GB2442873A

GB2442873A - A torso support for standing persons

Info

Publication number: GB2442873A
Application number: GB0719905A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adrian Gould
Original assignee: NESS FURNITURE Ltd
Current assignee: NESS FURNITURE Ltd
Priority date: 2006-10-12
Filing date: 2007-10-12
Publication date: 2008-04-16
Also published as: GB0719905D0; GB0620252D0

Abstract

A torso support structure (1) extending vertically for a user in a standing position, with an upper (5) and lower (6) section conjoined by a midsection (4), where the midsection is shaped so the upper section extends in a different but parallel plane to the lower section. The support may be two vertical bars (2) with crossbars (3) extending between them, covered in foam sleeves or a removable cover. Alternatively the vertical support may be a solid sheet. The support may be secured to the ground via a flange (7) with holes, and may use strengthening sections (8) near the base of the support. Two or more supports may be joined together.

Description

Ergonomic Torso Support The present invention relates to a floor

mounted support frame which is able to, at least partially, support a person's torso when they lean against it, lessening the weight on the user's legs.

In public areas such as train stations, bus concourses, airports etc where people congregate to wait for * ** *,, 10 transportation, it is common to find seating areas to allow people to rest whilst waiting. Typically, seats or benches are provided along walls or in spacious areas. Whilst this ***S** * is useful if waiting for a significant period of time, the seating areas do not tend to be utilized if waiting periods *... 15 are relatively short or if there is a need to queue. * *

Typically this is because the seating is necessarily not * . * * * located in busy areas, as due to its bulky nature it is placed away from busy thoroughfares so as not to act as a disruption or obstacle to the public.

In order to minimize the space taken up by seating in busy areas, the types of seating that is used has undergone a myriad of changes over time. Sit/stand" seating was developed which incorporates a tilting seat section that folds up when not in use. However, the presence of a hinge mechanism which is necessary to allow the movement of the seat renders the seating liable to breakage.

Alternatively rails can be provided on which a person can lean. The rails are adapted to be at approximately waist height of an average user. However, rails of this type do not support the upper body when a user leans on them which can lead to discomfort.

It can be seen that it would be advantageous to provide a means for at least partially supporting a person, particularly a person's torso.

The present invention aims to mitigate some of the problems * *. 20 associated with the prior art by providing an ergonomically

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designed support frame. **d'

According to the present invention there is provided a free standing torso support comprising a vertically extending support element adapted to be secured to a ground surface at *S*.

its lowest point; the support element comprising an upper ** S. * .. section and a lower section which are conjoined by a midsection, wherein the midsection is shaped such that the upper section extends upwards in a different, but substantially parallel plane to the lower section.

Advantageously, the free standing torso support has only a single "leg" therefore has a small footprint on the ground.

This differs from standard chairs which have a seat section of significant depth resulting in a larger footprint.

Furthermore, the free standing torso is able to provide support to a user's torso due to the overall shape.

Preferably the support element comprises at least two vertically extending bars between which extends a plurality of horizontally extending crossbars.

Providing a support element with an "open frame" structure is particularly useful when the free standing torso support is for use in a confined area, as it does not block a significant amount of light or prevent a person seeing what is behind the free standing torso support.

Preferably the crossbars are at least partially covered in a non-rigid or pliable material, typically a foam material.

The foam material provides comfort to a user leaning on the free standing torso support.

Most preferably the foam material is provided as a sleeve *.., 25 which surrounds a crossbar. * . S...

Optionally the crossbar may be provided with a removable * S.. *.

printed covering. S..

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Providing the crossbar, either with or without a foam S...

* ** sleeve, with a removable printed covering allows the free : * standing torso support to have a dual use as advertising space. The covering can be printed so that images or lettering can be read across a number of the crossbars.

Alternatively the support element is a solid sheet.

Preferably the lowest point of the free standing torso support is provided with means for securing the frame to a ground surface.

Preferably the lowest point of the free standing torso support is provided with a flange.

Most preferably the flange is provided with apertures through which attachment means such as screws can be placed in order to secure the free standing torso support to a ground surface.

Preferably the lowest point of the free standing torso support is provided with strengthening elements.

Providing additional strengthening or stiffening elements allows for pressure being applied to the upper section when a person leans on the free standing torso support.

*... 25 Most preferably the strengthening elements extend vertically S...

up at least part of the lower section of the free standing torso support.

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Optionally a plurality of free standing torso supports are conjoined. *. S. * . S S *

In order to provide a better understanding of the present invention embodiments will now be described, by way of example only and with reference to the following figures, wherein; Figure 1 is a perspective view of a free standing torso support according to one aspect of the present invention; and Figure 2 is a perspective view of a plurality of combined free standing torso supports according to the present invention; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of a free standing torso support according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

A free standing torso support frame 1 is generally depicted in Figure 1. In situ, the frame 1 consists of two vertically extending metal tubes 2 each of which have an arrangement of holes down one side. The arrangement of holes on the first vertical tube 2 are positioned to face the arrangement of holes on the second vertical tube 2 such that a number of horizontal tubes 3 can then be fixed *. 25 between the two vertical tubes 2 by positioning the ends of * the horizontal tubes 3 into opposing holes.

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* The two vertical tubes 2 are shaped to form an "s-bend" i.e. the mid section 4 curves first in one direction then curves again in the opposing direction. The result is that the upper section 5 and lower section 6 both extend in : * substantially the same direction but are spaced apart by the shaped mid section 4. When the frame 1 is formed with the horizontal tubes 2 extending between the vertical tubes 2, the mid section 4 is, in use, positioned at a point that will align with an average person's upper leg/lower torso.

This provides ergonomic support to the torso of a user leaning against the frame.

The lower section 6 of the frame 1 is provided with a flange or collar 7 through which screw holes extend. In use, screws are placed through the screw holes into the ground to secure the frame 1 in an upright position. This allows the frame 1 to be free standing without the need for another surface such as a wall to lean against.

Furthermore, the lower section 6 of the frame 1 is also provided with additional metal stiffening sections 8 which provide resistance to the forces exerted on the frame 1 when a user leans on it.

In the preferred embodiment, the horizontal tubes 3 are coated with foam to improve the comfort of the user. The foam is in the form of a sleeve which fits around the horizontal tubes 3 but it is clear that in alternative embodiments the foam could be affixed to the horizontal *... 25 tubes 3 in any appropriate manner. An additional removable * *** printed cover is then placed over the foam sleeve. The removable printed cover is of a flexible, hardwearing * *S*** * material and can be printed or embossed with wording, logos, *.* * pictures etc to form advertising space. In order to ensure *.**, 30 the printed sections can be viewed as intended, each foam S...

sleeve is fixed to a vertical tube in a manner which * * S prevents it rotating (this may be by gluing or by mechanical means). The printed covers can be aligned such that images or words can be read over a number of the horizontal tubes 3, or the cover can be extended such that it encloses multiple horizontal tubes 3.

In use, two or more support frames 1 can be conjoined to provide an elongate support frame 1 for use in larger areas.

An example of this can be seen in Figure 2.

An alternative embodiment of the invention can also be envisaged and is generally depicted in Figure 3. Here the support frame 11 is a solid sheet of metal. Again there is an upper section 15 and a lower section 16 which are joined by an "s shaped" midsection 2.4 to give an ergonomically shaped free standing frame 11. In this case foam can be incorporated as padded sections 9 for comfort.

It will be clear to a man skilled in the art that modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention herein intended. In particular1 although the description above relates to a metallic frame, any appropriate material could be used. * * * S * * ** * *** * S ***S *

**.S S. * . * S.. * * * S S... S. *S * S S *

Claims

Claims 1. A free standing torso support comprising a vertically

extending support element adapted to be secured to a ground surface at its lowest point; the support element comprising an upper section and a lower section which are conjoined by a midsection, wherein the midsection is shaped such that the upper section extends upwards in a different, but substantially parallel plane to the lower section.
2. A free standing torso support as in claim 1 wherein the support element comprises at least two vertically extending bars between which extends a plurality of horizontally extending crossbars.
3. A free standing torso support as in claim 2 wherein the crossbars are at least partially covered in a non-rigid or pliable material.
4. A free standing torso support as in claim 3 wherein the non-rigid or pliable material is a foam.
5. A free standing torso support as in claim 3 or 4 25 wherein the non-rigid or pliable material is provided S...

as a sleeve which surrounds a crossbar.

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* S*SSS
6. A free standing torso support as claimed in any of the S..

previous claims wherein the crossbar may be provided with a removable printed covering. * .5. SS *S * S S

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7. A free standing torso support as in claim 1 wherein the support element is a solid sheet.
8. A free standing torso support as in any of the previous claims wherein the lowest point of the free standing torso support is provided with means for securing the frame to a ground surface.
9. A free standing torso support as in claim 8 wherein the lowest point of the free standing torso support is provided with a flange.
10. A free standing torso support as in claim 9 wherein the flange is provided with apertures through which attachment means can be placed in order to secure the free standing torso support to a ground surface.
11. A free standing torso support as claimed in any of the previous claims wherein the lowest point of the free standing torso support is provided with strengthening elements.
12. A free standing torso support as in claim 11 wherein the strengthening elements extend vertically up * ** at least part of the lower section of the free standing torso support.

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13. A free standing torso support as in any of the S..

previous claims wherein a plurality of free standing s.', 30 torso supports are conjoined. S. ** * S * * .