GB2400313A

GB2400313A - Back support

Info

Publication number: GB2400313A
Application number: GB0308252A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John R C Mew
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-04-09
Filing date: 2003-04-09
Publication date: 2004-10-13
Also published as: GB0308252D0

Abstract

A back support device for use in the alleviation, prevention and treatment of back pain. The back support is to be positioned between the pelvis of a user seated on a surface and an opposed support. It comprises a support component having a front section and a rear section, wherein each section is is formed from a material having a different density. The back support also has two deformable/flexible legs for varying the height of the support component, such that the support can be rested on the surface on which the user sits, and be positioned in line with the user's pelvis. Suitably, the back support is made from foamed plastics or rubber materials.

Description

24003 1 3 Back Support The present invention relates to a back support, in

particular to a back support device for use in the alleviation, prevention and treatment of back pain.

Sitting for long periods can cause back pain. When sitting, the pelvis tilts backwards and distorts the curvature of the spine, which can eventually result in stress being placed upon joints. Traditionally, back supports operate by supporting the lumbar vertebra when the user is seated. Shaped cushions or specially configured seat backs are commonplace.

For example, GB 2 373 179 discloses an inflatable cushion, which is positioned between the back of a seated user and an opposed support surface such that a transverse section of the cushion extends across the user's lumbar spine. Supports such as these, however, which apply pressure to the spine, tend to increase the flexion of the lower back, particularly of the forth and fifth lumbar vertebra. The present invention seeks to provide a more effective back support.

According to the present invention there is provided a back support to be positioned between the pelvis of a user seated on a surface and an opposed support, said back support comprising a support component having a front section and a rear section, wherein each section is formed from a material having a different density.

Preferably, the back support further comprises means for varying the height of the support component, such that the support can be rested on the surface on which the user sits, and be positioned in line with the user's pelvis.

Suitably, the back support is made from foamed plastics or rubber materials Preferably, the support component comprises a substantially rectangular piece of a foamed plastics material. The component has, at least, sufficient length to cover the width of a user's back. More preferably, the support component comprises a front section having a front surface and a rear section having a rear surface, wherein the front section is made from a comparatively low density material, and the rear section is made from a higher density material. Suitably, the density of the material of the front section is in the range 15 to 40 kg/m3, preferably, 20 to 25 kg/m3, more preferably 26 to30kg/m3.

The material of the rear section preferably has a density in the range 50 to 100 kg/m3, more preferably 70 to 80kg/m3.

In the preferred embodiment, the height of the support component is adjustable by means of two flexible or deformable legs, one located at each end of the support component.

The height ofthe support component may be adjusted by pushing on the legs.

Advantageously, the support component is shaped, wherein the rear surface of the rear section is slightly laterally concave, and the front surface of the front section is concave to a higher degree. This means that, in use, the rear surface is pushed flat against the opposed support and the front section contacts with the back and sides of the user.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure I illustrates the effect of a traditional support and an embodiment of a support in accordance with the present invention on the spine of a seated user; Figure 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a back support in accordance with the present invention; Figure 3a is a view of the embodiment of Figure 2 in use with an of fice-type chair; and Figure 3b is a view of the embodiment of Figure 2 in use with a car seat.

With reference to Figure 2 there is shown an embodiment of a back support having a front section or layer 1 1 and a rear section or layer 10. Front section I 1 and rear section make up the support component 16. The support further comprises a leg component 17 having two legs 12.

Front section 11 has a front surface 14, and rear section 10 has a rear surface 13. The support is ideally used on a chair, such as an office chair (as shown in Figure 3a), where rear surface 13 contacts the back of the chair, and legs 12 rest on the seat of the chair.

In order to use the support, it is placed on a chair, or other surface, on which the user sits.

The position of support component 16 can be adjusted by pushing down on legs 12 thereby deforming them until support component 16 is positioned in line with the user's pelvis. Support component 16 will typically be located approximately 25mm below the waist of the user.

With reference to Figure 1, when a person is seated, the pelvis rotates backwards relative to the position of the pelvis of the person when standing. This flattens the normal lumbar lordosis. The most severe flexion is focused on the forth and fifth lumbar vertebra and their respective disks. Evidence suggests that changes in posture can change skeletal form and the maintenance of an unnatural flexed posture over long periods is likely to cause changes to the vertebra. The joints then become at risk from stresses or strains.

Support component 16 acts to push firmly against the pelvic bone of a user, specifically, along the iliac crest of the pelvic bone, without contacting the spine. The pelvis is therefore tilted forward, and the spine is allowed to re-align.

The support device is preferably made from a foamed plastics or rubber material, but can be made from any suitable material which provides sufficient pressure on the pelvis and flexibility.

Relatively strong forces are required to rotate the pelvis forward when sitting.

Traditional cushions or pads do not provide sufficient force on the iliac crest to extend the vertebra of the lower back, and are therefore less effective. Specifically, it has been found that a force of at least approximately 110 Newtons (251bs) is preferable, and that support component 16 can provide a force of up to approximately 270 Newtons (60 Ibs).

Support component 16 comprises foamed plastics materials of different densities in order that firm pressure can be applied to the pelvis without causing discomfort to the user.

In the preferred embodiment, front section 11 is made from a foamed plastics material having a density in the range of 26 to 30kg/m3, to provide sufficient cushioning for the user in order that the support is not uncomfortable. Rear section 10 is made from a higher density foam, having a density in the range of 70 to 80kg/m3, in order to provide sufficient force to tilt the pelvis. It has been found that a polyurethane material is particularly suitable.

In one embodiment, front section 11 and rear section 10 are shaped to provide maximum contact of support component 16 with the user. Front section 11 is concave in shape to wrap around the pelvis and sides of the user, and provide added support to the pelvis.

Rear section 10 is also slightly concave in order that, in use, rear surface 13 is pushed into contact with the opposed support (a chair back, as shown in Figure 3) without causing excessive compression of the foam of the support component.

Claims

Claims 1. A back support to be positioned between the pelvis of a user

sitting on a surface and an opposed support, said back support comprising a support component havmg, at least, a front section and a rear section, wherein each section is formed from a material having a different density.
2. A back support as claimed in claim I further comprising means for varying the height of the support component.
3. A back support as claimed in claim 2 wherein the height of the support component is adjusted by means of two flexible or deformable legs.
4. A back support as claimed in any one of claims I to 3 wherein at least a portion of the support is made from a foamed plastics material.
5. A back support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the support component is substantially rectangular.
6. A back support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the support component has at least sufficient length to cover the width of a user's back.
7. A back support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the support component comprises a front section having a front surface and a rear section having a rear surface, wherein the front section is made from a comparatively low density foamed plastics material, and the rear section is made from a higher density foamed plastics material.
8. A back support as claimed in claim 7 wherein the density of the foamed plastics material of the front section is in the range 26 to 30kg/m3. s
9. A back support as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the foamed plastics material of the rear section has a density of 70 to 80kg/m3.
10. A back support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the surface of the rear section is concave.
11. A back support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the surface of the front section is concave.
12. A back support substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying Figures.