ZA201004223B

ZA201004223B - An anatomical cushion

Info

Publication number: ZA201004223B
Application number: ZA2010/04223A
Authority: ZA
Inventors: Jerzy Jozef Sokolewicz
Original assignee: Jerzy Jozef Sokolewicz
Priority date: 2009-04-21
Filing date: 2010-06-14
Publication date: 2011-04-28

Description

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AN ANATOMICAL CUSHION

FIELD OF INVENTION

THIS INVENTION relates to an anatomical cushion.

The invention relates particularly to an anatomical cushion for use by a person who is a passenger in an aeroplane during air travel.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided an anatomical cushion which comprises an inflatable cushion-like body that includes a first support wall and a second support wall, the first support wall defining a first face, the second support wall defining a second face, the first face and the second face being inclined with respect to one another when the body is inflated, at an angle of inclination of between 5 ° and 20 °, wherein one of the first face and the second face are operable to provide for the support of a predetermined part of a person's body.

The angle of inclination of the first face with respect to the second face may be of the order of 12°.

The second face may have a substantially flat configuration.

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The first support wall may be contoured and may define a pair of channel formations which extend between a front side and a rear side of the anatomical cushion and in which the predetermined part of the person’s body can be received.

The pair of channel formations may be configured to substantially conform to upper regions of the person's thighs which are received therein, in use, for supporting the anatomical cushion on the person’s thighs when the person is in a sitting position, such that an article can be supported on the second face.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Further features of the anatomical cushion in accordance with the invention are described in more detail hereinafter with reference to an example of an anatomical cushion which is illustrated in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings. In the drawings: 16 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an anatomical cushion in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 shows a front view of the anatomical cushion of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a rear view of the anatomical cushion of Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows a left side view of the anatomical cushion of Figure 1;

Figure 5 shows a right side view of the anatomical cushion of Figure 1;

Figure 6 shows a top plan view of the anatomical cushion of Figure 1;

Figure 7 shows a bottom plan view of the anatomical cushion of Figure 1;

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the anatomical cushion of Figure 1 resting on the thighs of a person in a seated position; and

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the anatomical cushion of Figure 1 cushioning the lower back of a person in a seated position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings, an anatomical cushion, in accordance with the invention, is designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The anatomical cushion 10 comprises an inflatable cushion-like body 12, the body 12 comprising a contoured first support wall 14, a flat second support wall 16, a front wall 18, a rear wall 20, a first side wall 22 and a second side wall 24. When the body 12 is inflated, the walls 18, 20, 22 and 24 extend between the first support wall 14 and the second support wall 16 and determine the spacing between them.

The first support wall 14 and the second support wall 16 define faces that are inclined with respect to one another as shown. As such, the first support wall 14 defines a first face 21 and the second support wall 16 defines a second face 23. The first face 21 is inclined with respect to the second face 23. More particularly, the first face 21 is inclined relative to the second face 23 from the front wall 18 to the rear wall 20. The angle of inclination of the first face 21 with respect to the second face 23 is between 5° and 20°. More particularly, the angle is optimally in the order of 12°. X

The inflatable cushion-like body 12 forming the anatomical cushion 10 has an inflation valve 26 located in the second support wall 16 thereof, the inflation valve being a conventional-type valve as used on known inflatable bodies, permitting both inflation of

Bk2010/ 04223 - 5 the body 12 and deflation thereof. Furthermore, the body 12 is formed of a flexible, felt covered PVC material, the use of such a material in relation to inflatable products already being known. The body 12 also is formed by a conventional manufacturing process as used for forming inflatable bodies of the general type.

As illustrated, the first face 21 defined by the first support wall 14 is contoured so as to define a pair of channel formations 28.1 and 28.2 which extend between the front and rear walls of the cushion.

It is envisaged that the first face 21 and the second face 23 may provide for the support of a predetermined part of a person's body. More particularly, it is envisaged that the cushioning body may be used as a footrest, a lap rest, a backrest, or a head rest. The felt covering of the walls of the body 12 provide the anatomical cushion with suitable non-slip qualities, both in relation to the support of the anatomical cushion on a support surface and in relation to the support of the predetermined part of the person's body.

In an application of the anatomical cushion 10 wherein it serves as a footrest for use by the person who is a passenger in an aeroplane during air travel, it is envisaged that the body 12 will be placed on the floor of an aeroplane in front of a passenger's seat, particularly in a configuration in which the passenger can then conveniently support his feet on the first face 21 defined by the first major wall 14 of the body 12 with the person’s feet received within the channel formations 28.1 and 28.2.

It is envisaged that the use of an anatomical cushion as described can greatly enhance passenger comfort during extended air travel in aeroplanes, the resilient deformability qualities of the anatomical cushion 10, due to its being an inflatable body, also permitting the performance of foot and leg exercises during air travel, which can serve to at least reduce the risk of medical ailments that can occur as a result of extended air travel.

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With reference to Figure 8, in an application of the anatomical cushion 10 wherein it serves as a lap rest, it is envisaged that a seated person will place the anatomical cushion 10 on the person's lap such that each one the person's upper thighs are received in a different one of the channel formations 28.1, 28.2. The channel formations 28.1, 28.2 have convex configurations and conform to upper regions of the person's thighs which are received therein. The anatomical cushion 10 is thus supported on the person's thighs such that the flat second face 23 is uppermost and inclined with respect to the person's thighs. An article such as a laptop computer can then be supported on the second face. As such, the person's thighs are cushioned by the inflatable body, thereby enhancing the person's level of comfort.

With reference to Figure 9 of the drawings, the use of the cushion as a backrest for cushioned support of a person's lower back region while seated on a chair having an upright backrest, is illustrated.

In an application wherein the anatomical cushion is used as a head rest, the flat second face 23 is uppermost for supporting a person’s head thereon.

Insofar as the anatomical cushion 10 can be deflated, it can be provided in combination with a pouch in which the body, when deflated, can fit, thus facilitating the portability of the anatomical cushion, particularly also within a relatively small handbag, a jacket pocket, and the like. The invention extends also to the combination of an anatomical cushion and a pouch as envisaged.

It will be understood that the exact configuration of the anatomical cushion of the invention, including the dimensions associated therewith, are greatly variable, it being envisaged also that the above can be suitably optimized for use in different aeroplanes, which may be associated with different space parameters in front of the passenger seats thereof.

Claims

‘ = EL2010/ 04223 CLAIMS: CL

1. An anatomical cushion which comprises an inflatable cushion-like body that includes a first support wall and a second major wall, the first major wall defining a first face, the second support wall defining a second face, the first face and the second face being inclined with respect to one another when the body is inflated, at an angle of inclination of between 5 © and 20 °, wherein one of the first face and the second face are operable to provide for the support of a predetermined part of a person's body.

2. The anatomical cushion as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the angle of inclination of the first face with respect to the second face is of the order of 12°.

3. The anatomical cushion as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the second support wall has a substantially flat configuration.

4. The anatomical cushion as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the first support wall is contoured and defines a pair of channel formations which extend between a front side and a rear side of the anatomical cushion and in which the predetermined part of the person's body can be received.

5. The anatomical cushion as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the pair of channel formations are configured to substantially conform to upper regions of a person's thighs which are received therein, in use, for supporting the anatomical cushion on the person's thighs when the person is in a sitting position, such that an article can be supported on the second face.

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6. The anatomical cushion as claimed in Claim 1, substantially as described in the specification, with reference to and as illustrated in any of the drawings. DATED THIS 11™ DAY OF JUNE 2010 ADAMS & ADAMS APPLICANT'S PATENT ATTORNEYS