seated user and an opposed support surface such that a transverse portion of the cushion extends across the user's lumber spine between two side portions of the cushion which extend downwards towards the squab of the chair.

2) A cushion as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the side portions are arranged to extend, in use, around the sides of the user's torso, to provide lateral support thereto.

3) A cushion as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the transverse portion and each of the side portions of the cushion comprise respective deformable chambers which are, or are arranged to be, partially filled with a fluid, the respective interfaces between the transverse portion and each of the side portions comprising at least one passageway arranged to allow a restricted flow of said fluid therethrough.

4) A cushion as claimed in Claim 3, filled with or arranged to be filled with a gas.

5) A cushion as claimed in Claim 3, filled with or arranged to be filled with a liquid.

6) A cushion as claimed in Claim 3, filled with or arranged to be filled with a gel.

7) A cushion as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 6, formed from two opposed, substantially U-shaped flexible panels welded or otherwise joined together about their peripheral edges, the passageways between the chambers being provided by respective discontinuities in a pair of welds or other joins

which define the interfaces between the transverse portion and the side portions. 8) A cushion as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the welds or other joins which define the interfaces between the transverse portion and the side portions extend vertically on either side of the transverse portion.

9) A cushion as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a strap which may be extended around the back of a seat or chair or around a user's torso to secure the cushion in place.

10) A cushion substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.