US20200022496A1

US20200022496A1 - Posture Support Seat

Info

Publication number: US20200022496A1
Application number: US16/430,714
Authority: US
Inventors: Lavetta Turner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-07-17
Filing date: 2019-06-04
Publication date: 2020-01-23

Abstract

A posture support seat designed to allow a user to sit cross legged for extended periods of time. The posture support seat includes a seat portion hingedly connected to a back portion. The posture support seat is designed to rotate between a storage position, wherein the back portion is flush again the seat portion, and an active position, wherein the back portion is disposed perpendicular to the storage position. At least one strap extends from an edge of the seat portion, wherein a first end of the strap is designed to secure to a mated fastener disposed on an opposing edge of the seat portion. A lumbar support cushion is disposed along the back portion. A seat cushion is disposed atop the seat portion. In this way, a user is able to sit cross legged for extended periods of time with proper posture and support.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/699,057 filed on Jul. 17, 2018. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to posture supports. More specifically the invention provides a posture support seat having a seat portion with a seat cushion hingedly connected to a back portion with a lumbar pillow and configured to secure to one another through at least one strap.
Many people enjoy yoga and meditating. However, while it is customary to sit cross legged on the ground while meditating, doing so for extended periods of time will lead to these individuals ultimately suffering from numbness along their backside. Although it possible to place a pillow underneath the hips to address the potential numbness from sitting, doing so can still lead to poor posture, resulting in back problems and other uncomfortable body pain. Thus, an improved posture support seat that can allow a user to sit cross legged on a surface, such as the ground, for extended periods of time with proper posture and support is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of posture support seats now present in the known art, the present invention provides a posture support seat wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when desiring to sit cross legged on a surface for extended periods of time with proper posture and support.
The present system comprises a posture support seat. The posture support seat comprises a seat portion hingedly connected to a back portion. The posture support seat is configured to rotate between a storage position, wherein the back portion is flush again the seat portion, and an active position, wherein the back portion is disposed perpendicular to the storage position. At least one strap extends from an edge of the seat portion, wherein a distal end of the strap is configured to secure to a mated fastener disposed on an opposing edge of the seat portion. A lumbar support cushion is disposed along the back portion. A seat cushion is disposed atop the seat portion. In this way, a user is able to sit cross legged on a surface for extended periods of time with proper posture and support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the posture support seat.

FIG. 2 shows a rear perspective view of an embodiment of the paneled posture support seat.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the posture support seat in a folded configuration.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the posture support seat in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the posture support seat. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the posture support seat. A posture support seat 10 comprises a seat portion 11 hingedly connected to a back portion 12. The back portion 12 is configured to support a back and spine of a user and comprises an upper end 121 disposed opposite a lower end 122, with a pair of sidewalls therebetween. The back portion 12 additionally comprises a back length, as measured between the upper end 121 and the lower end 122, and a back width 123, as measured between the pair of sidewalls and oriented perpendicular to the back length. In the illustrated embodiment, the back portion 12 is rectangularly shaped, such that the back width 123 encompasses a distance less than that of the back length, thereby ensuring the user is not overly reliant on the support of the back portion 12. Additionally, the back portion is disposed centrally along the seat portion 11, such that the back portion 12 provides the support directly along the spine of the user.
The back portion 12 additionally comprises a lumbar pillow 13 configured to provide a cushioned support to the lumbar region of the user's back. The lumbar pillow 13 is disposed proximal to the upper end 121 of the back portion 12. The lumbar pillow 13 extends outwardly from the back portion 12 and is rectangularly shaped, such that the lumbar pillow 13 includes a lumbar pillow height 131, i.e. how far out the lumbar pillow 13 extends, a lumbar pillow width parallel to the back width 123, and a lumbar pillow length 132 parallel to the back length.
In the illustrated embodiment, the lumbar pillow length 132 is not equivalent to the back length of the back portion 12, so as to compensate for the lumbar curve produced by the user's spine, wherein the lumbar pillow 13 is positioned to push the lumbar region of the user's back forward and accommodate for the sacral curve below and the thoracic curve above. Thus, the lumbar pillow height 131 is appropriately dimensioned to accommodate for the user's lumbar curve and thereby appropriately position the spine when in use. In the shown embodiment, the lumbar pillow width fully encompasses the space between the pair of sidewalls of the back portion 12, such that the lumbar pillow width is equivalent to the back width 123. Thus, the user is provided a comfortable cushion across the entire region of the lumbar.
In the illustrated embodiment an aperture 14 is disposed between the lumbar pillow 13 and the lower end 122 of the back portion 12. The aperture 14 extends through the back portion 12. The aperture 14 is configured to act as a handle, and as such the aperture 14 is dimensioned to receive a hand therethrough. Additionally, the aperture 14 functions as a teaching tool for a user who is struggling with proper posture, wherein a teacher can reach through the aperture 14 to push the user's back into an appropriate position. Thereby, the aperture 14 also comprises a smooth surface throughout such that an individual is not unintentionally injured when placing a hand therethrough.
As previously mentioned, the back portion 12 is hingedly connected to a seat portion 11. The seat portion 11 is configured to receive the seated body and crossed legs of an individual when in use. The seat portion 11 comprises an anterior side 111 disposed opposite a posterior side 112, with a pair of seat sidewalls disposed therebetween. In the illustrated embodiment, the seat portion 11 comprises a square shape, wherein a seat length, as measured between the anterior side 111 and the posterior side 112, is equivalent to a seat width 113. In the shown embodiment, the seat width 113 is greater than the back width 123, as the seat portion 11 is configured to allow the user's seated frame to be entirely included by the seat portion 11 when in use.
In the shown embodiment, a seat cushion 15 is disposed atop the seat portion 11. The seat cushion 15 is configured to support the weight of the user when the user is seated cross-legged on the seat cushion 15. In the shown embodiment, the seat cushion 15 encompasses the entire seat length and seat width 113 of the seat portion 11, so as to ensure the user is comfortable while seated. In the illustrated embodiment, the seat cushion 15 is configured as a vestibular pillow, such that the seat cushion 15 is filled with air to act as a dynamic cushion to promote balance for the user while seated.
In the shown embodiment, a support cushion 16 is disposed atop the seat cushion 15. The support cushion 16 does not encompass the entire seat length of the seat portion 11 but includes an upper side with a width configured to mirror the back width 123 and a lower side with a width greater than the upper side, such that the support cushion 16 tapers outward from the upper side to the lower side.
The support cushion 16 has a support length 161 that determines how far along the seat length the support cushion 16 extends along. Further, the support cushion 16 has a support height 162 that determines how far upward the support cushion 16 extends. In the illustrated embodiment, the back portion 12 is configured to rotate at the lower end 122 to lay parallel to the seat portion 11. In the shown embodiment, the back length is configured to be equivalent to the joined lengths of the lumbar pillow length 132 and the support length 161, with the lumbar pillow height 131 equivalent to the support height 162. Thus, the back portion 12 is configured to lay parallel to the seat portion 11 in a linear manner.
In the illustrated embodiment, the support cushion 16 is positioned proximal to the posterior side 112 of the seat portion 11. In this way, the support cushion 16 is configured to provide additional support to the hips of the user while seated, thereby promoting the user to sit forward in the seat portion 11 to encourage proper posture. Thus, the support cushion height 162 is appropriately dimensioned to provide a comfortable height for the user, per their desire.
In the shown embodiment, the posture support seat 10 further comprises a comfort insert 17 to provide additional comfort to the user when seated for extended periods of time. The comfort insert 17 is configured to be removable such that the comfort insert 17 rests unattached atop the seat cushion 15, thus the user can determine when or if they want to utilize the comfort insert 17. The comfort insert 17 further comprises a plurality of protrusions 171 disposed across the entire surface of the comfort insert 17. The plurality of protrusions 171 promote blood flow across the legs of the user, thereby ensuring the user does not feel uncomfortable while seated. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of protrusions 171 are disposed in a grid pattern thereacross, such that the user receives uniform comfort throughout.
In the illustrated embodiment, the back portion 12 and the seat portion 11 are each composed of wood, such as acacia, to provide for a sturdy support that does not overly encumber the user while carrying the posture support seat 10. In other embodiments, however, any suitably durable material, such as plastic, that is not excessively heavy is used.
Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a rear perspective view of an embodiment of the paneled posture support seat. The posture support seat further comprises an extender panel 20 affixed to the back portion 12. The extender panel 20 comprises a top edge 201 disposed opposite a lower edge 202 with a pair of sidewalls disposed therebetween. The extender panel 20 includes an extended length 203, defined as the distance between the top edge 201 and the bottom edge 202, and an extended width, defined as the distance between the sidewalk. In the illustrated embodiment, the extender panel 20 is rectangularly shaped, such that the extended width is greater than the extended length 203. The extended length 203 is parallel to the back length 124 of the back portion 12.
The top edge 201 of the extender panel 20 is hingedly connected to the lower end 122 of the back portion 12 via a top hinge 18, thereby allowing the back portion 12 to rotate towards the seat portion 11. Additionally, the lower edge 202 of the extender panel 20 is hingedly connected to the posterior side of the seat panel 11 via a bottom hinge 19, thereby allowing the extender panel 20 to rotate towards the seat portion 11.
The posture support seat is configured to pivot between an active position and a storage position. In the illustrated embodiment, the posture support seat is oriented in the active position, such that the seat portion 11 is positioned perpendicular to the back portion 12. When the support cushion 16 is disposed atop the seat cushion 15, such that the two are stacked atop one another, the extender panel 20 is unable to pivot along the bottom hinge 19. However, the user is still able to orient the posture support seat in the storage position using the top hinge 18 to rotate the back portion 12 to be parallel with the seat portion 11. Thus, in the shown embodiment, the extended length 203 is equivalent to the combination of a seat cushion height 151 and the height of the support cushion 16.
Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the posture support seat in a storage position. When the posture support seat is disposed in the storage position, the back portion 12 is oriented to be parallel to the seat portion 11. The posture support seat further comprises at least one strap 21 such that, in the illustrated embodiment, the back portion 12 is secured against the seat portion 11 via the straps 21. In the shown embodiment, the pair of straps 21 each extend from the posterior edge of the seat portion 11 and continue over the lower end 122 of the back portion 12. The straps 21 are configured to secure to a mated fastener 22 extending from the opposing edge of the seat portion 11. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the pair of fasteners 22 are disposed along the anterior edge 111. Thus, because the straps 21 reach from one edge of the seat portion 11 to an opposing edge, the entire posture support seat is secured when the straps 21 are secured. In the illustrated embodiment, the fasteners 22 are clip fasteners, however, in other embodiments, any suitably secure fastener can be utilized.
In the shown embodiment, the support cushion 16 is disposed proximate to the anterior edge 111 of the seat portion 11 atop the seat cushion 15. In this way, the support cushion 16 is configured to act as a support rest for the ankles of the user when they are seated cross-legged on the seat cushion 15. The support cushion 16 is configured to be removable such that support cushion 16 rests atop the seat cushion 15. Thus, the user can choose how or where to position the support cushion 16 depending on the position they find most comfortable or requires the greatest amount of support.
Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the posture support seat in use. In operation, a user 70 will position the posture support seat 10 in the active configuration, such that the back portion is oriented perpendicular to the seat portion. The user 70 will then sit cross-legged on the seat cushion, such that their lumbar 71 is disposed flush against the lumbar cushion on the back portion. In one embodiment, the user's feet 72 are disposed atop the support cushion. In this way, the posture support seat 10 allows a user s able to sit cross legged on a surface for extended periods of time with proper posture and support.
It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

I claim:

1) A posture support seat, comprising:

a seat portion hingedly connected to a back portion;

wherein the back portion is configured to selectively move between a storage position and an active position;

wherein the storage position, the back portion is folded flush against the seat portion;

wherein the active position, the back portion is disposed perpendicular to the seat portion;

at least one strap extending from an edge of the seat portion configured to secure to a mated fastener disposed on an opposing edge of the seat portion;

a seat cushion disposed along the seat portion;

a lumbar pillow disposed along the back portion.

2) The posture support seat of claim 1, further comprising a removable comfort insert disposed atop the seat cushion.

3) The posture support seat of claim 2, wherein the removable comfort insert comprises a plurality of protrusions disposed thereon.

4) The posture support seat of claim 1, wherein an aperture is disposed through the back portion, the aperture configured to receive a hand therethrough.

5) The posture support seat of claim 1, wherein the back portion has a width smaller than a width of the seat portion.

6) The posture support seat of claim 1, wherein the lumbar pillow has a surface area less than a surface area of the back portion.

7) The posture support seat of claim 1, further comprising a removable support cushion disposed atop the seat cushion.

8) The posture support seat of claim 7, wherein the support cushion is disposed at a posterior edge of the seat cushion.

9) The posture support seat of claim 7, wherein the support cushion is disposed at an anterior edge of the seat cushion.

10) The posture support seat of claim 7, wherein the support cushion has a height equivalent to a height of the lumbar pillow.

11) The posture support seat of claim 7, wherein the support cushion has a width which tapers outward from an upper side to a lower side.

12) The posture support seat of claim 1, wherein the back portion further comprises an extender panel.

13) The posture support seat of claim 1, wherein the seat cushion is configured as a vestibular pillow.

14) The posture support seat of claim 1, wherein the back portion is disposed centrally along the seat portion.

15) The posture support seat of claim 3, wherein the plurality of protrusions is disposed in a grid pattern.