GB2556637A

GB2556637A - Supine stabilizer

Info

Publication number: GB2556637A
Application number: GB1619650.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edward Goldsmith John
Original assignee: Simple Stuff Works Ass Ltd
Current assignee: Simple Stuff Works Ass Ltd
Priority date: 2016-11-21
Filing date: 2016-11-21
Publication date: 2018-06-06
Also published as: WO2018091925A1; GB201619650D0; USD854693S1

Abstract

A stabilizer 10 for supporting a person in a supine position, wherein the stabilizer 10 comprises a support cushion 12 defining an area 14 comprising two leg receiving channels 16 and a base portion 18 which, in use, resists movement of the persons respective hips away from the orientation in which the femoral head is located in the acetabulum such that the femoral head points directly into the acetabulum socket. The base portion may have a longest dimension which extends beyond the width of the pillow, outwardly to each side of the support cushion. The base portion may further comprise a removable base portion insert (e.g. formed from a closed cell form) and adjustable straps which secure the insert in position.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Simple Stuff Works Associates Ltd.

Units 4 and 5, Cavendish,

Lichfield Road Industrial Estate, Tamworth, Staffordshire, B79 7XH, United Kingdom (72) Inventor(s):

John Edward Goldsmith (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

EIP

Fairfax House, 15 Fulwood Place, LONDON, WC1V 6HU, United Kingdom (56) Documents Cited:

CN 204889439 U US 20150250326 A1

US 4805605 A1 US 20120180219 A1

Product webpage for 'Multi-plane stabilizer* at Simplestuffworks.com, http:// www.simplestuffworks.co.uk/our_products/multiplane-stabilizer/

YouTube video 'How to- MultiPlane Stabilizer', published on 18th Jan 2017 by Simple Stuff Works Associates SSWA, available at: https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2zeYgsalIA (58) Field of Search:

INT CL A47C, A47G, A61F, A61G Other: WPI, EPODOC, INTERNET (54) Title of the Invention: Supine stabilizer Abstract Title: Supine stabilizer (57) A stabilizer 10 for supporting a person in a supine position, wherein the stabilizer 10 comprises a support cushion 12 defining an area 14 comprising two leg receiving channels 16 and a base portion 18 which, in use, resists movement of the person’s respective hips away from the orientation in which the femoral head is located in the acetabulum such that the femoral head points directly into the acetabulum socket. The base portion may have a longest dimension which extends beyond the width of the pillow, outwardly to each side of the support cushion. The base portion may further comprise a removable base portion insert (e.g. formed from a closed cell form) and adjustable straps which secure the insert in position.

FIG. 2

This print incorporates corrections made under Section 117(1) of the Patents Act 1977.

At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print reproduced here is taken from a later filed formal copy. The claims were filed later than the filing date but within the period prescribed by Rule 22(1) of the Patents Rules 2007.

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FIG. 1

FIG. 2

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FIG. 3

FIG. 4

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FIG. 6

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FIG. 8

TITLE

Supine Stabilizer

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

Examples of the disclosure relate to a stabilizer for supporting a person in a supine position, and particularly a stabilizer configured such that in use a person’s respective hips are urged to adopt an orientation in which the femoral head is located in an optimum position in the acetabulum.

BACKGROUND

Persons with neurological and physical impairments, such as high muscle tone, are at risk of the incremental development of body shape distortion through adopting damaging sleeping positions. Such body shape distortions can over time lead to numerous health problems. A particular problem is hip dislocation where the femoral head is forced out of the acetabulum.

There is a requirement therefore to provide stabilizers for supporting a person in a supine position and which prevent damaging sleeping positions from being adopted and/or correct established damaging sleeping positions.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided a stabilizer for supporting a person in a supine position, the stabilizer being configured such that in use a person’s respective hips are urged to adopt an orientation in which the femoral head is located in an optimum position in the acetabulum, the stabilizer comprising a support cushion defining an area comprising two leg receiving channels, the stabilizer also comprising a base portion which in use resists movement of a person’s respective hips away from the orientation in which the femoral head is located in an optimum position in the acetabulum.

The stabilizer may be configured such that in use a person’s legs are held in flexion with the knees separated.

The base portion may extend perpendicularly relative to the leg receiving channels.

The base portion may have a longest dimension which is greater than the width of the support cushion such that at least a part of the base portion extends beyond each respective side of the support cushion.

The base portion may comprise a removable base portion insert. Adjustable straps may be provided to secure the base portion insert in position. The base portion insert may comprise a resiliently deformable material. The base portion insert may comprise a closed cell foam material.

The base portion insert may comprise an elongate member with a projection extending from each end thereof. Each projection may comprise a leg portion extending from the elongate member and terminating in a foot, the foot defining a support surface.

Each respective projection may be resiliently deformable to resist movement of a person’s respective hips away from the orientation in which the femoral head is located in an optimum position in the acetabulum.

A first of the resiliently deformable projections may be configured to resist movement of one or both of a person’s hips away from the orientation the hips are urged to adopt on a first side of the stabilizer, and a second of the projections may be configured to resist movement of one or both of a person’s hips away from the orientation the hips are urged to adopt on a second side of the stabilizer.

The stabilizer may comprise an outer cover which is at least partially removable to allow access to the base portion insert.

The stabilizer may comprise one or more removable inserts which in use can be located under one or both of the projections, or under the elongate member such that in use the orientation a person’s respective hips are urged to adopt can be adjusted. The one or more inserts may be held in position by the cover and/or by adjustable straps.

The leg receiving channels may be configured to deform in use in response to the weight of a user’s legs to provide downwardly curved channels which support the person’s legs in flexion. The support cushion may comprise at least two layers of overlying material which layers are configured to be moveable with respect to each other as the leg receiving channels deform.

The stabilizer may comprise respective channel closure members which are selectively extendable around each respective leg receiving channel to close the respective channels and provide respective openings through the stabilizer which in use receive a user’s legs. The leg receiving channels may be separated by a spacer which extends between the support cushion and the closure member to separate the person’s knees. The respective closure members may be configured such that the size of each opening is selectively adjustable.

The closure members may comprise spaced apart first and second fastening means which are selectively engageable with the base portion to close the respective channels, the first and second fastening means being separately engageable to provide differently dimensioned openings.

The stabilizer may be fire retardant.

The stabilizer may comprise any of the features described in any of the preceding statements or following description.

According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided a method of providing a stabilizer for supporting a person in a supine position, the stabilizer being configured such that in use a person’s respective hips are urged to adopt an orientation in which the femoral head is located in an optimum position in the acetabulum, the stabilizer comprising a support cushion defining an area comprising two leg receiving channels, the stabilizer also comprising a base portion which in use resists movement of a person’s respective hips away from the orientation in which the femoral head is located in an optimum position in the acetabulum.

The method may include any of the features described in any of the preceding statements or following description.

According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there may be provided examples as claimed in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

For a better understanding of various examples that are useful for understanding the detailed description, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates a supine stabilizer in use;

Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the supine stabilizer of Fig. 1 in a first condition;

Fig. 3 illustrates the supine stabilizer of Fig. 2 from below;

Fig. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the supine stabilizer of Fig. 1 in a second condition;

Fig. 5 illustrates the supine stabilizer of Fig. 4 but showing the underside thereof;

Fig. 6 illustrates the supine stabilizer of Fig. 1 with the outer cover partly removed;

Fig. 7 illustrates a base portion insert of the supine stabilizer of Fig. 1; and Fig. 8 illustrates the insert of the supine stabilizer of Fig. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figures 1 to 6 illustrate a stabilizer 10 for supporting a person in a supine position.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, which shows the stabilizer 10 in use, the stabilizer 10 is configured such that in use a person’s respective hips are urged to adopt an orientation in which the femoral head is located in an optimum position in the acetabulum.

An orientation in which the femoral head is located in an optimum position in the acetabulum is to be understood to mean that the femoral head is pointing directly into the acetabulum socket. This orientation is achieved when a person’s legs are held in flexion with the knees separated, as shown in Fig. 1

As illustrated in Figs. 2 to 6, the stabilizer 10 comprises a support cushion 12 defining an area 14 comprising two leg receiving channels 16. The stabilizer 10 also comprises a base portion 18 which in use resists movement of a person’s respective hips away from the orientation in which the femoral head is located in an optimum position in the acetabulum.

The stabilizer may comprise respective channel closure members 20 which are selectively extendable around each respective leg receiving channel 16 to close the respective channels 16 and provide respective openings 22 through the stabilizer 10 which in use receive a user’s legs. The user’s legs are securely yet comfortably held in the openings 22 in view ofthe soft, resilient materials of which the stabilizer is made.

The leg receiving channels 16 may be separated by a spacer 24 which extends between the support cushion 12 and the respective closure members 20 to separate a person’s knees. The respective closure members 20 may be configured such that the size of each opening 22 is selectively adjustable.

The closure members 20 may comprise spaced apart first and second fastening means 26, 28 which are selectively engageable with the base portion 18 to close the respective channels 16, the first and second fastening means 26, 28 being separately engageable to provide differently dimensioned openings 22. The fastening means 26, 28 may be in the form of elasticated bands.

The base portion 18 may extend perpendicularly relative to the leg receiving channels 16.

The base portion 18 may have a longest dimension which is greater than the width of the support cushion 12 such that at least a part 30 of the base portion 18 extends beyond the respective sides 32, 34 of the support cushion 12.

The base portion 18 may comprise a base portion insert 58 which is removable.

Fig. 7 shows the base portion insert 58 in more detail. As shown in fig. 6, adjustable straps 36 may be provided to secure the base portion 18 in position. At least three adjustable straps 36 may be provided.

The base portion insert 58 may comprise a resiliency deformable material, and may comprise a closed cell foam material. The cells of the closed cell foam material may have a regular shape, and may have polyethylene walls. The cells may contain nitrogen. The cell foam material may be configured such that if the material is compressed each cell acts as a balloon causing the cell to spring back to its original shape.

The base portion insert 58 may comprise an elongate member 38 with a projection 40, 42 extending from each end thereof. Each projection 40, 42 may comprise a leg portion 44 extending from the elongate member 38 and terminating in a foot 46, the foot 46 defining a support surface 48 (See Fig. 6).

Each respective projection 40, 42 may be resiliency deformable to resist movement of a person’s respective hips away from the orientation in which the femoral head is located in an optimum position in the acetabulum.

A first of the resiliency deformable projections 40 may be configured to resist movement of one or both of a person’s hips away from the orientation the hips are urged to adopt on a first side 32 of the stabilizer 10, and a second of the projections 42 may be configured to resist movement of one or both of a person’s hips away from the orientation the hips are urged to adopt on a second side 34 of the stabilizer 10.

In particular, the respective resiliently deformable leg portions 44 may be configured to resist being urged from a rest configuration, for instance, by a person attempting to move a one of or both of their knees to one side or the other. The energy from such a movement by the person may be dissipated though the respective resiliently deformable feet 46. The respective resiliently deformable feet 46 may also be configured to resist being urged from a rest configuration.

The elongate member 38 is configured to deform under the weight of a person’s legs to provide a downwardly curved surface on which the overlying support cushion 12 and, in use, the person’s legs are supported. The downwardly curved surface also resists movement of a person’s respective hips away from the orientation in which the femoral head is located in an optimum position in the acetabulum.

The stabilizer may comprise an outer cover 50 which is at least partially removable to allow access to the base portion insert 58. The cover 50 may include a zip fastener 56.

As illustrated in Fig. 8 the stabilizer 10 may comprise one or more removable inserts 52 which in use can be located under one or both of the projections 40, 42, or under the elongate member 38 such that, in use, the orientation a person’s respective hips are urged to adopt can be adjusted. In the illustration of Fig. 8 the insert is shown externally to the stabilizer 10 for illustrative purposes only and would in practice be held within the cover 10.

The inserts 52 may be held in position by the cover 50 and/or by adjustable straps 36. The adjustable straps 36 may include buckle or clip fasteners 60. The cover 50 may be a loose fit to allow the inserts 52 to be accommodated. The cover 50 may be elasticated to allow it to stretch over any inserts 52.

The inserts 52 may comprise a resiliently deformable material, and may comprise a closed cell foam material. The material may be the same as the material of the base portion insert 58.

As shown in Fig. 1, the leg receiving channels 16 may be configured to deform in use in response to the weight of a user’s legs to provide downwardly curved 54 channels 16 which support the person’s legs in flexion. The support cushion 12 may comprise at least two layers of overlying material which layers are configured to be moveable with respect to each other as the leg receiving channels 16 deform.

There is also provided a method of providing a stabilizer 10 for supporting a person in a supine position. The stabilizer 10 is configured such that in use a person’s respective hips are urged to adopt an orientation in which the femoral head is located in an optimum position in the acetabulum. The stabilizer 10 comprises a support cushion 12 defining an area 16 comprising two leg receiving channels16. The stabilizer 10 also comprises a base portion 18 which in use resists movement of a person’s respective hips away from the orientation in which the femoral head is located in an optimum position in the acetabulum.

There is thus described a stabilizer with a number of advantages. For example, the stabilizer 10 can be configured to accommodate persons with different degrees of neurological and physical impairment by selectively locating inserts 52 under one or both of the projections 40, 42, or under the elongate member 38.

For instance, a person who has a damaging sleeping position in which the knees would tend to roll outwardly may require inserts 52 to be located under both of the projections 40, 42 to further urge the knees to roll inwardly such that the person’s respective hips are urged to adopt an orientation in which the femoral head is located in an optimum position in the acetabulum.

Alternatively, a person who has a damaging sleeping position in which the knees would tend to come together may require inserts 52 to be located under the elongate member 38 to further urge the knees to roll outwardly such that the person’s respective hips are urged to adopt an orientation in which the femoral head is located in an optimum position in the acetabulum. In such a configuration, the projections

40, 42 would prevent the knees from rolling outwardly to the damaging sleeping position noted in the above paragraph.

Alternatively still, a person who has a damaging sleeping position in which both knees roll outwardly to one side or the other may require inserts 52 to be located under just a one of the projections 40, 42 to further urge the knees to roll inwardly in the same direction such that the person’s respective hips are urged to adopt an orientation in which the femoral head is located in an optimum position in the acetabulum. In such a case the inserts 52 would be located under the projection 40, 42 on the side of the stabilizer 10 both knees would otherwise tend to roll.

In the case of a person with an established damaging sleeping position, initially inserts 52 may be required as above but over time the inserts 52 may be repositioned or removed as the person’s sleeping position gradually improves.

The base portion 18 increases the surface area over which a person’s weight is distributed and therefore reduces the possibility of bed sores and other damage to a person which could result from prolonged contact with a surface or friction. Furthermore, the base portion may have a longest dimension which is greater than the width ofthe support cushion 12 such that at least a part 30 ofthe base portion 18 extends beyond the respective sides 32, 34 ofthe support cushion 12. Accordingly, the base portion provides a T-shaped brace which increases stability of a person in a supine position and increases the surface area over which the person’s weight is distributed. It is understood that body shape distortion may at least partly be caused by a person misaligning their body to cover a greater surface area to distribute weight more evenly. This natural tendency is therefore controlled by examples of the present disclosure.

Furthermore, the resiliently deformable projections 40, 42 in use act to resist movement of a person’s respective hips away from the orientation in which the femoral head is located in an optimum position in the acetabulum. Accordingly, the projections 40, 42 are biased to resist movement of person away from a neutral sleeping position which the stabilizer 10 is configured to orientate the person in.

The closure members 20 are selectively adjustable such the stabilizer 10 can be used by differently sized people, or people with one leg larger than the other, for instance, due to swelling. A snug fit of the closure members 20 around a person’s legs can also be achieved in view of the elasticated fastener straps which in use allow bed covers to be positioned closer to a person to avoid the ingress of cold air which may disturb sleep.

The stabilizer may be made from soft and resilient materials to minimize friction, avoid contact damage to a person, increase comfort, and to prevent the stabilizer itself from being damaged by repeated long term use.

The deformation in use of the leg receiving channels 16 in response to the weight of a user’s legs provides downwardly curved 54 channels 16 which support the person’s legs in flexion. Furthermore, a smooth transition from the respective edges of the leg receiving channels 16 to the surface of the bed is provided which reduces the possibility of friction and contact damage to a person, such as bed sores.

The closed cell foam material ofthe base portion insert 58 may be durable, tough and flexible, and recover repeatedly from impact. The closed cell foam material may also be fire retardant.

The stabilizer may be machine washable (with or without the base portion insert 58 or inserts 52 present). The stabilizer may also be fire retardant. The stabilizer may also be configured such that the materials used are breathable.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, the inserts 52 and projections 40, 42 may have any suitable shape and size and are not limited to the size and shapes shown in the drawings. The foot 48 of the projections 40, 42 may for instance be circular, oval or triangular rather than rectangular. The inserts 52 may be in the form of lobes with smooth sides, rather than castellations as shown.

Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described.

Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.

Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not.

The term “comprise” is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising Y indicates that X may comprise only one Y or may comprise more than one Y. If it is intended to use “comprise” with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context by referring to “comprising only one...” or by using “consisting”.

In this brief description, reference has been made to various examples. The description of features or functions in relation to an example indicates that those features or functions are present in that example. The use of the term “example” or “for example” or “may” in the text denotes, whether explicitly stated or not, that such features or functions are present in at least the described example, whether described as an example or not, and that they can be, but are not necessarily, present in some of or all other examples. Thus “example”, “for example” or “may” refers to a particular instance in a class of examples. A property of the instance can be a property of only that instance or a property of the class or a property of a subclass of the class that includes some but not all of the instances in the class. It is therefore implicitly disclosed that a features described with reference to one example but not with reference to another example, can where possible be used in that other example but does not necessarily have to be used in that other example.

Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A stabilizer for supporting a person in a supine position, the stabilizer being configured such that, in use, a person’s respective hips are urged to adopt an

5 orientation in which the femoral head is located in an optimum position in the acetabulum, the stabilizer comprising:

a support cushion defining an area comprising two leg receiving channels, and a base portion which, in use, resists movement of a person’s respective hips away from the orientation in which the femoral head is located in an optimum position

10 in the acetabulum.

2. The stabilizer according to claim 1, configured such that, in use, the person’s legs are held in flexion with the knees separated.

3. The stabilizer according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the base portion extends perpendicularly relative to the leg receiving channels.

4. The stabilizer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base portion has a longest dimension which is greater than a width of the support cushion such that at least a part of the base portion extends beyond each respective side of the support cushion.

5. The stabilizer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base portion comprises a removable base portion insert.

6. The stabilizer according to claim 5, comprising adjustable straps to secure the base portion insert in position.

7. The stabilizer according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the base portion insert 30 comprises a resiliently deformable material.

8. The stabilizer according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the base portion insert comprises a closed cell foam material.

9. The stabilizer according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the base portion insert comprises an elongate member with a projection extending from each end thereof.

5 10. The stabilizer according to claim 9, wherein each projection comprises a leg portion extending from the elongate member and terminating in a foot, the foot defining a support surface.

11. The stabilizer according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein each respective

10 projection is resiliently deformable to resist movement of the person’s respective hips away from the orientation in which the femoral head is located in an optimum position in the acetabulum.

12. The stabilizer according to claim 11, wherein a first ofthe resiliently deformable projections is configured to resist movement of one or both of the person’s hips away from the orientation the hips are urged to adopt on a first side of the stabilizer, and a second of the resiliently deformable projections is configured to resist movement of one or both of the person’s hips away from the orientation the hips are urged to adopt on a second side of the stabilizer.

13. The stabilizer according to anyone of claims 5 to 12, comprising an outer cover which is at least partially removable to allow access to the base portion insert.

14. The stabilizer according to any one of claims 9 to 13, comprising one or more 25 removable inserts which, in use, are located under one or both of the projections, or under the elongate member such that, in use, the orientation the person’s respective hips are urged to adopt can be adjusted.

15. The stabilizer according to claim 13 and claim 14, wherein the one or more 30 removable inserts are held in position by the cover

16. The stabilizer according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the one or more removable inserts are held in position by adjustable straps.

17. The stabilizer according any one of the preceding claims, wherein the leg receiving channels are configured to deform in use, in response to the weight of a user’s legs, to provide downwardly curved channels which support the person’s legs in flexion.

18. The stabilizer according to claim 17, wherein the support cushion comprises at least two layers of overlying material, which layers are configured to be moveable with respect to each other as the leg receiving channels deform.

19. The stabilizer according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising respective channel closure members which are selectively extendable around each respective leg receiving channel to close the respective channels and provide respective openings through the stabilizer which openings, in use, receive a user’s legs.

20. The stabilizer according to claim 19, wherein the leg receiving channels are separated by a spacer which extends between the support cushion and the closure member to separate the person’s knees.

21. The stabilizer according to claim 19 or claim 20, wherein the respective closure members are configured such that the size of each opening is selectively adjustable.

22. The stabilizer according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the closure members comprise spaced apart first and second fastening means that are selectively

25 engageable with the base portion to close the respective channels, wherein the first and second fastening means are separately engageable to provide differently dimensioned openings.

23. The stabilizer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the 30 stabilizer is fire retardant.

24. A method of providing a stabilizer for supporting a person in a supine position, the stabilizer being configured such that in use a person’s respective hips are urged to adopt an orientation in which the femoral head is located in an optimum position in the

35 acetabulum, the stabilizer comprising a support cushion defining an area comprising two leg receiving channels, the stabilizer also comprising a base portion which in use resists movement of a person’s respective hips away from the orientation in which the femoral head is located in an optimum position in the acetabulum.

LO o

o

Amendments to the Claims have been filed as follows:

28 11 17

1. A stabilizer for supporting a person in a supine position, the stabilizer comprising:

5 a support cushion defining an area comprising two leg receiving channels, and a base portion which, in use, resists movement of a person’s respective hips; wherein the base portion comprises a removable base portion insert.

2. The stabilizer according to claim 1, configured such that, in use, the person’s 10 legs are held in flexion with the knees separated.

15 4. The stabilizer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base portion has a longest dimension which is greater than a width of the support cushion such that at least a part of the base portion extends beyond each respective side of the support cushion.

20 5. The stabilizer according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising adjustable straps to secure the base portion insert in position.

6. The stabilizer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base portion insert comprises a resiliently deformable material.

7. The stabilizer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base portion insert comprises a closed cell foam material.

8. The stabilizer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base

30 portion insert comprises an elongate member with a projection extending from each end thereof.

9. The stabilizer according to claim 8, wherein each projection comprises a leg portion extending from the elongate member and terminating in a foot, the foot defining

35 a support surface.

10. The stabilizer according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein each respective projection is resiliently deformable to resist movement of the person’s respective hips away from the orientation in which the femoral head is located in an optimum position in the acetabulum.

11. The stabilizer according to claim 10, wherein a first of the resiliently deformable projections is configured to resist movement of one or both of the person’s hips away from the orientation the hips are urged to adopt on a first side of the stabilizer, and a second of the resiliently deformable projections is configured to resist movement of

10 one or both of the person’s hips away from the orientation the hips are urged to adopt on a second side of the stabilizer.

12. The stabilizer according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an outer cover which is at least partially removable to allow access to the base portion

15 insert.

Ί—

13. The stabilizer according to claim 8 or any one of claims 9 to 12 when dependent on claim 8, comprising one or more removable inserts which, in use, are located under one or both of the projections, or under the elongate member such that, in use, the

QQ 20 orientation the person’s respective hips are urged to adopt can be adjusted.

CM

14. The stabilizer according to claim 13 when dependent on claim 12, wherein the one or more removable inserts are held in position by the cover

25

15. The stabilizer according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the one or more removable inserts are held in position by adjustable straps.

16. The stabilizer according any one of the preceding claims, wherein the leg receiving channels are configured to deform in use, in response to the weight of a

30 user’s legs, to provide downwardly curved channels which support the person’s legs in flexion.

17. The stabilizer according to claim 16, wherein the support cushion comprises at least two layers of overlying material, which layers are configured to be moveable with

35 respect to each other as the leg receiving channels deform.

18. The stabilizer according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising respective channel closure members which are selectively extendable around each respective leg receiving channel to close the respective channels and provide respective openings through the stabilizer which openings, in use, receive a user’s

5 legs.

19. The stabilizer according to claim 18, wherein the leg receiving channels are separated by a spacer which extends between the support cushion and the closure member to separate the person’s knees.

20. The stabilizer according to claim 18 or claim 19, wherein the respective closure members are configured such that the size of each opening is selectively adjustable.

21. The stabilizer according to any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the closure 15 members comprise spaced apart first and second fastening means that are selectively engageable with the base portion to close the respective channels, wherein the first and second fastening means are separately engageable to provide differently dimensioned openings.

00 ²⁰CM

22. The stabilizer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stabilizer is fire retardant.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1619650.3 Examiner: Dr Elinor Styles-Davis