IL103682A - Cushion for anatomic support - Google Patents

Description

CUSHION FOR ANATOMIC SUPPORT Tli e invention concerns a small cushion designed for anatomical support especially to the lumbar and cervical regions, to be mounted onto the backs of seats.

Such small cushions are well known and are placed inside the seat backs of motor vehicles, their thickness and therefore projection being variable to suit the needs or preferences of the user.

These cushions are made by means of a device comprising a rigid structure associated to an elastic structure.

Convexity of the elastic structure in relation to the rigid structure may be obtained by a s stem of cams with a tie rod. The cam is operated from outside the seat by means of a mechanism comprising a gear wheel and worm screw and a transmission shaft worked by an external knob.

The external structure consists of longitudinal metal bands crossing over transversal bands wi h outwardly projectin ends to ensure adequate spring.

This device is very complex and its outer surface is rough and sharp. It has therefore to be covered with a soft layer of considerable thickness.

The tie rod referred to above is involved in the curving movement of the elastic structure so that much effort is required to work the cam.

The worm screw is- inserted to lessen effort when the device is adjusted but the knob has therefore to be given a great many turns making adjustment time far too long.

The device cannot- be moved vertically from the lumber to the cervical region or in be een, or adapted to the stature needs and preferences of the user.

These drawbacks lessen the advantages of the device not only due to its cost but also for practical reasons and duration Subject of the present invention is a small cushion, to sup port the lumber-cervical regions of the back, of greatly simplified structure and operation, that can be used on he outside of the seat and moved up and down to suit the user.

According to the invention t e. cushion consists of a curved elastic plate whose longitudinal ends are connected posteriorly by a centrally placed vertical brace.

Said' brace is formed of a pair of aligned rods, threaded in opposite directions, that screw into an intermediate cylin-drical scroll.

Convexity tDf said plate, and consequently thickness of the cushion and the extent to which it projects out from the surface of the seat back, can therefore be increased or lessened as desired by rotating the scroll one way or the other.

In one type of execution the cushion is placed externally to the seat back while the outer surface of the scroll is knurled and can be turned by the fingers from the outside through a specially made aperture in the outer covering of the seat back.

At the two longitudinal ends of the plate there are pairs of slits for fixing the cushion to the outside of the seat back, at the height preferred by the user, by means of vertical bands. .

In another type of execution the plate is placed inside the seat back.

The scroll is connected to a transversal sh a f t , p r o j e c t i ng from t e side of the seat back, by a bevel gear and a universal joint.

A knob is fixed to the shaft for adjusting plate convexity from the outside.

In one type of execution the plate slides on vertical runners fixed to the frame of the seat back and its height inside the seat back is determined by a continuous cord fixed centrally between the two longitudinal ends of the pla e.

After passing over transmission rollers mounted at top and bottom of the seat back and rolling freely, said cord winds onto the drum of a small transversal shaft, supported by the seat back, projecting from the side of said seat back and terminating in a knob for purposes of adjustment.

The scroll is connected to thesmall transversal shaft and knob by means of a double universal joint connected by an intermediate shaft.

It is an advantage to hav , said connecting Shaft made in two pieces both axially free but rotating together.

In one advantageous type of execution, rotation of the scroll is deter m i"n ed by an electric ratiomotor that rotates in one direction or the other and is worked by a switch.

As an alternative, the rods are operated b a hydraulic and pneumatic system.

In one execution said s stem consists of wo pistons respectively fixed to the two rods fitted at the two ends of a hydraulic and pneumatic cylinder controlled by a valve for this purpose worked from outside the seat.

In one advantageous type of execution the drum, on which the cord is wound to vary plate height as desired in relation to the seat back, is connected to an electric ra- iomotor operated by a switch to rotate it in one direc- tion or the other.

In another type of execution, at the back of the cushion there are strips of Velcro-type. material to make it cling at the desired height to a seat back covering of a suitable kind .

By means of the present invention a cushion for anatomical support is obtained adjustable not only in thickness and therefore in its projection from the seat back, but also in height to give support, as desired, to the lumber, cervical or other regions of the back as preferred by the user .

The subject cushion can be applied either to the outside or inside of practically all kinds of seat backs. It can." be used in particular for office seats or armchairs, for seats in cinemas, conference rooms or stadiums, for seat- ing in coaches, aeroplanes or motor vehicles, for means of transport generally for persons and goods- Adjustments to the thickness of the cushion and/or to the height at which it is placed, whether mounted inside or . outside the seat back, ensure great benefits for the user since it supports the rib cage, f ac i 1 i t a t e s 'd i ge s t i o n in persons wearing corsets, avoids or at least lessens the effects of cervical arthritis.

Characteristics and purposes of the invention will become still clearer from the following examples of its execution illustrated by diagrammatic drawings in perspective.

Fig. I: Motor vehicle seat with cushion for anatomical support to the lumbar-cervical regions mounted externally and held in place by two bands. .

Fig.2: Thq seat in Fig 1 with cushion held in place by one band only .

Eig.3: The cushion illustrated i n -Fig .'l ,* from the back. Fig.4: Internal structure of the cushion in Figs. I - 3.

Fig.5: Motor vehicle seat with cushion for anatomical support to the lumbar-cervical regions mounted inside the seat back cut away to show the device.

Figs.6-7: The seat in Fig.5 showing two positions for the internally mounted cushion.

Fig.8: Office armchair with cushion for anatomical support to the lumbar-cervical regions mounted with Velcro- -type strips outside the chair back.

Fig.9: The cushion in Fig.8 seen from the back.

Fig. lO: Office armchair with cushion for anatomical support to the lumbar-cervical regions mounted inside the back.

Fig. I I The seat in Fig. 5 showing a variation of the cushion driven by an electric motor.

Fig. I2 The seat in Fig. 5 showing a variation of the cushion driven by hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders.

The cushion 10 (Figs. I, 3, 4) is obtained from a device I I comprising' an elastic plate I2 with an upper end 13 and a lower end '.14 curved back to form channels 15 and 16.

These ends contain the pairs of slits 21 and,; 22 through which the bands 23 and 24 pass respec t ive ly , for holding said cushion 10 to the back 18 of the motor vehicle 17.

The cushion 10 can of course be placed' on the back seat at different heights by sliding it up or down the bands 23 and 24 .

On the vertical axis of symmetry of the plate 12 there is a brace formed of a pair of aligned rods 30 and 33.

The top end 31 and lower end 34 of said rods are fixed to the plate 12 inside channels 15 and 16, while rod ends 32 and 35, threaded in opposite directions, screw onto the cylindrical threaded scroll 36 with an externally knurled surface 37 I In the covering 19 over the cushion 10 an aperture 20 (Fig. 3) is made to allow the fingers to work the scroll 36.

By rotating said scroll the user can move the ends 13 and 14 of the plate 12 nearer or farther away and thus increase or reduce convexity thereby adjusting thickness of the cushion 10 to personal needs.

Fig. 2 shows a cushion 25, substantially the same as the cushion 10 already described, fixed to the back 27 of the seat 26 by a single band 28 made to pass through slits 29 (Fig.4) cut in the plate 12.

Figs. 5, 6 ^and 7 refer to a cushion 50 for supporting the lumbar-cervical regions, similar to cushions 10 and 25. already described but placed inside the back 42 of the seat 41 for motor vehicles and visible in the cut-away in Fig. 5, comprising an elastic plate 51, substantially the same as the plate 12 already descibed and seen in Fig. 4, and a pair of bracing rods, and upper one 55 and lower one 60. Said rods · compr ise their flat ends 56 and 61 fixed respectively to the upper 52 and lower 53 ch a n ne 1 - sh ape d ends of said plate 51, and the opposingly threaded ends 57 and 62 screwed into the cylindrical scroll 63.

Said scroll is mechanically connected to the short shaft 65 by means of the bevel gear 66-67.

Said bevel gear is held in place by the L-bar 68 whose rotation in relation to the gear wheel 66 is prevented by the rigid arm 69 with upper fork 70 into which is inserted the flat end 56 of the upper tie rod 55 mentioned above. The shaft 65 is mechanically connected to the revolving shaft 75 which turns o supports fixed to the back 42 of the seat 41 (not seen in Figure 5) by means of two universal joints 76 and 78 at the ends of the intermediate shaft The shaft 65 referred to above can be worked externaLly..from Ί the side 43 of the back 42 by means of the knob 44.

Rotating said knob determines rotation of the scroll 63 and therefore increases or reduces, as preferred, convexity of the elastic plate 51 obtaining the same effects as given by manual rotation of the scroll 36 on plate 12 of. device I I illustrated previously in Figure 4.

The plate 51 can slide on vertical guides 58, 59 made inside the seat back 42, said guides passing through slits •cut into said plate.

Sliding movement is brought about by means of the continuous cord 71 fixed, at its two ends, to loops 54 placed top and. bottom of said plate 51.

The cord 71 passes over revolving transmission rollers 72 supported by the structure of the seat back 42 and winds round the drum 73 of the shaft 74 that terminates in the knob 45 projecting from the side 43 of said seat back.

Therefore, by turning said knob 45, plate 51 can be moved up and down to the position preferred by the user.

Said movement is made possible by universal joints 76 and 78 that give shaft 77 the angle necessary for moving the plate 5 I .

In Figs. 6 and 7, numbers 80 and 81 mark the positions that the internally mounted cushion can reach by turning the knob 45.

Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate application of a cushion 85, similar to cushion 10 illustrated in Figs 1 - 4, to the back 84 of an office armchair 83 by means of Velcro-type strips 86, ·87 that cling to the covering 88 of suitable composition.

This means of application can obviously also be used on the seat .jacks of motor vehicles.

Fig. I 0 i 1 lus trates the- appl icat ion , ins ide the back 91 of an office chair 90, of a cushion 92 sii ilar to cushion 50 already illustrated in Fig. 5.

The plate 93 can be seen as well as the various mechanisms operated by means of knobs 94 and 95 for respectively varying the convexity of said plate and for moving it vertically on the seat back.

Figs. I I and 12 show, two variations using motorized means.

In Fig. I I the plate 100, similar to the plate 51 in Fig. 5, is connected at its two ends, I02 and I03 by internal rods I06, 111 fixed to the stays threaded in opposite directions, respectively I05 and MO, which screw onto the two ends of the threaded scroll I 15 connected to the electric ratiomotor 124 fed through wires 128, 129 and opera-ted by the three-posi ion lever switch I27 for the two directions of rotation and for stopping.

The plate 100 is connected to the continuous cord 120 which, through ransmissions I22, winds onto the drum 123 connected to the ratiomotor I25 worked by switch I26 with the same three positions as the other.

It is thus clear that by working switches 1*27 and 126, forward projection of plate 100 and its height on the back 42 of the seat 41 can be varied as preferred.

In Fig. 12 the plate 130, similar to plate 100, is connected at its two ends 102, 103 by internal rods 106, ,1 11, fixed to pistons 131, 132 sliding at the two ends of the hydraulic and pneumatic cylinder 146 served by ducts 159, 160 and controlled by the . th ree-pos i t ion valve 154.

The pla'te 130 is connected to the continuous cord 149 whose ends, through the transmiss ons 151, are fixed to the two ends of the piston 152 sliding in the cylinder 153 operated by the three-position valve 155.

By pressing the valve's levers, projection of the plate 130 and its height on the back 42 of the seat 41 can therefore be varied to suit individual preference.

Claims (11)

- 10 - 103,682/2 WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. Cushion for anatomical support especially for the lumbar and cervical regions for application to seat backs generally comprising a curved elastic plate whose longi^- tudinal ends are connected by a central ver ical posterior s tay ing means characterized in that the longitudinal ends of the plate are posteriorly curved so as to create two opposing channels, one upper and one lower, and in that said central vertical posterior staying means is formed of a pair of aligned rods whose external ends are fixed inside said,' upper and lower channels of the plate, the opposite internal ends of said rods being respectively fixed to extensions fitted with threads in opposite directions that screw into an in- termediate threaded cylindrical scroll connected to the shaft of an electric ratiomotor operated, for rotation in one direction or in the other, by a switch, or else said internal ends of said rods being respectively fixed to the two opposite pistons of a hydraulic and pneumatic cylinder served by valves connected to a control device, so that by working the switch or the valve control device from the outside of the seat said pair of rods can be brought closer together or set farther apart as desired thereby increasing or lessening the convexity of the plate and therefore the thickness of the cushion and the extent to which it projects from the surface of the seat back.

2. Cushion for anatomic support as in claim 1, characterized in that it is placed inside the seat back, its vertical position being determined by a continuous cord fixed centrally at the two longitudinal ends of the plate, 103,682/2 - 1 1 - said cord first passing over transmission rollers that freely revolve and are supported at top and bottom of the seat back, then winding round the drum of a transversal shaft supported by the seat back and connected to an el-ectric - ratio motor operated by a switch to make it rotate in one direction or in the other and, in so doing, adjust the level of the cushion as preferred.

3. Cushion for anatomic support as in claim 1, characterized in that it is placed outside the seat back while the external surface of the scroll is knurled and can be reached from outside through a specially made opening in the seat cover at the back so that it can be worked by the fingers .

4. Cushion for anatomic support as in claim 1, characterized in that, at the two longitudinal ends of the plate, there are pairs of slits for fixing said cushion on the outside of the seat back by means of vertical bands which wind round said back allowing said cushion to be held at any level as preferred by the user.

5. Cushion for anatomic support as in claim 1, characterized in that the plate has, at its two longitudinal ends, pairs of transversal slits for positioning the plate inside the seat back by means of vertical guides that pass through said slits and enable the plate to be placed in position at any height to suit the user's requirements.

6. Cushion for anatomic support as in claim 1 , characterized in that it is placed inside the seat back while the scroll is connected to a transversal shaft, rojecting from the side of the seat back and fitted with a - knob, by means of a bevel gear and universal joint,, the purpose of this being to allow adjustment of convexity of 12 - 103,682/2 the plate to be made from outside.

7. Cushion for anatomic support as in claim 1, characterized in that it is placed inside the seat back, its vertical position being determined by a continuous cord fixed centrally at the two longitudinal ends of the plate, said cord first passing over transmission rollers freely revolving and supported at top and bottom of the seat back, then winding round the drum of a transversal shaft supported by the seat back and projecting from the side of said back, fitted with a knob to enable the position of the plate to be set as preferred by the user.

8. Cushion for anatomic support as in claim 1, characterized in that it is placed . inside the seat back its vertical position being determined by a continuous cord fixed centrally to the two longitudinal ends of the plate, said cord first passing over transmission rollers freely revolving and supported at top and bottom of the seat back then winding round the drum of a transversal shaft, supported by the seat back and projecting from the side of said back, a knob being being fitted to enable the position of the plate to be adjusted according to the preference of the user, a scroll being connected to. a transversal shaft, rojecting from the side of the seat back and fitted with a knob, by means of a bevel gear and universal joint, a trans- mission shaft and a second universal joint, the purpose of this being to permit convexity of the plate, and therefore its projection from the seat back, to be regulated from the outside to adjust the level of the plate.

9. Cushion for anatomic support as in claim 8, characterized in that the intermediate shaft between the universal joins consists of two pieces, both axially free 103,682/2 - 3 - but tied in their rotation, the purpose of this being to allow said shaft to be lengthened or shortened according to the position of the plate in relation to the knob for regulating plate convexity.

10. Cushion for anatomic support as in claim 1, characterized in that. Velcro type strips are mounted at the back that cling to a suitable kind of seat covering and hold the cushion at the desired height.

11. A cushion for anatomic support according to claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference the accompanying drawings. FOR THE APPLICANT WOLFF, BREGMAN AND GOLLER