US3856349A - Portable vertebral column support - Google Patents

Portable vertebral column support Download PDF

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Publication number
US3856349A
US3856349A US00305664A US30566472A US3856349A US 3856349 A US3856349 A US 3856349A US 00305664 A US00305664 A US 00305664A US 30566472 A US30566472 A US 30566472A US 3856349 A US3856349 A US 3856349A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
user
stiffening members
vertebral column
central portion
width
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00305664A
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English (en)
Inventor
R Light
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
FLAT BACK CORP
Original Assignee
FLAT BACK CORP
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by FLAT BACK CORP filed Critical FLAT BACK CORP
Priority to US00305664A priority Critical patent/US3856349A/en
Priority to CA166,731A priority patent/CA972086A/en
Priority to JP48043003A priority patent/JPS4978385A/ja
Priority to FR7314518A priority patent/FR2206074B1/fr
Priority to GB2390373A priority patent/GB1428215A/en
Priority to AU55963/73A priority patent/AU452299B2/en
Priority to DE19732344534 priority patent/DE2344534A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3856349A publication Critical patent/US3856349A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C7/00—Parts, details, or accessories of chairs or stools
    • A47C7/36—Support for the head or the back
    • A47C7/40—Support for the head or the back for the back
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C7/00—Parts, details, or accessories of chairs or stools
    • A47C7/36—Support for the head or the back
    • A47C7/40—Support for the head or the back for the back
    • A47C7/42—Support for the head or the back for the back of detachable or loose type
    • A47C7/425—Supplementary back-rests to be positioned on a back-rest or the like

Definitions

  • I ABSTRACT A portable vertebral column support for use in chairs and the like to support the vertebral column of the user.
  • the support comprises an elongated, generally flat, device which is stiff in its longitudinal direction and flexible in its transverse direction.
  • Retaining means holda plurality of elongated stiffening membersin normally parallel relationship to each other, said stiffening members providing. the abovementioned stiffness and the longitudinal direction.
  • Such retaining means are transversely flexible and thereby permit the above-mentioned transverse flexibility.
  • Said stiffening members are spaced apart substantially adjacent the transverse midpoint of the device for receiving the protruding portion of the users backbone but are sufficiently close together that same will bear firmly against the back muscles of the user including those which are closely adjacent the backbone.
  • Said retaining means may, if desired, also function as padding arranged between said stiffening members and the users back.
  • the invention relates to-a vertebral column support for use in chairs and the like which is portable, lightweight, inconspicuous and does not have to be worn, and which is effective in relieving low backache.
  • my device Another action of my device is its splinting effect.
  • the movement of the lower back occurs mainly in the lumbar, spine (5 vertebrae), with none in the fused sacral area and only limited motion in the thoracic spine which is itself splinted by the rib cage. Bridging the gap between the pelvis and the rib cage, the device greatly reduces lumbar motion as long as the user is resting against it. This is important during twists and turns. and
  • the device was designed to be used in the .seated position, it has also proved to be effective in 'bed, taking the place of the bed board" which back sufferers often place beneath mattresses.
  • the device is placed on top of the mattress and must be positioned fairly high, with the upper edge at the level of the armpit.
  • the user lying on his side with the knees flexed, is then splinted against lateral sag in the lumbar area during sleep, and wakes up with much less stiffness than is commonly experienced by back sufferersflts effectiveness in this position underscores the importance of supporting the lumbar area during the hours of rest, whether in a seat or in bed, and adds proof that the device gives theneeded support.
  • FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an occupant of a seat utilizing the portable vertebral column support.
  • FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the portable vertebral' column support.
  • FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line IIIIII of FIG. 2 and illustrating also the relationship of the support with the lumbar region of the users back.
  • FIG. 3A is a fragmentary sectional view of FIG. 3 but illustrating the device on a larger scale.
  • FIG. 4 isa sectional view of a modified embodiment
  • FIG. 4A illustrates a portion of FIG. 4 on a larger scale.
  • FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of a further embodiment of the invention taken on a section similar to that of FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on a section similar to-FIG. 3, of a further modification.
  • said stiffening members are four in number and are embedded in a body of molded, flexible, preferably resilient, plastic material.
  • said stiffening members are merely connected by a sheet of flexible, preferably resilient plastic material.
  • An elastomeric plastic is effective inboth cases.
  • the adjacent edges of the stiffening members (or of the centrally positioned stiffening members if there are more than two) are spaced from each other a distance (normally about A to 2% inches) sufficient to span the protruding portion of the user's backbone but are still close enough together that they will bear firmly against the users back muscles.
  • the above-mentioned cushion while desirable toimprove the comfort to the user in using the support device. is of sufficiently limited thickness that it will not create its own resilient pressure against the back muscles of the user and thereby regenerate the very condition it is intended to alleviate.
  • the quantity of cushioning material between the stiffening members and the user's back should be accordingly limited in view of its own resiliency and/or softness, normally for such amaterial as an elastomeric plastic, about Va inch.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates the portable vertebral column support device 10 positioned between the back of an individual M and the curved portion of a seat S.
  • the curved portion of the seat S has a tendency to resiliency return to the normal broken line position N and thus project into the back of the individual, which aggravates any swayback or lordosis of the individualM.
  • the support device 10 in the position illustrated, the vertebral column C of the individual M will be protected from the forward projection of the seatback, and
  • a retaining means here comprising a rectangular body 11 of molded resilient materials, such as a moldable resilient plastic (including rubber or other elastomeric plastic) molded around the hereinafter described stiffening members.
  • the molding procedure may be of any type desired or convenient, such as injection molding around the stiffening members.
  • the body 11 is of sufficient width to span the back muscles of the user as illustrated in FIG. 3 and of sufficient length to extend when in place on a seat as shown in FIG. 1 at least to a point generally adjacent, usually immediately below, the shoulder blades of the user.
  • stiffening members terminate sufficiently within said body member to provide an attractive appearance.
  • Said stiffening members may be made of any convenient material, such as relatively stiff wood, plastic or metal, and may be of many forms such as rectangular, tubular, corrugated, solid, of laminated, as desired. Said stiffness may be chosen as desired provided only it is sufficient to give the necessary support to the back muscles of the user. Where wood is used, said stiffening members are advantageously made from top-grade plywood A or /3 inch thick. If plastic or metal is used, the stiffness should be similar.
  • each side panel of stiffening members is about 4'inches, and the stiffening members may be a single piece or two or more pieces. Thus, three pieces each about 1 inch wide and spaced about inch from each other make a comfortable and effective combination.
  • the total width of a typical pad, including the portion of the body extending laterally beyond the outer stiffening members, is therefore about ll inches.
  • the vertical length of the pad must be sufficient to bear upon the pelvis below and the thoracic area above, and thus to splint the lumbar area. In practice, this is found usually to be l5 to 16 inches in length.
  • a gap 27 is provided between the two central stiffening members 13 and 14 with a web or sheet of plastic material extending across same and integrally connecting the respective side panels.
  • the purpose of the unsupported central gap 27 is to gain comfort by avoiding impingement of the stiffeners on the dorsal spinous processes with the discomfort to cially as he moves about in'the seat.
  • a gap of 2 inches is increased to 5 4. inch, /s inch, and /2 inch the effectiveness of the device in relief of backache is progressively and rapidly diminished.
  • Padding or other resilient material is applied, at least in meaningful thickness, to only one faceof the device.
  • the user thus can choose the padded side or the unpadded side, according to his needs.
  • the material containing and joining the stiffening members must have sufficient flexibility to permit the slats, if multiple, to conform to the curvature of the back and thus improve both comfort and grip.
  • This material should be flexible, or hinged, across the central gap to permit folding of the device for carrying.
  • FIG. 4 there is shown a modification of the support device which provides essentially the advantages set forth' above but is adapted for fabrica: tion by different means requiring less specialized fabricating equipment than the molding equipment needed for the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3.
  • a sheet of flexible resilient, as elastomeric plastic, material is held in position by attachment to one or both sides of a sheet of flexible resilient, as elastomeric plastic, material.
  • Such fastening will normally be by an adhesive but may be by other means if desired.
  • a cover member 26 which covers the opposite side of said stiffening members as well as the side edges thereof. Any flexible material, such as a suitable textile or sheet plastic material, may be provided for this purpose.
  • the device will, however, be entirely functional with only the stiffening members 21 to 24 and the padding member 25 being used,. but the addition of the cover member 26 will add to the appearance of the device and keep it'cleaner.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates the cover sheet 26 extending only partially around the support device
  • the cover sheet 26 could totally enclose the support device if desired.
  • the embodiment of FIG. 3 could have the body 11 totally enclosed within a flexible cover sheet or envelope if so desired.
  • the central stiffening members are at least partially replaced by a pair of relatively stiff tubular members indicated at 31 and 32 and a central web 33 is wrapped around at least one thereof for anchoring same.
  • the enveloping material 34 is then molded around said stiffening members and the edge of said central web in the same manner as above described in more detail for the embodiment of FIG. 3.
  • the central web may if desired by of a different material than that which envelopes the stiffening memme'nt, only a single piece of such material is provided for each side of the support device.
  • Said stiffening member is enveloped in a flexibleresilient, as elastomeric, molded plastic material 42 and inthis case the lateral flexibility of both the plastic material and the corrugated metal will provide for close conformity of the device to the contour of the users back.
  • the central web may here be a continuation of the molded material 42 or if preferred it can be a separate material as illustrated in FIG. 5 suitably embedded intothe molded material for holding same in position. 7
  • the support device When the support device is folded as above mentioned for carrying, same may then be fastened as convenient in carrying position in any desired manner, such as by straps, snap buttons, zippers or otherwise as set forth more fully in my above-mentioned application.
  • the pad may be provided with ventilating openings therethrough, if desired, which openings may extend through the central web.
  • said support device in supporting the vertebral column of a user and designed for use between the users back and an external supporting surface such as a seat back, said support device consisting of a substantially flat and elongated pad having a width approximately no greater than the width of the users back so that the support device directly engages the back muscles of the user, and
  • said support device being relatively rigid throughout the complete longitudinal length thereof but being provided with lateral flexibility to conform to the users back, and to permit folding, said pad comprising:
  • elongated relatively rigid stiffening members positioned substantially parallel with respect to each other and spaced apart to define a central portion therebetween of width sufficient, but no greater.
  • stiffening members retaining means affixed to said stiffening members for holding same in a predetermined position with respect to each other and extending at least substantially the full length and width of said stiffening members;
  • said device being positionable so that the longitudinal axis thereof extends parallel to the vertebral column of the user with said central portion substantially spanning at least the palpable portion of the vertebral column of the user and said stiffening members being positioned on opposite sides of the vertebral column and disposed for contact with at least those of the users back muscles which are closely adjacent his vertebral column.
  • stiffening members comprise at least four such members, the central two thereof being spaced from each other a distance defining said central portion.
  • said retaining means comprises a solid envelope of molded resilient material completely and permanently enveloping all of thelstiffening members.
  • said retaining means is a quantity of elastomeric material molded around said stiffening members.
  • said retaining means is a sheet of flexible resilient material contacting at least one side of said stiffening members and fixedly attached thereto.
  • a portable vertebral support device for use as a medical appliance in supporting the vertebral column of a user and designed for use between the users back and an external supporting surface, such as a seat back, said support device consisting of a substantially flat and rectangularly shaped pad having a width approximately no greater than the width of the users back so that the pad directly engages the back muscles of theuser, and said pad being relatively rigid throughout the complete longitudinal length thereof but being provided with flexibility in at least one central portion across the width thereof.
  • said pad comprising:
  • said body means having a pair of laterally spaced 5 zones extending parallel to one another throughout the full length of said body means, said spaced zones being disposed adjacent the opposite longitudinally extending edges of said body means; said body means having said central portion disposed between said spaced zones and being of a width sufficient to span the protruding portion of the vertebral column of the user, the width of said central portion being between /1 and 2 /2 inches;
  • said pad being positionable so that the longitudinal axis of said pad extends parallel to the vertebral column of the user with the central portion substantially spanning at least the protruding portion of the vertebral column and the rigidified zones being positioned on opposite sides of the vertebral column and disposed for contact with the users back muscles.
  • a support device according to claim 13, wherein said body means includes a pair of overlapping sheetlike portions of flexible material, the opposed edges of said sheetlike portions being fixedly interconnected.
  • a support device wherein the width of said central portion is between about 1 /2 and 2 inches.
  • said body means includes a quantity of cushioning material covering said slat means on the side thereof intended to face the users back in normal condition of use, said cushioning material not being so thick as to nullify the rigidifying effect of the device.
  • a support device wherein the thickness of the central portion of said body means is substantially less than the thickness of said body means in the region of said rigid slat means.

Landscapes

  • Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)
  • Mattresses And Other Support Structures For Chairs And Beds (AREA)
US00305664A 1970-08-12 1972-11-13 Portable vertebral column support Expired - Lifetime US3856349A (en)

Priority Applications (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00305664A US3856349A (en) 1970-08-12 1972-11-13 Portable vertebral column support
CA166,731A CA972086A (en) 1972-11-13 1973-03-22 Portable vertebral column support
JP48043003A JPS4978385A (ja) 1972-11-13 1973-04-16
FR7314518A FR2206074B1 (ja) 1972-11-13 1973-04-20
GB2390373A GB1428215A (en) 1972-11-13 1973-05-18 Portable vertrbral column support
AU55963/73A AU452299B2 (en) 1972-11-13 1973-05-21 Portable vertebral column support
DE19732344534 DE2344534A1 (de) 1972-11-13 1973-09-04 Transportable rueckenstuetze

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US6325370A 1970-08-12 1970-08-12
US00305664A US3856349A (en) 1970-08-12 1972-11-13 Portable vertebral column support

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3856349A true US3856349A (en) 1974-12-24

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ID=23181783

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00305664A Expired - Lifetime US3856349A (en) 1970-08-12 1972-11-13 Portable vertebral column support

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US3856349A (ja)
JP (1) JPS4978385A (ja)
AU (1) AU452299B2 (ja)
CA (1) CA972086A (ja)
DE (1) DE2344534A1 (ja)
FR (1) FR2206074B1 (ja)
GB (1) GB1428215A (ja)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2658663A1 (de) * 1975-12-30 1977-07-07 Cabagnero Ramon Jane Rueckenlehne fuer zusammenklappbare sitze, insbesondere kinderwagensitze, deren gestell durch zusammenruecken der seitenteile zusammengefaltet werden kann
US5316375A (en) * 1991-12-16 1994-05-31 Buddy Orthopoedic Inc. Back support and internal frame
US5588445A (en) * 1996-05-22 1996-12-31 Obaidi; Hemayatullah S. Head and neck protector for children
AU675190B2 (en) * 1994-02-04 1997-01-23 Neil Summers Backrest device
US20040138409A1 (en) * 2002-07-12 2004-07-15 Toshio Hayashi Method for producing diol derivatives
EP1479561A2 (en) * 2003-05-20 2004-11-24 Fico Cables, Lda Support component of a seat
US20040245832A1 (en) * 2003-06-04 2004-12-09 Miller Scott D. Device and method for head restraint
US20050067861A1 (en) * 2003-09-30 2005-03-31 Eli Avihod Wheelchair with book-style folding feature
US9033416B1 (en) * 2013-09-28 2015-05-19 Paul John Vanderhorst Vertical back support health-enhancing device

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4211218A (en) * 1978-08-14 1980-07-08 Kendrick Richard L Spinal restraint device
AU6936687A (en) * 1986-02-04 1987-08-25 Paxon, J.B. Resilient support cushion
US4887865A (en) * 1988-11-08 1989-12-19 Daniel Dawidzon Orthopedic seat and backrest combination
US5978965A (en) * 1997-02-26 1999-11-09 Summers; Neil Upper body garment

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2001252A (en) * 1935-01-19 1935-05-14 Johnson Clarence Elmo Foldable chair
GB459000A (en) * 1935-10-17 1936-12-31 Evans Concinnum Ltd Improvements relating to back rests or supports
US2457978A (en) * 1946-09-25 1949-01-04 Frank J Curran Self-opening collapsible chair
US2565597A (en) * 1948-09-29 1951-08-28 Sr Fred De Mier Back rest
US2582115A (en) * 1948-12-04 1952-01-08 James E Goodeve Posture attachment for chairs
US3197255A (en) * 1964-10-12 1965-07-27 Doris B Caudill Portable back support
US3600035A (en) * 1968-09-20 1971-08-17 Georges Vondrejs Autonomous seat for chair
US3709557A (en) * 1970-08-12 1973-01-09 Flat Back Corp Portable vertebral column support
US3736027A (en) * 1972-02-07 1973-05-29 A P Stafford Air seat

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2001252A (en) * 1935-01-19 1935-05-14 Johnson Clarence Elmo Foldable chair
GB459000A (en) * 1935-10-17 1936-12-31 Evans Concinnum Ltd Improvements relating to back rests or supports
US2457978A (en) * 1946-09-25 1949-01-04 Frank J Curran Self-opening collapsible chair
US2565597A (en) * 1948-09-29 1951-08-28 Sr Fred De Mier Back rest
US2582115A (en) * 1948-12-04 1952-01-08 James E Goodeve Posture attachment for chairs
US3197255A (en) * 1964-10-12 1965-07-27 Doris B Caudill Portable back support
US3600035A (en) * 1968-09-20 1971-08-17 Georges Vondrejs Autonomous seat for chair
US3709557A (en) * 1970-08-12 1973-01-09 Flat Back Corp Portable vertebral column support
US3736027A (en) * 1972-02-07 1973-05-29 A P Stafford Air seat

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2658663A1 (de) * 1975-12-30 1977-07-07 Cabagnero Ramon Jane Rueckenlehne fuer zusammenklappbare sitze, insbesondere kinderwagensitze, deren gestell durch zusammenruecken der seitenteile zusammengefaltet werden kann
US5316375A (en) * 1991-12-16 1994-05-31 Buddy Orthopoedic Inc. Back support and internal frame
AU675190B2 (en) * 1994-02-04 1997-01-23 Neil Summers Backrest device
US5588445A (en) * 1996-05-22 1996-12-31 Obaidi; Hemayatullah S. Head and neck protector for children
US20040138409A1 (en) * 2002-07-12 2004-07-15 Toshio Hayashi Method for producing diol derivatives
EP1479561A3 (en) * 2003-05-20 2007-12-26 Fico Cables, Lda Support component of a seat
EP1479561A2 (en) * 2003-05-20 2004-11-24 Fico Cables, Lda Support component of a seat
US20040245832A1 (en) * 2003-06-04 2004-12-09 Miller Scott D. Device and method for head restraint
WO2004110807A3 (en) * 2003-06-04 2005-06-02 Scott D Miller Device and method for head restraint
US7004545B2 (en) * 2003-06-04 2006-02-28 Miller Scott D Device and method for head restraint
WO2004110807A2 (en) * 2003-06-04 2004-12-23 Miller Scott D Device and method for head restraint
US20050067861A1 (en) * 2003-09-30 2005-03-31 Eli Avihod Wheelchair with book-style folding feature
US9033416B1 (en) * 2013-09-28 2015-05-19 Paul John Vanderhorst Vertical back support health-enhancing device
US9198515B1 (en) * 2013-09-28 2015-12-01 Paul John Vanderhorst Vertical back support health-enhancing device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2206074A1 (ja) 1974-06-07
JPS4978385A (ja) 1974-07-29
AU5596373A (en) 1974-09-05
AU452299B2 (en) 1974-09-05
FR2206074B1 (ja) 1977-02-04
GB1428215A (en) 1976-03-17
CA972086A (en) 1975-07-29
DE2344534A1 (de) 1974-05-16

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