GB2419815A

GB2419815A - Portable multi-purpose back rest including a games board

Info

Publication number: GB2419815A
Application number: GB0505769A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mohinder Rajal
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-11-08
Filing date: 2005-03-21
Publication date: 2006-05-10
Anticipated expiration: 2025-03-21
Also published as: GB0424639D0; GB2419814A; GB2419815B; GB0505769D0

Abstract

A portable light-weight back rest 1 comprises a rectangular base 3 which is placed on the ground and a rectangular back support 4 which is adjustably attached to the base at one end. The back rest may include legs (8,Fig.3) which fold away into a base unit and allow the back rest to be used as a small table, and an activity board and a games board (18,Fig.4) (e.g. a chess or draught board, a backgammon board or a snakes and ladders board). The back rest may be erected to variable positioning to suit comfort, with extra cushioning if necessary and a non-slip base. The back rest may be used both indoors and outdoors. The back rest folds away flat into a carry case complete with handles and may be made in a variety of colours and sizes.

Description

PORTABLE MULTI-PURPOSE BACK REST

The present invention relates to multi-purpose apparatus with the primary function of providing back support.

According to the invention there is provided portable apparatus for providing back support to a user sat on the ground, the apparatus comprising a rectangular base part for placing on the ground, the base part comprising a box having a solid lower face and being open to the upper side thereby creating a hollow interior enclosed by solid outer walls, and a back support part being adjustably attached at one end to an end of the base part and being adjustably attached on its underside to a supporting framework allowing the back support part to be adjustably positioned, the base part having a plurality of formations on the upper surface of the outer walls of the base part for engaging with the supporting framework to allow the back support part to be elevated at a plurality of angles thereby supporting the user in a plurality of positions, and the apparatus being closable in that the back support part may be brought into contact with the base part such that the supporting framework is fully contained within the apparatus.

The embodiment of the apparatus to be described in detail herein is a portable and light- weight apparatus which opens up as a lumbar support to enable a user to sit as comfortably as possible on the ground, without the user having to use their hands for support. It is particularly suited for use by people who suffer from back problems, for whom sitting on the ground for extended periods can be extremely uncomfortable and painful.

The apparatus may also contain fold-away legs which enable the apparatus to be used as a table. As will be described in more detail, the apparatus can also be used as a drawing board and a board or table for playing board games, thereby provided entertainment for children.

When closed, the apparatus may have an appearance similar to that of a briefcase, allowing the apparatus to be easily carried by a user and stored away when not in use.

Apparatus embodying the present invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the apparatus providing lumbar support to a user; Figure 2 is a representation of the underside of one embodiment of the apparatus including foldable legs; Figure 3 is a side-on view of the apparatus, showing the function of the supporting framework and the function of the foldable legs; Figure 4 is a representation of the underside of the back support part, also showing the supporting framework; Figure 5 is a representation of the upper face of the base part of the apparatus; Figure 6 is a side-on view of the apparatus when the apparatus is closed; and Figure 7 is a top view of the apparatus, wherein the outer surface of the back support part carries a gaines board.

In the drawings, like elements are generally designated with the same reference numeral.

Figure 1 shows the apparatus I in use in its primary function of providing lumbar support to a user 2 who is sat on the ground. The apparatus 1 comprises a rectangular base part 3 which is placed on the ground and a rectangular back support part 4 which is adjustably attached to the base part 3 at one end. The back support part 4 is adjustably attached on its underside (this being the underside when the apparatus is placed on the ground as shown in Figure 1) to a supporting framework 5, which allows the back support part 4 to be elevated at a plurality of different angles depending on the needs of the user 2. The back support part 4 may be adjustably attached to the base part 3 by means of any suitable attachment. For example, butt hinges or continuous hinges may be used. Similarly, the back support part 4 may be attached to the supporting framework 5 by means of any suitable attachment. The base part 3 has a plurality of grooves 6 on the upper surface of the two longer sides (of which only one, designated 7, is visible in Figure 1). The grooves 6 engage with the supporting framework 5 to allow the back support part 4 to support the user 2 in a plurality of different sitting positions.

Figure 2 is a representation of the underside of the base part 3 of the apparatus 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the apparatus 1 comprises legs 8 which are pivotably attached to the underside of the base part 3 at the ends closest to the shorter sides 9 of the base part 3. The legs 8 allow the apparatus 1 to be used as a small table, which may for example be used to keep food and drinks off of the ground if the apparatus is to be used outdoors. The apparatus 1 may also be employed as a small table to allow board games to be played more comfortably than if the board was placed on the ground. When the legs 8 are not required, or the apparatus 1 is closed for storage or carriage, the legs 8 are able to be folded away into the body of the base part 3 so that the lower face of the base part 3 is substantially continuous. The legs 8 fold into appropriately sized and positioned recesses 10 in the base part 3, parallel to the longer sides 7 of the base part 3.

S

Figure 3 is a side-on view of the apparatus 1, showing how the supporting framework 5 engages with the grooves 6 in the base part 3 to allow the back support part 4 to be elevated at a plurality of different angles depending on the needs of the user 2. The back support part 4 is attached to the base part 3 at the joint 11 which allows the back support part 4 to be elevated at the required angle and also to be aligned in parallel contact with the base part 3 when the apparatus 1 is closed for storage or carriage. The supporting framework 5 is attached to the underside of the back support part 4 at the joint 12, enabling the supporting framework 5 to engage with the grooves 6 as necessary to provide the required elevation of the back support part 4. The legs 8 are attached to the base part 3 at the joints 13, enabling the legs 8 to be folded out to allow the apparatus to be used as

a small table.

The joints designated 11 and 12 may be formed from a plurality of butt hinges, a continuous hinge, or any other suitable adjustable attachment. The joints designated 13 may be formed from any suitable pivot.

The legs 8 may also be extendable, thereby allowing the back support part 4 to be used as a table surface at a plurality of different heights.

Figure 4 is a representation of the underside (again, this being the underside when the apparatus 1 is placed on the ground as shown in Figure 1) of the back support part 4, showing how the supporting framework 5 is attached to the back support part 4. In the representation shown, the supporting framework 5 is attached to the back support part via two hinges 14. On the underside of the back support part 4 there is a recess 15 which is shaped to receive the supporting framework 5 to provide a substantially continuous underside surface when the apparatus I is closed for storage or carriage. This is advantageous as the interior of the apparatus 1 may be used for storage, as will be described below.

Figure 5 is representation of the upper face (this being the upper face when the apparatus 1 is placed on the ground as shown in Figure 1) of the base part 3. The grooves 6 are shown in detail, and can be seen to comprise a plurality of similar grooves on the longer sides 7 of the base part 3. The grooves 6 on each of the longer sides 7 are situated opposite the corresponding groove on the other longer side, such that in use the supporting framework S can engage the required pair of grooves to produce the required elevation of the back support part 4. As can also be seen in FigureS, the four sides of the base part 3 comprise solid outer walls, thereby defining a hollow interior 16. The hollow interior 16 may be used to store various items associated with the apparatus 1 (such as, for example, a cushion for the back support part 4, drawing materials and paper and playing pieces for board games) or any other items which require transportation with the apparatus 1, and may be compartmented in any suitable way.

Figure 6 is a side-on view of the apparatus 1 when the apparatus 1 is closed for storage or carriage. The base part 3 and the back support part 4 are in parallel contact and are secured together by suitable fastening means. For example, a clasp could be provided on the opposite end of the apparatus 1 to the end at which the base part 3 and the back support part 4 are adjustably attached. The supporting framework 5 and any items stored in the hollow interior 16 of the base part 3 are contained within the closed apparatus 1, and the legs 8 are folded away into the recesses 10 in the base part 3 so that the lower face (this being the lower face when the apparatus 1 is placed on the ground as shown in Figure 1) of the base part is substantially continuous. Also included on the outer surface of one of the longer sides 7 of the base part 3 is a canying handle 17, thereby making the apparatus 1 simple to carry on its side. This gives the apparatus I a compact and simple appearance, similar in shape and size to that of a briefcase, when the apparatus 1 is closed for storage or carriage.

Figure 7 is a top view of a further embodiment of the apparatus 1 showing the upper surface of the back support part 4. This upper surface carries a games board 18 (such as, for example, a chess or draughts board, a backgammon board or a snakes and ladders board) which may be used with the apparatus 1 on the ground or, more comfortably, with the apparatus 1 employed as a small table by making use of the legs 8.

The apparatus is preferably formed from a plastic material, which will make the apparatus 1 tough, light-weight and portable, and easy to clean. Of course, the apparatus 1 could be formed from any other suitable material.

There may also be provided means to prevent the apparatus 1 from moving under the force exerted by the user 2 when the apparatus 1 is providing lumbar support to the user 2.

If the apparatus 1 is to be used indoors, this could comprise a non-slip surface affixed to the underside of the base part 3. For outdoor use on soft ground such as grass, the lower surface of the base part 3 could be provided with a plurality of holes, which would allow fixing means such as tent pegs to be sunk into the ground through the holes, thereby securing the apparatus 1 to the ground. Of course, any other suitable means for preventing the apparatus 1 from moving, if it is used either indoors or outdoors, could be used.

Claims

1. Portable apparatus for providing back support to a user sat on the ground, the apparatus comprising a base part for placing on the ground, the base part comprising a box having a solid lower face and being open to the upper side thereby creating a hollow interior enclosed by solid outer walls, and a back support part being adjustably attached at one end to an end of the base part and being adjustably attached on its underside to a supporting framework allowing the back support part to be adjustably positioned, the base part having a plurality of formations on the upper surface of the outer walls of the base part for engaging with the supporting framework to allow the back support part to be elevated at a plurality of angles thereby supporting the user in a plurality of positions, and the apparatus being closable in that the back support part may be brought into contact with the base part such that the supporting framework is fully contained within the apparatus.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base part further comprises legs on its underside thereby allowing the apparatus to be used as a table, the legs being pivotably attached to the base part at their distal end and wherein the base part comprises a recess associated with each leg such that each leg may be received by the associated recess, thereby giving the base part a substantially continuous lower face.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the legs are extendable.

4. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the back support part includes on its underside a recess shaped to receive the supporting framework when the apparatus is closed, thereby keeping the interior hollow unobstructed and allowing the interior hollow to be used as a storage space.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the interior hollow comprises compartments for storing different items therein.

6. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the formations are a plurality of grooves.

7. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the back support part and the base part are secured by fastening means.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the fastening means is a clasp.

9. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the apparatus is constructed from a durable and light-weight material.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the material is a plastic material.

11. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the outer surface of the back support part has a games board incorporated thereon.

12. Portable apparatus for providing back support to a user, substantially as described herein and/or with reference to any one of or any combination of the accompanying drawings.